《The Blessed》


 Chapter 1

    The development of society and technology had changed the poor rural areas in Hua Country from poverty to prosperity. Benefited from the advancements, some villages in the eastern coastal areas were even more beautiful than those in big cities while the western interior was much worse than that. Shanquan was a small village located in the Bei City of Chuan Province in the western region. There were no more than 100 households in the village. Although the life there was not as good as that in the coastal areas, its residents could still lead a decent life.


    As for the richest person in Shanquan, the villagers would certainly tell you one name, Ling Jingxuan.


    No one knew how Ling Jingxuan made his fortune. One day more than 20 years ago, all seven members of Ling¡¯s family died overnight. The three-year-old Ling Jingxuan went missing. Since then, there had been no one named Ling in Shanquan. However, eight years ago, a man who claimed to be Ling Jingxuan suddenly returned to the village, built a plot of land on the former site of Ling¡¯s family, and constructed a villa with gardens in front and back in just half a year. At that time, many people were envious and even wished to replace Ling Jingxuan as the owner of the household.


    Soon afterward, the man bought dozens of mu (a unit of measurement in China, one mu equals to 666.666¡­square meters) of land not far from the villa and no one knew how he did it. He then started to recruit farm hands to work for him. Then, all villagers thought that Ling Jingxuan, who was originally aloof, started to have his feet on the ground. In normal times, Ling Jingxuan would always play cards with people in the teahouse opened by the village head¡¯s wife. No one knew what his job was and where his money came from. The only thing for sure was, the man would disappear for a while every once in a while and then came back as if nothing had ever happened.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Late at night, when all was silent, in the only villa in Shanquan Village, a man¡¯s painful roar suddenly sounded. Inside the slightly opened door where the sound came from stood several tall, strong, and burly men, dressed in camouflage uniforms, armed with ammunition and full of hostility. More inside, a man turned his back on the door and moved quickly. In front of him, a half-naked man had a white cloth in his mouth. Bloody wounds spread from his shoulder blades to his abdomen and the shrieks came from him.


    ¡°Be fucking gentle!¡±


    Seeing the men roll his eyes in pain, the man standing before the bed shouted. Ling Jingxuan, who was sewing up the wound, looked up coldly and gazed at the man. His delicate and beautiful face which looked so unreal was full of ridicule.


    ¡°Hm¡­¡±


    ¡°Maybe I should leave it to you since you have so many requirements.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand tugging at the thread end jerked, causing the man to almost faint in an instant of pain. He curled his lip and threw away the needle and thread, threatening to leave. Then, a bloody palm suddenly grabbed him. Ling Jingxuan turned back to look at the man. The man with only two-thirds of his wound sewed up took a few deep breaths and stared at the one beside the bed before spitting the white cloth out from his mouth, ¡°Go on!¡±


    Even though he was seriously injured, the man¡¯s momentum was prevailing. Ling Jingxuan said coldly after a long eye contact with the man, ¡°Only this once.¡±


    Finishing his words, Ling Jingxuan sat down again, continuing to help the man suture the wound. These people were an internationally famous mercenary army, recently employed to carry out an assassination mission in Chuan province. But they underestimated the ability of the Hua army and almost got wiped out. The injured man called Yass, the boss of the mercenary army. He once helped Ling Jingxuan so the two men formed a friendship, otherwise, they could not even find Ling Jingxuan, let alone ask him to help to suture the wound.


    Ling Jingxuan, code-named Soul-hunting, a world-renowned doctor and killer, who saved lives with one hand and killed with the other, was feared by both the government and underworld gangs solely by his name. No one knew his real appearance. Apart from his medical and assassination skills, he also had a horrible skill of disguising himself as man or woman, handsome or ugly. Few people even knew where he hid at ordinary times. People seeking medical treatment or hiring him would usually contact his killer organization. He shifted his role as a doctor or killer all depended on his mood. Ling Jingxuan could be said to be the only one in the world who only worked according to his preferences.


    ¡°It was careless of us this time. Don¡¯t worry, we won¡¯t disturb you. We¡¯ll leave when the wound is sewn up.¡±


    Yass¡¯ dim eyes could not hide the painful feelings. Ling Jingxuan lifted his head and took a glance of the man with his movements nonstop, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you wanna stay here for therapy if not leaving.¡±


    That¡¯s an old saying that ¡®the greatest hermit would retreat into the noisiest fair¡¯, but Yass felt that there was no safer place than the countryside. If it weren¡¯t for Ling Jingxuan owee Yass, the man would never take the initiative to expose his shelter.


    ¡°Jingxuan¡±


    Boom~


    ¡°Shit, the Hua army is coming.¡±


    Yass¡¯ words were cut off by the deafening explosion. A stout man suddenly rushed in, and those rough men in the room all looked at Yass uniformly. Since the military dared to be so bold, it was obvious that they had already lied in ambush around. The villa had been surrounded for a long time.


    In this tense atmosphere, only Ling Jingxuan seemed unaffected and was suturing the wound nimbly and skillfully. Everything outside seemed to have nothing to do with him.


    ¡°Galen, go out and stop them. Try to tear open their defense loophole.¡±


    A leader was a leader. Yass still looked so calm. Under his command, the man called Galen waved his hand, and the rest of the people all followed out.


    ¡°Well, you can leave now.¡±


    About a few minutes later, Ling Jingxuan sewed the last stitch and slowly tidied up his tools. Yass grabbed his hand and said, ¡°Jingxuan, come with us.¡±


    Such a big wound could never be painless, but Yass gave others the feeling that the wound was not on him at all.


    Encountering with his hot sight, Ling Jingxuan slowly pushed his hand away, ¡°Do you know the difference between mercenaries and killers? The former needs to be great-hearted and chivalrous and dare to show his back to his teammates, while the latter would never trust anyone.¡±


    His words were straightforward enough. It was not that he did not want to leave. He just didn¡¯t trust them.


    ¡°Jingxuan, you always hurt people like this.¡±


    Raising a mocking smile, Yass choked back the pain of the wound and stood up. Compared with the pain, his heart seemed more painful, but he was already a man with no feeling.


    ¡°Take care!¡±


    When he opened the door to leave, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s cold voice suddenly sounded. Yass, who turned his back to Ling Jingxuan, curved up his lips. That was enough for him, cause no one in this world could hear these words from Ling Jingxuan¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°You too!¡±


    Boom¡­Boom¡­


    The door opened and closed and the sound of gunfire blaring outside. Ling Jingxuan packed up and then turned to look at the door, bitterness flashed in his eyes. He knew well enough that he could not give himself over to blind emotions. He would rather seek for a one-night strand than give hope that shouldn¡¯t exist to his friend.


    ¡°Pa, Pa, Pa¡­¡±


    ¡°Move! Move! Follow us!¡±


    ¡°Yass, this way¡­¡±


    ¡°This is a group of internationally famous war criminals. When necessary, kill them all.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    In the fierce gunfight, both sides were giving orders. The military special forces had strong firepower. Yass¡¯ group failed to break through from the front so they could only move to the rear. But unexpectedly, the backyard lurked a large number of special soldiers. Yass¡¯ group thus left with only four or five people in an instant. As all were about to be wiped out, Ling Jingxuan, who had always kept an indifferent attitude, suddenly appeared again.


    ¡°Follow me.¡±


    Glancing at Yass¡¯ naked and bleeding chest, Ling Jingxuan turned around and moved. After getting Yass¡¯ approval, the others followed.


    In the basement, Ling Jingxuan ignored everyone¡¯s surprise and bent over to knock on one of the floor tiles. Then a secret tunnel that could only accommodate one adult at a time suddenly appeared. Ling Jingxuan retreated aside, ¡°Here connects to a nearby river channel. I put a rubber boat in the woods nearby. Whether you can escape depends on your luck.¡±


    Obviously, he did not intend to go with them.


    ¡°Jingxuan, come with us.¡±


    ¡°Let the underlings go down first¡±. Yass asked again. He could not leave Ling alone.


    At the same time, the military personnel outside also sensed that something was wrong. After all, they hadn¡¯t heard their gunfire for quite some time. After confirming the identity of the villa owner was Ling Jingxuan, the highest military commander made an order to raze the villa. The special force responsible for the mission thus planted bombs around the villa. Once they withdrew, the villa would turn into ashes.


    ¡°Yass, you should know that I won¡¯t have feelings for anyone. Just go. I have another way out.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s handsome face emerged rare emotions, but he still did not promise anything. He was gay and he knew it well, but he was tired of bloody killing and just wanted to live a common life. Maybe in the future, he would adopt a few children and spend the rest of his life as an ordinary man. However, that was something Yass could never give him.


    ¡°Take care of yourself!¡±


    Yass moved his lips but still did not speak out the love buried deep into his heart. He then turned around and climbed into the underpass.


    Boom¡­


    ¡°F**k!¡±


    Even the wily hare has three holes to his burrow, let alone someone like Ling Jingxuan. Just as he watched Yass disappear and was about to open another underpass, with the deafening explosion, the ground shook instantly. Ling Jingxuan was drowned in the rubble before he could react. The most horrible and mysterious killer Soul-hunting would never anticipate that he would be killed because of his own once-in-a-life-time being softhearted.

 Chapter 2

    ¡°Kill him, he is a monster! Kill him¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t beat my dad, stop! You can¡¯t beat my dad!¡±


    ¡°Ooo¡­ Daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    On a grassy clearing in the countryside, a group of teenagers was punching and kicking a staggering man. Next to them, two wan and sallow children, only about three or four years old, were crying and trying to stop these people like a mantis trying to halt a chariot. However, these ¡®gangsters¡¯ pushed the two kids half a meter away with only a swing of their fist. They shouted as they hit the man, and their punches and kicks all fell right on the man¡¯s tenuous and dusty body.


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    His groans of pain were almost drowned in the shouts of those teenagers. Before Ling Jingxuan could open his eyes, terrible pains spread all over his body, making him feel like he would be falling apart, and the memories that seemed not belong to him were frantically drilling into his mind, swelling his head to explode.


    ¡°My mother said he is a monster! Kill him!¡±


    ¡°Kill him!¡±


    ¡°My daddy is not a monster! Get out of here! Don¡¯t hit my daddy!¡±


    The two little boys were constantly pushed down and climbed up, limping towards these bullies. One of the little boys kept shouting and arguing but failed to resist those crazy young boys with his thin and small body. The more painful the two kids were, the more violent they became. They were even itching to kill the man.


    No one noticed that Ling Jingxuan, who was besieged suddenly grabbed one of the teenagers¡¯ ankles with the speed fast as lightning.


    Bam~


    ¡°Ouch, oh my god!¡±


    The sound of a heavy object falling to the ground suddenly sounded, accompanied by the shrill scream of the young boy. The others were scared to retreat one after another. The little boy pulling them stopped crying and looked at the young boy lying on the ground with his left foot tightly grasped by a dirty hand. Looking down the hand, the owner was the man who had been beaten by them.


    ¡°You damn monster!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t move, or I¡¯ll cut your neck!¡±


    Only until then, the young boy reacted and stretched out his foot to kick Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thin body. No one saw clearly how they moved and only saw the scene in a blur. And the next second, Ling Jingxuan held a sharp piece of debris, tightly against the young¡¯s neck. If he forced a little bit harder, the young¡¯s artery would be broken.


    ¡°You¡­ What do you want?¡±


    The usual turbidity in his elongated almond eyes suddenly disappeared, reflecting terrifying cold light. The young boy was frightened, trembling and stammering, no previous crazy violence. After all, this was his first time to see such a scene.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan wanted to answer him, but his head ached as if it would explode at any moment. His hand against the young boy¡¯s neck gradually relaxed its strength. The messy memories in his head told him that he should have encountered the so-called transmigration or time travel. As to where and which dynasty he arrived in and what the current situation was, he could not figure it out yet.


    ¡°Daddy?¡±


    The wan and sallow boy called, holding another child in his arms about his age. His bright eyes stared at Ling Jingxuan straight. And the other party frowned at him, a few memory fragments slipped through his mind. It seemed that the two, who looked malnourished at the first sight, were his son Ling Wen and Ling Wu. Holy shit, why the god played such a huge joke on him? He was not even 20 years old, was he?


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan felt more painful when he was thinking, so he had to let go of the young and the messy thoughts in his mind, holding the head in pain.


    ¡°You silly monster, just wait! I¡¯ll call my mother here. Just wait!¡±


    The freed young man pushed him away and fled with the others, without forgetting to say some harsh words. A moment later, there were only Ling Jingxuan, who was holding his head in pain and groaning, and two thin and weak ¡®buns¡¯.


    ¡°Daddy, is your brain awake?¡±


    Holding his little brother, Ling Wen walked forward and asked tentatively, failing to hide the excitement and fear in his tone. Nesting in his brother¡¯s arms, Ling Wu revealed joy in his eyes. The two brothers both looked at their daddy.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Bang~


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan could reply, he passed out with his eyes rolled. When he fell down, he vaguely seemed to see two small ¡®buns¡¯ rushing towards him excitedly. His scarred cheeks could not help but raise an ugly smile.


    In the dimly lit thatched cottage, Ling Jingxuan was covered with a layer of dusty rags on his head. He lay weakly on the wooden bed. The earth wall with cracks around him was eroded with a cool wind from time to time. A small square window was opened right on the earth wall above the wooden bed. Two shabby windows hung obliquely on it and could fall off at any time. The house had nothing but a big wooden box at the end of the bed. The family looked so poor! Not that kind of ordinary poor!


    ¡°Ge, daddy has been sleeping for several days. When will he wake up?¡±


    ¡°The physician said that he would wake up soon after the fever subsided. I¡¯ll go and check his situation.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, ge, I want to go with you.¡±


    The wooden door left unlocked was pushed open from the outside. The two ¡®buns¡¯ came in one after the other, holding their hands. One of them stretched out his hand to touch Ling Jingxuan¡¯s forehead, and then his own. ¡°It¡¯s not hot anymore,¡± whispered him. ¡°You stay here and watch over Daddy. I¡¯ll heat the flour paste grandma has made this noon. Daddy might wake up hungry later.¡±


    ¡°Ge, I¡¯m hungry, too.¡±


    Ling Wu nodded lovely. His small hand like chick paws was fondling his stomach. Ling Wen smiled, ¡°Hmm, Xiaowu, be good. You¡¯ll soon have food to eat.¡±


    Finishing his words, the little boy went out. Ling Wu looked back at his dad lying on the bed and ran to help him tuck up the broken quilt before turning around and picking up a small bench without a leg and sat down obediently.


    Lying on the bed, Ling Jingxuan slowly opened his eyes. He woke up as early as when the two buns opened the door. Compared with the mental chaos of a few days ago, now he had almost sorted out the basic condition of his body. The two little buns were indeed his sons. The twins would be five years old at the end of the year although they were thin and small and looked three or four years old at most.


    At the thought of that, Ling Jingxuan turned his head and looked around, sighing heavily in his heart. He had nothing but the bare walls in his house plus two buns to feed, ¡®Can this life be more miserable?¡¯ What¡¯s more, he seemed to be their biological father. And just because of that, people in the village all said he was a monster. How could a man give birth to babies?


    The adults in the village gossiped behind his back while those young children often formed small groups to bully him. They beat and scold him just like the day he had transmigrated here. He was able to withstand and was only beaten to death after five years of torture. This could also be called an achievement, right?

 Chapter 3

    ¡°Daddy, you awake?¡±


    Ling Wu prone on the bed and his big gleaming eyes like peeled longan, staring at Ling Jingxuan. The man¡¯s eyes flickered but he said nothing and pretended to be drowsy with no shame.


    ¡°Daddy, wake up. Wake up. I heard that Wen told grandma you are no longer a fool. Will you be able to make a lot of money like Tiewa¡¯s dad? Daddy, don¡¯t worry, I will help you make money. I can dig wild vegetables now. When I grow a little bigger, I can go catch fish with Tiewa and others. I¡¯ll catch the biggest and fattest fish for you. No, for us. I have never eaten fish yet.¡±


    Ling Wu babbled at his father¡¯s bedside. Occasionally, he spoke with a lisp, but it didn¡¯t prevent him from picturing a bright future for his dad. Ling Jingxuan seemed to have heard the voice of swallowing saliva when the boy was talking about ¡®fish¡¯. Not knowing whether it was the original owner¡¯s own emotion or whether he was infected by what the little boy said, Ling Jingxuan felt his eyes sour and his heart stuffy. The child under five years old was already so sensible, and he hadn¡¯t even eaten fish yet. Wasn¡¯t it sad? It was simply unimaginable in the 21st century.


    ¡°Xiaowu¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy, are you awake? Get up and eat something. I¡¯ve already heated up the flour paste grandma made for us.¡±


    Ling Wen came in with a rough bowl dotted with gaps. Seeing Ling Jingxuan awake, his dirty little face look a little unnatural. He put the bowl on the big wooden box at the bed end and ran out then. A moment later, he came back with another rough bowl of the same size carefully. Ling Jingxuan lying on the bed vaguely saw that besides the dark paste, there seemed to be some white stuff in the bowl. Should it be sweet potatoes? The little bun must have thought he still hadn¡¯t awakened, so he put his share in the kitchen and brought it to him when he woke up.


    ¡°Daddy, get up and eat something. You¡¯ve been asleep for several days.¡±


    When he came back for the third time, Ling Wen had a few more pairs of chopsticks in his hand, and he was a little breathless after several trips back and forth, but he did not rest a bit. Instead, he carried a bowl of sweet potatoes to the bed. His big round eyes were filled with restrained curiosity and excitement. He vaguely knew that his dad was no longer silly, but he couldn¡¯t say for sure what kind of status his dad would become. Anyway, it would be better than before.


    The two children, one was an adorable little chatterbox, while the other was mentally-matured beyond his age. But they were both skinny and small with patchy clothes hung on them. Apart from their sparkling eyes, their whole body was sallow especially the pair of ¡®chicken claws¡¯. Ling Jingxuan did not move cause he felt pain in his heart. It turned out they were not really sallow-skinned but with dirt all over their body. He didn¡¯t know how long they hadn¡¯t bathed, but he realized that he was a total failure as a father.


    Perhaps, it wouldn¡¯t be a bad thing to have two such sons?


    ¡°Put it over there. I¡¯ll get up and eat with you.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan finally spoke. His voice was as hoarse as a broken gong. After hearing what he said, the two little buns immediately straightened their stiff body with their eyes filling with tears. Ling Jingxuan, who was struggling to sit up, couldn¡¯t help wondering ¡®what happened?¡±


    ¡°Whoa¡­ Daddy, you can speak finally! Dad is awesome!¡±


    Compared with Ling Wen¡¯s forbearance and stubbornness, Ling Wu was more outward. He ran over excitedly to hold his dad¡¯s hands while crying. Ling Jingxuan was stunned. Some memories seemed to crowd his head, making him remember vaguely that the original owner of his body seemed to have been in an unconscious status since being driven away after being pregnant with the two boys. In recent years, his memory was basically blank. He looked up at Ling Wen, who pursed his lips tightly, and his long and charming phoenix eye narrowed slightly. Ling Jingxuan stretched out his hands and took the initiative to hug Ling Wen and gently said, ¡°Daddy always can talk, but daddy just forgot it for some time. The big illness this time seems to have cured daddy. Daddy promises you I would never forget it in the future, so stop crying, my little buns.¡±


    His vocal cords that had not been used for too long were still hoarse and sounded unpleasant, but it did not hinder Ling Jingxuan¡¯s gentleness. Since he had taken over this body and the two little buns were so adorable, from today on, they would be his own son. He would make every effort to cultivate them into good boys and feed them well.


    ¡°Daddy! Don¡¯t call me bun. I¡¯m Xiaowu.¡±


    Hearing him being called ¡®little bun¡¯, Ling Wu pursed his mouth in protest. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help laughing and reached out his hand to pinch the boy¡¯s face. But the boy was too thin and could only be pinched up a layer of skin. Sadness surged in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart again. He then touched the boy¡¯s little face and said, ¡°Isn¡¯t ¡®little bun¡¯ good? Dad likes ¡®buns¡¯ best, especially the white and fat meat stuffed buns.¡±


    ¡°Really? But I¡¯m neither white nor fat.¡±


    The little fellow beamed with adorable eyes, making the smile on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face even brighter, ¡°I¡¯ll take care of you. Don¡¯t worry. Dad will try his best to make money and make you both super meat stuffed buns!¡±


    ¡°Mm-hmm.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t know whether the boy really understood or pretend to understand, and Ling Wu just smiled with his round eyes flashing excitedly. How adorable the kid was!


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    Ling Wen, who had been neglected by the other two presented, moved his trembling lips. The same black eyes didn¡¯t have the na?ve and lively feeling a five-year-old child was supposed to own, but naked worry, fear, expectation, and excitement. Ling Jingxuan knew he was not so easy to coax like Ling Wu, so he didn¡¯t say anything, but got up and took Xiaowen to his side, and took him with the other hand naturally.


    ¡°Daddy, have you really recovered?¡±


    The father and his sons squatted down around the old big wooden box. Ling Wen struggled for a moment and finally asked the question he was afraid the most in his heart. After all, he was still a kid less than 5 years old. Even if he was more mature than most children of the same age, he could not hide the mood in his face.


    When Ling Jingxuan looked into his eyes, he only felt a twinge of heartache. After quite a while, he smiled softly, ¡°Emm, daddy will support our family and protect you.¡±


    The cute little bun made him want to tease, while the mature big bun needed a serious guarantee.


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    The next second, the big bun rushed into his father¡¯s arms excitedly, making Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help but scream aloud because of pain. Feeling the moist in his chest, he just ignored the ache and raised his hands to gently pat the boy on the back. On the other side, the little bun blinked at them, pursed his lips, threatening to cry out. Ling Lingxuan hurriedly raised his hand to pull him into his arms.


    ¡°Whining¡­¡±


    The two boys buried in his arms, crying out loud, causing Ling Jingxuan to feel even sadder. At this moment, he realized that regardless of whether they were premature or adorable, they were just children under the age of five.

 Chapter 4

    The bowl of flour paste was as diluted as water. Ling Jingxuan could not pick up anything with his chopsticks. This was the supper for the father and his two sons. No, maybe it should be called breakfast? In ancient times, poor families usually had two meals a day. Judging from the appearance of little buns, they had not eaten anything till now today. Otherwise, it would not have been possible to have dinner in the afternoon.


    Looking down at a few pieces of sweet potatoes in his bowl, and then at the little buns who ate with relish, Ling Jingxuan inched his heart and picked up a piece and put it in the bowl of the younger boy.


    ¡°Thank you, daddy. It¡¯s delicious!¡±


    Ling Wu¡¯s happy eyes narrowed into crescent shapes for just a piece of sweet potato.


    ¡°And Xiaowen¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m full. You eat. Grandma says we can¡¯t afford meat for more nutrition but we have to eat our fill.¡±


    When Ling Jingxuan¡¯s chopsticks reached for Ling Wen¡¯s bowl, the little bun covered his bowl with his hands and hid far away, with his sword-shaped eyebrows screwed.


    He felt both touched and distressed.


    The more mature and sensible the big bun was, the more awful he felt. He could even not wait to take them to eat a big meal. However, the family was now in abject poverty. Even if he hadn¡¯t thought about it carefully, he could guess that bland paste was their daily staple food, and maybe the most decent food.


    ¡°Okay, daddy will eat. Xiaowen. Do we have a well?¡±


    Enduring the rapid upwelling tears, Ling Jingxuan no longer forced the boy but picked up the bowl to eat while asking so.


    ¡°How is that possible? You know, it is very expensive to hire someone to dig a well!¡±


    The big bun answered without thinking, then looked at Ling Jingxuan strangely, ¡°Daddy, why don¡¯t you even remember if we have a well?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ Daddy has lost memories when I was a fool those years. So when I came to my senses, I can¡¯t remember many things. So, where could we get water?¡±


    If he could not even cope with the buns, Ling Jingxuan really had lived all these years for nothing.


    ¡°Oh, grandma or grandpa will get water from the river and send it to us.¡±


    After all, Ling Wen was a child of four or five years old. Even if he was smart and mature, he was hard to detect the loophole in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words. After getting the seemingly logical answer, he didn¡¯t ask more questions anymore.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    It seemed that this family was not only poor, even water was a problem. No wonder the two buns and himself looked so dirty. He planned to take a bath and clean up the house after eating. Now it seemed that he could not do so. His body was too weak, and he had been in a coma for several days. He should thank god if he did not fall into the river let alone come back with water. Thus, the first thing after earning money was to solve the drinking problem. He was a doctor. Although he was not a neat freak, he didn¡¯t like dirt all over.


    ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s eat quickly. Take me to the river after we finish eating.¡±


    Since there was no water to bathe at home, they could go to the river, right? There was always way out, he believed. So it wouldn¡¯t be a problem.


    ¡°Hmm¡±


    Bang~


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, you shameless monster! Get your ass out of here! How dare you hit my boy? I¡¯ll kill you! Ling Jingxuan!¡±


    Before the two buns could say anything, there was a heavy kick outside, followed by vulgar curses from a woman. The smile on the face of the buns immediately disappeared. Ling Wu¡¯s little body shook and subconsciously leaned against Ling Jingxuan while Ling Wen looked at his dad and his younger brother with embarrassment. After drinking the bowl of food quickly, he got up and went out.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, go and see with dad.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eye filled with warmth suddenly turned cold, he took the little buns¡¯ hands and went out.


    ¡°Get out of here, you little bastard.¡±


    Bang!


    Just as Ling Wen pulled open the ramshackle wooden door, he was heavily slapped by a woman in coarse linen and retreated back several steps before his butt hitting on the ground. That woman didn¡¯t look at him but rushed toward the other two with a young boy.


    Seeing the scene after coming out from the door with Ling Wu, Ling Jingxuan gazed at the woman coldly and strode toward Ling Wen who was trying to choke back tears.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, you son of a bitch, how dare you beat my son? I¡¯ll kill you!¡±


    See Ling Jingxuan, the woman rolled up her sleeves and rushed up, raise her hand to give him a slap. But Ling Jingxuan was already not that Ling Jingxuan before and would not let her do as her willingness. As soon as his left hand was lifted, he grasped her small arm with precision, and his frightful sight focused on her, ¡°Fuck off!¡±


    The woman obviously didn¡¯t expect Ling Jingxuan dared to strike back, so she froze on the spot. Ling Jingxuan pushed her with skillful force, making her fall down and roll like an ice bead.


    ¡°Ouch! Oh my god!¡±


    Ignoring the woman¡¯s crying for help, Ling Jingxuan went over to squat down in front of Ling Wen, grabbed his wrist to feel the pulse, and examined his body carefully. When his eyes swept to his red and swollen cheeks, he suddenly raised the intention of murder. Damn it, the shrew even dared to lay such heavy hands on a 5-year-old child.


    ¡°Ge, does it hurt?¡±


    The little bun aside, welling with tears, touched his elder brother¡¯s inflamed cheeks with trembling hand, ¡®gold beans¡¯ kept falling down from his face.


    ¡°No, dad, I¡¯m fine. She is Dawa¡¯s mother, the one you pushed down that day. She came to our door every day these days. Fortunately, grandma will come to protect us when she has time.¡±


    Ling Wen¡¯s tiny little face was swollen like steamed bread. It was impossible for him not to feel pain. However, he just choked back tears and touched his younger brother¡¯s head, telling them the woman¡¯s identity lispingly. Before he could finish speaking, Ling Jingxuan drew him close to his arms lovingly, ¡°You can cry if you feel pain. Dad will protect you.¡±


    ¡°Woo¡­ Daddy¡­ Daddy¡­¡±


    His tiny figure froze, and then the two slender arms rounded his dad¡¯s neck. The boy could no longer help but wail loudly with his head buried in his dad¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Dad¡­¡±

 Chapter 5

    Seeing this, the little bun also leaned against his dad, while the latter raised his hand to embrace him, let the two children cry in his arms. Ling Jingxuan secretly swore to himself: This was the last time, he would never let people bully his children.


    In less than an hour, Ling Jingxuan not only accepted his present identity but also took the two buns as his own sons from the bottom of his heart.


    ¡°Bastard, shameless monster, how dare you!¡±


    The woman who had been pushed away came to her senses. Her hands rested on her hips and pointed at the father and his sons, swearing at them with her words extremely vulgar and vicious. Next to her, the teenager also looked at them scornfully. The little buns buried in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s arms crying. Ling Wu drilled into his dad¡¯s arms even more while Ling Wen wiped away tears and was ready to stand out to help his father, but was stopped by Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Just leave it to your dad.¡±


    Ignoring the shrew¡¯s swear and the big bun¡¯s puzzled eyes, Ling Jingxuan stretched out his finger to kick the boy¡¯s forehead lightly. When the line of sight turned to the woman, the warmth in his eyes disappeared instantly, replaced by coldness and anger.


    The woman who was scolding him couldn¡¯t help stunning. Her body gave a shiver: Wasn¡¯t Ling Jingxuan lost his senses? How could a fool¡¯s eyesight be so horrible?


    ¡°Don¡¯t let me say it again. Get lost!¡±


    Every word from him was like a freezing hail. How could ordinary people resist the imposing manner accumulated from a killer¡¯s decade of career?


    The woman was scared to step back a few steps, but after bumping into her son, she held out her chest and straightened her neck again and scolded, ¡°Ha? You shameless monster, you wanna beat me? I¡¯ll soak you in the pig basket. Where did you hook up with wild man to give birth to two little bastards? And you still have the face to live? Even I feel shameless for you. If I were you, I would have found a thick trunk to hang myself. You¡¯ve brought disgrace to our whole village, you devil.¡±


    Pia~pia~pia~


    The shrew was completely immersed in curses and she was gifted to offensive language. Ling Jingxuan pushed the two children behind him and patted Ling Wen on the shoulder to signal him to take care of his younger brother. Then, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s slender and thin body suddenly rushed at the woman, and he grabbed her by the collar in one hand, and slapped her heavily on the face with another hand. The woman even forgot to fight back. Her darkened cheeks looked puffy.


    ¡°Ah¡­Ah¡­¡±


    Seeing the corners of the woman¡¯s mouth were bleeding, Ling Jingxuan pushed her away. The woman¡¯s face swelled up and her fingers pointed at him, trembling. She could not say anything but made noises and stared at him, full of fear.


    An eye for an eye! The woman looked insufferably arrogant, but in fact, she bullied the weak and feared the strong. As long as Ling Jingxuan acted tougher than her, she would not dare to provoke them again.


    ¡°Fuck off! Don¡¯t let me see you again, or I¡¯ll punch your face each time you appear in front of my eyes. And you, take your mom out of my house, and if you bully my little steamed buns again, I¡¯ll let you pay your life!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan said coldly, walking toward the little steamed buns. Coming from the 21st century, he had no such a principle of not hitting women. He would fight back if anyone dared to bully her sons. A few slaps were a bargain to her.


    ¡°Yes, yes¡­¡±


    ¡°Whining¡­¡±


    The boy looked like in his ten years old. The bravado in his face disappeared when he was confronted by Ling Jingxuan of his tough attitude. Dragging his mom who was with a swollen face, he stumbled ran out. A moment before, he really felt that the monster would kill him, too horrible!


    ¡°Wow, daddy, you are so good! You drove away the bad woman and Dawa!¡±


    Ling Wu wiped his tears and rushed to the front of Ling Jingxuan, holding his father¡¯s legs, jumping with excitement, and praising him. Next to him, the swollen-faced Ling Wen was much more introverted by comparison. But his gazes at Ling Jingxuan revealed a naked rendering of worship and fanaticism. People said ¡®father was a mountain in the heart of the child¡¯, at this moment, they sincerely trusted and worshiped their dad.


    ¡°My little buns, nice guys finish last. Although it¡¯s not always right. You¡¯re being too weak before so the other would seek trouble from you. Dad will teach you some simple self-defense skills. We must grow strong and never gave others the opportunity to bully us.¡±


    Squatting down, Ling Jingxuan lovingly touched the big bun¡¯s face and said seriously. He didn¡¯t care if the two little kids understood. The principle he wanted to teach his sons was: If people attack me, I would definitely fight back! This was what he believed in his previous life, and he still did not intend to change this belief.


    ¡°Mmm!¡±


    The two buns both nodded. Although they might not fully understand what he meant, they knew that what daddy said was right.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll go find some clothes to change. You go get the barrel. Let¡¯s take a bath by the river.¡±


    He tapped the two boys¡¯ foreheads with his fingers and then stood up, looking at the small courtyard surrounded by mud and low walls. The area was quite large, but there was nothing, the only word you could think about was ¡®poverty¡¯! Utterly destitute!


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The two buns turned and ran to the shabby hut next to the thatched cottage, probably a kitchen. Ling Jingxuan shook his head and decided to take a bath first, regardless of what their house was. He also wanted to find out if there were any useful anti-inflammatory herbs. The face of the big bun was swollen like that and the weather was hot, and his face would be inflamed and festering if not handled well.


    On Ling Jingxuan¡¯s first day here, he was beaten up and unconscious for several days. After waking up, he met a brutal shrew. Ling Jingxuan, a secret doctor and killer in the 21st century, was having a hard life in ancient times. The only thing to be thankful for was that he still had two lovely buns. Although he would suffer a lot raising the two buns in the future, he was satisfied at least for now.

 Chapter 6

    Ling Village was surrounded by mountains on three sides and backed by Yuehua Mountain. There was a tributary Lingjiang River and an inland sea tributary on the left and right sides respectively. Endowed with such a geographic environment, Lingjia Village should be very rich, but the place and the nearby villages were very poor. The reason was simple. Yuehua Mountain was surrounded by clouds and fog all the year round. Villagers who went hunting had little chance of returning so they chose to dig potherb at the foot of the mountain and set traps to catch some small animals.


    Villages near the rivers and seas had always been very rich, but Ling Village was different. It was not only near the tributary of the Lingjiang river but also close to the inland sea tributary. To the north of the village, the fields in the Lingjiang River basin were fertile and had good harvest every year. But to the south, the inland sea basin was barren. Every year, tidal seawater poured into the land, and large areas of fields were turned into semi-saline land. Someone tried to cultivate the wasteland for grain growing. Unfortunately, no seed could survive. Therefore, even if the land in the north of the village was fertile, it could not bring rich life to all villagers.


    In recent years, the imperial court had been waging wars, and taxes on the common people had increased year by year, making life more difficult. However, by contrast, the life of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s grandpa and his family was not so bad.


    His grandpa Ling Qiyun was the eldest in the family and the only xiucai (an entry-level licentiate who had passed the college exam. Xiucai enjoyed officially sanctioned social privileges such as exemption from statute labour, access into local government facilities and limited immunity against corporal punishments.) in the village. He had a younger brother Ling Qicai, who was the Li Zheng in Ling village, equivalent to a modern village head. In ancient times, those who passed the imperial examination at the county level or above were exempt from taxes, so the life of the Ling family was not too bad.


    Ling Qiyun was Ling Jingxuan¡¯s immediate grandfather. He passed the exam in his twenties, making him far-famed in the village. However, the later years of grueling study hadn¡¯t pushed him to go any further. It was not until he was nearly forty that Ling Qiyun gave up imperial examination and opened a home school in the village to make some money and subsidize his family.


    Ling Qiyun had three sons and one daughter. The eldest brother, Ling Chengwen, the second, Ling Chenglong, the third, Ling Chenghu, and the youngest girl, Ling Chenghua. When he was young, Ling Qiyun entrusted his dream of passing imperial examinations on his sons. However, none of the three brothers were gifted in the study, and even inferior to his own achievement. The Ling family had both farmers and a scholar, so all of them could read although not as literate as the old man of the family.


    Under the guidance of two little buns, Ling Jingxuan, who carried a heavy wooden barrel to the river bank, was trying to figure out the information in his mind. It turned out that Ling Jingxuan was the second child Ling Chenglong¡¯s eldest son. He was clever since he was young and joined the imperial examinations at the county level at the age of 13. So the boy was favored by his grandpa. But one day five years ago, as a man, he got impregnated, which indirectly revealed the secrets his parents had hidden for over a decade. In fact, he was born different who owned both women¡¯s and men¡¯s genitals. In modern times, people would call him intersexuality, but in ancient times, he was regarded as a monster and would be burned alive if founded by other people. Ling Chenglong and his wife did not have the heart to let their son suffer so they hid the truth.


    Later things could be imagined. The old man flew into a rage and threatened to sink Ling Jingxuan into the pond, which shocked the whole family at that time. Under the unanimous opinion of the patriarch and several elders, he decided to put big-bellied Ling Jingxuan into a pig cage and sink him into the inland sea tributary. Maybe Ling Jingxuan was lucky or the two little buns should not die. Just as the villagers angrily tied Ling Jingxuan up, Ling Qiyun came back from the county office, bringing back news unacceptable to everyone: The new county magistrate Hu banned villagers to use illegal punishment and disregard for human life. In the end, under the discussion of those elders, they decided to expel Ling Jingxuan from Ling Qiyun¡¯s family and send him to the Yuehua mountain far away from the village. As to whether he could survive all depended on his own luck.


    After that, Ling Jingxuan appeared mentally disturbed and unconscious. His mother, Madam Wang took out her dowry and many years of private savings and asked her brother to help buy three mu of wasteland under Yuehua Mountain. Then they helped to build a thatched house and grow some food for the remaining two mu of wasteland. If it hadn¡¯t been his mother, Ling Jingxuan and his sons would have died long ago.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help but heave a sigh on thinking of that. The life of the original owner of this body was too melodramatic, but he did not have any sympathy for him, not because he lacked empathy, but¡­ Ling Jingxuan thought, with his mother¡¯s money and property given to him, plus his parents¡¯ many years of help, he could basically get by. But he had been doing nothing since being driven out of the house, chanting ¡®I am not a monster¡¯, immersing in self-pity, and caring nothing about himself or his two sons. Even though he inherited the original owner¡¯s memory, he didn¡¯t know what the man was thinking in the past five years. As for the man who enlarged his belly, he vaguely felt a strong body with hot body temperature and heavy breathing but was not clear about his appearance. In Ling Jingxuan¡¯s view, he really couldn¡¯t sympathize with such a person.


    ¡°Daddy, we are home.¡±

 Chapter 7

    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    Immersed in his own thoughts, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t notice the changes around him at all. He didn¡¯t return to absolute being until the small steamed stuffed bun¡¯s reminder sounded. He withdrew the messy images in his mind, looked up, and saw a river that could only be called a stream in his sight. The back was thickly dotted with trees, and many green wild vegetables and weeds grew along the stream. Compared with the muddy water flow in the 21st century, the water here was clear and bottomed out, and even the fish swimming in the water could be seen clearly.


    ¡°Is this a tributary of the Lingjiang River?¡±


    With the barrel on the ground, Ling Jingxuan rolled up his pants and stepped into the water. The cold stream surrounded his feet, making him feel very comfortable.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, they say this is Yuehua Ditch. Here are the upper reaches, and we¡¯re almost entering Yuehua Mountain. No one will come at ordinary times, but we often come here with grandpa and grandma to carry water.¡±


    Ling Wen said as he took his younger brother and walked over. The two boys looked enviously at their father standing in the water. Even a three-year-old child in Ling Village could swim but they could not. They could not count on the former Ling Jingxuan to teach them because their father even needed help from his own parents. As for their grandparents, every time they came and went in a hurry, how could they have time to teach them to swim?


    ¡°Hehe, do you want to come down?¡±


    At first glance, he could see what they were thinking. Suddenly, a picture surfaced in his mind of the little buns saying he wanted to catch fish for him for a feast. Then, he couldn¡¯t help smiling softly on his face.


    ¡°Uh-huh, but we can¡¯t swim.¡±


    The two little buns were excited hearing this and nodded, their eyes appeared black and bright, but the next second, the two lowered their heads, pinching their fingers in the grievance. Although Yuehua ditch was not as good as the inland sea, after all, all the year-round, the water was deep and dangerous for the two little kids.


    ¡°Come on, dad will teach you.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan walked ashore with barefoot, and he looked around. After making sure there should be no one nearby, he stripped himself and two little bun¡¯s clothes. Even if they were naked, no one would like to steal a glance because they were almost scraggy.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s so cool, daddy, it¡¯s so comfortable.¡±


    The moment when the little bun stepped into the water, he was so excited that his small hands tightly hugged Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thigh. His tiny little face revealed a bright and innocent smile.


    ¡°Daddy, teach me how to swim. I want to learn to swim.¡±


    Even the premature elder brother was full of excitement, holding his younger brother¡¯s leg and shaking it vigorously. Ling Jingxuan laughed happily, ¡°Okay, okay, let¡¯s go to the middle. The water is too shallow here. Come on, follow daddy.¡±


    Holding the two boys¡¯ hands, Ling Jingxuan led them to the middle. Both kids walked carefully and could not hide their excitement. Their little faces flushed with suppressed joy.


    ¡°Well, stop. The water depth here only reaches your chest. I¡¯ll let you go first. You learn to stand in the water and then slowly bend your legs¡­.¡±


    At the right depth of water, Ling Jingxuan said while trying to loosen their hands, but the two brothers were so scared that they pulled their father tight and did not want to loosen their hands. Ling Jingxuan felt helpless and could only slowly guide and teach them patiently.


    ¡°Wow, daddy, I made it! Daddy, look! I can swim.¡±


    Children¡¯s learning ability was always quite amazing. In less than a quarter of an hour, the bigger bun had learned to swim, although he could only do the doggy paddle.


    ¡°Daddy, it¡¯s my turn, it¡¯s my turn.¡±


    Seeing this, the younger bun pouted and shouted discontentedly. Ling Jingxuan took him and said to the big bun, ¡°Don¡¯t swim too deep into the water. Remember to apply water to your face first.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, you teach Xiaowu. I know what to do.¡±


    At the same age, Ling Wen already had the demeanor of the big brother. He kept his younger brother¡¯s feelings in mind, making Ling Jingxuan feel both distressed and warm. He nodded and turned to concentrate on teaching the little bun. When he also learned the doggy paddle, Ling Jingxuan helped them bath all the dirt. The little faces hidden under the dirt was unexpectedly beautiful, making the father nod with joy. The only thing that displeased him was that the two buns were too thin, which strengthened his determination to raise them fat.


    Ling Jingxuan had never worried about money before. For the first time, he wanted to make money, a lot of money!

 Chapter 8

    He taught the two buns to swim and then helped them wash their bodies, then took a bath himself, up and down, inside and out. Luckily, they were bathing in a stream. If they were really at home, the wasted water would turn into mud and the dirt cleaned away from their bodies would form a layer and clog the drainage. The original owner of his body hadn¡¯t bathed for several years, making Ling Jingxuan feel sick.


    ¡°Daddy, what about we eat fish tonight?¡±


    His skin of the whole body turned red after the long-lost and thorough bath. Ling Jingxuan rolled up his hair which was nearly reaching the waist, planning to find out if there were any antiphlogistic and analgesic herbs such as dragon¡¯s tooth herbs or houttuynia cordata nearby. The little bun swam to his front, and his big round eyes looked at him with burning and glowing gleams. Ling Jingxuan found there were traces of saliva beside his small lips. Then he smiled. The little boy must be hungry seeing the fish in the water.


    ¡°We can have fish if you can catch some. But don¡¯t approach deep water and only fish in shallow places.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan stretched out his fingers to tap on his forehead like a doting parent.


    ¡°Yeah! Daddy, you¡¯re so good. Ge, ge, daddy said we can catch fish, ge¡±


    Besides the excited cheers, the little bun didn¡¯t forget to compliment his dad before leaving, making Ling Jingxuan shake his head helplessly. His smile hadn¡¯t stopped ever since seeing them. The two buns chattered for a moment and then started to catch fish at the edge of the stream. Ling Jingxuan casually pulled his long hair into a lump, his thin little face was pale and kind of immature, the slender phoenix eyes slightly upward, which looked charming. The small and delicate nose bridge stood high and the lips, thin and deep red, although a little dry, but it should be fresh and delicious. He would be a great beauty after dressing well.


    The days were long in summer. Although they came here in the middle of the afternoon, they spent quite a long time learning swim and playing. The sun was almost sinking to the west at that time. Ling Jingxuan swam to the shore and observed, then, he really found the houttuynia cordata among those green grass, so he dug them out carefully, tiding them into small bundles and throwing them on the bank. What a harvest!


    ¡°Daddy, why did you dig so many weeds?¡±


    The big bun swam over unnoticed, took a look at the tender green weeds, and his small eyebrows tightly knitted together. The boy must be scolding his father for running an irrelevant business in his heart.


    ¡°Well, these are not weeds, they are all wild vegetables, and they have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. They¡¯re a kind of herbal medicine.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan explained to him while keeping digging the herbs, he didn¡¯t stop until taking away all of them. Looking at these wild vegetables piled high, Ling Jingxuan smiled more brilliantly, thinking the natural environment in ancient times was ideal. The wild vegetables were fresh and big, presumably crisp and delicious?


    Enlightened by this idea, he really washed several white and fat Houttuynia cordata roots and put them into his mouth. The faint fragrance mixed with a twinge of medicine smell spread between his lips and teeth, which was much more delicious than the ones he planted in his own field.


    ¡°What happened? Does your face hurt?¡±


    When he turned around, he saw the big bun¡¯s eyes tearful, so he hurry-scurry picked him up, tentatively touched his red cheeks.


    ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m happy. Daddy is not stupid finally. Daddy could even distinguish wild vegetables. Later we¡¯ll dig more and sell them at the market to make some money. Our days will be better. When I grow up, I can help plant the land around our house. I¡¯ll also build two big brick houses for daddy and Xiaowu like grand grandfather¡¯s.¡±


    The big bun was crying, while not forgetting to draw a big pie for his dad with each word not separating from ¡®money¡¯. Ling Jinguxuan felt pity. Although the kids in ancient times were mostly premature, Ling Wen was less than five years old. The thoughtful and sensible kid said he would build a big tile house for his dad, making Ling Jinguxuan¡¯s heart that was as hard as iron ache and have the impulse to tears, he felt sad and moved at the same time.


    ¡°Okay, from today on, you¡¯re in charge of the money of our family. Be good, don¡¯t cry, daddy has recovered. Our life would be better.¡±


    Feeling happy, Ling Jingxuan handed over the financial power decisively. What he did not imagine was that the big bun was an iron cock. Costing him a penny was like asking him a life. But Ling Jingxuan had no chance to go back on his words then.


    ¡°Mmm.¡±


    Wiping away his tears, the big bun shyly withdrew from his arms. His little face turned slightly red. Ling Jingxuan smiled and pretended not to see his shyness. He pulled him to swim to the small bun who was still fluttering in the water, ¡°Have you caught any fish?¡±


    Glancing at the empty barrel, knowing that he got nothing, Ling Jingxuan laughed deliberately.


    ¡°No, the fish here are too cunning. I can¡¯t catch any.¡±


    Seeing his daddy, the small bun curled his lips with his face full of grievance. Ling Jingxuan shook his head smilingly and patted the boy on the ass to signal them to go ashore first. ¡°It¡¯s getting dark. Put on your clothes first. Don¡¯t get cold. I¡¯ll see if I can catch some.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    The small bun looked at his dad with sparkling eyes, almost drooling at the thought of big fish. While the big bun was reserved, but also wearing a face of excitement. The two picked up the clean clothes ashore with their eyes never moving away from Ling Jingxuan, only afraid of missing the moment their dad caught the fish.


    Being trusted and adored by his sons like that, Ling Jingxuan only felt so thrilled, but¡­


    Pu~


    ¡°Fuck, what are they? Fish demon?¡±


    Several times of failed attempts made the smile on his face disappear. Wild fish were far more sensitive and nimble than large-scale cultured fish. Before he could jump at them, the fish already swam away alertly and quickly, almost disappearing in the blink of an eye. If it were his former body, it would definitely not be a problem to catch one or two. But with this slim body now¡­


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    The excitement on the two little kids¡¯ faces turned to disappointment, and their upward lips flatted down. Ling Jingxuan looked back at them and felt quite embarrassed and distressed. When he decided to have another try, a big carp swam over, he dived into the water without hesitation, making the children quite nervous and focused on the water surface, holding breaths.


    ¡°Daddy? Daddy¡­ Wah~ I don¡¯t want fish anymore. Daddy, don¡¯t die! Daddy¡­¡±


    Seeing the surface keep quiet for quite a while, the small bun couldn¡¯t help crying. His big brother stretched out his hands and hugged him, with tears in his eyes, helpless, and fear in his heart.  Even when their father was a fool, they did not abandon him. They were not afraid of anything as long as daddy was there. Now they finally had a normal dad and they really liked him very much, if they lost him again¡­


    ¡°Daddy! We don¡¯t want fish anymore. Daddy, where are you? Come out! Daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Boohoo~ Daddy¡­¡±


    Then, even the big bun couldn¡¯t help crying, for fear that their dad, who had had a hard time finally returning to normal, would be gone. The silent stream hovered their cries for a long time.

 Chapter 9

    After diving into the water, Ling Jingxuan held his breath and slowly swam to the big carp not far away. As he drew very close, suddenly kicked off, and accelerated, but with a swing of its tail, the big carp slipped away from his hands, and into the deeper water. Thinking of his son¡¯s disappointed eyes, Ling Jingxuan made up his mind and dived down, but¡­


    This is?


    There was a crescent-shaped groove at the bottom of the water, about dozens of meters long. The fish were all densely gathering in it. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help picking his eyebrows. If he remembered correctly, he did not see any crescent-shaped groove when he was on the surface of the water. Where did it come from? And those fish, why are they all gathering here together? Even when he got in, they didn¡¯t escape.


    ¡°Boohoo¡­ daddy, you can¡¯t die¡­ I don¡¯t want to eat fish¡­ daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    The children¡¯s cry suddenly spread into his ears, Ling Jingxuan got dragged from his sense, but also at this time he found that he was breathing in the water, slender phoenix eyes could not help popping out. Is the crescent-shaped groove actually the spirit spring from another dimension? It appears in front of him, does it mean that he is its owner? So-called time-travel benefits?


    The cries of the two buns grew bigger and bigger, leaving him no time to think. Whether it was or not, Ling Jingxuan caught a three or four jin carp, holding his breath to swim out of the crescent-shaped groove. After taking a look back at it, he tried to murmur in his heart, ¡°Crescent Spring, in!¡±


    Rumbling¡­


    The next second, the water suddenly shook up, arousing waves of huge ripples, and when he came to his sense, the crescent-shaped groove disappeared. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t believe his eyes, and then he silently said, ¡°Crescent Spring, out!¡±


    This time there was no stir. In a blink of an eye, the Crescent Spring appeared again, and the fish swarmed into it. Two times of test was enough to prove that the spring was the golden finger the transmigration god bestowed him-a spring that could attract fish!


    Haha¡­ I¡¯m rich!


    ¡°Purr¡­purr¡­¡±


    Due to the huge joy, Ling Jingxuan forget that he was still in the water, choked on a few mouths of cold water, fortunately his reaction was fast enough. He tightly pressed his lips, withdrew the spring and got out of the water. As for whether the Crescent Spring had other uses, he had plenty of opportunities to try.


    ¡°Boo-hoo¡­ daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Clattering!¡±


    By the creek, the two buns weltered in tears, throat already hoarse. As they thought they would lose their dad forever, the water surface suddenly clattered, Ling Jingxuan who had been missing for quite a while, holding a big carp, shot out of the water, ¡°Sons, look what this is? Your daddy has caught a big carp, we can eat fish tonight.¡±


    They stared at him, stoned. The next second, the two buns, still dressed, jumped into the water and swam toward him, crying, ¡°Boohoo¡­ daddy, daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, what¡¯s that for? Don¡¯t cry, don¡¯t you cry.¡±


    Seeing the situation, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart tightened, and he hurriedly held each of them in one arm. The little bun holding his waist cried, ¡°I thought daddy is gone. Boohoo, I will never eat fish, daddy, you don¡¯t die, I don¡¯t want to become a child without parents, daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    The big bun was also red-eyed, trying hard to hold his tears, this time they were truly frightened. They had no mother. People in the village said his father was a monster, who gave birth to them. For them, he was both their father and mother. If he died, they really became the wild children with no parents.


    ¡°Be good, don¡¯t cry, don¡¯t cry, daddy is all right. Don¡¯t cry. It wasted me some time catching this fish. I promise you that I would never let you worry about me again.¡±


    Then he held them tightly in his arms. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t tell them about the Crescent Spring thing, first, it was unimaginably queer, second, an innocent person would be found guilty if the thief stuffed the booties in his/her room. Crescent Spring was definitely a good thing, but in the future, in case that some unpredictable things happened, the less people knew about it, the better, especially the kids, they were too small. He couldn¡¯t bring any disaster to them.


    A killer must have a cold heart. In the 21st century, Ling Jingxuan was indeed ruthless, even Yass who loved him so deeply, he could still treat with indifferently. But since having transmigrated here, the two buns easily pried open his frozen heart, making him take them as his own sons from the bottom of the heart. Although in terms of blood, they were indeed of his seeds.


    ¡°We thought you dumped us¡­¡±


    Two buns holding his waist, one on the left, while the other on the right, crying with the hoarse throat, which nearly made Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart break. He swam back to the bank carrying them, cast the carp into the barrel and then took them ashore. Naked, straddling on a big rock, he pulled them to sit on his laps, ¡°How could daddy ever dump you? You¡¯re daddy¡¯s treasures.¡±


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    Patting them slightly on the trembling back, Ling Jingxuan was both sad and distressed, two buns held his neck, buried their heads in the pits of his neck, only fearing that he would disappear in the next second.


    ¡°Before, daddy was too stupid to care too much about other people¡¯s opinions, which made you suffer. Now daddy has thought it through. I am no monster even if they call me that. I am who I am, I will no longer care about others¡¯ thoughts about me. Let¡¯s shut out the door and live our own lives.¡±


    He knew, the two buns were afraid not just because of those things. Thinking what the owner had done before, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help giving a middle finger in his heart. This home was already bitter and poor enough, while he was still immersed in his own world, throwing all the burden, responsibility and gossip to the two children, letting them bear huge pressure at such a young age, so that they seemed to be strong from outside, but actually they were quite fragile from inside. He must try to make them live a better life, let them able to wield both the pen and the weapons, and let those who had ever looked down on them and trampled on them regret to death!


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The two buns nodded at the same time, finally no longer dropping the gold beans, and their little shaking bodies also gradually calmed down.


    ¡°Well, look at your clothes, all wet, hurry to bring the houttuynia here, let¡¯s go home.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan patted on their little butts respectively, grabbed those dirty clothes. The big bun nodded and ran away, while the little bun still looked at the big carp in the wooden barrel, eyeballs rolling. One could still hear his swallowing saliva voice. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help but find it so funny. This boy, such a foodie!

 Chapter 10

    As the sun set, the father and sons went back to their hut on brisk pace. Taking advantage that the buns went to change clothes, Ling Jingxuan carried the barrel into the kitchen, not surprisingly, in addition to a short stove, a big iron pan, a few broken pots on the stove, and some firewood, nothing else. Heaving a light sigh, Ling Jingxuan placed the barrel in the middle of the kitchen, turned to the backyard to hang those clothes up, and then started to deal with the fish.


    ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m going to eat a big piece.¡±


    The small bun ran in with great joy, squatting in front of him, eyes beaming at his hands which were peeling off the scales of the big carp.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that big enough for you? Where¡¯s your big brother?¡±


    He was sure the fish was big enough before he caught it.


    ¡°He went to the backyard to hang clothes, and bring some firewood by the way. Daddy, will we eat it all tonight?¡±


    ¡°Otherwise? You can¡¯t store it in this weather. And the fish is only good when they¡¯re fresh. They¡¯d stink if left for too long.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    His small nose and small eyes wrinkled into a lump, between the eyebrows one could feel his struggling. Before Ling Jingxuan could ask him why, big bun, with a bundle of firewood, came in, ¡°Daddy, how could you eat such good food all once? Such a big fish, we can make it pickled and it could last us for several days.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan fell in dumbness, the action of processing the fish made a pause. Do they have to be so frugal?


    ¡°Daddy, it¡¯s not that I¡¯m blaming you, you really don¡¯t know how to live a life.¡±


    Maybe still not noticing his darkened face, the big bun was still nagging on and on, and even the little bun squatting in the opposite side kept nodding hard, obviously agreeing with his elder brother¡¯s opinion. Ling Jingxuan only felt all sorts of shame. So who on earth is the father and who are the sons? Why is he being taught a lesson by his son? Just a fish. If they like, he could let out the Crescent Spring and let them eat to their hearts¡¯ content. Do they need to act like this?


    This was not the most tragic. It was not until they began to cook did Ling Jingxuan got to know that how stingy the big bun could be.


    ¡°Daddy, we only have that spoonful of oil, how can you use it all?¡±


    ¡°Daddy, I told you not to cook it all.¡±


    ¡°Daddy, too much salt, it¡¯s expensive!¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    The last of the last, Ling Jingxuan, as long as he heard the word daddy, could not help feeling frequent micturition, urgent urination and trembling all over. It was really not easy to make a pot of delicious wild vegetable fish soup. As he put it in the big baked clay basin, and was going to do some wild vegetable corn paste, the big bun who was responsible for the fire directly rushed to block in front of him with open arms. Ignoring his wondering eyes, he held the cornmeal pottery with the maize meal and said, ¡°Daddy, there is already so much fish, no more of other food. Grandma secretly sent it to us when you were sick. You can¡¯t waste it. Let¡¯s eat fish tonight.¡±


    The big bun felt his flesh ache, and every word was all heart-rending, as if Ling Jingxuan did something intolerable, making him full of question marks over his face. After quite a while, he asked gingerly, ¡°Well, son, fish is a dish, we need to eat some staple food, right?¡±


    How could one be so stingy?


    ¡°Food it food, as long as it can fill the belly, daddy, drop that idea.¡±


    With a face of contempt, big bun held the pot with both hands tightly, eyes turning red, only afraid that he would rush to grab it from him.


    ¡°Daddy, listen to big brother, we have not much food. It will be rice harvest next month, I¡¯ll go to pick some ears of rice for you, then you can eat some steamed brown rice, ok?¡±


    Small bun pulled his clothes, innocently saying so with the head up. Ling Jingxuan only felt sour in his heart. The previous ridicule and complaining in his heart was totally gone now. He put down the pot and squatted down, ¡°No need, daddy will try to make money and let you all eat white rice, today we¡¯ll only eat fish.¡±


    In the final analysis, poverty is to blame.


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    Little bun heavily nodded, and on hearing that he finally gave up and no longer wanted to eat the maize meal, big bun exhaled a long and exaggerating breath, which almost gave Ling Jingxuan a thunderstrike. The all-powerful top killer and doctor, he had never been worried for money, but now eating some wild vegetable corn paste was like having a fight, this gap was too huge!


    Wild fish had no such heavy fishy smell like feeding fish. Although they did not have many ingredients, no, it should be said that almost no seasoning, Ling Jingxuan put a lot of houttuynia which completely removed the fishy smell and also added some aroma, and the three people sitting in a room in the middle of the room had a great meal on the table together. Big bun, who had a variety of resentment also ate to his heart¡¯s content, till the last drop of the soup.

 Chapter 11

    ¡°How delicious, daddy! If only there were fish every day!¡±


    Holding the small round belly, small bun smacked his lips, with a contented face, Ling Jingxuan rubbed his head and said, ¡°Isn¡¯t it simple? Tomorrow daddy will catch some for you again.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯d rather not, I¡¯m afraid daddy will¡­¡±


    In the middle of nodding, the smile on the face of the little bun suddenly disappeared, and the little pouted mouth was almost ready to hang the kettle of oil, obviously thinking of something unpleasant. The big bun on the other side also darkened his face and said gravely, ¡°We won¡¯t eat fish any more, daddy, don¡¯t try to catch any more fish.¡±


    Just in case. Although their daddy did not know how to live a life, they liked the present him very much and didn¡¯t want to lose him.


    ¡°Hehe¡­all right, all right. What about we use a dustpan to catch fish? Today I saw that there are a lot of big fish at the bottom of the Yuehua Ditch. When you grandpa and grandma come some other day, we can ask them to buy us a small net, perhaps we can catch a lot of fish to sell.¡±


    After the cooking incident last night, Ling Jingxuan finally found out the big bun¡¯s personalities. As long as it was something about making money, he would never object.


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    Sure enough, on hearing they could make money, the big bun eyes were glazing, face turning red due to the excitement. Ling Jingxuan helplessly sighed, nodding at him under his excited eyes, human¡¯s natural appetite unexpectedly failed to resist the temptation of money. Alas, his big bun seems a little too¡­you know.


    ¡°That¡¯s great. We¡¯ll make a lot of money, and maybe we can get someone to fix the roof for us when winter comes, so it won¡¯t leak anymore.¡±


    Big bun wore a red face, excited to plan up for the future, eyes were almost changing into the shape of copper coins. While feeling a bit funny, Ling Jingxuan also got puzzled. Shouldn¡¯t it be a big tile house? How could it already be good enough to get the roof mended?


    ¡°But daddy, are you sure there¡¯s no danger?¡±


    Big bun was still worried and asked so. Money is important, but daddy¡¯s life is more important.


    ¡°Oh, no, daddy knows how to swim.¡±


    Feeling warm in the heart, Ling Jingxuan smiled and nodded, the thatched cottage it is! As long as his stingy son put his life before money! After earning a lot of money, they can build a manor directly.


    ¡°That¡¯s good, tomorrow when grandma comes over, I¡¯ll ask her to help me to weave a big bamboo basket, as for the fishing net, wait for us to earn money to buy it.¡±


    On hearing that, the little guy finally felt relieved. Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, ¡°Well, well, you are the boss, you have the final say, it is getting dark, let¡¯s clean up and go to bed early.¡±


    Whether there was lamp oil or not, given big bun¡¯s stingy temperament, even if they had it, his son would not let him use the oil lamp. So he even didn¡¯t waste the time to ask. Besides, he was a bit tired, so an early sleep was necessary.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Two buns helped with the bowls and chopsticks. And Ling Jingxuan repeatedly washed that dilapidated wooden basin under big bun¡¯s staring, and to find a piece of relatively clean cotton cloth in the room, scoop a bowl of water, put it on a small bench, took the salt pot on the stove, a finger dipped a little bit of salt, motioned little bun to open the mouth. As he prepared to send his hand with salt into his mouth, accident happened again.


    ¡°What are you doing, daddy? Salt is very expensive!¡±


    Big bun, who had been watching for a long time, snatched the salt jar and stared at him unpleasantly. Indeed, his daddy started to waste stuff without a short time noticing.


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face sank, the mouth could not help sniffling. Small bun looked back at them, covering his mouth to smile. Daddy is impressive! It was the first time he saw his elder brother get mad so many times a day.


    If Ling Jingxuan knew what little bun was thinking in the mind, Ling Jingxuan might kill himself hitting on an egg! What¡¯s so impressive about this? It¡¯s a real life version of entrapping daddy, ok?


    ¡°Ahem¡­I want to use salt to clean your teeth. If you don¡¯t rinse your teeth after eating, you will have bacteria in your mouth and moths on your teeth. You don¡¯t want to have toothache, do you?¡±


    After the father and son stared at each other for quite a while, Ling Jingxuan cleared his throat, as far as possible to explain in a concise way, he could yield in anything but not this one. He did not want to his two buns to have rotten teeth all over their mouths one day.


    ¡°But you can¡¯t use salt. It¡¯s so expensive. That¡¯s all we have left.¡±


    Big bun reddened his face, still not willing to compromise, while Ling Jingxuan pulled him over and seriously said, ¡°Is salt more expensive or seeing a doctor? In case your mouth is rotten and your teeth go bad, it will be more expensive to see a doctor. What¡¯s more, daddy is going to sell fish for money. After we make money, we can buy salt. Besides, daddy used to read a lot of books. Except catching fish, we can also go to the mountains to find some herbal medicine and sell it. Isn¡¯t that money-making way? Before that, we must have a good health. All kinds of diseases enters by the mouth. Do you think oral hygiene can be neglected just because we use a little salt?¡±


    If even he could not even handle a five-year-old little bun, Ling Jingxuan really had live two lives for nothing. See? Big bun decisively hesitated. Although still with a reluctant face, the hand holding the salt jar loosened.


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan tentatively took the salt shaker, looking at his appearance, Ling Jingxuan only felt all kinds of helpless, but could only pretend not to see. Let go of the past. But in the future not only oral hygiene, and other health care, he also wanted to let them carry out in the end. A good quality of life was important, but the premise was a healthy body. On this point, he would never make any compromise.


    The last of the last, after losing countless times, Ling Jingxuan finally won a small victory, although this victory was not easy to come at all.

 Chapter 12

    Early the next morning before the sun rose, in the ringing of the birds, Ling Jingxuan woke up leisurely, hazy eyes showing a moment of confusion, until the broken roof was reflected in the sight, Ling Jingxuan finally remembered that he had transmigrated back to the ancient times, a self-deprecating radian of the lips. He turned to look at two buns, silent sighed, he could only climb up, struggling, admitting his fate.


    ¡°Daddy?¡±


    When he picked up the clothes, which were basically full of patches, ready to wear, little bun rubbed his eyes and turned to sit up. Ling Jingxuan reached out and touched his head, ¡°it¡¯s still early, sleep a little bit more.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Small bun obediently nodded, lay down and fell asleep again. Ling Jingxuan could not help but smile, bent over and gently kissed on his little face, then went out after dressing up.


    Ling village was a big village, in which there were about two hundred households, nearly three thousand people, on average there were almost ten people in each household. If this was placed in the modern world, the family planning office would be dead busy. If you ask busy for what? Of course busy with the penalty!


    In ancient times, however, this seemed quite normal, and some of the largest families often had a few hundred people. That was terrifying.


    After cooking a pot of wild vegetable corn paste in the kitchen, Ling Jingxuan took off his coat while pondering, casually found two straws to tie his wide cuffs and leg opening, then started to jog around the house. This body¡¯s physical ability was too bad, so he did not expect to reach the level of the previous life, at least shouldn¡¯t be panting after doing a bit labor work.


    Original owners could, at the age of thirteen passed Tongsheng (a scholar level in ancient China), so he should be clever. Although in recent years he had been living a messy life, from his memory, before the original owner reached fifteen, he still made kind of clear the general situation in this world. Here was Qing Dynasty, of course not the dynasty under the reign of Aisin Gioro, but under Yan Clan. The current emperor was Yan Shengzhi. He may not be a notorious one, but at least he could run this country not too bad.


    In the fast Qing Dynasty was quite peaceful, but in recent years suddenly got ino the war again and again, but this part Ling Jingxuan was not interested at all, after all, whether the emperor or wars, for him they were too far away. The first thing for him now was to make money, and turned the two wizened little buns into super meat steamed stuffed buns.


    Thanks to the matter five years ago, the original owner was driven to the foot of the Yuehua Mountain. The Ling clan only wished they would die soon! After all, the legend of the Yuehua Mountain had always been very mysterious and dangerous, but they would be disappointed. The former Ling Jingxuan became silly because of being expelled, but for the current Ling Jingxuan, living away from the village was not bad, at least no one would disturb them, right? In the future he wouldn¡¯t be afraid to let anyone know what he was doing.


    ¡°Daddy, what are you doing?¡±


    After dawn, the two buns, holding hands, appeared at the door, four eyes strangely looking at the sweat, panting Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Ha¡­ha¡­nothing, nothing, just doing some exercise. Xiaowen, Xiaowu, would you like to join me? This can strengthen the body and health!¡±


    Seeing that it was still early, Ling Jingxuan did not stop, but stood still and looked at them, although his breath had been in a complete mess.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t daddy say you are going to teach us self-defense skills?¡±


    Small bun winked, head tilted, while the big bun¡¯s eyes were also beaming with expectations. These few years they had been bullied too mercilessly, only wishing to learn 18 kinds of martial arts at once, so they would never get bullied ever again.


    ¡°Running is also one of them, you go to wash your face and rinse your mouth first, remember to wash your teeth with salt. We will run a few circles every day. Later I will teach you self-defense skills after breakfast.¡±


    Never thought they still kept this thing in mind. Ling Jingxuan smiled, completely ignored the big bun¡¯s painful expression on hearing they had to use salt to clean teeth.


    ¡°Ok, ge, let¡¯s go wash our face and rinse our mouths.¡±


    Little bun cheered, pulled up big bun¡¯s hand and ran away, and when they came out again, Ling Jingxuan had already run another circle. The father and sons ran slowly around their shabby hut as the sun was rising. After doing some after exercise, one would feel any food was delicious. The three of them ate two bowls each. Before even washing the dishes, little bun already started pestering him to teach them martial arts, Ling Jingxuan felt helpless, can only put down what he was doing and taught them a simple set of tai chi chuan.


    ¡°The sun is out. Learning martial arts is not a thing overnight. You also don¡¯t practice too long. I will go to the river to have a look, later if your grandpa and grandma come, remember to let them wait for me.¡±


    After cleaning up the house, Ling Jingxuan quickly released the Crescent Spring to fill the tank, turned and found a broken dustpan in the backyard, with it ready to go out.


    ¡°Daddy, are going to catch fish?¡±


    Seeing him with a dustpan in one hand and a wooden barrel in the other, small bun full of sweat stopped to look at him, Ling Jingxuan nodded, ¡°Mm, I will have a try first. If I can catch fish early, we can also live a good life as soon as possible, right?¡±


    He still decided not to tell them about the Crescent Spring, and it did not matter to them if they went with him in the future. Just as what he had done yesterday, he would release the Crescent Spring at the bottom of the river and dive into the water to catch some fish. It was only a bit troublesome.


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, you go quickly, we will take care of the house.¡±


    On hearing fish, small bun immediately nodded. Whether they would make money out of it, at least they would have fish to eat in the future.


    ¡°Daddy, you careful, don¡¯t go to the deep place. It is nothing even if you can¡¯t catch any. We will accompany you to seek edible wild vegetables or herbs, or at least pick those wild fruit on the mountain, we won¡¯t starve anyway.¡±


    Bit bun wore a serious face, round big eyes staring at him, money is not as important as daddy¡¯s life.


    ¡°Hehe, don¡¯t worry, I know. You remember to shut the door, except grandpa and grandma, don¡¯t you open the door, you know?¡±


    Just in case. Yesterday after dealing with that vixen, not sure she would bring help today. What if she came to make trouble for the kids while he was not home?


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Two buns carefully nodded, together send him to the door. Ling Jingxuan did not leave holding the wooden barrel and the dustpan until they shut the door, but what he did not know was just not long after he left, that shrew really came with her man and son.

 Chapter 13

    Now was the busy farming season, all families were busy in the harvest of rapeseed and spring wheat. Usually the upstream of Yuehua Ditch had few people, now one could barely see a single person. Ling Jingxuan released the Crescent Spring across the stream, part overlapped with it. In a little while, large and small fishes swam into it in droves, some even weighing over dozens of jin, which made Ling Jingxuan so happy. He bent over and picked up those big and small fish into his wooden barrel and soon it was full.


    Unfortunately, the Crescent Spring could attract fish, but could not keep them. As he withdrew the spring, all of those fish were stranded on the shore. Looking at all the fish, Ling Jingxuan wished he can have dozens of barrels, and take them all back. Only having transmigrated here for one day, he almost became a money worshipper. It was all the fault of poverty!


    ¡°Well, for the sake that you¡¯re going to be the mainstay of our family income, I¡¯ll send you back.¡±


    With no other choice, Ling Jingxuan once again released the Crescent Spring. This time he directly overlapped it with the ditch, leaving only a part of the extended to the shore. Not until the stranded fish all swam back did he withdraw the Crescent Spring, carrying a bucket full of fish and going home.


    Duang~


    ¡°Open the door, Ling Jingxuan, you piece of junk, open the door now¡­¡±


    This neglected rag house which no one had ever visited before was extra lively today. Shortly after Ling Jingxuan left, that pig-faced village shrew came with his man and kid, the three knocked on the ramshackle wooden door, which scared the two buns whose faces already turned pale. The two of them trembled, embracing each other, following the command of Ling Jingxuan, neither dare open the door no matter what, but¡­


    ¡°Hey you, what are you doing? Are you here to bully my kids?¡±


    A big female voice suddenly sounded, then the knocking sound finally stopped, the two buns looked at each other. Ling Wen patted his little brother¡¯s hand, drawing him carefully close to the door.


    ¡°Oh, how dare we bully him? Lady Wang, that monster in your house is really capable now, look at my messy face. It was all from him yesterday. Today my man specially asked a leave from work to bring me over to claim the justice for me. That shameless son of bitch Ling Jingxuan bullied me, this isn¡¯t over!¡±


    The pig-head woman put her hands on her hips and shouted in a strange voice. The man standing behind her was also wearing a shitty face. He knew better than anyone what his wife was like. How could she ever get beaten by someone else? Especially that one was Ling Jingxuan!


    ¡°Bullshit, no one in Ling village doesn¡¯t know that all these years you have tortured Jingxuan into a fool? It¡¯s already good enough if you don¡¯t bully him. When is it his turn to bully you? Dawa¡¯s mom, be a person with conscience, you said our Jingxuan beat you and we¡¯d believe it? Who knows it was some wild cats and dogs biting you deliberately and you came to frame Jingxuan!¡±


    With her hands resting on her hips, Lady Wang was ever more vixenish than that pig-head woman. It is said that as a mother, she would become strong. Actually Lady Wang was a pretty woman, and she didn¡¯t behave like a shrew before, otherwise Ling Chenglong would not marry her. Because of Ling Jingxuan, she grew like that over the years. If she hadn¡¯t done everything she could to shield Ling Jingxuan and his sons, they¡¯d have already been bullied to death. She was planning to come over later, but Tiewa who often hung out with the her two grandsons came to her in the farm field and told him that someone came to make trouble for the children, so she immediately tickle in a hurry and came over.


    ¡°Enough of your bullshit! How dare you insult my innocence? I will kill you!¡±


    Dawa¡¯s mother was so angry that she rolled up her sleeves and threatened to fight with her. Lady Wang also showed no weakness, ¡°Do you think I am afraid you? I insult your innocence? Do you have that of thing?¡±


    No one did not know that in order to marry his man, she used a scheme to let that man get her virginity. Even if she had the face to say, no one else had the face to hear.


    ¡°You bitch, I¡¯ll rip your mouth off.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bully our grandma.¡±


    Dawa¡¯s mother got wrapped by anger, and pounced at her, ever her man failed to pull her. Behind the closed wooden door suddenly got pulled open, the two buns rushed out one after another and stopped before Lady Wang, arms open. Dawa¡¯s mother threw a slap without even thinking.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Ling Wen held his little brother, closed his eyes and waited for the incoming slap, while Lady Wang shouted loudly, but they only felt a shadow flashing by, the next second, Dawa¡¯s mother¡¯s hand stopped in the distance less than a centimeter from the face of Ling Wen, ¡°I told you. Never show up in front of me, or I will beat you every time I see you!¡±


    Pia~ Pia~ Pia~


    ¡°Ah¡­Ah¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan came from nowhere, carrying a killing feeling all over. After saying those words, he even did not give the other side the opportunity to react and gave her two slaps, and then threw a kick in her belly, and that fat body abruptly fell over. Except the two buns and the trembling Dawa, all were stoned there and didn¡¯t know what was happening. Is he really that stupid gawk Ling Jingxuan?

 Chapter 14

    ¡°Ouch¡­ someone is killing me! You useless thing, your wife is about to be killed, why are you still standing there? Ouch¡­it hurts! Ling Jingxuan you son of a bitch, you are killing me. Ouch¡­¡±


    Dawa¡¯s mother, who got beaten up again, sitting on the ground, cried out, sometimes scolding her man, sometimes scolding Ling Jingxuan, while again crying for the pain. Let along Lady Wang, ever her own man was impatient, frowning. This woman really had taken shamelessness to a new level!


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    Two buns held Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thighs on each side, choking, with tears in the eyes, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s killing feeling instantly dissipated. He squatted down and embraced them, ¡°Be good, don¡¯t be afraid, daddy will protect you.¡±


    Eyes narrowed, killing light glazed in his eyes. What the fuck! As expected, that woman really took her man here, and even tried to beat his little buns under his eyes. If he didn¡¯t beat her hard enough until she truly knew they were not someone she could meddle with, he would change his name to Xuan Lingjing!


    ¡°Jingxuan¡­¡±


    Lady Wang looked his son and two grandsons holding together. Is there something wrong with her eyes? Her son is no longer a fool?


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s body slightly shuddered, and he slowly looked up and saw Lady Wang¡¯s tearful eyes, lips trembling, staring at him with great excitement. Only in her thirties, she, because of years of tough work, plus a few years to worry about him, looked like in her 40s, but her foundation was good, she should be very beautiful when she was younger. The most important thing was she was a good mother protecting her son.


    ¡°Mom, thank you, if it weren¡¯t for you, Xiaowen and Xiaowu might be bullied. Thanks to you for all these years. Now I¡¯m no longer silly. I will take care of the two children and live well.¡±


    Holding the children up, Ling Jingxuan looked at her seriously and said so. Whether she was trying to protect the original owner or he, the beneficiary was always him. If she would treat them so well as always, he would take her as his own mother.


    ¡°Oh¡­ you fool, why say thanks to your own mother? Jingxuan, my Jingxuan, you finally thought it through¡­ woo¡­woo~¡±


    Lady Wang, who was behaving like a shrew, could no longer hold it, holding him in her arms and crying. Her son was not stupid, not stupid anymore¡­


    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t cry. Your son is all good. Shouldn¡¯t you be happy?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan helplessly held his forehead, he really did not know how to comfort others.


    ¡°Granny¡­ seeing you cry, I also want to cry, granny¡­¡±


    The little bun let go of Ling Jingxuan and dragged the hem of her garments, looking up at her with a pair of pitiful eyes. Big bun also did not want to be left behind. He took her the hem of the garments on the other said and said, ¡°Granny, don¡¯t cry, my dad is no longer silly, and our messy days will be over, we will be better. I will buy silver earrings for you. I saw others wear them before, sparkling, very pretty.¡±


    This was always the big bun¡¯s trick. Whether he was right or not, he would first picture a big pie. Ling Jingxuan seriously doubted that whether he would really pay when they day came.


    ¡°Oh, I won¡¯t cry. I still have to enjoy your blessing.¡±


    Lady Wang pushed away her son and quickly wiped her tears, then squatted and embraced her two lovely grandsons, three generations looking so harmonious. By contrast, on the other side, Dawa¡¯s dad was fed up with his wife. He pulled her up from the ground with force, ignoring her swollen pig face, and threw a slap in her face, and Dawa¡¯s mom no longer dared to make any sound.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, you beat my wife black and blue. Today if you don¡¯t give me an explanation, I will call the village head here and let him uphold justice for us.¡±


    After fixing his wife, Dawa¡¯s father moved forward, with a finger pointing at Ling Jingxuan, on that obscene and crafty face was full of anger and calculation. From time to time his thievish eyes peeped at the big barrel full of fish next to Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°No, anyhow, the village head is my second grandpa. Someone may not be convinced. Let¡¯s go to the county. I heard that Magistrate Hu is fair and impartial who should be able to deal with the dispute between us. Your son, along with a group of people, beat me in a coma for several days, your wife again beat Xiaowen¡¯s face swollen like a stuffed bun. I will ask Magistrate Hu how you give me an explanation!¡±


    Turning around, Ling Jingxuan gave him a cold look, twitched the corners of his mouth with disdain. Hum, wanting an explanation from him? Isn¡¯t he afraid to break his tongue? Even if he would let it go, Ling Jingxuan would never!


    ¡°You¡­you beat my wife into a pig head, and now you back bite us! Don¡¯t think I¡¯m afraid of you before the magistrate?¡±


    Dawa¡¯s father was furious, glaring at him.


    ¡°Well, first of all, your wife was beaten in my house. As a married woman, why did you come to the house of a bachelor with two kids? If one says we have an affair, at least I am a scholar. How could I ever lay my eyes on such a shrew? The other day when you son beat my son, I still got a lot of witnesses. These days, your wife came to my house and clamours loudly. I think many people saw it, too. Your son beat my son first, and your wife made a scene here after, and the injury on my son¡¯s face was the solid evidence. If I don¡¯t fight back, should I wait till she killed me? Since when self-defense becomes a crime?¡±


    With a cold snorting, Ling Jingxuan approached step by step, with a series of sharp questions, while Dawa¡¯s dad was forced to retreat. Finally he clenched his fists and yelled, ¡°Do you even have reason to beat people?¡±


    The country people read few books. Although last year he just found a job as waiter in the market, as for debating, he was obviously not good enough.


    ¡°It is written in the law of Qing Dynasty that whoever kills someone in self-defense is not guilty! Even if I kill her today, the magistrate can do nothing with me, let alone only two slaps.¡±


    ¡°You¡­you¡­¡±


    No one knew whether the law he said was true. Dawa¡¯s father only kept saying ¡®you¡¯ but no more words. Ling Jingxuan stepped forward again, close enough and said with a voice only the two of them could hear, ¡°I what? Do you really want to see me kill your wife and that little bastard?¡±


    ¡°You, I will kill you¡­¡±


    Unable to take it any more, Dawa¡¯s dad threw a punch at him. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes showed a tricky light. He quickly turned his body sideways and dodged that punch, grabbed his arm and threw him away with nimble strength. Dawa¡¯s father tried to steady himself, and then immediately pounced back. With suddenly murderous light showing in the eyes, Ling Jingxuan got a thumb size sharp twig, and before he rushed to his face, his thin body already jumped up and aimed at his arms with that sharp twig.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Dawa¡¯s father gave a cry like butchering a pig, holding the bleeding arm and getting on his knees, half a foot long twig deep inserting in his arm.


    ¡°Dawa¡¯s daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    Seeing this, Dawa¡¯s mother whose hair got disheveled and her son crawled over to his side. As they saw the blood on his arm, the mother and son almost passed out. One should know, in this era, a man was the pillar of a family, if the pillar was collapsed, the widow and her son could hardly survive.


    ¡°He won¡¯t die! This is the last time. If you dare come again, I don¡¯t mind sending your whole family to hell.¡±


    Commandingly looking down at them, Ling Jingxuan cruelly said so. For a moment, he really wanted to end his life, but at that every moment, he thought of the two buns. In this era where only reading was the noblest thing, the two kids had to read and pass the imperial examination if they wanted to make a rise in life, and scholar¡¯s reputation was very important. As for how it had been like in the past, he would not care. At least from now on, he would not let people gossip that his kids had a murderer father, and even if he had to kill people, he would not do it in broad daylight. He had numerous ways to kill them without a trace.


    The three of them were all trembling with fear, and even dare not have any eye contact with him. This time they were really frightened.


    ¡°Get lost!¡±


    Hearing the harsh voice, the three of them immediately ran out, scratching and scrawling, like a ghost was chasing after them. After this matter, this unbelievable family would never have courage to seek trouble, at least in a short time, they absolutely dare not!

 Chapter 15

    ¡°Jing¡­Jingxuan, they¡­Dawa¡¯s father is all right?¡±


    Seeing that a family of three disappeared in the sight, Lady Wang took his son¡¯s arm and asked in a stammering tone. However shrew she performed, she was only a village woman. Dawa¡¯s father¡¯s bleeding obviously scared her.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. Mother, let¡¯s go inside and talk.¡±


    Throwing her a soothing smile, Ling Jingxuan drew back his hand without a trace.


    ¡°Daddy, Dawa¡¯s dad had shed a lot of blood, he¡­will he die?¡±


    Two buns were also obviously scared a lot, small faces all pale, but they were not worried about that man¡¯s death, but more whether Ling Jingxuan would get into big trouble. Even if they were still young, they knew a life for a life. Finally their father returned to normal, they didn¡¯t want to lose him.


    ¡°Hehe¡­how is he so easy to die? The book says, good people do not live long, while bad people would do harm people for long. Do you think that man is like good people?¡±


    Compared to his mother and two sons, Ling Jingxuan showed a total careless appearance. Hearing that, the two buns looked at each other, nodding. That scene nearly made Ling Jingxuan burst out laughter, but soon he held his expression, squatted down and took their hands, saying in an earnest way, ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, you have to remember that dealing with that kind of shameless shrew, you¡¯d have to be more shameless and more malicious, absolutely no concession or bing softhearted. Human desire has no bottom line. Give her an inch today, she¡¯d want a yard tomorrow. We do not take the initiative to bully others, but absolutely we can¡¯t be afraid of any bully. Showing mercy to the enemy is to be cruel to yourself. When necessary, bleeding is nothing, you got it?¡±


    The 21st century had words he had been very approved-education should start from an early age. Ling Jingxuan was much clearer than anyone else. He could not protect them the whole lifetime, instead of caring about their safety all the time, he¡¯d better let them see in advance the cruelty of human nature, and forge them stronger and more domineering that anyone else.


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, we¡¯ll keep it in mind.¡±


    The two buns may not fully understand his meaning, but they still firmly nodded at the same time. Everything was inferior to reading. Daddy was one of the few scholars in the village, in their little cognition, what daddy said must be right.


    What Ling Jingxuan did not know was, because of his almost cold-blooded education mode, in the future he really trained out two powerful figures, one scaring all kingdoms, while the other dominating the court. Of course, this was the story in the future.


    ¡°Good. Daddy has caught a lot of fish today. Let¡¯s go home first.¡±


    Touching the heads of the two buns, Ling Jingxuan got up and carried the big barrel aside, then  three people noticed the existence of the fish. Two buns looked very excited, with one was drooling, with the one with a pair of eyes that almost turned into the shape of copper coins, but only Lady Wang was totally puzzled. Where did her son catch those fish?


    Almost ten carps in the barrel, each of which was three or four jin. Fortunately Ling Jingxuan fed them with the water from the Crescent Spring, or they would have already died of lacking oxygen.


    ¡°Mom, is there a market at the entrance of the village?¡±


    Sitting in the shabby central room, Ling Jingxuan looked at the little buns circling around the wooden barrel in the yard, smilingly asked so. The original owner¡¯s memory was too long ago, he was not sure if everything was the same as five years ago.


    ¡°Yes, there is a market, because it is at the junction of several villages. Usually people go there to get some things in exchange for some money to support their families. Recently, everyone is collecting rapeseed and wheat. Later a lot of people would go there to buy things. Are you selling the fish there?¡±


    Hearing this, Lady Wang was stoned there for a bit, Thinking of her son¡¯s situation in the past few years, she could not help feeling grieved. Her eldest son had once been so outstanding, but now he even could barely have food to support the family¡­


    ¡°Mm, I caught ten carps. Later you can take one back for my father and two younger brothers to build their health. I will keep another one for the buns. As for rest, for sale.¡±


    Nodded, Ling Jingxuan withdrew his eyes. Lady Wang had three sons, except him, the other two were twins, who were the second son Ling Jinghan, and the little son Ling Jingpeng, but she was also unfortunate. He, as the biggest son, became a fool. And the second son, it was said the 14-year-old Ling Jinghan was very learned, the most promising one to pass the imperial examination, but it was like that heaven had played a joke on him for giving him such a run-down body. With his physical condition, he couldn¡¯t even support a test that would often last for several days. The little son Ling Jingpeng, born to hate reading, was a notorious child king, now still the same. And the old Ling never took him as a grandson. So all in all, although Ling Chenglong and his wife had conceived three sons, in the Ling house they were still very humble, for the old couple did not favor them, and their brothers and sisters-in-law bullied them.


    ¡°You leave one for Xiaowen and Xiaowu, take all the rest to sell for money. Never mind. You also don¡¯t go to the market yourself, later I¡¯ll let your father take care of it.¡±


    Her son¡¯s filial piety let her feel sweet. Thinking of the villagers¡¯ resentment toward him, Lady Wang took the initiative to let Ling Chenglong run the errands. She was not willing to let his son who had just returned to normal to suffer those people¡¯s supercilious look and their abusing.


    ¡°All right. How about this, mother? You let father and my younger brothers have dinner here together. Yesterday I also dug a lot of wild vegetables. We can have a good meal.¡±


    Thinking that their Ling Family hadn¡¯t divided up the family property and lived part, even if she took the fish back, it was quite possible they could not have a bite of it. Ling Jingxuan also did not force her. Since they were family, as long as they were not calculating him or what, he would like to fit in, by the way, he also wanted to feel the impulse for his second younger brother Ling Jinghan and see what his illness was and if there was any cure. For their small family, as long as one made fame or fortune, others could get rid of the stigma.


    ¡°OK, I¡¯ll go and find your father now.¡±


    Lady Wang was so happy. As she was about to leave, Ling Jingxuan hurriedly said, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t forget to let Jinghan come over too. I haven¡¯t seen him for a long time.¡±


    ¡°Urgh¡­OK, I let your little brother pull him over with the handcart.¡±


    Lady Wang hesitated a little, and then thought it was really not easy for the whole family to eat together, so she decisively agreed.


    ¡°Hmm, then you be careful.¡±


    Judging from her look, he knew Ling Jinghan must be very seriously ill, but Ling Jingxuan did not speak it out. He stood up and sent her to the door. When the two buns heard their grandparents and uncles were coming over for dinner, they were kicking up their heels. After all they were still kids, and living in remote mountain with their father. It was such a rare opportunity that the whole family could get together. How could they not be happy?

 Chapter 16

    Ling Chenglong came shortly after Lady Wang left. It was nice to say he was a literary man out of a farming family, actually only a plowman having read a few books. Ling Chenglong was the second son in the family, having an elder brother and a little brother. So his status in the family was a bit awkward, plus that his sons were all useless, so the old couple did not favor him at all, almost all the farm work was left to him. He was only 30 years old man, but already looked like 40 or 50 years old, dark-skinned and thin, hunchback a bit.


    ¡°Dad, hard for you. After the fish are sold, help me see if there are nets to sell on the market. I found a place where there are a lot of fish, but the water is too deep. I can only catch them with a net.¡±


    Looking at the swarthy and thin man, Ling Jingxuan said with a smile. From his eyes, he saw excitement and love. So far, his parents seemed to be both sincere people, for him such a ¡®humiliated¡¯ son, they also tried all they could to help him and felt sorry from the bottom of their hearts. Now, Ling Jingxuan felt much relieved. Ancient people stressed filial piety most. He really didn¡¯t want to meet that kind of unreasonable parents.


    For Ling Jingxuan himself, it didn¡¯t matter what kind of person his parents were. If they were good, he would acknowledge them. But if not, he could just take them as strangers. Anyway, he had no reputation to maintain. But now he had to consider for his two sons. When he had money, he would send them to home school to study. If people knew they had an unfilial father, they could also feel ashamed and couldn¡¯t raise their heads in school. So now after knowing that his parents were both good people, he felt much relieved.


    ¡°Jingxuan, you¡­¡±


    Ling Chenglong excitedly nodded. A seven-chi man was with tears in his eyes. Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan had to repeat, ¡°Dad, before it was hard for you and mom. Now I have thought it through. Forget about other things. Xiaowen and Xiaowu are so lovely. What else could I complain? I don¡¯t care whether I am called a monster or having been thrown out of the family. I don¡¯t care. Now I just want to make money and raise my two children, so they can live a good life.¡±


    ¡°That is the spirit. I am so glad you can think it through.¡±


    Five years! His son finally got out of the haze. Ling Chenglong quietly wiped the tears.


    ¡°Dad, you rest assured. I am totally normal now.¡±


    The conversation between men needed neither coaxing nor persuading, simple and clear. He believed that his father would understand.


    ¡°Good boy¡­ I will help you sell the fish first, and bring Jinghan and Jingpeng over later.¡±


    In case he would burst into tears before his son, Ling Chenglong bent over to pick up the barrel and walked outside. Ling Jingxuan quickly caught up, ¡°Dad, be careful. No hurry. It¡¯s still early.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I know.¡±


    Ling Chenglong waved his hand without turning back. In the place where Ling Jingxuan could not see, the honest old peasant had tears all over his face, but also wearing an exciting smile. His excellent son came back. Is there anything more thrilled than that?


    ¡°Daddy, daddy, come. Little uncle brought second uncle here, daddy¡­¡±


    As Ling Jingxuan was about to go to the backyard, the small bun¡¯s excited voice came from behind. As he turned, he saw a dark and tall young man come over pushing an old handcart, which was covered with tattered strips of cloth, with a pale and weak young man on it. The small bun ran in front of the handcart, while the big bun was carefully following behind. Ling Jingxuan slightly frowned, and then strode over.


    ¡°Jinghan, Jingpeng, why don¡¯t wait for dad to pick you up? Come in. It¡¯s cold outside.¡±


    Perhaps this was the blood bond. Just one eye, Ling Jingxuan identified them, saying those caring words, with the hands automatically taking over the handrails, helped Ling Jingpeng push the handcart to the door.


    ¡°Ahem¡­I¡¯m, I¡¯m fine, big brother, I¡­ahem¡­¡±


    Ling Jingpeng was obviously a little shy. The person talking sitting on the handcart was Ling Jinghan. Just a few words, but already accompanied by a violent cough, with his pale face even paler, making one¡¯s heart feel sorry for him. Ling Jingxuan wanted to carry him into the house, but Ling Lingpeng, one step ahead, half squatted down.


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan could only assist him from aside, holding him onto the back of Ling Jingpeng, ¡°Jinghan, don¡¯t talk too much. Go inside and drink some water first.¡±


    Even in modern world, if a family had such an invalid, it was a very hard thing, let alone the ancient times? Ling Jingxuan felt sorrier for him, but also more determined to make money as soon as possible.


    ¡°Daddy, when I grow up, I will make money to find the best doctor in the world to cure second uncle.¡±


    Standing next to him, big bun looked at the backs of the two uncles, his small hands clenched into fists, and his small lips pressed tightly into a straight line.


    ¡°So will I, daddy, and I will also make a lot of money to cure second uncle.¡±


    On the other side, the small bun did not fall after big bun, loudly shouted, face blushing, only afraid that others could not hear him. Ling Jingxuan laughed in spite of himself. Isn¡¯t the best doctor standing right in front of them?


    ¡°Mm, let¡¯s work hard together. Come on. Let¡¯s accompany your second uncle.¡±


    However, there were some things they should not say. Ling Jingxuan patted on his head, took the lead to go in. In an angle no one could see, that pair of slender phoenix eyes refracted a firm light. No matter what disease Ling Jinghan had, he would find a way to cure him, and gave him a young and healthy body.

 Chapter 17

    Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng were twins, but they looked differently, so it should be fraternal twins, plus Ling Jinghan suffered from constant chronic sickness. In one year, he would spend half of it lying in bed and could barely see the sun, transparent complexion, thin, nearly out of shape, while Ling Jingpeng was very naughty since he was little, always fighting, and in recent one or two years he became a bit behaved, also often did some farm work with Ling Chenglong. He was thin, but in a good shape, and the gap of their appearances was even greater.


    ¡°Come one. Drink some water. This is the tea I boiled with houttuynia to relieve the summer heat. Drink more.¡±


    There were no luxury things like cups at home at all. Ling Jingxuan directly used a bowl. He used the water from the Crescent Spring. Originally he thought that since the Crescent Spring since could attract fish, it would definite be good to the body, plus the herba houttuyniae, which was quite suitable for the two buns. And not it came into use in advance.


    ¡°Thank you¡­Ahem¡­big brother, it¡¯s so good that you can become normal again. In the future with you and Jingpeng taking care of our parents, I can rest assured. Ahem¡­¡±


    It was not easy to say so many words within one breath for him. The sharp cough rose again. Like his last words, which pricked Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart. He quickly stepped forward and handed the bowl to his mouth, Ling Jingpeng, sitting on the other side, patted on his back, although the three brothers had almost no communication, the family bond was obvious.


    ¡°Ahem¡­I¡­¡±


    ¡°Say no more. Drink some water and rest.¡±


    Ling Jinghan still wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Ling Jingxuan forcibly. His seemingly gentle tone was mixed with some kind of unassailable domineering commanding. Finally the thin and weak Ling Jingxuan had the momentum as a big brother.


    ¡°Jingpeng, what disease is your second brother having after all? Did you take him to see a doctor?¡±


    Seeing that he obediently drank some water, the cough also temporarily stopped, he helped him lie down, while asking Ling Jiangpeng. In his memory, his second brother seemed to be ill all the time, but had no specific impression about what disease it was.


    ¡°Our aunties said it is phthisis, can not be cured¡­¡±


    Ling Jingpeng retracted the body, and lowering his head embarrassedly, trembling shoulders betrayed his heart of suffering and anger. Ling Jingxuan gave a light sigh, with the finger abdomen gently feeling the pulse of Ling Jinghan. It¡¯d be good if it was really phthisis, others might not be able to cure it but he could.


    ¡°Big brother?¡±


    Lying in bed, Jinghan whose breath was as weak as it would be gone any minute gave a strange look at his big brother¡¯s finger on his wrist. Does big brother know about leechcraft?


    Under his doubts, Ling Jingpeng and two buns also noticed the abnormal of Ling Jingxuan, but no one disturbed him, although everyone was having anxious appearance.


    ¡°Cold into the lungs, long time coughing leading into disease, but not incurable, just need some special things, you rest assured, I will cure you.¡±


    After quite a while, Ling Jingxuan opened his eyes and said with a smile. He did not want to hear a 14-year-old boy who was still in middle school in modern times was saying every word like his last words. At his age, the only thing he should do was reading.


    ¡°Really? Big brother, you¡­Ahem¡­ you, you can cure me?¡±


    Who wants to die when there is hope to live? Ling Hinghan¡¯s excitement can be imagined. He was only fourteen years old after all. Even if he was acting mature, he was still a young man under age.


    ¡°Big brother, can you really cure him?¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    Of course Ling Jingpeng and the two little buns were all anxious. The former was his little brother. Under the condition that their parents were so busy every day, it was he who had taken care of his big brother these years, of course they had deep feelings. Although it was the first time the latter two saw their second uncle, they both liked him and felt sorry for him, and from the bottom of their hearts hoping their daddy could cure him.


    ¡°Of course it is true, how can I joke about such a thing?¡±


    Indulgently poking the eager face of big bun, Ling Jingxuan looked at Ling Jinghan, smiling, nodded.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ Jiangpeng, get me another bowl of water.¡±


    Staring at him for quite a smile and finally getting a positive answer, Ling Jinghan was not so excited, struggling to sit up in bed. Ling Jingpeng hurriedly sent him the tea. After trying to take a gulp, Ling Jinghan suddenly locked his eyes on the smiling Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Big brother, when did you learn medical skills?¡±


    Although he had lost his shape, as if a gust of wind could blow him away, it was not bragging that he was learned. After smoothing away the initial excitement, at this time, he was just like an experienced adult, who exuded an air of shrewdness and power.


    Sure enough, his foreboding was right. Ling Jinghan was worth looking forward to.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard a proverb prolonged illness makes the patient be a doctor? You think I¡¯ve really been a fool for five years?¡±


    It would be a lie not to be shocked by his huge transformation, but, if he couldn¡¯t even handle a teenager, he had lived these years in vain.


    ¡°But for five years, even the kids¡­¡±


    Half way of his words, Ling Jinghan suddenly remembered that the two nephews were also present. The doubts all stuck deep in the throat, but already enough to make Ling Jingxuan clearly know what he was trying to say. Then that thin but pretty face spread a confident and calm smile, ¡°Jinghan, what is past is past, and I don¡¯t want to talk about it anymore. Humans are strange creatures, once one firmly believes in something, one could not come out no matter what, some people would be even trapped in it for a lifetime, but sometimes, often only a small chance, boom, one could think it through. You are a smart man, you should know what I¡¯m talking about.¡±


    He did not want to step in the mess of the original owner, nor he was interested. Be it life principal or his medical skills, he did not intend to conceal from them, or meant to use countless lies to cover it up. He is who he is, the 21st century world famous killer / secret doctor. Things like lying, not his thing!


    ¡°Big brother¡­¡±


    Ling Jinghan suddenly found that he did not seem to know about this big brother now, because of his illness, he had seen though fickleness of human nature and also tasted all the bitterness of the world. Dragging a broken body, what was he capable of even if he was talented? When his big brother got thrown out of the family five years ago, he was only nine years old and he was powerless to prevent all this. He could only study hard, dreaming that one day he could pass the imperial examination and become an official, then take his big brother home, but five years later, he was still tortured by the disease, but if it hadn¡¯t been that he was worried about his gradually aging parents, dementia big brother, the younger brother and two starving little nephews, he would have already had no desire to live. But now, his big brother finally returned to normal, but he found that gentle and cowardly big brother had gone, this person became a total stranger to him.

 Chapter 18

    However, that the feelings of big brother caring about the younger brother, he had felt it, also sincerely felt relieved. Whether his big brother was really able to cure him or not, at least now no one would dare to bully him. Even if one day he really¡­his parents and younger brother no longer got bullied under his cover. That¡¯d be enough.


    ¡°Daddy, what are you talking about?¡±


    Three brothers went silent. At this time, the small bun climbed onto his daddy¡¯s legs and broke the ice, eyes innocently looking at him.


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Three brothers looked at one another, and laughed out. Ling Jingxuan pretended to be angry and spanked him, ¡°You little kid, this is between adults. Come on, get some water for your second uncle.¡±


    You naughty boy! Are you trying to pull the rug?


    The sun was setting. Ling Jingxuan made a large pot of fish soup, plus a pot of wild vegetable corn paste. You could imagine the penny-pinching big bun¡¯s distressed expression. But this time he didn¡¯t keep nagging him, daddy this and daddy that. Ling Jingxuan also could not help giving him thumbs-up in his heart. It was true he was petty. But at least he knew that family was more important than money, right?


    It was almost dark when Ling Chenglong and his wife rushed back riding the afterglow, sweating all over the head. Without even asking, they knew that it should be that their so-called grandparents and uncles deliberately threw tons of farm work to them, but Ling Jingxuan did not ask. The whole family all sat around the shaky, maybe the next second it would collapse, table.


    ¡°Jingxuan, today we are so lucky. We sold all the eight fish to Landlord Wang in the next village, a total of 30 jin, eight copper coins one jin, a total of 240, except for the fifty to buy nets, there are still one hundred and ninety.¡±


    Before dinner, the docile Ling Chenglong pulled out a large handful of copper coins and put before him. Ling Jingxuan cast a glance, those copper coins were more or less as he imagined. The only different place was the kingdom title. But before he reached for them, the big bun who was sitting next to him, with a shove, got all the copper coins to himself, ¡°Grandpa, daddy said I take charge of the house, including money.¡±


    In other words, in the future the money should be handed to him, not his father.


    ¡°you money-slave!¡±


    Ling Hingxuan held his forehead, speechless, then poked his head. He never said he would not give them to him. Why in such a hurry?


    ¡°Haha¡­This is good. Our Xiaowen could learn to manage money, in the future perhaps he can become a bookkeeper.¡±


    Seeing this, the whole family laughed, Lady Wang even laughed her tears out, feeling both happy and gratified. Jingxuan was no longer silly. A bright future was waiting ahead!


    ¡°Yeah!¡±


    Ling Chenglong also echoed. The heavy burden of so many years seemed to disappear in an instant.


    ¡°No, I have to go to town if I become a bookkeeper. Who takes care of daddy if I am gone? And who could take care of those two mu of land at home? Just let Xiaowu do it. I will stay at home and support the whole family.¡±


    Unexpectedly, the big bun who was counting those copper coins repeatedly suddenly wrinkled his small face, directly rejected their proposal. The smile instantly went rigid on their faces. Except the little bun Xiaowu, everyone could not help but feel a bit sad. A five-year-old boy said he would support the whole family. All in all, it was only because them adults were too incompetent.


    ¡°OK, I¡¯ll wait for you to support our whole family. Let me remind you. You can not support the whole family using that mouth. In the future if you complain that you are too tired or what, see how I deal with you!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan, the first to come to his senses, quickly put away the entanglement in the heart, picked up the chopsticks and said, ¡°Mom, dad, Jinghan, Jingpeng, stop chatting, eat.¡±


    This topic was almost over, the family was talking and laughing while eating simple fish soup and corn paste. Even if they were so poor that there were even not enough stools for each one, table and chopsticks were also broken, but the happiness surrounding them was real. As long as the family worked together, there was no difficulties they couldn¡¯t overcome.


    ¡°Seriously? Jingxuan, can you cure Jinghan?¡±


    Two pots of fish soup and corn paste soon were eaten up. Everyone¡¯s belly became round. While having some small talk, on hearing that Jingxuan can cure Jinghan¡¯s disease, Ling Chenglong and his wife nearly jumped up, with their bodies shaking.


    ¡°Mm, tomorrow I will go to the mountains to collect some herbs. As for the fish, dad, you go sell them for me in the market with Jingpeng for me.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan said in a formal way. From the mouth of Ling Jinghan, he accidentally learned that the fights Ling Jingpeng had had were all for him over the past few years. Whenever he heard someone gossiping about him, be it an adult or a child, men or women, he would immediately rush forward to fight that person, therefore, for this youngest brother, he grew some more pity, secretly wondering how to teach him to do some business. He didn¡¯t expect him to make big money, at least he could stuff his belly.


    ¡°No problem, Jingxuan, if you really can cure your younger brother, I¡¯m willing to help you sell fish my whole life.¡±


    Speaking of which, the old man even had tears in his eyes. His whole life was really not easy. Both his eldest son and second son were so outstanding, but¡­Now his eldest son recovered, and if his second son was cured, he could go to another world without any regrets.


    ¡°Dad, what are you talking about? How can I let you help me sell fish for a lifetime? Besides, there are not so many fish for me to catch in Yuehua Ditch.¡±


    Apparently knowing what his father meant, Ling Jingxuan intentionally pretended he did not understand, trying to swing the sadness and sorrows in his heart, but Lady Wang added, ¡°Jingxuan, I won¡¯t ask you why you can cure his illness. I know, you suffered a lot in your heart, you are holding many secrets to yourself. You don¡¯t need to speak them out. I trust you and I like the way you are now. For Jinghan¡¯s illness, just do as you could. Even if you cannot cure him, it¡¯s fine. We all won¡¯t blame you.¡±


    She was a village woman, who hadn¡¯t seen the world. Except serving both her husband and the children, the only thing she could do was the farm work in the fields, but this did not mean that she was stupid. This morning how his son had behaved was beyond her cognition, and and having heard he even knew medical skills. If she said she held not a bit doubt, it must be lying, but she would not ask, because, she trusted his own son.


    Of course, Lady Want only thought that all this was related to Ling Wen and Ling Wu¡¯s father who had never showed up before. She could never imagined that her real son had already long gone.


    ¡°Thank you, mother, I do have some things to hide from you, not I don¡¯t want to say, but I just can¡¯t. You rest assured, Jinghan¡¯s illness is not very serious, at most a month, I will make him alive and kicking.¡±


    His mother¡¯s unconditional trust made him moved. As an orphan, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart was filled with warmth. From this moment, he would draw them into his own protection circle from the bottom of his heart.


    ¡°Ah, I believe that my Jingxuan has always been good and will only be better in the future.¡±


    ¡°All right, mom, don¡¯t cry, otherwise Jinghan and Jingpeng would put the blame on me.¡±


    But Lady Wang still couldn¡¯t help crying again, Ling Jingxuan hurriedly made a joke, making others bask in the heart, and the heavy atmosphere seemed to be eased a lot. Since the first day he had transmigrated here, Ling Jingxuan got two free little buns for free, and the next day a pair of parents who loved him and two blood brothers. He was kind of heaven-blessed. The lack of family bond in his previous life was made up for him at one time.

 Chapter 19

    The price was good, eight fish earned them more than two hundred copper coins, equivalent to more than two hundred yuan in modern world. According to this speed, maybe before winter came, they could build a big blue brick house. Early the next morning, Ling Jingxuan grabbed a handful of cornmeal and cooked a pot of wild vegetables paste, and ran around the yard for nearly half an hour. As the day broke, he went to Yuehua ditch with two big barrels.


    Today he planned to catch some more fish. First, there was no much food left home, second, both he and the two buns still wore straw sandals on their feet, and their clothes were patches over patches, so he was thinking about making more money these days, and then took the two buns to go to the market in the town to buy some clothes and daily necessities. However poor they were, he didn¡¯t want to let himself and the two buns to suffer in clothing, food and housing.


    ¡°Daddy, how did you catch so many fish today? Let me help you.¡±¡±


    Far away to see daddy struggling to carry the two barrels, the small bun who was running ran to him, the little face covered with sweat, and the clothes also sweating all over, but the smile on his face was shiny, and exciting.


    ¡°Lots of fish, daddy. We¡¯re going to be rich.¡±


    Follow closely behind, the big bun¡¯s topic never changed from money. Ling Jingxuan even didn¡¯t want to diss him, he just handed the fishing nets to him, then a family of three carrying two whole barrels of fish went home with great joys.


    ¡°Big brother, bad news¡­bad news¡­¡±


    After settling the fish, as the family of three just sat down and meant to hand those fish to Ling Chenglong and his little brother and go to collect some herbs in the mountain after having dinner, Ling Chengpeng flurried to run in. Ling Jingxuan, confused, put down his chopsticks, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are you in such a hurry early in the morning?¡±


    Looking at his little brother panting heavily, Ling Jingxuan wondered.


    ¡°Hoo¡­hoo¡­Big brother, bad news! Yesterday¡­you taught Dawa¡¯s father a lesson, and¡­and this morning Dawa¡¯s mother¡­went to¡­our second grandpa to sue you, weeping. Our second grandpa seems¡­very angry, I¡¯m¡­afraid later he will take people to¡­make trouble here.¡±


    After trying to take a few deep breaths, Ling Jingpeng said anxiously.


    ¡°I thought it was something huge. Look at you. Sit down and catch your breath. Xiaowen, go to the kitchen to get a pair of chopsticks and a bowl for your uncle.¡±


    Compared to his worries, Ling Jingxuan himself was not in a hurry, but only pulled him to sit down next to him blandly. Although the big bun was worried, he still ran to the kitchen, while the small bun pursed his lips, frowning, unhappy. Everybody saw that it was Dawa and his family bullied them first. Why is it always them that got denounced?


    ¡°Ge, do you know or not¡­¡±


    Seeing his big brother behaved like this had nothing to do with him, Ling Jingpeng¡¯s mouth slanted due to great anxiety, but Ling Jingxuan interrupted him before he finished his words. Facing his anxious and worried eyes, Ling Jingxuan curled up his lips, ¡°All right, I know, since I dare hurt him, I would not be afraid he may sue me. You can rest assured.¡±


    If he even could not take care of this, how could he roam the world in his previous life?


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Hearing this, Ling Jingpeng finally felt a little relieved, but also just a little, before he could hear his specific method, how can he really rest assured?


    ¡°Daddy, do you really have a plan?¡±


    The small bun put down his bowl and chopsticks, climbed up his daddy¡¯s leg, sitting in his arms with a worrying face, and the big bun happened to come in with the bowl and chopsticks, ¡°Daddy, how about we¡­ compensate them some money?¡±


    But he obviously did not hear what Ling Jingxuan said before. Looking at his painful expression when talking about money, Ling Jingxuan really wanted to laugh. This is really something rare! His big bun was willing to sacrifice some money to keep his daddy safe. How he wish his big bun could be so general in daily life.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    Throwing him a smile, Ling Jingxuan only found that the three people became more confused, giving a helpless smile, ¡°Five years ago I was kicked out of the family, banished to this place where even birds do not poop, the only reason is that everyone in the village thought I did the dirty thing and made them lose their faces. In other words, they only care about their face. Now five years have passed. In between two people¡¯s interests and the face of the whole village, I¡¯m sure they will choose the latter. Jingpeng, later after you sell the fish, try to embellish the thing between me and Dawa and his parents. Remember, you must repeatedly stress that it was Dawa and his parents who bullied us two kids and a fool father, and used the villagers¡¯ dissatisfaction against us to try to force us to die, and I couldn¡¯t bear it and mean to take my two kids to go to the county magistrate and file a suit. You¡¯d better let people from the adjacent villages all know, then, our second grandfather has to make a choice.¡±


    In this world, if the original¡¯s owner¡¯s memory was correct, men could get married with men. The current empress was a man, but it was said he had been dethroned. Of course, he was not that idle to care about things in the royal imperial court. Over these years he was called a monster, became a rat crossing the street, the only reason was he, as a man, got pregnant and gave birth. The thing was the father was unknown, which was related to the face of whole Ling village. Presumably his second grandpa would never allow such a scandal to spread into ears of the county magistrate. As soon as he was sued, the ugly truth hidden beneath was bound to be exposed. For the sake of the face of Ling village, he would certainly try to stop it, so that they had no need to worry about it at all


    ¡°I understand, big brother. It¡¯s all on me.¡±


    Of course the three Ling brothers were all not stupid. Ling Jingpeng instantly got it. He held his chest out and made the promise, and the swarthy and thin handsome face was blooming honesty, with a little cunning smile.


    ¡°Daddy, does it really work?¡±


    The small bun was totally confused, having no idea what they were talking about, while the big bun half understood, but his little face wrinkling more tightly. It was understandable. Over the past few years, they had lived in horror, as long as it was something related to the village, they would be the ones that suffered. So he couldn¡¯t believe it would be so easy to solve.


    ¡°How we would we know if we don¡¯t try?¡±


    Picking his eyebrows, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t say more. After eating some food, they went with Ling Jingpeng to the front yard and checked those fish. After seeing him off, Ling Jingxuan dug out a crate in the backyard, took the only a fairly sharp sickle in the house, pulled the hands of the two buns to go into the mountains. As for those things in the village, there should be a result when they came back.

 Chapter 20

    On the left and right side, and the back of Ling Village were all mountains. Compared with the mysterious Yuehua Mountain, Dagong Mountain and Xiaogong Mountain on both sides seemed much more mundane, not high also. Men and women would go to the mountains to dig wild vegetables or hunt some wild animals to eat during slack season. The father and sons who had entered the Dagong Mountain found even no wild vegetables, let alone medicinal herbs. These years the court was not so stable, so the civilians also had no good days to live, not enough food in the fields, of course the wild vegetables in the mountains became another main source of food.


    ¡°How about we go to Yuehua mountain?¡±


    As they nearly reached the hillside, the bamboo basket on the back was still empty. The confident Ling Jingxuan felt like getting a big blow. In previous life, he did not like reading books, so usually he would either played majiong at the tea house the village head opened or studied poison skills alone at home, but in the 21st century, transmigration themed novels and dramas had been overrun, so he also knew a bit. When those males leads transmigrated, they would be the prince or the emperor, or at least the legitimate son of a very big family, or at least with a golden finger, who could dig ganoderma or ginseng like digging wild vegetables. Why things have changed when it comes to him?


    Thinking of this, Ling Jingxuan could not help but give the middle finger in his heart. Apparently reality was crueler than in TV or novels.


    ¡°Why? Daddy, are you trying to kill yourself? People in the village say there are monsters in the mountain, so we can¡¯t go there.¡±


    The big bun¡¯s face sank, giving his daddy a warning look, like saying you-are-trying-kill-yourself, which made Ling Jingxuan feel helpless and he could not help touching his nose. Only a few days, the big bun had lessoned him a few times already. So who is the father and who is the son on earth?


    ¡°Hehe¡­ daddy¡¯s getting suntanned again¡­¡±


    On the other side, the small bun laughed hard, those big round innocent eyes twinkling. Ling Jingxuan bent his fingers to knock on his head, then squatted down and said to the big bun solemnly, ¡°How can you believe their words? They all say I¡¯m a monster. Do you think I am? Besides, we don¡¯t go deep. We just roam at the foot of the mountain. You forgot? I still have to collect herbs for your second uncle.¡±


    Big bun was smart and precocious, and he liked being treated as an adult. Seeing that he hesitated, Ling Jingxuan went on, ¡°To treat your second uncle, we need a very expensive fruit. You know, we have no money, so I am thinking if there¡¯s any wild fruit there. Xiaowen, you may think it clearly. If we don¡¯t go try out luck, I¡¯m afraid we can only use the money we earned for selling the fish.¡±


    When it comes to money, he believes the big bun will compromise.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think of that. It¡¯s for emergencies. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Sure enough, the big bun stared at him, then turned his heels and walked to the direction of Yuehua Mountain.


    ¡°Eh¡­how can you guard against your own dad like guarding against a thief?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan, holding small bun¡¯s hands, followed behind him. Holy crap! When did he say to use that money? Although he seemed to really think of it, it was really humiliating being exposed by his son, OK? He wouldn¡¯t admit it no matter what.


    On the hillside of Yuehua Mountain, it was already surrounded by clouds all the year round, and the snow on the summit never melt, of course no one had ever been there. The villagers would dig traps or wild vegetables under the foot at most. No one dare step onto the peak. Ling Jingxuan, carrying a bamboo basket, each hand holding a child, was walking in the mountain, sweating all over.


    ¡°Father, look, so many wild fruit!¡±


    A place that no one dabbled was really good. Not long, little bun¡¯s exciting voice sounded, looking ahead, the mountain was covered with red and green wild fruit, some even Ling Jingxuan could not call the names.


    ¡°Let¡¯s stop it here.¡± he said. ¡°The wild grapes are not bad. You can pick as many as you want here, and I¡¯ll go around and see if there are any herbs I can use.¡±


    With a sickle to cut off the dense grass around almost half a person tall, Ling Jingxuan reached out to pick two black red wild grapes and stuffed into his mouth, the extreme acid and extreme sweet at the same time exploded in his mouth, the taste was much better that that of those artificial grafting plants in the 21st century.


    ¡°Oh, how sour, daddy, can we not pick these?¡±


    Little bun also picked one and threw it into his mouth like he did, his small face instantly wrinkled into a group, eyes full of grievances, while the big bun quickly took out the water bag they had been prepared and handed it to him.


    ¡°Hum, this is what you deserve for your greediness, how could you put anything into your mouth?¡±


    On the face clearly he felt sorry for him, but from his mouth he still kept nagging. Big bun was not like an elder brother, but a bit more like a father. No one could imagine they were actually twins, and only five years old.


    ¡°Hehe¡­you choose that kind of jet-black ones, they are sweet, but only jet-black ones!¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan rubbed his head gently. Those wild grapes were of great use, be it sweet and sour ones. He was thinking to get back some branches and plant in the yard, the next year maybe he could depend on it to make a fortune.


    ¡°Why? Why pick those if they taste awful?¡±


    The one who asked him was not the small bun, but the big bun, with a full face of question marks, because the little bun was still swallowing water. Seeing his wrinkling face, apparently he was  dissatisfied with his daddy¡¯s decision.


    Ling Jingxuan smiled, his long, thin and long eyes flashing some kind of teasing light, ¡°If I say, I can turn the sour fruit into a lot of money, would you like to pick them?¡±


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    The big bun decisively switched to a money slave mode, and those big eyes instantly changing into the shape of copper coins.


    ¡°Haha¡­You, you already suit yourself into the hole of the copper coin!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan could not help but burst out laughing, poked at his head with his fingers helplessly.


    It was rare, this time his big bun did not feel disdained or what, only brushed off his hand and asked urgently, ¡°Daddy, tell me, can we really turn those sour fruit into money?¡±


    He would not eat those sweet ones if only he could make money.


    ¡°Of course, your daddy I am a Tongsheng.¡±


    Well, thanks to the ancient damn imperial examination system, all inferior to reading. If in modern times, a Tongsheng was at most a primary school graduate, but things obviously not the same in here.


    Now, as the word Tongsheng was out, the doubt in big bun¡¯s eyes totally disappeared, and he turned around and pulled up the small bun, ¡°Let¡¯s go pick wild fruit. Come on.¡±


    Looking at his desperate expression as if he was only afraid those wild fruit would disappear the next second, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help laughing again. This son loves money and is so petty. Really¡­well¡­you know¡­

 Chapter 21

    Father and sons, three labors cooperated with each other. The two buns picked wild grapes back and forth, while Ling Jingxuan bent over to look for medicinal herbs among the weeds. Since no one had ever set foot on this place, though a bit hard, it was really fruitful. He had found many useful herbs, and even some edible mushrooms, wanting to make a pot of mushroom soup for dinner.


    ¡°Daddy, those things are poisonous. Why did you dig them up?¡±


    After picking a pile of herbs and ready to call it a day, Ling Jingxuan pushed aside the grass and saw another cluster of mushrooms. Without even thinking, he squatted down to continue picking, suddenly the big bun¡¯s voice filled with disgust suddenly sounded. As Ling Jingxuan turned around, he saw the two buns, hand in hand, standing there, these two days very clean little faces were dirt all over again.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ not all mushrooms are poisonous, these can be eaten. You finished picking?¡±


    They were still too small, sometimes they still would not understand even if he explained it to them, so Ling Jingxuan calmly switched the topic. They would only know mushrooms were something good after they ate them.


    ¡°Really? Daddy, let me help you.¡±


    On hearing they were edible, the small bun decisively rushed forward, while Ling Jingxuan hurriedly embraced him, powerlessly saying, ¡°Some are not edible, you can not tell, so you¡¯d better stay out of this.¡±


    A penny-pinching money slave, and a foodie, the characteristics of those two were really¡­ extinctive?


    ¡°But I want to help daddy.¡±


    Cocking his head, wearing the innocent face, big round eyes showing great concern of his daddy.


    ¡°Haha¡­ no, daddy is not tired, you go to have a rest nearby, when I finish picking this cluster, we will go home.¡±


    Heart feeling warm, Ling Jingxuan patted his butt, and signaled big bun with his mouth.


    ¡°Xiaowu, be good. Let¡¯s go there and wait for daddy.¡±


    Seeing him still unwilling to give up, the big bun came over and held his hand.


    Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, turned back and buried himself among those mushrooms again. He was not joking with the small bun. This cluster of mushrooms here was really a lot, some with dim color, some with bright color. Those that were edible and poisonous were all mixed together, but he picked all of them. Historically, cure and poison were together, poisonous mushrooms, although not edible, one can make poison with them. The three of them lived at the foot of the mountain alone, who were all as thin as a bamboo pole. How could they not have some defending methods?


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    A bunch of mushrooms were classified soon. As he was about to get up, he accidentally saw a red light among the grass cluster not far away with his split vision. Driven by his curiosity, Ling Jingxuan carefully brushed open the grass, a fist-sized, a blood-red umbrella-shape mushroom revealed. Ling Jingxuan had a thrill in the heart, without thinking, he cut a piece of his clothes with the sickle and wrapped it before digging it out.


    Although he did not know the name of the mushroom, its reddish color and no grass within a few centimeters around made it a perfect choice for producing poison.


    ¡°Little buns, time to go home.¡±


    After stuffing the red mushroom wrapped alone in the chest, Ling Jingxuan cut a few more pieces of his clothes to wrap those medicinal herbs, edible and inedible mushrooms, then went to the two little buns who were sitting on the ground not far away. The bamboo baskets they brought were totally full. Considering the big bun¡¯s money slave characteristics, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help but shake his head. He was thinking that if he can¡¯t turn those wild grapes into money, big bun might even place righteousness before family loyalty. So nerve-racking! He should get the opportunity to help him correct it


    ¡°Daddy, didn¡¯t you say to help second uncle pick some wild fruit?¡±


    Though greedy for money, he did not forget the business.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ isn¡¯t that it? You wait for me a second.¡±


    Pointing to the wild pear tree about ten meters away, Ling Jingxuan put down the packages and went over with his sickle. As early as they arrived here, he had noticed the existence of this wild pear tree. Ling Jinghan illness was called tuberculosis in modern world, which was not very serious, at least no symptoms like coughing blood yet. The reason he was unable to get out of bed was mainly because he was too small when he caught the disease, and did not get effective treatment. Actually the treatment for early tuberculosis was simple, stewed snow pear with rock candy, three times a day, and it¡¯d be cured, and some anti-inflammatory drug, it could be cured in half a month at most.


    Snow pear certainly wouldn¡¯t exist in this era, but the wild pears would also do, plus the air here was good, the wild fruit bred here tastes pure, the efficacy should be better than snow pears, as for rock sugar, he could go to the town to buy some. If there was not any, he can only decoct some with bare hands, although it was more troublesome.

 Chapter 22

    After picking four or five big yellow pears, Ling Jingxuan thought about cutting down a branch. On the way back, he also cut down a few wild grape branches. Their yard was too empty. He could plant these first, whether they could survive or not.


    ¡°Daddy, what fruit is this? It smells good.¡±


    After taking it happily, the small bun took a hard smell on it, the corners of the mouth showing the trace of saliva. Seeing this, the big bun quickly grabbed it, ¡°This is our second uncle¡¯s guiding drug. If you want to eat, we can come pick some next time.¡±


    While saying so, the big bun rolled up the lower hem of his robes, tied a knot in the waist, then stuffed those big pears inside.


    ¡°I know, I was just asking.¡±


    The small bun pouted, he did not say he wanted to eat them.


    ¡°Okay, we¡­¡±


    Boom¡­Boom¡­


    ¡°Ow¡­ow¡­ow¡­¡±


    As Ling Jingxuan was about to say time to go home, deep in the jungle was heard a terrifying banging sound, mingled with clear beast¡¯s roaring. The father and sons were thunderstruck. Already having no heart to care about those fruit aside, the two buns grabbed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thighs, fear crawling onto the face, and little body trembling.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I will go take a look.¡±


    Feeling their fears, Ling Jingxuan patted their heads to soothe them, then picked up the sickle he just put down again. If he guessed correctly, the sound was supposed to be from a wolf, an adult one, his heart sunk. For the first time, he sincerely hoped he guessed it wrong. It wouldn¡¯t be a problem if he was alone, even if he was not good in physical condition, with the ability from his previous life, to avoid a wolf¡¯s attack was not a problem, but now, he had no confidence he can save three unscathed.


    ¡°Daddy¡­ don¡¯t go.¡±


    ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m scared¡­¡±


    Two buns, one left, one right, pulling him, identical big eyes full of tears, but they both held the tears in their eyes and did not cry out. Turning back to see this scene, Ling Jingxuan felt his heart skipped a beat, he turned round to embrace them and gently said, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, daddy will protect you. You forget daddy knows martial arts?¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s a wild animal. What if¡­ what if something happens to daddy? What should we do?¡±


    The big bun who had already performed sensible and mature finally exposed the fear a five years old child should have, which really made Ling Jingxuan distressed. He would rather let the son scold him every day than seeing him this way.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK. It¡¯s OK. Don¡¯t cry. Let¡¯s get out of here before the wolf comes.¡±


    Here was clearly not a good place to slowly appease them, ling jingxuan respectively kissed their cheeks, then turned around to carry the bamboo basket.


    Bang¡­


    ¡°Oh, wah-wah¡­ daddy¡­ I¡¯m scared¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ daddy¡­¡±


    But, the heaven is like playing with them. Even before he could stand up, a body stained with blood fell from the sky and rolled to their feet. The two buns could no longer take it, holding his legs, wailing. Ling Jingxuan had to put down the basket again, holding them in his arms, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, daddy is here.¡±


    Over their shoulder, his eyes suddenly shot at the person in blood not far away. Judging from his slightly up-and-down back, he should still be alive. As for how badly he got injured, it had nothing to do with him. Other people¡¯s life or death, he was not interested to know. From past life to this life, his temper hadn¡¯t had the slightest change. If it was someone he did not care at all, even if he died in front of him, he wouldn¡¯t have the slightest sympathy, because, he had seen too many deaths, heart already been numb!


    ¡°Woo¡­ daddy¡­ daddy¡­¡±


    Buried in his neck, the two buns were almost exhausted from crying, their weak and thin bodies shaking like sifting chaff.


    ¡°Boohoo¡­¡±


    Suddenly, a giant wolf with a dark body all over while the top of its head and the limbs were dotted with color white landed before them, less than five meters away. Ling Jingxuan was a bit startled, reflectively pushing the two buns behind him, grabbed the sickle lying on the ground, launching ice cold murderous look from his narrow phoenix eyes, countless years¡¯ killing feel pouring out, but¡­


    Bam!


    Howling~


    The previously mighty and strong black wolf fell to the ground suddenly. Through the gap between its tusks, the black wolf let out a painful growling. Ling Jingxuan looked at it intently and realized that it was covered with wounds all over. Soon it was all blood under its body.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. It¡¯s dying. I¡¯ll go and check it.¡±


    Hiding behind him, tightly holding his clothes, the two little buns even forgot to cry already. Ling Jingxuan clapped their hands, gently broke away from them, this time, the two buns did not stop him, it was not that they didn¡¯t want to, but they already forgot what fear was.


    Whining~


    Like sensing his nearing, the dying black wolf suddenly roared, the originally dim eyes suddenly showed combativeness, sharp fangs suffused with cold light. If it were someone else, that person would have scared to death and slumped onto the ground, but Ling Jingxuan just sneered, holding his sharp sickle and jumping at it.


    Howling~


    Poo~


    The thin sickle precisely stabbed into the black wolf¡¯s neck, blood fiercely shot out. Ling Jingxuan was dyed with the blood instantly, not far away the two buns were frightened and tightly embraced each other. That angular face stained with blood slowly raised with a weird smile, like a real version of the killing god. Fortunately, he was holding his back to the buns, so neither of them saw it, otherwise, they must get frightened to death by him, because, at this time, he looked too horrible!

 Chapter 23

    ¡°You think I¡¯d give you a chance to stand up?¡±


    Looking down at the eyes with a grievance of the dead wolf, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s voice was very gentle, but unspokenly creepy, like the evil voice from the lowest level of hell.


    Howling~


    Howling~


    Suddenly two dark round heads emerged among the thick grass, the next second, two black cubs, also with their heads growing a pinch of white hair jumped out of the bushes. The cubs that still could not run steadily stumbled onto dead black wolf, with the heads holding against its belly, meanwhile sucking its swollen tits.


    This scene was inexpressibly touching and also sad, and only because of this scene, the sickle in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand did not fall on them, because they remind him of his two little skinny buns.


    ¡°Daddy¡­ are they¡­wolves?¡±


    After making sure the adult wolf was dead, the two buns supporting each other moved over, trembling, the same big eyes firmly fixed on the cubs that were sucking milk, which mixed with fear, curiosity and exploration.


    ¡°Hmm, you like them?¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan turned around to give them a look, raised a hand to wipe the blood on the face in a hurry, the two buns gave each other a look, shook their heads at the same time, ¡°no, we don¡¯t.¡±


    Who knows if they would bite when they grow up? Although they look really cute at this moment.


    ¡°Haha¡­take them back if you like them. We still don¡¯t know if we would raise them up, hurry, the blood will attract other beasts. Let¡¯s grab out stuff and go down the mountain.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan grabbed the two cubs and threw them one respectively. After a look at the she-wolf, he couldn¡¯t help feeling a little sorry. Although the fur was useless, the meat could be eaten. If it hadn¡¯t been that they got too much stuff, he really wanted to take it back to cook.


    From the beginning to the end, Ling Jingxuan did not take a sweep at the person covered in blood.


    ¡°Daddy, what about that person?¡±


    asked the big bun, frowning at the person in blood lying motionless on the ground, holding the cub in his arms.


    Carrying a bamboo basket on his back and wringing a few big bundles on his hands, Ling Jingxuan gave a cold look and said, ¡°Who knows? Don¡¯t worry. That person wouldn¡¯t die for now.¡±


    But he didn¡¯t know whether he would still keep alive later. Judging from the amount of blood he had lost, that person could last at most an hour, provided that the smell of blood didn¡¯t attract other beasts, so the conclusion was, he¡¯d be so dead for sure.


    ¡°He¡¯s not dead yet?¡±


    On hearing his daddy, big bun made a strange sound, and then bent over. The little bun also ran over. Ling Jingxuan pulled his face long, ¡°What are you doing? We even can¡¯t save our own asses! Now you even want to save someone else?¡±


    He had no intention of saving that person even if they were on an open road, not to mention in the jungle, where the wild beasts would come any minute.


    ¡°How can we just see him die? Come and help, daddy, he¡¯s bleeding a lot.¡±


    No one knew where he got the courage, a moment ago he was crying and scared, now he already put down the cub and flipped the man covered in blood, even the small bun went for help. Ling Jingxuan trotted over, standing in front, ¡°My sons, think about your situation before you save someone else. Think about your own ability, do you think only the three of us can get him back?¡±


    You could say he was cold-blooded or heartless. He was who he was, never asked for trouble, moreover, they were too weak to save others.


    ¡°But he¡¯ll die, daddy, let¡¯s save him.¡±


    However mature the big bun performed, he was only five years old. How could he understand his dad¡¯s meaning completely? He only knew that they couldn¡¯t watch him die.


    ¡°Daddy, can you save him?¡±


    The small bun also looked at him with that pair of pure eyes.


    Their eyes were full of requests to save lives and nothing else.


    ¡°All right, you got me. For the record, it is you who want to save him, don¡¯t regret it. Let me check on him first.¡±

 Chapter 24

    Even if his heart was as hard as a rock, he still couldn¡¯t resist their imploring. After gazing at them for a while, he helplessly exhaled a long breath, squatted down to put things down and then moved over. Seeing this, a bright smile instantly crawled onto their little face, and they obediently backed aside.


    ¡°This face¡­ hmm¡­¡±


    When Ling Lingxuan turned over the man¡¯s body with all his strength, he saw his face stained with a little dirt, but having no scars, his whole body went stiff, and a few pieces of scattered scenes suddenly revealed in his head.


    ¡°No¡­ please, no¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    ¡°My prince, are you all right?¡±


    ¡°Damn it! Finish him!¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    Accompanied by the emergence of these scenes, there were two completely different voices, the former full of passion, while the latter was ruthless. The buried memories of the original owner was awakened. So the original owner, he was raped by a handsome but domineering man. That man dragged him into the woods of Xiaogong Mountain. He just got into his body against his will. And after that man finished his animal desire and he was about to faint, another few men came. He clearly heard a man told his subordinates to end him. As for why he did not die at last, perhaps because those people didn¡¯t think he could survive, or perhaps they suddenly showed some sympathy. Anyway, when he woke up, there was no one around, physically and mentally wounded, he did not dare tell anyone, but could conceal his sadness and shame and went home, but a few months later, his belly became swollen, then¡­


    No wonder he did not have that man¡¯s memory, it turned out¡­he had thought that the original owner was an easy man who got dumped¡­never expected¡­that man was a total son of a bitch! Fuck! If it were him, he also didn¡¯t want to remember anything about a rapist!


    ¡°Daddy, what¡¯s wrong with you? Daddy, his face¡­it seems I have seen this face before.¡±


    Seeing that their daddy froze there, the big bun holding the cub drew close, and as he saw the man¡¯s appearance, he suddenly wrinkled his brows tightly. He felt this man¡¯s face was very familiar, but he just couldn¡¯t remember.


    Of course he had seen that face. That was the original version of those two buns!


    Ling Jingxuan who finally came to his sense rolled his eyes. How unlucky could he be? He could even pick an unknown man when gathering herbs in the mountain! Fuck! The worst thing was he had no other choice but to save him, because he promised the two little buns he would find out exactly what happened in that year, and cleared the original owner¡¯s name, by the way, made clear of their background.


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, you go back first to wait. When you see your little uncle, you bring him here, remember, don¡¯t let anyone notice.¡±


    This guy was still in a coma. It was useless however he was struggling in the heart. While tearing off the smooth fabric on the man¡¯s body, Ling Jingxuan told the two buns what to do. He had to stop the bleeding first. It¡¯d be better if he can make him awake, but it should be very difficult since he had lost too much blood, also did not know if he had other deadly wounds. Besides, with those herbs he had just gathered, he had no other tools or medicine, the odds of waking him up was zero.


    ¡°No, what will you do when we leave?¡±


    Compared with saving people, the big bun cared more care about his daddy¡¯s safety. Ling Jingxuan sighed deeply, looking up at him, ¡°I have to stop the bleeding for him, you staying here is of no use. Besides, I myself can¡¯t carry him back, Xiaowen, you said we should save him, if you now regret it, we can leave him here and go.¡±


    Seemingly callous words, but in fact he was just trying to egg him on. After seeing the man¡¯s face and remembering those scenes, he could never leave this man alone.


    ¡°I¡­daddy, you wait for us. I will bring uncle here very quickly. Xiaowu, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Ling Wen looked at him and then at the unconscious man, gashing his teeth, then pulled up Ling Wen and turned away.


    ¡°But¡­daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Little buns, be good. Return quickly, daddy is waiting for you here.¡±


    The small bun who got pulled away looked back again and again. Ling Jingxuan tried to raise a soothing smile at him. Not until their shadows disappeared in the woods did he withdraw his smile, and then concentrated on saving the man. He swore in the heart that after this man woke up, he would definitely torture him. Holy crap! He had already raped him and even wanted to silence him! He was already cold-blooded enough! This guy was even more heartless!

 Chapter 25

    ¡°Jingxuan, how did you get a man back?¡±


    With the help of the younger brother Ling Jingpeng, two brothers spent all their strength and finally got the man back home. This man was full of cuts all over his body, but all were not deep, should be some scratches when fighting the wolf. The only fatal wound was the head bumps. Ling Jingxuan help him apply the wound with mashed herba agrimoniae and stop the bleeding, and wrapped it with a cloth and then processed other wounds respectively. As Ling Chenglong and his wife heard that Jingxuan had saved a man, they dropped their work at hand and hurried over. Before they got into the yard, voice came in already.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask me. The two little buns insisted saving him.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan who was dealing with herbs in the yard rascally shrugged his shoulders, decisively shifting all the responsibilities to the two buns.


    ¡°Look at you. What do they know?¡±


    Mercilessly staring at him, Lady Wang was about to cross over him to go in, Ling Lingxuan took big strides and stood in the way, ¡°Mother, nothing inside to see, he is still in a coma, after he wakes up, I¡¯ll let him go, OK?¡±


    If they saw that man¡¯s face, he wouldn¡¯t be able to explain it even if he got mouths all over his body.


    ¡°I just want to check on him, Jingpeng said he is badly injured, what if he dies in your¡­¡±


    As she spoke, Lady Wang¡¯s eyes grew red again, and the eldest son finally went back to his normal state and ignored all the gossip. If it was known that a man had died in his place, what would people say in the village? What would happen to the children if he were gone?


    The more she thought, the more worried, and she could not help wiping her tears, next to her, Ling Chenlong obviously also held the same worry.


    ¡°Mother, come on, if he really would die, do you think I would bring him home?¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan hurriedly explained. He knew it would be like this, five years ago that thing had let the family become like a frightened bird. Even a tiny thing would let them panic for a long time. If it had been other people, to save people was a good thing. Why care so much?


    ¡°That let us go take a look. Jingxuan, we are old. We can¡¯t afford any more blows.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    It was not that Ling Jingxuan did not want to let them in, but the man¡¯s face was too much like the two little buns¡¯. If they saw him, god knows what they would think of him. That damn bastard, can he do something else except making him trouble?


    At this moment, Ling Jingxuan decisively shifted the hatred on someone.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Is he ashamed?¡±


    His refusal was so obvious, the old couple were not fools. How would they not see it? To this end, Lady Wang¡¯s tone became a bit sharp, looking at their son with naked suspicion.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­¡±


    For the first time in his life, Ling Jingxuan could not help but feel awkward to open his mouth, unconsciously avoiding their exploring eyes. After quite a while, he bit his teeth and said, ¡°Dad, mom, you promise me, no matter what you see later, don¡¯t make a noise, before the thing is made clear, I don¡¯t want to frighten the two children.¡±


    Forget it! Sooner or later it would be exposed. So why not let it come earlier?


    ¡°You kid, just an outsider. What does it have anything to do with Xiaowen and Xiaowu?¡±


    After hearing him, the old couple became more suspicious. Ling Jingxuan exhaled a big breath, didn¡¯t want to say anything more, simply turned directly and led them to the sundry room. When they brought that man back, the two buns wanted to put him in their room, after all among the three rooms, only that room had a bed, but he disagreed, finally they made a bed in the sundry room and threw him in.


    ¡°Oh, my god, he¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s¡­¡±


    Holding doubts, following him into the room, the moment the old couple saw the man¡¯s appearance, they both jumped up, fingers trembling pointing at him, face written with fright. Ling Jingxuan said helplessly, ¡°Now you know why I didn¡¯t want to let you in? He may be Xiaowen and Xiaowu¡¯s real father.¡±


    If the man who raped him did not have a twin brothers, no one would doubt their relationship by looking at their near-identical faces without the benefit of a sophisticated DNA test.


    ¡°What do you mean possible? Don¡¯t you know it yourself?¡±


    When Lady Wang heard this, she lost control. Her voice was shrill and full of accusations that the man had caused great pains to her son. If she could, she would never want to see him in her life.


    ¡°Jingxuan, he¡­ in those days your scandal spread all over the villages. If he were a man, he should have stood out to face everything together with you. Since he hadn¡¯t, he was basically playing with you, why do you¡­Alas¡­¡±


    Ling Chenglong stopped at half of the words and could not help sighing helplessly. In his view, the reason their son would take such a big risk to save the man was he still had feelings for him.


    ¡°Dad, mom, what are you talking about? We are not like what you think, in those days I¡­ Can we not talk about it? I don¡¯t want to talk about it anymore.¡±


    Hearing his father, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s tone became a bit angry. He can¡¯t tell them their son was raped, right? Now he had a family to support, no longer the original Ling Jingxuan. Whether the man was the father of the two buns, he was not going to accept him, this life, he had love from his parents, brothers and two lovely sons, and that was enough, as for other things, no need.


    ¡°You¡­you¡­you¡­Why are you so silly? Any discerning person could tell your relationship. If people know that he is Xiaowen and Xiaowu¡¯s father, how will those people say about you?¡±


    No one whether it was anger or hatred, Lady Want couldn¡¯t help shivering. Ling Chenglong, although,h stayed silent, from his slightly reproachful eyes, it was not hard to tell his discontent about him. Ling Jingxuan held his forehead. Actually for himself, he did not care about what others would say, but they were his parents and brothers, and this also mattered the future of the two buns, so he had to care. Is heaven playing with him on purpose?


    ¡°Mom, dad, you worry about things I worry about, don¡¯t worry, after he wakes up, I will let him go after I ask him something I want to know.¡±


    In this case, he either let him go, or openly declared the identity of this man and got married with him. But the latter, he could never do it, so he had only one choice, but the premise was that he must find out the origin of the two little buns, otherwise all the previous things were done in vain.


    ¡°You send him away now, as far as possible, I will let your father and Jingpeng help you.¡±


    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me mom, or would you marry him? Jingxuan, I won¡¯t let him hurt you one more time.¡±


    ¡°But I¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough¡­¡±

 Chapter 26

    This pair of mother and son argued over a man, so neither of them noticed the man lying on the straw bed was moving the eyelids. He slowly opened his eyes, washing away the moment¡¯s confusing, with that pair of almond-shaped eyes which were exactly the same like the two little buns¡¯ locking them. The more they said, the more agitated. The man showed an I-knew-everything-now look, then closed his eyes like he had never woken up.


    ¡°Xiaowu, what we just heard must never be known to anyone else, including daddy.¡±


    Of course, they never knew that the two buns who just came back heard all their conversation. While they still didn¡¯t notice them, the big bun quietly pulled the small bun to the backyard. At such an early age, he may not all understand the meaning of those words, or understood their concerns, but he knew two things, first, that man is likely to be their father, and second, daddy doesn¡¯t like that man. Since daddy doesn¡¯t like him, he doesn¡¯t either. Although he was small, he was crystal clear that they had suffered so much all because of that man.


    ¡°Why? I want a father.¡±


    Little bun lowered his head, rubbing his fingers, eyes with tears, the villagers cursed them that they had no mother, they were monsters, and now their father came back, their home should be better and better. Why hide it?


    ¡°Xiaowu!¡±


    Ling Wen¡¯s voice suddenly went high, giving Ling Wu a scare, this time those tears popped out of his eyes. Seeing this, Ling Wen hurriedly stretched out his thin arms to hold him, ¡°Xiaowu, don¡¯t cry, we don¡¯t need a father, only daddy is enough.¡±


    ¡°Boohoo¡­ um¡­¡±


    Although he did not understand, little bun still nodded, moaning. Ling Wen used the way Ling Jingxuan used, gently patting on his back, with that pair of small round almond-shape eyes refracting a firm light, he would protect his daddy and little brother.


    Under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s insistence, the man stayed, relatively, the old couple got very angry. Before leaving, they said they would never care things about him.But the next morning, Ling Chenglong still came to fetch the fish with Ling Jingpeng, after all, that was their own son. How could they really not care about him?


    ¡°Dad, Jingpeng, after the fish is sold, please help me buy twenty clay pots of this shape, and a few jars the size of salt shakers and two wooden barrels of the largest size, and finally ten jin of corn flour and two jin of pork.¡±


    After his dad and little brother ate breakfast, Ling Jingxuan said while sketching the shape of the pots. Yesterday¡¯s fish were sold 500 copper coins, equivalent to half a tael of silver. They could eat some meat for nutrition¡­But¡­


    ¡°Oh, daddy, we just earned a little money, you already want to spend it all? No, you can¡¯t buy anything. You can¡¯t let waste money like that.¡±


    Big bun screamed, showing a I-don¡¯t-agree-face. Ling Jingxuan held the forehead. speechless, and he didn¡¯t say after quite a while with some patience, ¡°Xiaowen, the clay pots are used for for the wild grapes, I told you we will turn them into a lot of money, but before that, a small amount of investment is necessary, and the corn flour and pork, you know, we do not have any food at home. Can we just starve? Look at you and Xiaowu, so thin, shouldn¡¯t you eat some pork for nutrition?¡±


    Now the most regretful thing in this life for Ling Jingxuan was to hand out the financial power. See? Spending some money was like killing the big bun!


    ¡°Daddy, you just don¡¯t know how to sustain a family. How expensive are the small pots? Why don¡¯t we buy two big ones? It is too luxurious to eat corn flour every day. Some black flour will do? Forget about the pork, too expensive, we can¡¯t afford it for now. We still have no idea whether we can make money with those wild fruit. We should save money.¡±


    After hesitating for a moment, the big bun shouted.


    Ling Jingxuan felt so depressed, still wouldn¡¯t give up, ¡°Think about it, Xiaowen, a piece of cloth sold in the stalls and in the shop, how can the prince be the same? The rarer a thing is, the more expensive it is, you know? And expensive things usually should have exquisite and beautiful packaging. As you said, if we buy two big jars, even it¡¯s some good stuff we make, it¡¯d be wasted. We can sell it for ten taels of silver, however, due to the pots, we can only sell it for one tael of silver. Do you have any idea of the big gap? If you want to make a good money, we have to invest first, so the conclusion is, we have to buy little pots.¡±


    He must be crazy to talk to a five-year-old about the rate of return on investment. Ling Jingxuan, at this time, only felt devastated in the heart.


    ¡°Are you sure you can sell the stuff made out of those wild fruits for ten taels of silver?¡±


    After a long silence, Ling Wen opened his mouth trying to confirm what his daddy said.


    He got a chance!


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes were shining, he hurried nodded, ¡°If there¡¯s no accident, at least ten, or more.¡±


    ¡°All right, we will buy small pots as you ordered.¡±


    As if cutting his flesh, the big bun finally nodded, just¡­


    ¡°Grandpa, uncle, except the pots and the barrel, buy us some black flour, the cheapest kind.¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan had time to be happy, the big bun turned to Ling Chenglong and his son and said so. Ling Jngxuan immediately wanted to cry without tears. Can he have some rice to eat in this life???


    ¡°All right.¡±


    Watching the whole scene from beginning to the end, Ling Chenglong gave a simple and honest smile, gently touched his head while turning to the depressed Ling Jingxuan, ¡°So this is it. Xiaowen has lived a poor life for too long. Try to stand in his shoes. How many fish are there in Yuehua Ditch for you to catch? You really should save money as much as you can.¡±


    ¡°I know, dad, sorry to trouble you and Jingpeng. Oh right, Jingpeng, you go to the grocery store to see if there is rock sugar to sell. If there isn¡¯t, help me buy a few jin of white sugar. I want to use it as the guiding medicine for your second brother.¡±


    What other choice does he have? Take it slow. One day he¡¯d change his big son¡¯s stingy temper.


    ¡°Ok, big brother, our fish was big and fat, easy to sell. When sold out, I will come to help you, yesterday you said you want to dig a pond in the backyard?¡±


    Hearing that his second brother¡¯s disease could be cured, Ling Jingpeng said with a sunshine smile while patting his chest, his wheat-color skin glowing with youthful splendor.


    ¡°All right, you go quickly, it will be hot later.¡±


    ¡°Got it!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan sent his father and Ling Jingpeng out with the two buns. Not until their backs disappeared in sight did Ling Jingxuan turn around and went in. Today he still got tones of work to do. Those wild grapes, he intended to make wine. If there was any left, he planned to boil some jam. Even if it couldn¡¯t exchange for money, he could let the two buns eat it.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Feeling the bottom of the clothes was being pulled, Ling Jingxuan lowered his head, the big bun loosened it and said not so naturally, ¡°Daddy, I know you want to eat something good, but we have no money, after we have money, I will definitely let you eat white rice every day.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­ Then I will wait for that day to come. Come on. Yesterday I taught you two words. You practice it with Xiaowu.


    Hearing his words, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling. Whether he was just trying to comfort him, at least he has the heart, right? Since his big son is so afraid of being poor, he would only have the confidence when he got a lot of money in his hand, then he will try to make money, as much as they could never spend it all. Then he would no longer be so stingy.


    Right now Ling Jingxuan still had no idea, some habits, once formed, it would never be changed. Even if they had a gold hill in the future, the stingy big bun would still be so stingy. He wouldn¡¯t change a bit.


    ¡°Daddy, can I go to play with Tiewa after practicing calligraphy?¡±


    ¡°Certainly, but remember to come home before lunch. For the sake of your health, you must form the good habit of taking an afternoon nap!¡±


    Indulgently rubbing his nose, Ling Jingxuan smiled and nodded. After the two buns obediently went to the backyard to practice, Ling Jingxuan turned to go to that man¡¯s room.

 Chapter 27

    ¡°Stop pretending. I know you¡¯re awake.¡±


    After helping the man change the medicine, Ling Jingxuan stood side and looked at him coldly. The man lying on the straw with his upper body naked looked very strong, not the Mr. Muscle kind, but that kind of healthy and sexy way, like every inch of his muscles was so smooth, plus his knife-engraved facial lines, handsome features, this man is so sexy and charming. Even if his eyes were closed, they could still easily capture any woman¡¯s heart. If it hadn¡¯t been that ugly thing between him and the original owner, maybe he would also be tempted. Anyway, no one could say no to beautiful things, right?


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    He opened the eyes. Those dark deep peach-blossom-like eyes were glazing, and the pale face due to too much loss of blood did not weaken the sharpness under his eyes. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help making a whistle. That pair of eyes undoubtedly added extra points to his handsome face. Under their ornament, this man¡¯s momentum had sharply changed, strong, overwhelming, and noble.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you give your name before you ask me? Or is this how you treat someone who saved your life?¡±


    Though amazed by his charm, Ling Jingxuan did not forget how cruel and cold-blooded he was, this kind of man could only be appreciated from afar, but to play with¡­never mind, he still wanted to live for a few more years.


    Those beaming black eyes flashed a moment of confusion, then deep as the sea, and the man did not answer his question, only staring at him without moving. His blank head told him that he had forgotten everything, including his own name, but judging from the conversation yesterday, he knew that this thin and comely man who claimed to be his savior had a close relationship with him.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Asking again, perhaps even the man himself did not notice, his tone was mixed with the unmistakable commanding feeling. There was something, even he got amnesia, he wouldn¡¯t lose it-the inherent dominance!


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you forgot who you are!¡±


    Keen enough to catch the confusion flashing in his eyes, as well as the undisguised defense, Ling Jingxuan coldly swept the cloth on his forehead, sword-like brows slightly wrinkled.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Damn it!


    Before the man finish speaking, Ling Jingxuan squatted down and grabbed his hand, thin handsome face full of cold sweat, after quite a while, he twitched the mouth and said, ¡°There is blood stasis in the brain, may be short-term amnesia due to physical impact. This is your thing! You better get well as soon as possible and move your ass away as far as possible!¡±


    Dropping his hand, Ling Jingxuan randomly grabbed a piece of broken fabric and threw on him, inside there was a jade pendant and a heavy pouch. The jade pedant was engraved with the word ¡®êÉ£¨Sheng£©¡¯, which should be associated with his name, for the things in the pouch, he was not interested. Now he only hoped he could quickly regain his memories, answer a few questions, and then kicked him out his world.


    ¡°Wait, who are you? What¡¯s our relationship?¡±


    Seeing that he was about to leave, the man instinctively held up his body, and if he remembered correctly, yesterday they said they had children, right?


    Frozen there, Ling Jingxuan slowly turned around, the face interwoven rendering of chilly alienation and irony, ¡°Look at the cloth in your hand. How could some bumpkin like me have any relationship with you?¡±


    Only with an eye, one could tell the rags were of high quality, apparently he should have a high status, and his intuition told him that the future would be worsened if he got related to him.


    ¡°The kids¡­¡±


    The man frowned and blurted out impulsively. Ling Jingxuan interrupted him with a cold snort, ¡°It seems that you should have heard my conversation with my parents. No matter whether you have lost your memory or not, I only said once, the children are mine and they have nothing to do with you. You¡¯d better keep that in mind, otherwise¡­¡±


    For the rest of the sentence, Ling Jingxuan did not continue to say, only threw him a murderous look and walked out. If he really dare to fight over the children with him, he really did not mind killing him. The two buns are his sons. He would fight anyone who tried to steal them from him.


    It seemed the man was not affected by his threat. After he left, bearing the huge pains, he held up the body, slender fingers rummaging that lump of purple fabric Ling Jingxuan threw him. From its smooth texture, it wasn¡¯t hard to tell it was something pricey. But his eyes did not linger on it for too long. He fished out a dark green transparent jade pendant from inside, on one side of which was engraved the word ¡°êÉ¡±(Sheng). With his fingers rubbing the words, scenes were playing in his head, but it was too fast. When he tried to see it clearly, those scenes were already gone.


    His intuition told him that the jade pendant was closely related to his identity. The hand holding the jade pendant tightened. Then he dug out a seemingly simple but brimmed with gold thread purse, and pulled out a black tiger-shaped jade carving.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    The moment he saw the jade carving, he had a sudden headache like being pricked by numerous needles, so painful that he had to throw it away, growling while holding the head. At this time, Ling Jingxuan came back carrying a big bowl in each hand. He swept the jade pendant and the carving aside faintly, some speculation glided across his mind, but he said nothing, going to two ¡°Wait!¡±


    Just as he was about to get up and leave, the man in pain suddenly grabbed his wrist. The strength was so great that Ling Jingxuan felt like his wrist was about to break. The man did not realize his gaffes at all, but looked up and said, ¡°Who are you? Tell me your name.¡±


    The deep and sharp eyes strongly locked him up, although he himself also did not know why he cared about this matter so much.


    ¡°Ling jingxuan!¡±


    Shakinge off his hand, Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes and swept his own livid wrist, and the voice was as cold as hail, each word was enough to make people freeze.


    ¡°Then you are my¡­¡±


    ¡°Savior!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan coldly interrupted his words again, ignoring his tight frown. After answering him, Ling Jingxuan turned to go. What he did not know was that the man¡¯s eyes had been following him, until his figure disappeared in his sight.


    ¡°Ling jingxuan¡­?¡±


    After quite a while, the man drew back his eyes and mumbled his name, and a smile rose to his lips that even he himself hadn¡¯t even noticed.

 Chapter 28

    If he saw it right, the dark, heavy jade tiger carving should be the legendary tiger seal, right? In his memory, someone once called him prince, and with the jade pendant engraved with the character Sheng, was he Prince Sheng who owned the title of general in the Qing Dynasty?


    Eyebrows suddenly tightened, Ling Jingxuan touched his forehead, turned his heels and went to the backyard. Yesterday while he was not busy, he taught the two buns the three-character scripture. Seeing that they were kind of interested, he made some sand carving in the backyard. Now the two of them were practicing using the branches.


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu.¡±


    Those immature and thin side faces vaguely disclosed seriousness and concentration. That little bit depression in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart completely dissipated. Is it that important who that man is? His sons were his blood and would always be his. Instead of having a bee in his head, why not think more about how to make more money and improve the economic situation of the family as soon as possible? They would be five years old at the end of the year, and it was time to send them to a private school for study.


    ¡°Daddy.¡±


    Hearing his calling, the small bun, who had always been passionate like fire, threw the branch and threw himself into his arms. Big bun was a lot shyer, he just turned his head and called daddy, and then buried his head and started painting with great attention.


    ¡°What should I say? Look at your elder brother. Xiaowen, stop, I have something to talk to you.¡±


    Rubbing the tip of small bun¡¯s nose, Ling Jingxuan held him up with a hand and looked over to the direction of big bun.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    Glancing at him suspiciously, big bun dropped the branch, frowning. A long as it wasn¡¯t about money, everything could be negotiated.


    Given Ling Jingxuan¡¯s experience, how would he not know what big bun was thinking?


    For this, he could only shake his head except shaking his head. That was because his little buns had lived a poor life for too long.


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, I know you are only five years old. If you were in any other ordinary family, I¡¯m afraid you are still playing the spoiled children in the arms of your parents. It is dad¡¯s fault that you are burdened with too much pressure at such a young age. Don¡¯t say anything first. Let me finish, OK?¡±


    Holding back those messy thoughts in the heart, Ling Jingxuan said while pulling the two buns to sit down under the eaves. Looking at their dry and thin cheeks, pains crawled out of his eyes. Seeing their little sword-shape eyebrows slowly wrinkled, Ling Jingxuan respectively smoothened them for them and then continued seriously, ¡°The past is the past. It¡¯s not that I¡¯m blaming myself, or begging you to forgive me. The reason I said so much today is because I think you are early-maturing, already can tell right from wrong, and you can use your brain to think. So after giving it some thoughts, I still think I should tell you now. The man we saved¡­it¡¯s quite possible he is your father.¡±

 Chapter 29

    After doing a series of foreshadowing, Ling Jingxuan finally got to the point, at the same time, observing them with his long and narrow phoenix eyes carefully, only fearing that they might collapse or couldn¡¯t accept it, after all, they were five years old, and the man had never appeared. It was only normal if they had any repulsive behavior, but, to his surprise, the two buns were very calm, one lips pursed, while the other mouth twitched, like they had already known it.


    Thinking about the quarrel with his parents, Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes, and then pulled their hands and overlapped, ¡°I don¡¯t want to deceive you. His background seems not simple, it¡¯d do you good if you know it earlier¡­If some day¡­in a word, you should keep this in your heart, now because his head got severe impact, he temporarily forgot who he is. You just take him as a new villager.¡±


    As for the future, Ling Jingxuan was not stupid, wouldn¡¯t swag. If the background of the man was as he expected, with his mere ability, it¡¯d be hard to keep the kids by his side, but¡­a ruthless light flashed deep in his eyes. Everything was not absolute, as long as his little buns did not agree, he would never give up custody.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want him. I just want daddy.¡±


    Big bun threw his arms around his neck and sobbed.


    ¡°Neither do I, daddy, daddy¡­¡±


    Seeing this scene, small bun also started to cry. Two buns, one on the left, the other on the right, sobbing on his shoulders.


    ¡°Boohoo~¡±


    ¡°Fuck¡­stupid dog¡­let go¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was stoned, soon knew that they misunderstood him. As he was about appease them, the two cubs came from nowhere and bit the legs of his pant on both sides. Although not painful, Ling Jingxuan could not help but darken his face and kicked them away.


    Yelp~


    After rolling on the ground for two circles, the two cubs gamboled at him again. Ling Jingxuan sighed helplessly. He didn¡¯t know whether it was because he killed their mother, two cubs would howl every time they saw him, really a little annoying, but¡­


    ¡°Little Black, he¡¯s daddy, don¡¯t bite!¡±


    ¡°Big Black, let daddy go!¡±


    Small bun who was immersed in the sorrows already forgot to cry, bent down to hold the little cubs. Under their appeasing, the cubs gradually quieted down. Ling Jingxuan exhaled a long breath and didn¡¯t raise his head after quite a while, ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, I never meant to ditch you two, and you should know it. Daddy is different from others, I can bear kids. I gave birth to you after carrying you for ten months. In my mind, you are my struggling power. Anyone who dares bully you, I will get even for you.¡±


    In the end, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s breath suddenly turned, his thin body burst out with a surprising murderous look.


    ¡°Well, daddy, we don¡¯t need a father. You¡¯re all we need.¡±


    Obviously he was giving a horrible sense, but the two buns were not afraid at all. In the eyes of big bun was refracting the firm light, while small bun holding the cubs pouted, ¡°Me too, as long as I have daddy and elder brother.¡±


    In fact, he really wanted his father, then no one would ever call him a wild bastard again, but¡­ if he had to choose between father and daddy, he would always choose daddy.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ I know. You also don¡¯t think too much. I just didn¡¯t want to hide it from you. Ok, you go on practicing your calligraphy, and I should go to work.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan respectively touched their heads and stood up. In last life, he was born gay, and could not erect before women at all. Of course he could never get married and give birth to children, so he won¡¯t take children. Of course he neither knew how to look after children nor how to get along with them. The two buns were precocious, very sensible, he basically took them as grown-ups, though he himself didn¡¯t know whether it was right or not.


    ¡°Daddy, when¡­let him go when he¡¯s all right.¡±


    Holding the lower hem of his robe, big bun held out his neck and said so, and it was evident that he meant something.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    It was not that he didn¡¯t notice the resentment under his eyes, but Ling Jingxuan did not mean to straighten him out, because, even he himself did not know how to deal with that man, those things¡­ Or let nature take its course.

 Chapter 30

    Their fish really sold well. Ling Jingpeng already came back before noon. Ling Chenglong didn¡¯t come. He should have gone home to help with the farm work, after all, now was the busy farming season. It was already not easy for him to come to say hi every day. By the way, about Dawa¡¯s thing, because Ling Jingxuan threatened to sue them, as expected, they no longer came to seek trouble. So this was over, and as for whether the village head or Dawa¡¯s family would hate him or not, Ling Jingxuan did not give it a shit at all.


    ¡°What? Twenty copper coins for one? How could it so expensive?¡±


    When big bun heard Ling Jingpeng say that those jars with long and big body and thin bottleneck cost 20 copper coins each, his small face turned all red, eyes staring at those jars. One could imagine his expression. It was twenty of them! Four hundred copper coins! Plus other things, today¡¯s fish were sold in vain.


    Ling Jingxuan twitched his mouth, secretly giving Ling Jingpeng a signal with his eyes. They hurriedly moved all the jars into the basement. Under the instructions of Ling Jingxuan, the two of them stuffed the wild grapes they had washed clean yesterday into those jars, triturated them, and sealed with cloth coated with mud, letting the wild grapes ferment in the jars.


    ¡°Well, we can drink it in a month. Jingpeng, is the fair in the town open every day?¡±


    Looking at the neatly stacked jars in the cellar, Ling Jingxuan smiled with relief. If it hadn¡¯t been that he was too short of money, he really wanted to pick more wild grapes to make wine, perhaps this would be the first bucket of gold he dug up in this world, although he did not know whether there was wine in here at all.


    ¡°No. It opens every three days. Tomorrow happens to be the fair day. Big brother, are you going to the fair?¡±


    ¡°Mm, I want to make the rest of the wild grapes into jam and sell it at the fair.¡±


    Did not explain too much, Ling Jingxuan nodded and picked up the remaining wild grapes, estimated that he could boil two or three jars of jam.


    ¡°Can these wild fruit really exchange for money?¡±


    On hearing that, Ling Jingpeng curiously asked. He always thought that his big brother was only fooling Xiaowen.


    ¡°I suppose so. Tomorrow we will know. Oh right, don¡¯t dig the pool in the backyard. We can save more money and directly dig a bigger pond. Dad said right, the fish in Yuehua Ditch can not sustain us for long, so we should grow fish on our own.¡±


    As they talked, both already came into the kitchen. Ling Jingxuan put the dustpan down and made fire, preparing to make jam and rock sugar. Ling Jinghan¡¯s illness cannot be delayed any longer. He planned to start the treatment tomorrow, which was also one of the reasons why he would go to the fair tomorrow. There were not too many medicinal herbs home, some of which he still need to fill the prescription in the drugstore.


    ¡°Jingxuan, you teach me to make jam? I want to make money too.¡±


    No doubt about what he said, Ling Jingpeng said eagerly. Through Dawa¡¯s thing he already changed his attitude toward his big brother completely. Since he turned normal, he seemed to be omnipotent. He was convinced from the bottom of the heart, and, though many years had passed, he always remembered his big brother was very gentle and loved them very much.


    ¡°Hehe¡­OK. Today you watch how I do it. We don¡¯t have many wild grapes, and I¡¯m not sure if we can get a good price for the jam. When I go to town tomorrow, I¡¯ll try it. If it sells well, we¡¯ll do it together.¡±


    Having already planned to let him learn to do business, of course Ling Jingxuan did not refuse him. Isn¡¯t it a good thing that his younger brother is so enterprising?


    ¡°Well, when I get rich, I will buy a few more mu of land to build a house, then our whole family can live together.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng¡¯s face spread a bright smile, but he still did not forget to help Ling Jingxuan to scoop water into the pot. But after hearing what he said, Ling Jingxuan stopped what he was doing, looking at him for a moment, and then said, ¡°Our parents are living a bad life there, right? Do they still leave everything to our parents as before?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The movement of scooping water paused there, and the smile on Ling Jingpeng¡¯s face frozen, he lowered his head and said sullenly, ¡°well, not so bad, because of my second brother, grandpa is not so harsh to us. But never expect he would take our side. And you know about grandma. She always disfavors our parents, let alone our uncles. The farm work of dozens of mu land is all left to daddy, and those housework to mom, while they themselves wear clean clothes and bum around¡­¡±


    Here, Ling Jingpeng can not help but start to choke, after quite a while, he raised his head, fists clenched, firmly looking at Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Ge, I will try to make money, and let our parents and you live a good life.¡±


    The sufferings of his parents, the grievances of his big brother, the pains of his second brother, and the hardship of his two young nephews, at the age of fourteen, he knew everything, but he was too young to take care of all of them.


    ¡°Hmm, I know, I will work hard with you, but before that, you must find a way to let them divide up the family. I suppose they are already angry about you coming help me these days.¡±


    Said Ling Jingxuan, patting him on the shoulder.

 Chapter 31

    ¡°They already made a scene a few days ago. Our parents didn¡¯t let us tell you. They didn¡¯t want you to feel bad about it.¡±


    Head down, Ling Jingpeng sounded a bit sad. Who doesn¡¯t want to divide up the family? Only by that could they live a better life. But¡­as long as the elders are still alive, dividing up the family is not allowed. Qing Kingdom had always advocated using filial to run the kingdom. And the most unfilial thing was to divide up the family while the elders(usually meaning the generation of grandparents are still alive). Let alone they were a scholar¡¯s family, even those farming common families, they couldn¡¯t divide up the family with no extreme conditions. Plus, their father was a typical filial son. However hard, he would never generate that kind of idea.


    ¡°Really? Hum!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan gave a cold snort. He had never seen any parents who were so partial? Isn¡¯t the second child their son? They¡¯d better pray they wouldn¡¯t fall into his hands, otherwise¡­


    ¡°Daddy, it smells good. What are you cooking?¡±


    As the brothers went into silence, small bun excitedly rushed in, followed by the cubs and a skinny little boy who looked of his age.


    ¡°You greedy-guts!¡±


    Throwing the stirring stick to Ling Jingpeng, motioning him to continue stirring the jam, Ling Jingxuan squatted down to pet the head of small bun, holding him to look back at the shy little boy, he should be Tiewa little bun often mentioned. It was said that he was the only friend of his two sons.


    ¡°Daddy, you always bully me.¡±


    Holding his neck, small bun was acting like a spoiled child. Just a few days, he also slowly restored the na?ve nature a five years old child should have.


    ¡°Really? Don¡¯t you want to eat it? What to do? I meant to let you have some after it¡¯s done.¡±


    Picking his eyebrow, Ling Jingxuan squinted at him, pretending to look embarrassed. Small bun hurriedly said, ¡°Who said I don¡¯t want to eat it, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Look at his eager appearance, Ling Jingxuan instantly failed to hold it there, holding small bun and laughing, even Ling Jingpeng could not help but laugh out.


    ¡°Darn it. Dad¡¯s bullying me again.¡±


    Knowing himself being teased finally, small bun pouted and pushed him away, both hands holding before his chest, mercilessly staring at him. Isn¡¯t that exactly the shape of a bun?


    Ling Jingxuan could not help pinching his little face, calmly saying, ¡°Is he Tiewa you often mentioned?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, his name is Zhao Tiesheng and he lives at the end of the village. Today, Uncle Zhao and his family went to town to deliver iron tools. He was left home alone. So I brought him here.¡±


    Already forgetting he was still mad at daddy, small bun pushed the shy little boy before Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Hi, Uncle Ling.¡±


    Zhao Tiesheng took a quick look at Ling Jingxuan, and then hid behind Ling Wu. His sound was like mosquito buzzing. One could barely hear it, but Ling Jingxuan was very happy. He liked kids, besides, that was the only friend of his little buns. Of course, love me love my dog.


    ¡°So cute, Xiaowu, you take Tiewa to play with your big brother. I will send you some when the jam is ready.¡±


    Stretching out a hand to rub both the child¡¯s heads, Ling Jingxuan then patted small bun¡¯s bottom. Compared with big bun who did everything seriously, small bun, of course, was much slack. But every morning he would go running, practicing boxing with them, now also started practicing his calligraphy. If possible, he hoped big bun could also be like that, after all, they were only five years old.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Nodded, small bun bent to hold the cubs that were showing their teeth toward Ling Jingxuan, dragged Tiewa to go. Ling Jingxuan watched them leave before turning back to take over the stirring job, ¡°Zhao family are nonnative, right?¡±


    Not everyone in Ling village was surnamed Ling. According to the memories of the original owner, there seemed to be dozens of outsiders, including Zhao family. As for the others, he did not know much about them.


    ¡°Yeah, but they are different from other outsiders, brother Zhao¡¯s parents died early, and his wife also died when giving birth. A few years ago he played both dad and mom to raise the kid alone, life was tough, though he doesn¡¯t have much land, he is a blacksmith, so he could still support the family. But, three years ago, he suddenly got married with Han. Everyone in the village thought it is ridiculous that a man marrying another man. It¡¯d only lose the whole village¡¯s face if the news spreads to other villages. The chief and our second grandma dispensed a new homestead for them. They called it by a good name of exchanging the land, but actually they just drove them out of the village. Like Xiaowen and Xiaowu, Tiewa also got bullied wherever he went these years. Poor little kid!¡±


    Outsiders were already hard enough, plus they were man-man couple, making it even more difficult.


    ¡°Hum, it¡¯s only in the countryside, why do they act like they are from big families? Do they really take them ask rich and upper class?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help sneering in the heart. Even the emperor married a man as the empress. Do they have to be like that? Although men marrying men was really rare, commonly seen in large families, and most men were probably concubines, but it wasn¡¯t that there wasn¡¯t any in the countryside. In those families there were too many labors while having too little land would marry out their unfavord sons for money. And some widowers who had kids, since they were too poor to marry a wife, they would marry a man to help them look after the kids and take care of the households. This could be seen in every village.

 Chapter 32

    The rest of the wild grapes just made three jars of jam. Ling Jingxuan kept one jar for the kids, the rest two were soaked in the Crescent Spring water after sealed with some white cloth. He planned to sell them at the fair tomorrow. After bathing for the two buns and watering the wild grape and pear branches in the front courtyard, Ling Jingxuan went into the room.¡±


    ¡°What are you doing? Aren¡¯t you bored counting them every day?¡±


    Two buns, face to face, were sitting cross-legged on the bed, with a string of copper coins in between. The two of them were borrowing the moonlight to count them again and again. Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, totally speechless about them counting it every night.


    ¡°Of course not. Those are still too few, OK? I¡¯d like to count them all the time if I could.¡±


    Only at such a time would big bun behave strangely naive, naive enough to see money only in his eyes.


    ¡°Er¡­ why don¡¯t you get into the holes of those copper coins?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan touched his forehead. He has never seen anyone who is crazy about money like him!


    ¡°I wish I could.¡±


    Totally unaware of his daddy¡¯s sarcasm, big bun, holding the money, looking at him excitedly, ¡°Daddy, guess how many copper coins we saved now?¡±


    ¡°How many?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan lazily lifted his eyes and helped himself to pour a bowl of herbal tea. Could he say that he would shiver all over when heard his son talking about money now?


    ¡°We nearly saved nine hundreds of them. You bought a lot of things today, otherwise we¡¯d have over one tael of silver now.¡±


    In the end, big bun even gave his daddy a resentful eye, until now he still had a problem with the money spent on those jars. Who knows whether he could really exchange money with the wine? If no one bought it, their a few hundreds of copper coins would go nothing.


    ¡°Ahem¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan who was drinking water almost choked to death, the two buns hurriedly hopped off the bed and patted on his back on both sides.


    ¡°Daddy, are you ok?¡±


    Small bun patted his back and looked at him anxiously with his shining caring eyes, while big bun¡­


    ¡°Daddy, you are an adult, how can you still get choked with water?¡±


    If it weren¡¯t for you, would I get choked?


    Hearing him nagging like an adult, Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes, only wishing to find a piece of noodle to hang himself. Who is the daddy?


    ¡°Ahem¡­ okay, I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Finally it took him much effort to cast away the ¡®psychological shadow¡¯ big bun left him. After wiping his mouth, he looked at big bun and said, ¡°Xiaowen, I¡¯m going to go to the fair in the town tomorrow. We still need a few kinds of herbs for second uncle¡¯s illness. Besides, we need some necessities. And I also want to buy some clothes, so we¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy, do you know what you are saying? Why are you always thinking about spending money? Is it so easy for us to save money? How many times have I told you that this money is for emergencies? Why don¡¯t you listen? How can you live like this? Even if we have mountains of gold and silver, we can¡¯t afford you to spend it like this. Daddy, please stop, we¡­¡±

 Chapter 33

    Before he finished, big bun sharply interrupted him, his thin face turning into liver color, big round eyes mercilessly staring at him, as if he had done kind of heinous things. Ling Jingxuan directly froze there. Dare he¡­let him finish?


    Unbeknown to the father and sons, every word of their conversation reached the ears of the wounded man next door, and the man curved his lips, and his face showed a faint smile that he himself did not realize. In his heart, he even vaguely thought that having such a wife and children seemed not bad.


    ¡°Daddy, listen to me, you can¡¯t live a life like that. We should learn to be thrifty. If you want to buy medicine for second uncle, I won¡¯t oppose. But as for other things, I don¡¯t think so. And the clothes we are wearing are still OK.¡±


    ¡°Stop! Xiaowen, I promise I won¡¯t use any of your copper coins, OK?¡±


    Big bun was still nagging. Ling Jingxuan pulled his hair, and could not take it any longer. Oh crap! He must take back the financial power! Definitely!


    ¡°Er¡­ well, that might be fine.¡±


    The two buns were both a bit startled. Maybe being aware of his anger, big bun blushed and looked away unnaturally, while small bun was pulling Ling Jingxuan hand while looking up at him timidly. Since their daddy went back to normal, this is the first time he yelled at them. So they were a bit not used to it.


    ¡°Ahem¡­well, I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean it.¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan cursed himself in the heart. He pulled them to his side and made an apology. Two buns said nothing, head down, little hands tightly crossed, apparently they did not accept his appeasing. Ling Jingxuan helplessly said, ¡°Daddy really didn¡¯t mean it. Xiaowen, I know we are poor and we should save money, but not the way like you do. People say eating and clothes won¡¯t make us poor, but if we don¡¯t have plans for life, we would be poor forever. Don¡¯t we earn money to live a better life? If we don¡¯t buy food or clothes, why would we make money? Isn¡¯t it like putting the cart before the horse?¡±


    He had been wanting to say these words to him a few days ago, but on thinking that he is only five years old, and afraid of poverty, he didn¡¯t have the heart to say it, but now it seemed had had no choice, otherwise, give big bun¡¯s characters, he would walk into a dead end.


    ¡°I know some money should be spent, but¡­ but¡­¡±


    Raising his head, big bun looked at him with tears in his eyes. ¡°But every time I see money going out of my hands, my heart hurts like cutting my flesh.¡±


    With the last word dropped, tears held in his eyes popped out, revealing sadness that was to describe with words. Ling Jingxuan held him into his arms, ¡°All right, all right, daddy won¡¯t say it again. You can save money as you want. I won¡¯t say a word.¡±


    Finally, he lost to his own son.


    ¡°Boo boo¡­Daddy¡­¡±


    Buried in his arms, big bun cried, small bun next to them also moved over and cried holding them. Ling Jingxuan felt both sorry and frustrated, feeling as if his forehead was gonna split. He had lost to the two kids for the rest of his life.


    ¡°Daddy how about this? I¡¯ll try not to look at it when you spend money.¡±


    At night lying in bed, small bun back on to Ling Jingxuan suddenly said so, which made Ling Jingxuan more painful and even sadder, ¡°No, we don¡¯t have much money now, and there¡¯s not many places we need to spend money. You take care of the money. In the future we will make a lot of money. I will keep some as pocket money, and you keep all the rest, just in case.¡±


    All in all, he still couldn¡¯t bear to deprive the only hobby of Ling Wen.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    In the dark, Ling Wen heavily nodded, small face finally revealing a smile. Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes and looked at him under the moonlight, did not say anything, just reached out his hand to rub his head. Slowly both fell asleep. About the money thing, they finally reached a small consensus, but¡­ soon Ling Jingxuan would know something giving him headache was awaiting.

 Chapter 34

    Early the next morning, after the father and sons finished running and practicing boxing routinely, Ling Jingxuan wheeled the scooter and went to Yuehua Ditch. Anyway they would go to the county fair today, so he planned to catch some more fish for sale. Before he went, he nagged the two buns not to forget to shut the fire after the medicinal herbs were decocted well. But there was one thing he neglected-their curiosity about that man. They said they did not care about it at all, but how could they really not care about him since they were blood-related?


    Yan Shengrui had practiced kung fu all the year round, so his hearing was especially good. Everything that happened in this family was known to him, including the dialogue between Ling Jingxuan and two buns last night, and the wine and jam thing Ling Jingxuan mention. Although he had lost his memories, a lot of instinct things were still there. After a short period of contact was enough to let him know this man Ling Jingxuan, which also triggered his curiosity about this man.


    Of course, this does not mean that he fell in love with Ling Jingxuan. One could only say, now, compared with regaining his memories, he preferred to know more about Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Here is your medicine. Daddy made the brown flower mushroom paste this morning. Eat.¡±


    After having hesitated outside the door for a long time, the two buns finally pushed the door open and went into the rom. Wearing a dark face, Ling Wen put two big bowls in front of him, while his eyes never looked at him, and therefore he ignored the man¡¯s concentrating expression, while Ling Wu, though hiding behind Ling Wen, he kept sweeping over at the man from time to time. After his daddy told him, he noticed that they really looked so much alike.


    ¡°You eat this every day?¡±


    Knowing the kids did not like him, Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t try to cotton up. He withdrew his eyes and looked at those black paste, among which was scattered a few brown eggplant nubs, reminding him about the food Ling Jingxuan had brought him these two days. Yan Shengrui raised his head, a faint caring feeling flashed from under his dark and deep eyes. He forgot everything, of course he wouldn¡¯t remember how he looked. Having been lying down these days, he got no chance to see what he looked like, so for the two buns¡¯ face, he did not have too feeling, just when looking at them, he always felt a thing.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with eating this? You should feel gratitude that you still got something to eat.¡±


    Ling Wen was sensitive and thought he was disapproving of their food. He raised his head and glared at him with a pair red eyes. His hands were clenched into fists and his lips were twitching, which showed that he was trying to restrain himself. Yan Shengrui was caught in a daze and immediately held up his own body, trying to explain, ¡°Don¡¯t take me wrong. I am not judging the food. I just feel sorry for you.¡±


    For some reason, he just didn¡¯t want them to resent him. Maybe that¡¯s what father-son nature is all about.


    ¡°If you really feel sorry, how would you have dumped daddy and us? We don¡¯t need you to feel sorry for us.¡±


    After the angry roar, Ling Wen pulled Ling Wu up and ran away. Yan Shengrui tried to hold them but missed. After quite a while, he slowly withdrew his right hand, showing a faint smile on his lips. It seems the two little things has really held great grudge at him.


    Ling village was located in a good position, not far from the county. It takes about half an hour to walk there. It¡¯d be faster if taking the ox cart, but each person needed to pay a copper coin, goods extra money. Ling Jingxuan caught four buckets of fish today, with the help of Ling Jingpeng, the four people pushed the handcart to entrance of the village to take the ox cart.


    Along the way people all gossiped about them. These days finally the little bun became a bit outgoing, now he hid behind Ling Jingxuan shyly. Just because they were too precocious, in the face of others¡¯ gossip, or even abuse, they would be more sensitive and uncomfortable.


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, everyone lives in this world for only a few decades, if you care about what others think about you all the time, then your life is like your underpants, you have to pocket what others fart. So, what I am trying to say is, don¡¯t care about what others say, as long as we live happily.¡±


    Stretching out a hand to pull the two buns, Ling Jingxuan smiled, but the cold sharp eyes bearing no feeling of smile. He did not care about how others judged him, but could not bear those people judge his two buns. Ling village! He remembered it! Some day he would let those people look up to them.


    ¡°That is the spirit, Xiaowen, Xiaowu, just let them fart if they want, ignore them.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng who seldom cared about those gossips echoed, with his young and handsome face covered with a thin layer of sweat. After all, it was June, even in the morning, pulling a handcart already made them too hot.


    ¡°Hmm, we know.¡±


    Looking up at daddy and uncle, Ling Wen carefully nodded, no longer hiding behind Ling Jingxuan. Holding small bun, he walked beside them, although, his small face was still red, but it seemed he had grown up a lot in a moment.


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu!


    Having gone through the densely populated village and arrived at the entrance of the village, a clear and crisp tender voice suddenly was heard. Not far from the place people were gathering, Tiewa sitting on an ox cart was waving at them, rosy-cheeked little face filled with excitement,  beside were two men, one tall, strong, but not so handsome. One could only say he was a tough man. While the other was short and exquisite, white and slender, seemingly weak, eyes, however, looking sophisticated and tenacious. Both were wearing clothes made of coarse linen. But one can¡¯t find any breaths of rustics. If they changed some silk robes, people might think they were childes from some noble families.


    ¡°Daddy?¡±


    Two buns were also obviously very happy, but they did not immediately run over, but turned to look at Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Go.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Already sweating all over, Ling Jingxuan smiled while nodding, then the two buns ran over like rabbits. While running, they also shouted Tiewa¡¯s name and waved at him, which made Ling Jingxuan smile and shake his head. This was what a five-year-old kid was supposed to behave like!


    ¡°They are Brother Zhao and Brother Han. On weekdays, Brother Zhao would pick up some work in the town to do at home. Brother Han would drive an ox cart to the village entrance to earn some money to support his family. But few people in our village would take his ox cart, so he earns little.¡±


    No wonder there was no one beside their cart. After hearing Ling Jingpeng¡¯s explanation, Ling Jingxuan twitched his mouth, already had no strength to ridicule the ¡®proud¡¯ and ¡®noble¡¯ Ling Village. Whatsoever! As long as they didn¡¯t provoke him, otherwise, don¡¯t blame his rudeness!

 Chapter 35

    ¡°You see? That¡¯s him, a big man gave birth to a child, really a shame¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no one would believe it if someone says he isn¡¯t a monster.¡±


    ¡°Is he a fool or what? He doesn¡¯t look like one now.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t know. I heard a few days ago that he suddenly regained his senses, and even beat up Dawa and his family, now Dawa¡¯s dad is still ill in bed.¡±


    ¡°Really? What does the village head say?¡±


    ¡°What to say? He threatened to go to the county to sue them. The village head and the patriarch do not want to lose face to the county, so¡­¡±


    Anywhere there were a lot of people, there was gossip. Before when passing the village, people would just point fingers and mutter, but now they directly talked it above the light, only for fear that he couldn¡¯t hear them. If it had been the old Ling Jingxuan, he would have already run home and never come out due to the shame. But the present Ling Jingxuan¡­One would know as long as seeing his expression, he totally took their insulting words like fart.


    ¡°Ge, don¡¯t listen to their bullshit, you are not a monster.¡±


    Putting down the handrail of the cart, Ling Jingpeng said so, only afraid that his big brother would shrink into the shell again.


    ¡°Hehe, if only I were a monster, then tonight I can go ¡®visit¡¯ them from house to house.¡±


    High voice through the crowd, a bit evil and bloodthirsty smile climbed on his thin and comely face, with his eyes sweeping those yentas there, and the gossiping sound immediately disappeared. And those yentas all backed off quite a few steps at the same time, only afraid Ling Jingxuan would really ¡®visit¡¯ them at night.


    Seeing this, the corner of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s aroused a sneer, he turned to Zhao and Han, ¡°You are brother Zhao and Brother Han, right? These years thank you for taking care of my sons.¡±


    He had long heard Zhao and Han were very good to Xiaowen and Xiaowu. As long as they had food for Tiewa, they would spare some for his two buns. Although not some expensive things, their kindness was the most important in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart.


    ¡°That¡¯s nothing. Actually we also didn¡¯t do anything. You don¡¯t have to be so polite, besides, I really like Xiaowen and Xiaowu. They are very thoughtful, and often help us take care of Tiewa.¡±


    Small and exquisite, Han Fei was a straightforward man. While speaking, he still didn¡¯t forget to touch the heads of the two buns, revealing affections. Perhaps their experience was similar, he never looked down upon or despised Ling Jingxuan, also understood his pains more than anyone else.


    ¡°Haha¡­all right, then I won¡¯t say more thanking words. Brother Han, when will your ox cart leave?¡±


    Some things, he could put them in the heart. Ling Jingxuan decisively changed the topic. If there was the opportunity, he would definitely repay them.


    ¡°As you can see, there is no one lining up. It is busy farming season and few people are going to the fair. I don¡¯t think we are leaving for the fair today.¡±


    However straightforward one was, one would feel it was like big blow encountering this kind of circumstance. Han Fei was apparently disappointed, while Zhao Dalong on the side hugged his shoulder, giving wordless comforting. Han Fei raised the head to throw him a shallow smile. Two people were looking at each other, subtle sincere feelings rendering.


    Farmers may never say those sour words like I love you or something like that, but the love between them was undisguised. Ling Jingxuan saw everything under their eyes. This kind of warm and deep relationship was far more previous than those vigorous, hot as fire affection.


    ¡°How about this, Zhao, Han, I¡¯m going to the town to sell fish. I will rent your cart.¡±


    If there was other choice, he did not want to interrupt the warm gaze between them, but it was getting late, and he only put in a little crescent spring for the fish today, and the rest was ordinary water. Those fish might die.


    ¡°Ah? Don¡¯t talk about money. Anyway, we have no business for now. We¡¯ll send you to the town. Come on, carry the fish onto the cart.¡±


    Coming to his sense, Han Fei finally noticed a few big barrels on their handcart. Without saying anything, he rolled up his sleeves, ready to help him move the fish. Ling Jingxuan quickly said, ¡°Don¡¯t, I have to pay, or I won¡¯t take your cart.¡±


    Pressing his hand, Ling Jingxuan showed persistence under his eyes.


    ¡°All right, all right, you win. You can pay after you sell all those fish. Dalong, come to help.¡±


    Han Fei could only agree, and did not forget to call Zhao Dalong to help carry those heavy buckets.


    ¡°Daddy, we can help, too.¡±


    The three buns slid down the cart. Four adults smiled at each other. ¡°It would be a big favor if you stay where you are.¡±


    ¡°What? I hate you, daddy.¡±


    On hearing that, Ling Wu¡¯s small face wrinkled, small mouth pouted, making the four adults laugh, those people¡¯s strange eyes were completely ignored by them.


    ¡°Where did you catch the fish? So many.¡±


    Four buckets of fish soon were moved onto the cart. Looking at those big fat fish in the buckets, Han Fei asked curiously. During slack season, the villagers would go catch fish for sale. For generations down, the fish in the river were not much, even there were, it was only some small ones. One could rarely see so many big fat ones.


    ¡°Haha¡­I found a place in Yuehua ditch where there are a lot of fish, but there are not so many now, so I plan to dig a fish pond to raise some myself, but I don¡¯t know where to buy fish fry.¡±


    Climbing on the cart, Ling Jingxuan casually said so. The cart was big, with four buckets of fish and a few adults and kids, they would all be seated, although a little crowded.


    ¡°Don¡¯t. Before someone in our village also tried to raise fish, but all died. So you¡¯d better save it.¡±


    Hearing that, Zhao Dalong who was sitting aside holding Tiewa said so, frowning, white face rendering of unabashed worries, while on the other side Ling Jingpeng holding Ling Wen also said, ¡°Ge, why you still want to raise fish? A few years ago a landlord in the next village wanted to raise fish, but in a few days the fry all died. With that money, why not buy a few acres of land?¡±


    Yesterday When Ling Jingxuan said so, he thought he just wanted to raise some for their own food. They would only sell them when there was extra. But now judging from his tone, it seemed he wanted to do it big. Ling Jingpeng also obviously disagreed.


    ¡°Haha¡­ You rest assured, I have a prescription using herbs to raise fish, to ensure that the fish can be raised fat and big, and the medicinal fish can also keep people healthy.¡±


    In contrast, Ling Jingxuan was not at all concerned about other¡¯s failure. With the Crescent Spring in hands, what is it he can not raise?


    ¡°Really, daddy?!¡±


    From the beginning sitting on the cart, tightly holding two jars of jam, big bun raised his head, full of excitement under his eye. Just a few days, he has tasted the sweetness from selling fish, only wishing they would have fish to sell every day.


    Han Fei and Ling Jingpeng looked at him with a suspicious face, even Zhao Dalong who was driving the cart looked back at him. The only ones who had no response should be Tiewa and small bun.

 Chapter 36

    ¡°Of course it¡¯s true, so we should try to save money, and then we can hire people to dig our two mu of wasteland into a pond, and buy more fry to put in, there will be endless fish to sell in the future.¡±


    Finally his eyes stayed on the face of big bun, Ling Jingxuan stretched out a hand to rub his head tenderly, so the son should have some confidence now?


    ¡°Ah? It costs money again?¡±


    Hearing that they had to spend money to hire labors, big bun instantly frowned, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help laughing. Two mu big fish pond. You can¡¯t let him dig it himself, right?


    ¡°If you really can raise them, it wouldn¡¯t be a thing to hire some labors to dig the pond. Xiaowen, you can¡¯t save this money.¡±


    Han Fei was also clearly aware of big bun¡¯s stingy temperament. Ling Wen reddened his face, stammering, ¡°I, I know¡­¡±


    He just wanted to save money, but never said he wouldn¡¯t pay.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    Seeing this scene, Ling Jingxuan and other people couldn¡¯t help laughing. Ling Wen was stingy, but isn¡¯t he also their fun fruit?


    Those people were talking and laughing all the way, small bun was also very excited and active, often saying some funny words from time to time. On the way, Ling Jingxuan suddenly saw a vast wasteland, barely no grass. In the countryside, this is undoubtedly a waste. What is the most important thing for farmers? Of course, the land. But now large areas of land, because of drying up of the inland sea tributaries, were abandoned. Many people would suffer.


    ¡°What a bit! How I wish I could grow something on those fields.¡±


    Aware of his sight, Ling Jingpeng lamented. A lot of people in the village owned no land, let alone outsiders like them. Some people only had one or two mu of land, after paying taxes they barely had food left. Especially in recent years, the wasteland in Lingjiang basin was almost all assarted, some people even bought homestead to plant things, and most crops couldn¡¯t survive on it. Like Ling Jingxuan¡¯s two mu of land, it was homestead. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t often starve for having no food.


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Smiling at him, Ling Jingxuan suddenly said, ¡°Brother Zhao, can you stop? I want to go there to have a look.¡±


    Saying so, he also don¡¯t wait for the cart to stop, Ling Jingxuan directly jumped off.


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Xiaowen, you kids stay in the cart. I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    Seeing this, the two buns also were ready to jump off, but Ling Jingpeng and Han Fei quickly grabbed them, and after the cart stopped, the kids hopped off and followed.


    ¡°Half saline-alkali land, indeed.¡±


    Ignoring the three people who wanted to say something, Ling Jingxuan squatted down and dug some soil and sent into his mouth. As early as from the owner of the memory about the situation around to Ling village, he guessed this piece of land was likely to be formed because of sea water, now it turned out to be true. No wonder whatever those villagers planted, they wouldn¡¯t survive. That was because it was all saline-alkali soil.


    ¡°I remember the sear water pours in about October every year? Is the water level high? How long does it take to reflux?¡±


    Turning his head to them, Ling Jingxuan asked solemnly. A fortune-making idea in the heart was vaguely rooted, but¡­the money he needed was not a small amount!


    About this thing, Ling Jingpeng and Han Fei were not very clear, so they both turned to Zhao Dalong, therefore, Ling Jingxuan also turned to him.


    ¡°Well, every year around the middle of October the water from the tributaries of the inland Sea pours in. The water level is not very high, maybe a foot or so. It takes a month or two to flow backward.¡±


    Facing three people¡¯s expecting eyes, black, strong and tall Zhao Dalong can not help feeling a bit shy, but the words were said very clearly.


    ¡°That¡¯s it. Come on, let¡¯s go to the fair.¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan felt extra excited. It was June now. There were still four months away from October, but to implement his plan, he must save at least one thousand taels of silver, although it was very difficult, it depends on human effort, right? Haha¡­ Make a fortune this time!


    ¡°Ge, what are you talking about?¡±


    The three of them were so bewildered by him that they did not know what excitement he was in, that he could really grow something in that wasteland?


    One had to say, what they thought was the truth, although they did not believe it themselves.


    ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s all empty talk now. I¡¯ll tell you more when the time is right.¡±


    Turning to give them a mysterious wink, Ling Jingxuan showed mischievous look, three people took a look at each other, scratching their heads, looking at his slender figure with more doubts and curiosity.


    ¡°Daddy, what are you looking at?¡±


    The cart started again, small bun left Tiewa there and climbed onto Ling Jingxuan¡¯s lap and curiously asked, big bun also turned to him, Ling Jingxuan pinched his nose, saying mysteriously, ¡°Of course I¡¯m looking at money.¡±


    ¡°Daddy lied. It¡¯s only a large wasteland. Where is the money?¡±


    Small bun complained, mouth pouted, while big bun also threw him a look of contempt, but Ling Jingpeng and the other two adults quietly pricked up their ears, they always felt Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words hid deep conception, which they could not get to now.


    ¡°Haha¡­ Why would I lie to you? Just wait and see. Daddy will turn that barren, half-salted land into gold and silver one day.¡±


    Some things that were said too much would make people think he is crazy, and when the day comes, they will know.


    ¡°Daddy, you want to buy those fields, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Small bun was still confused, but big bun was sensitive, staring at him with alert. God knows he now was most afraid of his daddy saying to make a lot of money, because every time with his whimsical idea, the family money would be like water to spend, such as buying those pots and digging pond to raise fish¡­


    ¡°Ahem¡­ Xiaowen, how could you make money without spending money? A business needs capital. Come on¡­Don¡¯t be mad. Let me tell you. This time, I won¡¯t cost a copper coin from you, OK?¡±


    On halfway of his words, he saw that big bun was about to complain, Ling Jingxuan hurriedly raised his hands to surrender. He really got him.


    ¡°My money, your money, it¡¯s all our money, isn¡¯t? Daddy, here is the thing. We really shouldn¡¯t spend money like that¡­¡±


    Oh no, again, big bun was chattering like chanting, Ling Jingxuan only felt pains in the forehead, only wishing to seal his mouth immediately. Ling Jingpeng, Han Fei and others all curled their lips on seeing this. Big bun was always behaving. But whenever it came to money, he would change into another person! Really giving one a headache, right?

 Chapter 37

    Ling village, belonging to the Datong town, situated in the central south area of Qing Dynasty. Datong town was neither too big nor too small. Due to its special geographical environment, the water and land transportation was quite developed, and many businessmen came and went, but Datong town, even the whole Qingyang county was not very rich, the main cause was nearly half of the land was wasted due to the inland sea tributaries


    Having bumped almost half an hour on the way, Ling Jingxuan and others finally made it to the town. Because today was the fair day, people always set up their stalls very early. The shops on both sides of the bluestone road also opened early and welcomed the coming and going customers. It was the first time for both Ling Jingxuan and the two buns who were sitting on the cart went to the fair in the town. Ling Jingxuan was nothing but only felt a bit curious at most. You should ask him what he hadn¡¯t seen in his previous life. But the two buns were different, with four busy eyes looking everywhere, only wishing they could jump off the cart and wander around the whole Datong Town.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, where are we heading to?¡±


    Rubbing the small bun¡¯s head, Ling Jingxuan looked up at Zhao Dalong who was sitting ahead. They had entered the market for a while, right?


    ¡°We will send you directly to the fish market. In recent years, under Magistrate Hu¡¯s governing, Datong town has changed from what it used to be. Every kind of goods has its special section. The fish market is innermost.¡±


    It was Han Fei, not Zhao Dalong, who answered him.


    ¡°Well, this Magistrate Hu is a capable one, but isn¡¯t a magistrate usually in position for three years? I remember he was appointed to Qingyang County five years ago. Why is he still in office now?¡±


    Things would be orderly with plans. Five years ago if it hadn¡¯t been for him, the original owner and the buns would have already died. An ancient man who could have done so was considered highly competent.


    ¡°Alas, you know, no one is up there. Magistrate Hu is really a good official. At the end of the three-year term, we all thought he would be promoted. But¡­¡±


    Speaking of which, Han Fei could not help sighing repeatedly. Magistrate Hu was a good official for the country and the people, which was really a pity¡­


    ¡°Shush! You¡¯d get us in trouble if other hear it.¡±


    Zhao Dalong, who had always been silent, turned his head and reproached him quietly. Han Fei moved his lips, but finally said no more. Indeed, it is not their position to discuss the affairs of the officials.


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan wore a smile. He could understand Zhao Dalong¡¯s behavior, officials all covered each other since ancient times. No one didn¡¯t know that, but no one dared to say it out, because the consequences were not that ordinary people can take.


    ¡°Jingpeng? Jingxuan! What brings you here?¡±


    When passing a grocery store, a young man who just sent off the guests suddenly stopped them. the moment he saw Ling Jingxuan, a strange feeling clearly flashed on that man¡¯s fair and mild face, then raised a warm and bright smile. With a light glance, Ling Jingxuan instantly recognized who he is, the second son of his big uncle, Ling Jingwei, two years older than he. Having gone to school for a few years, he worked as an apprentice in the grocery store, later married the daughter of the shop owner and became the bookkeeper.


    ¡°Brother Jingwei.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng gave a look at Ling Jingxuan not very naturally, scratching his head while responding with an ¡®hmm¡¯.


    ¡°Are they Ling Wen and Ling Wu? So cute. Wait, wait, wait¡­¡±


    Ling Jingwei did not seem to mind their alienation, touched the children¡¯s heads, smiling, and then turned back into the shop in a hurry, and rushed out again in less than a few minutes, stuffed three oil paper bags into to three buns¡¯ hands, ¡°These are some osmanthus cakes. You can eat it when you are hungry.¡±


    ¡°No, thanks. We¡¯re not hungry.¡±


    Avoiding his hand, three buns refused him, face blushed.


    ¡°Well¡­ Jingxuan?¡±


    Ling Jingwei looked a bit embarrassed, looking over at Ling Jingxuan who hadn¡¯t spoken anything for help.


    ¡°Take it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, uncle!¡±


    With Ling Jingxuan¡¯s permission, Ling Wen and the other two buns no longer refused, they took it after a bit hesitation. Ling Jingwei can not help but smile again, looking at Ling Wen and Ling Wu with kind of screwy and creepy affection, which was all seen by Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Brother Jingwei, we still have things to do. We¡¯ll talk about the old days again when we have time.¡±


    While he said so, Zhao Dalong already whipped to drive the cart, even giving him no opportunity to say no. Ling Jingwei had been standing at the door of the shop, until the cart mixed in the sea of people, he turned back to the shop with his fists clenched.


    ¡°Ge, don¡¯t be too close to Jingwei, he¡­¡±


    Ling Jingpeng swallowed back his words as his eyes swept to the little buns, whose young face was written with bewilderment and entanglement.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ Let¡¯s talk about it after going home.¡±


    Ling Jingwei looked quite enthusiastic on the surface, but if carefully pondering his words, it was full of loopholes. Who doesn¡¯t take him and the two children as monsters? They only wished they would die, so they could get rid of such a big shame, while Ling Jingwei, the first time they met, he sent them food, whose performance was a little way too much. Although he temporarily could not guess his real purpose, but¡­ if he got calculated by that thing, he Ling Jingxuan should really bump into the wall and kill himself.

 Chapter 38

    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng nodded, but his sight was always sweeping to Ling Wen and Ling Wu now and then, interwoven with naked worry and anger under his eyes.


    The fish market was located in the innermost, although they went out early, but spent a lot of time on the road, so those good stalls were basically occupied by people. Zhao Dalong could only drive the cart to a corner. Four of them worked together to carry the big buckets down, while the three buns, holding oil-paper bags obediently, stood aside.


    ¡°We can only sell them here, but your fish are big and fat. People will buy. We need go to the iron shop now and pick you up later.¡±


    ¡°OK, thank you so much.¡±


    After seeing off Zhao Dalong and his family, Ling Jingxuan raised his eyes to look at the nearby fishmongers, eyes rolling, then waved to let Ling Jingpeng and two buns come to his side. Four people whispered there for quite some time before they separated.


    ¡°Fish, farm bred medicinal fish, fat and big, the little girl will become more beautiful, and the young boy would become more energetic, and the aged would keep healthy after eating it¡­¡±


    ¡°Beautiful sister, buy some fish, my father feed those fish with all kinds of expensive medicinal herbs. You will certainly become more beautiful after eating it.¡±


    ¡°Uncle, buy some fish. Dad feed them with medicinal herbs, very delicious!¡±


    ¡°Fish for sale, fat, big, exclusive medicinal fish¡­¡±


    Before long, the four of them started to peddle, and the passers-by stopped to gather around. Two buns were both sweet and behaved. Whoever stopped, they would call brother and sister, making those uncles and aunts with wrinkles all over their face smile heartedly. Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jingpeng also refused to fall behind. They nearly used all the nice words they knew on their fish.


    ¡°The children are really sweet, oh, these fish are really big. Did you really fed with medicinal herbs? How much is it?¡±


    ¡°Of course. I have read a few years¡¯ books since I was young, and know a little traditional Chinese medicine. I used angelican, astragalus and other nourishing medicinal materials to feed those fish you know. One jin for only ten copper coins. Would you like some?¡±


    To see someone hooked, Ling Jingxuan bent down to grab a at least six to seven jin big chub, thin and handsome face bursting into a passionate smile, even those coarse linen clothes with basically all patches could not hide his inborn nobility and elegance.


    ¡°Since it¡¯s so good as you said, then I shall buy one.¡±


    ¡°OK, wait a moment please.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have one too¡­¡±


    ¡°Give me two carps¡­¡±


    ¡°Me, too¡­¡±


    With the first business succeeded, next was much easier, those onlookers all said to buy their fish. You can imagine how happy the two buns were, peddling more vigorously, while Ling Jingpeng was busy weighing. Several people cooperated with each other, soon sold two whole buckets of fish, and copper coins full of small wooden box at their feet.


    ¡°Daddy, we¡¯re making a lot of money.¡±


    Businesses were one wave after another. As the previous guests left, businesses also gradually quieted down, and the four people could finally take a breath. The two buns looked at the wooden box of money and cheered. Ten copper coins one jin! They had been worried it was too expensive, after all, they usually only sold eight coins one jin, but¡­people in the town were richer than people in the village.


    ¡°Haha¡­ as long as you¡¯re happy.¡±


    Peddling for a long time, throats became a little uncomfortable. Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t want to talk too much. Noticing that it was a bit late, the market should reach the most lively degree, Ling Jingxuan turned to ask, ¡°Jingpeng, you can cover it yourself, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure, I¡¯ll sell as you taught me, and it probably won¡¯t be long before they¡¯re all sold out.¡±


    ¡°Fine then, you take care of it, I go to try and see if I can sell the jam, by the way I¡¯ll buy some medicine for Jinghan and some necessities.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan already stood up. Immersed in the piles of copper coins, the buns were not aware of it at all. The two brothers took a look each other and couldn¡¯t help smiling. Money already stuffed into the purse. Were they worried they would fly away?


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, we are going to sell jam, do you want to come?¡±


    Picking up two jars containing the jam, Ling Jingxuan withdrew his eyes and looked at them, smiling.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m going with daddy.¡±


    Small bun didn¡¯t even think about it and rushed over and hugged his leg, while big bun was embarrassed to look at him and then the money box again. His little face was full of tangles, and after quite a while he looked at his daddy again and said, ¡°How about I stay with my uncle to sell fish?¡±


    Well, he admitted that he couldn¡¯t leave with the money and wanted to stay and make more.


    ¡°Oh? So I can just buy anything I want?¡±


    Picking his eyebrow, Ling Jingxuan teased him.


    ¡°No!¡±


    The next second, the puffy pupils constricted, and big bun looked at his daddy with his hands behind his back like a grown-up, snarling, ¡°Daddy, you¡¯re going to waste money again. I¡¯d better go with you.¡±


    Saying so, big bun squatted down and took out a shabby money bag from his chest, very ¡®heart aching¡¯ counting twenty copper coins to put in, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s mouth witched, he almost fell over directly. They got to buy a lot of things. What can twenty copper coins do?


    ¡°Ahem¡­Ge, just let him.¡±


    Trying to hold back his laugh, Ling Jingpeng patted his shoulder with sympathy. Having such a stingy son, it was really difficult for him.


    Giving his gloating younger brother a stare, Ling Jingxuan originally wanted to let the big bun simply not take money. Now hearing his younger brother say that, he also didn¡¯t want say more, picked up the jars and walked away.


    ¡°Daddy, wait for us.¡±


    Seeing this, the two buns hurriedly followed up, hand in hand, the father and two sons soon immersed in the crowd. Holding it for a long time, Ling Jingpeng suddenly burst out a terrible laughter. Since his elder brother became sober, their home seemed to be more and more lively, more and more interesting.

 Chapter 39

    As the red sun rose higher and higher, the market had reached its climax period of time. The vendors¡¯ hawking could be heard everywhere in the street. Ling Jingxuan was carrying pots in one hand, while holding the two buns in the other, the father and two sons were going through the crowd. When they saw peculiar items, they would elbow over to take a look, but didn¡¯t buy any. Compared with the ancient town street he had seen in the television in previous life, the streets here were less luxuriant, but more of a primitive and unsophisticated feeling, but there was not much difference in its construction.


    ¡°Daddy, where are we going?¡±


    They walked for quite a while, sweat had already soaked their shabby clothes. Big bun who was all the way excited suddenly raised his head, swept a glance at a jar in one of Ling Jingxuan hand meaningfully, apparently he was worried that no one would buy it.


    ¡°Haha¡­ Take it easy. We are just arrived, OK?¡±


    Noticing big bun¡¯s doubt, Ling Jingxuan smiled, pouted his lips at the magnificent building not far away. Ling Wen looked over following the direction he was looking at, more confused, ¡°Is that a restaurant?¡±


    Many well-dressed men and women went in and out of the three-story building, through the crowd one could vaguely see the people inside were eating food. He had ever heard from his grandpa that the kind of place to provide others food to eat was called restaurant.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Having no intention to explain things, Ling Jingxuan directly dragged them into the fancy restaurant. A blade of grass on the ground was trash, but if bound together with cabbage, it could be sold at the price of cabbage, and if bound on hairy crab, it could be sold at the price of hairy crabs. The key was to see how you marketed it. He made the jam and if it was sold in the street, at best, just make dozens of copper coins. It wouldn¡¯t sell much more in grocery stores. Without his money-making plan, maybe he would just sell it in the street, but now¡­


    Xinyuan Restaurant, Datong town¡¯s biggest restaurant, no one of! The magnificent three-storey architecture was located in the town¡¯s most prominent location. Those who entered here were either local tyrants or passing merchants. It was said that the magistrate would dine here every time he came to Datong town. Among all restaurants, Xinyuan came out top without any doubt.


    Standing right in front of the restaurant, Ling Jingxuan looked up at the plaque hanging in the doorway, lips slightly curved, with his long and narrow phoenix eyes written with naked calculation. Xinyuan it is!


    ¡°Daddy, are we really going in?¡±


    Dragging Ling Jingxuan who was going in, Ling Wen and Ling Wu¡¯s thin face showed timidness, because of their shabby clothes, even the passers-by already pointed at them. Two children were still small, smart and precocious, their small face was already turning black red due to the embarrassment.


    Lowering his head to take a look at them, then sweeping around those gossiping passers-by with an cold eye, Ling Jingxuan squatted down and touched their faces dotingly, ¡°We are all humans. We are just a little poor, but we did not do anything guilty. What is there to be afraid of?¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Ling Wen looked around, but wanted to say something but stopped, while Ling Wu directly hid behind him shyly. Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, ¡°How about you wait for me outside while I go in to sell the jam?¡±


    He knew they were sensitive and proud, so he didn¡¯t want to force them. It was natural for them to recoil and cringe when they were standing in a place like this for the first time. After all, they had never seen the outside world.


    ¡°No, no, we¡¯ll go where daddy goes.¡±


    Deeply looking at him after quite a while, Ling Wen summoned some courage and stammered. Ling Wu also silently walked out from behind him. Ling Jingxuan threw a look of encouragement to them, again rubbing their heads before entering the restaurant.


    Now was not the peak time, so it was not so crowded, but still most of the tables sat well-dressed childes or charming young ladies from those rich families, so the father and two sons who were wearing coarse linen undoubtedly became rare species here. The moment they entered the restaurant, they instantly attracted all the attention. If it had been some common people, they would have already slumped onto the ground. But Ling Jingxuan seemed to not feel the hot gaze at all, who pulled the two buns directly to the counter.


    The small bun, who had been a little shy before, now held out his chest. Since daddy was not afraid, what were they afraid of?


    ¡°Sir¡­¡±


    The waiter who came to his sense quickly ran over to stop them, while Ling Jingxuan directly pushed him aside, ¡°Don¡¯t serve me. I¡¯m looking for your boss to talk about some business.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Who¡¯s going to serve him?


    ¡°What do you want from me, sir?¡±


    The shopkeeper looked in his 30s or 40s. He raised his hand and waved away the waiter, looking at them strangely, with naked doubts and curiosity under his eyes, but without any contempt.


    ¡°This is Ling Jingxuan, a scholar. May I know your surname please?¡±


    Throwing the jars to Ling Wen, Ling Jingxuan cupped his hands to the shopkeeper, thin and beautiful face hanging with a light smile, not deliberately insinuating, also not looking rude. The shopkeeper smiled and greeted back, ¡°My surname is Zhang. I wonder what I can do for you.¡±


    As the shopkeeper of Xinyuan Restaurant, Shopkeeper Zhang had read countless people, although the man in front wore coarse linen, looked very young, but the feeling was not like a general poor scholar. Only his calmness right now was enough to let him treat him with courtesy.

 Chapter 40

    ¡°Hehe¡­ Shopkeeper Zhang must also be a busy person, so I will not beat around the bush with you. I have a novel and rare but very suitable food prescription for the current weather. I wonder if you are interested.¡±


    Whichever times, those young generations of the rich families had all kinds of illness of affluence and Ling Jingxuan was gonna sell him the jam using that.


    ¡°Oh? I guess you should know that every dish we serve should be top quality. Ordinary food could never fall into my eyes.¡±


    The shopkeeper raised eyebrows, and did not mean to insult him or what. Xinyuan restaurant not only was the number one in Datong town, but also the biggest through whole Qing kingdom. They had branches almost in every town, county, and prefecture. Every one of their dishes was special, be it the color, flavor and taste. Of course the price was very high.


    ¡°I know that, of course. I wonder if you can lend me the kitchen.¡±


    ¡°Sir, please!¡±


    Seeing that he looked really confident, Shopkeeper Zhang thought for a moment and then agreed. Under the eyes of the public, Ling Jingxuan and his two sons followed the shopkeeper into the restaurant behind.


    Soon, it was the peak time. The cooks in the kitchen were all busy, sweating. As the shopkeeper went in, everyone stopped their job at hands and bent over at him, but as they saw Ling Jingxuan and two kids behind, they were totally confused. But Xinyuan isn¡¯t like those ordinary restaurants. Even in the kitchen, from up to chefs, down to the dish washers, they were all selected. So as the shopkeeper didn¡¯t take the initiative to speak, they wouldn¡¯t ask.


    ¡°Is here OK, sir?¡±


    After stopping at an idle cooking bench, the shopkeeper turned around and asked. Frankly speaking, he was really wondering what kind of food this man would serve him.


    ¡°Yeah, quite good. Please help me get some delicate plates or glasses, a few silver spoons, a bowl of fresh milk, a pinch of jasmine tea, a piece of clean cloth, and¡­ well, a small hammer, and a piece of edible ice.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan did not even look at the cooking bench, but directly burst out a series of strange things, making Shopkeeper Zhang all question marks in his head, but also did not forget to order people to prepare those things.


    ¡°Just stand by and wait. Daddy will finish soon.¡±


    It was Xinyuan Restaurant. Things he wanted soon were all prepared. After taking the jam jar from big bun, Ling Jingxuan turned back and became busy, while Ling Wen holding his younger brother¡¯s hand, quietly standing beside. No one knew their hands holding together were already soaked with sweat.


    He first poured some milk into the pot to boil, then put in the jasmine tea. When the milk was boiled to pale brown, he drained out the tea leaves, put it in a small bowl filled with ice, and then used the clean sheet to wrap the ice, with a small hammer to break it, until all the ice was crushed into pieces, they were put in white porcelain dishes piled into the shape of a little hill, and at this time, the milk also became iced. Ling Jingxuan respectively poured some in each plate, finally uncovered the jam jar, scooped a big spoon and respectively splattered from top and bottom on the ¡®iceberg¡¯. Till now, a few plates of cool and refreshing jam milkshake were completed.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Zhang, please have a taste.¡±


    Withdrawing his body, Ling Jingxuan handed a small silver spoon to him, while the calm and confident smile didn¡¯t diminish a bit.


    Light brown milk dyed the ¡®iceberg¡¯ light brown. The red jam flowing down from the top undoubtedly had the effect that made the finishing point. Only looking at it could let you drool. One could say the shopkeeper was pressing a bit spoon of it into his mouth, and the sourish cold instantly exploded in the mouth, it felt like the hot old kitchen instantly cooled down, the whole people felt so comfortable. This dish undoubtedly was worthy to appear in Xinyuan Restaurant!


    ¡°Come and try it, guys.¡±


    He put down the spoon after a long aftertaste. The shopkeeper turned to those chefs who had already gathered around him.


    ¡®Ok, the color matching and the cool and slightly sour taste is great and can be sold as a pre-meal drink, which will definitely be a great temptation for those who suffer in summer.¡±


    ¡°Chef Lin said right. I couldn¡¯t believe the ordinary ice cubes could be made into such delicious food.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good to cool your thirst in summer and invigorate your appetite¡­Really not bad¡­¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    After tasking it, all the chefs expressed their admiration. The radian of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s couldn¡¯t help deepening. It seemed that this business should be done.


    ¡°I wonder if Childe Ling is going to sell this recipe or not?¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang turned to look at Ling Jingxuan, with his attitude becoming a little warmer. His intuition told him that the young man should not be here to sell the recipe, after all, when he made it, everyone was looking at it, and the process was simple, and a lot of people could learn it. He could add this dish without paying him.


    ¡°The recipe is for free. This is what I¡¯m going to sell.¡±


    As if having already anticipated he would ask it, Ling Jingxuan picked up the jar of jam he had opened earlier, ¡°This is my own jam made from fruit and some herbs good for invigorating the appetite. The food must be served with this jam to be 100 percent delicious. Besides, jam can also be mixed with water, make cakes, cook dishes and so on.¡±


    After so much foreshadowing, he finally got to the point. Shopkeeper Zhang and a group of chefs turned their eyes to the jam jar, and one of them scooped a spoon of the jam and stuffed it into his mouth. The slightly sour and sweet taste instantly took his heart, which could be seen from the contented smile on his face.


    ¡°Childe Ling, let¡¯s talk about it outside.¡±


    A glance at several chefs, Shopkeeper Zhang make a ¡®please¡¯ gesture, Ling Jingxuan did not stand on ceremony, picked up the jam, carried the two kids and walked out.

 Chapter 41

    ¡°I would like to know at what price Childe Ling would like to sell the recipe?¡±


    A moment later, four people gathered in the box, the shopkeeper went straight to the point. Ling Jingxuan smiled and shook his head, ¡°I only sell jam, not the recipe.¡±


    Does he think he is a fool? How would he ever kill the goose that lays golden eggs?


    ¡°I can offer you a high price, Childe Ling, maybe you should consider about it.¡±


    Frowning without a trace, Shopkeeper Zhang still wouldn¡¯t give up.


    ¡°Haha, I know you are worried that I may sell it to others in the future, and the storage life of the jam. You can rest assured. I sell it right after it¡¯s made. All fresh! As long as you put in an icehouse, I can ensure that it won¡¯t go bad in three to five months, and I can sign a contract with you, stating the jam I make only sells to you, if sold to others, you can take the contract to the yamen to accuse me. What do you say?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was a wise man. How would he not know his worries? In fact, he had his own idea. Things would be expensive when it is rare, and if it is widespread, the price would also go down, so even if he did not say so, the other side would sign an exclusive agreement to sell it.


    ¡°All right, how are you going to sell it?¡±


    After a little reflection, the shopkeeper agreed, but that food was so attractive, though it could only be sold in the summer, it was good enough for them to make a fortune.


    ¡°One tael of silver each jar.¡±


    Bang~


    Right after he said that, before the one who was gonna buy it had any reaction, two buns slid off the chair one after another, big eyes filled with great shock, especially big bun, whose little face flushed with shock, was looking at his daddy like looking at a monster. Clearly that jam was made of some wild fruit, which cost not even a copper coin, only the jar cost some money at most, now his father would sell one jar at the price of one tael of silver? Is he mad or what?


    ¡°Haha¡­ Sorry, the first time my sons come to the market, always been nervous.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan gave an embarrassing smile, pulled up the two buns, in the place where the shopkeeper couldn¡¯t see he quietly gave them a wink. Come on! Don¡¯t pull the rag from under his feet! He still expected to make a small fortune!


    ¡°Haha¡­ Never mind. Kids¡­ So you should still have more at home, right?¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang gave a forthright smile, to avoid the embarrassment of the father and two sons, he tried to switch the conversation back to the main topic. A long-run business is the best. If only two jars of jam, even if the recipe was attractive to him, he was not interested in buying it..


    ¡°If you can accept my offer, there will be more of course.¡±


    In other words, if you can¡¯t accept it, there is no need to talk about the business. Shopkeeper Zhang, who was also a smart man, hurriedly said, ¡°A jar for one tael of silver is indeed a little expensive, but it is still within the range I can accept. But the supply would be huge. I wonder if you can make enough for me.¡±


    Each dish of Xinyuan restaurant was at least several taels or even dozens of taels of silver? A tael of silver for a jar wasn¡¯t really expensive to him.


    ¡°How much can you possibly ask for?¡±


    Now he got the capital for his money-making plan! Xinyuan restaurant was really awesome! However, Yuhua Mountain had plenty of wild fruit, and the jam was not necessarily made of wild grapes, but in the mountain was dangerous, so for now he did not plan to go too deep.


    ¡°To be honest, I can say our Xinyuan Restaurant is the biggest restaurant through whole Qing kingdom and we have branches through the whole country. And this dish is undoubtedly the Gospel to those who suffer in summer, now it is a big hot June day, I bet it will be popular once it¡¯s launched, at least the near two or three months it will definitely sell well. So only this branch in Datong would at least need dozens of jars these few months. After I report it to other counties and prefectures, the amount would be much bigger, so you¡¯d better give me an exact number.¡±


    Zhang shopkeeper looked at him and cautiously said, he had a hunch, this dish may be more popular than he expected


    ¡°Um, well, how about this? Shopkeeper Zhang, today I only took two jars of jam. You can try to sell it, if the effect is good, you can send someone to Ling Village tomorrow to pick up more from my place. I still have one hundred jars of it. And if you need more, as long as you sent a notice in advance, I can make it for you. But you know, the mature season of the fruit is limited, and that frozen desert can only be sold in summer, so I only sell for three months, until September. What do you say?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan pretended to be rigorous, in the heart he had already laughed out loud wildly. What could be more popular than ice desert in summer? Even if he couldn¡¯t make a lot of money this time, it¡¯s not a problem to make a small fortune.


    ¡°All right, let¡¯s sign the contract now.¡±


    The shopkeeper was also straightforward, picked up the brush and paper to write up. Ling Jingxuan read it and found it OK, then he signed his name, also leaving his fingerprint.


    ¡°Okay, here¡¯s the money for two jars of jam. Does Childe Ling need me to pay a deposit in advance?¡±


    ¡°No, I prefer you give me money while I give the goods on spot.¡±


    Taking the two taels of silver, Ling Jingxuan threw them to the big bun who had been acting silly there, jaws dropped.


    ¡°Daddy?¡±


    Silly holding the silver, Ling Wen looked up at his daddy with complex eyes, voice shaking. The silver is really theirs? Is he not dreaming?


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Dubbing his head dotingly, of course Ling Jingxuan knew his son¡¯s shock, but did not say anything. This is nothing at all. In the future they would earn a gold mountain.


    ¡°I guess you must be very busy. I won¡¯t disturb you then.¡±


    Business finished, there was no need to continue to stay, so Ling Jingxuan took the buns to leave, Shopkeeper Zhang also took advantage of the opportunity to stand up, ¡°Childe Ling, please watch your steps.¡±


    ¡°Please stay.¡±


    Turning back and smiling at Shopkeeper Zhang, Ling Jingxuan held the hands of the two buns and went out of the restaurant. Shopkeeper Zhang did not go back into the kitchen again before their shadows disappeared in the distance. Now he got a new dish! Of course he would launch it as soon as possible!

 Chapter 42

    ¡°Wow¡­finally.¡±


    Out of the restaurant, Ling Jingxuan exaggeratedly exhaled a big breath, moved his stiff neck. It was true that comfortable days would foster one¡¯s laziness. Having transmigrated here only over a few days, within an hour of camouflage almost exhausted him. In previous life for the sake of mission success, he often needed makeup penetration, lurking for several days, but he had never felt tired. But today, though poor, his heart was calm at ease, he almost forgot that licking-blood-on-blade life.


    ¡°Daddy, daddy, does the silver really belong to us now?¡±


    The big bun behind him can¡¯t believe it till now. His daddy just made food that looked delicious. How did he make two whole taels of silver? How many fish would they have to sell to save so much money?


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Hearing his words, Ling Jingxuan lowered his head to look at him and then crooked his lips and said, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s all ours. Daddy earned it very hard.¡±


    It¡¯s hard, hard pretending to act well-mannered.


    ¡°Really? Really?¡±


    Even if had been confirmed by him, Ling Wen still tightly clenched the silver and kept asking. The usually shrewd and precocious Lin Wen finally showed what a five years old child should be like. Ling Jingxuan squatted down to his level, and said word by word, ¡°Really, it is ours.¡±


    ¡°Wow. Daddy! Daddy¡­¡±


    However, the next second, Ling Wen holding money jumped into his arms. Ling Wu who was next to him couldn¡¯t help reddening his eyes. Those passers-by stopped and watched them strangely. Ling Jingxuan already got dumbfounded when Ling Wen started crying. After quite a while, he patted on his back, whispering, ¡°It¡¯s all right, it¡¯s all right, say something if you want to. You are a man. How can you cry like that? Be good. Stop crying.¡±


    He could say that he had seen countless different people, with an eye, he could tell who was good and who was bad, but at this moment, he was a little bit confused about his little bun. Making money is a good thing, for someone who is money-loving like him, shouldn¡¯t he be happy? Why is he crying so hard?


    ¡°Ge, don¡¯t cry, I want to cry when I see you cry¡­¡±


    Ling Wu choked while stretching out the thin small arms holding them, tears spinning in the eyes, which might burst out at any second.


    ¡°Boohoo¡­Hmm, I don¡¯t cry. Xiao Wu doesn¡¯t cry either.¡±


    Ling Wen who was choking hard listened to his little brother¡¯s words miraculously. He who had claimed as his eldest brother had to set a good example, so he rushed out of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s arms, raised a hand to wipe off the tears on the face hurriedly, also, did not forget to take a corner of his clothes to wipe the face for Ling Wu. Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan again could not help but feel sour in the heart. Sometimes it wasn¡¯t a good thing that the children were too sensible. He had to think of a way to resume his innocence and liveliness a five years old child should have.


    ¡°Ge, you don¡¯t cry, either.¡±


    Ling Wu sensibly nodded, and held back the tears that were popping out.


    Ling Wen carefully put the two taels of silver into the old money bag, took Ling Wu¡¯s hand and looked up at Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Daddy, I am happy, we finally have money.¡±


    His big round eyes went wet again as he spoke. He had never seen so much money in his life. On thinking that a few days ago they still had no food to stuff their belly, he couldn¡¯t help crying again.


    Just two taels of silver and they call it rich?


    Ling Jingxuan wanted to complain, but he just couldn¡¯t, because, he also remembered the unbearable past, although it all had been caused by the original owner, and he basically had nothing to do with it, he cared about the two children.


    ¡°You fool, didn¡¯t you hear what daddy said to Shopkeeper Zhang? Tomorrow they¡¯ll want more jam, and a hundred jars! From now on we¡¯ll only be richer. When this deal is done, I¡¯ll send you to a private school. I still expect you two to pass the imperial exam and got a title of xiucai or what.¡±


    Taking their hand respectively, Ling Jingxuan walked while saying so. He also did not have big ambition, just wanted to try to make money and let the two buns live a better life, no longer getting starved, or getting bullied by others. As for the future¡­ thinking of the one at home, his beautiful eyebrow wrinkled. Forget it! Take it one step at a time. Who can tell what the future is like? As long as the others do not take the initiative to provoke him, he is too lazy to expend idea to unrelated people.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll have a hundred tales of silver! Wow¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Wen could not help crying out, but immediately remembered that they were in the street, so he hurriedly covered his mouth, with those big eyes filled with surprise. A hundred taels of silver! In the past, he even dared not to think of it!


    ¡°Daddy, are we really going to be rich?¡±


    Ling Wu looked up, long and dense eyelashes blinking. One could imagine how cute he was at the moment. Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, ¡°Hmm. But later we have to buy a hundred jars, and go to the mountain to pick wild fruit. We have to make them tonight.¡±


    Hadn¡¯t they been present when he was talking business with the shopkeeper? How do they both look so ignorant?


    Ling Jingxuan did not know that, as early as he said a jar of jam for one tael of silver, the two buns already became stoned there, so they did not pay attention to what they said after that. In addition, even if they heard what they talked about, they might not be able to fully understand, anyhow, they were only five years old.


    ¡°Daddy, let¡¯s go to the pharmacy and get some medicine for Uncle Jinghan.¡±


    Ling Wen paced up on hearing that, Ling Wu also happily kept up with him. Two buns, one on the left, one on the right, holding Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand, almost dragging him to run, ¡°Can¡¯t you slow down? No hurry.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was feeling both helpless and funny. On hearing money, the kids immediately became alive.


    ¡°How can you be in no hurry to make money? Daddy, hurry up!¡±


    ¡°Daddy, come after us, come on¡­¡±


    ¡°Ok, ok¡­Here I come¡­¡±


    Totally ignoring the crowd, the father and sons began to laugh and chase each other on the bluestone road, shedding countless laughter along the way.

 Chapter 43

    Today they got a lot of things to buy. Except those medicine for Ling Jinghan, they also had to go to the a smithy to buy a hoe, a shovel, a kitchen knife and other kitchen utensils and farm tools. And vinegar, soy sauce, salt and food, there wasn¡¯t much at home, so they also had to go to the grocery store, and other daily necessities, like clothes, shoes for Ling Jingxuan himself and his two children. They had come to an agreement on those things and big bun also agreed. But when it came to things like clothes and shoes, that bun performed differently.


    ¡°What? 30 copper coins? So expensive! Are you a robber?¡±


    Three standing in the clothing shop, as big bun a listen heard that a suit of clothes for summer cost thirty copper coins, his little face instantly went red and his little hand tightly grasped the old purse, which made the waiter serving them, the shopkeeper and the guests all cast their eyes at them and Ling Jingxuan suddenly wanted to cry. My son! Are you trying to keep those copper coins to give birth to little copper coins?


    ¡°Ahem¡­ Xiaowen, 30 copper coins is not expensive. Look! You wear those as long as we pay¡±


    While speaking, Ling Jingxuan meaningfully swept those people around who came to their sense, gossiping at them. Ling Wen¡¯s little face turned ever redder this time, but¡­ Glancing at that suit of thin and small clothes which would cost thirty copper coins, he still wouldn¡¯t let go of his hand.


    ¡°Well, if the young guest thinks the ready-made clothes are too expensive, he might as well look at the cloth here. This kind of cotton cloth costs only ten copper coins a foot. According to your figures, a food and half would be enough for a suit.¡±


    As sophisticated as the shopkeeper was, he quickly picked up a bolt of green cotton cloth. Ling Wen¡¯s eyes lit up immediately. As he was about to open his mouth, Ling Jingxuan hurriedly cut in, ¡°Xiaowen, no. Daddy can¡¯t make clothe. We better buy ready-made clothes.¡±


    Let him use a needle? Oh come on! In his previous life and this life, he had only used suture needles for surgery and silver needles for acupuncture.


    ¡°But the cloth is cheap. A foot and a half can make a suit.¡±


    Ling Wen was still not willing to give up, staring at the fabric, unwilling to look away. Those ready-made would cost so much! They could make two suits of clothes with that money!


    ¡°Xiaowen, listen to me. I know that is much cheaper. But it¡¯s not clothes after all. Daddy doesn¡¯t know how to make clothes, so we have to ask grandma to do it for us. It¡¯s busy farming season now. Can you bear to let her do the farm work the whole day while making clothes at night for us? Besides, I¡¯m going to send you to a private school in a few days. You must have some better clothes then.¡±


    Anyway, he is not going to let him buy a bunch of cloth home.


    ¡°Well¡­ ok.¡±


    After having a staring contest with his daddy for a while, Ling Wen looked around at the people who had been watching them. Big bun finally nodded his head, teeth grinding. It was true he was stingy, but he cared about his grandparents more. Of course he wouldn¡¯t increase their burden.


    Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help but exaggeratedly heave a sigh of relief, he stood up and said to the shopkeeper, ¡°According to our figures, two suits for me, four for the children, and the shoes, and a bolt of white cotton cloth.¡±


    The only advantage of buying ancient clothes is they don¡¯t have to try them on. All a bit bigger than normal size, this went with Ling Jingxuan¡¯s preference.


    ¡°Sure, please wait a moment.¡±


    The shopkeeper was delighted to hear this. He turned around and ordered the waiter to prepare. The big bun pulled Ling Jingxuan¡¯s lower hem of his clothes, looking sullen, ¡°You said one suit each! Why buy so many? And that white cotton cloth. What is that used for?¡±


    Big bun also had his pride. Ling Jingxuan bent over and whispered by his ear, his small and red mouth pouted high. One could imagine how dissatisfied he is at the time.


    ¡°We have to change and wash, right? We¡¯re going to have to buy them sooner or later. Why don¡¯t we buy altogether? That white cotton cloth is used to seal those jam jars. Xiaowen, we can¡¯t save this kind of money.¡±


    No matter how picky his big son is, Ling Jingxuan always has a hundred countermeasures to convince him. If he couldn¡¯t even deal with a five years old kid, he had really lived all those years in vain.


    Hearing his daddy, even if Ling Wen still held the complaints, he still agreed, little mouth pouted, trying to command himself not to think about the money they would spend next as far as possible. But as he turned around, it seemed that something hit his mind. He carefully took a glance at Ling Jingxuan, and tentatively said, ¡°That man also has no clothes to wear. Should we buy him a suit?¡±


    Then he instantly regretted it and wished he had bitten off his tongue. Why should he be so stupid? What if daddy¡­


    His words caught Ling Jingxuan in a daze, then as he saw his son¡¯s regretful look, he couldn¡¯t help laughing while rubbing his head. That was the nature of blood. Even though he hates that man, he still cares about him, right?


    ¡°Sir, sorry to keep you waiting. The clothes for adults are fifty copper coins each suit, so two hundred copper coins for four suits, the clothes for kids are thirty copper coins each, so it¡¯s one hundred and twenty copper coins for four suits, and the white cotton cloth is three hundred copper coins for a bolt. Those shoes are complimentary. It¡¯s six hundred and twenty copper coins in total.¡±


    The last of the last, Ling Jingxuan still bought two suits of clothes for that man. When paying, one could imagine the painful expression on Big Bun¡¯s face. By contrast, small bun performed much more naive, only looking forward to wear new clothes. Ling Jingxuan asked the shopkeeper to send the large package to the fish market, while he grabbed the two buns and left the clothes shop.


    ¡°Stop counting. We earn money, we spend it. There¡¯s some money you can¡¯t save, you know.¡±


    Seeing big bun kept counting the left one tael of silver and four hundred copper coins in the purse, Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head. He already picked the cheapest things. By the way, the ancients are really interesting, pure cotton clothes are the cheapest, while the silk brocade is expensive which would be easily laddering. By contrast, he would rather wear cotton clothes, which could absorb sweat and breathable, much more comfortable.


    ¡°I know, I just care about money saving.¡±


    After putting the money back, Ling Wen clutched the money bag while stuffily. Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan shouldn¡¯t say more. There are some things that need time, so he shouldn¡¯t be too demanding, or his bun would become dried bun.


    Then the father and two sons wandered around the smithy, the grocery store. Apparently they got enough money on them, no matter what Ling JingXuan said, big bun no longer wouldn¡¯t listen to him anymore. They all picked the cheapest ones when buying things. On the way to the drug store, looking at the satisfying smile on big bun¡¯s face, Ling JingXuan clenched his fists secretly and swore in the heart that one day he would raise them into super meat stuffed buns, then dandy rich second generation!

 Chapter 44

    ¡°My son was all well when sent to you, but became more and more serious. You bunch of quacks! If you don¡¯t cure my son today, we will kill ourselves in front of your shop.¡±


    ¡°Everybody, come and look! My son caught cold a few days ago and was sent here for treatment. Who knows my son¡¯s illness becomes more serious! Boohoo¡­my son¡­¡±


    ¡°Sir, ma¡¯am, shall we go in and talk? Your son indeed caught a cold, and our doctor also prescribed him a potion for it¡­¡±


    ¡°You bunch of silly quacks, now you are still defending yourselves? I¡¯m gonna smash your shop¡­¡±


    Datong town had two medicine shops. Ling Jingxuan chose the one not far from the fish market Ping¡¯an Hall. As the father and sons approached it, they saw people it was already crowded with people, occasionally hearing the voice of crying and cursing, Ling Jingxuan knitted his knife-shaped eyebrow, he bowed their head and looked at the little red face with sweat, wondering if he should take them to the other medicine shop, but it was on the other side of the town, plus they had already wandered in the market for long, already tired and hungry, let alone two buns.


    ¡°Daddy, what are they doing?¡±


    Small bun pulled his hand and asked curiously, blinking his eyes.


    ¡°Why care so much?¡±


    Thinking with the bottom, one would know it should be a medical accident. Ling Jingxuan was not interested, so he also wouldn¡¯t let the buns meddling, just wanted to quickly buy the medicine and go to join Ling Jingpeng.


    The small bun pouted and lowered his head unhappily. Why lessoning him?


    ¡°Daddy, I am small. How about you tell me what medicine to buy and I go to buy it?¡±


    Seeing that his younger brother unhappy, Ling Wen held his hand tightly and looked up at his daddy.


    ¡°No, give me the moneybag. You two wait here for me. I will come out soon.¡±


    Looking at his sweaty little face, Ling Jingxuan refused his proposal without hesitation. He¡¯d rather squeeze in through the crowd than letting his little bun to suffer.


    ¡°Hmm, all right.¡±


    Considering that his daddy wouldn¡¯t spend money randomly in the medicine shop, Ling Wen hesitated for a moment and handed him the money bag, and silently took the small bun to the side of the shady eaves to sit down. After making sure that they were safe, Ling Jingxuan turned around and squeezed into the crowd.


    ¡°Bullshit quacks, I¡¯ll break your sign¡­¡±


    ¡°Dude, calm down¡­¡±


    ¡°Boss¡­¡±


    At the gate of Ping¡¯an Hall, a stout man wearing shorts carrying a hoe scold ran into the shop while swearing. Seeing this, a few guys, including the shopkeeper from the medicine shop rushed up to stop him, and the woman behind him was weeping with swollen eyes, with her hair disheveled like a ghost, and not far on the ground was lying a boy that looked like about seven or eight years old on a board. No one could tell how he originally looked like, because his head was swollen like a cow, and would breathe his last at any second.


    Swollen Head Fever?


    Ling Jingxuan who had elbowed into the crowd wrinkled his brow. At the first sight of the boy¡¯s symptoms, he could tell it was Swollen Head Fever, commonly known as big head plague, often seen in winter and spring, which is caused by a lack of qi of the body while wind-heat pathogenic toxin took the advantage to invade into one¡¯s body. At first, it had no difference from common cold judging from its symptoms, if treated with common qi nurturing soup, it would make it more serious. It has stronger infectivity, belonging to the scope of the plague. The problem is, how could someone infected with it in this world?


    Thinking that the two buns were still waiting out there, Ling Jingxuan decisively dropped those irrelevant thoughts in his heart, lifted his foot and walked around those people, and went straight into the medicine store, however, on one was in. He couldn¡¯t buy a thing even if he had money now. Helplessly heaving a sigh, Ling Jingxuan headed out again. With a sweep of his eyes, he saw a man about forty or fifty years old wearing fancy robes, who should be the shopkeeper, Ling Jingxuan walked over at him without thinking.


    ¡°Boss, I want to buy some medicine.¡±


    Pulling him, Ling Jingxuan got straight to the point, but under such circumstances, who still has the mood to do business? The shopkeeper looked back and said irritably, ¡°Go away. There is no medicine for the time being.¡±


    ¡°I want some medicine!¡±


    The hand holding him grabbed tighter, Ling Jingxuan repeated his words.


    ¡°What is wrong with you, man? Don¡¯t you see I¡¯m busy? how can I be in the mood to do your business?¡±


    Fiercely shaking off his hand, the shopkeeper yelled at him, with high voice piercing through the crowd, and those people temporarily quieted down. Now all the eyes couldn¡¯t help nailing on Ling Jingxuan, some filled with anger, some filled with doubt, but more filled with ridicule. From the beginning to the end, no one had really cared about the boy lying on the ground.


    ¡°Get out of here! I¡¯m going to smash the sign of this bullshit quack¡­¡±


    The stout man who came to himself first swayed his hoe. A ferocious fight was being on again, and the quietness caused by Ling Jingxuan was like a flash in the pan. A lot of people were waiting to see the drama, but at this time, Ling Jingxuan who got his hand shaken off ignored the incoming fight, and slowly walked beside the boy to feel his pulse, and checked his pupils and the coating on the tongue, ¡°Cold intolerance, having a fever, red and swollen face, sour and swollen throat, including the former part of the ears and under the chine till the neck, for tongue red with yellow coating, his pulse a bit slippery, too weak, which are the typical symptoms of Big Head Plague. Keep your mouth shut if you don¡¯t want him to die.¡±


    The cold voice seemed to carry the power of calming the heart, gentle but clear to everyone¡¯s ears.


    ¡°What¡­ a plague?!¡±


    ¡°Oh my God, it¡¯s plague¡­¡±


    ¡°Plague¡­¡±

 Chapter 45

    On hearing it was plague, those onlookers all bounced three feet away, with their faces written with fear and disgust. Ancient medical technology lagged behind, a plague was often accompanied by deaths, up to the emperor, down to ordinary people, no one wasn¡¯t looking scared when hearing the word plague. The weeping woman and that stout man slumped onto the ground with a loud banging sound, even the shopkeeper and his people¡¯s faces turned pale, as if all people¡¯s head was shrouded by a layer of clouds.


    ¡°Oh no¡­ my son.¡±


    A moment later, the woman sitting on the ground suddenly became wailing, and the stout man looked very sad. The crowd already lost the mood to watch the drama, and their faces were as pale as paper, for fear that they would be infected.


    The shopkeeper was knowledgeable, he immediately asked Ling Jingxuan as he came to himself. Whether it was cold or plague, since the boy was sent to his place, if he really died, he also couldn¡¯t stay out of it. The fate of Ping¡¯an Hall was tied to the boy. Although wearing coarse linen with patches over patches, the young man seemed to be not so reliable.


    ¡°Young man, magic doctor, please save my son, please¡­I¡¯m begging you¡­¡±


    Seeing this, the crying woman even rolled and crawled to his feet, grabbed his legs and begged him. At this time, the doctrine like strange men and women shouldn¡¯t have intimate physical contact was already cast behind. The only thing in the woman¡¯s heart was saving her son.


    ¡°Magic doctor, please save my son, he¡¯s only seven years old, he¡¯s not grown up yet. Please! I¡¯m begging you! I¡¯m begging you!¡±


    That man also knelt down in front of him, rough and black face was also filled with tears.


    ¡°Saving one life is better than building a pagoda of seven stories. Just do it if you can. Look how poor the child is.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, if you can diagnose the cause, you should be able to save him¡­¡±


    ¡°Dude, please save this child¡­¡±


    ¡°So pathetic, so young¡­¡±


    Standing far away, the crowd started to gossip about the boy¡¯s illness. Some really felt sorry for the boy, while some were only being sarcastic, all kinds of miscellaneous sounds interwoven together, almost all people¡¯s eyes cast on Ling Jingxuan who had always stayed so cold.


    ¡°Daddy? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Because the crowd dispersed, hand in hand, two buns easily squeezed in. After seeing the situation inside, the two buns both were looking at their own daddy with wondering eyes, and then were about to walk over.


    ¡°Don¡¯t come here!¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan hurriedly stopped them. The kids had weak immunity. He did not want them to catch that kind of disease.


    ¡°Daddy?¡±


    The two buns reflexively stopped there, and before they could ask, Ling Jingxuan patiently coaxed them, ¡°Be good, Xiaowen, you take Xiaowu to wait outside. Daddy is ok, I will tell you the details later.¡±


    ¡°OK, then, daddy, hurry up, uncle is still waiting at home.¡±


    Ling Wen obediently nodded, holding the small bun and turned to walk away. The crowd automatically made way for them. Not until they left the dangerous area did Ling Jingxuan exhale a big breath.


    ¡°Childe, please save my son. You are also a father. how can have the heart to see such a small child¡­ Please, childe, I¡¯ll kowtow to you¡­¡±


    ¡°Please save Xiaohu. I can do anything for you, please, magic doctor¡­¡±


    The children¡¯s parents were kowtowing to him while crying hard. Ling Jingxuan powerlessly rolled his eyes, bent down to help them up, ¡°Stop it. If you keep crying, he would be really hopeless.¡±


    In the beginning, since he meddled in, of course he would lend a hand, but¡­did any of them give him a chance to speak?


    ¡°Thank you, thank you¡­magic doctor¡­¡±


    Hearing him, the couple postured to kowtow to him again. Ling Jingxuan was speechless, face sunk, saying coldly, ¡°If you want him to die, keep kowtowing here!¡±


    In the past life, more than a dozen people of his Ling family were murdered overnight. Who ever stood out to speak for them? In this life, the original owner and two buns were so innocent, but who ever spoke a word for them? What does someone else¡¯s life or death to do with him? If it hadn¡¯t been that the boy¡¯s age was similar to his two little buns and he was in a hurry to buy medicine, he wouldn¡¯t have bothered himself.


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes¡­¡±


    The couple hurriedly got up, Ling Jingxuan turned to the shopkeeper and said, ¡°Prepare a clean room. The child will live here temporarily.¡±


    ¡°Yes, please come with me.¡±


    This time, even if he said that the cow was flying in the sky, no one would dare to contradict. The shopkeeper nodded hard in agreement, behind the smart waiters already went to the back of the pharmacy, and the big stout man carrying the child in his arms followed behind them. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t stand on ceremony. He directly went to the desktop where the doctors received patients, picked up the brush on the table, but finally didn¡¯t write a single word. Why? The answer is very simple, because he couldn¡¯t use a brush. Maybe he could write with it, but it was negotiable whether others could recognize those words.

 Chapter 46

    ¡°Help me prepare a piece of charcoal, about this long, as thick as the little finger would be better.¡±


    After thinking for a while, Ling Jingxuan said while gesturing it. At such a time, the gap between the ancient world and modern world got exposed. God knows how much better the ball-point pens and pens than those brushes in ancient world.


    ¡°Sure. Any other things you need?¡±


    Though the Shopkeeper looked warmly, as savvy as Ling Jingxuan was, he still saw a little doubt deep in his eyes. With his mouth twitching mockingly, Ling Jingxuan gave him an eye, walked passed him and said to the strong man holding the kids, ¡°You take the child into the room first. Remember to help him clean his body, and let someone wipe the body with alcohol to help him bring down the fever. After the herbs are decocted well, feed him, and he could go home after three days.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes, thank you very much, magic doctor¡­¡±


    The man hurriedly nodded. Under the leading of the waiter, the couple took the child to the backyard. After they got the charcoal he wanted, Ling Jingxuan sat at the table and started to write like flying. Soon, three forms were done.


    ¡°This is the prescription for treating Swollen Head plague. Three bowls of water should be decocted into one bowl. Take it three times a day. It¡¯ll work after three days. In seven days he would be healed. The other two are the herbs I need. Each needs ten days¡¯ dose.


    Then he handed prescription to the shopkeeper.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this the prescription for qi nurturing soup?¡±


    The shopkeeper took the prescription to have a glance, could not help asking so. The suspicion in his eyes grew denser. Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes helplessly, ¡°keep your eyes wide open to see it clearly. In addition to the prescription of qi nurturing soup, I also added herbs like scutellaria baicalensis, figwort root and liquorice that could help clear away the lung-heat.¡±


    Swollen Head plague is caused by wind evil, in fact, it is very simple to cure¡ªadd two more kinds of herbs in qi nurturing soup, but most people will regard it as common cold, and it would be difficult to cure after the deterioration.


    Seeing that he was a little impatient, the shopkeeper dared not ask more. Holding the attitude of treading a dead horse as it was still alive, he ordered someone to go to the herbal medicine shop and buy those herbs, while he personally helped Ling Jingxuan pick up the herbs he needed.


    ¡°Childe, this is the herbs you need.¡±


    About a quarter hour later, the shopkeeper put a few packets in front of Ling Jingxuan. He did not check them one by one, put down the cup and casually asked, ¡°How much money?¡±


    One of the two prescriptions was actually a precaution for Swollen Head plague, and he decided to make sure everyone in the family would eat some, just in case. So it was beyond his budget. Maybe the taels of silver they earned today would be none left.


    ¡°No, no need for the money. I still should thank you for disembarrassing us today. Whether you can cure the kid or not, I still should thank you. So take these herbs are the repay.¡±


    The shopkeeper hurriedly waved his hand, though even now he still doubted his medical skills.


    ¡°Thank you then. After the kid¡¯s fever subsides, remember to disinfect the yard with lime water and cremate everything he has ever worn or used. If anyone else is infected, you can use that prescription.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan took then herbs and was about to leave, the shopkeeper hurriedly stepped forward to stop him. Facing his doubtful eyes, the shopkeeper rubbed his hands embarrassedly, ¡°Sir, forgive my rudeness. Has the kid really caught a plague?¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, you could throw them out.¡±


    Making a pause there, he no longer disguised the sarcasm in his eyes. Anyway, the shopkeeper was an old doctor in his 40s or 50s. Taught by him like that, the old face more or less couldn¡¯t hang in there, but¡­given the current situation, who else could he believe?


    Thinking of this, the shopkeeper had to press down that little bit embarrassment, forced himself to smile apologetically, with his hands cupped, ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t believe you. Since you can tell the kid¡¯s symptoms, the prescription should be true. But as you can see, they are really too many onlookers outside, it will soon spread to ears of the magistrate, and in case the plague might spread, the yamen would send soldiers to quarantine this place, or even the whole Datong town, so¡­so¡­I wonder if you can give me a precaution for the plague. Hope you can understand.¡±


    Every word the shopkeeper said sounded reasonable, but Ling Jingxuan could tell, he is only afraid that he himself might also catch the plague. Although this is human nature, but he wants him to take responsibility for his life, he really thinks too highly of him. If he is such a kind person, in previous life he wouldn¡¯t have to wander around the world and topped the killer list.


    ¡°I do have the prescription. It depends on your sincerity.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s lip corner curved, then found a place nearby to sit, with his legs crossed, looking at him meaningfully with that pair of thin phoenix eyes.


    The shopkeeper¡¯s eyelids jumped and the corner of his mouth gave a whiff, ¡°Sir, please name a price.¡±


    ¡°You are straightforward! I like this kind of people. Well, for the sake we are folks, ten taels of silver, no bargain!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan snapped his fingers, smiling¡­heehee¡­this is not blackmailing. One should know, in last life, someone stacked piles of money before him, he still didn¡¯t lent a hand to save that person. Besides, life is more important than money. Spending only ten taels of silvers, not only the shopkeeper could keep his own life safe, but also he could sell it to others at a lower price. He wouldn¡¯t lose money, maybe could still earn himself a good name.

 Chapter 47

    ¡°OK, ten taels of silver it is!¡±


    The shopkeeper was also smart enough. Of course he could think of what Ling Jingxuan was thinking. Although it is indeed expensive, it is still acceptable to him, so he still agreed, just kind of uncomfortable in the heart.


    ¡°You give me money, I give you the prescription.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan pulled out the prescription in the middle of those packets in his face. The shopkeeper almost spat out a mouthful of blood as he reacted what was happening. So one of the three prescriptions was for precautions for the plague¡­


    But it was already too late. The shopkeeper had to take out a silver note from his chest in frustration and handed it to him. At the same time, he received the prescription just like receiving a hot potato.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ thanks!¡±


    Casting a glance at the silver ticket with the words circulate or exchange in whole Qing Kingdom, Ling Jingxuan did not forget to show off shaking it before him when passing over. The shopkeeper felt like his heart was bleeding, only wishing to pounce at him and bite his neck. As he remembered to ask Ling Jingxuan¡¯s name, Ling Jingxuan had already gone.


    ¡°Alas¡­¡±


    The shopkeeper looked down at the prescription in his hand and sighed deeply. Having lived for decades, he was unexpectedly cheated by a young man who looked like he was in his mid-20s. What a tragedy!


    But next, there was no time left for him to feel depressed. Not long after LingJingXuan left, a large number of guests swarmed into his shop. Most of them were those onlookers. All of them were here to buy the plague prevention medicine. Within an hour, he had earned all that ten taels of silver he had just spent, but on that very night, as he had expected, people from the yamen really came, and he had to offer that prescription. Though he could no longer earn money with it, at least he earned himself a good name.


    A plague just got stifled in the cradle. Many years later, when thinking of preventing the plague successfully and skipping a grade to get promoted, Magistrate Hu would give his thumbs up at Ling Jingxuan for his superb medical skills. But, at the time, he was already no longer a poor man, but the number one wealthiest businessman of Qing Kingdom, and the number one poisonous terror-stricken concubine of the imperial family.


    Of course, that was part of the story to be recounted later. What happened later was unknown to Ling Jingxuan. Even if he knows, he would probably just laugh it off. What he wanted was never a good name.


    As the father and two sons went back to the fish market, Ling Jingpeng hasd sold out the remaining two barrels of fish. And those things they had purchased before in those shops were all sent here. Now they were all on the carriage of Zhao Dalong and his family who had come back earlier. As they saw Tiewa, the two buns immediately ran over. Three kids were jibber-jabbering, sharing what they had experienced today.


    ¡°Why buy so many medicine? All for my second brother?¡±


    Seeing them from far away, Ling Jingpeng already walked to them, and took the initiative to take over those packets of herbs from Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hands.


    ¡°No, some are for us. I¡¯ll tell you more about it later.¡±


    Throwing him a smile, Ling Jingxuan walked with him to Zhao Dalong and his husband beside the ox cart, ¡°Brother Zhao, brother Han, sorry to trouble you again.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? Have you got everything you want?¡±


    Han Fei was still so straightforward and enthusiastic. As he saw that, he already bent down to carry the kids and put them onto the cart. Ling Jingxuan smiled and nodded. All climbed onto the cart. When they passed by a meat stall, Ling Jingxuan suddenly jumped off, and walked over.


    ¡°Boss, how much is the meat?¡±


    ¡°Lean meat, ten copper coins 1 jin, fat meat fifteen, you want some?¡±


    The butcher hurriedly welcomed him. But before Ling Jingxuan had time to speak, big bun already came in a hurry, ¡°Daddy, why do you spend money again? We¡¯ve spent almost all the money we earned today. You¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop, Xiaowen, come here.¡±


    If he kept nagging like that, they didn¡¯t have to go home. Ling Jingxuan forcibly interrupted him, waving at him to go to his side. Big bun gave him a suspicious look and after quite a while, walked slowly into his arms. Ling Jingxuan briefed the whole story whispering in his ear. Of course, the key point was he had earned another ten taels of silver. So they could eat something good.


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    After all, big bun didn¡¯t believe what he had just said, little sword-shape eyebrows knitted together. It was not his fault. After all, in his short five years¡¯ life, he had never seen such easy money. The previous two taels of silver already made him cry, let alone ten now. To him, the money was like an astronomical figure.


    ¡°Really, so let¡¯s splurge a little. Don¡¯t you want to taste the meat?¡±


    Rarely having such a chance to taste the meat, how can Ling Jingxuan give up easily?


    Ling Wen followed his sight to see the meat on the chopping board, swallowing a big mouth of saliva, and finally said like he had made a huge decision, ¡°Then we buy some?¡±


    How can a child be not gluttonous? Ling Wen was stingy and precocious, but he was still a little kid.

 Chapter 48

    ¡°Ah, that is my good son, come on. Uncle Zhao and his family have helped us the whole morning. They should be hungry now. Go to the stuffed bun shop next door to buy ten meat stuffed buns.¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan finally made a smile, took out the money and gave him. When he left the medicine shop, because in a hurry, he had kept the money and forgot to give it to big bun.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    This is rare! This time big bun wasn¡¯t being stingy. After taking the money, he immediately ran away, but¡­


    ¡°Daddy, don¡¯t buy too much. Just have a taste and it¡¯s enough.¡±


    ¡°Urgh¡­¡±


    After running out for a few steps, big bun deliberately wore a tiger face to warn his daddy. Ling Jingxuan only felt total black before his eyes and directly announced his ¡®death¡¯. Holy mama! When could he live a life that he could drink wine with a bowl and eat big meat? Seen from now, not having a dog¡¯s chance!


    ¡°Heehee!¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Wen grinned, and turned to run to the stuffed bun shop. In a place where Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t see, his thin face put on a pure and happy smile.


    ¡°Boss, give me two jin of pork belly. How much is the haslet?¡±


    After coming to his sense, Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head. With his split vision, he saw the pig intestines hung there, which reminded him of stewed pig intestines¡­stir-fried pig intestines¡­


    ¡°Eight copper coins a jin. Only these left today. You want some?¡±


    The butcher cut the meat for him while asking. Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrow. Didn¡¯t people all say the ancient people even don¡¯t know how to wash the pig intestines, so few people would buy? Why is it so expensive here? Eight copper coins a jin? Almost as expensive as the lean meat.


    ¡°Forget it. Help me cut another jin of lean meat.¡±


    Reluctant to take a look at the pig intestines, Ling Jingxuan finally gave up. Perhaps influenced by his big bun, he also became concerned about money.


    ¡°OK, 40 copper coins in total. Two pig bones for you, for free.¡±


    The butcher casually used a few straws tying up the two pieces of meat, and picked up two pig bones for him. Just at this time, Ling Wen came back with the meat stuffed buns. As he saw the meat in his daddy¡¯s hand, his lips moved, but finally he said nothing, but obediently counted forty copper coins to the butcher.


    ¡°Daddy, only this once. We¡¯d better save the extra money in case we need it urgently? Right?¡±


    On the way home, big bun still couldn¡¯t help nagging. Ling Jingxuan was in a good mood, with one hand holding the pork, the other rubbing Ling Wen¡¯s head, ¡°OK, you are the boss, after we make a lot of money, we can eat meat as we want, OK?¡±


    ¡°Ah! That¡¯s what I am trying to say.¡±


    Big bun wore a satisfied face, which made Ling Jingxuan could not help laughing. Forget it! It was so rare that his big bun would be so generous. It needs time. How could a dandy second rich generation be cultivated in one day?


    ¡°Wow¡­ is it meat stuffed buns? Ge, give me one. Smells so good!¡±


    Their ox cart hit on the road again As the small bun saw the meat stuffed buns, his eyes were beaming.


    ¡°Easy. It¡¯s hot, come on, guys, eat some. You must be tired today.¡±


    Thought he couldn¡¯t stand his little brother who exposed his foodie nature, big bun still blew the hot meat stuffed bun before handing it to him. Then he gave Ling Jingpeng and others one respectively, finally it was his own turn. And till now, Ling Jingxuan who was holding the meat stuffed bun found that his big was not only annoyingly stingy, but also very considerate.


    ¡°Hm¡­ delicious!¡±


    Only a bite, Ling Wu got oils all over his mouth, with a hearty smile on his face. Others also started to eat. They were truly starving. While Ling Jingxuan, after a bit, stopped. It was not that he was not hungry, it was too much oil. He wondered if the ancient people needed it. It was all fat meat inside. Too greasy! He who was from the 21th century really had difficulty eating it.


    ¡°Daddy, why don¡¯t you eat?¡±


    Three buns chewed two meat stuffed buns each, all feeling their bulging belly, looking pretty satisfied. Ling Wu was eagle-eyed and noticed Ling Jingxuan only had a bite of his meat stuffed bun, little face filled with curiosity, but his eyes already locking the meat stuffed bun in his hand. Ling Jingxuan can¡¯t help smiling, saying ¡°such a foodie¡¯ in his heart, and directly passed the meat bun to him, ¡°It¡¯s too hot today. I got no appetite. You eat it.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ No, no, no, daddy, I¡¯m full.¡±


    Small bun quickly shrank back the back that hadn¡¯t stretched out, the corners of the mouth drooling, with his eyes staring at the meat steamed bun.


    ¡°Haha¡­ Just take it. Daddy really has no appetite. Don¡¯t forget we bought some meat. I can eat some for dinner.¡±


    For a foodie, it was really hard to resist the temptation of food. Seeing his small bun so filial, Ling Jingxuan felt happy from the bottom of his heart.


    ¡°It¡¯s so kind of you, daddy!¡±


    Hearing that, small bun could no longer restrain his desire for the meat stuffed bun, with both hands holding it, a big smile on the face, exactly the same as when Ling Wen was holding money. No wonder they are twin brothers. The difference is, one loves money, while the other loves food.

 Chapter 49

    Now was the midday. Few people from villages had the money to eat lunch at the market. It was still lively. As their ox cart drove out of town, they came across another two ox carts with full villagers who were going home. Of course there were people from Ling village. As they saw big and small package on their cart, those married started to gossip. The atmosphere immediately got destroyed. Ling Jingxuan was the only that could still smile, but it remained to be discussed whether that smile was deep from the heart.


    ¡°Brother Han, is there a kiln shop in the market?¡±


    As they were coming near the junction of several villages, Ling Jingxuan suddenly asked, he remembered he saw it when they came this morning.


    ¡°Yes, Wang¡¯s self-baked pots and tiles are good. Do you want to buy pots or tiles?¡±


    Along the way, they also knew that recently Ling Jingxuan made some money by selling fish.  Han Fei thought he might want to buy tiles to renovate the house.


    ¡°I want to buy some pots. Please stop by the shop in front.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan knew what he was inferring, but he didn¡¯t explain. Building a house was not something urgent. Now the only thing he needed to do was to make money. As long as he could earn enough money, his stingy big bun wouldn¡¯t object when he tried to build a big house. He didn¡¯t want to live in that thatched house. Forget about other things first. Here it was not that warm like in 21th century in winter because of environment pollution. The real winter could freeze people for real. So before that, he had to build a real house no matter what.


    ¡°Ge, why do you buy pots again? Is that jam really sold?¡±


    As Ling Jingpeng heard that, he finally thought of the jam thing.


    ¡°Hmm. We even made an order. They¡¯d come collect the goods tomorrow. So we have to buy more pots.¡±


    After all, Zhao&Han were outsiders, Ling Jingxuan did not want to say more. People are selfish. One taels of silver for jar of jam. Who can guarantee that they know would not stab him in the back?


    All in all, Ling Jingxuan still did not believe in human nature, like when he died, the man who asked him to leave with him together, but he still had refused him.


    ¡°You are right. It¡¯s great someone would buy. Then I¡¯ll stay to help and go back in the evening.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng also did not think much and made the decision to stay.


    Soon, the cart stopped before a rough shop with all kinds of fired products exhibited on the ground before the door. It was actually an expanded version of a stall, with all kinds of pots and jars on the ground, a shed pitched behind. It was the farming season, so it seemed the business was not so good. There was no customer at all. In case things on their cart stolen, brother Zhao and Han stayed, while their son Tiewa jumped off the card excitedly with the two buns.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it brother Peng? What would you like to buy today?¡±


    Seeing it was Ling Jingpeng, the boss in his thirties warmly welcomed them. He was Laowang Han Fei mentioned. Because yesterday Ling Jingpeng just came here to buy a lot of pots with Ling Chenglong, so he still remembered him.


    ¡°Brother Wang, this is my big brother Ling Jingxuan. We are here to buy more pots today.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng¡¯s face turned red unnaturally, scratching his head shyly while answering him.


    ¡°Your big brother¡­ isn¡¯t it¡­Sorry, sorry, look at my silly mouth. Childe Ling, what kind of pots would you like today?¡±


    Laowang was not from Ling village, but also heard about Ling Jingxuan. Though he said words he shouldn¡¯t say subconsciously, in his eyes there was no such disdain like those from Ling village, like overlooking an ant. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t put his words in his heart, saying with a bright smile, ¡°Just pots the size of that kind of salt jars we bought yesterdat, I want one hundred. I wonder if you have so many.¡±


    ¡°A hundred?!¡±


    Two cries of surprise sounded almost simultaneously, one from Ling Jingpeng and the other from Laowang, both of whom looked incredulous.


    ¡°Hmm, a hundred.¡±


    Facing their almost stunned staring, Ling Jingxuan carefully nodded.

 Chapter 50

    ¡°Ge, why do you want so many¡­¡±


    ¡°I know what you want to ask. Let¡¯s talk about it after going home.¡±


    Raising a hand to interrupt Ling Jingpeng¡¯s doubt, Ling Jingxuan threw him a placating look, while Ling Wen beside them also pulled his the hem of his robe. He was young and wouldn¡¯t think so much like his daddy, but at least he knew money should not be exposed to others. So they shouldn¡¯t let others know they made a big money.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Looking at his big brother and then down at his big nephew, Ling Jingpeng resolutely stepped aside. He believed his big brother and his big nephew. If there was no absolute assurance, even if his big brother agreed, his big nephew would never stand by and watch.


    ¡°Brother Wang, do you have any in stock?¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan asked again, with his eyes sweeping at those jars and pots on the ground. The pots he wanted were very common, so a hundred wouldn¡¯t be a problem, he thought.


    ¡°Yes, yes, we have just produced a batch today, but it¡¯s a little bigger than those you bought yesterday. This is it. What do you think?¡±


    After coming to his sense, Laowang said so while bending down to pick up a bowl-size pot. Ling Jingxuan took it and carefully observed while nodding, ¡°Ok, I want this. Can you help send them home for me, brother Wang?¡±


    This afternoon, he still had to go to the mountains to pick wild fruit, boil jam, by the way, decoct the herbs for Ling Jinghant, so he really had no time for that.


    ¡°No problem. I¡¯ll sent them to you myself later.¡±


    Laowang was also frank, he agreed without thinking. Ling Jingxuan suddenly added, ¡°Do you still have that kind with thin mouth and big body?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, there¡¯s no more. I think you should know that kind of pots are not easy to make and the price is expensive. Few would buy them. Those twenty yesterday, they were from last year. One time when I went to the town to run some errands, I heard that those rich families would use that to arrange flowers. I thought it was fun, so I made some.¡±


    Shaking his head, Laowan heaved a sigh light. Common jars or pots only cost a few copper coins, but that kind would cost 20 copper coins, and he¡¯d lose money. In the countryside, who would spend so much on a useless pot?


    ¡°Hmm¡­ can it be customized? I want to order a bit bigger ones, which can hold ten jin of wine. I want white ones, with its big body engraved with my name on it in deep color. And at bottom it should also be engraved with Ling Wine Shop. It¡¯d be better if you could make matched wooden corks for me. Can you do that?¡±


    After carefully thinking for a moment, Ling JingXuan asked while feeling his chin. When he went to the grocery store today, he inquired about the marketing of alcohol. He knew there was no wine here in Qing Dynasty, at least not so common, so he wanted to make some wine. As for the special fired wine pots, you know, the so-called brand effect. Since he decided to do it, he had to make it unique, so people who ever drunk it would never forget about it and remember his Ling brand, laying a solid foundation for a big sale in the future.

 Chapter 51

    ¡°Yeah, I can do that, but I¡¯m afraid the price would be¡­¡±


    Laowang peeped out an embarrassed look. His incomplete words were enough for them to know what it meant. Ling Wen interrupted his dad, hurrying to say, ¡°Daddy, why do we have to buy that kind of pots? It¡¯s expensive.¡±


    He knew the benefits of selling jam and had no objection if Ling Jingxuan bought more. But the kind with big belly and slender neck would be too cost-inefficient in his opinion.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s indeed a little expensive, but it can bring us higher returns. Xiaowen, now for us, that kind of pots is a hen that lays eggs. If you¡¯re not willing to feed it, how can it grow up and lay more eggs?¡±


    Ignoring Laowang¡¯s surprise, Ling Jingxuan squatted in front of Xiaowen and said seriously. He believed that the child should have been able to accept the concept of investment before income after their successful attempts of selling jams.


    ¡°What if the wine can¡¯t be sold out?¡±


    After all, each cost 20 copper coins. It¡¯s really hard for Ling Wen to convince himself to nod with agreement.


    ¡°Then let daddy be willful once. Let¡¯s buy one hundred. What do you think?¡±


    His bun was still young and needed time to grow mature. This year, they didn¡¯t grow so many grapes to make wine. Ling Jingxuan could only compromise this time. When his child saw the gains in the future, the boy would definitely not oppose it again. Then they could invest heavily.


    ¡°But that would cost us two taels of sliver?!¡±


    Ling Wen shouted without awareness, and then quickly realized his gaffes. He bowed his head and pulled Ling Jingxuan¡¯s sleeve, face-red, and whispered, ¡°Only this time, wait for me to return to the ox cart before paying the bill, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll regret.¡±


    Even the god knew what the little miser was most afraid of was to spend money. Two taels of silver equaled to cost his life!


    Ling Jingxuan was amused by this naive and pretend-to-be understanding statement. He patted the child¡¯s head, ¡°Go, take your younger brother and Tiewa to the ox cart. We¡¯ll come to you soon.¡±


    ¡°Mmm.¡±


    Ling Wen squeezed his lips and nodded, holding Ling Wu in one hand and Tiewa in the other. The three turned and left the stall. Ling Jingpeng watched their backs with slight distress, ¡°Ge, don¡¯t blame Xiaowen. Poverty has affected him a lot. In the past years when you were like a fool, the kid had to shoulder the burden of the whole family. I heard from our parents he would only drink water even when he was in desperate hunger to save food for you and Xiaowu when the food had a late delivery. The boy¡­¡±


    Ling Jingpeng, who did not easily shed tears, choked with emotion and eyes wet, feeling miserable for the hard life of the father and his sons.


    ¡°I know.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was not a sentimental person. Finishing his words, he turned directly to Laowang, ¡°Brother Wang, help me make one hundred. You can make a price. I¡¯ll see if it¡¯s acceptable.¡±


    ¡°Ah? Oh, OK. If you want a bigger size and engrave them, each will take at least 25 copper coins. For wooden plugs, you¡¯ll have to find a carpenter. What do you think?¡±


    Laowang had just withdrawn for lamenting Ling Wen¡¯s sensibility in the heart. In fact, he could not make any money with this offer, but he knew a little about Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family. Recalling the family¡¯s encountering and seeing those two cute kids, he really did not have the heart to earn their money. So he decided to lend a hand.


    ¡°OK, Brother Wang, I¡¯ll consider that kind of pots in the future. Let¡¯s discuss the details later. Don¡¯t mind making a high price. I hope we can cooperate for a long time.¡±

 Chapter 52

    Ling Jingxuan knew it well in the heart it was not the time to ask others to be a hero. What he suffered and the benefit he received would definitely be paid by him. The man would only do the more to repay Lao Wang¡¯s good to him.


    ¡°Deal, you¡¯ll get your customized jar at least three days later. I¡¯ll send it to you after they¡¯re ready.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Brother Wang. I also want to buy two pots for decocting herbal medicine. Please tell me the total amount. I¡¯ll pay the bill.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan took out the purse from his chest pocket.


    ¡°No hurry, you can pay it for the customized pots later. This kind of pots is three copper coins each. It doesn¡¯t cost much, I¡¯d like to make a free offer.¡±


    Lao Wang insisted not taking more money from Ling Jingxuan, and the latter accepted his kindness after rounds of back and forth. However, he didn¡¯t have enough change because he bought too many things today. Ling Jingxuan could only let Ling Jingpeng go to the ox cart and get more money to pay the bill before leaving Laowang¡¯s stall.


    When the ox cart loaded with big and small bags passed through the village, the pedestrians started to gossip. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t pay attention to these remarks, so that it didn¡¯t take long for something to happen. But this was the later story.


    ¡°Brother Zhao and Brother Han, take the money and these bags of medicine. Today, when I went to buy medicine for Jinghan, I happened to meet someone infected with the plague. These are used to prevent the plague. Remember to drink them.¡±


    After they returned home, Zhao Dalong and Han Feiyou took the initiative to help them move things into the house. Ling Jingxuan counted fifty copper coins and gave them several packages of herbal medicine and sent them to the door. The plague might not be that serious, but taking precautions would never be wrong.


    ¡°You paid too much! The herbal medicine has already cost a lot. I can¡¯t accept the money, but I can keep the medicine.¡±


    Han Fei hurriedly withdrew his hand taking the money, and took the medicine with his other hand. His idea was the same as Ling Jingxuan¡¯s, it was always right to take precautions.


    ¡°You must take the money. Listen to me, Brother Han. I¡¯ve signed a long-term cooperation contract with the wine shop in the town. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll go to the town often and will inevitably use your cart when the time comes. If you don¡¯t accept the money, I really have no face to ask your favor again.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan tucked the money into the man¡¯s arms. After hearing what he said, Han was a little uncertain, and he couldn¡¯t help looking at Zhao Dalong for help.


    ¡°Take it. When you need help, just let us know.¡±


    Zhao Dalong nodded to Han Fei and turned to look at Ling Jingxuan, deadpan. He was a man who was cold on the surface but warm in the inside.


    ¡°OK. Watch your steps. I got a lot of things to, so I won¡¯t see you out.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan turned into the yard right after he finished speaking, like being afraid that the two would return the money. Han Fei, who was holding the medicine and money, shook his head helplessly. He stared at Zhao Dalong in a girlish way, and the latter was strangely red in the face. The family of three quickly drove the ox cart away from the remote Ling family.

 Chapter 53

    ¡°Daddy, how do I look?¡±


    Back home, Ling Jingxuan and his brother started to tidy up the things they bought today. Ling Wen and Ling Wu went back to their room to try on their new clothes under command. After a while, Ling Wu, the younger boy, rushed into the kitchen excitedly and found Ling Jingxuan who was preparing something to eat. The navy blue robe was a little big on him, making him look thinner. Ling Jingxuan smiled, ¡°Oh, my son is handsome.¡±


    While speaking, he stretched out a hand to pinch the boy¡¯s cheek, looking smilingly toward Ling Wen who came in. He chose navy robes for both children. This color was a bit unfit to their age. Besides, their thin body made the robe look like a quilt. Luckily, they were young and were still growing, navy blue was dirty-resistant, though a bit old-fashioned.


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    The two buns, which had never been praised by anyone, flushed at the same time hearing their dad¡¯s remarks. The little buns even turned and ran out embarrassedly.


    ¡°Haha, shy boys, but he is truly handsome.¡±


    Ling JingPeng, who was standing aside, duly added, making Ling Wen feel more embarrassed. ¡°I¡¯ll go to take care of Xiaowu,¡± Ling Wen said in a very low voice and then ran away in a hurry.


    The two men made a silent exchange of smiles. The two boys¡¯ rich reactions proved that they were gradually getting out of their once gloomy life.


    ¡°Ge, you put too much oil. Xiaowen would nag you later.¡±


    Packing up all the things, Ling Jingpeng turned around and saw Ling Jingxuan scoop a big spoonful of fresh lard and put it into the pot. He couldn¡¯t help but feel it was a waste of food. When they lived together, their parents only dropped a few drops of vegetable oil at most. How could his brother waste food like this? No wonder that Xiaowen always nagged him! The man was a black sheep!


    ¡°Hehe¡­Don¡¯t worry. We made money this time! A little extravagance now and again does not matter. We won¡¯t be like this every day.¡±


    Compared with Ling Jingpeng, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t care it at all. He stir-fried the brown scallion cake in the pot skillfully. As for why it was dark, the white flour was too expensive so the steamed bun didn¡¯t let him. Thus, he could only take the brown flour as the substitute.


    ¡°Fry these meats too?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng felt helpless seeing the sliced marbled meat leftover and the cleaned wild vegetable. It seemed the materials for the cook were ready.


    ¡°Well, we have to go to the mountains for some rough work. How can we not eat something good?¡±


    ¡°Save them for the children and you. The wild vegetables would be enough for me.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng really loved the two children and wanted to leave more food to them, but Ling Jingxuan turned his head and said seriously, ¡°What do you mean, save it for children and me? Jingpeng, you¡¯re my only younger brother. Do we still need to have such a clear division? I made money so I cooked a nice meal for you. If you have to be clear about everything like this, should I pay you money since you helped me sell fish?¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t mean that, I¡­¡±


    Hearing this, Ling Jingpeng waved his hand nervously to explain, but was interrupted by Ling Jingxuan, ¡°I know what you want to say, Jingpeng. My family is poor, but our destiny is in our own hands. As long as we have a striving mind, are willing to study hard and work hard, we will get rid of poverty and become rich sooner or later. One day, I¡¯ll let our family eat rice and have a big meal of wine and meat every day.¡±


    Looking at his brother¡¯s slender side face, Ling Jingpeng clenched his fist quietly. Ling Jingxuan was right. As long as they were willing to work hard, they would live a better life soon or later.


    Knowing that his younger brother was smart, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t say more. A word to the wise was sufficient. He would understand what it meant.


    ¡°Ok, Jingping, go and ask the children to wash their hands and eat. When they take a nap, we will go to the mountains.¡±


    ¡°Rat-tat¡­¡±


    About half an hour later, the sweaty Ling Jingxuan finally made ten scallion cakes, and the twice-cooked pork was also ready. Suddenly, there was a rude knock on the door outside, more precisely, kicking on the door. The brothers looked through the door of the humble kitchen, and the broken and fragile wooden door seemingly going to down under such heavy blow.


    ¡°You tell the kids to wash their hands. Whatever happens outside, don¡¯t come out. I¡¯ll go check it out.¡±


    The gate-crasher must come to find trouble. Ling Jingxuan lowered his tone, wiped his hands, and went out. Looking at his brother¡¯s back, Ling Jingpeng was worried. But he knew his brother¡¯s temper had changed and wouldn¡¯t let himself be bullied again. So he just turned around and took the two steamed buns to the backyard.


    ¡°Hey, are you dead? My hand is broken knocking your broken door. Do you still have your third aunt me in your eyes?¡±


    Opening the door, a rude female voice almost broke his eardrum before Ling Jingxuan had time to see the outside situation clearly. At the same time, she came forward while cursing, trying to enter the yard. Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes feebly and moved slightly to the middle to block their way. ¡°Well, I was wondering who it is. It turns out to be Aunt Ling and Sister Ying. What has brought you here, dear old chaps?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s long and narrow eyes rendered unabashed ridicule looking at the mother and her big daughter Ling Xiaoying standing in front of him. Almost at a glance, he recognized their identity.

 Chapter 54

    ¡°Look at your tone! My mother is your elder anyhow. How could you treat her like this? You should be put in the pig cage and soaked in water.¡±


    Ling Xiaoying was 14 years old, a proud and lofty girl who was pampered by her parents ever since childhood. Seeing Ling Jingxuan¡¯s attitude, she rushed up and pointed at his nose, scolding him at moral high ground. Her mother subconsciously held out her chest, staring at him with her big nostrils. Like a saying ¡®like mother, like daughter¡¯.


    They heard some villagers said that the monster in front of them seemed to have made a fortune, bought a lot of things, so they came here to see if they could take away something good¡­but¡­


    But they seemed to have forgotten that Ling Jingxuan was kicked out of his home by his father as early as five years ago, and was cut off from the family tree. Seriously speaking, Ling Xiaoying¡¯s mother was no longer his elder now. Besides, Ling Jingxuan wasn¡¯t that coward like before, filial piety is worthless to him!


    ¡°Interesting¡­¡±


    His low, soft, and cold laughter suddenly sounded, which startled the two, who thought they were sure to win. Looking at Ling Jingxuan, who covered his mouth and chuckled, Ling Xiaoying blurted out, ¡°What are you laughing at? Did I say something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Stupid ass!¡±


    His laughter suddenly disappeared, the handsome thin face turned cold, and he said sarcastically, ¡°Did you forget that I was expelled from the family by Master Ling five years ago? In these years, you¡¯ve never cared about whether I am alive, and may even wish me and my sons would die soon. Now, you claimed to be my elder when you came to visit for the first time after so many things. Have you ever paid your duty as an elder? Well, Ling Xiaoying, even if I call your mother ¡®aunt¡¯, it¡¯s none of your business for what I did. Don¡¯t forget, I¡¯m older than you, you have to call me elder brother.¡±


    To deal with this kind of self-righteous people, Ling Jingxuan knew reason and politeness was of no use, otherwise, they would definitely be insatiable. The original owner chose to put up with them when being bullied, so Ling thought ¡®he gave them the right to bully him¡¯. But the man was different and he would never show weakness in front of anyone.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Ling Xiaoying¡¯s face turned red with anger. She stretched out her slender fingers uncommon for a farm girl and pointed at Ling Jingxuan. Her flat chest fluctuated up and down, enough to show her flames of fury.


    Ling Jingxuan smiled and leaned against the door frame. ¡°Isn¡¯t it? Or you actually have a crush on me? Gee, sister Ying, you¡¯re yet reaching the age of marriage, how could you tangle with a family shame like me? But I have no objection and we can hurry to the county for an engagement if you insist.¡±


    Fifteen was an age for ancient girls to get married. A rural girl would even become a mother at thirteen or fourteen. Ling Xiaoying came the age. In the style of Ling family¡¯s self-proclaimed ¡°noble¡±, Ling Jingxuan dared to bet his head that Ling Xiaoying would never dare to provoke him again, at least not now.


    ¡°Mother¡­¡±


    Sure enough, Ling Xiaoying twitched her small mouth and shook her mother¡¯s arm. While her mother¡¯s attention was already away from her daughter after smelling the meat. Being interrupted by her daughter, her mind back from the kitchen and said with a lofty posturing. ¡°Brother Jingxuan is right, which girl would be like you? Be like a lady.¡±


    Her words lacked sincerity, even idiots could tell. Ling Xiaoying, receiving her mother¡¯s implicit, stopped talking but glared at Ling Jingxuan with hatred. A woman¡¯s reputation prevailed all in ancient time. She didn¡¯t have an engagement and her mother told her long ago that she would marry a wealthy and influential family. Before that, she could not be gossiped by others because of the monster Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Jingxuan, I have been here for a while, don¡¯t you even ask me to come in? The weather is so hot. I¡¯m thirsty.¡±


    Then she shifted her attention to Ling Jingxuan. The roundworm in her stomach was already stirring because of the smell of meat from the house. However, Ling Jiangshi still stood on her dignity, trying to buckle him for unfilial crimes again. Obviously, she was not clear about the situation.


    Ling family was never poor and would be called as well off with dozens of acres of fields, as well as livestock and other fortunes. Even if they had many mouths to feed, by the end of the year, they should have a lot of surplus money. But the reality was, the whole family had not eaten meat for a long time. The old lady who held the economic power was extremely stingy, selfish, and biased. Master Ling was the only one who could eat meat. The smell of meat made the mother and daughter unable to stop swallowing, and they couldn¡¯t wait to fly into the yard.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid my shabby hut could not entertain you two Buddhas. Aunt Ling, you two might as well return to your big blue-brick-tiled house.¡±


    Look at the woman playing dumb, Ling Jingxuan showed his attitude openly, then turned to close the door. Ling Jiangshi stepped forward and pushed him away, pulling up Ling Xiaoying and drilling in the yard. The delicate smell of meat seemed to be more intense. The mother and daughter swallowed saliva quietly and went straight to the kitchen.


    ¡°I advise you to stop.¡±


    He really despised the woman. Withdrawing his smiling face, he dashed forward to block their way before they entered the kitchen, and his thin and handsome face was covered with coldness. ¡°It¡¯s illegal to enter the private territory without the permission of the owner. I can go to the county government to sue you at any time. Don¡¯t blame me for not reminding you that you¡¯re going to jail for breaking into private houses. Even if you don¡¯t have to go to jail, being beaten is indispensable. Aunt, you should not want your daughter to be beaten with a naked butt in public.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan had seen many thick-skinned people, but it was the first time for him to see such shrews. But he was by no means a cowardly lion to be bullied.

 Chapter 55

    ¡°How dare you?! I¡¯m your bloody third aunt (Here it means Ling Jingxuan¡¯s third uncle¡¯s wife)!¡±


    Lady Jiang was furious, but dared not to take further actions. In the old days, what the people most afraid of was the government and officials. Powerless countrymen would ¡®be peeled off one layer of their skin¡¯ encountering such a sue case. Ling Jiangshi was, after all, a village woman, apart from her old scholar father-in-law and her second uncle as the village head, she had never seen a larger aspect of the society. When she heard Ling Jingxuan was going to report to the yamen, her stout body couldn¡¯t help shaking, not knowing whether she was scared or angry.


    ¡°¡¯Ling Jingxuan, a monster by birth, never leads a clean life and was pregnant with a bastard, bringing shame and disgrace to our family of scholars, failing Ling family¡¯s descendants. You¡¯re expelled from the Ling family. From today on, no matter life or death, rich or poor, you have no relations to us!¡¯¡±, Ling Jingxuan recited, ¡°Aunt, do you still remember the words Master Ling said in front of the whole village outside Ling¡¯s ancestral temple? I have no relations with you anymore, how could you say you¡¯re my third aunt? You and your daughter dashed into my place and bullied me, how can I not resist? Your behavior could be convicted of trespass. I can go to the yamen to sue you. Since you¡¯re bearing no fear, I¡¯ve got to burn all my bridges. Let¡¯s meet in court.¡±


    With a wave of his sleeve, Ling Jingxuan stepped aside, face like being covered with frost. The serious look let the mother and daughter know that he was really serious.


    ¡°You¡­Ling Jingxuan, you were kicked out of the Ling family cause you deserved it. But you¡¯re still complaining about your grandfather. If you weren¡¯t born a monster and didn¡¯t hook up with the man from nowhere and get pregnant, your parents would never be willing to kick you out of the family. Everything is caused by yourself. Now you even have the face to complain about us, aren¡¯t you afraid that your parents will soak you in the pig cage again?¡±


    How could a person who had been in an advantage for a long time be willing to be intimidated and underestimated by a monster that everyone despised? Lady Jiang¡¯s held her hands on her hips, the more she said, the more confident she felt. Next to her, Ling Xiaoying was also holding her chin high, looking at him with the whites of her eyes. Ling Jingxuan was a disgrace to their family, whatever they did to him was rightful.


    ¡°Hum, like I care about what you think of me. Aunt Jiang, I¡¯ll remind you for the one last time: you broke into my house regardless of your ¡®noble¡¯ status. I didn¡¯t want to curry favor with you ever since the beginning, and I didn¡¯t intend to waste my energy pestering you. Leave or stay, the choice is on your hands.¡±


    Lady Jiang almost got half-mad because of the shrew. He was never rare of this identity to be a member of Ling family!


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, you!¡±


    ¡°Shut up! There¡¯s no place for you to talk here.¡±


    Lin Jingxuan snapped to interrupt Ling Xiaoying who was going to shout abuse. He had lost his patience and turned to Lady Jiang with sharp eyes, ¡°Get out or we¡¯ll meet in yamen. Don¡¯t be fucking gibberish here, I don¡¯t have time to meddle with you!¡±


    ¡°You! Just you wait!¡±


    His constant mentioning of ¡®yamen¡¯ made Lady Jiang a little scared. She held the furious Ling Xiaoying and ran out despondently, still not forgetting saying a few malicious words before leaving.

 Chapter 56

    Ling Jingxuan twitched his mouth with disdain, closed the door before returning to the kitchen. At the same time, Ling Jingpeng came in with the two little buns knowing the mother and her daughter had left. They all felt unhappy, especially Ling Jingpeng. He had never expected that their third aunt would be so disgusting. His big brother hadn¡¯t make a big fortune yet, and they were like flies smelling of the rotten meat hearing he made some money. If one day when his big brother really became a wealthy man, what would they do?


    At this moment, Ling Jingpeng was deeply ashamed of himself as a family member of Ling family, and even consciously felt having no face in front of his big brother.


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business. Don¡¯t take everything to yourself. You and they are different. Just grab some food. We have to go up the mountains later.¡±


    As smart as Ling Jingxuan is, he could easily saw his younger brother¡¯s mind.


    ¡°But they¡­¡±


    Ling Jingpeng clenched his fists, eyes red. His trembling voice revealed his agitation. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly and pulled up the two unhappy buns and went to the newly-bought small table in the kitchen, ¡°The reason why they dared to be so blatant to bully me is they assumed that I was afraid to make my own voice cause I¡¯m a monster that everyone despises. Moreover, no matter what happened, as long as it¡¯s related to me, there was no one in Ling Village who will help me. Everyone will only listen to what they have said. If my parents are here today, how dare she be presumptuous? Jingpeng, you might as well use the time feeling embarrassed by other people¡¯s actions to help me persuade our parents to divide the property and live apart with them. In the future, no one will dare to come to our door and make trouble if we live together.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan said as he helped the two buns to divide the baked scallion pancakes, and rubbed their heads to appease them. He really didn¡¯t want the children to see the scene if possible. Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes, strengthened the idea of making big money. Money and power prevail, and the truth was just like ordinary people were afraid of officials, while the latter were afraid of the emperor who was high above them. As long as he got money and power, no one would ever dare to bully him again. He had never heard of any peasant household who dared to make trouble to the door of a larger family.


    ¡°Well, we must divide up the family property, we could even take nothing only if we can live apart.¡±


    Clenching his fists tight, Ling Jingpeng was welling up with tears. He wouldn¡¯t let things like today happen ever again.


    ¡°All right, eat quickly, or we¡¯ll have to stay up late to make jam tonight.¡±


    In this age when filial piety was greater than heaven, how could it be so easy to divide a family since the elders were still alive? Ling Jingxuan just wanted to divert his attention saying this and didn¡¯t expect him to take it seriously. Anyway, they must live apart with the rest of the family. When he earned more money and his second younger brother was cured, he had plenty of ways to make that old man to agree to divide up the family!

 Chapter 57

    ¡°Oh right, ge, I nearly forgot. How did the jam sell?¡±


    He felt it inconvenient to ask his elder brother since outsiders were present along the way. When they came back, they were busy putting things home and making fire to cook, so he didn¡¯t know anything yet.


    ¡°It sells pretty well, uncle, you¡¯ll never guess how much daddy sells for each pot, and they ordered 100 more pots and would come here to pick them up tomorrow.¡±


    Speaking of this topic, the haze over the big bun was swept away and he looked at Ling Jingpeng excitedly.


    Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly seeing this. He picked up the twice-cooked meat and a scallion pancake, threw them to Ling Wen as if saying ¡®I¡¯ll leave them to you¡¯, and went out. Another ¡®important person¡¯ still lived in their home.


    ¡°How much does a pot of jam cost?¡±


    ¡°Hey, one tael of silver!¡±


    ¡°What¡­¡±


    The uncle and his cousin were chattering without stop. Ling Jingxuan, who was carrying things with both hands, smiled and shook his head gently. He turned and pushed open the half-closed door. At the moment of entering, his smiling expression all fell into a man¡¯s burning sight. The man heard what was happening outside. Seeing Ling¡¯s heartfelt smile, Yan Shengrui only felt his heart thumping, and his eyes locked him with aspire.


    Perhaps the man¡¯s sights were too hot, Ling Jingxuan quickly withdrew his smile and wore a cold expression again. He squatted down and put two big bowls on the small stool in front of Yan, and then felt the pulse of Yan¡¯s right hand, ¡°Martial arts practitioners usually recover quickly, you have no serious problem but need to stay in bed for a few days. The blood stasis in your head will slowly dissipate. Then you can regain your memories.¡±


    There had always been a strong qi inside Yan¡¯s body. Although Ling didn¡¯t know if it was the so-called internal force, it was an indisputable fact that Yan recovered faster than ordinary people.


    ¡°You want to kick me out?¡±


    At the moment Ling withdrew his hand, Yan Shengrui grabbed Ling¡¯s wrist and his loving eyes fixed on him. Yan was not stupid. From beginning to end, Ling¡¯s attitude towards him was alienated. He heard what the big bun once said, ¡®let him leave after his health improved¡¯. The lack of memory made him unable to know why he abandoned them for five years. However, after several days of contact, his heart told him that he wanted to stay here. He wanted to live together with Ling and their sons, as the man of the house and a member to support the whole family and keep them away from bullying.


    This time, Yan skillfully controlled the strength gripping Ling¡¯s wrist, so as not to make him feel pain while making the latter unable to break away. Ling Jingxuan noticed it, but he did not intend to appreciate his kindness, ¡°We have nothing to do with each other, I saved your life, and I don¡¯t ask you to repay. Now your injury is getting better, leaving is only an inevitable result.¡±


    The cold voice made Yan feel very alienated. He frowned and said coldly, ¡°Have nothing to do with each other? If so, where did your two children come from?¡±

 Chapter 58

    His handsome face was aloof and serious, appearing with arbitrary. Memory would disappear, but his true nature was born with him. Yan Shengrui even got a fright after finish speaking. No one knew better than him that he didn¡¯t intend to say those words. Well, his words would only distance them more.


    Sure enough, a murderous look that an ordinary farmer should not have swarmed out of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thin body. Facing Yan¡¯s apologetic eyes, Ling Jingxuan got rid of Yan¡¯s fingers, stood up and looked down at him condescendingly, eyes covered with scorn and murder, ¡°First, the children are mine, and they have nothing to do with you. Second, there is no love or engagement between you and me, it¡¯s just an accident. Third, whoever dares to put his mind on my children, I dare to kill him. I don¡¯t care who you are and what noble status you have. If you make trouble with me, I will make you live miserable. Your injury can be cured in up to seven days. Please leave when the time comes. There is no room for you, big Buddha.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan turned around after finishing his speaking, not leaving Yan any space to explain. When he opened the door, Yan Shengrui¡¯s voice full of regret rang.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to offend you. No matter whether we have engagement or it¡¯s only a night¡¯s pleasure, there¡¯s one thing you can never deny, they¡¯re also my sons, I don¡¯t mean to rob your sons, I am just stating a fact. Jingxuan, please forget all the past, I don¡¯t know what happened between us, and why I abandoned you, making you suffer for five years. I¡¯m sorry. I beg you for another chance, I want to stay here and take care of our children with you.¡±


    If Ling ignored what happened to the original owner and the fact that Yan Shengrui lost his memory, Yan was undoubtedly affectionate at this time, and what he said has successfully kept Ling Jingxuan¡¯s footsteps.


    ¡°I accept your apology. As for the opportunity you want, I am sorry, I¡¯m never used to giving others a chance.¡±


    There was no ¡®if¡¯ in this world. After finishing speaking, Ling Jingxuan opened the door and went out. Whether it is love or marriage, it was never within his plan.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you change your mind, Ling Jingxuan!¡±


    After a long time, a man¡¯s deep and firm whispering sounded in the room, and his charming eyes reflected the dazzling light, as if the victory was in hand, everything would happen at his will. He lost his memory and did everything with instinct t. When he recovered his memory, would the high-ranking Prince Rui regret his humble request today?

 Chapter 59

    As the saying goes, plans never catch up with changes! From previous life to this life, love and marriage were never things Ling Jingxuan had pursued, but when something that belonged to you came in your face, you just couldn¡¯t hide away from it. Soon after, Ling Jingxuan would really realize this cruel fact, and also the cruelty of ancient feudal society.


    The wild fruit that one hundred pots of jam needed was not a small sum, plus he was also planning to brew another one hundred jars of wine. He was also not clear how many wild grapes there were in the mountains. If not enough, he could only find some other kind of wild fruit to make jam, which meant the time he had to spend in the mountains would be much longer. So after eating some food and nagging the two buns a few words, he went to Yuehua Mountain carrying a big bamboo basket with Ling Jingpeng.


    But he ignored that the villagers had formed a habit of bullying him and his two sons. Even if those people were temporarily intimidated by him, under the drive of nature and habit, they wouldn¡¯t give up, especially under the premise that they saw he seemed to get rich all of a sudden which was like a great insult to them.


    ¡°Mom, there¡¯s something you don¡¯t know, that monster Ling Jingxuan has purchased a lot of good things recently. They even cooked meat to eat at noon! Even my dad has never been that extravagant. I see my second elder brother and his wife often go there recently. Is it possible they are giving him money secretly? Otherwise, how could he, a monster whom everyone despises, and two little bastards have the money to eat meat and buy stuff?¡±


    Their family could be called a big family in Ling Village. They owned dozens of mu of land, plus they didn¡¯t have to pay taxes. Their old house was located in the middle section of the village, with over ten rooms. Quite magnificent! After suffering from Ling Jingxuan, the mother and daughter only felt suffocated in the chest. So they directly went to the old lady¡¯s room. Taking advantage that Ling Chenglong and his wife were working in the farmland, Lady Jiang added trimmings before the old lady to sow discord.


    ¡°What? So you feel wronged since you got not meat to eat at noon?¡±


    The old lady who was leaning on the couch lazily glanced at her, which contained a warning feeling. Their family was not poor enough to envy others for eating meat at noon.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like that, mother. How can I be that kind of person, I¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Lady Jiang blushed instantly, quickly trying to defend herself. Ling Xiaoying standing aside perfectly inherited her ability of fanning the flames. Noticing that the old lady was a bit gloomy, she secretly pulled her mother from behind, and then went forward and squatted by the old lady¡¯s feet, ¡°It¡¯s true, grandma. I also heard that these days my second uncle and Jingxuan would drive a cart full of fresh and big fish to go to the village market to sell every day. Ling¡­ brother Jingxuan should have made a lot of money, but that¡¯s all second uncle and Jingpeng¡¯s credit. And we haven¡¯t divided up the family yet, of course he should hand in all the money to you. How could a monster who has already been driven out of the house takes it all?¡±


    She did not believe that if grandma went to claim it in person, Ling Jingxuan that son of bitch still dared to report it to the yamen? If he was capable enough, he could send grandma to the yamen for the spanking.


    ¡°Is that true?¡±


    Hearing this, a woman in pink by the old lady¡¯s side, who was in her twenties at most and looked pretty, asked in an exaggerating way. She was the old lady¡¯s youngest daughter Ling Chenghua, the same age of Ling Jingxuan. As the youngest child, she was spoiled by the old couple since she was little. The only not so smooth thing for her should be her marriage. As she reached the marriage age, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s scandal broke out. Her fianc¨¦ thought, though she was the daughter of a xiucai, she was not so well-educated and didn¡¯t deserve their family. So not long after they sent someone to break off the engagement. Over this matter, the old lady even went to town to make a scene, but still did not save the situation.


    A woman who got abandoned by her fianc¨¦ was a very serious matter. In the following two years, even under the title of a xiucai¡¯s daughter, no one dared to propose. Only in recent years there were people who came to propose, but she either wasn¡¯t satisfied with the other side¡¯s family background or disliked the other side¡¯s appearance, plus the old lady had spoiled her. So now though she was already in her twenties, she was still single.


    All the time, she felt it was all because of Ling Jingxuan. So she really hated him to the bones. These years Ling Jingxuan and his two sons got bullied wherever they went was most her ¡®credit¡¯. And now, how could she bear to see Ling Jingxuan live a comfortable life?


    One had to say, their family¡¯s education on children was really not so good. A village girl, under the title of a xiucai¡¯s daughter, already took herself as a princess. If she were really born in the imperial family, wouldn¡¯t she turn her nose to the sky?


    ¡°Auntie, it¡¯s true. You can go ask anyone if you don¡¯t believe it. Most people in our village know that!¡±


    Ling Xiaoying did not like this aunt who bullied them since she was a child, but, at this time, she answered faster than anyone else. Her purpose was self-evident.


    ¡°Mom, you can¡¯t stay out of this. What is wrong with my second elder brother and sister-in-law? That year my sister-in-law sold her dowry to buy three mu of land for that son of a bitch, after all, that was her dowry, we can¡¯t say anything. All these years for the sake that he is your son, you just turned a blind eye to them giving material assistance to that family, but a man whose heart is not content is like a snake which tries to swallow an elephant! They just take your kind heart as stupidity? Mom, if you keep ignoring it, my big brother and third brother would only blame you for being partial.¡±


    After getting a positive answer, Ling Chenghua elbowed Lady Jiang aside, held the old lady¡¯s arm and chattered a lot of this and that. The old lady who had been indifferent to this matter slowly knitted her brows. High raised cheekbones were showing her acrimony.


    ¡°This outrageous! Chenglong and his wife are becoming more and more unruly. Take me to that bastard¡¯s place. I¡¯d like to see how much Chenglong has secretly aided him.¡±


    The daughter and daughter-in-law were different after all. Now, as the old lady opened her mouth, it made Ling Chenghua harsher and meaner, only feeling joyful in the heart. She took the initiative to help her stand up. Holding the thought they were taking on the just side, the four people stormed to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s place to ¡®claim justice¡¯.

 Chapter 60

    Ling Jingxuan, of course, was impossible to know any of this. In order to save time, the two brothers directly went through the bushes from the back of the house into Yuehua Moutain, and entered into the woods where they picked wild grapes the other day. The female wolf¡¯s body had already been gone, only a pile of bones and blood stains were left there, maybe already eaten by other animals. Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t think much of it. The two brothers put down the bamboo baskets and started to pick up wild grapes.


    ¡°Ge, where are you going?¡±


    In this season, most of the fruit were ripe. Soon they picked over half of the bamboo basket. The moment Ling Jingpeng raised his head, he saw that Ling Jingxuan went deeper with his sharp sickle, showing a little doubt on his face, he followed up without thinking much.


    ¡°I want to see if there is any other wild fruit nearby. You pick it here first. I will be back soon.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan turned to give him a ¡®trust-me¡¯ look but did not stop his action of waving his sickle. A lot of fruit can make jam, but when it came to taste, few wild fruit can reach the level of sweetness and sourness of wild grapes. From the long run, he must find out as many kinds of wild fruit as possible to make jam, then before winter came, he not only would build a house, but also wanted to make the business big.


    ¡°Then be careful. Don¡¯t go too deep. There are many wild animals on the mountain. It would be too bad if you meet something fierce.¡±


    On hearing him, Ling Jingpeng stopped, still nagged him since he was really worried, though no one was clearer than him that his big brother was capable enough who didn¡¯t need him to worry about.


    Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t reply him this time, just waved his hand back to him dismissively, showing that he heard him. Ling Jingpeng with sweat all over his forehead turned back and continued picking wild grapes. Only god knows how shocked he was when he heard how much a jar of jam was worth from Ling Wen, followed by his worship to his big brother and the compulsive excitement about making money. Disregarding whether those money was made by him or his big brother, he all felt thrilled. Anyway, they are brothers, right?


    On the other side, in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s home, after they left, the two buns went into the room holding the clothes they bought for Yan Shengrui. However, Yan Shengrui was still sleeping, the twin brothers exhaled a long breath. While Ling Wen was looking for a place to put those clothes, the lovely small bun squatted before Yan Shengrui and observed his sleeping face curiously. Eyebrow peak, from time to time, creased, small mouth pursed now and then. One could imagine how cute those slight facial expression changes were.


    ¡°Ge, do you think he is really our father?¡±


    Gathering some courage, he poked him in the face. The small bun turned to look at his big brother and asked. Actually deep in his heart, he still longed for this father.


    ¡°Why ask about that? Anyway he will leave after getting recovered. Xiaowu, we only want daddy, remember?¡±


    Ling Wen¡¯s thin and dry body went stiff slightly, then he walked over with his mouth pouted, his black and bright eyes intertwined with hatred, longing and entanglement. How could he not know what his younger brother was thinking? But all these years, their grandma kept nagging by their ears that they wouldn¡¯t have been in this situation if it hadn¡¯t been for this man, and since he had grown a bit bigger, he had held infinite resentment toward this so-called father, which, of course, was something he had longed for too. He just wouldn¡¯t admit it.


    ¡°But ¡­Tiewa has two dads. I also want two. Then they won¡¯t call us bastards anymore.¡±


    Hearing him, the small bun lowered his head, with tears in his eyes, with his fingers crossed. He just couldn¡¯t understand, since their father came back, why his daddy and big brother still want to drive him away?


    Ling Wen felt upset for a while, then put down the clothes and held his shoulders, saying with tears in his eyes, ¡°Xiaowu, be good, don¡¯t say these words in front of daddy, otherwise daddy will be upset.¡±


    ¡°I know, I¡¯m just nagging before you. Ge, can¡¯t we¡­let father stay?¡±


    He nodded his head which was burying in his neck. Small bun raised his tearful eyes and looked at him, with undisguised expectations under his eyes. It pricked Ling Wen¡¯s heart. But he couldn¡¯t argue about that, ¡°Urgh¡­I guess. I asked our little uncle, he said, if daddy agrees, he can stay. He also said to me, we shouldn¡¯t interfere daddy from making his decision. In the past five years daddy was like a fool all because of this man, now daddy finally becomes normal, as his sons, if we defy him, he will certainly feel sad. I do not completely understand what uncle means, but I think what he said is right. As long as daddy wants him to stay, I would also like to forget about the past and accept him. Xiaowu, I only said those words to you. You can¡¯t tell anyone else.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, but ge, don¡¯t you always lesson daddy?¡±


    With that pair of innocent eyes blinking, the small bun started¡­roasting¡­ Ling Wen¡¯s body went stiff. Then he remembered how he yelled at his daddy, and his small face can not help turning red, then he quickly strode out, ¡°That¡¯s because I, I was afraid that daddy would blow money. Don¡¯t you know how hard it is for us to make money? Besides, daddy doesn¡¯t know how to live a life, of course I should watch him. Hmm, that¡¯s that¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see!¡±


    Ling Wu nodded as if he got enlightened, and hurriedly followed up. Soon the two brothers  disappeared in the room. They never knew that Yan Shengrui wasn¡¯t really asleep. He was just closing his eyes for rest. As early as when they opened the door, he already knew. He¡¯d like to contact more with the children, talk about those small household affairs or something like that, but he didn¡¯t know how to get along with children, so he decided to pretend to be sleeping, and see what they would do to him, but did not expect¡­he heard every word the two kids said. When he heard that Ling Jingxuan who had always behaved so indifferently had performed like a fool in the past five years, he suddenly felt aching pain in the heart like someone was hitting it with something blunt. No wonder he would do that to him. If it were him, maybe he had already killed himself. The more he knew about him, the more he felt grieved, and the more he wanted to make it up to him. But he didn¡¯t know why, he always felt something was missing between. But he couldn¡¯t remember what it was. Finally he could only blame it for memory loss.


    He lifted his body and picked up the new clothes Ling Wen bought him. Although the quality looked dodgy, Yan Shengrui gripped them tightly. The pain faded gradually in his tiger eyes and revealed firmness, ¡°Ling Jingxuan, I swear I will take care of you and the two little buns!¡±


    No matter whether he could restore his memory in the future, whether he really had a noble identity as Ling Jingxuan said, he would not forget today¡¯s decision. He would give them a happy future!

 Chapter 61

    ¡°Xiaowu, do you want to practice calligraphy or martial arts?¡±


    After getting out of the room, it took Ling Wen quite a while to return to normal. Now daddy became normal, they did not have to go outside looking for wild vegetables or what again. Thinking that daddy often said wanting them to become a xiucai, Ling Wen decided to go to the backyard to practice calligraphy, to meet daddy¡¯s expectations as soon as possible.


    But, how could Ling Jingxuan ever be that kind of pedantic person? If he really planned to let them take the imperial examination, he wouldn¡¯t just let them be a xiucai. Reading was the first duty of a child, he just didn¡¯t want them to become illiterate who were ignorant. In his eyes, a xiucai was only a graduate from middle school, however, in his mind his request was not very high. As for in the future whether they would take the road of the imperial examination, he would respect their own decision.


    ¡°I want to practice martial arts. I want to protect you and daddy from being bullied.¡±


    Ling Wu shook his head. Compared with Ling Wen, he was really too innocent, but compared with other children, he was also kind of premature. Although they were twins, Ling Wen had already praised himself as the big brother, the mainstay of the home. One could say he grew up looking at his elder brother¡¯s back. Whenever other kids in the village bullied him, his elder brother would stand out and protect him, and wouldn¡¯t let those bullies touch a hair of him, so every time the one who got beaten was his elder brother. But now everything was different since their daddy turned normal. And they also would become better and better. Daddy even taught them to read and practice martial arts. Compared with reading, he preferred martial arts because he wanted to protect daddy and his elder brother.


    ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s bring some tea to the backyard. It¡¯s too hot for you to practice martial arts now.¡±


    Touching his little brother¡¯s face, Ling Wen took him to the kitchen to carry a large pot of tea before moving to the backyard. The brothers had no idea that a disaster was approaching.


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s place was very remote, at least one li away from the village, which also needed some time to come and go. Apparently that bunch of woman¡¯s speed could never compare with men. Before they arrived, Ling Jingpeng already came back after picking two bamboo baskets of wild grapes, later Ling Jingxuan also came back. The two brothers gave each other a smile with sweat all over. Both their slightly immature faces glowed with light flush, but neither showed a slice of exhaustion. Compared with the great temptation of two taels of silver for one pot of jam, that was nothing at all.


    ¡°Pfff~ Ge, you cut your own clothes to bag things again? You really can¡¯t blame Xiaowen nagging you.¡±


    After noticing that his elder brother holding two bags of things in his hands, plus his cloths having a large part gone, Ling Jingpeng burst out laughing, remembering that last time how Xiaowen nagged him for quite a while.


    ¡°Er¡­do you really have to remind me of that?¡±


    Face sunk, Ling Jingxuan angrily gave him a stare. Clearly his bun saw him cut the clothes, but he did not stop him, OK? He thought¡­ after they were done, the big bun started to nag him about things like he didn¡¯t cherish things and liked wasting and¡­, which made his ears boil. Even now it still gave him a headache when he remembered the scene.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­ No, but ge, what¡¯s in your bags anyway?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng laughed even harder. But being afraid that his elder brother might get ashamed into anger, he had to force myself to change the subject, and shifted the focus on the two bags. On the mountain there was everything, besides, his elder brother was an expert on this. Forget about other things, even those mushrooms were very fresh and delicious. He had always been wondering when he could ask him to teach him how to distinguish those things.


    ¡°Of course it¡¯s all good stuff. Come here and look, this is raspberry. I found several raspberry trees ahead, full of mature red fruit on. Its sour with sweet taste can perfectly replace wild grapes to make jam. I have checked it carefully. Beside those, there are many small raspberry trees. Later we can dig them out and plant in the yard, then next year we don¡¯t have to take the adventure here next year. And this, wild waxberry. Pity that its fruiting season is in May. I only picked a little. It has great medicinal value. Using it to bubble wine to drink could help produce saliva and slake thirst, and could also prevent and cure sunstroke. Let¡¯s come earlier next year. And we can take these back to soak it with some wine this year.¡±


    Speaking of his new discovery, Ling Jingxuan unwrapped the bags like offering a treasure. The two kinds of fruit were both bright red color, and both tasted sour and sweet, the difference was their appearance, use and medicinal value. Taking raspberry long-term can also cure impotence and cure infertility. What the ancients people were most afraid of? Of course no offspring!


    One had to say, Ling Jingxuan doctor¡¯s ability really provided him with a lot of convenience. he could find anything with medicinal value, and according to what he had learnt in previous life to derive a series of ways to make money. Judging from Ling Jingpeng¡¯s shocking face, one could imagine how amazed he was.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ what¡¯s this?¡±


    Finally pressing down that kind of strong shocking feeling because of his own elder brother¡¯s rich knowledge and active mind, Ling Jingpeng coughed and forced himself to calm down. He had a hunch, they would get super rish in the near future.


    ¡°These are agaricus and a variety of mushrooms, now is not the season of the growth of a large number of mushrooms, so it¡¯s already good enough to find these. When it becomes cool in October, I guess there¡¯d be numerous mushrooms on the mountain. Then we can pick more and sell in the town. Anyway it¡¯s another way of making money.¡±


    A fly¡¯s leg is tiny, but it¡¯s still meat. They could make money out of it without any seed money. Why not do it?


    ¡°Ge, how do you know so much?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng just casually asked, Ling Jingxuan froze there reflevctively.He hurried turned to check those wild grapes to cover his unnatural, ¡°You forget that I am a scholar anyway. I have read a lot of books, of course I know a lot.¡±


    Using stereotypical excuses, even Ling Jingxuan himself felt ashamed. His younger brother was neither of the two little buns at home. He could only feel strange if his younger brother really bought it.

 Chapter 62

    ¡°Really? I have picked two large bamboo baskets? Enough? If not, later I¡¯ll go pick more. You stay at home and wash them. We¡¯ll make jam together later.¡±


    To his surprise, Ling Jingpeng did not ask more, but squatted down and carried one of the baskets on his back instead. Ling Jingxuan suspiciously looked at him but found the slightest doubt on his face, making him confused this time.


    ¡°Wait, now that we¡¯re here, let¡¯s cut some wild grape branches and plant in the yard. All that I planted last time are alive.¡±


    But Ling Jingxuan did not tangle on that for too long. Isn¡¯t it a good thing that his younger brother doesn¡¯t doubt it?


    Thanks to the water from the Crescent Spring, those wild pear tree branches and wild grape branches he cut back a few days ago all survived in the yard. The Crescent Spring not only could attract fish, but also could promote plant growth. According to his observation, it also had a lot of benefits to human body, the most obvious evidence was the wound on the small bun¡¯s face. After using it to drink and wash face for a few days, the scar was almost gone. This also firmed his decision not to tell anyone about the Crescent Spring thing. The precious stone lands its innocent possessor in jail. He didn¡¯t want to ask for trouble for himself.


    ¡°All survived? It¡¯s only been a few days. Are you mistaken?¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingpeng was a bit stunned, and couldn¡¯t help looking at him with doubt. He himself was half a farmer at least, how had he never known that planting a branch was so easy?


    ¡°Ahem¡­ how could I mistake it? Listen to me. I¡¯m thinking of buying all the homestead land around here and turn it into a big farm orchard.¡±


    Coughing a bit unnaturally, he said so while waving the sickle to cut a thick branch. Actually after obtaining the Crescent Spring, he began to think about purchasing the homestead thing, anyway, the place was laid unused, and no one dared to move here to live next to him, right? He bet it also wouldn¡¯t be expensive. It¡¯s just¡­the village head¡¯s power was huge in the village, and the thought of dealing with his nominal second grandfather made him uncomfortable.


    ¡°Buying land¡­¡±


    Ling Jingpeng felt startled again on hearing that, then heaved a sigh, picked up the sickle and helped him cut branches.


    ¡°What? Won¡¯t they allow me to buy it?¡±


    Aware of his strangeness, Ling Jingxuan asked. Ling Jingpeng shook his head, ¡°No, just¡­ forget it. Father and mother don¡¯t let me tell you. But I guess you should know it already. The Ling family takes you a shame. That year they banished you to the foot of Yuehua Mountain, only wishing you¡¯d end up dying here. Forget about the mysteriousness of the mountain, only those wild beasts in the mountain could kill you like a hundred times. If they go down the mountain some day, you¡¯d be the first to die, which was what they were wishing for. Buying you three mu of land that year, you know, father and mother had kneeled before our second grandpa for a whole night. I still remember that they even couldn¡¯t get off bed for a few days after coming back. And then only after our grandma (here it refers to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s mother¡¯s mother, not his father¡¯s mother.) brought our uncles (here it means Ling Jingxuan¡¯s mother¡¯s brothers, not his father¡¯s brothers) to make a scene at our second grandpa¡¯s place and then he only agreed to sell it to us. Till now our second grandpa¡¯s family is still holding grudge against our parents and grandma¡¯s family. And our grandparents (here it means Ling Jingxuan¡¯s father¡¯s parents) became more and more estranged to them. So I¡¯m afraid it won¡¯t be that easy to buy land.¡±


    They were families, but they only wished he would die soon. Just a man giving birth, premarital pregnancy, did they really have to do this?


    Ling Jingxuan thoroughly lost the last piece of good feeling towards the whole Ling Family except his parents and younger brothers. The precious reputation in their eyes was basically worthless in his eyes. He¡¯d rather have as few contacts with them as possible. Besides, he had to figure out a way to let his parents divide up the family with them as soon as possible.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Is our second grandpa even more powerful than the magistrate? The land is not his, he is at most to help run errands. Later I¡¯ll go directly to buy land from the magistrate.¡±


    The Qing dynasty explicitly stipulated that a small amount of land transaction did require local approval of the head village, but what if it was more than a thousand mu? Hum, he did not believe if there was anything he couldn¡¯t buy with money!


    ¡°Look for county magistrate to buy land?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng was totally stoned this time. How much land is he going to buy? Or does he think that the county magistrate has nothing to do and would care about buy a few mu of land in person?


    ¡°Ha ha¡­ Do you think I was joking this morning when I said I was going to buy that half-salt land? Seen from now, no one but me can grow something on the half-salt land, and the county magistrate may be very grateful for me buying it. When I do grow something out of it, the county magistrate will have great merits. Do you think who is more powerful, me or the county magistrate?¡±


    Stopping the work at hand, Ling Jingxuan said half jokingly, squatting on the ground. It was at least thousands of hectares of land. If he could really grow something out of it, maybe the county magistrate would call him dad. And that was the reality. Now what he had to do was to save money as soon as possible, before the flooding he could hire more people to make preparations for everything.


    ¡°Can you really grow crops there?!¡±


    If the doings after Ling Jingxuan became normal surprised him, now one could say he felt excited. Some kind of vague intuition in the heart told him maybe his big brother could really make it.


    ¡°Well, there are some ideas. It¡¯s too early to say. Come on, let¡¯s go home.¡±


    Now everything was armchair theory, or people would even think that he was daydreaming, but when the facts were presented before eyes in the future, he did not need to explain a word.


    ¡°Ah? Oh, OK¡­¡±


    Getting no affirmative answer, Ling Jingpeng unavoidably felt a bit moony, but when they were carried up the bamboo basket of their own and he saw Ling Jingxuan take those thick branches and tie them together, Ling Jingpeng suddenly sobered up. He rushed forward and stuffed the two bags into his arms, and then walked ahead dragging those branches. In a place where Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t see, a slightly dark and young handsome face slowly raised a smile. He believed his present big brother could definitely make it.

 Chapter 63

    ¡°Ge, what do you think, good?¡±


    In the backyard, Ling Wen and Ling Wu, one was practicing calligraphy on a sand table with a branch, while the other was practicing tai chi, sweating profusely. The former was sitting as steady as a bell, as calm as water, while the latter was as nimble as an escaping hare. Not only the two brothers looked quite alike, but also they were both very concentrating when doing things. Though what they were doing was different, their attitude was the same.


    ¡°Hmm, very good. Come and have some tea. Look at your sweat!!¡±


    Looking up, Ling Wen quickly poured a cup of herbal tea and handed it to him. The teapot and cup were just bought in the town today. Although he felt distressed when he bought them, now he felt quite good when using them.


    ¡°OK.¡±


    Duang~Duang~Duang~


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, you son of a bitch! Open the door¡­ hurry up¡­open the door¡­¡±


    After receiving the tea, Ling Wu even had no time to drink, suddenly the knocking sound was heard outside, accompanied by a woman¡¯s insults and abuse. With a shake of the hand, the small bun subconsciously shrunk to big bun¡¯s side, and Ling Wen also reflectively stretched his thin and short arms to hold him. He tried to straighten his thin body pretty hard, trying to set up courage for his younger brother.


    ¡°That bad woman at noon¡­¡±


    Recognizing o the woman¡¯s voice, Ling Wu could not help but choke. It was true he was small, he still knew that woman was from his grandparents¡¯ family, their senior.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯ll go and have a look.¡±


    Patting his younger brother on the back, Ling Wen was about to walk out. Ling Wu hurriedly pulled him, ¡°Ge, don¡¯t go, they are too fierce, let¡¯s wait for daddy here, OK?¡±


    He was afraid his elder brother would get beaten again, and though they were their elders, he knew they did not like them.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just look through the door. It¡¯s about time daddy and uncle come back.¡±


    He turned back and gave him a soothing smile. Since Ling Wen insisted, Ling Wu could only choose to go out with him. The yelling and swearing outside never stopped. The brothers looked through the door and saw that there were several tough women outside, and not far behind them were a bunch of onlookers. The brothers dared not open the door. Yan Shengrui lying in the room also heard the noise outside. Thinking that Ling Jingxuan wasn¡¯t home and the two children might suffer, regardless of the injury, he struggled up from the straw stack. But before he could stand steady, a flood of dizziness swept by, forcing him to sit back.


    ¡°What are you doing? Mother, why are you also here?¡±


    After a long commotion outside the door, Lady Wang¡¯s voice suddenly sounded as the wooden door was about to be kicked open. The two brothers holding each other looked happy and approached the crack of the door to check the situation outside.


    Not only Lady Wang, but also Ling Chenglong was here. Coincidentally, today their tea was not enough, so he asked his wife to go home and fetch some. On such a hot day, how could they work in the land without water? But Lady Wang ran into Ling Jinghan who was dragging his disabled body out, out of his mouth she learnt that her mother-in-law and sister-in-law were storming all the way here to make trouble, so she directly sent Ling Jinghan who would pass out anytime home and then went to call Ling Chenglong and rushed all the way here.


    From far away, they saw those onlookers and Lady Jing who was kicking the door hard. Their faces immediately turned blue. As they drew nearer and saw the old lady, the two of them got even angrier and started trembling. Weren¡¯t they ashamed as the elders? What did Jingxuan do to offend them again? Why wouldn¡¯t they give them a break? They would feel happy only forcing them to die???


    Due to filial piety, the couple dare not yell at the old lady, but only obediently standing in front of her.


    Ling Chenghua, Lady Jiang and Ling Xiaoying turned around and saw it was Ling Chenglong and his wife, the faces showed a smile of schadenfreude one after another, and the way the old lady looked at the couple was like her eyes could emit poison, not the slightest bit of kindness as their mother, like they were her sworn enemies.


    ¡°What? Can¡¯t I come here? If I don¡¯t show up, you would move everything of our family here!¡±


    The old lady showed the best of vitriolic capabilities as she opened her mouth, Ling Chenglong and his wife immediately turned all ghastly pale, the trembling white lips were indicating the two people¡¯s enduring. Ling Chenglong secretly held his wife who nearly couldn¡¯t hold herself, and moved forward before his mother and smiled apologetically, ¡°Mother, what are you talking about? How can I ever do that kind of thing?¡±


    Of the old lady¡¯s three sons, Ling Chenglong was undoubtedly the most sincere, the least calculating, and the most filial one. Unfortunately, he was never the old lady¡¯s favorite.


    ¡°You can¡¯t, but someone can.¡±


    Speaking of which, the old lady¡¯s malicious eyes moved to Lady Wang who was standing behind him meaningfully.


    ¡°Long¡­¡±


    Lady Wang burst into tears, looking at Ling Chenglong sadly. Her patience was collapsing.


    ¡°Mother, she wouldn¡¯t¡­¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Chenglon¡¯s hands full of calluses couldn¡¯t help tightening. It took quite a while before he could force himself to come forward to explain to the old lady, while the old lady did not give him the opportunity at all. Giving him a merciless stare, the old lady suddenly raised her voice, ¡°Is there anything she dare not do? If it hadn¡¯t been her, would we have become distant with your second uncle? All these years she supported those bastards a lot behind my back, didn¡¯t she? Now, she even dares to blatantly send the money you and Jingpeng have earned through selling fish to them, do you still put me and whole Ling family in your eyes?¡±

 Chapter 64

    At the thought of those things that year, the old lady got angrier. In the Ling family, in addition to the patriarch of the family, she who was in charge of all the properties could make all decisions. Which daughter-in-law or grandchildren dare not listen to her? But that thing was like a thorn in her heart. In order to buy land for that bastard, the most well-bahaved couple had even conspired against her, and no matter how much she had enslaved them these years, her hatred had not diminished a little


    The old lady¡¯s words undoubtedly pricked into their hearts. Ling Chenglong and his wife whose faces were already pale enough now felt more disappointed, like the whole person falling into an ice hole. Over the years they had worked like a horse for this family, but still couldn¡¯t counteract the unfial thing they had done that year. They only wanted to give their son a way out. Was it wrong?


    Bam~


    ¡°Mother, my blood mother, will you stop please? I¡¯m begging you. It was my fault that year. I will kowtow to you. Please, go home.¡±


    A seven-chi tall rough man unexpectedly knelt down before the public and begged the old lady, which would show his filial piety. One could say it was foolish filial piety. And the villagers could not help but point at them, gossiping. Some elderly women looked at the old lady with jealousy. If their own sons could be so filial, let alone ruining the reputation of the family, they would be willing to bring Ling Jingxuan and two grandsons home.


    What were people most afraid of when they got old? No doubt unfilial sons. Good reputation could never exchange for the filial sons.


    ¡°Go back? How could it be so easy? I¡¯m not going anywhere till I get all the things you¡¯ve got in that bastard¡¯s house.¡±


    Unfortunately, outsiders were all moved by Ling Chenglong, but the old lady was hard as iron, unmoved a bit. The three standing beside her all wore a face of cynical disdain, showing the slightest bit of mercy and tolerance between the family.


    ¡°Mother, I admit that recently Long and Jingpeng helped Jingxuan sell fish, but those fish were all caught by Jingxuan alone. We just helped sell them. Haven¡¯t I and Long done enough for the family? Whatever Jingxuan did, he is still your own grandson! How can you keep calling him son of a bitch or bastard? If he is a bastard, what are we?¡±


    Having been kowtowing, Ling Chenglong felt his heart became all cold, the whole body collapsed to the ground. Seeing this, Lady Wang could no longer take it. After holding Ling Chenglong who got blood all over his forehead, she started to argue back. She had had enough. Since she had married into Ling family, the old lady had never shown her a good face. That year she banished her biggest son, and she swallowed it. After all it was his son Jingxuan¡¯s fault indeed. But at this moment, she could no longer bear with it. The worst scenario was they got driven out of the house. Jingxuan just made some money on his own hands, and they already couldn¡¯t bear with it and make trouble here. Were they trying to force them to die?


    ¡°You¡­You unfilial thing¡­I¡¯ll kill you¡­¡±


    The old lady who had ruled the whole family had never been pointed at the nose by any of her daughter-in-law. Feeling outraged, she rushed forward and tried to beat her up.


    ¡°Mother, she didn¡¯t mean it, calm down.¡±


    ¡°Sister-in-law, look at what you did. Quickly kneel and apologize to mother.¡±


    ¡°Grandma, don¡¯t be angry. She was only trying to defend her son. Anyway, brother Jiangxuan is her big son.¡±


    On the surface, Ling Chenghua and the other two were trying to persuade the old lady, in fact they were all being sarcastic. Apparently they were adding the trimmings, which made the old lady even angrier. She pushed her daughter and daughter-in-law aside and pounced over and gave Lady Ling a few slaps in the face. The sharp fingernails left quite a few blood stains.


    ¡°Enough! Since mother can not accommodate us, I will go to father and will move out and live alone.¡±


    The scratches on his wife¡¯s face were so dazzling. Ling Chenglong roared, finally he was forced to rebel, the former filial son gradually collapsed.


    ¡°How dare you!¡±


    The old lady was caught in a daze, then immediately wide opened her eyes, only wishing she could stare out two blood holes in his body. She never expected that the most well-behaved and filial son would dare to propose to divide up the family in front of so many people.


    ¡°I¡¯m just doing what mother wants.¡±


    Looking at his sadly sobbing wife, Ling Chenglong said so, with his eyes slowly lowered. If there was another choice, who would want be labeled as an unfilial son? He was also a half scholar. If it hadn¡¯t been that his wife and his son were forced to the brink of death, he dare not even think of dividing up the family and move out even if you kill him.


    ¡°You¡­you¡­¡±


    The old lady pointed at him with her trembling fingers, out of breath, already couldn¡¯t utter one more word. Seeing that the situation was becoming more and more out of control, Ling Chenghua came up with a vicious idea. She pretended to look sad and moved forward to support her mother, ¡°Ge, how can you play an asshole before mother? Look at how angry mother is now! If something happens to her, aren¡¯t you the one who regrets? Is there anything we can¡¯t sit down and talk through? Just apologize to mother. I believe mother won¡¯t really blame you.¡±


    Many people praised her, worthy of being a scholar¡¯s daughter, more sensible than those village women.


    ¡°Yes, ge, sister-in-law, you can¡¯t act foolishly. Filial piety is greater than heaven. Father and mother are still alive, how can you propose to divide up the family and move out?¡±


    One should know, all these years, the main farm work and housework were basically done by Ling Chenglong and his wife. On hearing they were trying to divide up family, Lady Jiang immediately got anxious. She was the niece of the old lady. If they moved out, she would be the first victim since all the heavy burden would fall on her.

 Chapter 65

    ¡°Grandma, you calm down, my second uncle and his wife are both filial. Maybe someone said something to them. We cannot make a joke here while the real bad person hides in the dark.¡±


    Ling Xiaoying quietly pulled her mother, and whispered in her ears, eyes sweep that closed wooden door now and then meaningfully. The raging old lady instantly remembered what they were doing here today. Xiaoying is right. She shouldn¡¯t make a scene here. Even if she should, she should do it at that bastard¡¯s place.


    ¡°Let go!¡±


    After thinking this point through, the old lady, who had been out of breath before due to great anger, was full of spirit and broke off her daughter and granddaughter. Pointing to her son and daughter-in-law¡¯s nose, she yelled, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you haven¡¯t helped that bastard? Then let¡¯s go in and have a look!¡±


    Speaking of which, the old lady jumped at the wooden door. Seeing this, Lady Jiang and the other two also rushed over.


    Bam~


    ¡°Open the door, you bloody bastard! I said open the door¡­¡±


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, you unfilial son of a bitch! Your grandma is here, and you are still hiding in the room? Are you trying to piss her off? Open the door¡­¡±


    ¡°Open the door!¡±


    ¡°Mother, please go back, mother, I¡¯m begging you. I would never say a word about dividing up the family, OK?¡±


    ¡°Lady Jiang, you can¡¯t do this¡­¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Chenglong and his wife cried and rushed up to dissuade them. But since the old lady was there, they dare not pull too hard. But how could the old lady who was in rage listen to a word of him?


    In the courtyard, the little buns holding each other tightly all the time could not help shaking all over. People in the village said that their daddy is a monster, but in their eyes, the old woman outside is a real monster, a horrible devil!


    Bam~


    The ramshackle wooden door finally could not stand the rude kicking and slapping of the few women, and fell to the ground with a heavy layer of dust raised. Everyone outside was dumbfounded. Such a result was unexpected to any of them.


    ¡°Wah¡­wah¡­Ge¡­¡±


    The small bun was so frightened that he threw himself into his elder brother¡¯s arms, while Ling Wen who was also scared held him tightly, small mouth sewed into a straight line, forbearing the tears surging up to stare at those ghost-like women.


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, my lovely buns!¡±


    The small bun¡¯s hard crying dragged Lady Wang back to reality and she dashed forward and pushed Lady Jiang and her daughter aside, and held the two kids tightly, tears streaming down her face. What sins had she ever committed in this life? Why met such an unbelievable mother-in-law? Oh god, she was really pushing them to die!


    ¡°Boohoo¡­grandma¡­boohoo¡­I¡¯m scared¡­¡±


    Throwing himself into her arms, Ling Wu cried even harder, Ling Wen also could no longer hold his tears, quietly clenching his fists. The less than five years old boy tasted the true meaning of hatred for the first time.


    ¡°Who are you howling for? Huh? Where is that bastard? Let him out. I¡¯ll tear him apart!¡±


    Taking advantage that her son got distracted, the old lady fiercely broke free from him, rushed into the yard and yelled at the two children. With his thin and weak body shaking, Ling Wu buried himself deeper in Lady Wang¡¯s arms, while his crying changing into whimpering, but making one¡¯s heart even more aching, while Ling Wen, after staring at them after a while, he held out his little chest and pushed away his grandma, then strode before the old woman.


    ¡°My daddy is not home. You are not welcome here. Please go out.¡±


    Looking up at them, Ling Wen said every word clearly, with the small hands behind his back which were trembling. It was not that he was not scared, but he was eldest son of the family, the man who would support the whole family in the future, so now since his daddy was not home, he had to protect this home, protect his little brother, and never let them run wild here.


    But, he seemed to ignore his age and his small and thin body.


    ¡°You son of a bitch!¡±


    Pia~


    Lady Jiang came forward and slapped him right in the face. His small body took quite several steps back and finally fell to the ground.


    ¡°Xiaowen!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t beat my brother, you wicked woman, don¡¯t beat my brother¡­¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his wife were shocked, while Ling Wu already forgot what fear was. Crying, he rushed forward trying to push away Lady Jiang, then turned back and stretched out his slim hands trying to hold his younger brother up, tears streaming down.


    Wizened little face swelling up at the speed the eyes could see, a few fresh fingerprints taken by nearly half the cheek, which made Ling Chenglong and his wife¡¯s heart aching, also, including another person¡ªYan Shengrui who tried to come out of the room for a few times but got forced back by the huge headache. Hearing his son being beaten, he already forgot about the headache and gathered all his strength to stand up.


    ¡°Mother, you see, these are all new, he should use the money my second elder brother and sister-in-law gave him behind your back.¡±


    ¡°Grandma, there¡¯s so much meat here, and a lot of provisions¡­¡±


    ¡°Mother, this is what I found in their bed, all new clothes, and a whole bolt of cloth!¡±


    The three women showed no little bit of compassion for the crying grandma and two grandsons at all, like bandits, they rampaged in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s home and found out those things he had bought in the market today. Ling Xiaotong even took out half a bowl¡¯s  twice cooked pork slices and two scallion pancakes they didn¡¯t finish today.


    Looking at those things, the hatred in the old lady¡¯s heart deepened. She glared at her son¡¯s wife and the two little bastards, yelling, ¡°Take all those things back. I¡¯d rather throw them in the trashcan than giving them!¡±

 Chapter 66

    Although the old Ling family was not super rich, at least they never needed to worry about food and clothing. The old lady was an extremely selfish person, except her husband, she was stingy to everyone, including herself and her favorite daughter, although she said some nice words, greedy eyes had already sold her out.


    ¡°Yes, mother.¡±


    Lady Jiang, with all new farm tools and other things in the hands, looked at her daughter¡¯s half bowl of twice cooked pork slices, swallowing saliva. Under the old lady¡¯s order, in addition to Ling Chenghua who was holding the cloth, the other two women again went to the kitchen and the yard, wanting to take away those new things and rations.


    ¡°Don¡¯t grab anything from my family. Daddy bought it with his hard work. You can¡¯t¡­¡±


    Seeing this, regardless of the pain in the face, Ling Wen, in the arms of Ling Chenglong, was crying and struggling, tearful eyes filled with anger, their home was not easy to buy those things. he could not let them take them away.


    ¡°Boohoo! You¡¯re bandits. Don¡¯t take our stuff. It¡¯s ours¡­¡±


    The small bun was also crying hard, sorrow stricken, Ling Chenglong and his wife held them tightly, lest they would rush forward to stop them, because they would be the ones that suffer. Things taken, they could earn again, but if people were gone, it would be gone forever. Those robbers were their family, and they took the order from their mother. So the pains in their heart were no less than the two buns.


    ¡°Stop it!¡±


    All of a sudden, a rough man¡¯s voice sounded. Those women who were ¡®busy¡¯ were all surprised, and subconsciously trying to find the direction of the voice. Yan Shengrui, with his head wrapped in white cloth and covered in sweat, leaned against the door frame, face as pale as paper, while eyes sharp and terrifying, coupled with the handsome appearance, unique temperament special to the imperial family. Ling Chenghua and Ling Xiaoying who were still single immediately blushed on seeing him.


    ¡°Father, father, boohoo¡­ they are robbing us¡­¡±


    While his grandma froze there, staring at Yan Shengrui, Ling Wu burst out of her arms and, crying, rushing over to hold his legs, already forgetting whether they should admit him as their father. Maybe that was the nature of father-son relation.


    ¡°Be good, don¡¯t cry, father will protect you.¡±


    Obviously touching the child¡¯s head unnaturally, Yan Shengrui comforted him, then his eyes became sharply terrifying and shot at the old lady standing in the middle of the yard. Having been in battlefields for many years, the murderous feeling inscribed in his bones was pouring out, so heavy that it made one nearly out of breath. The old lady scared back several steps, Lady Jiang also leaned to the old woman, trembling, whereas Ling Chenghua and Ling Xiaoying were blushing. The appearance of Yan Shengrui undoubtedly made their hearts throb, while the little bun calling him father dragged them back to reality.


    ¡°Who is this childe? We are¡­¡±


    ¡°Get lost!¡±


    Ling Chenghua, who was holding the cloth, walked forward in a graceful way as she imagined. Her voice was so soft that it could even melt the snow, but before she finished her sentence, Yan Shengrui threw his dagger eyes at her, leaving her frozen in there with her red face turning pale.


    ¡°Where does this wild man come from? Why are you in the bastard¡¯s house?¡±


    The old lady, who was previously ungainly scared, saw that her daughter being humiliated, she dashed forward, held her daughter and shot at Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Bastard?!¡±


    Although he had heard this word for countless times, Yan Shengrui still cannot help feeling sorry for Ling Jingxuan and his already horrible eyes looked even more sinister, ¡°Jingxuan would never openly hook up with a man even if he is a bastard, but your daughter¡­hum, a little village girl, is seducing me?¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    Yan Shengrui deliberately raised his voice. The villagers surrounding the doorway burst out laughing. The old lady and her mother look pale with anger. She is the lady of a xiucai, who is in charge of all possessions of the family. How did she have ever taken such an insult?


    However, they didn¡¯t seem to be get wronged anyway. Yan Shengrui was the royal prince, and he was also the first prince in history to hold the military power. He was also famous for his military achievements. A village woman seducing him? She even had no right to appear before his eyes.


    Of course, this did not mean that he had resumed his memories, but it should be his instinctive reaction. The prince having amnesia was still the prince, and those things imprinted in his bones could never be removed.


    ¡°Can someone tell me what this is all about?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s cold voice sounded. Then he and Ling Jingpeng both came out from the back yard, coarse linen, cold face, eyes slowly sweeping the yard all, finally laying on Ling Wen¡¯s red and swollen small face. A murderous look that was no less than Yan Shengrui¡¯s flashed in his eyes. Ignoring the public¡¯s attention, Ling Jingxuan strode toward his sons who got beaten again.


    ¡°Who did it?¡±


    Squatting in front of him, Ling Jingxuan touched his red cheeks and asked softly, while in others¡¯ ears, which was strangely horrifying.


    ¡°Daddy, Daddy¡­ woo¡­ you¡¯re finally back, daddy¡­¡±


    Ling Wen could not take it and pounced into his arms, thin arms holding around his neck, crying hoarsely. It was like needles pricking Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart, and his hands holding the kid tightened.


    Seeing this, Yan Shengrui intended to lead the small bun and walked to them, but as soon as he left the door frame, he could not help but feel dizzy, which forced him to give up the idea of approaching Ling Jingxuan.

 Chapter 67

    ¡°Sorry, Jingxuan, your father I am useless. I can¡¯t protect the two kids.¡±


    Ling Chenglong stood beside, a face of shame. Ling Jingxuan looked up and saw the solidified blood over his forehead, his eyes grew colder, and when he saw her mother was also with bloodstains all over the face, Ling Jingxuan smiled. Holding the big bun, he stood up, with that thin and elegant face raising a bright smile. He really had belittled those people. Since they wouldn¡¯t give him a break, then he would fight it back!


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    Ling Wu was weeping silently and sniffling from time to time, holding Yan Shengrui¡¯s leg. You could imagine how pathetic he looked at the moment. Ling Jingxuan walked towards them, glanced at Yan Shengrui before squatting down to put down Ling Wen, ¡°Who beat your big brother?¡±


    His son, he can¡¯t even bear to beat him himself. When is it someone else¡¯s turn to beat him? Whoever it was, he was not going to leave her go.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­Daddy. I¡¯m scared¡­.¡±


    Ling Wu¡¯s eyes wobbled to Lady Jiang who was standing with the old lady, his body uncontrollably shrinking between Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui. Following his line of sight, Ling Jingxuan successively locked the target.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. To that kind of people, an eye for an eye! We must fight back!¡±


    Touching the boys¡¯ heads separately, Ling Jingxuan stood up and looked at Yan Shengrui, his brows wrinkled slightly. ¡°Thank you for helping me protect my buns.¡±


    Some things did not need to be explained, only by looking at the scene, one could guess the whole story. Yan Shengrui¡¯s injury was not heavy, but the injury on the head couldn¡¯t recover in a short period. Even if his physical fitness was super good, his martial arts were pretty high, plus he also used the water from the Crescent Spring to help him decoct medicinal herbs every day, it was impossible to let him get up in three or four days to help him protect the children. That was already his limit to do so, which was enough to prove his strong willpower. So, regardless the original owner¡¯s thing with him, at least his impression of him improved a bit.


    ¡°They are my buns, too.¡±


    Yan Shengrui reflectively talked back, frowning. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t argue with him, since that was not something that should be argued here. God knows he and Jingpeng carried the wild grapes and laughed and talked all the way back, but as they just arrived at the foot of the mountain, they heard the quarreling sound from the direction of his home, how anxious he was. Though still thin and weak, he still ran home holding such a heavy basket.


    Seeing that his son who just got recovered from the wound last time got beaten again, and his parents got blood all over the face, plus his house was in a total mess, Ling Jingxuan only felt his heart that had just returned to a quiet state suddenly got boiled again, murderous look like the galloping river surging in the blood. This time, even if Yan Shengrui said he was his legal wife, he had no mood to argue with him, the only thing he wanted to do now was to get even for his son!


    ¡°Help me take care of them.¡±


    Leaving behind a few vague words, the thin body suddenly turned and rushed out like a locomotive


    Pia~Pia~Pia~


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    The next second, before everyone on spot could react, Ling Jingxuan who already moved before Lady Jiang grabbed her by the collar with one hand, while with the other hand slapping in her face, making her scream because of the huge pains. Hearing the crisp slapping sound and shrieking, everyone there, including the old lady, couldn¡¯t believe what they saw, eyes wide open. He really had the guts! Lady Jiang was his third uncle¡¯s wife. In this era where filiality was bigger than anything, isn¡¯t he afraid of being socked in the river in the pig cage?


    No one wasn¡¯t doubting that if it was a dream. Is that man who gave his third uncle¡¯s wife three hard slaps really that Ling Jingxuan they had known before?


    ¡°Ahh¡­ help¡­ help¡­¡±


    Slapping was still continuing, Lady Jiang¡¯s face was swollen like a pig¡¯s head, the subtle crying for help finally woke up a few people beside. The three of them simultaneously pounced on him, ¡°What are you doing? Let her go, you son of a bitch!¡±


    ¡°Let go of my mother¡­¡±


    ¡°You bastard¡­You son of a bitch¡­¡±


    On the surface those three were trying to help Lady Jiang, but in fact they were trying to beat him together. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes sank, and he threw Lady Jiang onto Ling Chenghua, and then grabbed Ling Xiaoying¡¯s sharp ¡®claws¡¯ and threw her aside, and finally threw a hard kick on the old woman. In a blink of an eye, he taught those ill-intentional shrews a lesson, which made Ling Chenglong, his wife and Ling Jingpeng blush with shame. Since when had their Jiangxuan become so fierce?


    ¡°Oh, my god¡­ Someone is killing me¡­ My own grandson is trying to kill me¡­You shameless bastard! You thunder-stricken monster¡­¡±


    ¡°Mother¡­¡±


    ¡°Grandma¡­¡±


    The old lady on the ground turned over and sat up, clapping her thighs play horizontal. Seeing that this scene was becoming big, instead of driving them away, Ling Jingxuan even dared to beat them. Ling Xiaotong and others who were like devils now all threw themselves by the old lady¡¯s side, crying and cursing, already casting behind their identity as members of scholar¡¯s family.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will take you with me before the thunder strikes me!¡±


    Ignoring their howling, Ling Jingxuan stuck out of the tongue and licked his lips, filled with a horrible evil spirit and killing momentum, just like the evil beast waking up from the sleep, which would jump on its prey to bite off the neck.


    ¡°You son of a bitch, you even beat your own grandma, you¡­you¡­¡±


    The few people froze there due to great scare at the same time, Ling Xiaoying and the other two even dare not have any eye contact with Ling Jingxuan. Only the old lady was struggling, relying on she was an elder.

 Chapter 68

    After all, that was his mother and younger sister. Ling Chenglong reflectively tried to move over to support them, but was pulled back. Looking back, Lady Wang was pouting behind him. Following the direction, Ling Chenglong looked over and found that Ling Jingxuan was wearing a cold face, with murderous feeling all over, which was kind of horrible. Ling Chenglong was not stupid, he was just too sincere and hated calculating. Noticing this kind of situation, the foot that had already stepped forward shrank back. If he really stepped forward, given his son¡¯s personality, maybe he would never talk to him again.


    A man, who had been honest, finally gave up the filial piety and chose to protect his own small home after all his patience was worn off by his own mother.


    ¡°Hold back your tears! I Ling Jingxuan have always lived alone. I don¡¯t have any grandma! Today you broke into my house, hit my son and robbed my stuff, which is only the bandits¡¯ doing. Tell your old man after going back, if you want, we can meet at the yamen. Get lost!¡±


    Coldly looking at those shrews who were making a scene here, Ling Jingxuan said so. The deliberately raising voice was not only saying to the four of them, but also warning those onlooking villagers he was already not the old him. If anyone didn¡¯t believe it, try it! He would definitely fight back, even if that person was his family.


    ¡°How dare you?! You whack who beat your own grandma! You¡¯ll be struck by lightning.¡±


    The old lady suddenly crawled up, swearing at Ling Jingxuan while pointing at his nose, by contrast, the other three were much more well-behaved, because they were really scared. The current Ling Jingxuan, they didn¡¯t know why, their intuition told them that if they dare going running wild, would definitely beat them again. So however reluctant they were, they dare not provoke dissension in front of Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Hum! If I remember correctly, five years ago you were the one who abused me everyday, saying that I ruined the reputation of the family and insisted sinking me into the pig cage in the river, right? What? A grandma could try to kill her grandson while her grandson can¡¯t even fight back? Even having no right to struggle? Besides, old woman, let me remind you for one last time. Your grandson Ling Jingxuan has already died the day you threw him out. The current I have no damn relationship with you people! So don¡¯t claim kinship here again! Even if you are afraid I may ruin your Ling family¡¯s ¡®noble¡¯ reputation, I am afraid that people would say I curry favor with you. So don¡¯t you ever say that I am unflial or what. About today¡¯s thing, even if that xiucai of your family or the village head come, I wouldn¡¯t take a step back. I won¡¯t believe there¡¯s no place for justice in this world!¡±


    Snorting, Ling Jingxuan merciless distanced himself from them. Given the old lady¡¯s bitchy temperament, even if the old man passed the imperial examination, one could imagine how many people they would offend. Maybe even the whole family would have to pay the bill for her abuses. One should know there was a punishment called collective punishment. So whether it was for his own peace or for the future of the two buns, he couldn¡¯t be related to any of them.


    ¡°You, you, you¡­ this is the good son you¡¯ve educated, useless thing, did all the books you read get into the dog¡¯s stomach? Your mother nearly got beaten to death, while you were still standing there watching for fun? Do you still take me as your mother in your heart?¡±


    The old lady got so mad, tremblingly pointing to Ling Jingxuan. For a long time, she couldn¡¯t even utter a word, her malicious eyes sweeping over Ling Chenglong and his wife aside, and finally vented her anger on them.


    Ling Chenglong closed his eyes. That was his mother who he had been filial for a lifetime, until now, she was still thinking about how to oppress them, instead of asking about the wound on his forehead, she even did not care about his feelings. That was his mother. How could she ever be so cold to him?


    Maybe because his heart was cold¡­ On a hot day in June, Ling Chenglong felt cold all over, as if falling into an ice hole.


    ¡°Chenglong.¡±


    Feeling her husband¡¯s stiffness and discomfort, Lady Wang brushed off the hand of her little son and moved forward and gently held his arm. She gave him warmth and comfort without a word. She knew the pain in his heart. Having been married into Ling family for so many years. She also always takes the old lady as her own mother. But how did she treat her? Even if she is a stone she picks up on the way, she could warm it in the chest, let alone it¡¯s a person! It¡¯s not that they don¡¯t stick to filiality, but she forced them to be unfilial.


    ¡°Grandma, how can you say that to my father and mother? Have my parents been unfilial to you all these years? You have dozens of mu of land. It is my father that takes care all of it. Those miscellaneous household chores are basically done by the mother alone. As his son, my big uncle, my third uncle and their wives and my aunts, who only know to get dressed and fool around. But what about my father and mother? They always have endless work to do. Take a good look at my big uncle and look at my father. He is several years older than my father, but he looks much younger. I beg your pardon, but you are too biased.¡±


    Seeing that his father and mother still dare not resist, the young and aggressive Ling Jingpeng stepped forward to block in front of them, tiger eyes directly looking into the old lady¡¯s vicious eyes. Actually he already couldn¡¯t take it. Why do his parents have to work like an ox but be treated like this while his big uncle and third uncle do nothing every day? And his big brother! What crime has he commit to let them make a scene here again and again?


    ¡°You¡­ I¡¯ll kill you disobedient and unfilial thing! How dare you talk back¡­¡±


    The old lady got even angrier, raised her hand and tried to slap him. Ling Jingpeng did not fight back like Ling Jingxuan, but only stood there and let her beat him.


    ¡°Stop it, mom, you beat me, please¡­beat me¡­¡±


    ¡°Mom, please stop, I am begging you¡­¡±


    Seeing that his son was being beaten, Ling Chenglong and his wife whose heart had already been dead cried and rushed up, the two of whom knelt on both sides of the old woman and begged her.


    ¡°Let go of me, I will kill this unworthy grandson today¡­¡±


    Though already four generations of the family, in fact, the old lady was not that old, only about 50 or 60 years old, still strong. Being pulled by Ling Chenglong and his wife, she was still struggling to beat Ling Jingpeng. Since she couldn¡¯t use her hands, she directly threw a kick at him.


    In an instant, four people got into a clinch, beating and scolding and crying sound never stopped, and Ling Jingxuan, with his hands behind the back, watched aside coldly. It was not that he didn¡¯t care about his parents and younger brother, but that he needed such a chance to let the old woman to hurt his mild father¡¯s heart, thus he could really make up his mind to divide up the family. And only in that way could his parents live a good life.

 Chapter 69

    ¡°Stop it!¡±


    Suddenly, a voice of exasperation suddenly sounded, the villagers stuck outside did not know when to make way for the speaker automatically, two men looking 50 or 60 years old with a dozen young men stormed in.


    ¡°My lord, my son¡¯s second uncle, you have to hold justice for me. I don¡¯t know what medicine Ling Jingxuan has fed the family. They even don¡¯t recognize their own mother. That bastard even beat us. Look! Look at her face. What hatred do they bear? How could he beat his own third aunt like that? Boohoo¡­My lord, my son¡¯s second uncle, this time you have to sink him in the pig cage whatsoever, and¡­and those two little bastards! Otherwise, god knows when they would come out and bite us like crazy dogs again¡­boohoo¡­¡±


    Seeing her own husband and her son¡¯s second uncle come, and his big son, third son, and grandsons and nephews all here, the old woman immediately gave up tussling and turned back to accuse Ling Jingxuan. In her point of view, the reason that his second son and his wife and their little son Jingpeng would disobey her was all because of that bastard Ling Jingxuan. Only if he dies could she govern the whole family!


    ¡°Father, second uncle, you have to hold the justice for my mother. Jingxuan¡­he¡­he is really too bad¡­¡±


    The arrival of this group of people no doubt gave them backup. Ling Chenhua who just got ¡®well-behaved¡¯ for a while added oil to the fire again. While Ling Xiaoying held the swollen head like a pig¡¯s and came between his father and brothers. She did not say anything, but only wiping her tears, which gave this group of big men infinite imagination space.


    ¡°Huiniang? Damn it, Ling Jingxuan, I¡¯ll kill you¡­¡±


    Seeing his own wife got beaten black and blue, the stout and tall Ling Chenghu got furious, brandished his fist into anger and aimed at Ling Jingxuan not far away.


    ¡°Be careful,¡±


    Bam~


    Yan Shengrui who had been staring at Ling Jingxuan gave his a warning. Before Ling Chenghu could react, Ling Chenghu¡¯s hill-like stout body collapsed under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s feet, with his body still cramping. Everyone was shocked, eyes wide open, having no idea what had happened. Only Ling Jingxuan wore a faint smile, showing undisguised indifference and killing feeling.


    ¡°You, you, you monster, what did you do to my father?¡±


    Ling Xiaoying who came to her sense first rushed up with her two brothers. Lord Ling and others also came forward, worried. Almost all of them surrounded Ling Chenghu on the ground. Only Ling Jingxuan¡¯s parents and his younger brother and the kids were slowly approaching Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°You called me a monster. What else can I do?¡±


    Laughing, like deadly toxin spreading infinitely, narrow attractive phoenix eyes were filled with evil and killing. At this moment, he was like a real devil, dazzling and bizarre. Ling Xiaoying subconsciously made a cold shudder. And that little bit momentum because of her family¡¯s coming disappeared neatly. Scary! The present Ling Jingxuan is so scary!


    ¡°How dare you! Don¡¯t talk nonsense. What sorcery did you use on Chenglong?¡±


    No wonder he could be the master of the Ling family. He gave Ling Jingxuan a stern look, though in his heart he was also shocked that the present Ling Jingxuan is different from that weak and gentle one in his memories. But he did not tangle on it, or even got connected to him, in case of bringing shame to his whole family. If he hadn¡¯t heard that his wife and the second son and his wife are here having a fight, he wouldn¡¯t ever take one step into this place even if you kill him.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­Didn¡¯t you say it¡¯s sorcery? What more do you want to hear?¡±


    Others may be afraid of him, but not him. He leisurely pulled a long hair to coil between the fingers, the clear and handsome face blooming an enchanting bright smile. Didn¡¯t they all say he is a monster? He would show them. Instead of being respected, why not let them fear from the bottom of their hearts!


    ¡°You are speaking fallacies, and insult the gentility!¡±


    The old man tosses his sleeves utterly discomfited, with a total face of disgust, in contrast, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s smile became more charming, ¡°I am speaking fallacies? Who called me a monster at the very beginning? Why don¡¯t you believe me now since I admit it to myself? Well, then I was banished for nothing? Or, as my grandparents, actually you did not like me in the first place, deliberately found an excuse trying to kill me? Tusk~ Even a tiger doesn¡¯t eat its kids. You are even no better than a beast. Everybody, look! This is a scholar, a highly respected xiucai of our village! You should be carefully thinking before sending your kids to his private school! Maybe he would teach your kids into an unfilial monster in the future!¡±


    Seizing one of his language loopholes, Ling Jingxuan deliberately distorted the unmarried pregnant fact, fuzzing the focus, imposed all on the old man, finally he still did not forget to tell those onlookers. Since they would not let him live quietly, no one could. No one could live peacefully then. Doesn¡¯t the old man care about his reputation most? Then he would destroy it!


    ¡°You¡­you¡­you¡­¡±


    The old man blew his beards, chest going ups and downs, like he might be dead the next second.

 Chapter 70

    ¡°Enough! Ling Jingxuan, what happened that year, you know better than anyone. As a man you can get pregnant. What are you if you are not a monster? My big brother has already driven you out of the house, because you hooked up with a wild man outside and got pregnant. You caused all this. Don¡¯t talk nonsense here, or I¡¯ll take you to ancestral hall for punishment.¡±


    Seeing that even the master of the Ling family was quelled, the village head Ling Qicai had to stand out, anyway he was an official, in a few words already skimming Ling Jingxuan¡¯s deliberately false accusation.


    ¡°Who said he¡¯s been hooking up with a wild man? I have been his man all along.¡±


    Getting ahead of Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui held up his body and moved forward. His dominant momentum immediately stunned everyone there. Ling Jingxuan held his forehead, speechless. Yan Shengrui, what the hell are you talking about? Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s not messy enough?


    Standing behind them, Ling Chenglong and his wife looked strange, although they were also very happy that he could stand up for their son, but, if it hadn¡¯t been him, how could Jingxuan have ended up like that?


    It is Ling Jingpeng and two buns, three people unexpectedly in this strange moment revealed a child¡¯s heart, looking at the exuding domineering strong body with all admiration. So handsome, right?


    ¡°So what? When a man is pregnant, he is wicked, a monster. He seduced a wild man and gave birth! He is a tongsheng. He has brought shame to all scholars!¡±


    No wonder he was the village head. After a moment¡¯s shock, he soon argued back calmly. In addition to himself, no one knew how shocked he was in the heart. With only a look, he would tell that man is a malicious role, looking so noble and graceful, especially the eyes, even he couldn¡¯t look into them. Is it possible he was the adulterer that year?


    Thinking of this, Ling Qiyun couldn¡¯t help but look at the two buns hiding behind Ling Jingxuan, almost just a glance, he confirmed their father-son relationship, since they looked so much alike.


    ¡°This childe, you can¡¯t be impulsive. Ling Jingxuan was not yet 15 years old when he got impregnated. Related with him, later you don¡¯t even want to raise your head in the village.¡±


    Like getting enchanted or what, Ling Chenghua directly forgot that her father and mother and other seniors were there, and also forgot about the former insult, she said prettily as she moved slowly to his side, delicate face slightly blushing. Even a blind person could tell she has feelings for him.


    ¡°Shut up, and you come back!¡±


    Ling Qiyun darkened his face and dragged his spoiled daughter back. Ling Qicai and other men from Ling family could no longer sustain their poseur. Right after they numbered those humiliating things Ling Jingxuan had done, their own unmarried daughter immediately tried to seduce a man under the public. Isn¡¯t it total face slapping?


    ¡°Father, am I wrong? Ling Jingxuan that son of a bitch has ruined the reputation of our Ling family, how can we let him hurt others?¡±


    Ling Chenghua was like being possessed. She still thought she was being reasonable. After staring at this scene, Ling Jingxuan turned to looked at Yan Shengrui, indeed he looked handsome, with noble temperament, the figure was also perfect. No wonder he could get that girl enchanted. For the first time, Ling Jingxuan thought that Ling Chenghua kind of had her good places.


    Feeling the staring from the side, Yan Shengrui turned his head, but saw him with a face of banter, handsome face turning cold, stretching out a hand without thinking and grabbed him by the hand, and then instantaneously fixed his peach blossom eyes on Ling Chenghua¡¯s face, ¡°A unmarried girl tried to seduce me before so many people and kept saying swear words. I am really curious how your parents have raised you. Since the ancient times, women indoor, men outdoor. Men are the master of a house. Since when it is your turn to make your speech before so many people?¡±


    ¡°You said my Jingxuan has brought shame to your family. But in my opinion, you have no shame at all, how to ruin it? Forget about things before. Let¡¯s talk about what I saw today. That pig face ugly woman and the disgusting woman beside her already came to our house and made a scene at noon. Jingxuan is sensible and considerate enough. He knows that he is a man thrown out of the house and dare not ruin their reputation and said all nice words to let them go back. But, while Jingxuan and Jingpeng went to dig wild vegetables, they took the opportunity to take the old lady back again, rampaging this house like a bunch of bandits. They even tried to take way that little bit meat Jingxuan cooked for my injured body! Tusk~ You tell me. Where is your shame?¡±


    ¡°As the saying goes, when the above behave wrongly the below will do the same. The old lady is not behaving herself, so the juniors all learn from her. I want to say. From the deep of my heart, I thank you for driving my Jingxuan and the kids out of the family. Do you deserve to be called a scholar¡¯s family? Don¡¯t make me laugh my ass off!¡±


    Unexpectedly the domineering-looked Prince Sheng has such a slip tongue. Look at those strings of words coming out of his mouth and each word pricks into their hearts. Even black turns white in his mouth! Dope! Right?


    Everyone of Ling family got super anger, but also ashamed. Even Ling Jingxuan forgot to break off his hand and distance himself from him, only standing there, sneering. Actually this man is kind of cute.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough. You an adulterer is not qualified to say anything to my Ling family. Ling Jingxuan, let me ask you. Did you really beat your third aunt? What happened? If you don¡¯t explain it clearly, I will take you to the ancestral hall for punishment!¡±


    Relying on he is the village head, Ling Qicai held up his chest, subconsciously avoided Yan Shengrui¡¯s eyes and lay on Ling Jingxuan.

 Chapter 71

    ¡°Don¡¯t use the ancestral hall to intimidate me! If you really dare to sink me in the pond, my sons and I wouldn¡¯t live till now. Yeah, I beat her, so what? Let me say it clear. They trespassed my house and robbed my stuff. Even if you want to let it go, I wouldn¡¯t! Tomorrow morning I¡¯ll go to the yamen and ask the magistrate to hold the justice for me! I¡¯d like to see what laws they broke!¡±


    If it had been the original Ling Jingxuan, his legs should have already turned into jello. But the current Ling Jingxuan, sorry, there¡¯s no such word call ¡®scared¡¯ in his dictionary. Others should feel lucky enough that he doesn¡¯t bully them. When is it other¡¯s turn to bully him?


    ¡°You¡­is it really like what he said?¡±


    If others might not know about laws, but not the village head. Hearing that Ling Jingxuan was going to the yamen to sue them, he dare not keep being partial to his own family. Wearing a dark face, he turned to his sister-in-law and others while asking so. Only by hearing that the old lady was having a quarrel with her second son, they hurried over, having no time to know about the details, so they would be checkmated by Ling Jingxuan now.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t he say the old couple and Jing Peng catch fish every day and sell money to subsidize him? Who in the village doesn¡¯t know? His new things are all bought with the money the old couple earned. But we didn¡¯t get a single copper coin, plus we haven¡¯t divide up the family, of course we should take something back! Because they belong to our whole Ling family!¡±


    The old lady obstinately insisted that those things were bought using the money Ling Chenglong and his wife earned, with the eyes mercilessly staring at them, as if to cut them into pieces.


    ¡°You are talking nonsense. It is my daddy who went to Yuehua Ditch to catch every morning. My grandparents and my uncle only went to market to sell.¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan and others could react, Ling Wen whose was wearing a red and swollen face rushed out from behind his daddy. No matter when and where, as long as it was something about money, Ling Wen seemed to have unlimited courage.


    ¡°You little bastard¡­¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to spend the rest of your life lying in bed, I advise you to make it a stop¡­¡±


    The old lady reflectively tried to slap him, with strange speed, Ling Jingxuan slipped off the hand of Yan Shengrui and stood in front of his son, with naked coldness and warning in the eyes. The old lady subconsciously took two steps back, generating unspoken fear in the heart.


    Bam~


    At that time, Ling Chenglong who had always been wussy filial to his parents took his wife to kneel in front of his father, looking up at him and said with a begging tone, ¡°Father, second uncle, he really caught those fish himself, I just went to sell it with him in the market when we had some free time. Jingxuan is our eldest son, even if he was driven out of the house, he is still our son. We can¡¯t just leave him there. Since my mother can¡¯t take this, then forgive your unfilial son. We will divide up the family. Let us live alone.¡±


    Speaking of which, the husband and wife both kowtowed to them, to their mother and the family. Their hearts were completely dead this time.


    ¡°You son of a bitch! Your father I haven¡¯t died yet and you want to divide up the family already? Let me tell you. No way!¡±


    ¡°You shut up.¡±


    The old lady yelled at them, but scared back by Ling Qiyun¡¯s hard stare. Looking at the injury on the face of the couple, Ling Qiyun knew who did it even without asking. It were all his sons. Though he didn¡¯t like his second son because of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s stuff, he didn¡¯t necessarily hate them. Chenglong and his wife had always been honest and filial. They were forced to be like this by the old woman.


    ¡°Chenglong, what nonsense are you talking about? Your parents are both alive, how can you move out and live alone?¡±


    To be honest, Ling Qicai was also shocked by his words. He wouldn¡¯t be surprised if it were some other son in the family, but not this couple. He saw them grow up since they were little, how they worked hard in the farm, how they were filial to their parents. Even when their big son got thrown out of the family, they didn¡¯t raise to divide up the family. But now¡­Alas¡­This time his sister-in-law really hurt Chenglong¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Oh come on, Chenglong, it¡¯s not that easy to explain clear about things in Jingxuan¡¯s place. Do you really need to do this? People will laugh at us. Get up. If there is anything, we can go back, close the door and talk slowly. Your father will hold justice for you. Is there¡¯s anything that can¡¯t be solved?¡±


    Ling Chengcai stood out as his elder brother¡¯s gesture. But now he dare not call Ling Jingxuan son of a bitch. One should know only because his second younger brother Chenglong always took the lead to do all the farm work, so as the biggest son of the family, he could live so comfortably. If Chenglong really moves out, who would take care of those dozens of mu of land? His third younger brother is even slier than him. He couldn¡¯t count on him.


    ¡°Go home first.¡±


    Seeing that Ling Chenglong and his wife did not respond, wearing a determined look, Ling Qiyun had to temporarily press it down. He turned to Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Although you are an abandoned son of our family, your surname is still Ling and in your body is still flowing the same blood as us. Today the old lady didn¡¯t make things clear and came to make a scene. Let¡¯s call it even. Later I will let Chenglong bring some gift as compensation. Now can you tell me what is going on?¡±


    If there was another choice, Ling Qiyun would never bow to abandoned son of the family. But today¡¯s thing, they also took part of the blame. If Ling Jingxuan really went to the yamen to sue them, he¡¯d be super embarrassed. Besides, at such a time, he had to consider about the old couple. Anyhow, when he was still alive, he wouldn¡¯t allow them to move out.


    Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t immediately answer him, but secretly making assessment with his arms holding before the chest. Actually he himself was also very surprised that his father would put this forward, and he also generated the idea of adding fuel to the fire. But, at present, he was too weak after all, and it was not the time for this opportunity. It wouldn¡¯t be that easy to divide up the family. For the sake of his parents and younger brothers, he had to compromise.


    ¡°I have one condition. If you promise me, I can tell you how to save him.¡±


    A moment later, Ling Jingxuan raised his head, for his father, mother and brothers, he still chose to lower his head temporarily, because the bigger he made this, the more his parents would suffer in that family. Given the old woman¡¯s arrogant and domineering character, she would definitely make things hard for them. Would they really dare to fight their mother? But since his parents already had conceived this idea in their heart, he could find a way in the future. He should take it slow, right?

 Chapter 72

    ¡°Say it.¡±


    The old man clearly was impatient and Ling Jingxuan also was not repetitive, ¡°Your Ling family is too noble, it¡¯s out of my reach. Please constraint your family. Don¡¯t come to my home if there is nothing urgent. Today for the sake of your face, I can let it go. But if they break into my house next time, don¡¯t blame me being heartless. I will directly tie them up and send to the yamen.¡±


    He compromised, but that did not mean he was inferior to them.


    ¡°It suits me.¡±


    ¡°Very good, use a goat¡¯s urine mixed with some water to feed him. He¡¯d recover in two hours. You can go!¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan tossed his sleevs and turned back, apparently slapping them in the face. Ling Qiyun angrily gave the old woman who provoked this a hard stare, gesturing the big son and a few grandchildren to carry Ling Chenghu and angrily left Ling Jingxuan¡¯s yard.


    Those onlookers were also gone. Since the show was over, there was no reason to stay. Soon, the originally crowded courtyard only left Ling Jingxuan and his family.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Suddenly, Yan Shengrui who had been standing there lordly fell on Ling Jingxuan, with bright tiger eyes appearing weak feeling. With unhealed wounds, it was already a miracle that he could hang it till now. Ling Jingxuan supported him with one hand, and felt his pulse with the other. After making sure he was only over-exhausted, Ling Jingxuan let out a deep breath.


    ¡°Daddy, what¡¯s wrong with¡­him?¡±


    Ling Wen, hold then hand of his younger brother, looked at the pale Yan Shengrui Yan with an uneasy look. Clearly he was worried, he still did not want to admit it. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, ¡°It¡¯s all right. He will be OK after taking some rest. Jingpeng, you support father and mother to the inner room to take some rest. I will be right over.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan, without waiting for a reply, walked into the room, helping Yan Shengrui into his room.


    ¡°A patient should act like a patient. I can take care of my own things without you interfering.¡±


    After placing him on the haystack, Ling Jingxuan stood up while complaining.


    ¡°I¡¯d love to. Whether you admit it or not, they are my sons too, and it is my duty to protect them.¡±


    His former wilted eyes suddenly opened wide. After today¡¯s thing, he became more determined to stay and protect them. With him here, he would not allow today¡¯s thing to happen again.


    ¡°Whatever you say! I¡¯ll let you stay if you can get the little ones¡¯ permission, but don¡¯t put any thought on me. I want my kids. But not their father. I don¡¯t have the blessing to take.¡±


    Without the coldness before, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s attitude also became soft towards him since he held his injured body and tried to protect the two little buns. But about their personal thing, he would make no step back.


    ¡°What you say is a deal!¡±


    Looking at him walking away, Yan Shengrui smiled weakly. After nailing the sons, would he be afraid that he can¡¯t nail their daddy?


    Well, these two had their own thoughts, and the future wouldn¡¯t be so smooth then.


    In the room, Ling Jingxuan had helped his father and mother and Ling Wen clean up the wounds, and applied herbs for them. Looking at the scarred family, Ling Jingxuan only felt indignant, regretting that he shouldn¡¯t let go of those people so easily.


    ¡°Ge, why would you agree grandpa¡¯s suggestion? Father and mother finally put forward to dividing up the family, since you compromised, wouldn¡¯t it go nowhere?¡±


    The young Ling Jingpeng could not stay as calm. Such a great opportunity was missed.


    ¡°Do our parents also think it that way?¡±


    Smiling while shaking his head, Ling Jingxuan did not answer him, but raised his eyes to look over to his still scared parents.


    ¡°Ah? Oh, Jingxuan, what do you think? And, what is wrong with my third brother? Why drink goat urine?¡±


    Ling Chenglong had no reaction, maybe still in the sadness, but Lady Wang only looked at her eldest son strangely. Ling Jingxuan was very smart since he was little, otherwise it was impossible to become a tongsheng at the age of thirteen. She believed that it was unlikely he can¡¯t see how determined they were at the time, nearly using the lifetime courage, but¡­like Jingpeng just said, as he compromised, everything would go nowhere. His father would never agree to divide up the family.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think much. I just think that is not appropriate time. Father, mother, as long as you are determined to divide up the family, I can figure out a way to make it. Trust me. Soon you can move out. But before that, we should cure Jinghan first. As for Ling Chenghu, hum¡­I just used some poison I made myself on him. He will recover naturally in three hours. As for the urine, it¡¯s complimentary.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ Jinghan could really be cured?¡±


    Their son¡¯s being naughty let Lady Wang couldn¡¯t help giving a long-lost smile. Hearing him say that Jinghan could be cured, she already forgot about dividing up the family stuff, only focusing on Ling Jinghan¡¯s illness. Though a few days ago Jingxuan already said he could cure Jinghan, he only became normal, so they didn¡¯t hold too much hope. But since he mentioned it again like he was quite sure of it, she couldn¡¯t help becoming excited.


    Even Ling Chenglong who was staring blankly there raised his head. One could tell how much they expected to cure Ling Jinghan. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t keep them guessing, smiling, ¡°Hmm, actually last night I already made some rock sugar snow pear soup. And today I also bought him the herbs. I have already decocted it well before I went out at noon. Later you can bring it back for him. And from today on, you can take the prepared herbs for him. Trust me. Within half a month, his situation will be greatly improved.¡±


    ¡°Good, d you hear that, Long? Jinghan could be cured¡­¡±


    ¡°Great! Great¡­¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his wife got so excited with tears in their eyes, the eldest son became normal, the second son also would get better. Oh, god bless!


    ¡°Father, mother, today when I went to buy herbs, I met someone infected with the plague, this is some herbs to prevent the plague, you all drink a bowl.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan got up to go to the kitchen to bring them cooled medicine and scooped a bowl for each of them.


    Hearing the word plague, Ling Chenglong and his wife also dare not hesitate, both took the bowl and drank it all. Then the whole family had some chat together. Since Ling Chenglong and his wife were still worried about Ling Jinghan, soon they went away with the herbs. Before they left, Ling Jingxuan nagged them that even if Ling Jinghan was cured, they couldn¡¯t let anyone in the family know. Though the old couple didn¡¯t know why, they still nodded. After sending them away, Ling Jingxuan patted the still upset Ling Jingpeng on the shoulder. The two brothers, one was responsible to mend the broken gate, while the other buried his head among the piles of wild grapes. Finally a hard day was over!

 Chapter 73

    After the scene of the whole family, Ling Jingxuan became famous again. All kinds of versions of rumors were widely spread in the village before dark, but unlike previous blindly criticizing Ling Jingxuan, this time, a lot of people secretly whispering the whole old Ling family¡¯s being unreasonable, especially that unreasonable old woman. Soon Ling Qiyun let Ling Chenglong send Ling Jingxuan ten jin of wheat flour, ten jin of rice, also two jin of pork, but the old woman bringing her daughter-in-law and daughter to break into other¡¯s personal residence still aroused people¡¯s reproaching.


    While on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s side, usually words like monster, son of a bitch or other swearing words would always appear along with his name. In the past five years, the villagers bullied him as they wanted, or beat him as they wanted. The way they looked at him was forever with contempt and disdain, but after this thing, when the villagers talked about him again, fear significantly added to their eyes. Ling Jingxuan slapped his third uncle¡¯s wife in public and taught that whole Ling family a lesson left an indelible shadow in their hearts. Especially that Ling Chenghu already got knocked over before he could get close to Ling Jingxuan. Anyone who saw that would feel his heart shuddering whenever they remembered it. Even in their heart they were even surer he is a monster, no dare ever dare bully or beat him again since then.


    However, these seemingly had nothing to do with Ling Jingxuan. After those people¡¯s drama, originally ample time became much tighter. The brothers didn¡¯t prepare the one hundred jars of jam before midnight. He even forgot about Yan Shengrui, it was the two buns who sent him the medicine. Perhaps because Yan Shengrui protected them today, the two buns changed their attitude toward him significantly. Though the big bun was still feeling u ncomfortable, he no longer picked on him, and since the small bun was simple and na?ve, he completely forgot the words of his daddy and elder brother, dangling before Yan Shengrui all night, playing jokes from time to time, and sometimes curious asking this and that. It didn¡¯t take long for the father and sons to get on well with each other.


    ¡°You know, after my big brother was abandoned by the family, it took him whole five years to finally walk out of the shadow. Now he finally turns normal. I don¡¯t care who you are, or what noble status you own, if you dare bully him again, I will fight you till my last breath!¡±


    In the night, Ling Jingpeng, who had spent the whole night making jam, stayed over. He was lying in a corner of the straw stack, black, skinny but healthy body only wearing a pair of white underpants, upper body naked, only a thin robe covering his belly. Five years ago, he was only nine years old. Even if he wanted, he could do nothing. But now was different. He dare not say a word about his family when they tried to bully his big brother. But if an outsider tried to bully his big brother, he wouldn¡¯t agree.


    ¡°Tell me that when you are strong enough.¡±


    By moonlight, he glanced at Ling Jingpeng at the other end of the room. Yan Shengrui said in a deep voice, no angry feeling, just telling the truth. The fourteen years old Ling Jingpeng may have grown up, but in front of him, there was no doubt that he was just a small child, so his threats was only a child¡¯s play, no deterrence at all.


    ¡°I will.¡±


    Almost integrated with the night, those black eyes shot out firm light, lying on the straw, Ling Jingpeng¡¯s fists were clenching tightly, not only for his big brother, and for his parents and the two nephews, he had to become stronger for them, until one day no one would no longer hurt or bully them.


    What Ling Jingpeng didn¡¯t know was that martial arts practitioners could identity things at night. Borrowing the moonlight, his impression all fell into Yan Shengrui¡¯s sharp eyes. For this, Yan Shengrui only gave a faint smile, no longer gave any of his thoughts. Protecting Ling Jingxuan and the two kids is his expectations, and also his. Even if someone he regained his memories and remembered the past, he would never forget about his expectations at the moment.


    The next day, Ling Jingxuan still got up early, made a few rounds in the yard several times routinely, and Ling Jingpeng who also got up early almost was done with the breakfast.


    ¡°Ge, why are you running every day early in the morning?¡±


    Seeing that the small bun also spontaneously run around the yard after getting up, Ling Jingpeng can not help but wondering. Aren¡¯t they feeling hot?


    ¡°Haha¡­just taking some exercise, Xiaowen and Xiaowu will practice Taichi after running, if you are interested, you can let them teach you. We can have breakfast after that.¡±


    He took over the towel Jingpeng handed to him to wipe off the sweat, then said as he walked to the cart in the yard, which had been placed four big buckets on.


    ¡°No, ge, I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    Afraid that he may not be able to move them alone, Ling Jingpeng took the initiative to move over, but Ling Jingxuan froze a bit, then smiled back at him, ¡°I can do this alone, if you got nothing to do, you can decoct the herbs and send it to Jinghan later.¡±


    He did not want to let him find the Crescent Spring thing, which had nothing to do with trust issue, simply feeling unnecessary. If he had to give a reason, it should be the same why he didn¡¯t want to tell the two little buns. Some things, he should take it to himself. He didn¡¯t want to get anyone involved.


    ¡°All right, and don¡¯t you catch too much. They would send people to collect the jam. Remember? It would be bad if we are both away.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng also did not insist, his big brother was important, so was his second elder brother. He also hoped that the second elder brother¡¯s disease could get better as soon as possible.


    ¡°I know. Xiaowen, you two, don¡¯t run for too long. You have to practice taichi later.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan, who was pulling the wooden handcart out, saw that the two buns were turning a corner, with the cubs he usually tied in the backyard following behind. As usual, the cubs immediately howled on seeing him, like it was going to pounce over to kill him, making him sweat every time. When will the two cubs forget about the fact that he killed their mother?


    ¡°Oh, dad, you are going to catch fish again? Don¡¯t go to too deep places.¡±


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    The big bun was still so nagging as before, like a little old man. The wounds on his face, after he took the medicine Ling Jingxuan prescribed and the Crescent Spring water, got healed a lot. And the small bun happily ran over and held his leg. Both of them revealed two white front teeth, and their almost the same faces were already sweating after a long time running. But the smile didn¡¯t show any exhausting feeling. Having run for a few days, they gradually got used to and kind of liked this morning exercise.


    ¡°Well, the swelling has gone down. Don¡¯t forget to apply the ointment after running.¡±


    Kneading the head of the small bun and then the big bun¡¯s swollen cheeks, Ling Jingxuan bent over to pull up the handcart again.


    Two buns obediently nodded and didn¡¯t start running again after watching their daddy disappear in the distance. And the two cubs also frisked by their side. Facing the rising red sun, two buns and two cubs kept running around the yard one circle after another tirelessly. The sweat wetted their clothes but not their will, also made them stronger.

 Chapter 74

    Yesterday after bringing the old lady and other back, Ling Qiyun did not go to his private school not far away home. He only sent his biggest grandson of the first wife Ling Jinghong to inform the kids to go home. After Ling Chenglong and his wife went back, the old man asked the biggest son Ling Chengcai to send the old woman back to her own family in their face. Finally under his sons and grandsons¡¯ pleading, the old woman stayed. But as Ling Chenglong anticipated, dividing the family and moving out to live alone went nowhere.


    When the couple returned to their own room, Lady Wang could not help but tearing. Apparently having known the old man dig a pit and wait for them to jump in, they still chose to jump in,  while others, except receiving some scolding from the old man, got no punishment at all. If it had been before, they would only think the old lady was partial, the old man just turned a blind eyes and did not care. But seen from now, even the old man was partial to others.


    ¡°Mother, one heart is born partial. So many years have passed and we are already used to it. Anyway, my big brother and others are all OK. So, forget about it. If my illness can really be cured, I will take the imperial examination. As long as I can get a title, no one in this family would dare bully us as they want.¡±


    Finally, it was ling Jinghan¡¯s words soothed her. Filial piety was like a mountains pressing over their heads. What can they do expect persuading themselves? The ones who bulled them were their parents.


    ¡°Jingpeng, you are home? Good. Dinner is ready. Put things down and come eat some food.¡±


    When Ling Jingpeng carrying two jars came back home, Lady Li, his big uncle¡¯s wife who was missing yesterday, welcomed him as usual, like nothing had happened yesterday at all.


    Lady Li was the old lady¡¯s niece, who would always know how to please the old lady, also was generous and virtuous among those wives, also gentle and loving before the juniors. But Ling Jingpeng did not like him since he was little. It was not that he was smarter than others and could see her true color beneath that face, but one time, accidentally overheard that she complained before his big uncle that his parents had spent too much on someone who was destined to die. Since then, he distanced himself from her.


    ¡°Morning, auntie.¡±


    Not infected by her enthusiasm, Ling Jingpeng nodded at random, carried the pots and walked into the yard.


    ¡°Bah! Who does he think he is? Sister-law-law, ignore him. He is just a bastard who only eats free food. Such an ungrateful thing!¡±


    Behind, Ling Chenghua¡¯s abusing clearly went into his ears. Ling Jingpeng indifferently closed the door, also indirectly cut off those annoying dialogues outside.


    ¡°Jingpeng, you are back. It¡¯s time to carry fish from Jingxuan¡¯s place. Why did you come back?¡±


    Seeing his son, who didn¡¯t get up early to do chores for the first time due to anger, Lady Wang hurriedly dropped the work of wiping the table and went to his side. Ling Chenglong, who was hunkering aside also gave him a strange look.


    ¡°My big brother asked me to take the decocted medicine over for my second brother. Ge, how you feeling now after taking the medicine big brother prescribed for you? Any better?¡±


    Waving the pot in his hand, Ling Jingpeng poured two bowls of it and sent to Ling Jinghan¡¯s bed, while caring about his situation.


    ¡°How can it be that fast? But I did cough much less last night. And I also barely coughed this morning when I was talking. It works, I guess.¡±


    Holding up his body and taking over the bowl of herbs, Ling Jinghan said with a smile. Compared with the expectations of his parents and brothers, he already held no big hope for his own illness, in case he would get a bigger blow if it failed.


    ¡°It will work. Tell you what. Our big brother¡¯s medical skills are superb. The prescription preventing the plague we took yesterday is from him. He ever earned ten taels of silver out of it! So, ge, rest assured. I believe big brother will cure you.¡±


    Thinking of Ling Wen¡¯s words, Ling Jingpeng leaned forward and said into his ear excitedly. Except the few of them, no other one knew it.


    ¡°What? Didn¡¯t he just buy it since he happened to meet someone with plague? Since when it becomes his prescription?¡±


    Hearing that, Lady Wang and Ling Chenglong also walked over. Even Ling Jinghan who was taking the medicine put down the bowl. Plague was no common colds. Every time a plague broke out, even those renowned so-called miracle doctors could do nothing. How could Ling Jingxuan even make a prescription for precaution? Are his medical skills that good?


    ¡°As for the details, I also have no idea. I heard it from Xiaowen saying that my big brother has superb medical skills and my second brother¡¯s illness could be cured. And after he is cured, maybe he could join the county examination, and maybe become a xiucai next spring, and then a juren in autumn, and a jinshi the spring the year after next. And our good days would come.¡±


    The more Ling Jingpeng thought about it, the more excited, like the scene that his second brother passed the imperial examination already became true. Even Ling Chenglong and his wife instantly forgot about the previous doubts and put on a smile one after another. If so, their good days were near.


    ¡°As you wish! Do you think the imperial examination is so easy to pass? Didn¡¯t you see that our grandpa hasn¡¯t made one step further for all these years?¡±


    Ling Jinghan was rational enough. He poked his head and smiled helplessly, and also punctured his sweet dream. Ling Jingpeng wrinkled his nose and complained, ¡°He couldn¡¯t pass it doesn¡¯t mean you can not. Maybe you can really pass it!¡±


    Besides his brother, he admired his second brother most. Maybe because having lying in bed for too long, he was the most knowledgeable one in the family, even better that the old man¡­It was just¡­the ill body held him back from joining the imperial examination.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s all in the future. About dividing up the family, did big brother say something?¡±


    Wanting to draw a stop on this matter, Ling Jinghan secretly switched the topic. Others may not know, but not him. The one who wanted to divide up the family should be his younger brother absolutely. When their big brother got thrown out of the family, they were only nine years old, and he could already tell his younger brother had been thinking about how to divide up the family and live alone.


    ¡°No, he just said yesterday was not the right time and asked us to wait.¡±


    Speaking of this topic, Ling Jingpeng¡¯s shoulders sank, looking a bit upset. Yesterday was such a good chance! How could he say it was not the right time?¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his wife also felt troubled on this thing. When something wasn¡¯t put above the table, people would only play dumb and days could go on. Once it was put above the table, days in the future would only be more difficult.


    ¡°Hmm, mom and dad, you don¡¯t have to worry too much. I think big brother is right. Yesterday¡¯s opportunity was not good. If grandpa really agreed to let us move out, wouldn¡¯t it confirm the fact that grandma bullies his son and daughter-in-law as an elder? That is absolutely a shame to Ling family. Grandpa would never allow that to happen. You saw it with your own eyes. After all, they have been married for dozens of years, besides, they are your parents. You can¡¯t see grandpa getting sent home because of this, can you? So, even if my big brother didn¡¯t deny it, things would still go that way. So let¡¯s listen to my big brother and wait. Maybe a bigger good chance is waiting ahead.¡±


    Touching the chin, after a moment of silence, Ling Jinghan raised his head to look at his obviously worried and upset parents, he felt that it seemed that his big brother had already had a plan, he just did not tell them yet.


    ¡°Ah, since you also said so, we¡¯ll wait. Jinghan, take the medicine. We won¡¯t think of anything for now, we only hope that you¡¯d be cured. As long as you three brothers could stay healthy, we¡¯d rather live here for the rest of our life.¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his wife gave each other a look, and sighed helplessly. Except waiting, what could they do? Anyway, they couldn¡¯t lift a knife and force their parents to divide up the family, right? Such unfilial thing, they really couldn¡¯t do.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll also listen to my two elder brothers.¡±


    Although he still couldn¡¯t let it go so easily, Ling Jingpeng still felt a bit pacified after Ling Jinghan¡¯s explanation. When left carrying the pot, it was almost half an hour later.

 Chapter 75

    Early in the morning, two horse-drawn carriages suddenly drove into Ling village through the junction of those few villages. After the front one asked about where Ling Jingxuan lived, both directly headed to the foot of Yuehua Mountain. On the way, a lot of farmers who were working saw it, but no one dared to ask what they were doing here. Almost everyone was wondering who they were here for.


    Whoa~


    The carriage stopped at the gate of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s house. Shopkeeper Zhang of Xinyuan Restaurant got off from behind, gesturing one of the carters to watch the carriage, then knocked on the gate taking two servants.


    ¡°Who is it?¡±


    The small bun¡¯s crisp voice was heard, then, squeak~ The wooden gate was opened from inside. Standing behind the door, the small bun cocked his head to look them up and down. Before Shopkeeper Zhang opened his mouth, the small bun already turned around and ran back.


    ¡°Daddy, daddy, that uncle from the restaurant yesterday is here, daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    Seeing this, Shopkeeper Zhang froze there, only ooking at that small frisking figure.


    ¡°Sorry for my son¡¯s ignorance , please come in!¡±


    Before long, Ling Jingxuan walked out of the room, followed by Ling Jingpeng who just came over and the two little buns, only at this time Shopkeeper Zhang came to his sense and forced out a smile, with his hands cupped before, ¡°Please, Childe Lin.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­So let¡¯s save the courtesy. Please.¡±


    How could the host walk in front of the guest? He still wants to do his business.


    ¡°Haha¡­ Then I won¡¯t stand on ceremony. To be honest, actually I¡¯m here to talk to you about the jam stuff today. Yesterday¡­Hmm? You can catch such big carp in this season? Childe Lin, are these also yours?¡±


    After entering the courtyard, before Shopkeeper Zheng finished what he was saying, he got attracted by the buckets of fish. Seeing those fat and big carps, Shopkeeper Zhang couldn¡¯t help asking. Actually it was not that there were not fishermen who were living on fishing. Let alone fish in the river, there were even seafish here. But due to all-year-round fishing, plus no food to feed them, it was really a rare thing to see such big carps. That was also the main reason why its price was so high.


    ¡°Well, I raise my own medicinal fish in a nearby stream, but they don¡¯t produce much and I can only sell them for a living.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan obviously did not want to say more, just casually muddled a few words. He did not think that Shopkeeper Zheng was easy to fool like those peddlers in the market. It¡¯d be bad if he asked him to take him to where he raised the fish. Before he built his own fishpond, he didn¡¯t plan to catch too much of them.


    ¡°Medicinal fish? Raising by yourself?¡±


    Keen enough to grasp the key point, Shopkeeper Zhang could not help exclaiming. For over hundreds of years, no one could have ever made it!


    ¡°Haha¡­I was just lucky enough to figure out a peculiar prescription for raising fish with medicinal herbs.¡±


    He knew it! Ling Jingxuan also felt helpless. If he said he only caught them somewhere, given Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s shrewdness, he wouldn¡¯t buy it at all, because this is not the right season, besides, it was only early in the morning, how could there are so many fish for him to catch?


    ¡°Can you supply on ration every day?¡±


    Seeing that he was hiding something, Shopkeeper Zhang decisively dropped that topic and stated that he liked those fish. Ling Jingxuan pretended to ponder for a moment and then said, ¡°For now, 30 fish tops. And it may not be carps, there are also chubs and grass carps. If you want them, you can only send a cart to get them yourself. Sorry I really have no time to send them to town every day.¡±


    Since Xinyuan Restaurant could open branches all over the Great Qing Dynasty, one could imagine its background. It¡¯s a good thing if he could keep a long-term corporation with them. But the thing is he doesn¡¯t have his own fishpond, so he has no mass production. When he has his own fishpond in the future, he still has to reply on them to raise money.


    ¡°OK, let¡¯s go inside and talk it over.¡±


    Taking a last glance at those bouncy fish in the buckets, Shopkeeper Zhang moved his steps forward. Ling Jingxuan secretly gave Ling Jingpeng an eye, indicating him to take the two buns to the backyard first. The kids¡¯ first job is reading books and playing. He could forget about the past. But in the future he didn¡¯t want them to get involved in business too early.


    ¡°Childe Ling, I¡¯ll be straight with you.¡±


    After sitting in the guest room, Shopkeeper Zhang directly got to the point, ¡°To be honest, right after you left yesterday, I launched that appetizer, and the guests¡¯ feedback exceeded my anticipation. After the peak time at noon, I went to town myself. And the shopkeeper in the town also showed great interest, and immediately wrote a letter to the shopkeeper in the prefecture on that very night, elaborating the making method of the appetizer and purchasing jam stuff. And early the next morning I received the personal letter from the shopkeeper in the prefecture. And we decided to launch this appetizer in all branches throughout the whole prefecture. So I am here to ask if you can supply us a thousand pots in ten days and at least five thousand pots every month from the next month?¡±


    It was a big, scary number, and it was their conservative estimation, which was why he came in person, and frankly speaking, he also didn¡¯t expect the shopkeeper in the prefecture would appreciate this so much.


    ¡°Yes, I think I can, but I¡¯m afraid we¡¯ll have to calculate the price another way.¡±


    Like having already expected this, Ling Jingxuan answered seriously after thinking a while.


    ¡°How?¡±


    Hearing that it might be plausible, the shopkeeper immediately showed great interest. At this time, Ling Jingpeng came in. Ling Jingxuan gestured him to wait a bit and then said to Ling Jingpeng, ¡°You go bring me a pot of jam in the cellar for me.¡±

 Chapter 76

    Ling Jingpeng nodded, turned to go out then. Shopkeeper Zhang only had a head of question marks now. When Ling Jingpeng came back, he got a pot of jam with its mouth wrapped with a piece of white cloth. Ling Jingxuan took it over, uncovered the white cloth and handed it before the shopkeeper, ¡°Yesterday we made a deal, one tael of silver for each pot. I thought you wouldn¡¯t buy much, a few hundred a month tops. But now your amount has increased over ten times, and might even double again in the future. So using such small pots, I¡¯m afraid soon such pots would be out of stock. As you can see, I¡¯m a countryman, with two kids to support, so I can¡¯t go to other places to purchase pots. So I am wondering, this kind of pots could only contain one jin at most. How about I use bib jars and we can calculate by jin? I can give you a big discount. One tael of silver for one jin?¡±


    It was obvious some business with no any cost, he could still act like it was like cutting his flesh. Oh man!


    ¡°OK, but better no more than one hundred jin for a pot. You know, we got to send them to all the restaurants nearby. It¡¯s a bit hard to allocate, you know. And we can¡¯t afford it if it breaks or what on way.¡±


    His requirement was not too much. It was true it was more cost-effective for one tael of silver for one jin than one tael of silver for a little pot. So there was no reason Shopkeeper Zhang said no. He only needed to re-sign the contract.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my original plan is fifty jin for one jar. Enough for you to allocate. But Mr. Zhang, have you ever thought of selling it to the public?¡±


    Whether the wine could be sold here, he had no idea yet. If he wanted to earn enough money to build houses he wanted in three months, he could only reply on selling jam. Although the amount Shopkeeper Zhang needed was already amazing, he thought it was still not enough. After yesterday¡¯s thing, he decided to get rich as soon as possible, and let those who look down on them regret to death!


    ¡°For sale? You mean¡­¡±


    Someone who could be the shopkeeper would definitely have a smart brain. After only one second¡¯s confusion in the eyes, Shopkeeper Zhang already beamed with excitement in the eyes. Ling Jingxuan looked into his eyes and nodded, ¡°Hmm, for sale! Actually that frozen desert is also easy to make. Those foodies know how to make it if they watch it for only one time. As far as I know, those misses and madams from those big families would only stay at home, right? If they take it back, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s already melted on the way. If they got ready-made jam and make it home, problem solved.¡±


    In any era, it¡¯s always easy to make money out of women!


    ¡°That¡¯s all right, but if you want to sell it to big families, the jars won¡¯t fit. You have to use small pots, and it needs to be a little more delicate. Didn¡¯t you say there aren¡¯t so many?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    An evil smile climbed up Ling Jingxuan¡¯s cheeks. The shopkeeper looked at him suspiciously. Suddenly he pointed at Ling Jingxuan and laughed in spite of himself like he got enlightened, ¡°You boy, you are a genius!¡±


    Only then did he know that Ling Jingxuan had planned everything, just waiting for him to jump in.


    ¡°Heihei, you are too serious. I¡¯m just doing it to support the family.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan cupped his hands before modestly, withdrew the smile and continued, ¡°Because the amount you need is huge, I suggest you use big jars. I didn¡¯t play any tricks or what. Trust me, Mr. Zhang, as for those little pots of jam, it¡¯s still one tael of silver for you. As for how much you are gonna sell them, not my concern, and I wouldn¡¯t tell anyone the bottom price, or sell them to others. You can write them all in the agreement.¡±


    ¡°Of course. But the amount will be really huge. Are you sure you can supply it?¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang raised his head to look around. It was not that he didn¡¯t trust him. But, this house is this small. Before he came, he also heard a lot about him, knowing that he had two kids to support, and sometimes his parents and younger brother would come to help, but the amount they need is too huge. It¡¯s hard for only a few of them to maintain it, isn¡¯t it?


    ¡°Rest assured, Mr. Zhang. Since I could come up with this suggestion, of course I can guarantee you. But still like what I said, those fruit for the jam are seasonal products. However big amount you need, I only supply till September. As it turns cold in October, I will cut the supply.¡±


    He already had a plan. He would ask Zhao Dalong¡¯s whole family to join. Of course, not cooperation, but employing them. If in the future he was too busy, he would hire some long-time workers. He heard that he could even buy people here. As for how, he still didn¡¯t know. That was the future thing. In order to earn enough money to reclaim the wasteland, he had to take the risk.


    ¡°All right, since you say so, what¡¯s there to be worried about?¡±


    The shopkeeper was also straightforward. He immediately turned around and asked the servant to fetch the brush, ink and silver. Whatever changes there¡¯d be in the agreement, today he would take the one hundred pots of jam back.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s get back to those fish. It¡¯s at most ten copper coins for one jin if you sell them in the market. I can offer the same price, and sell them all to me, what do you say?¡±


    Seizing the chance, the shopkeeper tried to do business again. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, ¡°Deal. Still those words. At this hour every morning, you have to send someone to fetch yourself. I can only supply for 30 every day. In the future I plan to dig a two mu fishpond in my backyard and try to raise my own fish. If you are interested, we can talk after the fish grow big enough.¡±


    The fishpond thing should not be delayed any longer. Only seen from the business of the jam, he could tell Xinyuan Restaurant is super rich. He wouldn¡¯t try to earn their money only if he got only shit in the head.


    ¡°All right. I trust you. About the fish supply, it doesn¡¯t need any agreement for now. We¡¯ll talk about when the fish are big enough.¡±


    During their conversation, the servant with the package came back, the shopkeeper took the package and took out the ink, paper and ink stone and pushed the rest before Ling Jingxuan, ¡°I guess in your village it¡¯s not very convenient to use bank notes, so I made the decision for you to exchange it into a hundred taels of silver. You count them.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Zhang.¡±


    Taking the package, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t count them and directly threw it to Ling Jingpeng who was standing behind.

 Chapter 77

    ¡°Do you think this agreement will work?¡±


    Before long, the shopkeeper handed a new agreement to him. It didn¡¯t have many changes, only added the clause about the extra amount he had to supply and one tael of silver for one jin. Ling Jingxuan quickly viewed it, took over the seal and pressed his fingerprint, which indicated that their partnership had been established.


    ¡°Now that the matter is settled, I will not disturb you more. The restaurant is still busy.¡±


    The shopkeeper took out yesterday¡¯s agreement and tore it before Ling Jingxuan. After putting away the new agreement, he was about to leave. Ling Jingxuan hurriedly said, ¡°Jingpeng? Jingpeng?¡±


    Until this time he was aware that his younger brother had already kept drifting away. Glancing at the bundle in his arms, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or cry. Just a hundred taels of silver! Come oN!


    ¡°Jingpeng, Jingpeng¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah? You called me?¡±


    Under Jingxuan¡¯s push and shove, Ling Jingpeng finally came back to himself, but still it was only confusing feeling in those pair of bright eyes.


    Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, ¡°They are leaving. You take them to carry the jam in the cellar.¡±


    ¡°Oh, then this¡­ here you are!¡±


    The puzzlement in the eyes instantly wore off, Ling Jingpeng couldn¡¯t help blushing. He ran away with his head down after stuffing the bundle to Ling Jingxuan. The two servants of Shopkeeper Zhang then followed behind. Ling Jingxuan gave a slight smile, ¡°Sorry to make you laugh. You know, my younger brother has never seen the outside world. So he was a bit in a gaffe.¡±


    But at least he is better than his little bun, and it would be a shame if he also fell down like his little bun.


    ¡°Never mind. Never mind. Young men, I know. They need experience and toughening. Oh right, brother Ling, there¡¯s something you don¡¯t know. Yesterday a plague outbroke in Pingan Hall in the town. The county magistrate hurried over taking the yamen runners. It¡¯s said that the village that kid lives in has been quarantined. Fortunately Pingan Hall brought out the prescription for the precaution and treatment in the first place and the plague didn¡¯t spread out. You¡¯d better go to the town and buy a few doses of herbs. And, the county magistrate also brought the news about conscription. A war broke out at the front line, so the Court decides to draft temporarily. Every family with two or more 14 to 35 laborers has to offer one. I heard you have two younger brothers, so you¡¯d better make preparations ahead. I¡¯m afraid soon the official announcement would be issued to all villages.¡±


    When Shopkeeper Zhang said the former part, Ling Jingxuan still looked unconcerned. When he came to the drafting part, Ling Jingxuan abruptly frowned. He didn¡¯t care at all, since he was way below the standard for sure. But his younger brother would be dangerous. Given the whole family¡¯s ignorance of his parents, plus yesterday¡¯s thing, once the announced was issued, they¡¯d definitely let Jingpeng go! Damn it! Why does it come at such a time? In times of cold arms, being a soldier means death!


    Unaware of the murderous feeling under his eyes, Shopkeeper Zhang only thought he was worried as he was frowning there. So he hurriedly told him the remedies. All years¡¯ battles, the national treasury has been in short supply, and the military expenditure is also very tense. So money and soldiers are both very important.


    ¡°Hmm, thank you for letting me know, brother Zhang.¡±


    Withdrawing the killing feeling in the eyes, Ling Jingxuan cupped his hands and already wore a faint smile on the face. In the world, there¡¯s no absolute good or bad thing. It might be a good chance for them. Who knows?


    ¡°You are welcome, brother Ling. I am just telling you it. You don¡¯t have to thank me.¡±


    On hearing how they called each other, one could tell their relationship had gotten one step closer. For this, Shopkeeper Zhang was very happy. He really liked this young man everyone called monster. He didn¡¯t know why. He always had a strange feeling! This man isn¡¯t a walk-over.


    ¡°Haha¡­ I got nothing here, only got some mushroom I picked in the mountain to show my gratitude. Please take them with you.¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan also did not say much. He stood up and picked up a broken dustpan from the cupboard aside, where he got those mushrooms that had been soaked with the water from the Crescent Spring aired in. They were still very fresh now.


    ¡°What?! Mushrooms?¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang excitedly grabbed the dustpan, picked up one with his trembling hand to sniff, after quite a while, he turned to Ling Jingxuan and asked gingerly, ¡°Can you distinguish mushrooms?¡±


    Nodding, looking confused under that pair of phoenix long and thin eyes. Even a common person could distinguish those edible mushrooms from those poisonous ones, right? Let alone he is a skilled doctor and a killer.


    ¡°How can that be? Do you have any idea how precious mushrooms are? In the capital they even have a profession called mushroom identifier, only working for those big restaurants and big families. Even they would make a mistake sometimes and pick those poisonous mushrooms. Almost every year, people would die of it. It¡¯s said mushroom identifiers only run in the family. They wouldn¡¯t teach an outsider. How did you learn it?¡±


    Hearing here, Ling Jingxuan finally know why he was so excited, and also suddenly remembered that when he picked mushrooms for the first time in the mountain, the little bun also said those mushrooms are poisonous and what he picked them for. At the time, he only thought the little bun was too small, so he didn¡¯t know mushrooms are also edible. Heihei¡­can he say he has found another way of making a fortune?


    ¡°When I was a kid, I once met a traveling barefoot doctor who taught me science and how to distinguish mushrooms.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan fabricated a character, anyway, no one would really go check it, right?


    ¡°No wonder. Brother Ling, you are really lucky. If you can pick more mushrooms later, you must send them to our Xinyuan Restaurant first. Don¡¯t worry, I will give you a good price.¡±


    The shopkeeper did not think so much. He patted his shoulder and laughed, but still did not forgot to pull a piece of cloth from his chest to wrap all the mushrooms in the dustpan. Those are something good!


    ¡°Well, thank you, brother Zhang. It seems they are finished with the jam. Let¡¯s go and have a look.¡±


    Now was not the season of mushroom proliferation. Ling Jingxuan did plan to say more about it, only with one hand behind his back, while the other making a ¡®please¡¯ gesture. The shopkeeper held that bundle of mushrooms cheerly, with undisguised satisfaction under his eyes.


    Under Ling Jingpeng and a few guys¡¯ working together, one hundred jars of jam were soon move out, and they also weighed the fish by the way, a total of 35 fish, one hundred and thirty jin, ten copper coins for one jin, one thousand three hundred in total. As the shopkeeper was about to pay, Ling Jingxuan suggested he pay every tens day to save trouble, as he thought anyway it was a long-term supply. What reason did the shopkeeper have to say no?


    ¡°Daddy, daddy¡­ is all this money ours?¡±


    After seeing off the shopkeeper, the two brothers turned back and walked to the room. Before they stepped in, Ling Wen holding the bundle ran out, with Ling Wu with a face of excitement following behind.


    Looking at his moneygrubber face, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling. After holding their hands to walk into the room, he said slowly, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s one hundred taels of silver. Shopkeeper Zhang has signed a long-term agreement with me. And we¡¯d have more one hundred taels of silver! Not only that, he even booked our fish. He¡¯d send someone here to fetch the fish every morning. And those mushrooms, he said those are something good, even more expensive than meat. He said if we can pick more, we must sell them to him. Then we got another income. So you¡¯d feel more secure now, right?¡±


    Alas, his sons love money, and as their dad, he could only manage to make money.


    ¡°Really?! If so, we¡¯ll stop eating the mushrooms and sell them for money.¡±


    Hearing this, Ling Wen made a decisive decision.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan only felt dark before his eyes, the corners of the mouth could not help twitching, ¡°Well, Xiaowen, you know, mushrooms are the only nutritious food in our family. How can we sell them all?¡±


    When can he raise them into meat stuffed buns?


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I have thought it through. Daddy, didn¡¯t you say mushrooms are more expensive than meat? Then we use the money we earn from those mushroom to buy two piglets. We can butcher them after they grow big enough for New Year!¡±


    Seeing he was saying it so clearly and logically, Ling Jingxuan only wanted to hit on a piece of tofu to kill himself! Why did he tell him mushrooms could sell for money? How about now? The only fairly delicious food was gone!


    ¡°Daddy, that¡¯s a good idea. Buy piglets! I want to eat pork!¡±


    The two buns did not notice their dad¡¯s frustration. The big bun was offering his plan while the small bun circled around the room, clapping. Ling Jingxuan felt soft and collapsed onto the table feebly. One is a money slave, while the other a big foodie. Troubles never come singly, right?


    ¡°Haha¡­big brother, I think that idea would do. We can also buy some little chickens to raise. They can lay eggs. But Xiaowen, you can¡¯t sell those eggs. We should keep them for nutrition. Look at your skinny body! Even if you don¡¯t consider it for yourself, you should consider it for your dad and Xiaowu.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng, who sensed everything under his eyes, could feel how his big brother felt, really! But¡­in the future, he¡¯d definite forbid his kids to contact Xiaowen much. His stingy character is really annoying, though it¡¯s really funny sometimes.


    ¡°I, I know.¡±


    Being taught by his uncle, even if he didn¡¯t consider it to that level, he still couldn¡¯t help blushing.


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Ling Jingpeng could not help laughing, holding the belly. He bet if he didn¡¯t remind him ahead, his little nephew would definitely plan to sell those eggs.


    After giving a hard stare at his uncle who already had no image due to his wild laughing, Ling Wen then found his ¡®dying¡¯ dad. Taking a look at the shining silver in the hand, and thinking of what he just said, Ling Wen suddenly felt kind of guilty. He walked over to pull a corner of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s robe and said gingerly, ¡°Daddy, are you mad?¡±


    ¡°Ah? No, I just think it¡¯s not a bad idea to reduce expenditure. If we want to get rich, we¡¯d better mainly focus on increasing income and reducing expenditure. Xiaowen, do you still remember what I told you? Before doing anything we must have a healthy body. Look at us, all so skinny, like only a bunch of bones left. Whatever we do, we¡¯d pant like a dog. We were poor before and we have no right to complain. But now we are rich. And we¡¯d make more money in the future. Shouldn¡¯t we loosen the criteria and eat something good?¡±


    With his head tilted, Ling Wen¡¯s black eyebrows were furrowed and loosened from time to time, as if he was thinking over what he had said. After quite a while, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, saying it was like cutting his flesh, ¡°Then we¡¯ll buy wheat flour and rice to eat, and buy some meat from time to time, does that work?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s more like it. Not only meat, we have to eat one egg a day. I also plan to go to the town to buy a milch cow or goat. You are five years old, but still look like three or four. You know how daddy feels? Daddy is a doctor. So about food, leave it all to daddy. I told you, I¡¯d raise you into super meat stuffed buns! Give me that chance!¡±


    It¡¯s really not an easy thing that the big bun would made concession. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s depression got dispelled immediately and he also tried to seize back part of power in the family, no more. His son being stingy may be a good thing, isn¡¯t it? At least they could save money, right?

 Chapter 78

    ¡°Either milch cow or goat is OK, but not eggs. Like uncle said, we can buy some chicks and we¡¯d have eggs to eat after they grow up. Daddy, it¡¯s true we have money now, but we still have to save it. Didn¡¯t you say you want to send us to school? And our house also needs mending. You know, it all needs money.¡±


    Cows and goats are animals. So it wouldn¡¯t lose money anyway. But consumables like eggs were decidedly denied by him. In case of his unstopped whining, Ling Jingxuan who failed to retake the ¡®power¡¯ hurriedly said, ¡°All right, we¡¯ll do as you said. You put away those silver first. I got something to talk to your uncle alone.¡±


    It was already good enough that his stingy bun could have conceded so much. Ling Jingxuan took out a big ten-tael silver and a few one-tael silver, then fastened it and handed it back to him.


    ¡°Ok.¡±


    After receiving the bundle, Ling Wen turned around and ran out joyfully, with the small bun following behind, giggling. Not until the two shadows disappeared did the two brother gave each other a smile. Never mind. He should save it if he wants, as long as their little buns are happy.


    ¡°Jingpeng, later you go to the market for Wang, and book fifty big jars that could store fifty jin. Mouth not too big, like those ordinary wines jars and it would do. And, book two hundred small pots like those yesterday. Remember, I want the word ¡®Ling¡¯ with dark color on its body, and ¡®Ling Jam¡¯ at the bottom. And, and two hundred more of the wine jars we booked yesterday. Don¡¯t let Xiaowen know.¡±


    Withdrawing the smile, Ling Jingxuan pushed that ten-tael silver before his younger brother.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ok, I get it, should I bring the piglets and chicks back by the way?¡±


    ¡°All right, two piglets first, fifty chicks, and a few hens that could lay eggs. Oh, is there any good carpenter in our village?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. It looks like the two little buns want some little piglets badly, it¡¯s not a bad idea to buy them as early as possible, at least the big bun wouldn¡¯t always stare at him. To be honest, every time he spent money, as long as he heard him call him daddy, he couldn¡¯t help trembling. He is really his bane!


    ¡°Isn¡¯t our father a carpenter? Father used to do some carpentry and take it to the fair in the slack season, or how do you think we got our rations?¡±


    Carefully putting away the silver, Ling Jingpeng casually said. Actually he also could do some simple carpentry work, of course, he could only act as his father¡¯s assistant.


    ¡°Is that so? I really forgot. Well, we¡¯ll talk about it when dad comes.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrow surprisingly. He really had no idea of that, since it was not in the memories of the original owner. Maybe his dad specially learnt it in recent years in order to give him material assistance secretly.


    Thinking of this, he couldn¡¯t help feeling warm in the heart. Although his parents were too sincere, easy to be bullied, let along protect them, Ling Jingxuan, from the bottom of the heart, felt happy, at least they really are good to him, right? As for other things, they were bullied, he could help them fight back. He had never needed other¡¯s protection.


    ¡°You want daddy to make that kind of wooden wedges for wine bottles, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, by the way, make a pighen and chicken coop. By the way, are there any other private schools around here besides the private school run by Lord Ling?¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan suddenly asked, next they would be more and more busy, so he¡¯d better send the kids to the private school as soon as possible, in case those bitches would come make trouble again while he was not home.


    ¡°No, as you know, our grandfather is the only xiucai in several villages around here. Most of the children are sent to his private school, you know, no one else can teach them.¡±


    Knowing that he scrupled their grandfather and the Ling family, Ling Jingpeng helplessly shook his head. This matter is really tough.


    ¡°Is that so? I will go to town tomorrow. If there¡¯s no other choice, I will send them to school in the town. I can buy a carriage to take them to school every day. The kids¡¯ education is big thing. I dare not send them to learn from someone like Lord Ling.¡±


    It wouldn¡¯t be a thing as long as it could be solved through money. For the kids, he wouldn¡¯t say a word even if it¡¯d cost all the money he earned. He didn¡¯t expect them to pass the imperial examination to confer a big title or what, but only wished they would be highly cultured and steeped in propriety, sensible and reasonable, and not get bullied again. Lord Ling couldn¡¯t even teach his own kids, how could he teach others¡¯ kids well? Even if he is the zhuangyuan (lit. ¡°top thesis author¡±), he could send his kids to him, let alone he is only a xiucai.


    ¡°Buy a carriage? How much would that cost?¡±


    Hearing him, Ling Jingpeng couldn¡¯t help opening his eyes big, and by his ears he could even hear the sound of silver flowing out. Ling Wen who happened to come in also frowned on hearing that, but this time he didn¡¯t blame his daddy for being too extravagant, but only secretly calculating the possibility of going to town to school and buying a cart.


    ¡°We have to buy it no matter how much it costs. Jingpeng, Xiaowen, Xiaowu, remember, some money can be saved, but some definitely not, like reading. In the ancient times, Meng¡¯s mother moved three times for his study. Though I have no ability to move to town for now, at least I can buy a cart to send you to school. Besides, you know, we got more and more business in town, it would be easier to have a cart, which can save us a lot of time. So, say no more. I have made up my mind.¡±


    Having transmigrated in here, this was the first time Ling Jingxuan made up his mind without giving them a chance to say no. The little buns like money, he could earn. But on their education, he wouldn¡¯t make concession.


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, it¡¯s up to you. I don¡¯t want to go to that old man¡¯s place to study.¡±


    It was really a rare thing that his Ling Wen wasn¡¯t being stingy this time. Though he got undistinguished reluctance in his eyes, he still nodded to agree. Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jingpeng both froze there, but instantly recalled yesterday¡¯s thing, plus as smart as Ling Wen is, he should have realized what the problem was. They again gave each other a smile. That¡¯s not bad, at least it saved them a lot of saliva to convince him.


    ¡°Be good, daddy will try to earn it back no matter how much money it spends.¡±


    Pamperingly rubbing his head, Ling Jingxuan rarely said perceptually.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The two buns looked at each other and nodded heavily, the difference is, one¡¯s eyes were beaming, while the other pursd his lips.


    ¡°Well, your uncle is going to the market to run some errands, and help you buy the piglets and chicks. And I¡¯m going to Tiewa¡¯s house. Who would you like to go with, your uncle or me?¡±


    Things that were supposed to talk over all got talked over. But Ling Jingxuan did not mention the military service thing. Ling Jinghan would recover soon, and his good days were right before the eyes. Before that, he should let his parents move out. His tuition told him the military service thing might be a perfect chance.


    ¡°I, daddy, I¡¯m going to catch the piglets.¡±


    Hearing that they would buy piglets, Ling Wu dashed forward excitedly, his round big eyes nearly narrowed into a line. Ling Jingxuan held him up, ¡°Just raising some piglets. Do you have to be so happy?¡±


    ¡°Of course, daddy, you don¡¯t know, last year I saw someone in the village butchering pigs for the New Year, and it was very lively. Tiewa invited me to eat pork stew when his family butchered a pig. It was so delicious! When we raise a fat pig, let¡¯s invite Tiewa and others to have pork stew with us, OK?¡±


    It seemed there was only food from the little thing¡¯s mouth, it made Ling Jingxuan and Jingpeng feel sorry for him. The two buns had lived such a miserable life before. It was only reasonable their characters would be kind of special.


    ¡°OK, then we go to the market now. Xiaowen, do you want to come with us?¡±


    Picking up Ling Wu from his big brother¡¯s thigh, Ling Jingpeng stood up and asked Ling Wen who didn¡¯t make any sound. If he remembered it correctly, Ling Wen wanted to raise piglets.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll stay and watch the house. By the way, I want to practice the new words I learned last night.¡±


    At the thought of spending so much money on his study, Ling Wen would not allow himself to be too eager to have fun. He would study hard and earn a high position in the court for his daddy.


    ¡°All right, you take Xiaowu to go.¡±


    Before ling Jingpeng spoke, Ling Jingxuan took Ling Wen to his side and made the decision for him, Ling Jingpeng nodded, and went out holding Ling Wu.


    ¡°Xiaowen, don¡¯t give yourself too much pressure because you will go to the town to study, not only reading, we can¡¯t give ourselves too much pressure whatever we do. I know, reading is the child¡¯s part, but you also don¡¯t forget, playing and having fun is also the nature of children, only by combining exertion and rest could you give full play to your potential.¡±


    Not until the uncle and nephew went out pulling the handcart did Ling Jingxuan hold up Ling Wen and said seriously. He didn¡¯t want him to give himself too much pressure. Or, he¡¯d rather teach him himself at home.


    ¡°Hmm, I know. I will combine them together.¡±


    Didn¡¯t expect daddy saw him through. Ling Wen lowered his head sullenly. After quite a while, he suddenly raised his head again, saying with firm eyes, ¡°I will earn a big official for daddy. I won¡¯t let the money go for nothing!¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­I will wait for that day to come.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan raised his eyebrows, and showed a bright smile. Shouldn¡¯t he feel happy since he son is going to earn his face?


    At this time, Ling Jingxuan may just take them as children¡¯s words, and did not put in mind, but he did not know that from this moment on, the greatest and youngest prime minister was gradually being born.


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Wen also smiled, later, the father and son chatted a few more words. Not until Ling Wen went to the backyard to study did Ling Jingxuan just remember that he hadn¡¯t sent someone the medicine, so he hurried up to the kitchen and sent the already cooled medicine into the woodshed.


    ¡°Fortunately, yesterday¡¯s trying to be a hero didn¡¯t have too much bad influence on your injury. Just rest for another four or five days and the wound on your head would scab, and you can come out. Just remember, don¡¯t try to be brave again these days.¡±


    Feeling the pulse for him routinely, Ling Jingxuan felt quite in the mood, and his tone was also much softer.


    Seeing a warm smile on his face, Yan shengrui can¡¯t help smiling broadly, ¡°Hmm, just as what you say.¡±


    One could imagine how ambiguous his tone was. Ling Jingxuan subconsciously got stoned there, then instantly moved his eyes away and stood up, ¡°Take a good rest, Xiaowen is practicing calligraphy in the backyard. Call him if you need something. I¡¯m going out.¡±


    After what had happened yesterday, he could no longer treat him as a stranger who had raped the original owner, but it was also impossible for him to accept him, at least not now.


    ¡°You made the right decision to send the boys to town to study. That old man is not the material as a teacher.¡±


    As he turned around, Yan Shengrui suddenly said so.


    ¡°Did you hear us talk?¡±


    How is that possible? However shabby their house was, there was a wall at least in between, right? How could he¡­unless¡­his phoenix long and thin eyes suddenly froze, ¡°You can hear what we said in the bedroom?¡±


    Damn it! This bastard isn¡¯t a legendary martial arts master, is he? So what¡¯s the privacy of them living together? Maybe he even heard their private talk.


    ¡°Hmm, I seem to have good hearing and eyesight.¡±


    Blinking his eyes and nodding, Yan Shengrui at this moment was exactly the same like when the little buns were showing off. The father and two sons were like three peas in a pod! Even the way they acted cute was the same!


    ¡°Er¡­For god¡¯s sake, why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan held his forehead, it seems that this bastard is a master of martial arts. But on a second thought, it was only reasonable. As a general commanding an army, it¡¯s only strange if his martials arts is not good.


    This time, Yan Shengrui did not speak any more. He just smiled at him, as if he were saying, ¡°You did not ask me.¡± If he could, Ling Jingxuan really wanted to slap him in the face. Fuck! After he got recovered, he must throw him out! Or in the future, he even didn¡¯t dare to speak at home!


    ¡°Haha¡­ is it so hard to accept?¡±


    Looking at him leaving in a state of displeasure, Yan Shengrui cannot help laughing. Is his martial arts skills a good thing? Later who dare to bully them under his eyes? He will throw the other side into the air with a palm! It¡¯s not bad, isn¡¯t it?

 Chapter 79

    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s house was very remote, Zhao Dalong¡¯s was no better, also in the middle of nowhere. Those Ling villagers are funny. Anyone they don¡¯t like, they¡¯d kick him out of the village. But do they really think they don¡¯t exist since they wouldn¡¯t see them? For this, Ling Jingxuan felt so speechless. If it hadn¡¯t been that the location of Ling village was not bad, not far from Datong Town where it extended in all direction and both the waterway and land routes were pretty convenient and at least transportation wouldn¡¯t be a problem if he wanted to do something, he would have already considering about moving. Being neighbors with those unbelievable people, what if some day he also got ¡®infected¡¯?


    All right, that was only for fun. Compared with Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thatched house that no one could tell when it would fall down, Zhao Dalong¡¯s house was a lot better. Though the walls were made of mud, the roof was carpeted with tiles. At least they needed to worry about leakage of rain or what. On left and right of the principal room were the small kitchen, pighen and other things, and in both front and back they got big yards. All in all, at least it could be rendered as comparatively country construction.


    ¡°Jingxuan? What brings you here? You are such a rare guest! Come on in! Come on in!¡±


    As he opened the gate and saw it was Ling Jingxuan, Han Fei warmly welcomed him in. Passing through a broad and clean yard, they directly came into the living room. Zhao Dalong, wearing shorts, was sitting there, sweating all over, who should be having some rest there after being done with some farm work. And Tiewas was sitting on a small stool beside sorting beans. Although this family was poor and often got excluded by the villagers, their life was still ease.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, is Tiewa helping Brother Han? Such a good little hand.¡±


    After saying hello to Zhao Dalong, Ling Jingxuan walked over and stoked Tiewa¡¯s head. For kids, especially those well-behaved and cute kids, he had the least bit of resistance.


    ¡°Uncle, didn¡¯t Xiaowen and Xiaowu come?¡±


    Perhaps having been familiarized with him, Tiewas was no longer that shy and craven like before, with that pair of eyes glancing behind him. After quite a while, he sat back disappointedly, mouth twitched. He is Ling Wen and Ling Wu¡¯s only friend. But in turn, Ling Wen and Ling Wu are also his only friends. They are all lonely kids.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ We plan to raise some piglets. So Xiaowu went to the market at the village entrance with his uncle. Xiaowen is at home practicing calligraphy. Later you can go with me and hang out with them in the afternoon, OK?¡±


    Seeing that his pouted lips could even hang a chamber pot, Ling Jingxuan could not help feeling funny, also think of his little buns. Isn¡¯t Ling Wu often behaving that way?


    ¡°OK, uncle, I also want to practice calligraphy with Xiaowen and Xiaowu. Last night Xiaowen taught me to practice ¡®ÈË¡¯ (Literally means human in English), and I know how to write it now.


    As he heard he could go to their house to play, Tiewa immediately beamed with smiles, and started to brag holding Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand. Han Fei couldn¡¯t help laughing, ¡°You kid, Uncle Ling is very busy. You shouldn¡¯t add to the trouble.¡±


    In his opinion, Ling Jingxuan had to catch so many fish every day, of course he was supposed to be very busy.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s OK. I also got nothing to do recently. By the way, brother Zhao, brother Han, do you have a plan to send Tiewa to a private school?¡±


    Seeing that little guy was going to be disappointed again, Ling Jingxuan quickly picked him up and looked at Han Fei and Zhao Dalong. Actually he was here for this.


    ¡°Oh¡­of course we have thought about it a lot. But you know, around here only has your¡­I mean a private school Lord Ling opened. Last time we went to visit him taking two jin of meat, wanting to ask him allow Tiewa to study there. I don¡¯t expect him to bring glory on our ancestors, but only wish he wouldn¡¯t be illiteracy like us. But the village head rejected without even a second¡¯s thinking. Then we also secretly went to Lord Ling. He said we can send our kid there for a test to see if he is that material. But as you know, Tiewa is very shy before strangers and no one has ever taught him something. When Lord Ling asked him questions, he couldn¡¯t answer any. So finally we could only bring him back.¡±


    Speaking of this, Han Fei could not help sighing deeply,, while Zhao Dalong besides also tightly wrinkled. Other kids only had to pay the tuition, while their kid had to¡­ Of course they were lying if they wouldn¡¯t complain. But what could they do? They could only blame themselves for not being able enough.


    ¡°Hum, a test? I think he was only trying to pick on you.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan gave a disdainful snort. Given the fact that the old man could even throw his own grandson who had a tongsheng title for the sake of the dignity of the family, it would be only strange he would be that kind-hearted to someone else¡¯s child.


    ¡°Yeah, Tiewa has never received any formative education, what does he know? He¡­¡±


    ¡°Fei!¡±


    ¡°There are no outsiders here, why can¡¯t I say it? Long, it¡¯s not I am blaming you. You are over cautious, afraid of this and afraid of that. But this concerns about the future of our kid.¡±


    Before Han Fei could finish his words, Zhao Dalong already tried to shush him. But this time, Han Fei didn¡¯t not concede, but only looking at him with a pair of red eyes. Tiewa¡¯s mother died young, only less than two years old when he married into this family. All these years, it was he who brought him up. In his heart, he had already taken him as his own son. On thinking that the kid might be like them, he felt like someone was cutting his flesh with a blunt knife.


    Getting satirized to his face, Zhao Dalong couldn¡¯t help darkening his face, but he no longer argued back stubbornly. A seven chi tall man hang his head down, no one could tell what he was thinking, but also felt sorry for the kid. Ling Jingxuan looked at them, smilingly pushed Tiewa in his arms. The little guy was smart and immediately understood. He then pounced over and grabbed Han Fei¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Daddy, don¡¯t cry. Let me blow your tears dry..¡±


    Speaking of which, he clumsily climbed into his arms and sat down, blowing into his face with his puckered lips.


    ¡°Poof¡­¡±


    ¡°Hahaha¡­ The kid is so cute!¡±


    The depressed Han Fei couldn¡¯t help laughing out, Ling Jingxuan beside also put on a bright smile. Even Zhao Dalong¡¯s face softened a little. And the awkward atmosphere instantly was gone. Except Tiewa who was sitting there having no idea what was going on, the three adults all resumed the former relaxed state.

 Chapter 80

    Seeing it was almost the good timing, Ling Jingxuan stoked Tiewa¡¯s head while saying with a gentle smile, ¡°Here is the thing, brother Zhao, brother Han. I also plan to send Xiaowen and Xiaowu to a private school, but not that old man¡¯s. Only by judging through his personality, I don¡¯t think he can teach the kids well. You know, recently I have saved some money, so I am thinking, maybe I can send them to town to study. Of course, it¡¯s a long journey. So I want to buy a cart. The worst scenario is, as their dad, I can send them to school in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon after school. But it¡¯s better than letting someone bad teach him, right? Well, you know. I have been acting like a fool in the past few years. And before that, I only knew burying my head in those books, so I know nothing about livestock. And, if you think you can afford Tiewa¡¯s study fee in town, how about let the three of them go together? And they can be each other¡¯s company anyway, right?¡±


    For a long foreshadowing, Ling Jingxuan finally uttered his purpose, he actually could choose the horse himself. As a killer in previous life, he had dabbled in basic all walks of life, it was only that except killing people, saving people and disguising, he was no expert in other things. Besides, he planned to buy not only a cart, but also cattle. He knew how to select a horse, but cattle? Really not his thing. Though in 21 century, he could also be called a farmer who had his own manor, but one should know they had technology, already didn¡¯t need cattle. So thinking back and forth, only Zhao and Han could do him this favor.


    ¡°A cart is very expensive, maybe we could use an ox-cart?¡±


    Hearing him, Han Fei knitted his brows. Although it was not his money, on thinking it at least cost tens of taels of silver, he subconsciously didn¡¯t want to spend that money.


    ¡°Could it be more expensive than the kids¡¯ future? Brother Han, I don¡¯t know what others think. But my kids, as long as they want to go to school, I would be willing to lost everything, let alone buy a cart.¡±


    Withdrawing his smile, Ling Jingxuan seriously said so. If money was gone, he could earn more. But if the kids¡¯ future got wasted, you could never buy it back with money.


    Those words touched deep of their heart. It took Zhao Dalong and Han Fei quite a while to come to their sense. All for the kids! Ling Jingxuan with two kids could even do this. How could they, two big men, with only one kid, lose to him?


    ¡°Ok, tomorrow we will go to the town with you, but Jingxuan, there is only a small town nearby, to buy a carriage we can only turn help from a guarantor. The year before when we bought the ox cart, we asked guarantor Liu in the town to help. He is not only a guarantor for cattle, but also does some business of land and human buying. He is the biggest guarantor of Qingyang county, and has a good reputation.¡±


    After making up their mind, Han Fei also had no reservation, but told him everything he knew. On hearing him, Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrow. So that is the agent in modern society? People in ancient times are also faddish. But that¡¯s what he is asking for. Although the agent would earn commission at least he could buy the best things he wants, right? Thinking here, he couldn¡¯t help remembering the land purchasing stuff. About that half saline-alkali land, he didn¡¯t plan to buy it for now. But what about the homestead? Maybe he should have a plan now.


    ¡°OK, then, brother Zhao and Han, I will count on you tomorrow.¡±


    After having quite a few turns in the heart, Ling Jingxuan said raising his head. About purchasing land thing, he had to think it though after going back. Besides¡­in his head Ling Wen¡¯s stingy face emerged again. Ling Jingxuan felt a bit helpless. All in all, he needed his little bun to agree.


    ¡°What are you talking about? You are always so polite. Our Tiewa can also have a free rid to town for study.¡±


    Han Fei is straightforward person, and likes speaking his mind, making one comfortable, at least you don¡¯t have to always beware of him. So Ling Jingxuan also smiled, ¡°All right, then I won¡¯t stand on ceremony with you then.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it. Our two families are like fellow suffers, of course we should support each other.¡±


    The three of them looked at each other smiling. The nearly same destiny bound them together. At this time, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei would never know their good days were just beginning. When they ranked high in the society, they only knew they were not fellow sufferers. Ling Jingxuan was different from them. He is the lucky star in their life.


    ¡°Another thing, brother Zhao, brother Han, I know you have not much land, so there¡¯s no busy season for you. You know, I received a big order from Xinyuan Restaurant in the town, I got to make a thousand jin of jam myself in ten days. So I wonder if you have time to help me pick wild fruit in the mountains. As for your pay, don¡¯t worry, I will let you satisfy.¡±


    He had planned to pay them by jin, but after further contact, he felt that both of them were people he could get along with, so he didn¡¯t want to haggle over every jin.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good thing. You don¡¯t have to pay us. You helped us a lot. Of course we should pay back. Just let the kids inform us when you start.¡±


    Hearing him, Han Fei felt happy for him from the bottom of his heart. Money was not his concern at all, anyway, he got plenty of time.


    ¡°Hehe¡­all right. That¡¯s settled then. I guess Jingpeng and the kid should be back soon. If you excuse me.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan also did not continue arguing with him about the pay. He could directly stuff it into their pockets.


    ¡°Uncle, I want to go with you.¡±


    Seeing that he was leaving, Tiewa who was lying in Han Fei¡¯s arms immediately sat up, grabbed the lower hem of his robes with his little hands. Three adults couldn¡¯t help laughing. Ling Jingxuan bent down to pick him up, ¡°All right. Come with uncle. Maybe you can be my son.¡±


    ¡°Heehee~¡±


    ¡°You little thing¡­You can go to play with Ling Wen and Ling Wu, but remember, don¡¯t disturb your Uncle Ling!¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    ¡°Brother Han, go in. I will let him have a nap at noon. And Xiaowen will send him back in the afternoon.¡±


    ¡°OK!¡±


    After saying goodbye to Han Fei, Ling Jingxuan walked home holding Tiewa with a big smile. On the way, the little kid asked him this and that, all kinds of peculiar questions you couldn¡¯t imagine. Ling Jingxuan just patiently answered every question of his. Their bond had strengthened a lot. Compared with that ¡®money slave¡¯ and ¡®foodie¡¯ at home, Tiewa undoubtedly was like a normal five years old kid, still retained a kid¡¯s purity and innocence.

 Chapter 81

    What Ling Jingxuan did not expect was, when he got home, someone who wasn¡¯t supposed to show up at his place was waiting at the gate of his home¡ªthe original owner¡¯s big uncle¡¯s wife-Lady Li, the niece of the old lady. Instead of kicking at the gate like the old lady and others did yesterday, she only stood by the gate facing the sun quietly. She who was in her forties had maintained her appearance well, slim body. Only judging by her back, one wouldn¡¯t relate it to her actual age. Apparently she was his mother¡¯s big sister-in-law, she looked much younger than his mother.


    ¡°Jingxuan, you are back? I knocked at the gate, no one answered, so I guess you may gave gone out to dig wild vegetables or what, should be back soon, did not expect this fast. Is this Zhao Dalong¡¯s kid? So cute!¡±


    Seeing Ling Jingxuan walking over, Lady Li also moved forward with a faint smile, and her attitude was excessively tender, like Ling Jingxuan had never been thrown out of the family and she was still his big uncle¡¯s wife. While saying so, she even naturally stretched out a hand trying to feel Tiewa¡¯s face. Ling Jingxuan slightly turned his body aside and avoided it. Only after drawing a certain distance did he open his mouth, ¡°Aunt, what brings you here?¡±


    In the memory of the original owner, Lady Li is indeed a gentle and virtuous woman. She is filial to both her father and mother-in-law and cares about the kids. She also gets along well with other sisters-in-law, who can be said to be the perfect eldest daughter-in-law. The more perfect she is, the more suspicious Ling Jingxuan felt. Forget about other things, only talk about those years while he lived in this shabby place, she had never showed any care or offered him any material needs. Now she suddenly appeared here, showing the posture as his big uncle wife, seen from any angle, it is really fishy, isn¡¯t it?


    ¡°Huh? No, nothing¡­¡±


    Obviously she did not expect Ling Jingxuan¡¯s attitude to be so cold, but on thinking of her husband and son¡¯s words, her hands hidden in the sleeves tightened, and again she raised a gentle and loving smile, ¡°I heard that mother and others came to make a scene here yesterday. And Chenghu¡¯s wife even beat Xiaowen. So I am here to check on you, and the kids. Jingxuan, I know it¡¯s their bad. They shouldn¡¯t have come making a scene here before knowing the whole story. And your grandpa has already taught them a lesson. So forgive them. Anyway, they are your families, right? We are family.¡±


    What is this? Trying to act as go-between?


    Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrow, squinting to her with his long eyes. This woman is so funny! Yesterday Ling Qiyun still said to cut any connection with him. And over a night, his big daughter-in-law he is most proud of already came to make peace? If someone tells him there¡¯s nothing in it, he is the first to doubt it. Thinking that he met her second son in town, and Ling Jingpeng¡¯s wanting to speak something but only keep his mouth shut, Ling Jingxuan could also be sure that they were planning something on him, he just did not know what it is for now.


    Squeak~


    The closed gate behind pushed opened suddenly, Ling Wen¡¯s thin body appeared in their sight. Lady Li¡¯s eyes brightened, but instantly she hid it away. But what she did not know was, even if it¡¯s an instant thing, it already clearly got captured by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes. So, his red lips forming a sarcastic smile, are they planning something against his sons?


    ¡°Daddy, you are back? Yiewa is also here?! Come in. Daddy, who is she?¡±


    Ling Wen came out and stood beside Ling Jingxuan, with his sight accidentally falling upon Lady Li. Seeing this, Lady Li tried to move forward and explain who she is. But Ling Jingxuan stood between, saying after putting Tiewa down, ¡°She is Aunt Li from Ling family, who has nothing to do with us. You bring Tiewa in to play. I¡¯ll be right over.¡±


    ¡°OK, daddy, be quick. I have learned by heart all the Three Character Primer you taught me yesterday. My little uncle and my brother haven¡¯t come back yet, so you can teach me more.¡±


    As he heard she was from Ling family, Ling Wen decisively lost any good feelings for her, then grabbed Tiewa¡¯s hand and was about to go in. Ling Jingxuan gently rubbed his head while saying, ¡°All right. But you got to teach Ling Wu and Tiewa.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Nodding obediently, the two little ones went in holding hands, then Ling Jingxuan turned around and looked at Lady Li, saying with a cold voice, ¡°Aunt Li, you should go back, I have nothing to do with your old Ling family. If you keep staying here for too and let the old lady know, I¡¯m afraid you can¡¯t explain yourself.¡±


    Regardless of whether her purpose is him or his children, he has no interest in knowing, nor is he going to greet her. Men of totally different principles can never act together. So he¡¯d better stay as far as possible away from anyone from old Ling family.


    Lady Li¡¯s face flashed with obvious anger, but she instantly laughed awkwardly, ¡°I¡¯ll go back then and come back to see you some other day.¡±


    Speaking of which, she turned away. Watching her back, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s long and charming phoenix eyes suddenly sank, glittering with sharp light. It seems his scheme was not ruthless enough. Those people didn¡¯t learn the lesson at all.


    This episode is over soon. Although Ling Jingxuan indeed put some thoughts on it, but that woman really has the balls. Only a bit neglecting, and they already made a move again.


    According to his command, Ling Jingpeng bought two little piglets, fifty chickens, and five old hens that could lay eggs. When he came back, Ling Chenglong and his wife also came. Soon the whole family together built a simple pigpen and henhouse in the backyard. One could imagine how happy the three little ones were at the time. They chased the old hens all around the yard. Even those cubs fastened howled at them. Those little chickens huddled up in there like being frozen.


    ¡°Daddy, what are you doing?¡±


    Seeing Ling Jingxuan squatting in the backyard under a tree for a long time, three buns walked over out of curiosity, with three pairs of eyes looking at him, Ling Jingxuan with his hands with dirty smiled faintly, ¡°I am digging some earthworms. You know, chickens like eat it, and the old hens could lays legs for you to eat every day.¡±


    ¡°Really? Then I will dig, too. The chickens will grow up quickly, and I¡¯ll have eggs that I shall never run out of.¡±


    On hearing that, little mouth pouted, Ling Wu decisively grabbed his father¡¯s shovel. He heard from his uncle that in the future all the eggs could be saved for themselves to eat. Heihei¡­After all those fifty chickens grow up, he can eat as many eggs as he wants.


    ¡°Uncle, I want to help, too.¡±


    Tiewa was also an honest kid. While saying so, he already started to move. Though Ling Wen didn¡¯t show too much excitement, his hands weren¡¯t a bit slower than the other two. Three little buns pushed Ling Jingxuan aside and started to dig where he was at. Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head. Before he got up, he suddenly said, ¡°I remember we can also raise those earthworms ourselves. Later after you dig enough, don¡¯t feed them to the chickens. I will teach you how to raise them.¡±


    ¡°OK, daddy, you can go. Leave it to us.¡±


    Three little buns even didn¡¯t raise their heads when Ling Jingxuan walked away. No one knew who brought it up. Soon, three kids already started to recite the Three Character Primer while digging earthworms. In the shabby yard sounded Ling Wen¡¯s correcting and Ling Wu and Tiewa¡¯s acknowledging their mistakes. Finally there was some kind of cozy feeling of farm life.


    ¡°Goat¡¯s milk smells goaty. What did you buy that for?¡±


    After they finished, it was almost dusk. Ling Jingxuan let his parents and Tiewa stay to have dinner together, and then asked Ling Wen and Ling Wu to send Tiewa back home before getting dark. Since Ling Chenglong and his wife had to wait for the medicine for Ling Jinghan, they stayed to chitchat with Ling Jingxuan in the guest room.


    ¡°Put some jasmine tea to boil and it won¡¯t smell so goaty. Goat¡¯s milk is very nutritious, which is suitable for the kids to build up health. After you move here, I will buy a cow and we can have milk to drink every day.¡±

 Chapter 82

    Originally he planned to buy a cow, but thinking that he had to buy the land, he decided to buy a milk goat first. Besides, even if they buy a cow now, they couldn¡¯t finish so much milk every day. He didn¡¯t want the little bun to keep nagging again.


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s great. If you can really remove its awful smell, goat¡¯s milk is really something good. Jingxuan, I know you may hate to hear this, but I still have to remind you. It¡¯s true that you have earned some money recently. You can buy anything you think you need. But as for those unnecessary things, you better restrain yourself. In the future, there are a lot of places that need money. You shouldn¡¯t save some for yourself. We have no special skills and could do little for you and your brothers. So you should calculate when you spend money.¡±


    Lady Wang doesn¡¯t know he earned a one hundred and twenty tales of silver today. Seeing that today he bought piglets and chickens, it was only reasonable she had a word of it. But Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t show any trace of impatience. He took the initiative to hold his hands, ¡°What are you talking about, mom? With such parents like you and dad, we couldn¡¯t be happier. How could we¡­Hmm? Mom, you haven¡¯t had your period for a long time, right?¡±


    In the middle of the sentence, Ling Jingxuan suddenly pressed her hand on the table, fingers gently resting on her pulse.


    He just asked that kind of thing before so many people, Lady Wang couldn¡¯t help blushing, stammering, ¡°Yes, two months, I guess. But my period often doesn¡¯t come regularly. So it won¡¯t be a problem.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­It¡¯s fine. Congratulations, mom, you and dad are going to be parents again.¡±


    Withdrawing his hand, Ling Jingxuan cupped his hands wearing a smile. That is life. Soon, their family would have one more little prince or princess.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his wife both wide opened their eyes, so big that it could accommodate an egg. Ling Jingpeng who was standing aside said happily after coming to his sense, ¡°Great, dad, mom! If you bring us a little sister, our life will be happier!¡±


    The biggest son and third son of Ling family both had a daughter, so he had long been expecting that his mom could give birth to a little sister for him. But when his mom gave birth to him and his second elder brother, her body was too weak and she didn¡¯t get enough nutrition. So the doctor said it would be very hard for her to get pregnant again. But never expected¡­he would finally have a little sister for real!


    ¡°So humiliating. You are so big and I get pregnant now¡­¡±


    Speaking of which, Lady Wang covered her face, and the ears exposing showed faint red color. Ling Jingxuan and his younger brother gave each other a look. Then he said, ¡°What¡¯s there to be feel humiliated about? You and dad are only in your thirties. Isn¡¯t it a normal thing to get pregnant? We are happy for you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, mom, you have no idea how much I want a little sister.¡±


    ¡°Look at what they are talking about, Long, look at them.¡±


    After they said these, Lady Wang only felt more humiliated, and then threw herself at Ling Chenglong for help. But Ling Chenglong only gave a silly laugh while scratching his head, ¡°It¡¯s a good thing. We should feel happy. We should feel happy¡­¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    The two brothers laughed so hard, while Lady Wang gave her silly husband a stare, then couldn¡¯t help smiling. Recently they are so blessed. One good thing after another. So their good days are really coming?


    ¡°Mom, you can¡¯t do farm work any more, better not housework too. You are not the only daughter-in-law of Ling family. You know, the first three months are very important. Just in case. We could never be careful enough. I will go to town to get some antiabortifacient herbs for you some other day. Your body has weakened a lot when giving birth to them two. So you should be extremely careful this time.


    After the joke, Ling Jingxuan suddenly became serious. Fortunately he grabbed her hand and felt her pulse, otherwise she might even have no idea when she had a misbirth due to hard farm work. Thinking about yesterday¡¯s thing, Ling Jingxuan still felt scared. Fortunately everything was fine, otherwise he¡¯d definitely let those people pay!


    ¡°Oh, I know. Today didn¡¯t we drop the farm work and come here? Your dad and I have thought it through. Things we should do, we wouldn¡¯t stall, but things that are supposed not to be us to do, we wouldn¡¯t struggle to do like before.¡±


    After what had happened yesterday, she had seen it through. No matter what they did for the family, they could never forgive them, let alone feeling grateful. Since it doesn¡¯t make any difference whether they do it or not, why not save some energy?


    ¡°It¡¯s supposed to be like that. The weaker you are, the harder they bully you. Dad, mom, it¡¯s not that I¡¯m asking you to be unfilial to your parents, but being filial also has skills, or it¡¯d be silly filial piety. The most important thing is, you should steal other¡¯s chance to show their filial piety, right?¡±


    Finally his joking rhetorical question amused everyone, and four of them smiled at each other heartily. As they talked, the sky turned dark, and the herbs for Ling Jinghan were also decocted well. Seeing that the two buns hadn¡¯t come back, Ling Jingxuan felt a bit worried, so he went out together with his parents.¡±


    ¡°What? They went away already?¡±


    When he knocked opened the gate of Zhao Dalong¡¯s house, Han Fei told him that after sending Tiewa back, the two buns went home. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face immediately turned pale, a storm rapidly formed under his deep eyes. And the smile on Ling Jingpeng who came with him and his parents instantly vanished. As Zhao Dalong, who heard them, came out and heart this, his face also sank, feeling something was wrong. Both he and Han Fei looked at Ling Jingxuan worriedly.


    ¡°Damn it! Jingpeng, do you know anything about Ling Jingwei?¡±


    Suddenly looking back, Ling Jingxuan showed a murderous look. When they came over, he specially paid extra attention on the road, only afraid he would miss the buns or what on the way. Since Han Fei said they already went back, they should have gone. The only explanation is they were taken away by someone using force. And the one who took them away could only be his big uncle¡¯s wife, or how to explain their abnormality?


    ¡°Jingwei? Have you seen him?¡±


    Lady Wang took a step forward, eyes brows tightly knitted, apparently she also knew what happened. Ling Jingxuan twitched his mouth, ¡°We met him yesterday in the market. Mom, what did you and dad hide from me?¡±


    ¡°But, mom didn¡¯t mean to hide it from you, after all it was just some random talk, so I didn¡¯t put it in my heart.¡±


    ¡°So, what happened?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan really couldn¡¯t stand their procrastination, and his voice deepened a lot. Ling Jingpeng was afraid his mother couldn¡¯t explain it clearly, so he hurriedly pulled his mother aside and then looked up at Ling Jingxuan and said, ¡°Ge, there¡¯s something you don¡¯t know. Brother Jingwei and his wife have been married for years but still don¡¯t have any kid. Normally, in that case, he could have a concubine. But my sister-in-law didn¡¯t agree. For that variety store, he could only swallow it. About two or three months ago, he suddenly asked his father to our parents, saying that his son wants to adopt your kids, our parents turned him down immediately¡­but¡­Ge, is it really brother Jingwei?¡±


    That is like abducting! How could they ever do this?


    ¡°Quite possible. I also didn¡¯t tell you something. Aunt Ling came to me this morning, saying she wanted to visit me and my kids. Through her words she was apparently trying to cotton up to me. You know what kind of person I am. Of course I didn¡¯t show her a good face. Now think it back. She should have told Ling Jingwei, or discussed it with her husband and knew I wouldn¡¯t agree. So they took risk to take them away using force. Hum! How dare they touch my kids? Jingpeng, you wait here for me here. We¡¯ll go to town later.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan turned to Zhao Dalong and Han Fei and said,¡± Brother Zhao, please send us to the town.


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    If he still had no idea what was going on, he was a true fool. Zhao Dalong nodded, handed Tiewa to Han Fei and went to the backyard.


    ¡°Jingxuan, how about we go to Ling family to check. Maybe the kids are there.¡±


    Holding Ling Jingxuan who was about to run home, Lady Wang asked anxiously. She never expected they even dared abduct the kids under the daylight!


    ¡°Impossible. If Lady Li has a lit bit of brain, she wouldn¡¯t take two breathing kids home. If I guess it correctly, the kids should be at Ling Jingwei¡¯s place in the town. Dad, mom, don¡¯t let anyone know after going home. Just pretend nothing happened. Trust me. I will take the kids back safe and sound.


    To kidnap his children under his nose? He would like to see if they were really brave enough to be so ambitious!


    ¡°Hmm. You two be careful! If there¡¯s really something, report to the yamen. I don¡¯t believe they could escape from laws.¡±


    ¡°I know, dad, you take mom home first.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan turned to run home. Since he was going to town to visit ¡®his relatives¡¯, how could he go empty-handed? Hum! He couldn¡¯t give birth, so he laid his eyes on his kids. Son of a bitch! If he didn¡¯t get them crippled or what, he¡¯d write his name Xuan Jingling!

 Chapter 83

    ¡°That goddamned bitch! How could they do such a thing? Boohoo¡­¡±


    On the way Ling Chenglong and his wife went back home, they met Ling Chengcai and his wife. Lady Li, pretending nothing had happened, gave them a gentle smile as always. If her son hadn¡¯t told them, she only wished to throw herself at her and scratched her face. That heartless old prostitute who abducted her grandsons now pretending like nothing happened! She is trying to hound their whole family to death!


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t cry, let¡¯s wait quietly for their news.¡±


    Ling Chenglong walked over and gently hugged her, whose black thin face was full of remorse and guilt. It was all his bad. If he could have been a bit stronger in the family, he should have requested to divide up the family when his eldest son got throw out of the house. How would things have ended up like this? If something happens to the kids, how is he supposed to face his son?


    ¡°Whoohoo~ Long, why are they so heartless? If he wants a son, he can have his own. Why dare they abduct Jingxuan¡¯s kids? Woohoo~¡±


    Throwing herself into his arms, Lady Wang cried even harder. She hates! She hates whole Ling family! But hates that slattern more!


    Ling Jinghan who was lying in bed saw that his parents walk in weeping looking heavy, having no idea what was happening. Not until his mother told him the whole story while sobbing did he figure out what happened, his paper-white face immediately got bloated with anxiousness. Regardless of his weak body, he held up his body and moved to them staggeringly, ¡°Dad, mom, please tell me the details. What exactly has happened?¡±


    Sitting on the opposite bench, Ling Jinghan tried to stay calm as far as possible. Only god knows how much effort he had taken to suppress himself from losing his temper. The two little nephews are the lifeblood of their family! If something happens to them let alone his parents, even the them three brothers would go to the dogs forever. Finally his big brother has regained his consciousness, he would never let it happen!


    ¡°Jinghan, Xiaowen and Xiaowu¡­they¡­¡±


    Not until now did Lady Wang sense her son¡¯s existence. She could no longer hold it and told him how they found Ling Wen and Ling Wu went mission and Ling Jingxuan¡¯s assumption. Ling Jinghan¡¯s face sank little by little. At last, his hands under the table grabbed tighter and tighter and finally clenched into fists, the trembling pursed lips revealed his scare and anger. That pair of eyes which were supposed to look weak with sickness suddenly flashed dense hatred.


    ¡°Your elder brother and Jing Peng have rushed to the town. Xiaowen and Xiaowu should be all right. It¡¯s all my fault. I didn¡¯t hold it. Jinghan, you are too weak. Don¡¯t get angry or what.¡±


    After crying while telling for a long time, Lady Wang finally noticed something was wrong with his son. The couple looked at him with worries and were secretly angry with themselves. If it weren¡¯t for the disgusting couple they met at the gate, why would they be so angry?


    ¡°I am fine, dad, mom, I think my big brother¡¯s assumption is quite possible. Nothing is absolute. We shouldn¡¯t just want here doing nothing. Mom, dad, how about this? Later I¡¯m going to look for grandpa. Using the excuse of consulting him to distract their attention. Then you can sneak into places like my big uncle¡¯s home and the warehouse to look for the kids. Whatsoever, we must try to save the kids as soon as possible.¡±


    Trying to suppress his anger, Ling Jinghan suddenly stood up, now the only thing they could do is to prevent that ¡®in case¡¯.


    ¡°Is that all right? Your body¡­¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his wife followed to stand up, worriedly to look at his thin body, only afraid that he would fall down at any time.


    ¡°Nothing, after taking the medicine my eldest brother decocted for me, the stuffy feeling in my heart has disappeared, and my coughing situation has improved a lot. If only consulting from my grandpa, there should be no problem.¡±


    It was true that the second son Ling Chenglong and his wife were not favored by the old couple, it was indisputable fact that their sons were good at studying. Ling Jingxuan received the title of Tongsheng at the age of thirteen. Only after that thing happened did the old man get so angry that he tried to sink him in the pond. If not, Ling Jingxuan should have been able to get a xiucai title for now. And after he got thrown out of the family, Ling Jinghan also gradually showed his talent in reading. Giving his talent, as long as his body allows, he could pass the exam and get a title of tongsheng or xiucai. So be it the big son or the third son¡¯s family, everyone took him as a taboo. Every time when the old man came to visit him, or he went to consult from the old man, the big son or third son would send someone to stay around, only afraid the next second he would say he wanted to take the examinations or what. So it was the best choice to let him to distract their attention.


    ¡°All right, but you take the medicine first. Your big brother decocted it for you himself.¡±


    Seeing that he didn¡¯t make a single cough after speaking so much, Lady Want finally believed it. She turned around as she wiped off the tears from her face to take the herbs pot, then poured a bowl of snow pear and rock sugar soup and a bowl of the herbs liquid for him. Without hesitation, Ling Jinghan raised his head to drink it all, ¡°Dad, mom, you shouldgo now. Mom, you go to big uncle¡¯s room, remember, don¡¯t miss Jinghong and Xiaotong¡¯s rooms. Dad, you go to the warehouse of any place that is possible to be used to hide people. Remember. Be extremely careful! Don¡¯t let anyone see it!¡±


    After picking up the book before leaving, Ling Jinghan turned back to tip them. Ling Chenglong and his wife both nodded. Their son is trying to use his life to win time for them. They wouldn¡¯t let him down.


    In the main room, it was dinner time. All the family gathered together. When Ling Jinghan¡¯s thin and weak body showed up, the whole family were talking and laughing all shut their mouths. Those who were under the old lady¡¯s feather couldn¡¯t help thinking of Ling Jingxuan on seeing him, and all pulled a long face as they remembered the striking Ling Chenglong and his wife. The only one who looked happy should be the old man Ling Qiyun who was sitting in the master¡¯s seat.


    ¡°It¡¯s Jinghan. What are you doing here? It¡¯s cold at night. You may catch a cold. Come to grandpa.¡±


    Lord Ling is a scholar who always had a good opinion of himself. Pity that none of his sons and grandsons was like him. The only one who could read is ill in bed all the year round. It is an absolute lie if he said he doesn¡¯t feel upset. But he still holds high hope. Ling Jinghan is still young. Maybe some day he¡¯d get recovered. So, he has always favored Ling Jinghan. He who has never cared about those household affairs never forgets got tip his wife to get him medicine. And that is also one of the main reasons he doesn¡¯t want his second son to move out.


    ¡°Grandpa, grandma, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters, my greetings.¡±


    When Ling Jinghan spoke, it was like a breeze, but, few people paid attention to it. It seemed the old man also didn¡¯t pay attention to others¡¯ reaction. He pulled him to his side and showed great concerns, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to rest in the room? Why do you come out again? What if you catch a cold again? I still expect you to get a xiucai title for me after you get recovered.¡±


    On hearing the words xiucai, those who hated Ling Jinghan all pricked up their ears. The second son¡¯s whole family is not welcomed in this big family, but their sons are good at reading, which is also the thing they mind most.


    ¡°Hehe, grandpa, I¡¯m fine. Yesterday Jingpeng went to town to buy another two portions of herbs, which is much better than that those doctors we found prescribed. You see? Only taking a few times and I feel much better, and I coughed much less. You know, before I always felt something was stuffing in the chest, and I could hardly breathe. But now that kind of feeling is totally gone. So I want to take the opportunity to consult to you about something I don¡¯t quite understand. If the medicine always works so well, maybe I can really participate in the tongsheng exam this winter.¡±


    Knowing what they were afraid of, Ling Jinghan deliberately rubbed it in, only if he could keep them around. Anyway his illness often got relapsed. He could say his illness got worsened some other day. Relying on this ill body, they could only buy it.


    ¡°Really?! That¡¯s great! Jinghan, I like you studying hard, much alike me. Since that medicine is so useful, I will let you grandma pay and let Jingpeng get more for you. God bless! Our family is finally going to have another xiucai!¡±


    On hearing that, one could imagine how overjoyed the old man looked now, like he already foresaw that Ling Jinghan had already gotten a xiucai title, while others all sourly twitched their mouths, but none of which dared make any sound. Only the old lady complained, ¡°Jinghan, what do you mean? Are you trying to say we didn¡¯t hire you the best doctors? Think about it. Can your illness get cured in a few days? All the spare money we have saved got into your stomach! How could you still complain the doctors I got you are not good? Why don¡¯t you get the best doctor home if you have the money?¡±


    At ordinary times, the old lady wouldn¡¯t dare show it before the old lord even if she felt upset or what. But yesterday she got a beating from Ling Jingxuan, and nearly got thrown out of the family, and today the second son and his wife directly went on strike, she got filled with pent up anger and meant to find a place to let it off.


    ¡°Grandma, I didn¡¯t mean that, I¡¯m just¡­¡±


    Ling Jinghan lowered his head wrongfully and left the unfinished words to their own imagination. No one noticed that his eyes, which were supposed to be sick, were full of naked disgust.


    ¡°Shut up! Jinghan is Jinghan. He¡¯s just getting better. You¡¯re making so much noise. You don¡¯t want him to get better, do you? If you do it again, don¡¯t blame me for being unfeeling and divorce you!¡±


    The next second, Ling Qiyun banged the table and yelled at her. The most important thing in this life is fame and face, for him, now Ling Jinghan is the only one after him who can ring glories to the ancestors. Now he is finally getting better, he will never allow others to anger him, including his own wife.


    ¡°I¡­how am I supposed to live such a miserable life? I married you under the objection of my whole family, I thought at least I am a xiucai¡¯ wife. But having been a couple with you for so many years, you want to divorce me for this little bastard! Oh dear lord! Why don¡¯t you kill me with a thunderbolt! Boohoo¡­I don¡¯t wanna live anymore¡­¡±


    Never expected that he would humiliate her in front of the whole family because of a Ling Jinghan. The old lady nearly fainted due to great anger. She started howling while complaining. The old man nearly popped his eyeballs out, face blushing.


    ¡°Yeah, mom, Jinghan is Jinghan. If he get better and got a xiucai title, isn¡¯t it also a blessing of our whole family?¡±


    ¡°Mom, how would dad have the heart to divorce you? He was just too angry to say those words. You know, Jinghan is dad¡¯s favored grandson. It¡¯s reasonable he said those. You calm down, please.¡±


    Those daughters-in-law, daughters and granddaughters all crowded around her. It seemed they were trying to comfort him, but in fact they were only sowing discord. Instead of stopping crying, the old lady cried even harder. The old man could only stand there, angry with himself, while Ling Jinghan who had always kept his head low curved his lips. See? That is his family! So disappointed!


    The whole family were quarreling and weeping and making some noise in the main room. No one noticed that the absent Ling Chenglong and his wife had already sneaked into Ling Chengcai and others¡¯ rooms to start their seeking quietly.

 Chapter 84

    Hia~ Hia~


    Under the shades of evening, an ox cart was driving even faster than a horse cart. Inside three of them kept quiet. Under the moonlight, three pairs of eyes flashed with suppressed angry light. The moment they got to know the buns were missing, the smile never crawled onto their faces again, especially Ling Jingxuan, who had some kind of unprecedented vicious killing qi!


    ¡°Stop! Who is it?¡±


    As they were about to get to the town, a group of soldiers stood in their way, and the fast moving ox card could only make a pause. Ling Jingxuan tried his best to restrain the great anxiety and then forced out a smile while taking out a silver ingot and stuffed into the hand of the leading solider secretly, ¡°Sir, we have an appointment with Shopkeeper Zhang of Xinyuan Restaurant. Please do us a favor.¡±


    Never heard people couldn¡¯t go to town at night. Maybe because of the plague thing! Ling Jingxuan was worried about the kids, so he didn¡¯t want to haggle over with them. Let money talk then.


    ¡°There is an outbreak of plague in the town, and the magistrate has ordered to cancel all night activities. If it¡¯s not something urgent, you can come tomorrow.¡±


    Quietly weighing the silver ingot in the hand, the leading soldier eased his tone, but still didn¡¯t agree to let them pass, after all the magistrate is the boss here. If something really happens, they can¡¯t explain themselves. But as shrewd as Ling Jingxuan was, with his eyes rolling, he instantly took out another silver ingot and stuffed into his hand, ¡°It¡¯s something urgent. Please do me this little favor.¡±


    ¡°Okay, just this once. Let them go!¡±


    Receiving another silver ingot, the leading soldier finally nodded, Ling Jingxuan thanked him repeatedly, then turned to climb onto the ox cart, while Zhao Dalong waved his whip to move on. After entering the town, the ox cart went straight to Ling Jingwei¡¯s place-the grocery store.


    The Zhao Mansion had three gates, with two sideyards on both sides. The grocery store in the front and the garden in the middle weren¡¯t that big, but it was already good enough to have such a big house in the town.


    Bam~


    The ox cart stopped in front of the grocery store, three people briefly looked around, directly knocked on the gate of the grocery store. They were not what martial arts masters who could leap onto roofs and vault over walls. If they wanted to go in, they could only use the easiest, also the quickest way.


    ¡°Who is it? It¡¯s so late. Can¡¯t you give us a break?¡±


    Inside came a man¡¯s impatient voice, as Ling Jingpeng just wanted to make a sound, he got shushed by Ling Jingxuan. Then Ling Jingxuan kept rudely kicking the gate while pulling out a sharp dagger on the side of his waist which he bought yesterday in the market. Never expect it would come in handy so soon.


    ¡°Coming¡­coming¡­stop knocking¡­Ouch!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t move! Or I¡¯ll cut off your neck!¡±


    The man who came to answer the gate had no idea what was going on outside when he was suddenly held against by a cold dagger which lay on his neck. He could not help but feel weak and stammered, ¡°Hero, spare my life. Please!¡±


    ¡°Get in!¡±


    Ignoring his plea for mercy, Ling Jingxuan clasped his left hand with one hand and screwed it behind his back, whole the other hand holding the dagger against his neck, and after they entered the shop, Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong shut the door silently, as if nothing had not happened.


    ¡°Ah!~ Who are you? What do you want?¡±


    Hearing the noise outside, Ling Jingwei and a woman in her twenties at most wearing silk clothe walked out, she should be Ling Jingwei wife Lady Zhao. Seeing Ling Jingxuan and others, Ling Jingwei looked a bit unnatural, but instantly that kind of unnatural feeling was gone. Lady Zhao screamed, staring at Ling Jingxuan who was holding a dagger against their servant¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Jingxuan? How did you¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡±


    Hugging the frightened Lady Zhao, Ling Jingwei pretended to be surprised, his face full of doubts.


    ¡°Where are Xiaowen and Xiaowu?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan got straight to the point. The unnatural feeling flashing in the other¡¯s side didn¡¯t escape from his eyes. If he had been only 80% sure, now he was 100% sure. His little buns were here!


    ¡°Xiaowen? Jingxuan, what are you talking about? How would I ever know where they are¡­¡±


    ¡°You can go on with your sophistry, if you don¡¯t mind him dying here!¡±


    Before he finished his words, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand holding the dagger pressed it even harder, the sharp edge immediately cut the man¡¯s skin, the deep red dazzling blood flew out along the slender wound, and the air was mixed with a faint smell of blood.


    ¡°Ouch¡­ no, Jingwei, help me¡­ miss¡­¡±


    That man felt both painful and scared, two legs shaking like a sieve, with his terrified and moist eyes turning to Ling Jingwei and his wife for help. Standing behind Ling Jingxuan, Ling Jingpeng Zhao Dalong slightly frowned, but also did not stop it. They believed that Ling Jingxuan should know how far to go and when to stop. He wouldn¡¯t really kill him.


    Obviously did not expect he would be serious, Ling Jingwei holding Lady Zhao in his arms got frozen there, with the words his parents told him this noon ringing in his head. And because of those words, he decided to take Ling Jingxuan¡¯s kids away. He had anticipated that Ling Jingxuan would never know it was him. And even if he knew, he could just deny it. Given their knowledge of Ling Jingxuan, plus his embarrassing situation in the village, he wouldn¡¯t dare to make a fuss. He could only swallow it down. But¡­Is that really that Ling Jingxuan who has grown up together with him?


    ¡°Are you Ling Jingxuan? What the hell are you talking about? Xiaowen? Never seen him.¡±


    The man who got kidnapped was called Zhao Xiaosi, the servant of the family. After all Lady Zhao was a woman. Seeing such a bloody scene, her voice was trembling. She knew about Ling Jingxuan, but never saw him. When she got married with Ling Jingwei, he had already been thrown out of the family. And after the wedding, they moved to town and seldom went back. The only impression about him was a few months ago Ling Jingwei had ever mentioned to her about adopting Ling Jingxuan¡¯s kids. And that time, since their second uncle and aunt directly refused them, she just didn¡¯t put it in her heart. But¡­what is going on now?


    ¡°You didn¡¯t see them doesn¡¯t mean others did not! Ling Jingwei, I got limited patience. Hand over Xiaowen and Xiaowu, and I would take it as nothing has happened today. Otherwise, don¡¯t blame for my ruthlessness!¡±


    Long and narrow phoenix eyes burst out some cold light, meaningfully locating the shocked Ling Jingwei. He has no interest in knowing what this couple were up to or whether Lady Zhao knew about it, he only had his buns in the head now.


    ¡°Jingwei, help¡­¡±

 Chapter 85

    The dagger holding against the neck seemed to get tighter. Zhao Xiaosi was shivering. Lady Zhao was not stupid. Following Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes, she looked at her husband, ¡°Jingwei, what is going on?¡±


    A woman¡¯s instinct told her that Ling Jingwei really had something to hide from her.


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    Coming to his sense, Ling Jingwei tried to raise a soothing smile to his wife, holding her with one hand while turning to Ling Jingxuan, ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you are saying. Xiaowen and Xiaowu are not here. Jingxuan, anyhow, we are cousins, without your permission, how can I take your two sons without your permission? Let Xiaosi go. We won¡¯t tell anyone about today.¡±


    That coaxing-a-child tone didn¡¯t even convince Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong, let alone Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Well, it seems the hostage weighs not enough.¡±


    Pia~


    Eyes sunk, Ling Jingxuan gave a cold snort, pushed the all-overish Zhao Xiaosi away, and then with a gentle wave of his left hand, a puff of powder that was nearly invisible to the eyes got tossed to those two who were holding together.


    ¡°Hmm¡­This is¡­what¡¯s going on?¡±


    The next second, Ling Jingwei and his wife both knelt to the ground, hands strangling their own necks. The previous normal face instantly got blushed all over. Ignoring their panic and Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong¡¯s doubts, Ling Jingxuan walked over and squatted down before them, with his thin and long fingers gently raising Ling Jingwei¡¯s chin, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, just some slow poison. Since you wanna play, I will cooperate. Anyway, after you die after being tortured by the poison, I have plenty of time to look for my sons. Ling Jingwen, has anyone told you that before you do something bad to someone, you should make clear the other side¡¯s background first? As the saying goes, know yourself as well as the enemy. Since you got the balls to kidnap my kids, I guess you should have prepared for the consequences, right?¡±


    Word by word, gentle, but cold and indifferent, not deliberately pretending kind, but completely indifferent to lives.


    Ling Jingwei¡¯s eyes finally caught the emotion of fear, whose slender body could not help shivering. So scary! The present Ling Jingxuan is like a terrible ghost, on his body, the slightest sense of the existence of human nature couldn¡¯t be found.


    ¡°Stop it! The boys are here!¡±


    Suddenly, a strong and loud voice suddenly sounded, then, a man looking 30 or 40 years old with a few servants behind came out, two of whom were holding two sound sleeping kids. Absolutely that was Ling Jingxuan¡¯s little buns!


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu¡­¡±


    Seeing them, before Ling Jingxuan could react, Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong rushed over, but got stopped before they could even get close to the kids. Ling Jingxuan clapped his hands as he slowly stood up, ¡°Now can you give my kids back?¡±


    After confirming the kids were both fine, Ling Jingxuan came forward, facing Shopkeeper Zhao, behind whom Ling Jingwei and his wife had already collapsed onto the ground due to great pains.


    ¡°Hand over the antidote first.¡±


    Giving a worried look at his daughter and son-in-law, Shopkeeper Zhao tried to sound calm, but in the heart he was so mad at Ling Jingwei. At dusk, he suddenly brought back two kids, saying that he adopted them from his second uncle. Shopkeeper Zhang saw that the two kids were asleep, looking quite adorable, plus his own daughter hadn¡¯t gotten pregnant all these years, so he didn¡¯t ask much. But¡­so the kids were abducted! This son of a bitch! Who gave him the guts? How dare he kidnap other¡¯s kids?


    ¡°You¡¯re not in a position to negotiate with me!¡±


    Voice suddenly raising high, Ling Jingxuan looked right into the other¡¯s side¡¯s angry eyes. He had to check the two bun¡¯s condition as soon as possible, he had no patience to waste time with them.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Zhao shopkeeper got angry, trembling fingers pointing at him. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s cold voice cut in, ¡°Shopkeeper Zhao, don¡¯t blame me for not warning you, they can still insist on a quarter of an hour. Fifteen minutes later, their seven holes would all bleed, and they¡¯d both die of suffocation. If you keep wasting time, I¡¯m OK with that. The worst scenario for me is grab my kids back after you all die.¡±


    The poison was made by himself, and he knew better than anyone how effective it was, which was one of the reasons why he had to go home first before going out. Let alone poison Ling Jingwei¡¯s family, for the kids, he could even kill that whole Ling assholes together.


    ¡°Give the kids back to him and save my daughter and son-in-law quickly.¡±


    Hearing him, and looking at his determined cold face, Shopkeeper Zhang dare not waste another minute. He hurried ordered the servants to hand over the kids, and didn¡¯t forget to ask Ling Jingxuan for the antidote.


    Ling Jingpeng and Zhao dalong took the kids from their hands. Ling jingxuan did not pay attention to Shopkeeper Zhao¡¯s reminder, respectively felt the pulse for the two kids. After making sure that they just passed out for taking some knockout drops, his hung heart finally fell down, and his cold eyes also slightly showed some warm light.


    ¡°Elder brother, how are they?¡±


    Before he said something, Ling Jingpeng already asked due to great worries.


    ¡°They are both fine. Just need a few days¡¯ rest.¡±


    Throwing them a soothing smile, Ling Jingxuan respectively touched the face of the two kids, with undisguised remorse deep in his eyes, if he could be more careful, they did not have to suffer this.


    ¡°Um¡­ dad¡­help me¡­¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­¡±


    On the ground, ling Jingwei and his wife were rolling all over the ground, the corners of the mouth showing faint bloodshot. That was Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s only daughter. He ran over and held her up, ¡°Antidote? Where is the antidote?¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­so, it¡¯s true that one could only care about his own kids. Shopkeeper Zhang, since you brought my kids in the first place, you should have known this, right? When you planned to kidnap my sons, have you ever thought how anxious I would be if I find my kids went missing?¡±


    Now it was the other side¡¯s turn to get anxious. Ling Jingxuan signaled Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong to move further carrying the kids, and then he turned back and leaned on the shelves beside while watching them mockingly, like he was enjoying their pains, their struggles, cold-blooded to the extreme.

 Chapter 86

    (Special thanks to Yese 02. Sorry, been too busy recently, so didn¡¯t update in time.


    Later, I¡¯ll try to pace up. And thank you for everyone¡¯s support.)


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Jingwei said he got your permission. I¡¯m begging you. Please save my daughter.¡±


    Watching her daughter getting more and more painful, and her face turning into pork liver color due to severe suffocation, Shopkeeper Zhao even had tears in his eyes, voice hoarse. In Datong Town, he could be rendered as a big figure anyway, but now he had to kneel down to beg someone due to his son-in-law¡¯s silly doing today. In the heart, his dissatisfaction towards his son-in-law upgraded again.


    Seeing that it seemed he was really unaware of it, Ling Jingxuan raised his eyebrows. After a while, he took out two dark brown pills from his chest, ¡°Take them with warm water, she¡¯d recover soon.¡±


    He changed his mind. He didn¡¯t want Ling Jingwei¡¯s life. He wanted to suffer!


    ¡°Hurry, get some water, be quick¡­¡±


    Receiving the pills, Shopkeeper Zhang yelled like crazy, and those servants frozen there hurriedly did their jobs, some got the water, some prepared others things. Ling Jingxuan just watched them busy indifferently. When one of the servants sent the pills at the mouth of Ling Jingwei, taking advantage that no one was noticing, Ling Jingxuan secretly grabbed his hand and put two fingers on it to feel his pulse. Soon, a weird smile crawled onto his face. Things are getting funnier!


    ¡°Dad¡­¡±


    About a quarter of an hour later, Lady Zhao who finally got over fell into Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s arms. A married woman in her twenties cried like a kid, nearly using all the strength she had, along with nonstop trembling, which clearly showed how scared she was. Shopkeeper Zhang had no son, this was his only daughters. Seeing his daughter like that, one could imagine how heart-broken he was, ¡°Be good. It¡¯s all right. It¡¯s all right.¡±


    ¡°Dad? I¡­¡±


    Ling Jingwei who woke up later looked at his wife, then turned to his father-in-law, opened his mouth, but did not utter one word, suddenly felt extremely cold deep in the heart. Others might not know, but he was crystal clear in the heart. The reason he could have been married with Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s daughter was all because he set up to get her virginity, Shopkeeper Zhang had no choice but to let him marry his daughter, and claimed to the outside saying that he valued his abilities. All these years, whatever method he used to suck up to his father-in-law, his father-in-law never laid his eyes on him. If it hadn¡¯t been that his daughter couldn¡¯t get pregnant these years and he held a little bit guilt to him, Ling Jingwei even was better than a servant. Now for the kids¡¯ thing, his daughter nearly died, maybe his detest against him would grow more.


    No, he couldn¡¯t lose what he had now. The Zhao family property must belong to him!


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me. I don¡¯t have a son-in-law like you. Who the fuck gave you the nerve to kidnap someone else¡¯s kids, you son of a bitch?¡±


    Once he made a sound, Shopkeeper Zhang directly vent all the anger on him, staring at him with that pair of wide opened eyes, like they could star two holes on him. Of course, not only to vent his anger, another reason was Ling Jingxuan that God of Plague was here. He was not a fool. Given his heartlessness, this isn¡¯t over. Either for his daughter or his shop, at this moment he had to cut a clear line with this whole thing.


    In short, he had abandoned his long-hated son-in-law for the sake of himself and his daughter.


    ¡°Dad, I did this all for the family? If it hadn¡¯t been that Suhua couldn¡¯t get pregnant all these years, how would I ever generate the idea of adopting other¡¯s kids?¡±


    Ling Jingwei was also smart enough. Seeing through his father-in-law¡¯s plan, he hurriedly rolled and climbed to his side. At this time, he must not lose his father-in-law this big tree. As for Ling Jingxuan, he had been forgotten him to the clouds.


    ¡°You mean the blame is on us? Ling Jingwei, I told you two years ago that if you wanted a child, you could divorce Suhua and marry another woman. But you didn¡¯t want to do that. Now you break the law to abduct other¡¯s kids, and want to push the blame onto us?¡±


    Giving a peep at Ling Jingxuan, Shopkeeper Zhang snapped. He would never allow his daughter to go through such a huge disaster again. That man looks young, but he is really ruthless. On thinking his daughter¡¯s nearly-drying appearance, he still felt scared. If he had been one minute later¡­No, he couldn¡¯t even think it on. When one reached his middle age, the most unbearable thing was to lose the offspring. He knew he couldn¡¯t afford to take that.


    ¡°Dad, Since I got married with Suhua, we have been loving each other and treating each other with respect. How could I divorce her because of kids? Besides, didn¡¯t you also agree with the adopting stuff?¡±


    ¡°You call that adoption? That¡¯s absolute abducting!¡±


    ¡°I just brought the kids over first. I planned to explain to Jingxuan in person tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Those two totally ignored the presence of Ling Jingxuan, and those servants. Shopkeeper Zhang tried to stay out of the kidnapping thing, while Ling Jingwei said anything possible to tie them together. No one would take a step back, which gave Ling Jingxuan a chance to watch the whole drama.


    ¡°Since you said you are innocent, why would the kids¡¯ dad come to announce the kids?¡±


    During the quarrel, Shopkeeper Zhang suddenly howled while pointing to Ling Jingxuan. All people¡¯s attention in an instant turned to him. Ling Jingwei froze there. Till now he remembered Ling Jingxuan¡¯s presence. When looking into Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes with a fake smile, he couldn¡¯t help shivering subconsciously, and a fearful feeling instantly crawled into his eyes.


    ¡°Jing¡­Jingxuan, I really just wanted to take the kids over to let my dad and Suhua have a look, no other meaning.¡±


    Standing up to look at him, Ling Jingwei shamelessly stammered.


    ¡°Well, what else?¡±


    Leaning on the shelve, Ling Jingxuan held his hands before the chest, eyes slightly narrowed, no one could tell what he was thinking. Ling Jingwei looked at him timidly, and then continued, ¡°I know these years are tough for you. Without my second uncle and aunt, you¡¯d have already been starved to death. You also don¡¯t want them to live such a life, right? Although I don¡¯t have too big capabilities, supporting them wouldn¡¯t be a problem. And¡­and I can also send them to a private school, or hire a teacher to teach them at home. And they would have good prospects, right?¡±


    The more he said, the more confidence he got, totally ignoring the faint cold smile at the corner of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s lips. So he did this all for their whole family¡¯s good???


    Pia~Pia~


    As his words fell, crisp slapping sound rose. Facing Ling Jingwei¡¯s ¡®confident¡¯ eyes, Ling Jingxuan gave a mocking smile, ¡°Truly the young shopkeeper of such a big grocery store. So oily! Ling Jingwei, do you think too highly of yourself or look too down on me? You think you can be their adoptive father? Even the whole Datown Town is yours, you are not qualified to relate yourself to my sons, let alone your Zhao family only has such a small shitty grocery store!¡±


    Even if he might guess it wrong that Yan Shengrui was not the only prince that had a general title in whole Qing Kingdom, only relying on his own abilities, few people could surpass him. Ling Jingwei wants to adopt his sons? Still no way even in next life!


    ¡°You¡­I¡¯ll let it go if you don¡¯t agree. We are cousins anyway, and it¡¯s my bad today. We can just take it as nothing happened.¡±


    Ling Jingwei was furious, and the next second he remembered his brutal, so he was really thick-skinned enough trying to pull strings.

 Chapter 87

    ¡°Tsk~Tsk~ Ling Jingwei, a moment ago I still hold the thought that you are a bit smart. Why now as stupid as a pig? Ling Jingwei, do you think this is up to you? Today if you don¡¯t give me a reasonable explanation, I promise you wouldn¡¯t see tomorrow¡¯s sun.¡±


    After making some clucking sound, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s long and narrow eyes suddenly opened wide, with cold light flashing, which gave Ling Jingwei a jump scare and he reflectively took a few steps back, whole body as stiff as a rock.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I won¡¯t trouble you if you tell me honestly who is involved in this matter, and sign a note and press your fingerprints on it, and I won¡¯t go tough on you.¡±


    At least not for now!


    ¡°No, no one else. As I said, I just picked up the kids here for fun. As their uncle, can¡¯t I take them home for fun?¡±


    Afraid as he was, Ling Jingwei did not totally lose his sense. Picking up the kids and abducting the kids were two completely different things. The former was only out of an uncle¡¯s affection for his nephews. But if the latter got verified, he would definitely be sent to yamen. Apparently his father-in-law didn¡¯t want to get involved. So whatever, he wouldn¡¯t admit the abducting fact.


    ¡°Picking up the kids for fun? Why didn¡¯t I, their dad, know about it? Didn¡¯t your xiucai father teach you when you use other people¡¯s stuff, you need to get its owner¡¯s permission? Or, you really take me as a three years old kid, and you can make a random excuse to fool me? If so, I heard Magistrate Hu happens to be in Datong town. How about we let him hold justice for us?¡±


    If he could be so easily fooled, he really had lived all those years for nothing. He decided not to end his life, but wouldn¡¯t just let him go. Since he had the guts to touch his kids, he should have made fully preparations for his revenge!


    ¡°No, don¡¯t!¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingwei immediately got freaked out and cried, his body shaking. Undisguised mocking crawled into Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face. With this little courage and he dares to offend him?


    On the side, Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong held the kids tight. From the very beginning, they didn¡¯t say anything. Though shocked by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s malignant means, they were also angry with the other side¡¯s ignobility. Seeing that Ling Jingwei was steadily ¡®losing ground¡¯, the worries deep in their hearts gradually dissipated. And Shopkeeper Zhang who saw the whole scene shook his head helplessly. Their level is not on the same page. If Ling Jingwei could not realize this, he¡¯d be played to dead by the other side some day.


    ¡°I will give you one last chance, say it!¡±


    Voice suddenly raised, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hostility he had withdrawn just now poured out again, that clean-cut face written with frostiness.


    ¡°I¡­you promise me first that you wouldn¡¯t sue me.¡±


    Body trembling, at such a time, Ling Jingwei had no other choice.


    ¡°I promise you.¡±


    ¡°OK, I¡¯ll tell you.¡±


    Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Ling Jingwei said with his fist clenched, ¡°Yesterday after I saw how adorable the two kids are, I got more determined to adopt them, so I let someone take the message inviting my mom to my place. I told her my thought, and hoped she could be the in-between. But¡­this morning she sent the words saying that you have turned normal, and your words clearly shows you want to draw a clear line between us, let alone let me adopt your kids. So, I hurried home to talk with parents. I planned to talk to you, but I bumped into the kids on the way, so¡­you know¡­¡±


    In the end, Ling Jingwei really couldn¡¯t go on. It was not that he got stung by conscience or what, but that the darker one was in the heart, the more scared he was to face the sunlight, and more scared that those immoral things he had done would get exposed. At this very moment, he already dare not think about how his wife or father-in-law would think of him, or what consequences he had to take.


    ¡°Ling Jingwei, till now you still try to act dumb? You really think I dare not kill you?¡±


    Just as everyone thought it was almost the end of the matter, Ling Jingxuan suddenly grabbed the lappet of his clothes and said those icy words one by one.


    ¡°I, I¡¯ve said all I need to say. What else do you want?¡±


    Subconsciously avoiding his sight, ling jingwei stammered. Then Ling Jingxuan¡¯s sarcasm appeared naked in his eyes, ¡°If it was only a temporary idea, how could the kids take the knockout drops and still don¡¯t wake up now? Only by you and your parents, how could you do it so quietly?¡±


    No one knew how angry or frightened he was when he learned that little bungs had gone missing. He would not let anyone who got involved in this go, and he would have to take the revenge!


    ¡°I¡­I¡­I¡¯ll tell you¡­¡±


    As Ling Jingwei who still tried to quibble saw that he raised his hand again, he dare not have any retaining, only afraid he would use that kind of poison again, ¡°My mom said clearly that you are no longer that Ling Jingxuan we could bully like before. And you would never agree to let me adopt your kids. So¡­so I¡­I hired two local ruffians in town. They bought the knockout drops and secretly sneaked into Ling village, and found a chance to take the kids away when they were alone. I thought it would take them some time. But in the afternoon a great chance¡­so I¡­¡±


    ¡°So you didn¡¯t hesitate to drug them and take them away?¡±


    Bam~


    Before he finished his words, Ling Jingxuan cut in and finished the rest of the lines, and then threw him away. Ling Jingwei fell to the ground. Though he tried to get up, as he had eye contact with Ling Jingxuan, he felt like his body got stoned, and couldn¡¯t move a bit. Ling Jingxuan walked over and looked down at him, ¡°What¡¯s the name of those two local ruffians? Do your parents know about this? Anyone else involved?¡±


    ¡°They are Wang Er and Zeng Da. My mom knew it. She tried to stop me. Really. Jingxuan, I know I am wrong. Please give me a chance.¡±


    At this moment, Ling Jingwei¡¯s psychological line of defense finally completely collapsed, this kind of slow knife cutting the flesh feeling was like a thousand times more painful than the previous poison, he was scared, he was really scared¡­


    ¡°Hum, now you know what the word scared means? Isn¡¯t it too late?¡±


    Giving a cold snort, Ling Jingxuan turned around and nodded at Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong who were waiting aside. As everyone thought they were leaving and this was over, Ling Jingxuan suddenly turned back, ¡°Shopkeeper Zhang, for the sake that you are still reasonable, I will offer you a big gift. Ling Jingwei was born with cold sperms. So he would never be a father for his whole life.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    After saying those words, the three of them who broke in in full fury pushed the gate open and left. Behind, Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s roar nearly overturned the roof. Before getting on the ox cart, Ling Jingxuan took the kid from Zhao Dalong, then looked back at the grocery store with its gate wide open, with only coldness under the eyes. If one wants to destroy someone, killing him is not the only option. This is only a start, Ling Jingwei and the first wife of Ling family, he wouldn¡¯t let go of either of them.

 Chapter 88

    After getting back the two little buns, Ling Jingxuan did not go back to Ling village, but asked Zhao Dalong to drive to Xinyuan Restaurant instead. Ling Jingxuan asked Ling Jingpeng to take care of the two kids, and then went into a secret box in the backyard with Shopkeeper Zhang. No one knew what they talked about, or saw that actually Ling Jingxuan went out alone in the middle. When they went back, it was almost dawn. Most villagers already got up and went to the fields to do some farm work before it was getting too hot, including those from the old Ling family who didn¡¯t go to sleep till late night.


    Pia~


    ¡°You, how could you¡­¡±


    When their ox car passed by old Ling family, Lady Li happened to come out holding a jar in her hand. An ox cart was different from a carriage. It only had a bare cart behind with no cloaks. The moment she saw the kids sleeping in Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jingpeng¡¯s arms, the jar in Lady Li¡¯s hands fell to the ground and broke into pieces. The former gentleness was totally gone, eyes popped out like they were going to drop out the next second. Lady Li, feeling like getting a thunder-strike, pointed at the kids incredulously.


    ¡°Anything wrong with us? Or Aunt Ling did something guilty, so you look so restless early in the morning?¡±


    Twitching his mouth, Ling Jingxuan wore a fake smile on his face. It¡¯s not the time to deal with them. Since the kids came back safe and sound, he had enough patience to get it even with them. But, before that, he didn¡¯t cross the line to charge some ¡®interest¡¯, right?


    ¡°I¡­What are you talking about, Jingxuan? I am just an indoor woman. What kind of guilty thing would I do? Heaven is watching at us. Where did you come from on such an early morning?¡±


    Coming to her sense, Lady Li tried to press down her fear in the heart and asked while picking on a smile, trying to pretend that nothing happened. What she didn¡¯t know was, at this moment, her smile looked even more awful than when she cried.


    ¡°Yeah, heaven is watching us. Aunt, you are quite sensible. Well, I won¡¯t be your eyesore early in the morning. Brother Zhao, please!¡±


    Giving her a meaningful look, Ling Jingxuan urged Zhao Dalong. Then Zhao Dalong who were sitting with his back against them raised the whip in his hand. Watching them pass before her, Lady Li froze there for quite a while and then turned back inside to look for her man. The appearance of Ling Jingxuan and the kids made her flustered. Is it possible something happened to Jingwei?


    After getting home, the two brothers put the kids on the bed carefully. Zhao Dalong already left. The thing they had discussed yesterday could only be postponed before of this incident. Zhao Dalong had no objection. He just said just call him if there¡¯s anything.


    ¡°The kids would sleep a bit longer. Jingpeng, you go to the kitchen to decoct the herbs for Jinghan in the kitchen and then take it back. I told Shopkeeper Zhang, no fish today. And those jars for the jam could be sent here some other day. So you take some rest at home these days. As for other things, we¡¯ll discuss later.¡±


    Bending down to kiss the forehead of the kids, Ling Jingxuan sat beside the bed and said in whispers. Having not slept the whole night, he also felt exhausted and really had no strength for anything. When could he work out to consolidate this thin body?


    ¡°Hmm, I can decoct that person¡¯s share by the way. Having been up the whole night, you should be tired. Take some good rest before the kids wake up.¡±


    Looking at this dead pale face, Ling Jingpeng felt so sorry. His big brother had lived the past five years like a fool. Now he finally became normal, and met this? He is their family!


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Nodding tiresomely, Ling Jingxuan responded while lying down next to the kids, a pair of dispirited eyes. If it hadn¡¯t been that the weak ups and downs of the chest which showed his vital signs, at this moment, he was no difference with a dead man.


    ¡°Later I will ask mother to take care of the kids for you, so you can take some good rest.¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingpeng¡¯s heart tightened. He walked over with his fists clenched, and his pressed lips revealed his endurance. Whether to the old Ling family or those people including his big uncle¡¯s wife, he gave up on them, or even kind of hated them. If it hadn¡¯t been that they kept coming to bully them again and again, how could his two nephews would take the knockout drops? And how could his big brother become so exhausted not long after becoming normal?


    ¡°Jingpeng, thank you¡­¡±


    The twittering-like voice sounded, Ling Jingpeng¡¯s lifted food froze there, then quickly moved, that dark and thin young face crawling with naked firmness, he must think of a way to become stronger, can not let his big brother bear all this.


    Ling Jingxuan slept till late night. When he opened his eyes, it was already total black, only with the faint moonlight shining in through the broken windows. The twos kids were still sleeping by his side. Borrowing the moonlight, he looked at their little lean faces. He stretched out a hand to feel their pulse, and didn¡¯t feel relieved after making sure that the residual knockout drops wouldn¡¯t do harm to their body.


    ¡°Why not tell me?¡±


    Suddenly, a low magnetic voice suddenly sounded. Ling Jingxuan reflectively turned back, and saw a tall figure standing in the doorway, because of the backlight, he couldn¡¯t see the other side¡¯s expression, only see the outline of the figure. He could faintly feel his anger. Inexplicably, Ling Jingxuan felt kind of warm in the heart, lying in bed with a smile, ¡°What can you do even if I told you? With that body, do you think you could have come with me?¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    With a sudden move, that tall figure instantly came before the bed. Yan Shengrui looked down at him stubbornly. Heaven knows how worried he was last night as he heard none of them. He had no idea whether he had that kind of experience before. But last night he clearly felt that his heart was like emptied, like someone dug a big part of it, torturing him the whole night, until he heard their conversation again. From Ling Jingpeng¡¯s mouth, he knew the whole story. If it hadn¡¯t been that his last piece of sense still held there, he already stormed into the town to kill those assholes who dare touch his wife and kids!


    The whole day, Ling Jingxuan just lay in bed like dead, he felt his heart aching and bore complains in the heart. His heart was aching because of his stubbornness, and he complained him before he always shut him out of his heart. In his heart, is he so untrustworthy, and so unreliable?


    Some love is predestined. Maybe, the moment he opened his eyes and saw Ling Jingxuan, they were destined to be bounded together. Not because of the kids, or the past he had no idea of, purely because Ling Jingxuan this man! Although he had never done anything alone with him or what, he basically knew everything that had happened ever in this yard. The more he got to know about Ling Jingxuan, the harder his heart pounded for him. Without himself noticing, in his heart was all him.

 Chapter 89

    ¡°Come on, where did you get some many questions?¡±


    Propping up his body to sit up, Ling Jingxuan looked at him with half a smile. How is this man so straightforward and so¡­cute? His interest in him was totally written on his face. Where does he attract him so much? He had no idea whether he still had this kind of feeling toward him before he lost his memories. Maybe not. And if he is really Prince Sheng, come on, seen from an angle, he is that kind of big man, OK?


    Perhaps even Ling Jingxuan himself did not realize that he who was totally indifferent to him was gradually generating curiosity toward him. And a relationship usually starts from curiosity.


    ¡°Jingxuan, let me protect you. Let me protect you and the kids!¡±


    Impulsively, he grabbed his hand. Yan Shengrui sat on the edge of the bed, locking him with his deep black eyes. Ling Jingxuan froze there and even forgot to break away from him. After a while, he lowered his eyes and said deeply, ¡°I can protect myself, I don¡¯t need others to protect me.¡±


    Face a man¡¯s naked affection, if he said he was not touched, he was lying absolutely. But¡­in previous life, he had been used to not trusting anyone. The reason he accepted the little buns and other family was totally because deep in his heart he had been longing for family affection, plus Ling Chenglong and others really cared about him. But it was about relationships, his acceptability was not that high.


    ¡°I know you can protect yourself, And I don¡¯t doubt your ability at all, but Jingxuan, what I want to give you is not only protection, you are a smart man, you should know what I am talking about, also certainly know what I want. Give me a chance, let me stay with you.¡±


    Totally not discouraged because of his refusal, Yan Shengrui grabbed his hand and kissed on it, and said so while looking at him firmly. One would get used to it if he got refused too many times. Now he no longer felt awful or what because of his refusal. On the contrary, he would get more determined to stay. He who had lost his memories had so such tricks like others, only relying on his instinct. And now his heart told him he wants him!


    ¡°Hehe¡­ a man without memory, what can his promise do? You don¡¯t look young, at least over 25 years old. In this era, people get married early. People usually get married at fifteen, I guess. Since you have lost your memory, are you sure that you have other wives and children at home and some woman you are in love with? I don¡¯t know why you like me or why you want to stay, but I do know that you are not the right person for me.¡±


    Without pulling back his hand, Ling Jingxuan looked up into that pair of deep and concentrated eyes, like they could only accommodate him alone. No one was clearer than himself that he was actually an extreme and cold-blooded man. He couldn¡¯t bear the slightest bully, or allow any betrayal. Once he gave his heart to someone, it had to be a lifetime. If the other half cheated on him, he¡¯d kill him without a second¡¯s hesitation and destroy everything and anyone related to him. In this life, he did not want to live such a tiring life. For now, he only wanted to make money and bring up the two little buns. But, men needed physiological abreaction. But ancient times were different from modern times, one could go for a one night stand. In here, a one night stand? Dreaming! One could be charged of prurience. So maybe some day he would find a well-behaved man and lived the rest of this life. But definitely not now, and not this man before him!


    ¡°I am not married, and I don¡¯t have any woman I love. I only love you, and I only want you!¡±


    Unable to bear all the possibilities he listed, Yan Shengrui shouted back without thinking. But after he shouted, both of them froze there at the same time. How could he who lost his memories be so sure of it?


    ¡°Hmm¡­Daddy, what are you doing? So noisy¡­¡±


    The small bun got woken up by his roar and sat up while rubbing his eyes. Ling Jingxuan gave him a stare, then held the kid into his arms, ¡°Nothing, just some chitchatting. We woke you up?¡±


    ¡°Hmm. Daddy, I like father. Don¡¯t send him away, OK?¡±


    Ling Wu pouted while raising his hands to hold his neck, apparently still sleepy, only speaking out his wish dazzledly. While on the other side, Ling Wen showed his rare child¡¯s side, crept into his arms, muttering while lying on his chest, ¡°Father is not that annoying as we imagined. I also want father.¡±


    These words, when sober, they would never say. Ling Jingxuan dark eyes sank. Do the two buns like him so much already?


    ¡°Be good, I will always stay with you.¡±


    Yan Shengrui felt thrilled this time, leaning over to pat one bun and the touch the other, with that clean-cut face wearing a bright smile, of course, did not forget to throw Ling Jingxuan a triumphant smile, like he was saying ¡°See? Our sons both agreed!¡± Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes helplessly, and gave him a white eye. Even if the kids agreed, so what? He, their daddy, hadn¡¯t agreed! As an adult, he couldn¡¯t let the kids who were still sleeping sell him out, right?


    ¡°Jingxuan, I am serious. Even if some day I regain my memories, I will never forget about what I said today. You consider about it. I promise I will never let you down!¡±


    Strike while the iron is hot! Yan Shengrui leaned over to him while making such a promise by his ear. As cold-blooded as Ling Jingxuan was, he was a little touched. After quite a while, he still nodded.


    Mua~


    Seeing this, Yan Shengrui was so excited that he almost jumped up, and he kissed him on the face with even getting his permission like a hooligan. Ling Jingxuan can¡¯t help smiling. There is a kind of lovely man called hooligan in this world, who always had a cold heart to the outside world, while always playing like a child-like hooligan before his lover. And he happened to meet one!

 Chapter 90

    ¡°What are you looking at in the early morning?¡±


    The next day, when Ling Jingxuan opened his eyes, he saw the two buns lying on the bed looking at him without even blinking, unconsciously with a smile spreading at the corners of their mouth. Ling Jingxuan brushed his restless long hair aside lazily, stretched out his fingers to tap on the two little buns¡¯ forehead. Seeing that they were both all right, the left worries in his heart now completely vanished.


    ¡°Daddy, you wake up? Yesterday you have been sleeping, we were both very worried. Grandma said you are just too exhausted, asking us not to disturb you. And we behave ourselves. We even help feed the piglets and the little chickens. They are all docile, and¡­and¡­¡±


    Seeing that he woke up, the small bun crawled onto him and directly held him, again showing his chatterbox talent, nagging on and on, a long list of things. On hand holding him, Ling Jingxuan tried to sit up with the support of the other, with undisguised doting in the eyes. Ling Wen on the side seemed to be wanting to say something, but since Ling Wu was still going on, as his elder brother, he only waited for him to finish.


    ¡°You little weasel, those piglets belong to us. What do you mean by saying help feed them? I thought I said when we bought the poultry that you are responsible to take care of them.¡±


    When he finished speaking, Ling Jingxuan pinched his nose and pretended to look angry.


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Ling Wu tilted his head, long and dense eyelashes like two small brushes were blinking.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Ling jingxuan failed to hold it and laughed out. This kiddo! He is more and more good at acting cute and playing dumb¡­but¡­


    ¡°Now grandma got a little baby in her belly, you should help daddy take care of her. Don¡¯t let her do some rough work. Daddy is responsible for feeding the piglets, and you take care of the little chickens, all right?¡±


    Withdrawing that smile, Ling Jingxuan said to them seriously. The kid in his mother¡¯s belly is the hope of their whole family. He didn¡¯t want anything happens to her. Those chores, he shoulder all. Besides, although he swore to raise the two little buns into the superrich second generation, he also didn¡¯t hope they even couldn¡¯t distinguish one kind of grain from another, or tell corn from turnips. Within their abilities, he would let them do some handicraft work, to build up their physique and personalities.


    ¡°Hmm, but daddy, why is the baby in grandma¡¯s belly?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    The small bun¡¯s question is always so innocent and sharp. Ling Jingxuan felt stuck in his head. He really didn¡¯t know how to explain. At least he couldn¡¯t say ¡°Your grandpa ¡®sent¡¯ the baby in¡±, right?


    ¡°You kiddos, where do you get so many questions? Come on, put on your clothes. We¡¯ll go out for running.¡±


    Having no alternative, Ling Jingxuan could only dodge it acting as their daddy. There were so many things he wanted to teach them, but not this one¡­Spare him! At least ten years later!


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Knowing that it was impossible to get the answer from his daddy, Ling Wu nodded as he pouted, then really turned around and went to put on his clothes. Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, seeing that he still picked up those patched old clothes, he couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Didn¡¯t I buy new clothes for you? Why you never wear them?¡±


    ¡°But these clothes are not broken. I want to save the news clothes for school. Daddy, Tiewa said he would go to the same school with us, is that true?¡±


    Turning around, the small bun was awkwardly tying the belt of his robes. Others only wore new clothes for the Chinese New Year, while he could have new clothes for school. Daddy really loves him!


    ¡°Yeah, Tiewa is going to the same school with you. But we¡¯ll only know after I go to town and inquire about it. As for when to wear those new clothes, you decide. But remember, we no longer need to worry about food or clothes, so don¡¯t maltreat yourselves.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan did not request too much on clothing. It¡¯s a good thing that the kids are sensible. Anyway, it was only a few days¡¯ thing about them going to school.


    ¡°Hmm? Ge, why don¡¯t you wear your new clothes?¡±


    The small bun cleverly agreed, but as he looked back and saw that his elder brother was sitting on the bed staring at daddy, he couldn¡¯t help asking so.


    After he said that, Ling Jingxuan also found that his big bun seemed to be strangely silent today, a little unlike the usual him.


    ¡°Xiaowen, anything on your mind?¡±


    Once it was about the kids, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s smartness instantly crashed down. He stretched out a hand and habitually pressed on his wrist, and only felt eased after making sure his pulse was normal.


    ¡°Daddy, in the afternoon the day before¡­did something happen to us?¡±


    Looking at his daddy and then his younger brother, Ling Wen asked tentatively, frowning. He remembered that after sending Tiewa home, they came back. But he couldn¡¯t remember how. Yesterday he asked his grandma, but his grandma only wiped her tears there. He didn¡¯t want grandma to feel so sad, so he stopped asking her, and that question remained till now.


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s flashed some surprising color, then he immediately wore a smile and touched his face. ¡°It¡¯s true that something happened, but already solved. Xiaowen, you only need to know that daddy will always protect you. Don¡¯t think too much. Those nasty things, you¡¯d better not know.¡±


    In fact, he could tell them that nothing had happened, but he didn¡¯t do it that way. Since the first day he had transmigrated here, he didn¡¯t mean to hide anything from the two buns. How others acted as a father, he had no idea. Even if he knew, he couldn¡¯t learn it. What he wanted was not just be their father, but their friend. And friends shouldn¡¯t hide anything from each other. If it hadn¡¯t been that that thing was too gross and nasty which was not good for their mental health, he wouldn¡¯t have hidden it, but instead, he would tell them even the details.


    ¡°Hmm, I trust daddy, but daddy¡­can you not sleep so long in the future? I¡¯m scared¡­¡±


    At the end of his sentence, Ling Wen¡¯s voice could barely be heard, two little hands rubbing hard. Heaven knows how worried he was when he saw that his daddy slept for the whole day yesterday, only afraid that he might go back to that ¡®fool¡¯ daddy. He liked his present daddy. He didn¡¯t want him to disappear again.


    With Ling Jingxuan¡¯s shrewdness, how can he not see his fear in the heart?


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid,¡± Ling Jingxuan said. ¡°Daddy was just tired yesterday. No big deal. I promise you. I will never be like that again.¡±


    So many things had happened recently that he nearly forgot that he had only transmigrated here for a few days. The little buns were growing and changing day by day, seemingly more and more lively and lovely. In fact, his heart was still very fragile and frightened, and those hellish days were not far away from them yet.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Trying to resist the urge to cry, Ling Wen buried his head in his dad¡¯s arms and nodded sulkily, believing whatever his daddy said.


    ¡°Well, uncle Wang is going to deliver the goods to us today, and the waiters of the restaurant will also come pick the fish. Get up already!¡±


    After a while, Ling Jingxuan cast away the seriousness and patted their heads with a smile. The past is the past. Their new life had just begun, and their days would get better and better.


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    On hearing they could earn money, the two buns nodded happily, and started to bustle about those things. A new day had begun!


    After the father and two sons got dressed up, they started to be busy with their own thing, running, and cooking, and other stuff. When Ling Jingpeng came, Ling Jingxuan had already finished breakfast and decocted the herbs for Ling Jinghan, and was about to pull his handcart to Yuehua Ditch to catch fish. One thing needed to be mentioned. Today at the table, they got one more mouth, which belonged to Yan Shengrui who got accepted under the support of his two sleepy sons. Judging from her silly smile at Ling Jingxuan early in the morning, you could tell he was in a pretty good mood.

 Chapter 91

    ¡°Have you seen enough? If you see enough, go and lie down to rest.¡±


    Finally he could not stand someone¡¯s undisguised hot gaze, Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes at him. An injured man should have the appearance as a patient. Who would get so horny early in the morning like him?¡±


    ¡°Not enough. Never enough.¡±


    Sweeping away the imposing presence when facing the Ling family, Yan Shengrui rested his head in his hands, with the word scoundrel written on his face, with that pair of glittering tiger eyes watching Ling Jingxuan¡¯s slim body.


    ¡°Poof¡­ Ahem¡­ Sorry¡­sorry, you go ahead and ignore me.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan felt blank in the head, and got petrified there by his words, while Ling Jingpeng who was eating porridge there nearly choked himself to death. Heaven knows how much effort he had made to try not to laugh out loud. So what has happened after he left yesterday? Why do his big brother and that man totally change their communicating style so abruptly? Really hard to accept, right?


    ¡°Uncle, you¡¯re silly. How could you get choked by the porridge?¡±


    Having not noticed those adults¡¯ ¡®undercurrent¡¯, the small bun Ling Wu covered his mouth and laughed as he saw Ling Jingpeng got choked, with that pair of black eyes filled with gloat, while Ling Wei behaved undisturbed. But anyway, he was still small, and also had no idea what those adults meant, only moving that pair of suspicious eyes around them.


    ¡°You little ungrateful thing, I was really good to you for nothing!¡±


    Giving an angry stare at the little guy, Ling Jingpeng deliberately straightened his face. It seemed Ling Wu knew he was pretending, so instead of stopping laughing, he laughed even harder. The uncle and nephew seemed to have forgotten others¡¯ existence.


    ¡°Later I¡¯m afraid people from the restaurant would come. I¡¯ll go catch fish. Jingpeng, you send the medicine for Jinghan now. Later brother Wang will send the pots for us. You check them if I don¡¯t come back by then. As for the money, let Xiaowen keep it.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan did not want to talk to that shameless ¡®scoundrel¡¯, so he said so as he stood up. After that things of Ling Jingwei, a few more days would be delayed about sending the buns to town for school. At least it should wait after he made that one thousand jin of jam he had promised the restaurant. Anyway, the kids were small. It wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Besides, he could teach them himself when he had time.


    ¡°OK. Ge, you take care.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng decisively withdrew his eyes from staring at his nephew as he heard his big brother¡¯s ¡®order¡¯. There was still slight worried under his phoenix eyes. Until now he still remembered the way his big brother slept.


    ¡°Hmm, and you, you either go to take a rest, or watch the house for me. Remember. Take the medicine when it¡¯s cooled.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan turned to Yan Shengrui. It was not that he was staying poised, but¡­someone is really often playing as an asshole!


    ¡°I¡¯ll rest when you come back. Jingxuan, don¡¯t go to too deep place. When I get better, I will do it for you. Besides, there seems to be the character RUI in my name. So call me Lingrui.¡±


    As saying that, he directly pulled his hand. He even decided to share the same surname with him. If the royal family knows this, they¡¯d all get mad!


    ¡°Lingseng? How about I arrange a wedding and you directly marry me?¡±


    Hearing his temporary decision of the name, Ling Jingxuan only felt uncomfortable all over. Anyhow, he is a prince. Have some dignity, OK? Don¡¯t those people in ancient times attach great importance to their ancestors? Even if he loses his memories, he shouldn¡¯t just decide his surname like that!


    ¡°OK, it doesn¡¯t matter if you marry me or I marry you, as long as the result is what we expect.¡±


    Unexpectedly, Yan Shengrui seriously nodded to agree. Ling Jingxuan got stoned there, instantly losing the desire to complain. After quite a while, he opened his mouth and said wryly, ¡°Shengrui! Before you regain your memories, your name is Shengrui.¡±


    He was defeated by him. All right, he is the rascal, he calls the shots.


    ¡°Shengrui?¡±


    Yan Shengrui¡¯s unconsciously frowned, as his head seemed to emerge many broken pictures in his mind in a moment. However, when he tried to seize them, they all disappeared. His intuition told him that Shengrui should be his real name. And his almond-shape eyes got infected with some suspiciousness. Does Jingxuan know who he is? His relationship with him was more than what he called a one-night stand, right?


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. I don¡¯t know who you are, just a reasonable guess. As for the rest, you¡¯ll know when the blood clot in tour head melts and the memory returns.¡±


    Noticing his doubts, Ling Jingxuan helplessly said so. The name Yan Shengrui represents sovereign power and status. Before making sure his true identity, he didn¡¯t want to speak out his assumption, in case of any unnecessary trouble. When he regained his memories, everything would be clear. But before that, he could only live as Shengrui.


    ¡°Well, from then on I am Shengrui.¡±


    After deeply staring at him for a while, Yan Shengrui nodded, deep in the eyes hidden some imperceptible solemnness. Yeah, it¡¯s true he had lost his memories, but not intellectual deterioration. Even if Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t tell him now, he already doubted it in the heart. But after a few days¡¯ observation, he found that he had superb kungfu, ordinary people were not his match at all. But the fact is he fell in a coma after getting wounded by a she-wolf. There should be something behind it. So before he remembered anything, he wanted to stay low, because he didn¡¯t want Jingxuan and the kids to worry about him.


    ¡°I¡¯m going out. You take care of the kids.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan stretched out a hand to touch the kids¡¯ heads and then left the central room. Leave those unknown things to the future. All in all, roll with the punches. No big deal!


    ¡°Brother Rui, I¡¯m gonna send the medicine for my second elder brother.¡±


    Looks like his big brother had accepted this man. Of course Ling Jingpeng felt happy for them. After all, he is the biological father of the two kids, right? Besides, after seeing how he cared about his big brother with his own eyes, he sincerely wished they could be together. So he called ¡®brother Rui¡¯ really naturally.


    ¡°Hmm. Any news from town?¡±


    After withdrawing his eyes from Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui asked, while taking up that bowl of herbs and drank it off. He must get recovered as soon as possible. He didn¡¯t want to see the scene of Jingxuan like yesterday.¡±


    ¡°No, but yesterday afternoon there seemed to be a messenger sending news, and today my big uncle and aunt went to town before dawn.¡±


    Ling Jing who was about to leave stopped where he was, sword-shape eyebrows slightly wrinkled. He even felt awful on mentioning those from Ling family!


    ¡°I know. You can go. Let mom come here if she has nothing do to. She is pregnant. She can¡¯t do some rough work.¡±


    He called ¡®mom¡¯ so smoothly and naturally. After last night, Yan Shengrui already took himself as a member of this family from deep of his heart.


    ¡°Oh, I know.¡±


    After sending Ling Jingpeng away, Yan Shengrui cleaned the table and put away the bowls and chopsticks with the sensible small bun. When they were going to the backyard to practice boxing, Yan Shengrui suddenly grabbed their hands and said earnestly, ¡°Jingxuan has promised to let me stay. I don¡¯t know why I abandoned you, but I swear I will always stay with you this time. Xiaowen, Xiaowu, you are both good kids, can you give me this chance?¡±


    In front of his sons, as a father, he had no authority at all, but who cares? He only wanted a result.


    ¡°Really?! Great! Then I¡¯ll have a father too! No one would say I am a bastard anymore!¡±


    The response of the small bun was most simple and direct. Almost before his voice fell, he jumped over and held his neck. He likes daddy, and also father. From deep of his heart, he wished that the four of them could live together happily.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It was my bad.¡±


    Touching him on the head, Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help having tears in his eyes, although it was already not the first time he heard him say such words.


    ¡°I only want daddy to be happy. You can¡¯t make daddy sad, or we will leave you forever.¡±


    ¡®Hmm, I swear I¡¯ll never abandon you again!¡±


    Facing his son¡¯s stubborn eyes, Yan Shengrui raised his hand and made the promise.


    ¡°Father¡­¡±


    Ling Wen could no longer take it. He threw himself into his arms and started to sob. Finally their family is complete!

 Chapter 92

    Quiet and busy days went fast. As they just sent away the carriage from the restaurant from the fish, Wang came with three whole ox carts¡¯ jars and pots in person. Since Ling Jingxuan¡¯s order was huge, plus the time of those two orders was close, Wang decisively stopped going to the market and baked those pots and jars leading the workers himself regardless day and night. Now, in only two days, he sent half of those things he ordered.


    ¡°Childe Ling, there are only one hundred wine jars, but the two hundred you added later have not yet been made because of the complicated production process. Today I brought you a hundred wine jars, a hundred small jars, and fifty large ones as you designated. Would you like to see if this is what you wanted?¡±


    Asking the worker to stop the ox cart at the gate, Wang took the initiative to lift the oilskin covering above. The two brothers moved forward and took a small one to check. The big character Ling(Á裬surname of Ling Jingxuan) nearly took third of the pure white body, and at the bottom were the three words Ling Family Jam, simply but neat craft. The two brothers nodded, showing that they were quite satisfied.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s what it feels like. You can do it according to that standard.¡±


    Looking at the dark brown font color matched with the pure white of the body, Ling Jingxuan gave a bright smile, his first career in ancient times gradually stepped on the right track, although currently he only decided to do three months, but the money he earned would be as his future venture capital, to create more wealth for him.


    ¡°Oh, as long as you are satisfied, I was worried it would not meet your standard.¡±


    Wang, sweating all over his forehead, smiled apologetically. His impression toward Ling Jingxuan had already completely overturned.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me childe this and childe that. Just call me Jingxuan. Our countrymen don¡¯t have so much courtesy.¡±


    Compared with the old Ling family who always cared about their so-called face, Ling Jingxuan was much amiable. He also cared about his face, but in a different way.


    ¡°No. I am a rough man who knows nothing. How can I directly call your name? How about this? I¡¯ll call you brother Ling.¡±


    Hearing that, Wang hurriedly waved his hand. Cast aside those gossips about Ling Jingxuan. He is a real scholar, owning the title of tongsheng! In the countryside, scholars are the most respected without any doubt. If it hadn¡¯t been that kind five years ago, how would Ling Jingxuan have ended up in a situation that everyone could bully him?


    ¡°Deal, as long as it makes you comfortable.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan also did not insist on this kind of dispensable thing, but turned to Ling Jingpeng and said, ¡°These jars will soon come in handy, you take them to the backyard to unload, I will settle the accounts here with him.¡±


    ¡°All right. You come with me.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingpeng led those fellows into the backyard, while Ling Jingxuan pulled Wang who was trying to go help them, ¡°Brother Wang, let them take care of it. Let¡¯s go inside and have some tea.¡±


    Lao Wang hesitated to look at him and then the fellows. After quite a while, he helplessly nodded to agree. He was a small businessman from the countryside, really not adapted to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hospitality. Of course, not disgusted feeling, but a bit flattered. As the saying goes, nothing is lofty except reading books. Before a scholar, anyone is inferior.


    ¡°Brother Wang, according to the price we agreed on, the wine jar is 25 copper coins each, that kind of small jars, I heard you¡¯d charge three copper coins each. But I have them customized and with characters inscribed. So I can¡¯t let you suffer losses, right? Let¡¯s say five! Easy, brother Wang, hear me out.¡±


    After sitting down in the guest room, Ling Jingxuan took the initiative to talk about the money. Before he could finish, Wang tried to cut in, but before he could utter a word, Ling Jingxuan raised a hand to stop him. After making sure he would chip in, Ling Jingxuan kept saying with a faint smile, ¡°I know you don¡¯t earn any making those wine jars for me, maybe you¡¯d even lose money. Before the amount I asked for is small, and I had no much money, I could only appreciate it in my heart. But now I have signed a long-term cooperation agreement with the restaurant in the town, and they promised to pay me a considerable sum of money. As long as you would like, we¡¯d have a lot of opportunities to work together. I can¡¯t always take your advantage, right? So this is decided. Five for a small jar. As for the big ones, thirty, as you said.¡±


    This was the result of his careful consideration. He would have a lot of things customized from Wang in the future. Wang is a sincere person and can cooperate with him for a long time.


    ¡°Since you say so, I¡¯d look hypocritical if I still say no. All right, you decide. But, brother Ling, here is the thing. Prince raised only for those small jars, others still the original price.¡±


    After listening to his long talk, Wang who had been a bit worried decisively agreed, feeling more satisfied with Ling Jingxuan. Meanwhile, he also felt sorry for the old Ling family. How could they abandon such a good son? If he could have had such a good son, let along male giving birth or pregnant before marriage, even if he killed someone or set a big fire, he¡¯d face it together with him.


    ¡°Hehe~ OK, then let¡¯s settle the accounts first. One hundred wine jars, two taels of silver. Those small jars, five hundred copper coins, big jars one thousand and five hundred. It¡¯s four taels of silver in total. See if it¡¯s right.¡±


    That is Ling Jingxuan. If others treated him sincerely, he¡¯d also do the same. On the contrary, if others tried to ride over his head, he¡¯d definitely fight back. He is not a saint. If someone hit his left face, he would stretch out his right face to let that one slap. Anyone who offended him, he wouldn¡¯t let him go easily, even not his family!


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s right, you are a scholar, how can you calculate wrong?¡±


    Wang didn¡¯t refuse this time. He had no choice. For this shipment, he also hired a lot of temporary workers, so he had to pay them.


    ¡°You must be kidding. A scholar is not a saint. It is impossible not to make mistakes.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan said so while fishing out the prepared silver ingot and handed it to him. The goods are delivered and the bill is cleared , which is the basic for long-term cooperation. He is not that kind of person who likes reneging on a debt.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ thanks for taking care of my business. Then I will take it.¡±


    Putting the silver ingot away with a joyful smile, Wang still didn¡¯t forget to play the civilities. Ling Jingxuan faintly smiled, took up the cup and had a sip of the tea. After Ling Jingxuan and those fellows finished, it was nearly an hour later. After sending them away, Ling Jingxuan planned to go to Zhao Dalong¡¯s place, but got stopped by the small bun. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t resist the small bun¡¯s pure and lovely eyes and agreed to stay.

 Chapter 93

    ¡°Take this with you and don¡¯t hesitate to spill it if you meet bad people.¡±


    Before they left, Ling Jingxuan handed the two buns a simple white hop-pockets each, which he had made under the oil lamp last night since he couldn¡¯t fall asleep. The first time using a needle was not that hard as he imagined. But the stitches were not that good. Inside was some poison he made, which he used on Ling Jingwei that day. For the safety of the kids, he wouldn¡¯t mind hurting others, as long as those people didn¡¯t hurt them. He believed that the buns wouldn¡¯t run amuck with it.


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, we are leaving.¡±


    Two buns did not ask much, under Ling Wen¡¯s lead, two of them ran out one after another. Watching their backs, Ling Jingxuan chuckled and shook his head. Kids are kids!


    ¡°Ge, are we going in the mountains today?¡±


    Now that they got those jars, aren¡¯t supposed to start working?


    ¡°Well, brother Zhao will come later. I promised Shopkeeper Zhang that I would make one thousand jin of jam as soon as possible.¡±


    Sitting back, Ling Jingxuan said casually while taking a sip of his tea, but thinking of another thing in his head. It¡¯s been two days, they are supposed to come.


    ¡°Oh right, ge, you teach me to discern mushrooms, OK?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng who had been keeping this in mind asked expectantly. He had almost learnt how to make jam. Since mushrooms could also exchange for money, he¡¯d also want to share the burden with his big brother.


    ¡°Huh? Sure, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Jingxuan, you didn¡¯t lock the door, I just saw Xiaowen and Xiaowu run out, saying they are going to Zhao Dalong¡¯s place. You are so careless. What if something happens again?¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan finished his words, Lady Want¡¯s loud voice was herd outside. Soon, Lady Want wearing coarse linen clothes walked in. The two brothers gave each other a look, then both stood up to greet her, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t worry. They¡¯d be fine. But you, you are pregnant. How can you still walk so fast? What if you startle my little sister inside?¡±


    ¡°Yes, mom, we are looking forward to the arrival of our little sister.¡±


    The two brothers echoed each other, one on the left while the other on the right, making Lady Wang blush, ¡°Who told you it is a girl? It¡¯s not the first time I¡¯ve been pregnant. When I was pregnant with you, I still worked in the fields. But you were still out. So, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Now in her thirties, she still had her two sons to worry about her. The only thing Lady Wang felt is shame.


    ¡°You can¡¯t make such comparison. Mom, now you belong to elderly parturient woman. You should pay extra attention.


    Supporting her to sit down, Ling Jingxuan nagged. He was really expecting this baby¡¯s arrival.


    ¡°We country people aren¡¯t that dainty.¡±


    Although she was still grumbling, the smile on Lady Wang¡¯s face was unabated. Feeling ashamed though, how could she not feel overjoyed since her two sons care so much about her?


    ¡°Mom, just because you are too honest, so others would ride over your head. Don¡¯t be like this anymore. My big brother is a doctor. You should pay attention since he said so. If something bad really happens, you are the crying one.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng was not that polite, with undisguised carefulness presenting before his family. This time Lady Wang dare not talk back, only moving her lips. After quite a while, she raised her head and said with a both exciting and gingerly tone, ¡°Jingxuan, guess what happened on that side?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Seeing her gossipy appearance, Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, asking casually, showing not much interest. He is an androgyne person. And it¡¯s a fact that he could get pregnant. But after all he is not a woman, so he has no interest in those gossips, especially gossips about old Ling family.


    ¡°Today, early in the morning your big uncle and aunt went to town, and came back just now, looking devastated, and also brought that son of a bitch Ling Jingwei back. I heard his father-in-law said that the reason he and Suhua haven¡¯t had any kid after having been married for so many years is all because he is born with cold sperms, he couldn¡¯t let his wife get pregnant at all. They are going to get divorced.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng did not tell her the details about what had happened that night, but she knew it should be Ling Jingxuan who said that. Seeing the his big brother¡¯s family got in a mess, she felt happier than anyone else, like what she had been suffering all those years got vented out in an instant.


    ¡°Oh? So are you divorced or not?¡±


    For such a result, Ling Jingxuan wasn¡¯t surprised at all. Shopkeeper Zhao only had this daughter and still expected her to have a kid to take over the family business. Before, he thought it was his daughter Zhao Suhua¡¯s problem, so he could only bear with it. Now that he knew it was because of Ling Jingwei, plus he had always had a word of him, it was only reasonable they got divorced. Although a peaceful divorce was better for a woman than being repudiated, people would still say something. But given Shopkeeper Zhao¡¯s status and Zhao Suhua¡¯s beautiful face, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem to find another son-in-law he was satisfied with.


    ¡°How is that possible? A peaceful divorce is comparatively good to a woman, but it also means the man does something wrong. Do you think your big uncle would agree with that? When I came out, they were quarreling and crying in the room, even your grandpa was invited back. I¡¯m afraid later they¡¯d go to town to reason with Shopkeeper Zhao.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to say? It¡¯s because he can¡¯t get his wife pregnant, does he still want to repudiate his wife?¡±


    Twitching his mouth, Ling Jingpeng said unreservedly. His big uncle had two sons and a daughter. The big son Ling Jinghong, twenty five years old, a few years ago, he married a landlord¡¯s daughter from the neighboring village. These years he had been helping the old running his private school. The second son Ling Jingwei, twenty two years old, he had got married with Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s daughter in town and became the young shopkeeper himself. The only daughter Ling Xiaotong, nineteen years old, three years ago, he got married with a son from a rich family in the neighboring town and gave birth to two sons, living a good life. Before this thing, the big son¡¯s family was all smooth, riding over the second son and third son in everything. So when at home, their big uncle and his whole family got above themselves, now it was their turn to taste the bitter pill.


    ¡°What? You really ¡®look down on¡¯ your big uncle. They only want to try first to make their mistake sound less serious and then to reduce it to nothing at all.¡±


    Snorting coldly, Lady Wang said with undisguised sarcasm. Even a blind person could see they were coveting that family¡¯s business!


    ¡°Hehe¡­Shopkeeper Zhang is not a pushover. Mom, you stay out of it. Let them fight.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled, picked up the cup and took a sip of his tea, as early as right after he said Ling Jingwei¡¯s cold sperms thing, he had anticipated this. But, he still underestimated their shameless level. Now they still wouldn¡¯t give up. So unbelievable! So unreasonable!


    ¡°I¡¯d rather take some rest home. Do you still think I am like before? Now I only wish that Jingpeng could get cured soon, then we could move out. And your father and I, and you three brothers could support out small family together.¡±


    Feeling her own belly, Lady Wang withdrew the former sarcasm tone, with that face showing undisguised sheen as a mother. Seeing this, the two brother took a look at each other. That¡¯s the spirit. They could fight or quarrel or what as they liked, as long as they didn¡¯t come make trouble for them. Want them to lend a hand? Two words-no way! They already showed mercy not to add insult to their injury!

 Chapter 94

    Because of Ling Jingwei, the old Ling family was in a total mess now. In the main room sounded the old lady¡¯s shrill yelling and the old man¡¯s sound of trying to stop her. Except Ling Xiaotong who had married to the neighboring town, all members of the first son were present, even including Ling Jinghong¡¯s kid. Due to those things having happened these days, the second son and his family were not there. Ling Jingpeng and Lady Wang directly went to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s place. And Ling Chenglong already carried the hoe and went to the field before they came back. The only one left home was Ling Jinghan, who was lying in bed for his recuperation, even though he had gotten much better after taking the medicine Ling Jingxuan had prescribed for him.


    And as for the third son, Ling Chenghu got beaten up when trying to teach Ling Jingxuan a less, and even took some goat¡¯s urine, while his wife Lady Jiang also got a good beat, whose head was swollen like a pig head. For this matter, the first son¡¯s wife looked careful about them, in fact, anyone smart enough could tell she was always being sarcastic in and out of her words. Now that such a big thing happened to the big son¡¯s family, of course they¡¯d rather stay aside and watch for fun.


    Finally it was Ling Chenghua. Of course, such occasion couldn¡¯t be without her. Don¡¯t look that she was quite good with Lady Li. Actually, replying on that she was the only daughter of the old couple, she often badmouthed her before the old lady, trying everything she could to sow discord between their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. Fortunately Lady Li was capable enough, and her three kids also found a good spouse, otherwise her days wouldn¡¯t be better than the other two wives. Now, finally seeing that something bad happened to the big son¡¯s family, Ling Chenghua felt thrilled in the heart. Her marriage was not smooth, of course, she couldn¡¯t bear other¡¯s good one. So this didn¡¯t include her second and third brother, but her big brother¡¯s harmonious family was reminding her every minute that she was old and still single, no good family would marry her.


    ¡°Dad, mom, you calm down. This is not something you can solve in a day or two. What if you get ill because of this?¡±


    Ling Chenghua said so, smiling, while considerably helping the old lady slightly guide her qi downward. Ling Chenglong and his wife, who were kneeling down there, apparently sensed what Ling Chenghua was hinting at, but could only swallow it. They still hoped that the old man could go to town to mediate as the identity of a xiucai. But they forgot, in those villages nearby, as the only xiucai, maybe old Lord Ling might be a big figure. But through those tens of villages in whole Datong town, a xiucai? Even a juren (ÅeÈË, lit. ¡°recommended man¡±, a qualified graduate who passed the triennial provincial exam) wasn¡¯t something. So a xiucai beyond reach in their eyes were like fart in those people¡¯s eyes from the town.


    ¡°How do you want me to calm down? Jingwei, you say it, what is going on? Why do they suddenly say you were born with cold sperms? I have lived like a lifetime, this is the first time I heard that a man could also be barren! Their Zhao family is talking nonsense!¡±


    The old lady got out of breath. If words spread out, who would marry their daughter into their Ling family? Men sterility! So humiliating!


    ¡°Give me a break!¡±


    On the other side, the old man ruthlessly gave a stare at the old woman who kept making a fuss there, then turned his eyes to Ling Jingwei who was kneeling on the ground, ¡°They said you were born with cold sperms. Diagnosed by a doctor?¡±


    One had to say a xiucai is a xiucai. He still kept rational now. But¡­Ling Jingwei was like a blown balloon. Since he came back, he was on his knees there. Whoever asked him something, he just kept his mouth shut, like having lost his soul. The fact that he was born with cold sperms totally crushed him.


    ¡°Dad, stop pushing Jingwei. He also feels bitter in the heart.¡±


    Seeing this, Lady Li, who had always been decent, crawled over to her son and hugged him tightly. Her well-maintained face was full of tears, and her eyes were red and swollen after she learned that Ling Jingwei was infertile.


    Ling Jingxuan said right. One would only care about his/her own kids. To his kids, even though they were only kids, they still had the slightest care, but to her own son, her attitude was completely different.


    ¡°But if I don¡¯t make clear, how am I supposed to go to town to reason with the Zhao family?¡±


    Eyes wide open, Ling Qiyun also felt angry. Do they really think his xiucai title is all-purpose?


    ¡°Dad, Shufen (Lady Li) doesn¡¯t mean that! She just cares about the kid. Now Zhao family wants a divorce, and even threw us out of the house. You have to hold justice for us! You can¡¯t let them have the final say.¡±


    Lady Li opened her mouth but couldn¡¯t utter a word, tears pouring down. Seeing this, Ling Chengcai hurriedly stepped forward to protect them. His son couldn¡¯t get a peaceful divorce. If the news that his son was born with cold sperms, who would dare marry their daughter to him? Besides, Jingwei had been serving in the Zhao family only when he was over ten. He had share of Zhao family¡¯s business. If getting a peaceful divorce, they¡¯d get nothing. So he would never agree about that.


    ¡°You shut up! Ling Jingwei, you say it, what has happened?¡±


    Ling Qiyun got so mad at this full room of children and grandchildren, with that trembling finger pointing at Ling Jingwei. Under his reproaching, Ling Chengcai and others dare not open their mouths again, instead, all just stared at Ling Jingwei. But, however expected the way they looked at him, Ling Jingwei just made no reaction at all like a piece of wood there. Seeing the old man was at the edge of losing his temper, Lady Li who was holding him sobbed, ¡°Son, tell your grandpa the whole story. Now only he can hold justice for you. Boohoo~¡±


    No one knew whether she cried too bitterly or what. Suddenly Ling Jingwei moved, and his slack eyes suddenly got infected with horrible hatred. Under everyone stare, Ling Jingwei pushed his mother away slightly, then looked up at the old man, fists tightened, ¡°It¡¯s Ling Jingxuan! He told my father-in-law that I was born with cold sperms and could never get a woman pregnant.¡±


    All the hate, with no reason, got passed on to Ling Jingxuan. The fear about him disappeared gradually, he even ignored the fact that Wang Er and Zeng Da who helped him kidnap the kids yesterday afternoon suddenly went mad. There¡¯s no doubt, if Ling Jingxuan was standing before him, he¡¯d definitely jump onto him to have a fight.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan¡­ What does it have anything to do with him?¡±


    The old man frowned, apparently surprised about this answer. Although a few days ago he had just ¡®appreciated¡¯ how dreadful Ling Jingxuan¡¯s was, how could one¡¯s cognitive habits change so easily? In his point of view, Ling Jingxuan was still that evil person whom everyone bullied and couldn¡¯t even survive. He should already thank the Buddha and burn incense if they didn¡¯t go make trouble for him. How dare he take the initiative to provoke them?

 Chapter 95

    ¡°Grandpa, there¡¯s one thing that failed and we didn¡¯t tell you. A few months ago, finally I got my father-in-law and Suhua¡¯s permission that I can adopt a kid from our family. Thinking back and forth, I thought although Jingxuan was driven out of the family, the two kids are innocent, so I asked my mom to sound out opinions of my second uncle and aunt, but they directly turned them down. So, I could only give up, but¡­A few days ago, I accidentally bumped into Jingxuan and the two kids in town. The two kids are so cute, so I bought two packs of osmanthus candy for them. I am afraid that my second uncle and aunt told him about me wanting to adopt his kids, he has held hatred in the heart of me, and the night before last, he went to my father-in-law and invented a story saying that I was born with cold sperms and couldn¡¯t get a woman pregnant. At first, my father-in-law did not believe it. But I don¡¯t know what he did to my father-in-law in the middle, the next day, my father-in-law abruptly changed his attitude and asked me to have a peaceful divorce with Suhua. This is all because of Ling Jingxuan. If it weren¡¯t him, I wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this! Grandpa, you got to hold justice for me!¡±


    Deliberately hiding fact of kidnapping the children, Ling Jingwei, such a big man, crawled over to the old man, crying hard. But in a corner no one could see, his eyes were filled with undisguised hatred. His half true explanation not only threw all the blame onto Ling Jingxuan, but also got Ling Chenglong and his wife involved.


    ¡°That son of a bitch! How could he have done such a wicked thing? Oh, heaven! Why don¡¯t you kill him with a thunder-strike! My poor Jingwei¡­¡±


    Hearing that, before the old man could say a word, the old lady started the abusing again. After having been through that thing a few days ago, plus her second son and daughter-in-law¡¯s non-action these days, she had already hated Ling Jingxuan to the bones, only wishing to find a reason to kill him.


    ¡°This is outrageous! How could Ling Jingxuan do this? It is for the good of his kids if you adopt them. Instead of appreciating it, he has done such an immoral thing! How could our family have a bastard? Dad, this is about the dignity of our whole family. You should do something!¡±


    On hearing that, Ling Chenghua, who was watching the drama/making mischief, immediately took the big son¡¯s side. And her comparatively delicate face got distorted due to the strong hate.


    ¡°Mom, dad, after I married into Ling family, I can say I have been filial to you two and cared about the juniors, and I have never had any quarrel with my sisters-in-law. How could Chenglong and his wife indulge their son defame my son? Dad, mom, you got to hold justice for us!¡±


    After freezing there for a bit, like having understood what her son was trying to say, Lady Li complained while crying. Ling Chengcai pursed his lips aside. Although he didn¡¯t say a word, the angry expression on the face showed his satisfaction. By contrast, his big son Ling Jinghong looked much quiet, he and his wife just stood there, keeping silent.


    Bam~


    After quite a while, Ling Qiyun suddenly pounded the table and got up, with anger crawling onto that wrinkled face. Even an idiot could tell he had bought Ling Jingwei¡¯s theory.


    ¡°Since this is someone else¡¯s frame, I¡¯ll go to town with you. As for Chenglong, wait till this matter is solved.¡±


    He also did not believe Ling Jingxuan could turn white into black with only a few words! The worst scenario is go to yamen! Jingwei did nothing wrong, it¡¯s Zhao family¡¯s fault to ask for a peaceful divorce! Although they are from a small village, no one would bully them!


    Those people who were crying curled up their lips simultaneously, but instantly hid away that trace of gloating. Then under the old man¡¯s lead, they drove the ox cart and went to town. But, would they really get what they wanted?


    Of course, Ling Jingxuan would never know what had happened that side. After Zhao Dalong and his husband came, he took out a pile of bottles and jars, with snake medicine, poison against beasts and detoxifying pills, etc.. After briefly explaining to them how to use them and handing the three buns to Lady Wang, Ling Jingxuan and the other three carried the bamboo baskets and went to the mountains.


    ¡°Wow! There¡¯re so many wild fruits in Yuehua Mountain!¡±


    Looking at those wild fruits all over the mountain, Han Fei couldn¡¯t help exclaiming. All those years, the whole village said there are monsters in Yuehua Mountain, and those hunters who went in never made it back. As time passed, no one dared to go in anymore. At first, when Ling Jingxuan told them he¡¯d go to Yuehua Mountain to pick wild fruit, he had been worried. But, all the way nothing happened at all. Not long after entering the mountain, those wild fruits all over nearly blinded his eyes.


    ¡°Yuehua Mountain is unfrequented. It¡¯s only normal to grow so many wild fruits. This is only the periphery. If we go deeper in, maybe there¡¯re even treasures! But, the deeper, the more dangerous. So we don¡¯t have to take the risk. Brother Zhao, brother Han, it¡¯s those red fruit on those trees. Sorry to trouble you.¡±


    Saying so, Ling Jingxuan led them to a few giant blueberry trees he had found a few days ago. He planned to make jam using blueberries this time. As for those wild grapes, he wanted to make wine. He would make as much as he could. Even if no one bought it, he could save it to himself to enjoy, right? Wine is something good.


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble. You know, we got nothing to do. All right, leave here to us.¡±


    Speaking of which, Han Fei put down the bamboo basket and started to pick them.


    ¡°All right, Jinghan, let¡¯s go pick wild grapes.¡±


    The four of them shared out the work and started their own job. Compared with blueberries that grow on trees, wild grapes were much easier to pick. Ling Jingxuan and Jingpeng were quick with their hands. Soon they picked two full bamboo baskets of them. But that was far from enough. Ling Jingxuan asked Ling Jingpeng to carry some back, then he turned to climb onto the tree to help Zhao Dalong and his husband to pick blueberries.


    Four of them kept busy from morning to evening. If having not been worried of beasts at night, they still wouldn¡¯t go back.

 Chapter 96

    Over the next few days, Ling Jingxuan buried himself in making jam and wine. In the morning, he would go with Ling Jingpeng and others to go pick wild fruit. In order to let them have sufficient strength, he¡¯d stay home to make lunch. Their food was not bad. Except fish he caught, they¡¯d have meat to eat almost every day. What¡¯s worth to mention is, the little bun Ling Wen stopped nagging him, which was really a once-in-a-blue-moon thing, although he still showed flesh-cutting expression when costing money to buy food. In the afternoon, he usually wouldn¡¯t go up to the mountains, but stay home to clean and airing those wild fruit.


    Because after the wine was brewed, it should be sealed immediately, plus the old Ling family was almost done with the farm work, these days, Ling Chenglong and his wife often came for help, one helped him make wedges, while the other helped take care of the kids, or wash those wild fruit for him. Yan Shengrui who was getting better day by day also often came out for a walk. He wanted to help, but every time he would either get driven away by Ling Jingxuan, or be stopped by Lady Wang. Having no choice, he would only watch his wife aside, and taught the three buns some simple knowledge now and then. Don¡¯t ask how he who had lost his memories could teach others knowledge, he himself also had no idea. Anyway, every time it just came out of his mouth, and everybody had been used to it.


    Days were busy, but they really had some fun and substantial days. While on the other side, under Ling Jingwei¡¯s inciting, the old lord Ling took his first son¡¯s whole family and stormed into town, but finally came back in frustration, and, by the way, brought back Ling Jingwei and Zhao Suhua¡¯s peaceful divorce certificate. And, they had thought that they would save some face for them since they were relatives by marriage anyway. But they had gone too far there, Shopkeeper Zhao who meant to save them some face got pissed off, and took out the diagnosis from Xinhe Hall in town, which clearly wrote that Ling Jingwei was born with cold sperms and could never get a woman pregnant.


    As the saying goes, there is no impermeable wall, this thing soon spread to the Ling village. For a time, Ling Jingwei, and even the whole old Ling family had become the laughing stock of everyone. So the Ling family fell in sorrow. The unreasonable old lady cursed her second son¡¯s family from morning till night, like having taken them as enemies.


    Five days later, with the help of everyone¡¯s concerted effort, the whole fifty jars were all filled with jam, one hundred jars of wine was also brewed, all stored in the cellar.


    As everyone felt much relieved and was about to take a few days¡¯ rest before going on, the court¡¯s conscription announcement was issued. Ling Chenghong and his wife and Ling Chengpeng all got called back home. Zhao Dalong and his husband also looked not in the mood. They court wouldn¡¯t care whether they are a couple or not, they only acknowledged whether you are able-bodied person. In fact, they were both labors, so one of them had to serve in the army.


    ¡°I wonder what happened to my parents.¡±


    Tomorrow, Shopkeeper Zhang would come fetch those jam. Sitting under the roof, Ling Jingxuan who was watching the little bun practiced his calligraphy lightly frowned. The old Ling family had three sons. The big son had two sons, the second also had two, while the third son had three, but the youngest one was only 12 years old and had met the condition of military service. That is to say, they¡¯d choose among the six of them. Given the old lady¡¯s partiality, she¡¯d definitely let her second son¡¯s sons to go. Ling Jinghan had gotten much better. But under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s advice, he had been pretending that he was still that ill. So the only one left was Jingpeng. These days, if it hadn¡¯t been Jingpeng, with his thin and weak body, he could never have done such a big order. So, from deep of his heart, he felt appreciated and also worried about this younger brother.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you already know? We can pay twenty taels of silver to offset the military service at the worst.¡±


    Yan Shengrui, who was teaching the little buns fist position, came next to him and sat down. Sometimes he really could not understand him. He is worried about his younger brother, but he has money, why bother?


    ¡°I¡¯ll certainly use money, but not now. This may be the best chance to let my parents divide up the family.¡±


    Giving him a glance, Ling Jingxuan held the head with a hand, eyes deep. Watching that Ling Jinghan¡¯s illness gradually got better, and their days were getting better and better, some people would definitely get jealous and generate some evil idea. So dividing up the family is imperative.


    At this tim,e Ling Jingxuan had no idea that any opportunity needed to pay the price, and the price would let him regret for a lifetime.


    ¡°Yeah, right, this thing can¡¯t be delayed, but Jingxuan, after the delivery, we should repair the house, shouldn¡¯t we? If our parents move here, this small three thatched rooms won¡¯t be enough.¡±


    Nodding, Yan Shengrui took him by the hand suddenly. After losing his memories, he looked purer, and wouldn¡¯t mind whether it¡¯d embarrass him as the man of the family since it wasn¡¯t he who earned money to support the whole family. In his eyes and heart, he simply cared about him and the kids, and wouldn¡¯t want to see them live such miserable life. And part of the reason is Jingxuan always slept with kids. He even couldn¡¯t find a chance to do some nasty thing with him. If going on like this, he¡¯d get sick down there.


    Of course, he would never say it out.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯d like to buy all the land at the entrance of Yuehua Mountain and build a garden-style manor directly, but I¡¯ll wait until the family dividing stuff is decided. I¡¯m not in the mood to plan for that now.¡±


    ¡°As long as you have a plan yourself. But, shouldn¡¯t we talk to Xiaowen and Xiaowu about it first?¡±


    Pointing at Xiaowen who was practicing his writing on a sand table not far away meaningfully, Yan Shengrui gave Ling Jingxuan a helpless but doting smile. What could they do? If they build a big house behind the big bun¡¯s back, god knows how long he would nag them. So for the sake of future, anyhow, they should talk sense into him first.

 Chapter 97

    ¡°Daddy, why hasn¡¯t Tiewa come here yet? I want to practice boxing with him.¡±


    No one noticed that when the little bun stood by their side after practicing boxing, with sweat all over, and that little face wrinkled into a ball since his little company hadn¡¯t come as scheduled.


    Hearing him, Ling Jingxuan remembered that Zhao family also had to pick one to serve in the army. Guess their family is also in a mess now. Though both Zhao and Han were both men, their marriage received endless blaming, their relationship had always been stable. Whoever goes for the military service is like breaking them up. He had planned to pay them after the delivery tomorrow. Seen from now, he better pay them earlier. It all thanked to them these days.


    Knowing what he was thinking, Yan Shengrui did not disturb him. He poured a cup of tea and handed it by the mouth of the little bun, saying, ¡°You are tired. Martial arts practicing is not a job that can be achieved overnight. Have some patience and made progress day by day.¡±


    After several days living together, he gradually got used to getting along with his children. Both of them liked him very much.


    ¡°Hmm. Father, I hear you are good at martial arts. I have learned almost the whole set of Tai Chi daddy taught me. Can you teach me some other martial arts?¡±


    Drinking up the tea in that cup held in Ling Shengrui¡¯s hand, the little bun looked at him with that pair of expecting eyes. Ling Wen, who just finished practicing his calligraphy, also cast his expecting eyes toward him. Compared with Ling Wu who was like a martial arts addict, he had no special interest about it. But if he could learn something more, why not?


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll teach you whatever you want to learn, but don¡¯t forget reading is your primary thing. You must be a man with both civil and military skills in the future.¡±


    Dotingly pinching his nose, Yan Shengrui said so while pouring him a cup of tea. He hadn¡¯t been fully recovered yet, so he could only do something with his reach.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The two brothers looked at each other, then nodded together. Suddenly Ling Jingxuan beckoned Ling Wen ¡°Come here. I have something to talk to you.¡±


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    Putting down the cup, Ling Wen did not think much, raised his feet to walk over. Ling Jingxuan grabbed him by his hands and said seriously, ¡°Here is the thing. You know, the court starts to recruit soldiers. Every family that has two or more strong labors between fourteen to thirty-five has to offer one for the military service. You are small, so you may not know. those soldiers recruited this time would charge on the frontline, also die fast. In other words, they are like courting their deaths. If one doesn¡¯t want to go, he has to pay twenty taels of silver. I guess we can¡¯t count on the old Ling family to pay, so it would finally fall on us. Besides, you know, your uncle Zhao and his family, given their condition, I guess they don¡¯t have so much silver. You know, without their help, with only me and your little uncle, we could never make 2500 jin jam and 100 jars of wine in such a short time. So I am thinking of paying them twenty taels of silver as their reward, what do you say?¡±


    Forty taels of silver! It¡¯s enough to sustain a common family¡¯s food for a few years! That¡¯s not a small sum. Although Ling Jingxuan could make the decision himself, he still asked for the little bun¡¯s advice, because he had promised that he¡¯d talk to him as long as it was about some big money. As a father, he didn¡¯t want to lose his credit to his son. Though even if the little bun did not agree, he would still do it.


    ¡°Daddy, didn¡¯t you often say that we shouldn¡¯t save money that shouldn¡¯t be saved. We can¡¯t be stingy on this kind of money.¡±


    What was out of his expectations was Ling Wen wrinkled his eyebrow and started to lesson him. Ling Jingxuan froze there, but soon he curved up his lips and rubbed his head dotingly, ¡°Oh, daddy is muddle-headed. Money would never be more important than lives. We can¡¯t save this kind of money.¡±


    He had belittled him. It¡¯s true his little bun is stingy, but also reasonable, right?


    ¡°That¡¯s the point. Daddy, we can save money later, or Xiaowu and I can go to school next year. Uncle Jingpeng and uncle Zhao¡¯s thing is most important.¡±


    Ling Wen wore a little adult¡¯s expression, making Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui have no idea whether to laugh or cry. It seems it isn¡¯t a good thing that the little bun is too sensible.


    ¡°All right, I just want to let you know. Then you practice your calligraphy with your father. I will send the money for your uncle Zhao first.¡±


    Before the little bun took the opportunity to ¡®educate¡¯ him again, Ling Jingxuan patted his ass and got up, decided to run away. As for the things at the old Ling family, wait after this had a result.


    ¡°Daddy, I want to go with you.¡±


    Ling Wu, who was hanging on Yan Shengrui, suddenly rushed over to cling to his thigh and look up at him with imploring eyes. He had not seen Tiewa for a whole day. He missed him.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Bending over to carry him up, Ling Jingxuan lifted his head and said to Yan shengrui, ¡°I will be back soon. If my parents come, please help me to keep them. I will leave the house to you.¡±


    ¡°Sure, go, put on your straw hat. It¡¯s hot outside.¡±


    Speaking of which, Yan Shengrui picked up two straw hats Lady Wang had woven these days and put them on for the daddy and son. He took the opportunity to touch Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face. If he could, he would like to bite at it. But pity that his sons were there, he could only hold it.


    It was not that Ling Jingxuan could not feel it, it was just the other side was too direct. Judging from his scorching eyes, thinking with his butt, he would know that this asshole should have been turned on. In order not to misguide his two son, Ling Jingxuan said nothing, only gave him a stare and then turned to leave. Watching them leave without his sight, Yan Shengrui kept wearing that silly smile there. Ling Wen, who was standing next to him, looked at him suspiciously, thinking, ¡°What is wrong with father? Why¡­does he look¡­so silly?¡±

 Chapter 98

    As expected, as Ling Jingxuan brought the small bun to Zhao family, before they knocked, they heard weeping sound from inside. The father and son gave each other a look, the son looked anxious, while the father looked helpless. These years, the court recruited strong adult men for military service as they wanted, totally ignoring whether the civilians could survive or not. If it hadn¡¯t been that heard had earned some money, plus the little buns were still little, maybe he also couldn¡¯t get away from it. At most, given his capabilities, he could ensure himself from getting killed on the battlefield.


    Knock knock~


    Spurning those messy thoughts in the head, Ling Jingxuan motioned the small bun to knock at the door, a little while later, the closed door was opened from the inside with the creaking sound, The red and swollen eyes of Han Fei appeared in their sight. Ling Jingxuan felt sorry in the heart, trying to make a smile, ¡°Brother Han, I got something to talk to you. Can I go inside?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, come on in¡­¡±


    ¡°Wah~ Xiaowu, daddy¡¯s leaving. I don¡¯t want daddy to go. Boohoo~¡±


    As Han Fei just made the way, before Ling Jingxuan took a single step, Tiewa rushed out, crying hard, with his thin little arms holding Ling Wu and tears and snot all rubbing on Ling Wu¡¯s ropey clothes.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Don¡¯t you cry, Tiewa¡­Boohoo¡­ Daddy, why is Tiewa crying?¡±


    Ling Wu, having been protected by Ling Wen all these years, obviously was not used to dealing with such a scene, crying due to anxiety, asked his daddy for help while dropping ¡®gold beans¡¯. Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, bent over to hold his small bun almost at the same time with Han Fei bending over to hold up his Tiewa.


    ¡°Tiewa, don¡¯t cry. Daddy doesn¡¯t want to go, but¡­ but¡­¡±


    Before finishing his words, Han Fei couldn¡¯t help burying his head in his son¡¯s neck. If he didn¡¯t go, Zhao Dalong had to. Zhao Dalong was the blood father of Tiewa, so the kid needed him. And this family couldn¡¯t move on without him. How could they make a living if he didn¡¯t go to town and work as a blacksmith? Instead of setting the whole family to ruin, he should sacrifice himself. Although in this life, he had taken too much torturing and people¡¯s gossiping and cursing, he didn¡¯t regret it. Meeting Zhao Dalong is the best thing ever in his lfe.


    ¡°Boohoo~ Tiewa¡­Uncle Han¡­Don¡¯t you cry. I also want to cry seeing you cry. Boohoo~¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Wu cried even harder. Ling Jingxuan quickly patted him on the back and said, ¡°Don¡¯t cry. Daddy has a way to make Uncle Han not cry. Xiaowu, be quiet and let daddy talk to Uncle Han, ok?


    ¡°Boohoo¡­ really?¡±


    Raising his little face wetted by tears, Ling Wu choked. He also had no idea why he felt so sad. Seeing Tiewa cry, he just cried. Tiewa is his only friend. He doesn¡¯t want him to be sad.


    ¡°It¡¯s true, of course. When has daddy ever lied to you?¡±


    Wiping off the tears on his face, Ling Jingxuan gently curved his lips slightly, as far as possible to let him feel his confidence. Ling Wu deeply looked at him for a while, then nodded obediently trying his best to hold his tear from dropping. Then he turned back to say to the father and son, ¡°Uncle Han, Tiewa, stop crying. Daddy has a way out.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Uncle¡­¡±


    The father and son looked up. Han Fei¡¯s face was full of doubts, while Tiewa was only expectations on his face. Though he was too small and didn¡¯t understand a lot of things, one could say much more foolish than Xiaowen and Xiaowu, he often heard from daddy that Uncle Ling is very capable. Since Xiaowu said that, he should have a way to let daddy stay.


    ¡°Tiewa, I won¡¯t let you lose your daddy.¡±


    Stretching out a hand to touch his little face, Ling Jingxuan said to Han Fei, ¡°Brother Han, let¡¯s talk inside.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Although confused, Han Fei knew it was inappropriate to talk by the door. So the two young fathers held their own kids and walked in. Zhao Dalong, who had always been behaving like a tough man, now was sitting in a corner, head down. Ling Jingxuan sighed in the heart. He put the small bun down and took off the straw hats on both his and his son¡¯s head, ¡°Xiaowu, daddy needs to talk to uncle Han alone. You take Tiewa to play in some other room, OK?¡±


    Ling Wu whose tears still hadn¡¯t dried obediently nodded, walked over and grabbed Tiewa¡¯s hand, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my daddy is really capable, there¡¯d be a way out since he said it.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Tiewa looked at Ling Jingxuan, then his two daddy, after quite a while, nodded, and then grabbed Ling Wu¡¯s hand and left.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, brother Han, I¡¯ll get to the point. Here is twenty taels of silver. Thank for your help these days.¡±


    Seeing that the whole family felt so awful, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t want to make any foreshadowing, directly pulled out two ten-tael silver ingots and handed to them. He was unaware whether people¡¯s life was worthy or not in ancient times. To him, it is absolutely worthy to buy a person¡¯s life with twenty taels of silver!


    The premise, of course, is that this person has to be someone he approves of.


    Han Fei¡¯s eyes were beaming, but soon dimmed down. Without even thinking, he pushed the silver on the table back, ¡°No! Twenty taels of silver is not a small sum! We can¡¯t take it!¡±


    He had never gone to school, so he was a man of noble character or what, but at least he knew that he could take the money. Besides, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family condition is no better than them. He had two kids to support. A lot of places need money. How could they accept his money?


    Although Zhao Dalong did not say a word, one could see from his depressed expression that he was in favor of it. However, facing the mandatory military service, he felt uncomfortable from the bottom of his heart.


    ¡°Brother Han, don¡¯t you always tell me not to take you as an outsider? Why did you start being polite to me?¡±


    Without pushing the silver back, Ling Jingxuan deliberately kept a straight face, before they said more, he said, ¡°Say no more. This is the money paid for your job. Don¡¯t belittle those wild fruit. After processing, they would be sold at a high price. Twenty taels of silver is only one hundredth of it. Brother Zhao, brother Han, I know you are both dufiful and honest people. You wouldn¡¯t take anyone¡¯s advantage. But this is what you deserve.¡±


    Compared with what he could earn, this is just a drop in the bucket. Besides, Ling Jingxuan valued them from deep of his heart. Forget about other things. Only about the wild fruit picking, he said he would pay them but got denied. Then, he never mentioned it again. So it means they did it for him for free. But this couple didn¡¯t loaf on the job or what, but even more active than him and Jingpeng. Only through this point, it was worth it to pay them twenty taels of silver.


    ¡°Well¡­ Long?¡±


    Hearing him, Han Fei also didn¡¯t know what to say, only habitually turned his eyes to Zhao Dalong for help. It was not that he got blinded by his greediness, but that he really didn¡¯t want to leave this home, or see Zhao Dalong leave. Since Jingxuan said he had money. Could he take it as he borrowed it from him?


    ¡°But it¡¯s too much¡­¡±


    Zhao Dalong raised his head and looked at Ling Jingxuan. He was lying if he said he didn¡¯t have some other thinking. How could he afford to leave Han Fei and his little cute son?


    ¡°Even worthy of your lives? Brother Zhao, money comes, money goes. But if people die, he¡¯d lost everything. Twenty taels of silver is true an enormous figure to families like us, but it¡¯s far less important than our lives. Let me tell you something. You know how stingy my Xiaowen is. Before I brought the money here for you, I tried to talk him over. Guess what he said?¡±


    ¡°What did he say?¡±


    Following his question, Han Fei unconsciously blurted out. Ling Jingxuan smiled, ¡°He, gave me a lecture, saying that this kind of money must not be saved. Brother Han, for the sake that Xiaowen is rarely this generous, you should take it.¡±


    Thinking of his sensible little bun, Ling Jingxuan smiled even more brightly. Stingy as he is, at least he knows what¡¯s important, right? It¡¯s not that he is bragging, you couldn¡¯t find another kid who is more sensible that his son through the whole Qing Kingdom!


    ¡°Xiaowen¡­he¡­all right, we¡¯ll take the money. Thank you, Jingxuan!¡±


    Hearing that, Han Fei could not help but cry again. Even in his dream, he wouldn¡¯t expect that the stingy Xiaowen would agree on this.


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me. I said, this what you deserve. In the future, I still have a lot of places that need your help. Brother Han, in the past few years when I was like a fool, it was you who took care of Xiaowen and Xiaowu. So in the future, we¡¯ll earn money together. Good days are waiting ahead.¡±


    This is just the beginning. He wanted to make some gold and silver mountains for his little buns to squander, but in the early days, he only wished to raise them into delicious meat stuffed buns!


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Nodding tearfully, Han Fei habitually turned to give Zhao Dalong a look. After getting his approval, he stretched out his hand to receive the silver that could save them.


    ¡°Well, I will not disturb you, tomorrow the restaurant in the town would come fetch the goods. After that, let¡¯s send our kids to town for study. After they have their career, our good days will come.¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan stood up with a smile. In his heart, he was still worried about his parents. He had no idea how everything was in old Ling family, only wishing nothing bad happened.


    ¡°Hmm, tomorrow Dalong and I will go for help, then pick some wild fruit in the mountain.¡±


    Han Fei felt guilty after receiving the silver, only wishing he could do something for Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Pick wild fruit is no hurry. This time they ordered a thousand jin, but I made two thousand and five hundred jin. So it could sustain for some time. So you don¡¯t have to come tomorrow morning. The restraint has their own workers. You are tired these days. So take some rest. It¡¯s late to pick more after we find a private school for the kids first.¡±


    In fact, the guy who came to fetch the fish a few days ago kept urging him everyday, saying that the one hundred jars of fish had already been sold out. That was also why Ling Jingxuan made two thousand jin at a time. Yesterday he specially went to Wang¡¯s mill and ordered two hundred more big jars. After taking care of the kids¡¯ school stuff, he¡¯d be very busy for some time.


    ¡°All right, just let us know when you need us. About my son¡¯s school thing, sorry to trouble you.¡±


    He now knew it wouldn¡¯t work without a scholar at home. Anyhow, even selling everything home, he¡¯d send Tiewa to school.


    ¡°Well, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy, do you agree?¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan could open his mouth, the little bun rushed out from the next room, with Tiewa who had resumed that smiling face followed behind. He bent over to pick him up, pinched his nose dotingly, ¡°Hmm, done. Let¡¯s go home.¡±


    ¡°Daddy, daddy, bad news! Something happened to grandma! Daddy¡­¡±


    As Ling Jingxuan was just about to turn around to leave, the door was suddenly pushed open from outside. Ling Wen ran in with a worried look on his face. Behind him was Yan Shengrui, his head bandaged, ¡°What happened? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Is it possible¡­


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Just now a man came to our house and said he is a friend of my little uncle¡¯s. He said something had happened there and asked you go to there as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Damn¡­¡±


    If it wasn¡¯t something very serious, Ling Jingpeng would ask someone to send a message. Lowering his head to curse, Ling Jingxuan turned back and said to Han Fei, ¡°Brother Han, please help me take care of Xiaowen and Xiaowu.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, just go. Do you need me and Long to go with you?¡±


    Seemingly realizing it was something serous, Han Fei agreed without thinking. At the same time, Zhao Dalong already walked over.


    ¡°No need. They could do nothing to me now.


    After saying that, Ling Jingxuan exchanged an eye with Yan Shenrui. Then both of them turned to leave.


    ¡°Daddy, be careful.¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    Behind, the two buns¡¯ worried voice clearly came into their ears, but they didn¡¯t stop. Soon, they disappeared in their sight.

 Chapter 99

    Sudden military service official document, almost every family got in a mess already. Although the official document said those who didn¡¯t want to serve in the money, they could hand in twenty taels of silver, but to farmer families, few families could take out so much silver at once. Even if they could, it depended on whether they would pay, like old Ling family.


    After Ling Qiyun received the document, he immediately gathered his three son¡¯s family in his room. Everyone knew what it was for, so they were all worried, only afraid the old man would nominate one of them to go. Of course, the most worried one should be the second son. Before, the old lady didn¡¯t like them and always picked on them, but at least the old man wouldn¡¯t take her side. But these days, they clearly felt the old man¡¯s resentful eyes at them, though till now they still had no idea why.


    ¡°Dad, something just happened to Jingwei, and this whole family needs Jinghong to support. You can¡¯t let any of my family to go.¡±


    At this time, Ling Chengcai also did not care about his identity as the biggest son. Anyhow, he would not let his son to die.


    ¡°Big brother, you can¡¯t say that. Jingwei accident is his own problem. How can you take that as an excuse? You think your son Jinghong and Jingwei can¡¯t serve in the army, so my Jingren and Jingyu should go?¡±


    Ling Chenghu rejected him without even thinking. In his opinion, the old lady doesn¡¯t like his second brother and his famiy, but nominally, only Jingpeng could still serve in army. If his big brother disassociated from this, wouldn¡¯t he be the unlucky one. Even an idiot knows being a soldier means death. His big brother doesn¡¯t want his sons to die, so his sons deserve to die?


    ¡°What do you mean, Chenghu? I can let it go if those outsiders laugh at my Jingwei. As his uncle, are you also trying to be sarcastic?¡±


    Ling Chengcai got furious. The seemingly harmonious brothers finally turned against each other, all in all, people are selfish. Who would watch his own son to die?


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that kind of thing, big brother, you can¡¯t slander me! Now we are talking about the military service matter. Since this family is not divided, how could you make an exception of yourself?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? I just said what I think. Jinghong is still small, not only he has to help the family chores, but also he got to help father look after the private school, how can he go for the military service? Jingwei has just suffered that kind of thing and is down, how can we push him out at this time?¡±


    ¡°Yes, you have endless reasons, and me and Chenglong deserve it? Your Jinghong is still small, you mean my Jingren is big enough? Jingren¡¯s wife just got pregnant, besides, Jingyu, his marriage has been decided, the next spring he will get married. At this time, you let him go to the army, isn¡¯t it like destroying his marriage?¡±


    The two brothers, regardless of the presence of their father and mother, had their own reasons and excuses, and neither of them was willing to give in. In a word, their sons could not go in the army, while the second son and his family did not say a word from the beginning. They were waiting, waiting for the old man to speak.


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    Suddenly the old man yelled. The two brother who were having a heated quarrel had to temporarily cease fire. The old man¡¯s stern eyes slowly swept all his grandsons who met the demands of military service. When he saw Ling Jingpeng, eyes had a quick flash. Others didn¡¯t notice it, but Ling Jinghan did. For this, the little bit family bond remained in his heart was announced to collapse.


    ¡°In my opinion, what two brothers said is right. Jinghong has to help you take care of the private school. Jingwei still hasn¡¯t stepped out of his peaceful divorce, Jingren¡¯s wife has just got pregnant, who needs his care, and Jingyu can¡¯t delay his marriage, they certainly can¡¯t go to. As for Chenglong¡¯s family, Jinghan is in poor health, sending him to serve in army means sending him to die. As his grandma, I can¡¯t bear to see it. And Jingpeng¡­I think he is the most suitable. No kid, no marriage, great health. My lord, how about let Jingpeng go?¡±


    The old lady deliberately analyzed all kinds of situations, but she clearly had already decided the candidate in her heart, or even deliberately meant to send Ling Jingpeng to die, but she pretended as if she also couldn¡¯t bear to see it. What disappointed the second son was, the old man Ling Qiyun really didn¡¯t say no, like he was accessing the possibility of it. Ling Chenghong was honest and well-behaved, but he was not stupid. Without thinking, bang, he knelt down, ¡°Mom, you know Jinghan is in poor health. It¡¯s not that I am cursing my own kid, given his condition, he¡¯d go to another world any time. By then, I only have Jingpeng. How can you let him go?¡±


    They nearly killed his eldest son that year, and now his third son? No, this time he would never be at their mercy again, he would do everything to save his son, even under the charge of unfilial piety.


    ¡°Shut up, you unfilial creature! Do you mean that I, as his grandma, deliberately hurt my own legitimate grandson?¡±


    The old lady was furious, pointing at Ling Chenglong. Ling Chenghua who was standing added oil to the fire, ¡°Brother, it¡¯s not that I am blaming, how can you curse Jinghan to die? He¡¯s our dad¡¯s hope. Didn¡¯t you hear him say he got better the other day? Now you have seen the situation at home, except Jingpeng, no other one is appropriate. Our mother isn¡¯t deliberately partial to anyone.


    Really??? Everyone there knew they were on purpose. Before when Ling Jingpeng helped Ling Jingxuan, it had already displeased them, plus Ling Jingwei¡¯s instigation, even the old man hated them now.


    Maybe it was Ling Jingxuan¡¯s bad luck. About the thing of Ling Jingwei trying to set him up, it could have been able to come to light when the old man brought people to Zhao family to reason. But Shopkeeper Zhao got steamed up, only showed them the doctor¡¯s diagnose and threw them out, and didn¡¯t say that Ling Jingxuan only got furious because that Ling Jingwei kidnapped his two little buns. Although later the old man asked Ling Jingwei why they got the diagnose, Ling Jingwei covered it up by saying that he forgot it since that was too big a blow to him. So these days, the old man was angry to his second son. His thoughts were like other families. Domestic shame should not be made public. Even if Ling Jingwei really couldn¡¯t get pregnant, it was not Ling Jingxuan or his father¡¯s turn to say it out. By doing so, apparently they didn¡¯t take themselves as members of the Ling family. So the old man got filled with pent up anger in his heart, only waiting for an opportunity to vent it out.


    ¡°Ahem¡­Aunt, how do you know my condition won¡¯t get worse? These years, as you can see, maybe some day I¡¯d close my eyes and never wake up. If I really go to another world, who takes care of my parents?¡±


    Trying to cough to draw their attention, Ling Jinghan cast a glance at Ling Chenghua who only wished to see them bite each other, and then looked into the eyes of the old man who hadn¡¯t took a stand, ¡°Grandpa, I know you care about me, and I also respect you. But I don¡¯t have the blessing. A few days ago, I thought I got much better, but¡­Five years ago, my big brother got thrown out of the family, and I¡¯m like this. In the future, only Jingpeng could serve our parents. Please forgive my rudeness. My dad, like my big uncle and third uncle, is also your son. You can¡¯t be partial. Anyhow, you should a son to bury my parents in the future¡­¡±


    If it had been before, Ling Jinghan would never say such words. He was making a bet, to see if his grandpa still had a little bit of love to his parents, to see if his grandpa¡¯s care about him was genuine, and to see if he still took Jingpeng as his grandson. Even if one of the three was affirmative, there¡¯d be no need to fall out. On the contrary¡­there¡¯s nothing to linger about of this family.


    ¡°Alas, Jinghan, don¡¯t you play pitiful to win your grandpa¡¯s sympathy. These days, I saw that Jingpeng brought back medicine for you three times a day. If it doesn¡¯t work, why you keep taking it? Your grandma already said only Jingpeng is the most suitable one. What? You want to learn from your shameless big brother to go against your grandma?¡±

 Chapter 100

    Anyone with eyes could see the old man favored Jinghan. In case he changed his mind, before he opened his mouth, Lady Jiang whose face was still swollen stood up and said with sarcasm. About last time¡¯s thing, she was scared, but she also hated anyone of the second son¡¯s family, only wishing they¡¯d all die!


    ¡°Jiang, what are you talking about? After the thing last time, the doctor who has taken care of Jinghan never came again. If he doesn¡¯t take the medicine Jingpeng brought him, what, do you want him to lie in bed to wait to die?¡±


    Lady Wang couldn¡¯t take it, moved forward and retorted, pointing to Lady Jiang¡¯s nose. She had had enough! These people would only force them to die!


    ¡°How dare you? Are you trying to say I am being partial? If it hadn¡¯t been that your son said Jingpeng¡¯s medicine is better, would I cut it? What has our Ling family done to deserve this? Why would my son marry you such a bitch? You gave birth to a monster, and instigated my son to go against me. First you asked him to divide up the family, now you even blame me before everyone? You slutty bitch! What is your purpose?¡±


    The old lady jumped to her feet and swore worse than ever. The face of everyone from the second son¡¯s family turned pale, especially Lady Wang. She had been married into the Ling family for more than twenty years and never spoke against her mother-in-law except last time. Now her mother-in-law called her a slutty bitch! What had she done to deserve this?


    Thinking of this, Lady Wang, who had endured the whole life, raised her head and straightened her neck, and looked at the old lady with red eyes. ¡°Mother, I, Wang Jinhua, have been married to your Ling family for over twenty years. Have I ever said no to you? When have I ever egged Long on? Although I barely read book, I know that a woman should respect her husband after being married and be filial to her parents-in-law. Five years ago, you said my son Jingxuan is a monster, sank him into the pond, and threw him out of the family. Have I ever said a single no? Yeah, I used my own dowries to buy three mu of land for him. That¡¯s because he is my son, who I have carried for ten month! Even if you don¡¯t admit him, I have to! He is a piece of flesh of me! A few days ago, you went to his place to make a scene without a reason, and wouldn¡¯t listen to anyone¡¯s explanation. Otherwise, how would Long generate the idea of dividing up the family> Now you call me a slut, a bitch. I want to ask you, why call me a slut or a bitch? Did I sleep with some wild man or what?¡±


    Ling wang¡¯s words were the outbreak of decades of oppression, the old lady¡¯s face got distorted as she heard that. In the end, she was almost out of breath, with her trembling fingers pointing at her, ¡°Hum, you are so sharp-tongued. Only by now I know, actually you have been holding hatred against me. Your own monster son did something shameful, shouldn¡¯t we drive me out? I¡­I¡¯ll kill you shameless bitch¡­¡±


    Before even finishing her words, the old lady took off her embroidered shoes and pounced on her. Seeing this, Ling Chenglong and his two sons hurriedly rushed to stop her. Others may not know, but they all knew Lady Wang was pregnant.


    ¡°Mom, Jinhua doesn¡¯t mean that. She has never egged on me. Mom, I¡¯m begging you. Please give me some face. Mom¡­¡±


    ¡°Let go, you disobedient and unfilial thing! I should have strangled you right after I gave birth to you! Today I¡¯m gonna kill this shameless slut!¡±


    ¡°Grandma, you beat me¡­¡±


    ¡°Ahem¡­ahem¡­grandma¡­¡±


    People of three generations, completely regardless of the so-called scholar¡¯s dignity, got into a ball. Lady Wang was howling hard. If the old lady meant to beat her, Ling Chenglong and her two sons couldn¡¯t stop her at all. All the others didn¡¯t move at all, only standing there to watch the fun. The big daughter-in-law and Ling Chenghua already hated them to the bones, only wishing to see this. And the third son¡¯s family was no better. To them, the harder they tried, the more possible Ling Jingpeng would go to serve in the army. And then, they¡¯d be safe.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough! Stop!¡±


    No one knew how long had passed. The old man who had been staying silent roared. And the few of them who were grappling with each other froze there. Ling Jingpeng reacted first and pulled his mother to one side. Lady Wang covered her belly while sobbing. No one on spot noticed this detail. Only Ling Chenghua, after seeing Lady Wang¡¯s action, a doubtful look showed on her face instantly but soon replaced by maliciousness. Whether she guessed it right or not, she¡¯d made up her mind to do it!


    ¡°Let Jingpeng do the military service, and it¡¯s settled then.¡±


    Giving a hard stare at all of them who were making a scene, the old man finally made the decision, no, to be more precise, a decision he had already made. Because of Ling Jingwei¡¯s thing, he also had a word of his second son. So under such circumstances, he would never choose any son of his big son and third son. So Chenglong¡¯s son Jingpeng became the only choice.


    ¡°Dad?!¡±


    Ling Chenglong couldn¡¯t believe his ears, eyes wide open, as if falling into an ice cellar. He only had such a healthy and normal son. How could he do this to him?


    Ling Wang started to cry again. By comparison, the two brothers performed quite calm. Ling Jinghan completely got disappointed to his grandpa who was the last one who still had a little bit human kindness. And Ling Jingpeng showed stubbornness under his eyes. From the very beginning, he had never thought of begging them or what, because he had already anticipated it¡¯d be useless.


    ¡°Say no more, I have made up my mind.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Qiyun stood up and strode out of the room.


    ¡°Dad, I beg you, don¡¯t let Jingpeng go, dad¡­¡±


    ¡°Dad, wait, I will go with you to second uncle¡¯s place!¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his wife still wouldn¡¯t give up. They quickly followed out. Ling Chenghua, who had a gossipy heart, also twisted her waist to go out. As Lady Wang was about to step over the threshold, Ling Chenghua deliberately paced up and rushed at her body.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    Lady Wang, who never expected this, got knocked into the air, and didn¡¯t stop until hitting the well. Everyone got stoned on seeing this. Deep in the eyes of Ling Chenghua flashed beamish light. But instantly, she who pretended having no idea of what was happening rushed over towards Lady Wang lying on the ground. With the help of the force when squatting down, her knee ¡®accidentally¡¯ held against Lady Wang¡¯s underbelly.


    ¡°Ouch¡­ it hurts, my stomach¡­¡±


    ¡°Mom? Mom¡­¡±


    ¡°Jinhua¡­¡±


    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his two sons who finally came to their sense ignored the old man and directly ran to her. The faces of the three all turned ghastly pale, trembling. In her stomach was still carrying the kid they had been dreaming for!


    ¡°Ah, blood, blood¡­¡±


    Ling Chenghua who got squeezed out suddenly pointed at Lady Wang¡¯s legs and screamed. Everyone looked over instantly, and saw that Lady Wang¡¯s offwhite dress was being stained with dazzling red color. Anyone with a bit experienced knew she should be having a miscarriage.


    ¡°Jinhua! Quick, go get a doctor, go get a doctor¡­¡±


    Ling Chenglong turned pale with fear, carried her up and rushed into the room. Like a locomotive, Ling Jingpeng ran out. And Ling Jinghan, as he was about to step in, he saw Ling Chenghua¡¯s curved lips and the viciousness under her eyes with his split vision, his heart abruptly sank. So about what had just happened¡­ SO SCARY!


    However, he was not in the mood for reckoning with her at such a time, so he kept the matter in his mind and went into the room. No one had expected that the meeting which had been to decide who should do the military service would have turned out to be like this, and more than they had expected was that the cruel revenge of someone would be waiting for them!

 Chapter 101

    When Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan arrived, the house was already crowded with onlookers outside, also a lot in the yard, including people from the old Ling family, including Ling Jingwei, the village head, and a few elders. People¡¯s noisy discussing sound was mixed with some screams and howling, like some people were arguing about something. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart sank. Having no mood to care about so much, after Yan Shengrui made a way among the crowd for him, he directly elbowed through.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan! You still have the guts to come? You are not welcomed here¡­¡±


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    Seeing Ling Jingxuan come in, Ling Chengcai who hated him to the bones because of his son¡¯s thing rushed over first, but before he could draw close, Ling Jingxuan cast a glance at him, with a nearly unnoticeable shake of his hand, that tall body fell to the ground, the same scenario with Ling Chenghu last time. Many people gasped on seeing this and simultaneously took a few steps back, only afraid that they would be the next.


    ¡°Big brother, our mother¡­¡±


    Hearing the noise outside, Ling Jingpeng with a pair of swollen eyes rushed out, his voice clearly mixed sobbing. Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan totally ignored those messy people, walked over with a cold face, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with our mother?¡±


    ¡°The doctor said the baby was gone and the matron is decocting herbs for her.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng felt awful and lowered his head, tears dropping. At this time yesterday, they were still immersed in the excitement of the new coming little sister, but today¡­


    I knew it! Ling Jingxuan closed his eyes heartbrokenly. When the kid came to look for him, he had guessed it was likely that something happened to the baby. For the first time, Ling Jingxuan hated his own shrewdness for the first time, and also deeply regretted why he would have decided to wait for a good opportunity. If he had taken out the money earlier, his mother wouldn¡¯t have suffered this.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go inside first.¡±


    Knowing he must be very sad now, Yan Shengrui took hold of him on the shoulder. Things had happened, it¡¯s no use to regret or blame himself, and, strictly speaking, this thing had nothing to do with him. Before the family was divided, even if he really took out his money, by the greed of those people, it would be no use, but only leave hidden trouble, which would only make it more difficult to divide the family.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan opened his eyes and walked into Ling Chenglong yard with only two small rooms. Perhaps because of his ruthless means at the beginning, or maybe because people of old Ling family got stung by conscience, this time no one stopped him, even the stroppy old lady fell silent standing behind the old man, it was just that they all didn¡¯t look pleased.


    On a big wooden bed lay Lady Wang, frowning, face ghastly pale. Her breath was so weak that you could barely feel any vitality. The disgusting blood smell suffused the whole room. By the bedside, Ling Chenglong was sitting there dully, with Ling Jinghan standing behind, lips tightly pressed. Next to them was an old man, with chrysanthemum-like wrinkles all over the face, from which one could tell he was quite aged.


    ¡°Mom.¡±


    Lady Wang was a very traditional village woman, who was hard-working, tough and loved her own children. Although having no big capabilities and sometimes kind of nagging, Ling Jingxuan had always liked her. Because of her, he finally felt what really maternal love is. But now seeing that she was lying in bed, nearly half dead, Ling Jingxuan only blamed himself in the heart. He gently pressed a finger on her impulse. The baby was really gone. And¡­in the future she could never get pregnant.


    With such a result, Ling Jingxuan only felt his tears were spinning in the eyes. Lady Wang had already became quite weak when she gave birth to the twin brothers Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng, so it was extremely hard for her to get pregnant again. Now the miscarriage this time completely destroyed her hope of getting pregnant again. They would never have the chance to have a little sister.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ ah¡­¡±


    Lady Wang in lethargy suddenly goggle her eyes, buckled Ling Jingxuan hand that he hadn¡¯t taken back, staring at him with her mouth opened, but she couldn¡¯t utter one single clear word, which made Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart more aching. He squatted down by her ear and said in whispers, ¡°Mom, I know what you are trying to say. Don¡¯t worry. Today I¡¯m gonna take you out of this place. I will never let them bully you again. The baby is gone, but you can try next time. It¡¯s no big deal. Dad, Jinghan and others, we all don¡¯t mind our little sister comes a few years later.¡±


    At such a time, he really didn¡¯t have the heart to tell that she was incapable of bearing another child.


    ¡°Jinhua¡­¡±


    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    Seeing her wake up, Ling Chenglong and his two other sons who were watching by her side hurriedly moved over. Three big men all had tears in their eyes. Losing the baby they had been longing for made them sad, but Lady Wang¡¯s appearance made them even sadder, like someone was cutting their heart with a sharp knife, only afraid that she might not be able to take such a big blow.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Like she did not see her husband and two younger sons, Ling Wang stubbornly looked at Ling Jingxuan, after quite a while, she nodded and closed her eyes again.


    ¡°Dad, Jinghan, Jingpeng, mom needs some rest.¡±


    Afraid they would feel awful, Ling Jingxuan turned his head to look at them while stuffing Lady Wang¡¯s hand carefully into the thin quilt.


    ¡°Jingxuan, your mom¡­she¡­¡±


    Withdrawing his tearful eyes to look at his eldest son, Ling Chenglong almost sobbed too much to speak. Before he could finish his words, Ling Jingxuan said with firm eyes, ¡°Mom will be fine. Dad, don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let anything happen to mom.¡±


    If he can¡¯t even save his own mother, he should run into a wall to kill himself.


    ¡°Big brother, this is not so simple, I saw that¡­¡±


    ¡°The medicine is prepared. Let her drink it at once.¡±


    As Ling Jinghan just wanted to say what he saw, the only outsider in the room-the old man¡¯s voice suddenly rang up. At the same time, a woman who looked in her 20s carrying the tray made of bamboo came in. She was called Qian Xiuyun, Ling Chengcai¡¯s big son Ling Jinghong¡¯s wife.


    ¡°Second uncle, let aunt drink it quickly.¡±


    Lady Qian sent the bowl with the medicine before Ling Chenglong, whose not much outstanding face with a touch of worry, like she was not pretending it.


    ¡°Sorry to trouble you, Xiuyun.¡±


    Ling Chenglong had to brace himself up, stretched out a hand to take the bowl, while Ling Jingpeng half held up his mom to lean on his chest. As Ling Jingxuan was about to make space for his dad to feed medicine to her mom, his eyes suddenly darkened and he abruptly grabbed his dad¡¯s wrist, ¡°Wait!¡±


    Regardless of everyone¡¯s doubtful eyes, Ling Jingxuan grabbed the medicine bowl and repeatedly sniffed, suddenly carried it to walk to Lady Qian who hadn¡¯t left, ¡°You decocted the medicine?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me. Doctor Zhou personally dispensed the medicine.¡±


    Having no idea what was happening, Lady Qian only felt Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes were freaking cold, and her voice was also trembling, reflectively turned her eyes to that old man.


    ¡°It¡¯s my prescription, just some ordinary herbs for women with miscarriage. What?¡±


    The murderous aura that he had accumulated for tens of years in his previous life was not what common people could stand. Looking into his eyes, the old man couldn¡¯t help shivering. Before Ling Jingxuan asked, he already stuttered out the answer.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, big brother? Is the medicine¡­¡±


    Ling Jinghan went to stand beside Ling Jingxuan, while gave a meaningful look at the bowl of herbs soup. Ling Jingxuan did not answer him, but continued saying to Lady Qian with a cold voice, ¡°Go get the medicine residue.¡±


    ¡°Yes, OK¡­¡±


    His soft voice was with some kind of indisputable commanding feeling. Lady Qian freaked out, she turned around and stumbled out, and when she came back again together with Ling Jinghong holding the pot used to decoct the herbs, Ling Jingxuan had already sat up by the table in the middle of the room, in front of whom was that bowl of herbs soup that still had steam.


    ¡°Well, here are the dregs of the herbs. I assure you they are all the herbs prescribed by Doctor Zhou. Nothing is missing or added.¡±


    Lady Qian looked at her husband. After getting his permission as he nodded, she walked over and handed that pot to Ling Jingxuan, while not forgetting to defend herself. She was not stupid. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s doing apparently showed there was something wrong with the medicine. She didn¡¯t want to take the blame.


    However, Ling Jingxuan ignored her, took it over and directly poured it on the table. Except Yan Shengrui and Ling Jinghan, no one should notice that that pair of stunningly beautiful phoenix eyes became gloomier and darker, with some kind of murderous light flashing. His hand that seemingly rummaged dregs suddenly took up a piece of dark herbs and walked to the old man¡¯s side, ¡°Is this also prescribed by you?¡±


    ¡°This is¡­ impossible. I have never prescribed such a thing.¡±


    As the old man drew close to see what was in his hand, the old man turned pale, hurriedly denied it with his hand waving. It was a piece of cinnamon bark, which was used to help increase one¡¯s yang qi, consolidate the yuan qi, starve off chill, and activate blood to promote menstruation, absolute life-saving medicine, but, if used on a pregnant woman or someone who just had miscarriage, it¡¯d cause massive haemorrhage which might cause death.


    The old man was a village doctor. He wouldn¡¯t dare to kill anyone even if you lent him the guts.


    ¡°Brother, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng had no such good patience like others. After carefully placing their mom, he directly strode over. He should have guessed something, but only dare not believe it.


    ¡°Nothing, it¡¯s just someone is trying to take the chance to kill our mother.¡±


    The seemingly soft tone was mingled with the murderous feeling, which probably only he knew.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Ling Chenglong shouted due to the great shock, while Ling Jingpeng and others, including Ling Jinghong and his wife, all backed off, scared. Yan Shengrui, who had stayed silent all the way, slightly frowned. Just a village family! Who is so bold enough trying to kill people?


    ¡°The medicine was prescribed by Doctor Zhou, and decocted by matron. On the surface, they are the most probable suspects. But today, the courtyard is crowded with so many people, and anyone may do it quietly. Big brother, I¡¯m afraid we have no choice but to swallow it down.¡±


    No one noticed when Ling Jinghan also moved over, with that pale but handsome face rendered with undisguised helpless and heartbreaking feeling. The one who tried to set them up must be someone from the old Ling family. But the problem is, they already had no way to find the evidence.¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily.¡±


    Lips slightly curved, Ling Jingxuan coldly swept over the old doctor and Lady Qian who were both shivering there, then looked back at his mom lying in bed who almost lost her vital signs, and finally turned to look into his dad Ling Chenglong¡¯s angry eyes filled with sorrows, ¡°Dad, I¡¯d ask you one more time. Will you still insist dividing the family up?¡±


    People of old Ling family had become so frenzied that they even tried to kill them. He couldn¡¯t afford to leave his mom here any longer. If his dad still didn¡¯t agree, he could only ask his dad to divorce his mom.


    ¡°Yes, definitely!¡±


    Closing his eyes, Ling Chenglong said using a resolute tone, black thin face was full of sorrows, for this family, he has not held any expectations. If they still stayed, he was afraid that his wife and sons would all get killed one by one.


    ¡°OK! Let¡¯s say today!¡±


    After getting a positive answer, Ling Jingxuan turned to stuff the dregs back into the pot. Then Ling Jingpeng leaned over by his ear and whispered with a voice only they could hear, ¡°Brother, will they agree?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not up to them!¡±


    Haughtily hooking up his lips, Ling Jingxuan showed a murderous look. Apart from that, he also would let them pay the price and let his parents and brothers break away from them once for all!


    Seeing this, Ling Jingpeng and Ling Jinghan gave each other a look and then nodded firmly. Leaving Yan Shengrui to take care of and protect Lady Wang, the three brothers, carrying pots with herbs in, escorted Ling Chenglong out of the room.

 Chapter 102

    Ling Qicai and the old patriarch who heard it also hurried over, even the few elders of the family were all invited. After making clear of the whole story, the old patriarch and other elders all judged that it was an accident. Ling Chenghua accidentally bumped into Lady Wang, and they also thought Lady Wang who was pregnant should also take the blame, otherwise, if both sides had been careful enough, such a thing could have been avoided.


    Therefore, finally Ling Chenghua only received some symbolic scolding from the old man like ¡®don¡¯t you be so reckless in the future¡¯. Normally, after the case got investigated ¡®clearly¡¯, Ling Chengcai and the patriarch should leave. But suddenly Ling Jingxuan who got thrown out of the family five years ago came, and no one knew what spells he used on Ling Chengcai. Those people all stayed. Obviously, they stayed to back up the old Ling family, no, to be more exact, they were prepared to teach Ling Jingxuan a lesson.


    Those people had no idea what happened to Ling Chenglong and his family. When Ling Chenglong came in with his three sons who all looked resolute following behind, they all wide opened their eyes, with naked anger and disdain burning under their eyes. And behind them were Doctor Zhou and Ling Jinghong and his wife. Since Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t say his plan, or eliminate their suspicion, till now, they were still shivering like chaff sifting, looking quite terrible.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, for the sake that you are here to visit your mother, I can give you a chance. Get out of the house right now. You are not welcomed here.¡±


    Before they spoke, the old man already showed his attitude with a tone of unspeakable disgust, eyebrow knitted. Because of Ling Jingwei and Ling Chengcai¡¯s thing, he was more reluctant to see this shame of the whole Ling family.


    ¡°There¡¯s no hurry, old xiucai. When I¡¯ve done what I have to do, I will leave.¡±


    Giving him a cold sweep, Ling Jingxuan said indifferently. About the opera today, he had plenty of time to perform with them!


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Bam~


    Ling Qiyun got super angry. As he was about to lose his temper, Ling Chenglong knelt down. The man who had been honest and filial for the whole life looked up at everyone there, and then turned his firm eyes to the old man, ¡°Patriarch, elders, second uncle and aunt, since you are all here, please be my witness! I will move out to live alone.¡±


    From the abandonment of his big son to the sudden miscarriage of his wife, plus this time someone tried to end his wife¡¯s life, Ling Chenglong was already at the edge of breakdown. Without any modifying words, he directly said out what he wanted.


    All people were shocked by Ling Chenglong¡¯s simply words. Everyone knew that Ling Chenglong and his wife were filial. But now he insisted on dividing up the family again and again. Wasn¡¯t he afraid to be blamed before their back? Or¡­people¡¯s eyes all spontaneously turned to Ling Jingxuan. Ling Chenglong and his wife had always been so well-behaved. It should be that someone instigated in the dark, otherwise, they would never ask for this.


    Till now, still no one ever thought this may be the Ling family¡¯s own problem, but reflectively put the blame on Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°You ungrateful thing! I¡¯m still alive. Wanna divide up the family? Wait till your dad and I died!¡±


    The old lady, who was the first one to react, rushed to him in anger and tried to slap him in the face, but her hand was firmly grasped in the middle of the way, ¡°You shameless son of a bitch! Let me go! It¡¯s never your turn your meddle in things of the old Ling family! Let go¡­¡±


    Already holding extreme resentment against him, the old lady completely forgot about the terrible Ling Jingxuan, and directly shouted abuse like a shrew. Ling Jingxuan gave a cold snort and pushed her aside, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in your old Ling family¡¯s mess! Now I only want to know how my mom got miscarriage! If you can¡¯t give me an explanation, don¡¯t blame my ruthlessness!¡±


    Set up his mom? He already showed mercy not to poison them to death directly!


    ¡°It has nothing to do with you. This is our Ling family affair.¡±


    After Ling Chenghu and his wife held up the old lady, Ling Qiyun looked at Ling Jingxuan with rigorous indifference, did not put him in his eyes at all.


    ¡°Old xiucai, you don¡¯t have to emphasize your old Ling family again and again. I said I have no interest in anything about you, neither before, nor in the future! It¡¯s true that my mom is your family¡¯s daughter-in-law, but he is also my mother who gave birth to me and brought me up. Even if I got thrown out of the family, no one can change that. As her son, is there anything inappropriate that I ask for an explanation for her miscarriage?¡±


    While saying these words, Ling Jingxuan nailed his eyes on Ling Chenghua who was standing behind the old lady. He was not deaf. Even though no one told him, judging from those people¡¯s gossiping, it was enough for him to guess who set up his mom. As for whether she was on purpose or not, he could already tell from her dodging eyes. To be honest, he had really belittled those village women. He had thought she was only a bit unbelievable and unreasonable, it turned out that she even had the guts trying to kill people!


    Ling Qiyun got choked by his words. If he said yes, he was teaching people to be unfial. Who would dare send their own kid to his private school? If he said no, it was like giving him a chance to step in their family affair. So it was not right whether he said yes or not.


    ¡°Since you don¡¯t want to say, Jing Peng, you say something. What on earth has happened?¡±


    With a cold sweep, Ling Jingxuan no longer wasted his saliva with them but directly called out his younger brother behind him.


    ¡°It¡¯s my aunt, she¡­¡±


    Ling Jingpeng who already couldn¡¯t hold it moved forward and told the whole thing about how Ling Chenghua knocked over Lady Wang. When he finished, he gave her a hard stare. Before Ling Jingxuan could react, Ling Chenghua opened her mouth with her chest straightened up, since so many elders were there as her back, ¡°I was not on purpose. My dad said he was going to look for my second grandpa, and I wanted to go with him. But as I tried to step over the doorsill, I accidentally bumped into her. Didn¡¯t I try to support her in the first place? Besides, she didn¡¯t tell anyone that she was pregnant. If she said that earlier, we would all be careful, and such a thing wouldn¡¯t have happened.¡±


    From her face, you couldn¡¯t see the slightest guilt, but with a blaming appearance, others seemed to agree with her, which made Ling Chenglong and his sons more disappointed, while Ling Jingxuan


    ¡°So this has become my mom¡¯s fault? So you all think it this way?¡±


    Lips spread with a sneer, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes swept at them one by one. No one knew why, anyone who got swept over felt some kind of unspoken fear and they all subconsciously avoided his eyes. After quite a while, the old man uncurled his neck and said, ¡°Chenghua should take the blame, but your mom also has her own fault.¡±


    In other words, he agrees with his daughter.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Daughter and daughter-in-law are really different. People all said that as a xiucai, you are of noble character and high prestige. Seen from today, nah! Even you don¡¯t like her, she is your daughter-in-law whom your old Ling family carried in with a sedan chair carried by eight people decently! As the elders of the whole family, instead of feeling grateful for all those years¡¯ hard work for the family and giving birth for the family, you indulged your daughter to bully her. Where is the justice? Huh? Today, whether Ling Chenghua was on purpose or not, it¡¯s a fact that she made my mom slink! Instead of holding the justice for my mom, you even tried to cover it for her! Aren¡¯t you afraid to destroy your family fame if people hear it?¡±


    Smile, became more brilliant on his face, but his words, became more intense, but Ling Jingxuan also knew that there were modern equipment such as monitors, so he didn¡¯t the way to find evidence to prove that Ling Chenghua was on purpose, today it was impossible to declare her guilty before everyone, so he didn¡¯t intend to force them to admit it. To revenge, he had plenty of ways and opportunities. Blood will have blood! Today Ling Chenghua made him lose his unborn little sister, some day he¡¯d end her life!

 Chapter 103

    Seeing that every one of them got blushed under his censure, Ling Jingxuan put the medicine pot on the table and raised his voice, ¡°Whether she knocked over my mom on purpose or not, maybe except Ling Chenghua herself, no one knows. But, I got irrefutable evidence that someone put cinnamon in my mom¡¯s medicine trying to cause her metrorrhagia. And this person should be within the family! About this, shouldn¡¯t you give me an explanation?¡±


    ¡°Hum¡­¡±


    Hearing that, the whole room of people couldn¡¯t help gasping, eyes all staring at the dregs Ling Jingxuan poured onto the table with disbelief. For village people, few people had the guts to kill someone for real, So Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words deeply shocked them. None of them noticed that, at that very moment, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes fast swept over all of them like radar. And when he saw Ling Jingwei, a murderous look flashed on his face, because what he saw on his face was more than shock, but with nearly unnoticeable resent, scare and panic.


    By this point, he was almost certain who wanted his mother¡¯s life.


    ¡°No way! Don¡¯t you talk nonsense!¡±


    After quite some time, Ling Qiyun snapped, the finger pointing at him shaking lightly. It was obvious that he had already kind of bought it.


    ¡°Whether I am talking nonsense, Doctor Zhou and your eldest granddaughter-in-law should be able to prove it. Why don¡¯t you ask them yourself?¡±


    Slightly moving back, Ling Jingxuan bent down to hold up his dad who was still kneeling there. Dividing up the family was absolute, but he wouldn¡¯t allow his parents to take the blame of being unfilial. That was also why he had talked so much. After moving out, his second younger brother should recover soon. And then it was the tongsheng (ͯÉú, lit. ¡°child student¡±, an entry-level examinee who had passed the county/prefecture exams.) exams this winter. He didn¡¯t want to let people gossip that he had unfilial parents some day.


    ¡°Lord Ling, village head, the patriarch, and all the elders, I did prescribe the usual prescription for fetal death. I really don¡¯t know where cinnamon came from.¡±


    Trying to stabilize the body, the old Doctor Zhou clenched his fists and complained, feeling wronged. If he had known this, he would have come even if they paid him ten times of money!


    ¡°I only decocted the herbs at your command, and I had no idea what is in it. Besides, since I married into this family, I have never had any grudge against my second uncle or aunt. What is the reason for me to murder them? Please hold justice for me, elders.¡±


    As she spoke, Lady Qian even began to cry. She was the daughter of a landlord and a well-fed young lady at home. How had she ever gone through such a thing?


    ¡°Grandpa, Xiuyun would never do that kind of things!¡±


    Ling Jinghong held her wife in his arms, raised his head to look at the lord in the main seat. Unlike other family members, Ling Jinghong was not a talkative person, and he never cheated or bullied others. He was well-behaved since he was little, but was a little different from Ling Chenglong¡¯s style. At least, he wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to bully him. So, the old couple had always favored this biggest grandson. And he had a say in this family.


    ¡°Dad, Xiuyun is always well-behaved and kind. How could she ever try to kill someone?¡±


    Seeing that, Lady Li also hurriedly stood up. Cast aside whether she got along well with her daughter-in-law or not, at this time, she would never watch her daughter-in-law being accused of killing someone but do nothing.


    ¡°What is this all about? Someone nearly died? Ling Qiyun, if you don¡¯t make it clear, I will not spare you!¡±


    Sitting in the first place on the left side, the old patriarch, who looked to be in his 70s or 80s, suddenly exploded into a rage. It¡¯s murdering! This had never happened in whole Ling Village before. If it alarmed the yamen, how would others see them? How were they supposed to go out to see people?


    ¡°Right, it has to be made clear!¡±


    ¡°Yes, definitely!¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t allow any murderer in our village¡­¡±


    The other elders also echoed. Under such condition, it was not merely the problem whether Ling Qiyun disfavored his second son or Ling Chenghua knocked over Lady Wang on purpose, this was about an attempted murder, which mattered the fame of whole Ling village. So they couldn¡¯t be partial as before.


    Seeing that they looked so tense and worried, Ling Jingxuan showed a nearly unnoticeable sneer under his eyes. Who were they pretending it to? In the end, this thing would go nowhere, he could guarantee with his head.


    ¡°Dad, later, don¡¯t say anything. Leave it to me. Whatever I say, you only need to nod. Remember, even if you don¡¯t consider it for yourself, think it for Jinghan and Jingpeng. Now Jinghan is almost recovered. And he will definitely join the exams. It¡¯s not impossible that he wouldn¡¯t get listed. This family are too unbelievable! We can¡¯t let them become Jinghan¡¯s obstacle. And Jingpeng, he is fourteen already. And it¡¯s time to find him a wife in two or three years. We can¡¯t spoil his marriage because of those people.¡±


    Taking advantage that they were still quarreling, Ling Jingxuan moved by Ling Chenglong¡¯s ear and said so in whispers. He was only afraid his dad would be soft-hearted.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll listen to you.¡±


    From his son¡¯s words, apparently it was not simply dividing up the family. If it had been before, Ling Chenglong would definitely hesitate. However bad the whole family were to them, they were bonded by blood! Now under successive blows, he felt his heart died already and already cast those things behind, otherwise, not only he¡¯d distance himself from his sons, but also even his wife would leave him.


    ¡°Jinghan, Jingpeng, you stand by. I¡¯ll give you signals.¡±


    After getting his dad¡¯s affirmative answer, Ling Jingxuan was still a little worried, so he turned around to tell his two younger brother what to do. Having made such a long foreshadowing, it was time to get to the point. Although he may not be able to get back at the one who tried to kill his mom, there¡¯d be ample time in the future. They were in the same village, he had time to play with them. About today, just take it as some charging some interest.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The two brothers did not hesitate at all, both nodded at the same time. Ling Jingxuan gave a satisfying smile, thinking that it was time to end the farce, he took a few steps forward and urged, ¡°So, can you give me an explanation now?¡±

 Chapter 104

    ¡°What the hell do you want, you shameless little bastard? After setting up Jingwei, now you even want to disintegrate our whole family, huh? If I had known this, I should have sunk you into the river! It¡¯s only your saying that someone tried to kill Lady Wang! Who knows whether it was you who threw in cinnamon in it? Maybe someone dropped it in accidentally!¡±


    At such a time, how could the unreasonable old lady not argue back? Looking at her bossy face, Ling Jingxuan only felt speechless, ¡°Really unreasonable! How about we go to the yamen and ask the magistrate to be the judge?¡±


    He did not believe that she still dare act so crossly. To deal with this kind of unbelievable person, he must let her fear, although he himself was also a little upset about himself since every time he would use magistrate.


    ¡°Son of a bitch!¡±


    Sure enough, when she heard the word yamen, the old lady didn¡¯t dare shout again, but¡­


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, you don¡¯t have to mention the magistrate every time, what she said is not all unreasonable. Although it is not likely that you¡¯d try to poison your own mom, accidentally picking up the wrong herbs and someone dropping it in the bowl is kind of possible.¡±


    The old woman¡¯s insolence undoubtedly let Ling Qiyun see a turning point. Although this reason was really too far-fetched, he can not even convince himself, how can he easily let go of such a good opportunity? In any case, he would not let the rumor spread that there was a murderer in the Ling family.


    ¡°Hehe, what a coincidence! The cinnamon that would cause hemorrhoea of a miscarriage woman happened to drop into my mom¡¯s medicine.¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan immediately argued back with sarcasm. Ling Qiyun¡¯s old face immediately turned red. After all, as a scholar, his face was not so thick like the old woman. And other elders who also tried to use this point to cover it up all felt uneasy there. A moment ago, they all looked so righteous, actually, none of them cared about the result. The only thing they cared about was the face of the whole family, like they threw the one who embarrassed them into a remote place¡­As long as their face was saved, the truth was not important at all.


    ¡°Well, it seems that even if you get it investigated, you would come to any conclusion. But it is a solid fact that someone tried to kill my mom! So I would never let my parents and younger brothers stay in this family. I give you two choices. Either open the ancestral hall and let my father live alone independently, or we¡¯ll go to the yamen now!¡±


    Hands held behind, wearing a cold face, Ling Jingxuan finally spoke out his real purpose. Living alone independently and dividing up the family were different. The latter was only living alone. If there¡¯s anything of the old Ling family, his father would still get involved. But the former was equal to cutting off with the old Ling family, just like how he got thrown out of the family. The difference was that he got thrown out under the name of shame, while Ling Chenglong asked to move out himself. Although the result was the same, the meaning was greatly different.


    ¡°You¡­Don¡¯t even think about it!¡±


    Ling Qiyun angrily shouted. Living alone independently? Isn¡¯t it like slapping him in the face?


    ¡°Bah! Living alone? Don¡¯t dream about it. I gave birth to him and brought him up, which took me so much pain. As long as I¡¯m still breathing, he can¡¯t move out!¡±


    The old lady who just took a break immediately lost her temper, eyes glaring at Ling Jingxuan viciously. He tried to egg on her second son to break away from her control! No way!


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind giving you a push if you insist on seeking death.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan, who had been staying cold, suddenly wore a murderous look, with that pair of long and thin phoenix eyes stained with undisguised ruthlessness and evilness. The old woman made a shudder and finally remembered his heartlessness. Others no longer even dared to look at him. Not knowing why, they always felt that he would really have the balls to kill people.


    Seeing this situation, as Ling Jingxuan had expected, Ling Chenglong¡¯s heart softened. After all, they were his blood parents. But as he stretched out a hand trying to pull Ling Jingxuan¡¯s clothes trying to tip him of his manner, Ling Jinghan moved forward to stand before him, while Ling Jingpeng also grabbed his hand, signaling him to stay there. Their big brother was sacrificing his own name for them!


    ¡°Mom, dad, please forgive my unfilial behavior. Since this family cannot accommodate my wife and children, please let me leave. My sons grow up. I don¡¯t want to end up losing my wife and sons and dying alone. I won¡¯t take anything with me but my wife and sons. If you still take me as your son, please make me.¡±


    However, Ling Chenglong still broke away from the two brothers, moved forward and knelt before the old couple and kept kowtowing. His son sacrificed his own name to help him. How would he not be moved? Five years ago, he had given up on him once. This time, he would never let him keep out wind and rain for him again!


    Ling Jingxuan was annoyed at the beginning, but after thinking that his dad might have done this for him, he felt a bit helpless. Things like dignity or name, he had never cared about that at all. On the contrary, instead of having to deal with those unbelievable people from time to time, he¡¯d rather let all of them fear of him and dare not provoke him again. Fortunately his dad was not muddled-headed and did not overturn his requirement of living alone independently, otherwise all he had done would go nowhere.


    Ling Jinghan was also smart enough. He could guess out what his big brother was thinking, while Ling Jingpeng looked a bit pissed off, only afraid that his dad would blow things up. He didn¡¯t want to stay in this family for one more minute!


    The sudden move of Ling Chenglong shocked not only Ling Qiyun, but also Ling Qicai and other elders. Seeing that Ling Chenglong¡¯s nearly bleeding forehead, they only signed there and no longer looked as furious as before. All in all, that was their family issue, which had nothing to do with them. So they shouldn¡¯t interfere.


    Seeing his second son so determined, Ling Qiyun only felt his blood rushing all into the brain. He even hadn¡¯t blamed them about Jingwei¡¯s thing, now they checkmated him first! Such an unfilial son! How could he have raised such an ungrateful bastard?


    The old lady dare not talk back under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s threatening. But any mother who saw her own son kept kowtowing there and even broke his forehead should at least feel worried, right? But the way she looked at Ling Chenglong was still filled with indifference, even mixed with a bit hatred, like she only wished he¡¯d kowtow to death there.


    ¡°Enough! If you want to live alone, I¡¯ll make you!¡±


    No one how long it had passed. Finally Ling Qiyun roared, and then turned to storm into his study. Ling Chenglong who was still kowtowing there froze there, his whole body collapsed there. No one knew whether he was happy or scared. Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng moved forward and supported him up, while Ling Jingxuan tore off a piece of cloth from his robes and dressed the wounds expertly.


    ¡°Patriarch, the elders, please be the witnesses for us. From today on, my second son and his whole family will live alone independently. We are no longer related, be it rich or poor, healthy of ill!¡±


    Before long, Ling Qiyun took a piece of paper on which the ink was still wet. While saying so, he threw it directly on Ling Chenglong¡¯s face. Really having not the slightest benevolence in the heart!


    ¡°Big brother, you should think clearly. If Chenglong really moves out and lives himself, in the future, he would be no longer your son.¡±


    Seeing here, Ling Qicai couldn¡¯t help moving forward trying to persuade him. Even he, an outsider, could tell who was the real filial son of this family, let along there¡¯s Ling Jinghan. If someday, he got recovered, it was not impossible he¡¯d have a career in the court! And¡­Ling Qicai couldn¡¯t help cast a glance at Ling Jingxuan, and in his brain he remembered that man he had seen in the house they day. He had some kind of inherent dominance which not common people had. He was certain that person was really something. If Chenglong stayed with them, even though Ling Jingxuan had been thrown out of the family, when that man¡¯s identity got verified, they still could benefit from it. But if his big brother Ling Qiyun still insisted, in the future, the possible glories would totally have nothing to do with them.


    ¡°Yeah, dad, you should think it clear.¡±


    After watching the drama for so long, Ling Chenghu also hurried moved forward. If his second elder brother really lived alone, what about the military service? Who would take care of the ten mu of land?


    ¡°Grandpa¡­¡±


    ¡°Jinghong!¡±


    As Ling Jinghong just wanted to stand out to say something, Lady Li quietly pulled him. He looked back and directly encountered his mom winking at him. Ling Jinghong frowned. How could they think it so simply? Jingxuan was already not that Jingxuan five years ago. And Jinghan¡­The drama had lasted for so long, he hadn¡¯t even coughed once! Even the bad-tempered Jingpeng looked quiet today. What did it mean? It meant that they were changing fast, they changing toward a better direction! He was sure that if his grandpa really agreed to let his second uncle move out, they¡¯d be regret!


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say any more. For such an unfilial son who even set up his own nephew, there¡¯s no room in our family for him!¡±


    Ling Qiyu already lost his head. The harder others tried to persuade him, the angrier he became, totally not showing a bit of regretful feeling. Ling Qicai who was the first trying to stop him made a deep sigh, turned back at the old patriarch and gave him a nod, signaling to agree. The old patriarch could only try to stand up under the support of his crutch, ¡°If so, Ling Qiyun, Ling Chenglong, and Jinghan and Jingpeng, follow me to the ancestral hall.¡±


    The farce was almost over here. The two brothers nodded at Ling Jingxuan, then held up their dad and followed the old patriarch to leave.


    Before leaving, Ling Jingxuan gave Ling Jingwei a meaningful look. Of course he did not miss the old man¡¯s words of ¡°setting up his own nephew¡¯. Anyone with brains could guess the whole story. For this, the ridicule crawling on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face was weird. It looks things are getting funnier.


    It was almost an hour later when Ling Chenglong and others came back carrying that new family tree book. Before that, Ling Jingxuan asked Yan Shengrui to go to Zhao family and ask Zhao Dalong to use his ox cart to take his mom to his place, and then made a prescription, asked him to go to town to buy some medicine. And for those things at that home, except the quilt matted on the ox cart for fear that Lady Wang might catch a cold and some egg money of Lady Wang, they didn¡¯t take a single thing.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡±


    As Ling Jingxuan who had been waiting in the yard saw his dad and two younger brothers come in, he and Yan Shengrui immediately went to them. Maybe because he just moved out, Ling Chenglong who was holding the family tree book still looked startled. Only the two brothers nodded at him. Ignoring others¡¯ staring at them, they turned around simultaneously. As they passed over the old man, Ling Jingxuan suddenly stopped and said with a bright smile, ¡°Lord Ling, just now you said my dad indulging his son to set up his own nephew, I think I got to clarify. It¡¯s true that I told Shopkeeper Zhao that Ling Jingwei was born with cold sperms. But before that, he hired people to kidnap my sons first. So you should be clearer who set up whom, right? Shopkeeper Zhao also knew this. If you don¡¯t trust me, you can go ask him.¡±


    ¡°What did you say?!¡±


    Ling Qiyun who originally wanted to ignore him turned around, shocked, eyes nearly popping out. Ling Jinghong who was next to him also couldn¡¯t help frowning. If so, hadn¡¯t his grandpa become the one who forced his son to rebel???


    ¡°Hehe¡­My life principle is, tit for tat is fair play. Lord Ling, as long as you don¡¯t provoke me, I will never harm you. About today¡¯s thing, I swear I¡¯m gonna pay you back a hundred times more!¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan walked away with Yan Shengrui. Before they walked out of the gate, Ling Jinghan added, ¡°I forgot to tell you. Actually I¡¯m almost recovered.¡±


    ¡°Poof!¡±


    ¡°Grandpa¡­¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­¡±


    ¡°My lord¡­¡±


    It was like Ling Jinghan stabbed directly into the old man¡¯s heart. Ling Qiyun only felt a bit of sweetness in the throat and spat out a big mouthful of blood, then directly passed out. The whole Ling family got into a mess. After Ling Chenghu took the old man from his hands, Ling Jinghong turned around and looked at their leaving figures. After quite a while, he made a sigh. Who to blame? They only had themselves to blame!

 Chapter 105

    The news that the xiucai¡¯s second son moved out was like growing legs, soon the whole village knew it. The old xiucai even spat out blood because of this, and the whole family got into a mess. A lot of people were gloating in the dark, cursing that they deserved it. In daily life, replying on the old man¡¯s identity of a xiucai, they always bullied others. So, now a lot of people were having a good laugh at them.


    But this already had nothing to do with Ling Jingxuan and his family. After moving out, accommodations became the biggest problem. Ling Jingxuan thatched cottage only had three rooms, apparently not enough for all these people. Finally it was Zhao Dalong and his partner who were kind enough to put forward to letting Ling Jinghan, Ling Jingpeng and the two little buns to live at their place first. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui could live in the utility room, while leaving Ling Jingxuan¡¯s room to his dad and mom, after all Lady Wang had just had miscarriage, who was still too weak and need to live in a warm place.


    ¡°Jingxuan, sorry, we become your burden.¡±


    It was already in the afternoon after everything was settled. Lady Wang who was lying in bed said so weakly. Her face still looked awful, and her voice was as low as mosquito buzzing, but mixed with a trace of joyful feeling, that was some kind of liberation after years of oppression. Though having lost the baby, finally they moved out, and no longer needed to see other¡¯s face, or got bullied.


    ¡°Mom, look at you! What are you talking about? We won¡¯t live like this forever. Trust me. Some other day I¡¯ll go to town to look for the guarantor to buy homestead to build a big house. Then we¡¯ll all have our own rooms. As long as we could stay together peacefully, good days are waiting ahead. You just had miscarriage, don¡¯t think too much. What you need to do is rest.¡±


    Then pulling her hand to feel her pulse, Ling Jingxuan briskly said so, while in his mind he had already been thinking that, if he wanted to build a house, it had to be a big black-brick and tile-roofed one, in case they had to shudder inside the quilts when in winter. Besides, he was afraid he couldn¡¯t buy homestead from the village head, so he could only go to guarantor Liu Han Fei introduced. If only one or two mu, the other side might just ignore him, so he had to make a plan first.


    ¡°Yeah, mom, don¡¯t stand on ceremony with my big brother.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng who was standing aside swept away the stifling atmosphere and teased. Lady Wang smiled, ¡°You are so thick-skinned.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not thick-skinned. What¡¯s wrong that I reply on my big brother?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    The whole family could not help laughing hearing their inalimental conversation. And the last slice of shadow over their heads seemed to disappear instantly. As long as they could stay in such harmony forever, they seemed to have exhaustless strength to move on, even though the road ahead was rough and bumpy.


    The small bun slid down Ling Jingxuan¡¯s leg to climb onto the bed and sat on the bedside, then grasped Lady Wang¡¯s hands and said with a childish voice imitating his dad¡¯s tone, ¡°Grandma, are you in great pain? Dad said bad people bullied you. Don¡¯t be afraid. In the future, you can live with us and those bad people dare not come again. Dad is able and father is also tough. If someone dares to bully us, when we have money, we¡¯ll smash them with a hundred strings of copper coins to smash them!¡±


    ¡°Huh? When did I ever say that?¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan got stoned there, and the whole family were laughing so hard. Ling Wen gave a hard stare at his seemingly innocent dad and then walked to Ling Wu and said with a serious tone, ¡°Be good, Wu. Don¡¯t listen to daddy¡¯s nonsense. A hundred strings of copper coins are a tael of silver. How can you use them to hit someone? He¡¯d pick them up as his own. We can pick some stones on the ground.¡±


    That was Ling Wen¡¯s style. Ling Wu nodded as if enlightened, ¡°Yes, stones are free and they are everywhere. We¡¯ll use stones.¡±


    After saying this, Ling Wu turned to Lady Wang and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, grandma. Ling Wen and I will protect you.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, then grandma would feel secure. Having such little cute grandsons, what¡¯s there to be worried about?¡±


    His childish words were with clear care about her. Lady Wang only felt that her eyes became wet, sobbing while feeling the small bun¡¯s head. Then Ling Wu crawled over to kiss on her face, like how his dad coaxed them, ¡°Grandma, don¡¯t cry. You¡¯d feel better after me kissing you.¡±


    ¡°Well, mom, you need to rest. You can¡¯t cry like this all the time. Dad, please go to the backyard and kill that old hen and stew it for mom.¡±


    Seeing that Lady Wang was gonna cry out, Ling Jingxuan hurriedly stretched out his hands to hold the small bun up, but still didn¡¯t forget to give some job for Ling Chenglong who was only laughing foolishly there to do. They had just moved out, so it was only understandable that they looked so excited. But it wasn¡¯t good to be overexcited. What if it caused cerebral hemorrhage? Under the condition of no any modern medical facilities, he couldn¡¯t save them even if he was god.


    ¡°Those old hens still lay eggs, it¡¯s really a pity to kill them, or I go to the market at the village entrance to see if there is meat, I can buy some meat for your mom.¡±


    On hearing of killing the hens, Ling Chenglong felt like cutting his flesh. Those hens are still laying eggs. Isn¡¯t it a pity to kill them?


    Not only him, Lady Wang and Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng also didn¡¯t want to kill any apparently. In village families, as long as the hen could lay eggs, who would kill it? Even those relatively well-off would save eggs for nutrition, and those less well-off families would save those eggs to sell on the market to support the family. If no any emergency, common families would never sell those egg-laying hens, let along kill them.


    Having expected this already, Ling Jingxuan helplessly touched his forehead and said patiently, ¡°Do you still the market is still open at such a time? Dad, don¡¯t try to save money for me. My mom¡¯s health is more important than anything. We can buy new hens in the future.¡±


    Miscarriage was like giving birth, both were like taking a walk at the gate of hell, especially in such uncultured ancient times, it should be more careful. He even wanted to say killing a hen for his mom¡¯s nutrition everyday.


    Well, if he did, he¡¯d probably drown in the saliva of his entire family.


    ¡°But¡­¡±

 Chapter 106

    ¡°Grandma, grandma is still weak, just listen to dad¡¯s.¡±


    Ling Chenglong was still hesitating. To everyone¡¯s surprise, the stingy Ling Wen unexpectedly took the initiative to stand out, saying so while pulling him to walk outside already.


    ¡°But¡­but¡­¡±


    It was a rare thing that his grandson was this generous, while Ling Chenglong was still talking buts¡­ Seeing this, Ling Jingpeng gave him a gentle push, ¡°Dad, even if you don¡¯t listen to my big brother, you should listen to Xiaowen. You know, Xiaowen has seldom been this generous.¡±


    ¡°Uncle!¡±


    While persuading his dad, he still didn¡¯t forget to tease Xiaowen. Xiaowen immediately gave him a hard stare. Seeing this scene, everyone laughed out again, while Lady Wang said feebly with a faint smile, ¡°All right. Do as your son told you.¡±


    ¡°Alas!¡±


    With her words, Ling Chenglong no longer hesitated, took the initiative to pull up two little buns and went to the backyard. Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, saying as he turned back, ¡°Mom, you have a good rest. Jiangpeng and I will go out.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯ll be fine in a couple of days.¡±


    After a short brawl, Ling Wang also got in a better mood and spoke more fluently. The three brothers quietly exchanged glances and turned to leave one after another.


    ¡°Ge, I am sure Ling Chenghua has knocked over our mom intentionally. Although in such a mess at that time, I accidentally caught her malice flashing in her eyes.¡±


    Having run here and there with them for a whole day, Yan Shengrui had already gone back to his room to rest. The wound on his head hadn¡¯t been fully recovered. The three brothers gathered in the room. As Ling Jinghan sat down, he told everything he had seen to Ling Jingxuan, which was also why he gave the old man that dead blow before they left. Even if they had no proof to prove Ling Chenghua was really on purpose, it was a fact that she made their mom have the miscarriage. If it was other common families, how could they be so indifferent? This time, they were really deadly disappointed.


    ¡°Hum, I have already seen it. Ling Chenghua thought she did it without anyone noticing, and takes all of us as fools. But what she doesn¡¯t know is, however hard she tried to cover it, her eyes betrayed her. Her eyes have already told me everything. And the one having tried to take the opportunity to kill our mom¡­If I guess it right, it should be Ling Jingwei.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Before his words fell, his two younger brothers shouted, looking shocked, with naked disbelief under the eyes. Ling Jingxuan cast a faint glance at them, then poured a cup of tea for each, ¡°Don¡¯t be that surprised. Ling Jingwei is a selfish and dark person. This kind of people have a typical personality¡ªhe never thinks he does anything wrong. As long as he makes a mistake, he¡¯d think it¡¯s someone else¡¯s fault. I told shopkeeper Zhang about his born cold sperm thing, then he not only ended up with a peaceful divorce, but also became people¡¯s laughingstock. So it¡¯s only normal if he hates me. Maybe today was a moment¡¯s decision of his, so he didn¡¯t consider the result it¡¯d take. But it¡¯s true he wants our mom¡¯s life. This isn¡¯t over. Give me some time, I¡¯ll let them pay!¡±


    If it was his underlings, he might consider give them a chance. But if it¡¯s his family¡­he¡¯d let them regret of coming of this world!


    ¡°If it is like what you said, we must not let go of Ling Jingwei, but ge, you¡¯d better be careful, don¡¯t let the Ling family have something on you, otherwise they¡¯d come make trouble again.¡±


    Hearing him, the two brothers soon calmed down, Ling Jingpeng¡¯s face was written with naked anger and worries, angry about the Ling family¡¯s malice, worried about Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Silly you, who told you that I must take revenge using my own hands?¡±


    Eyes rolling, Ling Jingxuan curved his lips to make a smile, ¡°The Ling family, from top to bottom, care their face and dignity most. So we can work on that. It¡¯s too easy to kill them with one blow. To this kind of people, I should take it slow, until they¡¯d rather die than living.¡±


    Gentle tone, light smile, but the words were indifferently bloodthirsty, this time, Ling Jingxuan was really angry.


    ¡°About the revenge thing, you stay out of it. Just watch aside for fun. Tomorrow I¡¯m going to town. You watch dad for me. He is softhearted. I¡¯m afraid they¡¯d ask him back using the excuse that our grandpa passed out. You must try to stop him! It¡¯s not easy to finally move out. We can¡¯t jump back ourselves.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t want his younger brothers to see too many dark sides of the world, so he tried to switch the topic. People of old Ling family were shameless, who were capable of anything. Although they divided up the family and moved out and they were no longer related to them, after all, the old couple was Ling Chenglong¡¯s blood parents, and he was a kindhearted filial son. So just in case¡­


    ¡°Hmm, I know. Ge, if you have extra money, can you buy some books, brushes, ink sticks, paper and inkstones for me?¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jinghan asked embarrassedly, with that pale face turning a little red. Those books he had ever read were all the Ling family¡¯s, so he could not take them with him. But now he had been much better, plus, it was only a few months from the tongsheng examinations, so he wanted to have a try. If he could get listed, those people in the village wouldn¡¯t dare to look down on them.


    ¡°Haha¡­That is a good thing. Don¡¯t be so polite with me. And Jingpeng, later I¡¯ll give you twenty taels of silver, you send them to the village head. About the military service, none of us would go.¡±


    How could Ling Jingxuan not see what his second younger brother was thinking? He felt so happy for him from deep of his heart. It¡¯s not a horrible thing if you are poor. But it¡¯s really a horrible if you have no aspirations. Seen from now, his two younger brother had no outstanding abilities, but his second younger brother could read, and was very diligent. And his third younger brother, he never complaining when helping him pick wild fruit in the mountains or catch fish in the water. With such good younger brother, he¡¯d rather lose all he had for them, let alone pay for books or the military service.


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    The two brothers nodded excitedly, as if good times were already beckoning to them.


    By contrast, the old Ling family¡¯s die was in a total mess. After the old man woke up, dragging his weak body, he went to Ling Jingwei in the first place, shouted abuse at him from tip to toe. Even the big son¡¯s whole family suffered. Finally the old man even decided to let Ling Jingwei to serve in the army. Of course, Ling Chengcai and his wife wouldn¡¯t agree, making a turmoil. While the third son Ling Chenghu felt happy. As long as his son didn¡¯t have to go, he¡¯d feel happy. This whole family were really unbelievable, one was more selfish than the other. They¡¯d be no good result waiting them ahead.

 Chapter 107

    Early the next morning, Xinyuan Restaurant sent eight carriages to Ling village for the jam. One could imagine the spectacularity. In villages, it was already supposed to be taken as rich families if they owned an ox cart. A carriage? Not even thinking of that, let along it was whole eight. When a row of carriages drove into Ling village, the whole village got agitated. A lot of people dropped their work at hand and followed behind the carriages. But when they saw that those carriages stopped before the gate of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s house where those carriages could just pass, they were both shocked and confused, having no idea what was going on.


    ¡°Haha, brother Ling, you are really fast, only a few days you have really made 2500 jin. That could sustain us for some time. You know? The one hundred pots of jam, I meant to sell them in Datong town, but the branch shopkeeper was already waiting there and grabbed half of them. And the half left, I tried to save them, but still also none left. Your 2500 jin jam is just in time.¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang who came to fetch the goods in person took the time that those workers were carrying the jam to complain to Ling Jingxuan. Actually fifty pots of jam could maintain at least ten days even in Datong Town, after all each slushie would have a lot of ice. Datong Town was not very big. Though having been in here for five years, magistrate Hu¡¯s whole family still couldn¡¯t adapt to the burning hot summer. So after having tasted the ancient style slushie, he had been addicted to it, and would eat a lot everyday. You know, people liked following the trend. Something the magistrate fondled admiringly, others would also want to have a taste. Then¡­that cold dish was sold like crazy, of course the main materials-the jam was in great short supply.


    ¡°I¡¯ve hired a lot of people to make this batch of jam, but this time I only have big pots. For those small pots, I want to adopt a custom-made style. That is, I¡¯ll make as much jam as others want and people have to order it three days in advance. What do you think?¡±


    Things in the town Ling Jingxuan certainly do not know, do not care, as long as he can sell the jam, the other has nothing to do with him.


    ¡°That¡¯s great, but you¡¯d better make a few hundred pots and let me give those braches for a trial run, so you can sell more later.¡±


    Zhang shopkeeper was shrew. With a little tip of Ling Jingxuan, he immediately understood. To them, of course it would be more reasonable to buy the jam by jin. Stocking up too many small pots of jams would do no good to them. If using the custom-made style, that problem would be solved.


    ¡°Of course. In fact, I have ordered two hundred smaller pots. Next time I can deliver them.¡±


    ¡°Good for you! You are so thoughtful. It¡¯s really comfortable to do business with you. Brother Ling, this is the bank note of two thousand five hundred taels of silver. As for the fish, we¡¯ll settle our accounts every ten days as we agreed last time. You have a check.¡±


    Speaking of which, Shopkeeper Zhang pulled out the back note to him. With a faint smile, Ling Jingxuan took it over, eyes sweeping. Actually no need to check at all. Just three pieces, two for one thousand and one for five hundred.


    ¡°Brother Zhang, I wonder if there is a better private school in this town? As you can see, my two sons have grown up and should go to school for education. Now that I have made a little money, I want to send them to study in the town. I wonder if you could recommend one or two.¡±


    After putting away the back notes, Ling Jingxuan picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for the shopkeeper Zhang and himself while slowly expressing what wanted. Building a house was urgent, so was the kids¡¯ study. In ancient times, kids would go to school at five. He would ask to exceed others, but only wouldn¡¯t let his kids lose at the starting line.


    ¡°There are some good ones, but I have seen your children before. They are really smart and cute. If they are sent to a private school, I am afraid it will delay them. How about hire a personal tutor for them? Only tens of taels of silver a year. Compared with the kids¡¯ future, not expensive at all.¡±


    Feeling his chin, Shopkeeper Zhang took a look at the little bun obediently nestling on the side of Ling Jinghan. He gave such a suggestion only because he became familiar with Ling Jingxuan, otherwise he wouldn¡¯t say anything.¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    Hearing that it would cost so much a year, Ling Wei decisively got anxious, but felt embarrassed to get mad before an outsider, so he could only give his daddy an angry look. Buying a carriage for their study was already like stabbing his heart, how could they ever spend tens of taels of silver to hire a personal tutor??? He was studying in school, not eating silver! If it was that extravagant, how could he feel at ease to study?


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help laughing and threw a soothing look at Ling Wen before he continued, ¡°Forget about hiring a personal tutor. We village people can¡¯t afford such a luxurious life, and I don¡¯t expect my children to have much achievement in the future, as long as they wouldn¡¯t have to bow and scrape to others or get cheated and bullied by others. A private school is enough.¡±


    Bow and scrape to others? He was saying it easily, but Shopkeeper Zhang and Ling Jinghan raised their brow, severely suspecting if he expressed himself wrong. Even if one became the prime minister, one had to bow and scrape to His Majesty! Does he want his son to be the emperor?


    However, the sick Yan Shengrui in the next room raised his lips when he heard this. Not bow and scrape to others? That was some words which would come out of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Daddy, you are wrong. I am going to be an official, a high official.¡±


    As if he had forgotten about the money thing, Ling Wen hurriedly expressed his point. His daddy spent so much money to send him to study. Anyhow, he would earn a big official for daddy.


    ¡°Haha¡­Well said. That¡¯s my son.¡±


    Hearing that, Shopkeeper Zhang laughed while touching his head, and Ling Jingxuan helplessly smiled, ¡°Sorry to make you laugh. The kid has lived a poor life for too long, always wants to be an official.¡±


    Though feeling helpless, Ling Jingxuan was also happy. It was a good thing that his son had the ambition, but he was only afraid his son would give himself too much pressure.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK, it¡¯s OK. Brother Ling, if you mean to let your son learn something under the premise not to give them too much pressure, I have someone to recommend to you. I can say he should be the number one scholar in whole Datong, on no, or maybe you can¡¯t a second one who could be well matched with him through whole Qingyang Prefecture. But I am not clear if he has a title. Besides, he has always kept a low-profile, and doesn¡¯t like associating with people. If it hadn¡¯t been that he accidentally offended juren Wang when he first arrived in Datong and juren Wang was forced to have a literature competition with him, I would have never known he is so learned.¡±


    With a wave of his hand, Shopkeeper Zhang suddenly became serious. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words happened to remind of him there was such a person. That literature competition was confidential. Ordinary people would never know. He only knew it since that competition happened to have been held in his Xinyuan Restaurant.


    ¡°Oh? Is there such a person?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan could not help picking his eyebrow, even Ling Jinghan on the side could not help but cast a surprised look.


    ¡°Hmm, his name is Chu Ci, probably more than twenty years old. He opens a bookstore in town and has a nine years old son. He came to Datong about two years ago, a little cold, and not frivolous in talking and joking, but there¡¯s no doubt of his scholarship. I have a little friendship with him. Oh right, he also likes your cold dish very much. If you are interested, I can introduce you guys.¡±

 Chapter 108

    ¡°Sorry to trouble you then.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was not a pedantic man. Although this Chu Ci seemed a bit too young, since he could even win a juren, he would definitely to enlighten his two little buns. Besides, a person holding ill intentions wouldn¡¯t be so cold and low-key, plus with Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s recommendation, Ling Jingxuan nearly made up his decision to let him be the little bun¡¯s tutor instantly.


    ¡°No problem. When you have time, you can bring the kids to find me in the restaurant then.¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang was also a straightforward person. He understood it while patting his chest. Ling Jingxuan nodded with a smile, ¡°One more thing. I heard there¡¯s a guarantor surnamed Liu in the town. I don¡¯t know if you know him.¡±


    ¡°There is such a man. Why do you ask? To buy land?¡±


    Farmers, when they made money, of course the first choice was buy land.


    ¡°Haha, something like that. The kids are going to study in town, so I am thinking of buying them a carriage, and a dairy cow by the way. And, as you can see, with a little strong wind, my house would collapse at any minute. So I am thinking if I could buy that tens of mu of homestead around and plan to build a big and bright brick tile-roofed house.


    Before, he didn¡¯t have much silver at hands, so he dare not plan too much. But now, he made such a big fortune. Since he wanted to build a house, he¡¯d have it done once for all. He said a big brick tile-roofed house, but actually he planned to build a big manor, with three yards and side rooms on each side, and also a fishpond and an orchard. Of course, in the early period, they needed to solve the living problem, so he¡¯d build the main house first. As for other facilities, he¡¯d take it slow. First, he would buy the land, and buy bricks to build the walls.


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s good. The homestead is not expensive. And Liu has a good reputation, and reliable. When you purchase the land, I¡¯ll introduce you some construction teams who specially build houses for those big families in the town. They are good and the price is also reasonable.¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang nodded. Indeed, their house really should be changed.


    ¡°Haha¡­Can¡¯t be better. I¡¯m worried that I can¡¯t find anyone to build the house. I¡¯m not afraid of you making fun of me. Actually in Ling village, even if I¡¯d like to pay, no one would work for me.¡±


    As speaking, Ling Jingxuan could not help but ridicule himself. How could he really not be able to find workers? He just didn¡¯t want to hire anyone from Ling village. He didn¡¯t want to spend money to hire people gossip behind his back. Wasn¡¯t he asking trouble for himself?


    ¡°Hum, just ignore those people, in the future they¡¯ll regret it. Brother Ling, it¡¯s not early, I should go. When you decide to build the house, come to me.¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang gave a cold snort. Seeing that those workers were already waiting in the yard, he stood up and said so. Later, his restaurant would start to be busy, so as the boss, he had to go back.


    ¡°Ok, I will go to town later. About the kids¡¯ thing, I¡¯ll count on you.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan said so as he also stood up, while Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng were also following behind, smiling, and the two little buns were leaning by Ling Chenglong¡¯s side. At this moment, outside was already crowded with those onlooking villagers. When they saw that the three brothers walked out surrounding Shopkeeper Zhang, they all wide opened the eyes, jaws dropped. Even though during the past half month, gossip about Ling Jingxuan came one wave after another, a lot of people still wouldn¡¯t believe it. That silly man who they got used to bullying had completely changed to another person!


    ¡°Poverty and backwardness are not terrible, ignorance kills people. Brother Ling. Those people are snobs. When you become successful in the future, you wouldn¡¯t know how they¡¯d flatter you.¡±


    Before getting on the carriage, Shopkeeper Zhang couldn¡¯t help throwing him some comforting words. Recently, he had also heard a lot of about Ling Jingxuan, and felt sorry for him. In history, there were men giving birth. In his eyes, that was not strange at all, but thought it was kind of blessing. Otherwise, why couldn¡¯t others make it?


    ¡°Haha¡­ Thank you, I have been used to it all these years.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan only felt it funny. Does he seem like that kind of person who cares about those rumors?


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯m going then.¡±


    ¡°See you!¡±


    After seeing them off, the three brothers looked at each other with a smile. Without looking at the villagers around them, they turned around and went into the courtyard. Why would they care about what those people said? As long as they didn¡¯t come make trouble.


    This thing still reached into the ears of the old Ling family, some felt disdainful, some sighed, while some were still calculating them. But whatever their reaction was, none of it would come true. If they thought Ling Chenglong and his family were still that easy to push over, they¡¯d be greatly wrong.


    ¡°Daddy, are you and uncle going to town?¡±


    Having been busy the whole morning, they just had time to eat food. The little bun looked up at him with that pair of craving eyes, like they were saying ¡®I want to go, I want to go¡¯¡­


    ¡°Hmm, Dad¡¯s going to buy a carriage and a cow and bring someone back to measure the land. We¡¯re going to build a house. Today, you stay home. After everything is arranged, I¡¯ll take you tow town. As you heard, uncle Zhang will introduce you a very good tutor.¡±


    Receiving the bowl of porridge Yan Shengrui handed to him, Ling Jingxuan said so, while rubbing little head dotingly.


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Knowing that he could not follow his daddy today, the little bun poked the porridge in the bowl moodily with his chopsticks, Ling Wen raised his head and said, ¡°Daddy, shall we build a big tile-roofed house with blue bricks?¡±


    ¡°Well, houses are meant to last a lifetime. Of course we¡¯ll have to build a better one.¡±


    With a twinkle in his eyes, Ling Jingxuan said as gently as he could, fearing that his stingy son would object, but he seemed to look down on him, because his little son nodded approvingly, ¡°Well, build one if you want, daddy. But save money when it¡¯s necessary. It¡¯s not easy for us to earn money. It¡¯d be good if we could save more.¡±


    Perhaps because today they earned more than two thousand taels of silver, Ling Wen did not object, but only added a but.


    ¡°Hehe, of course, I need to save more money so that I can find you two wives in the future.¡±


    Feeling overjoyed, Ling Jingxuen made a joke.


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    The two little buns immediately blushed. No wonder kids in ancient times were premature. Such little kids would blush on hearing find them a wife.


    ¡°Later, I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    Looking at his sons indulgingly, Yan Shengrui then turned to Ling Jingxuan. The wound on his head was almost scabbed, he should not work too hard. But going to town wouldn¡¯t be a problem.


    ¡°Hmm, all right, Jinghan, what books would you want? Tell Jinghan the names. Later we¡¯ll buy them for you.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan thought a bit and agreed, then turned to Ling Jinghan and said so.


    ¡°Hmm. You guys also be careful. With me and dad at home, you can rest assured.¡±


    Those words sounded common, but they contained a few different meanings. Of course Ling Jingxuan understood, then nodded at him with a smile at the corner of his eyes. The whole family decided the next plan by the table. After breakfast, Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingpeng went out. Today, they got a lot of things to do.

 Chapter 109

    If it was in the city, buying livestock didn¡¯t need a guarantor at all. One could directly go to the livestock market. But in a town lie Datong, there¡¯d usually be no livestock market, so one had to find a guarantor first. Of course, that kind of personal trade would have no protection. If one purchased livestock or land through a guarantor, if something went wrong, one could go to the guarantor even if he couldn¡¯t find the seller. Personal trade was impossible, the best friends or family remember would break up as long as it was involved with money. To take the risk of falling out with your friends or family for a little commission, it was really not worth it.


    With Zhao&Han couple leading the way, they directly stopped before a shop in the southmost of the town. Now was the working season, plus there was a plague in the town, although it was already under control, the business seemed to be influenced a lot. Except the shopkeeper and a few workers, there was no customer at all.


    Seeing Mo Fei and others come in, Guarantor Liu hurriedly went forward to greet them with a big smile, ¡°Sirs, are you planning to buy land or livestock? Please come in and have a seat.¡±


    Among the six of them, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan had the most outstanding temperament. And by comparison, Yan Shengrui was more like the one who had the final say in the family, naturally Guarantor Liu¡¯s eyes fell on him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me. He¡¯s in charge.¡±


    If it were someone else, he would feel quite complacent being complimented by someone else. But Yan Shengrui was an exception. He shrugged his shoulders and shifted the authority to Ling Jingxuan, totally did not mind whether it would spoil his image as a big man. The smile on Guarantor Liu¡¯s face stiffened, but soon he put on a big smile and turned to Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Childe, may I know your surname?¡±


    After all, a man who had seen the world was different from a farmer.


    ¡°My surname is Ling. I want to buy a carriage, a cow and a homestead in Lingjia Village near the foot of Yuehua Mountain, about 100 mu. I wonder if you would like to do this business.¡±


    As everybody sat down, Ling Jingxuan saved the courtesy and got straight to the point. After buying the land, he also planned to meet the construction team, and by the way, went to Laowang¡¯s place to order the grey bricks and tiles, a lot of things to do.


    Hearing that he was going to buy a homestead, Guarantor Liu seemed to instantly lose the enthusiasm, but because of the recent bad business, he did not mind, ¡°Of course, but I need to take someone to measure it first. So, when is it convenient for you?¡±


    A mosquito is small, but it¡¯s still meat, and that was what he was doing. It is better to have some business than none, right?


    ¡°Better now.¡±


    ¡°Ok, just send someone to measure the land with my worker later. I wonder if Childe Ling wants to have a private deed or an official deed?¡±


    There was no business anyway, Guarantor Liu did not refuse. Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrow, ¡°What is the difference?¡±


    Why doesn¡¯t he know that there are so many regulations about buying land?


    ¡°The so-called private deed is, I personally issue the deed for you. As long as the land is measured we can sign the contract right after you pay. This deed is absolutely valid. And the official deed is a bit complicated. You have to go through the formalities. At least three days later you can get the deed of the land, and it¡¯d charge kind of higher.¡±


    What he did not say was that if the private got lost, the land no longer belonged to Ling Jingxuan, because the private deed was handled by Guarantor Liu at the yamen under his own name. Once Ling Jingxuan lost it, as long Guarantor Liu did not admit it, the land no longer belonged to him. But the official deed was different, since it was handled under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s own name. Once it was lost or broken, he could go to the yamen to reissue. Though a bit trouble, the land was still under his name.


    This was an open secret of their circle. Anyone who knew a little about the business would choose the official deed. Only those rustics who knew nothing would choose the convenient one.


    ¡°Jing Xuan, do the official deed.¡±


    They didn¡¯t understand did not mean Yan Shengrui also didn¡¯t. Although he himself also had no idea why he knew it, those things just popped out his head subconsciously.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Of course, Ling Jingxuan was not stupid. Even if Yan Shengrui did not say this, he would choose the official deed. Expensive things had their reason to be expensive. This Guarantor Liu looked warm, that pair of eyes disclosed only shrewdness and cunning. Doing business with this kind of people, one should be 120% careful. Anyhow the word official was much more reliable than the word private, right?


    ¡°Official deed then.¡±


    ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll send someone to Ling village to measure the land later.¡±


    Guarantor Liu raised his hand to signal a worker to his side, while Ling Jingxuan nodded at Ling Jingpeng. As early as before going out, he had told Jingpeng which part of the land he was gonna purchase, so he didn¡¯t need to go back himself.

 Chapter 110

    ¡°Well, Childe Ling, shall we go and see the carriage and the cow then?¡±


    After Ling Jingpeng and the worker drove the carriage outside the gate, Guarantor Liu stood up and brought Ling Jingxuan and others to the backyard. Seen from front, the shop was not big. But the backyard was extremely big, which was divided into two parts. The left side was a long row of livestock sheds, in which were all horses, goats, cattle and others, while on the right side was a row of rooms, in which you could hear people walking. So it was all human inside, ready for sale. If fortunate enough, they¡¯d be sold into big families as servants or maids. But if unlucky, they¡¯d be sold to places like brothels. And, for some vicious rich families, on the surface, they claimed to buy servants or maids, but actually after buying them, they¡¯d poison them to death, or directly bury them alive as burial objects for the dead. In such times without human right, poor people¡¯s lives were cheap.


    However, Ling Jingxuan could do nothing, he was not a saint, and couldn¡¯t save them all.


    ¡°Benefactor! Magical doctor!¡±


    Just as they were about to turn to the left, a startled voice suddenly sounded, and before they could react, the next second, a tough man about thirty to forty years old knelt down before Ling Jianxuan.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? How did he get out?¡±


    Seeing this, Guarantor Liu burst into anger and yelled at those workers behind. Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes and took a look at that man. After quite a while, he remembered that he seemed to ever see him somewhere.


    ¡°Is the kid all right?¡±


    Since he suddenly spoke, the worker who tried to pull him away could only stop. The tough man said with tears all over the face, ¡°Thank you, benefactor! Huzi¡¯s been recovered. But we¡­¡±


    The tough man sobbed so hard that he could barely speak. The kid was cured, but their whole family ended up being imprisoned here. Now he even didn¡¯t know whether it was right or wrong to make such a big scene that time. If he didn¡¯t make it so serious, they wouldn¡¯t have been sold by their owner.


    As sophisticated as Guarantor Liu was, seeing they were kind of familiar, he hurriedly moved forward and instantly put on a smile, ¡°He is Song Gengniu, who used to be a guard for a big family. Not long before, his little on was infected with the plague. That big family was afraid they might get infected, so they sold his whole family. Pity that his little son is only seven years old, and just got recovered. Now after all this hardship, his son was nearly out of shape.¡±


    Although he said such nice words, actually he just planned to let Ling Jingxuan buy them. If it were someone else, he might show mercy. But who they faced was Ling Jingxuan, he would ignore anyone who was unrelated to him, however pathetic that person was. Last time, it was just an accident that he saved his son. But this time, he was not planning to give a hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s a coincidence that I saved your son. So stop calling me benefactor or kneeling at me.¡±


    Casting a light glance at Guarantor Liu, Ling Jingxuan said with an indifferent tone.


    ¡°You saved my son, I should kowtow to you. And I never hold the extravagant wish that you could buy my whole family. It¡¯s just that when I came to my sense that day, you were already gone. So we have been holding this big favor in the heart. Today, we finally met you, please allow men to kowtow to you for a few more times to show my gratitude.¡±


    Speaking of which, bang~bang~bang~ Song Gengniu really kowtowed to him. Ling Jingxuan was slightly frowning. As he was about to move away, a hand suddenly held around his waist. He subconsciously turned to Yan Shengrui aside, while the latter threw him a bad smile, and leaned by his ear and whispered, ¡°This guy seems not a bad one. If you have extra money, you can buy him. Judging from Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s performance today, I¡¯m afraid he¡¯d order more and more jam. Only you and Jingpeng are not enough. Even with Zhao and Han and our dad, still quite exhausting. It¡¯s not easy to meet such a good person. So buy him. Anyway, you¡¯d buy more in the future.¡±


    Others may think they were flirting, after all both of their eyes were having that kind of light only belonging to lovers, but only they knew what they were talking about.


    After Ling Jingxuan heard his words, his expression instantly changed, and he couldn¡¯t help evaluating of the possibility of buying people. In the next two months, they¡¯d be very busy of making jam. And till September tops, he¡¯d have to save enough money to buy land, and then hire people to open up the wasteland. And he had to finish all the land before the sea water flew backward. Only those few people at home were far from enough, besides, he had to send the little buns to school everyday.


    ¡°How many people are there in your family?¡±


    Thinking of this, Ling Jingxuan asked in whispers. This guy looked not bad. And in his memories, his wife was not like that kind of shrew. As long as his other families were not that bad, it was not a thing to buy them all. Like what Shengrui said, he had to buy people sooner or later. Now they got such a good chance, maybe it was not bad to buy them now. But¡­that three-room cottage really gave him a headache. So the house-building place should advance.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Song Gengniu raised his head, surprised, having no idea what was going on. Guarantor Liu standing aside hurriedly hit him on the back with his knee, ¡°Huh? Huh what? Childe Liu is asking you!¡±


    ¡°Back to my benefactor, there are five. Except me and my wife, my biggest son is 15 years old, my daughter is 13 years old, and my little son who you have ever seen him is 7. My wife and I can do all farm work, and we know how to use all those livestock. My daughter¡¯s embroidery skills is not bad, and Huzi¡­he is still too small, but can do some simple farm work.¡±


    Coming to his sense, Song Gengniu hurried answered. This was not the first time he was old. So he knew Ling Jingxuan meant to buy them. Of course he was holding great expectations. First, Ling Jingxuan was their benefactor, they were willing to serve him. Second, of the whole family, he was the only male laborer. Apparently it was not realistic to ask someone to buy his whole family. But if separated, his family would be parted forever.


    ¡°Well, Guarantor Liu, I don¡¯t know what the price would be if I plan to buy his whole family. Don¡¯t give me such an unreasonable high price. Just give me the final offer. How much do you think is appropriate. I¡¯ll buy his whole family if the price is reasonable.¡±


    After a brief assessment, Ling Jingxuan turned to look at Guarantor Liu. Although this family had only one adult male laborer, he happened to need women. This guy¡¯s wife and daughter could stay with his mom often, and do some sewing work which they tough men couldn¡¯t do. And it was not bad that his two sons could be his two little buns¡¯ attendants in school. As for Song Gengniu, he¡¯d definitely go pick wild fruit with them and made jam, and do some chores.

 Chapter 111

    ¡°Haha, look at what you said. Since Childe Ling has the heart, and you are old acquaintances, how about this, I can offer a reasonable price. Usually, an adult laborer is eight taels of silver, and as for others, it¡¯s from five to seven. I can give you the average price, six taels of silver. And the four of them are twenty-four. Plus Song Gengniu, it¡¯s thirty-two taels of silver in total.¡±


    Hearing that he showed great interest, Guarantor Liu said so hurriedly with a smile, he also did not expect that these people who looked so plain were actually some big customers. So you should never judge someone by the appearance.


    Thirty-two taels of silver for a family of five?


    Weren¡¯t the ancient people too cheap? Ling Jingxuan, the first-time buyer of human being, couldn¡¯t help feeling surprised. Of course, he did a good job of covering it up and not letting anyone find out. Yan Shengrui beside whispered, ¡°It¡¯s too expensive. Kids are usually for free.¡±


    What? That¡¯s still expensive? Ling Jingxuan was speechless, but still deliberately darkened his face, ¡°Guarantor Liu, I think you do not want to do my business? There¡¯s a child, too, OK? What else can a seven-year-old child do except eating? I buy people, land and livestock. You should feel lucky that I didn¡¯t ask him for free. And you charge me six taels of silver? What? Are you taking me as nuts?¡±


    Of course, he would save money! He was rich enough that he could squander money! Even after this, he still had no idea how to explain to the little bun after going home. He would be nagged like by another month. Oh no, he couldn¡¯t even think of that! He¡¯d have a headache!


    ¡°Haha¡­Dude, you are really¡­Fine, fine, I¡¯ll lose money then. How about this? Buy now price, thirty taels of silver. That¡¯s already low enough. Gengniu¡¯s wife and big son can also be used as adult laborers.¡±


    Though tricky, Guarantor Liu was a straightforward person, otherwise, he couldn¡¯t do such a big business. Ling Jingxuan turned back at Yan Shengrui. After Yan Shengrui nodded, he opened his mouth again, ¡°Deal. Thirty taels of silver it is! Go take your wife and kids. But I have to make it clear first. You should be willing to come with me, or, forget it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, my savior¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Song Gengniu couldn¡¯t help keeping kowtowing to him, thanking him with sobbing tone. Finally his whole family could stay together.


    Since it was a temporary thing of buying people, selecting livestock was a bit delayed. Fortunately Ling Jingpeng and others wouldn¡¯t come back so soon. So it was nothing to wait for some time. Guarantor Liu asked some to carry a few chairs into the yard. Later, Song Gengniu came over with his wife and kids. They all had swollen eyes, looking haggard, apparently they suffered a lot these days. But that was understandable. Their son had just recovered from the plague, and before they had time to celebrate, they were sold by their masters, and would face the situation of being parted any time. The horror of the dark future was difficult to anyone.


    ¡°My benefactor, thank you for saving my son Huzi¡¯s life. Come on. Shuisheng, Ling¡¯er, Huzi, come greet our benefactor! It is his prescription that saved Huzi!¡±


    Actually Song Gengniu didn¡¯t tell his wife about Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thing at all. So on seeing him, the woman immediately threw herself by his feet, while trying to drag his three kids to kneel down, but the three kids only stared at Ling Jingxuan blandly, now knowing what was happening. Then Song Gengniu walked over and tapped on each of their heads, ¡°What are you waiting for? Kneel down to thank our benefactor!¡±


    ¡°Oh. Thank you, benefactor.¡±


    The biggest son was the first to react and quickly pulled his younger brother and sister down on his knees.


    ¡°Don¡¯t kneel¡­¡±


    ¡°So you made the prescription for the plague? Oh brother Ling, sorry for my rudeness. If I had known that it was you who saved all people in town, how dare I charge a coin for you? So sorry. His whole family are for free. Not another word about money.¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan could finish his words, Guarantor Liu who was listening aside suddenly patted his own forehead and rushed forward. And the social-style smile on the fact was instantly stained with a little compliment and suck-up. Anyone in their business, be it information of legal or illegal, they¡¯d get it earlier than others. He had already received the news that Magistrate Hu was looking for him, saying to offer him a big reward. Now he offered him some laborers for free, in the future, he¡¯d definitely get higher payback. As an absolute minimum, he was a magical doctor who could even cure the plague. Who wouldn¡¯t have a fever or what for his whole life? Maybe some day if he got some uncured illness, maybe he would still go to ask for his help. So the conclusion is, he was the final beneficial owner of this business.


    His attitude before and after was like earth and heaven. Of course Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui knew what he was thinking. But, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei, who were standing behind, had a total confused face. That was thirty taels of silver! And he just sent them for free? Really worthy to be the biggest guarantor of Qingyan town! What shocked them most was Ling Jingxuan¡¯s medical skills were so good that he could even make a prescription for a plague!


    ¡°No no no, thirty taels of silver it is. I can afford that.¡±


    However, if he was so easily calculated, he wouldn¡¯t be Ling Jingxuan. When he could take the advantage, of course he wouldn¡¯t hesitate a bit, while some advantage he shouldn¡¯t take, even if it was offered before him, he wouldn¡¯t even take a look at it.

 Chapter 112

    ¡°Oh come on, what are you talking about? Of course I know thirty taels of silver is nothing to you. I just want to express my gratitude. Or, are you looking down on me?¡±


    He just called him brother this and brother that. Someone who had no idea of what was happening would think they were very close friends.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that. Guarantor Liu, don¡¯t stand on ceremony. We¡¯d have a lot of chances to cooperate. You can¡¯t always send me for free, right? To say it bluntly, the relationship between teeth and tongue is good enough, right? But still they¡¯d hurt each other sometimes. Any relationship, as long as you want to maintain it in the long run, it couldn¡¯t get money involved. Since you have the heart to make friends with you, I have no reason to say no. So for our future cooperation, we should make it clear about money.¡±


    There is no free lunch in the world. He didn¡¯t want to owe him big for only thirty taels of silver. What¡¯s the most difficult to repay? Other¡¯s favor.


    ¡°After you said that, it feels like I¡¯m look down on you if I don¡¯t charge you. All right, I can only agree. Brother Ling, come to me if you need anything. As long as it¡¯s within my capabilities, I will definitely lend a hand.¡±


    Guarantor Liu thought he had the gift of gab, but today he met someone glibber than him. In case the other side might get annoyed, he could only make concession. Like Ling Jingxuan said, as long as he was in the scope of Qingyang town, they¡¯d definitely have the chance to cooperate, so no hurry.


    ¡°Haha¡­thank you in advance then.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled faintly, and did not put what he said in his heart. Profiteers! No businessman isn¡¯t tricky for interest. If it wasn¡¯t profitable out of it, how would he ever be extra warm to him? To put it bluntly, his warmness was built on the additional benefit, which had nothing to do with him.


    ¡°Your name is Song Gengniu, right?¡±


    Not wanting to waste any more time on those boring things, Ling Jingxuan decisively turned his eyes to Song Gengniu, who nodded hurriedly, ¡°Yes, My name is Song Gengniu. I¡¯m thirty-four years old. And this is my wife Yang Cuihua, my biggest son Song Shuisheng, my daughter Song Shuiling, and my little son Song Xiaohu.¡±


    After Guarantor Liu¡¯s interruption, the family who were all kneeling there calmed down, though their eyes were no longer that watery, they still looked not so good.


    ¡°Well, before I buy you, there are a few things I want to make clear. If you can accept it, you can come back with me later. On the contrary, you just take it as nothing ever happened today.¡±


    Nodding slightly, Ling Jingxuan swept over all of them with his seemingly lazy but sharp and serious eyes, until making sure that they were all not that kind of bad and cunning people, he withdrew his eyes.


    ¡°Please say it, benefactor.¡±


    A family of five gave each other a look, then nodded. Don¡¯t say Ling Jingxuan was their benefactor, even if he was just an ordinary buyer, it was already their blessing that someone would buy all of them. What else would they expect?


    ¡°First, you only watched the manor for a big family, so I guess days there were kind of comfortable. But I am only an ordinary farmer, and I live in a broken cottage. If you go back with me, days couldn¡¯t compare with before. Second, I don¡¯t need you to do a lot of work, but only need you to be loyal. Only one time of betrayal, I will make you pay the price. So, you need to consider it carefully. Once the contract is in my hand, you can¡¯t regret it anymore.¡±


    Some things needed to be clarified ahead. Although after buying them, he had the right to decide their lives, he still held some expectations after buying them. Even if some day he¡¯d really meet some kind of betrayal thing, he¡¯d also feel disgusted, right?


    Hearing that, the five of them breathed a sigh of relief. Song Gengniu once again bowed his head to him before looking at him and said frankly, ¡°I¡¯m not afraid to tell you that we had a good life in a large and rich family, but after experiencing the plague and the thing we were sold, what else can we expect? As long as the family is safe together, that¡¯s better than anything.¡±


    Sad? Not only Song Gengniu, even those adults on spot were with undisguised pains in the eyes. Even the little son Song Xiaohu reddened his eyes. They were clearer than anyone that if it hadn¡¯t been Ling Jingxuan today, maybe tomorrow they¡¯d be sold one by one separately. At that time, maybe they¡¯d never get united as a complete family again.


    ¡°All right, get up, all of you, remember, I am just an ordinary farmer, and I don¡¯t have so many rules, so don¡¯t kneel before me. Loyalty is in your heart, and expressed through your doing, but not that kind of formalities.¡±


    After confirming their determination, Ling Jingxuan finally decided to buy them.


    ¡°Yes, thank you, my lord.¡±


    Since he became their master, then it was inappropriate to call him benefactor anymore. It was just the words my lord made Ling Jingxuan in a mess. He is only twenty years old, OK? Even if they had the heart to call him that, he felt embarrassed to accept it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that, I still have my parents, don¡¯t call me lord.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan corrected them. Seeing that they were trying to call him some other appellation, he hurried added, ¡°Don¡¯t call me young master too.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    No lord or young master? Then what should they call him?


    Song Gengniu and his family were kind of all at sea. But Ling Jingxuan only knitted his eyebrow tightly there. As the atmosphere was nearly freezing, Yan Shengrui who hadn¡¯t spoken a word all the time opened his mouth.¡±


    ¡°Call him Master Xuan, and from now on he is your only master. Whoever betrays him, I¡¯ll end his life.¡±


    Speaking of which, that kind of dominant feeling he had been hiding all the time burst out again. Except Ling Jingxuan, no one there wasn¡¯t having cold sweat all over. What a tough and domineering man!

 Chapter 113

    ¡°Yes, my greetings, master Xuan!¡±


    Finally coming to his sense, Song Gengniu and his family all bowed to them, having cold sweat all over. Compared with his former master and young master, master Xuan was a lot nicer. Ling Jingxuan nodded at them, turned to throw Yan Shengrui a shallow smile, and then said to Guarantor Liu, ¡°How about we go to look at the carriage and the cows?¡±


    Now, nearly an hour had passed, Jingpeng was supposed to come back. Wondering how things going on with the land measuring.


    ¡°Huh? Oh, brother Ling, this way please.¡±


    Obviously still not in the state, Guarantor Liu made a ¡®please¡¯ gesture, with his eyes peering at Yan Shengrui. When he said those words, Guarantor Liu thought he was only a friend of brother of Ling Jingxuan. And Ling Jingxuan said he was only a farmer, so he really took him as a farmer. But¡­what kind of farmer would look so domineering? His tuition told him his background wouldn¡¯t be simple.


    And thinking of this, Guarantor Liu was more determined to make friends with Ling Jingxuan. One had superb medical skills, a farmer who didn¡¯t seem like one seen from any aspect, while the other looked so majestic and overwhelming, who looked ordinary but would never be an ordinary man. On the surface, they had totally different personalities, but in fact, they were of a kind, both were paradox uniting both ordinary side and extraordinary side.


    ¡°Brother Ling, what do you think of this horse? It¡¯s a hybrid of the well-known ferghana horse of Xi Kingdom and a bloodstock of our Qing Kingdom. Look at its buttock, so strong, and look at its shape, wow! The whole body shape looks so beautiful, and look at is firm muscles, strong fours. It can run a thousand li a day, and running while carrying things is as easily as walking on firm earth to it.¡±


    He directly brought them to a dark horse, the best one in his barn. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes were beaming as he saw it. He felt that dark horse to check its condition, high and strong, firm fours. The most important thing was it looked quite mild, very suitable for a carriage.


    ¡°What do you think?¡±


    When it comes to horse, who could be better good at it than Yan Shengrui? Although he had lost his memories, Ling Jingxuan still subconsciously turned to ask for his opinion.


    ¡°Well, not bad. If used in the army, it¡¯d be too mild, not suitable. But if it¡¯s for my kids to use, perfectly suitable.¡±


    Yan Shengrui made a circle around that dark horse and approved. Those words came out of his mouth reflectively, even he didn¡¯t realize he said the word army so naturally, like it was part of his life. For this, Ling Jingxuan blinked and had a deep sigh in the heart. It seemed that he guessed it right, he must be Prince Sheng. If possible, he really didn¡¯t want to have any connection with the imperial family. But seen from now, it was impossible.


    ¡°What are you thinking of?¡±


    Seeing that he had not responded for a long time, Yan Shengrui walked over to him. Ignoring the presence of so many outsiders, he touched his face tenderly with his right hand, showing naked concern under his eyes.


    ¡°Nothing, just remembered something.¡±


    Coming to his sense, Ling Jingxuan brushed off his hand, turned to Guarantor Liu and asked, ¡°How much is this horse?¡±


    ¡°It cost me twenty taels of silver, so it¡¯s also that price if you want. Take it as I bought it for you. By the way, the carriage needs to be extra paid. See what type you¡¯d like. I got ordinary carts, carts with a coach, and carts with luxurious coach with soft cotton cushion and cotton-padded mattress. Ordinary wooden cart costs two taels of silver, one with a coach, five, and the luxurious cart, ten. If you make the decision, I¡¯ll ask them to prepare for you now.¡±


    Now that he was determined to make friends with him, it was impossible to offer any nominal price, but only a break-even price.


    ¡°The luxurious one.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan chose the best one without even thinking. Price was not a problem, as long as it was comfortable. He needed to take the kids to go between the village and the town. How could it not be comfortable? For his little buns, it was worth it.


    ¡°OK.¡±


    Guarantor Liu signaled a worker to come over with a hand. After he took the dark horse out of the stable, Guarantor Liu brought them to the cowshed. All farm cattle, only a cow stripped with black and white at a corner. Looks like it had just laid birth judging from its pair of plump udders.


    ¡°To tell you the truth, brother Ling, I only have this only one cow. If you want it, the lowest price it eight taels of silver.¡±


    Cattle were very valuable in Qing Kingdom, especially farm cattle. The court even had special laws protecting them. Any citizen who killed one without a reason would be beheaded, unless the cattle was too old or caught some disease and was dying. Only getting the official permission of the yamen, one was allowed to kill it. Of course, those laws were only against those common citizens. In whichever dynasty, any law only existed in name only to those imperial family and officials. As the old saying goes, everyone is equal before law, even he is a prince, but in history, how many princes really got beheaded for breaking the law?


    ¡°Brother Zhao, sorry to trouble you.¡±


    Although having no second choice, Ling Jingxuan did not lower his guard. It¡¯d be bad if he bought an ill cow and got the whole family infected.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Zhao Dalong, silent as always, went over to repeatedly check the status of the cow before nodding at Ling Jingxuan, ¡°It¡¯s good.¡±

 Chapter 114

    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll buy it. Guarantor Liu, if there are good cow in the future, I hope you can go to Xinyuan Restaurant to look for Shopkeeper Zhang, tell him that I ordered them. So he can send me the words.¡±


    Now suddenly he got five more people in the family, apparently the milk from one cow was far from enough. Since Song Gengniu and his family were his people, he couldn¡¯t treat them unfairly. Besides, he was considering of sending one to Zhao&Han couple, since they really did him a lot of favor.


    ¡°OK, no problem. Brother Ling, please!¡±


    Having agreed joyfully, Guarantor Liu made a ¡®please¡¯ gesture. When they came to the shop outside, Ling Jingpeng who brought people to measure the land happened to come back.


    ¡°Big brother, according to your instruction, from Yuehua Ditch on the east to the foot of Xiaogong Mountain on the west, about one hundred meters away to brother Zhao¡¯s house in the south, it¡¯s 230 mu in total, we bought it all.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng told Ling Jingxuan in whispers by the ear. This number far exceeded their expectations. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help picking his eyebrow. He thought it was 100 mu at most. But now it doubled and more. But maybe it wasn¡¯t bad since it could reach Yuehua Ditch on the east side. In the future, if he dug a fishpond, he could use the water there. And there was a brook at the foot of Xiaogong Mountain on the west. Besides, it was low-lying on the west side, it¡¯d be convenient if he wanted to catch fish. The most important thing was, that brook was connected to the half-saline land. So it wouldn¡¯t be a problem about the watering. Over two hundred two it is! He could accept it. Anyhow, very convenient, right?


    ¡°Brother Ling, it¡¯s about 230 mu, because you demands an official deed, one a half taels of silver per mu, what do you say?¡±


    At the same time, on the other side, Guarantor Liu also heard his worker¡¯s report. Only one and a half taels of silvers for one mu, official deed, for homestead! Already very cheap! Even the ordinary dry land required five taels of one mu, and those a little better land needed seven or eight taels of silver. The best land was the most expensive, ten, and you might not be able to buy any even if you had the money. There was not so much land for people to purchase in Datong Town!


    ¡°OK, as the price you said, how much is it in total?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan immediately agreed. Then Guarantor Liu asked someone to get him the brush, ink sticks, paper and inkstone, and an abacus. After calculating using the abacus for a while, he said, ¡°brother Ling, the carriage including the horse, it¡¯s thirty taels of silver, the cow, eight, people, thirty, 230 mu land, it¡¯s 345 taels of silver, so it¡¯s 413 in total. Forget about the odd, 410 it is, what do you say?¡±


    ¡°Well, no problem. Here is a 500 bank note. Please check it.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan handed the bank note to him. Since he needed to buy a lot of things today, so he brought 1,500 taels of silver with him today, only afraid it was not enough. At that very moment, the little bun nearly stared two blood holes out of his body. So as for the rest 1,000, he wouldn¡¯t have the chance to spend any.


    ¡°Hang on, brother Ling.¡±


    After taking the bank note, Guarantor Liu got up and went to the counter. With a shallow smile, Ling Jingxuan just waited there. What he didn¡¯t know was, except Yan Shengrui, everyone behind him dropped their jaws! That was over four hundred taels of silver! And he just spent it without even blinking???


    ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting. Here is the change, 90 taels of silver, and the indenture of Song Gengniu and his family, and also the agreement of buying the livestock and the land. Take a look. If there is no problem, you can sign your name and leave your fingerprint here.¡±


    Soon, Guarantor Liu came back with a pile of agreements and contracts in hand, and the worker following behind put the silver ingot on the table. Ling Jingxuan took over those agreements and checked carefully, only put them away after making sure there was no problem. Then he felt out a charcoal stick wrapped with soft bamboo skin. That was a charcoal pencil he made himself. Though it couldn¡¯t compare with a ball-point pen in modern times, at least he could write words with it. He really didn¡¯t know how to use a brush pen in ancient times.


    After signing his name and leaving the fingerprint, their contract was completed. After checking it and making sure there was no problem, Guarantor Liu said, ¡°three days later, I¡¯ll ask someone to send the title deed for the land to your place. Brother Ling, just let me know if you need anything.¡±


    A businessman is a businessman, in the end he still did not forget to say some ass-kissing words. Ling Jingxuan gave a faint smile, ¡°Thank you then. Oh right, if I want to hire a lot of people for the land reclamation, can you also do the business?¡±


    ¡°No matter how many people you want, just tell me the number and I promise to send them to you the next day. But Brother Ling, hiring people is not the same as buying people. The wages must be paid day by day, because it¡¯s the busy farming season and the average strong labor force is 30 copper coins a day. But during the slack season, it might be cheaper.¡±


    Guarantor Liu instantly promised him, only thinking that Ling Jingxuan would reclaim his over two hundred mu land he newly bought.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Thank you then. Tomorrow, please hire me thirty people for me and send them to Ling village. Better let them bring a hoe each. Here is ten taels of silver as the deposit.¡±


    Fishing out a silver ingot and throwing it to him, Ling Jingxuan said so as he walked out. Since he had bought the land, he needed to start as soon as possible.


    ¡°Thirty? Is that too many?¡±


    Guarantor Liu really held good intention this time. Only over two hundred mu of land, thirty strong labours could finish it in less than a day. That¡¯d be a waste to hire so many.


    ¡°Many hands make light work. Just do it as I told you.¡±


    Face sunk, apparently Ling Jingxuan did not want to say more. As sophisticated as Guarantor Liu was, he immediately changed his tone, ¡°Deal! They¡¯d be there before eight in the morning.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    After going out, their newly bought carriage already waited there. And the cow was also pulled out. Song Gengniu climbed onto the carriage, took the whip from the worker. So he was gonna be their carter. Ling Jingxuan nodded satisfactorily, then turned to Zhao and Han, ¡°Brother Zhao, brother Han, Shengrui, Jingpeng and I still need to buy some necessities. Can you take the four of them and the cow back for me?¡±


    ¡°OK, no problem.¡±


    When they saw his extravagant spending, the Zhao&Han couple already got dumbfounded. Till now they were still in a trance. To them, over four hundred taels of silver was enough to support the rest of their life!

 Chapter 115

    ¡°Gengniu still needs to do something with me, you can go back with brother Zhao first.¡±


    Knowing that they may not be able to adapt to his way of spending money in a short time, Ling Jingxuan also did not say much, turned to look over at Song Gengniu and his family, totally having no idea whether his little bun would jump on his feet due to great anger on seeing them.


    ¡°Yes, Master Xuan.¡±


    After watching them leave, Ling Jingxuan and the other two climbed onto the carriage, Song Gengniu swung the whip in his hand, the carriage moved steadily.


    ¡°Well, it seems that the money spent is really worth it, the little buns wouldn¡¯t have to suffer every day when they go to school in town.¡±


    Inside the carriage was almost entirely wrapped in cotton padding and it was big enough. Ling Jingxuan nodded approvingly as Yan Shengrui grabbed his hand and played with it, ¡°As long as you like it.¡±


    ¡°As if you bought it for me! Have some dignity, OK?¡±


    In face of his shamelessness, Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes to ridicule back, why this man¡­is more shameless than me?


    ¡°Oh come on! Does it matter that much? Dignity is to show to the outsiders. We don¡¯t need that between us.¡±


    If it hadn¡¯t been some other man, one would have already gotten angry with his words. But Yan Shengrui only raised a hand to hold his neck and took the chance to lean on his shoulder, with a face written with total teasing and rascal feeling. He liked his straightforwardness.


    Fine! Someone was born as masochism and asked to be abused!


    ¡°Poof¡­¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan had time to react, Ling Jingpeng who sat on the opposite side couldn¡¯t hold it and laughed out, but on a second thought, he might disturb the two of them flirting, he hurriedly covered his mouth and shook his head hard, like he was saying ¡®you guys go on. Just ignore me¡¯¡­


    ¡°See? You made me a laughingstock.¡±


    Throwing him his dagger eyes, Ling Jingxuan simply no longer talked to him. This bastard! Even a saint wouldn¡¯t put up with him! Did he have a brain cramp to compete with him who was more shameless?


    ¡°Ahem¡­Jingpeng, your elder brother is shy. Why don¡¯t you go out?¡±


    Pretending to clear his throat, Yan Shengrui wore a serious face. Ling Jingpeng reflectively looked at his elder brother, but the next second¡­


    ¡°F**k you!¡±


    With his patience having gone out, Ling Jingxuan threw him a kick. Grinning, Shengrui Yan seemed to have expected this from him, he grabbed his leg and put it on his own, ¡°Come on, I was kidding. Jingxuan, you are employing so many people just to get the fish pond and the manor finished at a time?¡±


    ¡°Let go!¡±


    Taking back his legs that were forced to open wide, Ling Jingxuan took a few deep breaths before slowly saying, ¡°Yeah, as for the houses, we can build part of it. As for the manor and the fishpond, I can¡¯t wait any longer. As for the specific plans, we¡¯d talk about it when we see the construction team.¡±


    Before, actually he had planned to do part of it, but now that he had bought more hands, his plans would also have to change. If he had enough of workers, he wanted to get them all done at once.


    ¡°By the way, big brother, who are they?¡±


    Speaking, Ling Jingpeng pointed to Song Gengniu outside who was driving. He had only been away for an hour and a few more people joined them already?


    ¡°Some servants I bought, they¡­¡±


    ¡°What? You even bought people? Big brother, you are so dead. Xiaowen will nag you to death!¡±


    Before he could finish his words, Ling Jingpeng already jumped up. Only heaven saw how awful Xiaowen look when he brought people to measure the land. It looked as if the pain in his heart was killing him. But now, his big brother even brought back a few servants. Even thinking with his ass, he¡¯d imagine his stingy nephew¡¯s reaction. They wouldn¡¯t have a moment¡¯s quietness by the ears recently.


    ¡°Er¡­would you mind not reminding me of that?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan helplessly held his forehead. It took him so much effort to forget about it.


    ¡°Ge, I have to say something. We are farmers. What do you buy servants for? Are you asking to be nagged?¡±


    When Ling Jingxuan paid, the only thing on Ling Jingpeng¡¯s mind was how much it¡¯d cost for the 230 mu of land. He didn¡¯t even notice that his brother bought people. That was why he looked so shocked, and so heartbroken. It would be very expensive to buy people, wouldn¡¯t it?


    ¡°I know, but I already bought them. Well, I won¡¯t buy any in the future.¡±


    Having had enough of his younger brother Xiaowen-style nagging, Ling Jingxuan mumbled. Yan Shengrui who found it so funny held his shoulder, ¡°Buying people has its good place. You¡¯ll know in the future. Jingpeng, we should see it from the long run, not only things before the eyes. Don¡¯t worry about Xiaowen¡¯s side. I¡¯ll talk to him. I can assure you he¡¯d listen to me.¡±


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    Heaing him, Ling Jingxuan looked at him with great excitement. Heaven knows he was afraid of his son¡¯s nagging most. Though it was he who earned the money and he could spend it as he wanted and ignored other¡¯s feeling, the little bun was his son anyhow. And what he did was all for this family. So thinking of that little face who always pretended to look mature, he really didn¡¯t want to go against him.


    ¡°Yes. Xiaowen is a good kid. As long as I explain to him about good place why we bought people, he will understand.¡±


    ¡°Shengrui, did I ever say that you are very handsome?¡±


    As long as he could convince his son, he¡¯d even say he loves him if he asked so, let alone saying he was handsome. As for its authenticity, it remained to be discussed.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not too late for you to say that now, but I¡¯d rather have some substantial award, like¡­¡±


    Ignoring that there was a super third wheel inside, Yan Shengrui whispered his demand by his ear. After that, he put out his tongue and licked his cochlear. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s body sensitively shrunk and gave him a hard stare. Can¡¯t you think of something else? Under such circumstances, even if he agreed, they could nothing, OK? Trying to turn him on on purpose?


    ¡°Masters, it¡¯s Qingchen book shop here. See if you like it.¡±


    With them teasing and laughing inside, the carriage suddenly stopped, and Song Gen¡¯niu¡¯s respectful voice clearly spread into their ears, the three of them restored their seriousness, brushed open the curtain to take a look, and then got off one by one.


    Qingchen book shop was not large, nearly had no decorations, only with some common books on the shelves and all kinds of brushes, ink sticks, paper and inkstones. But the moment Ling Jingxuan came in, he knew he liked it. For some shops, decorations were unnecessary at all. Returning to its original simplicity would feature its intrinsic quality. Like this shop, as a customer came in, he¡¯d see everything about books on the first sight, nothing else.

 Chapter 116

    ¡°You go to help Jinghan look for books he needs, I will go to the shopkeeper to buy brushes, ink, paper and inkstones.¡±


    Then the two brothers separated. One turned to the counter, while the other went to those shelves. The strange thing was, since they came in, they didn¡¯t see anyone who came to serve them. After quite a while, Ling Jingxuan found a young man sleeping on a deck chair behind the counter, with sword-shape eyebrow, nose like a hanging hook, lips as red as blood, matched with that delicate goose egg face, if it hadn¡¯t been that he was wearing men¡¯s clothes and that flat chest, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui even couldn¡¯t help doubting whether he was a woman. Apparently this man was pretty, to pretty to be real, like someone from a painting.


    ¡°Daddy, you¡­who are you¡­¡±


    Bang~


    A boy about ten years old suddenly came out from the inside. When he saw them clear, not, to be more exact, when he saw Yan Shengrui clearly, his little face turned pale instantly, and the inkstone in his hand fell onto the ground, with only astonishment filled in his wide open almond-shape eyes, and the trembling lips explained how he was terrified now.


    Yan Shengrui darkened his face, eyes looking alert. Ling Jingxuan also formed a smile at the corner of his mouth, started to size him up. The boy was about ten years old at most, wearing dark blue silk robes, tall, but a bit too thin. When he moved his eyes on his face, he got stunned. That face was kind of familiar with the little buns, not, to be more exact, with Yan Shengrui! Is it possible this boy is also from the imperial family? Since when can people of imperial family be seen everywhere?


    ¡°Huh? Yan¡¯er, what are you yelling for? I¡­¡±


    The man woke up and subconsciously looked toward the boy. Noticing his abnormality, the man followed the direction his son was looking at. When he saw clearly Yan Shengrui¡¯s face, he instantly knitted his eyebrow, and he immediately moved to the boy¡¯s side, with that pretty face written with all coldness and indifference, and that trace of annoying feeling disappeared in a flash.


    ¡°Who are you people?¡±


    After looking at each other in silence for a while, the man suddenly tried to hide his strange feeling away and asked coldly. It was only then that he found out that Yan Shengrui was wearing such shabby clothes. In a moment, numerous speculations slipped through his mind and he fell in his thoughts.


    ¡°You¡­know me?¡±


    Yan Shengrui asked before Ling Jingxuan opened his mouth, frowning. The moment he saw them, he had some kind of familiar feeling. But it was gone soon. Their abnormal behaviors didn¡¯t escape from his eyes. His intuition told him they should know him.


    ¡°No, please help yourself if you¡¯d like to buy any books.¡±


    Although not knowing why, Yan Shengrui seemed to have forgotten about them. After knowing this, that man became more confident.


    ¡°No, you must know me.¡±


    This time, Yan Shengrui directly put the cards on the table, with that pair of tiger eyes firmly nailing on that man¡¯s pretty face.


    ¡°I said I don¡¯t know you. Are you also one of those dandies who would generate those dirty thoughts about me since I am too pretty? If so, you better drop that. One¡¯s appearances were given by parents. I don¡¯t have a choice. But I am a 100% man. I have a wife and a kid. And I am not interested in men.¡±


    This man was really very beautiful, but his temperament was cold and aloof, who wasn¡¯t supposed to be such a glib. Ling Jingxuan who hadn¡¯t spoken a word rolled his eyes. Anything strange had its reason. Shengrui was right. They should know him, it was quite possible they had some connections. As for the man¡¯s denial and his strange behaviors, he should have his purpose¡ªto distance them from Shengrui.


    ¡°Shengrui!¡±


    Thinking of this, Ling Jingxuan went forward and pulled Yan Shengrui who was still trying to say something, smiling, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my man was rude. He was injured a few days ago and lost all his memories. Your abnormal behaviors made him confused. I am Ling Jingxuan, an ordinary farmer. My younger brother knows a few words, so he asked me to buy some books home for him. And my children have reached the school age, so I plan to buy some enlightenment books and relevant stuff like ink, paper and inkstones.¡±


    These remarks not only clearly explained the situation of Yan Shengrui and reassured them, but also revealed their reason for coming and indirectly removed their guard.


    ¡°Since it is amnesia, then I overreacted. To tell you the truth, this child seldom meets strangers, even time he sees a stranger, he¡¯d panic. Sorry to make you laugh.¡±


    As shrew as that man was, with only a few sentences, he just turned the whole thing into nothing. After saying that, he even pushed the boy from behind. The boy gave his last suspicious look at Yan Shengrui and turned to walk to the backyard. After watching him leave, that man felt relieved in the heart, he even had cold sweat in his palms, and didn¡¯t turn to them after taking a few deep breaths, ¡°How old is your younger brother, if I may ask? Any title?¡±


    Back and forth, it was only a few minutes¡¯ time, the man went back to normal again, with a little smile crawling onto that pretty face, which always carried that fault-tolerant alienation, giving one some kind of cold feeling. Ling Jingxuan slightly raised his eyebrow, and secretly had an eye contact with Yan Shengrui, then said with a smile, ¡°He is fourteen years old, no title yet. He plans to join the tongsheng examination this winter. I am also no very clear what kind of books he needs. Would you please make some recommendations, Mr. Chu?¡±


    ¡°How did you know my surname is Chu?¡±


    Pupils reflectively constricted, the man blurted out. Ling Jingxuan calmly explained, ¡°Haha¡­ you should be Chu Ci, right? To tell the truth, I am a friend of Shopkeeper Zhang of Xinyuan Restaurant. Not long ago, I consulted him about our children¡¯s school thing. He recommended Chu Ci to me and simply told me about his condition. According to his description, I guess you should be him.¡±


    In the twenties, cold, not liked making friends, opened a book shop¡­all these were enough for him to guess out who he was. It was just that he really didn¡¯t expect it would be so coincidental. He still planned to take the kids to visit him some other day.


    ¡°You¡­your children?!¡±


    Not only hearing him say his children, Chu Ci pointed at them and asked. In his memories, wasn¡¯t Yang Shengrui not supposed to have feelings for women? Let alone men! Where did the children come from?

 Chapter 117

    His confusion, shock and doubt did not escape from Yan Shengrui¡¯s eyes. So the two of them were more confirmed that he knew Yan Shengrui. If he had never met him nefore, he would never have reacted like that just now.


    ¡°Yeah, our own children, they are lovely twin boys who will turn five this winter.¡±


    Purposely stressing the words ¡®our own¡¯ gave one infinite room of guessing. Ling Jingxuan looked casual, actually he was making plans for his sons step by step. If he guessed right, Chu Ci and his son were also from the imperial city. Whether he was learned or not, he was the best tutor for his little buns. Of course, he also considered if the other side would do bad things to his little buns, after all, Yan Shengrui¡¯s identity was too special. It was possible that people might use the little buns as a threat to him. But judging from how he tried to distance himself from Shengrui, and he never made friends with anyone, he and Yan Shengrui weren¡¯t supposed to be enemies. If so, why would he harm his kids?


    He wanted only his intellect and his knowing about the imperial family. If he could be the little bun¡¯s tutor, after Yan Shengrui regained his memories and he still didn¡¯t change, they¡¯d definitely ask him to take them to the imperial city to visit the so-called imperial family, even the emperor who controlled the whole kingdom. So it was never a bad thing to let the kids know about things there and learn some skills about how to socialize with those people. Besides, he had explained that Yan Shengrui had lost his memories, and now emphasized that it was their own children, apparently he was offering an olive branch to him. If he was smart enough, he should know what choice to make.


    Offering fuel in a snowy weather was far more precious than adding brilliance to one¡¯s present splendor. Since Yan Shengrui was the prince, the emperor¡¯s biological brother, the only prince ho owned a general¡¯s title, it was already hard to enough to see him, let alone get a chance to suck up to him. So this was the best chance to get close to him. If he guessed right about their background, there should be some untold stories about the imperial family, since two of imperial family members ended up here concealing their identities. Maybe the imperial family was looking for them everywhere. Once they found him, the result was obvious. If he did a favor to Yan Shengrui who had a say in the court, they¡¯d definitely benefit from it.


    ¡°Really? Five is the age of enlightenment, and it is our destiny to meet today. Well, bring your children to me tomorrow, and if they are to my taste, I will accept them.¡±


    As Ling Jingxuan expected, Chu Ci agreed after a moment of thinking. Although the other side did not give a clear answer, he believed that he would accept the two little buns, who looked so much like Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Thank you very much, Mr. Chu. I have another presumptuous request. If you can accept my two sons, how about one more? He is my sons¡¯ friend, also five years old.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t forget about Tiewa. He was indebted to the Zhao&Han couple, of course he should repay them.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Two or three didn¡¯t make much difference. What Chu Ci cared about was the kids¡¯ identity. He had to see whether they were really Yang Shengrui¡¯s bloodline with his own eyes.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Chu.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan bowed to him, cupping his hands. Another big stone fell in his heart. As Ling Jingpeng who no one noticed when he already came back saw they were finished, he moved forward holding a pile of books, ¡°Big brother, I have gotten all the books my second elder brother needs. I also got some books about farming.¡±


    Having a younger brother like Ling Jingpeng who was hard-working, not talkative, and obedient, was happier than anything. The most important is, he had high self-consciousness. This kind of younger brothers, he wanted a dozen!


    ¡°Well, forget about that book about farming. We will plant something no one had ever planted before. So nothing could be used on this book. We should buy a set of a brush, paper and inkstone for each of Jinghan and the two little buns.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan picked up the book on the top and turned it over. It were all manuscripts, It seemed that this Qing Kingdom had not invented printing, This would be a way to make money, but at present he did not have extra energy on that.


    ¡°Hmm, Mr. Chu, sorry to trouble you about it then.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng then put the book back. Meanwhile, Chu Ci took out a few good inkslabs on the shelf from behind the counter, and then picked some square-shape, about ten millimeter long inkstones, finally a pile of white touched with a bit yellow paper, ¡°Better choose good inkslab and brushes. These are good. This kind of xuan paper is good, enough to practice calligraphy and the price is reasonable. As for the enlightenment books for the kids, I¡¯ll decide after they come tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Ok, I want four sets of ink stones, ink and rice paper. Please calculate how much it is.¡±


    For his younger brother and the kids, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t even blink his eyes even though he knew it would be pricey. Some money shouldn¡¯t be saved.


    ¡°Brushes, ink, paper and inkstones are six taels of silver for each set, and books, one taels of silver each, you bought twenty-one, making a total of forty-five taels of silver.¡±


    Soon, Chu Ci got everything as Ling Jingxuan required. Looking at those things piled on the counter, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui were both OK, but Ling Jingpeng complained in his heart. Only such few things cost 45 taels of silver??? That could sustain an ordinary family¡¯s food for a few years! Learning is really money-burning thing! No wonder few people could get a title.

 Chapter 118

    After paying, Ling Jingxuan asked Song Gengniu who was waiting outside to carry all the things onto the carriage, then he went back to say goodbye to Chu Ci. When leaving, they both gave him an eye, and exchanged an eye contact only the two of them understood, then left, while Chu Ci didn¡¯t turn back to go inside after watching their carriage disappear in the distance. That delicate and pretty face was stained with a little bit worries, struggling and confusion. Everything that happened today had far exceeded his expectations. He had never thought he would meet Yan Shengrui under such circumstances, even in his dreams.


    ¡°Father, he is my imperial uncle, right?¡±


    No one noticed when the boy who hid in the backyard came out. The shock and fear in his eyes were already gone, only with a little bit helplessness left, and his voice was mixed with faint uncertainty.


    ¡°Hmm, I guess so. Don¡¯t be afraid, Yan¡¯er. Shengrui is different from them. Now he has lost his memories. After making sure of the kids¡¯ identity, we¡¯d teach them well. They¡¯d definitely repay us.¡±


    Sensing that the kid was trying to be strong, Chu Ci turned back and lightly embraced him. The reason why he chose Cangzhou was because this was Yan Shengrui¡¯s fief. The late emperor ever left the words, saying that no troops were allowed to step onto this land with Yan Shengrui¡¯s personal permission, otherwise, all would be beheaded as rebellions, including the emperor¡¯s palace guards. Besides, Yan Shengrui was a tough, domineering and decisive man. Even if he was found, they wouldn¡¯t be tortured or what¡­Never expected¡­things would become like this. Is this another blessing from heaven?


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Leaning on his chest, the boy nodded. In the angle Chu Ci couldn¡¯t see, his dark eyes bloomed with a firm and deep light.


    Of course, the conversation between the father and son would never be known to Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan. With Ling Jingpeng aside in the carriage, they couldn¡¯t talk about their own assumptions about Chu Ci and the boy. Later they went to a variety shop, bought two hundred jin rice, two hundred jin wheat flour, two hundred jin corn flour, one hundred jin colza oil, and ten jin salt. Since they bought too many things, the shopkeeper promised home delivery. After prepaid and left the address, they left.


    Then they went to the clothing store on the way, and bought two suits of clothes for everyone in the family, including Song Gengniu, Zhao&Han couple and others, and a few bolts of first-class cotton cloth, and needles and thread. It sounded many, but did not take much room. So Ling Jingxuan and others carried all those things onto the carriage. When passing Ping¡¯an Hall, Ling Jingxuan jumped off.


    ¡°Buy medicine?¡±


    Jumping out of the carriage with him, Yan Shengrui asked. Although there were several people at home who were taking medicine, the only person who really needed to buy medicine was Lady Wang who had just had miscarriage. He and Ling Jinghan had plenty at home.


    ¡°Hmm, and I¡¯d like to see if there are any sets of silver needles or other medical tools.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan said with his foot entering the threshold. Because of the plague, Ping¡¯an Hall made its name, and their business was blooming. Even though today was not a market day, there were still a lot of customers coming and going. And the shopkeeper was making a diagnosis for people together with another old doctor, in high spirits.


    ¡°Sir, would you like some medicine or¡­you¡­Boss¡­Boss¡­it¡¯s that magical doctor¡­¡±


    After the waiter who went forward to serve Ling Jingxuan saw him, his tongue got knotted, then looked over at the shopkeeper sitting aside both surprisingly and nervously. Thanks to his yelling, now everyone set their eyes on them. Today although they both wore new clothes, with an eye, one could tell it was made of the worst cotton cloth. But, one was tall and handsome, while the other was slim and delicate. The former looked unruly, while the latter looked poised. The shabby clothes didn¡¯t spoil a little bit of their unique temperament.


    Seeing this, Yan Shengrui turned to look at Ling Jingxuan while picking his eyebrow, like he was saying ¡®magical doctor, please give me convenience in the future¡¯! Ling Jingxuan gave him a helpless smile. If possible, who would want that kind of hypocritical title? The bigger one¡¯s name was, the heavier responsibilities on the shoulder. He didn¡¯t want to exhaust himself. Besides, for now, he didn¡¯t have that ambition to save the world.


    ¡°Magical doctor! It¡¯s really you! Great! Finally I met you again! You know what, after you left that day¡­¡±


    After freezing there for a bit, the shopkeeper who was sitting there making diagnosis for the patients reacted what was happening. He rushed before him with both excitement and surprise told him the whole story after they left. Finally he again stressed that Magistrate Hu was looking for him, if he had time, he should go to the yamen. To those common civilians, it was heaven-like glory to get appreciation from the magistrate, but¡­


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan refused without even thinking. The shopkeeper who gave it mouth couldn¡¯t help taking a gasp, eyes wide open staring at him like looking at a monster. Why is this guy so obstinate?


    He was not the only who got shocked, also those waiters and guests there. The only one who had no reaction about it was Yan Shengrui who was standing next to him. From the beginning, in his eyes was Ling Jingxuan only. To him, whatever reply he gave, he wouldn¡¯t feel surprised a bit, because, his Jingxuan is so special as always, right?

 Chapter 119

    ¡°You don¡¯t do business?¡±


    Seeing him freezing there, Ling Jingxuan cast a cold glance at him. Of course he¡¯d go to see the magistrate, but not now. About his medical skills thing, he didn¡¯t want so many people to know. Instead of being begged to save people, he¡¯d rather an undisturbed busy life.


    ¡°Ah? Yeah, sure¡­¡±


    Coming to his sense, the shopkeeper hurriedly dropped the confusion in his head, cleared his throat and then put on a smile, ¡°Sir, would you like¡­Ahem¡­what medicine do you want?¡±


    At first, he meant to ask him whether he wanted to see a doctor or get some medicine, but as he thought that even the plague could be prescribed by him, the shopkeeper switched his question resolutely and stiffly. His medical skills would be much high. How could he ever need him to make a diagnosis for him?


    ¡°Do you have any donkey-hide gelatin? Cloves, aconite, lime, pepper, tortoise bone, deer antler, golden dog kidney, each for twenty-five gram, snakeskin, purple flower, dodder, each for five gram, and musk, two gram.¡±


    A series of medicine names came out from his mouth so naturally, everyone in the shop dropped their jaws. After quite a while, the shopkeeper said with cold sweat all over, ¡°We got everything you want, only no donkey-hide gelatin. I guess you don¡¯t know. That¡¯s very precious, exclusive to the imperial family. And only the head of the imperial hospital knows how to make it.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Picking his eyebrow, that was out of his expectations. He planned to buy some for his mother¡¯s nutrition, but now he was told only those women of the imperial family had the privilege to use it. Such hush hierarchy! Never mind. After going home, he¡¯d spend some time to cook some for his mother, just had no idea whether there was a place to buy the raw material-donkey hide.


    ¡°Please prepare the medicine I want. By the way, do you have silver needles for sale?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan asked as he walked to the counter with Yan Shengrui. And the shopkeeper followed aside respectfully, ¡°Yeah, but the price is a bit high, and the quality is not so good. If you got a friend in the prefecture, maybe you can ask him to buy you some from there.¡±


    Silver needles were divided into a lot of kinds. For a small place like here, it was already hard to scrape a whole set together, of course the quality couldn¡¯t be guaranteed.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK. Show me.¡±


    Finding a chair to sit down, Ling Jingxuan said so casually, the quality of the silver needles would not affect the acupuncture, it only depended on the doctor¡¯s own medical skills.


    ¡°OK, childe, just a moment.¡±


    Hearing that, the shopkeeper turned into the backyard, after quite a while, he came back holding a cowhide bag. Ling Jingxuan took it over and gently opened it, inside of which was a long line of silver needles of different length, over twenty in total. The thinnest one was like human hair, and the shortest one was only more than ten mm. Each was giving off cold silver light. He pulled one out and checked it carefully, then nodded with satisfaction, ¡°Hmm, not bad. I want it. Do you have any other medical devices?¡±


    This set of needles were not so good, but fortunately all were made of silver, much better than those commonly used stainless steel needles. He remembered that in his previous life, in order to get a set of silver needles, he specially went to a famous craftsman in a mountain in the west, and it spent him a huge fortune to buy it. Really good things are hard to get even if you have money.


    ¡°Medical devices?¡±


    The shopkeeper was confused. Except gold and silver needles, are there any other medical devices?


    ¡°Forget about that. Is the medicine all prepared?¡±


    His reaction had given him the answer. Ling Jingxuan also no longer struggled on that. He put away the silver needles and was ready to go. As for things like scalpels, maybe he could only have them specially customized, just in case. What if some day someone in the family could only survive from a surgery? No scalpels would add a lot of trouble. So he¡¯d better make preparations in advance.


    ¡°Yes, all prepared. What¡¯s your name, if I may ask? To tell you the truth, the magistrate thinks highly of your medical skills, and has been looking for you. Before he left the town, he told me that if I ever see you again, I should invite you to go to town¡­¡±


    Taking over the medicine package the worker handed to him, the shopkeeper still wouldn¡¯t give up persuading him. Before Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t give him the chance to finish his words. He raised a hand to stop him, ¡°Tell the magistrate for me, my medical skills are just average, not worth his praise. I just happened to recognize that kind of plague the other day. Oh, how much?¡±


    He¡¯d invite trouble in only if he got mad. In an era where the common people totally had no human right, once people heard about his superb medical skills, endless trouble would come after.


    ¡°Ten taels of silver. At least tell me your surname, maybe?¡±


    Looking at the man who was standing by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s side silently cowardly, the shopkeeper asked gingerly.


    ¡°Not necessary.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan took out a ten-tael silver ingot and threw it to him, then took the medicine wrap and turned to leave with Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Childe¡­¡±


    The shopkeeper still wouldn¡¯t give up and chased out, but they only left him the butt of that tall carriage. Watching the carriage move farther and farther away, he heaved a long sigh. Having contacted with him for two times, he could feel that the magical doctor was a man hard to get along. He just didn¡¯t understand, is there any doctor why doesn¡¯t want his name to be known to all so he could save more people? Why did he look so not interested, even kind of disgusted about it?


    ¡°Musk, dodder, antler, clove¡­ Jingxuan, you want to make that kind of medicine, don¡¯t you?¡±


    After sitting steadily inside the carriage, Yan Shengrui looked at him thoughtfully, holding his own chin. His amorous eyes were full of excitement and curiosity. Those things are used to make aphrodisiac? Is it possible his Jingxuan already can¡¯t wait???


    ¡°What are you thinking about? Don¡¯t worry, it will never be used on you.¡±


    With an eye, Ling Jingxuan could tell what he was thinking. He rolled his eyes helplessly. It was true he was trying to make aphrodisiac, but not use it on himself. He was not that ¡®thirsty¡¯. Besides, who said the prescription of aphrodisiac could only be used to make aphrodisiac? Nothing is absolute, especially medicine. Using the same prescription, if using different procedures, one could make different medicine. Some might save people, while some might be deadly poison.


    ¡°Er¡­what if you let me dream a little longer?¡±


    As soon as the dream was shattered, Yan Shengrui glared at him with anger. He knew there wouldn¡¯t be such a good thing. After he kissed his cheek last time accidentally, there hadn¡¯t been any progress now. How could there be such a great leap? Alas¡­Wondering when I can kill him again?

 Chapter 120

    The grand prince who was also a general now had downgraded to a level only wanting to kiss someone else. If that sovereign person in the impartial city knew this, he¡¯d get so mad and might even implicate the nine generations of his family! Of course, he himself was also among the nine generations¡­


    ¡°Big brother, brother Rui, what are you talking about? What medicine?¡±


    With that pair of curious eyes looking at them, Ling Jingpeng curiously asked. On this kind of thing, he was still too na?ve.


    ¡°Nothing, you don¡¯t need to know.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t interested to be his sex enlightenment teacher. As they talked, the carriage stopped at the gate of Xinyuan Restaurant. This time, the three of them all got off, while Song Gengniu was still responsible to watch outside. It was almost noon, and the restaurant reached its peak hour. People kept coming and going, with the waiters¡¯ yo-heave-ho heard from time to time.


    ¡°Brother Ling, you are here? Please come upstairs.¡±


    Seeing them from a distance, Shopkeeper Zhang warmly walked to welcome them, took them upstairs while asking the waiter to serve some tea and pastries, and also inform those people he had found for Ling Jingxuan.


    Xinyuan Restaurant had a total of three stories. The ground floor belonged to mass consumption. Though the desks and chairs looked grand and luxurious, it was still too tacky. The second floor were all boxes, specially prepared for those rich childes who liked parading their wealth or put emphasis on privacy. Shopkeeper Zhang directly took them to the third floor¡¯s most luxurious VIP room.


    ¡°Brother Zhang, would we disturb you?¡±


    As they all sat down, Ling Jingxuan said so politely. Though today was not some big day, the business was not bad. Besides, it was almost noon, as the shopkeeper, he should be quite busy.


    ¡°No, it won¡¯t take too much time. I knew you¡¯d come today, so as I came back, I contacted the heads of that few construction teams. They¡¯ll be here soon. You know, they are all pretty good. You can see all of them. as for which team you¡¯d choose, it¡¯s up to you.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, thank you then. To tell you the truth, today I bought some people from Guarantor Liu today. I meant to build part of it, and slowly complete it. But now it¡¯s not enough. So I am thinking, anyhow I¡¯ll build it sooner or later, why not finish it at a time? If they are all not bad, then I¡¯ll hire them all. Each team is responsible for one part, which will make it faster.¡±


    Actually he had already made up his mind in the carriage. Seen from now, the biggest project should be the main house and the walls. The main house was for them to live in. Needless to say, it should be the best. Actually before he went out this morning, he had already done with the architectural drawing. He meant to hand it to any team who could do it. As for the walls, it had not much technical content, just covered large areas. He planned to build walls from Yuehua ditch on the east to the foot of Xiaogong Mountain, in case his unbelievable family came to disturb him again. As for the back, there was no need for the walls. Nothing would be safer than the natural barrier Yuehua Mountain. Those uncivilized villagers might not know. How could he not know? Those beast deep mountains wouldn¡¯t come down, in case there was some kind of horrible disasters or what.


    The most important thing is, he had the Crescent Spring in hand, so he was not afraid even if those beasts came down. According to his observation and confirmation recently, The Crescent Spring not only worked on the growing of plants, but also was attractive to animals. Take the two wolflings. They¡¯d howl at him every time they saw him. Only when he went to feed them water, they not only stayed quiet, but also wagged their tails at him, like they had brains! Sometimes, he even couldn¡¯t help thinking if he kept feeding them the spring water, would they be able to understand human language or what?


    Ahem, ahem, ahem¡­well, gone sidetrack too far, the conclusion is there¡¯s no need to build walls on the back.


    ¡°It sounds like a big project. It¡¯s just as well. The house is going to last a lifetime, so you should spend more money to make it bigger.¡±


    Originally he thought he was just building a tile-roofed house with a few rooms. Seen from now, he did not see him wrong. This guy had great ambition!


    ¡°Hehe¡­you know, I bought over two hundred mu of land today, so I am thinking why not directly build a manor? I can build houses in the front, and raise fish, build a factory and plant fruit trees. I can produce and market all by myself. Isn¡¯t it pretty convenient?¡±


    Smiling, Ling Jingxuan said so as he had an eye contact with Yan Shengrui. As for the specific details, he¡¯d explain it explicitly when the construction teams came.


    ¡°You guy..¡±


    Dang~Dang~


    Never thought he¡¯d buy so much land at a time, the shopkeeper couldn¡¯t help smiling. Before he could finish his words, there came a knock at the door, and the smile on their faces was gone. As Shopkeeper Zhang answered, the door was pushed open from outside. Five rough men in different heights came in with all smiles. Shopkeeper Zhang hurriedly welcomed them to sit, then said as he pointed to Ling Jingxuan, ¡°This is Childe Ling Jingxuan from Ling village. He wants to build a house. As for the specific requirements, he¡¯d explain it to you.¡±


    ¡°Childe Ling.¡±


    The five men all cupped their hands at him at the same time. Someone even Shopkeeper Zhang was so polite to, of course they should show respect.


    Ling Jingxuan nodded at each other them, smiling, then felt out the drawing he had been prepared and unwrapped it on the table, ¡°I guess brother Zhang should have simply told you. I know your time is precious, so I will get to the point directly. This is the drawing I drew myself. Except the traditional main house, reversely-set house, appentices, stock barns and other things, I still want to build two houses of this style. And, also build a winding corridor in the center of the newly-dug pond for enjoying the cool and strolling. Can you do it?¡±


    On the drawing was a modern-style that united that kind of traditional three-entry yard. Each part was marked with the materials needed. On both sides of the front yard was marked with garden, roads, and where to build what kind of things. The back yard was very large. Except the planned fruit garden, there were two big blank spaces, one was written with pond, one with factory, symmetric on both sides. The winding corridor he asked for was in the center of the pond, linking all those things together. Unlike those common bridge and water below, it was purely a winding corridor, only with an octagonal pavilion in the middle. After seeing the drawing, the five people all had question marks in their head. If you said it¡¯s luxurious, the yards were kind of simple. But if you said it¡¯s simple, no matter its style or materials of the main house, it was new and luxurious. And there were even places they couldn¡¯t understand.

 Chapter 121

    ¡°Childe Ling, what is this?¡±


    After reviewing the drawings over and over, one of them pointed to the gaps between the walls of the main house and asked puzzlingly. Having built houses all his life, he had never seen a two-story structure like this.


    Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes to cast a light glance at them, ¡°This is the heating plan I designed myself. Between walls it¡¯s all double-layer hollow inside, connecting the kitchen and the heated brick bed. When they are used, the heat would get transferred to all the other rooms through the interlayers inside the walls. There¡¯s a moveable board at the mouth of the access of each kitchen. And in summer, I can put them down to block he heat.¡±


    In this era, there was no central heating, it was not enough to rely on the heated brick bed to keep warm. They couldn¡¯t just stay in bed the whole winter, right? Although they could burn charcoals to keep warm, it had smoke anyhow, which was bad for health. So thinking it back and forth, he worked out this plan, which was similar to the heating system in the north of Hua Kingdom in twenty-first century, but a lot simpler, after all, the conditions here were limited.


    ¡°Here should be the toilet, right? And what is this?¡±


    Another person pointed to one of the things he couldn¡¯t understand and asked. Ling Jingxuan patiently explained, ¡°That¡¯s closestool, which needs a stonemason to make. You only need to help me with the flush.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan stretched out a finger to point at the drainage system he marked. There was no sewer in ancient buildings at all. A specially-assigned person would be responsible for the night excrement. Winder would be endurable, but in summer, meh! You could imagine the smell. After thinking it carefully, uniting what he knew in his precious life, he worked out such a plan. Actually it was quite simple. Each toilet had a squatting pot and a sitting pot. And down below was designed into a slope, and outside was the manure pit, and he would build a small impounding reservoir inside. Each time, one could scoop some water to flush. Though it was not kind of awesome idea, at least they didn¡¯t have to carry out the chamber pot everyday.


    ¡°It¡¯s a new and convenient idea, if you can trust me, I Sun Peng would like to have a try.¡±


    The one who first asked him questions cupped his hands, saying that he¡¯d like to take it. The rest four looked at each other, and expressed their opinions. Though seen from the drawings, Ling Jingxuan had high requirements of the main house, they all wanted to try something new. And, if they took such a huge project, the pay would be considerable.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you hear me out first. You know, I¡¯m in a hurry to move in. So if I hire only one of you, you can¡¯t finish it in two or three months. So I am thinking if you can work together. Each is responsible for one part, to shorten the time limit. The main house would be hard to build, so two teams could work on it together. And one team is responsible for the barns, houses for the servants, and paving, one team for the winding corridor and the factories, and the last team is responsible for all the walls. It¡¯s 230 mu of land, from left to right, all the land needs two-meter high walls. And I want crocks for the capping of the walls, in case of thieves. What do you think?¡±


    Raising a hand to stop them, Ling Jingxuan slowly said his thoughts his eyes swept over all of them. The main house occupied about a thousand square meters at most, as for the rest, he planned to build a factory, an orchard and a pond. He planned to leave the pond to the workers who came for land clearing to dig. As for the orchard, he¡¯d leave it there for now. He¡¯d build it some day. But the factory needed to be build first, since he needed to make jam there. The main problem now was the overall frame. If five teams worked together, maybe within a month?


    ¡°You means you want us to build walls for all the 230 mu of land?¡±


    Hearing the words, they all dropped their jaws. They had thought it was over a dozen mu at most, never expected¡­Who is this man? Since when Datong town got such a rich man?


    ¡°Hmm. Can you do it or not?¡±


    Apparently not wanting to explain more, Ling Jingxuan asked with a deep voice. He only wanted a result.


    ¡°No problem, but we need to do an on-the-spot survey first. I wonder when it is convenient for you.¡±


    The five of them gave each other a look. Then Su Peng who gave self-introduction just now asked. Only after that, they could make a plan and give the rough completion date.


    ¡°In fact, I have already hired people for the land reclamation tomorrow. So I hope the day after tomorrow, the team responsible for building the walls could start. I will prepare all the bricks and crocks needed. As for other projects, I hope you can start as soon as possible. As I said, I am in a hurry to move in, so you can bring more people. The total budget is five hundred taels of silver. And I you can accomplish it within a month, I¡¯d add another one hundred. As for the materials, my younger brother Ling Jingpeng will be in charge. So, go to him for whatever you need.¡±


    The price was very considerable, six hundred taels of silver a month. Even if the five teams shared it equally, each team could get over a hundred taels of silver. Except the money used to pay the workers, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem to earn dozens of taels. Five of them nodded, actually feeling ecstatic in the heart. Ling Jingxuan smiled with satisfaction, ¡°Then please come for the on-the-spot survey tomorrow. The one-hundred band note is the deposit. And when it¡¯s half completed, I will pay two hundred more. As for the rest, I¡¯ll pay it all after it¡¯s all completed. What do you think?¡±


    Pushing that bank note before them, Ling Jingxuan said so. In fact, he not only paid them a good price, he also planned to provide lunch for all the workers. The food he had bought was for this. Only to stuff those workers¡¯ belly, they¡¯d have the strength to work for him, right? Anyhow, it wouldn¡¯t cost him much.


    ¡°Ok. Childe Ling is such a straightforward person. We got nothing to say. After measuring the land tomorrow, our construction teams would come successively. You can count on us.¡±

 Chapter 122

    On behalf of everyone to accept the bank note, Su Peng patted on his own chest, and others all nodded spontaneously.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°See you!¡±


    After seeing them off, Ling Jingpeng, who had been staying there, jaws dropped, exclaimed in the first place, ¡°Ge, why would you build such a huge house? And when did you draw it?¡±


    Only heaven knows how shocked he was when he saw it, not only because of the special but beautiful buildings on the drawing, but more because of his huge plan! He had thought that his elder brother would build a big house with three yards at most, dig a pond, and plant fruit trees on the rest of the land, but¡­Only the workers needed five hundred taels of silver! How much would it cost to finish the whole project?


    No, he couldn¡¯t think of it. Only by thinking of it, he felt his heart aching. At this moment, he finally felt how his stingy nephew felt. His big brother really didn¡¯t know how to live a life. Who would squander money like that not long after earning some? No wonder Xiaowei always kept nagging him.


    ¡°Haha, a big house has its advantaged. In the future, you can Jinghan still need to get married, then the kids. When the kids grow up, they¡¯d sleep alone. I¡¯m afraid there wouldn¡¯t be enough rooms then. Besides, except the main house, it¡¯s all rooms for the servants, the warehouse and factories. Although it looks useless now, you¡¯d understand next year. Those houses are quite necessary.¡±


    With only one look, Ling Jingxuan knew what he was thinking. He smiled faintly and took over the teacup Yan Shengrui handed him. Did he really think he only wanted to plant things when he said he wanted to buy the half-alkaline land? He got a lot of plans. At this time next year, maybe they¡¯d wallow in money already, and he could also satisfy his craving for being a moneybag in ancient times.


    ¡°Jingpeng, your elder brother is not an ordinary person. It wouldn¡¯t go wrong if you listen to him. But Jingxuan, isn¡¯t it a bit dull to build a winding corridor on such a huge pond?¡±


    It was not that he wasn¡¯t feeling shocked by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s house-building plan, but Shopkeeper Zhang was much easier to accept it than Ling Jingpeng. He stretched out a hand to pat on Ling Jingpeng¡¯s shoulder, while casting his eyes at Ling Jingxuan. Seen from the drawings, the winding corridor shouldn¡¯t be simply an aisle. The octagonal pavilion in the middle was the best proof. But he had ever said the fish he raised in the pond were used to sell, not some koi fish for appreciation. So what¡¯s the use to build a pavilion?


    ¡°Hehe¡­I was going to trouble you for something. I plan to plant all fruit tree around the pond, and duck coop in the back, I wanna raise hundreds of them. As for the pond, except fish, I also plan to plant lotus root, when the lotuses bloom, isn¡¯t it the best scenery? As for the fry and seeds, I need to bother you to get them for me.¡±


    As if he had expected he¡¯d ask so, Ling Jingxuan calmly smiled. Lotuses could be used to appreciate, the seedpod and roots were eatable, and if they couldn¡¯t eat them all, the rest could sell for money, anyhow, it was an income, right? That was whole five-mu pond. It should be enough to cover the tuition. Heihei¡­Since he would spend so much on the manor, anyhow, he¡¯d try to earn it back, right? Otherwise, his little bun would nag him all day.


    ¡°Haha¡­I know you¡¯d have your plan. All right. I will help you inquire about it. Lotus seeds are easy, but the fry, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s kind of hard. You know, few people rise fish here. They can only transport some from a very far place. Forget about the high cost, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯d have pretty low survival rate.¡±


    As Shopkeeper Zhang said so, his expression became dignified. He was really worried about him. On hearing that, Ling Jingxuan also withdrew the smile. After a while, he raised his head, ¡°Never mind. Just try to get them for me. Or maybe I¡¯ll try to buy fish in the nearby towns. When next year, the pond would be pack, and there¡¯d be enough fry then.¡±


    With the crescent spring in hand, he didn¡¯t believe no fish would come to his pond. He could draw the water from the crescent spring into his pond, and then the fish would swim in in droves. Of course, that was his last choice. If possible, he didn¡¯t want others to suspect things. Although they couldn¡¯t see his crescent spring, they could see fish. So he¡¯d better stay low-key.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a solution, though it¡¯s a little troublesome cost longer time.¡±


    Nodding approvingly, Shopkeeper Zhang said helplessly. After all he was the shopkeeper of such a big restaurant, and his words weighed in Datong town. But if it was out of the town, he couldn¡¯t help him then.


    ¡°Hmm. Eat some food before you go back. I¡¯ll ask the kitchen to make some specialties here.¡±


    Standing up, Shopkeeper Zhang tried to keep them for food. Ling Jingxuan was a good guy. After a few times¡¯ contact, he already took him as a close friend.


    ¡°Maybe next time. To be honest, a lot of things at home are bothering me these days. And I am worried about my parents and the kids.¡±


    ¡°All right. Then I¡¯ll ask them to prepare a few packs of pastries for the kids.¡±


    ¡°Thank you then, brother Zhang.¡±


    Since he said it was for the kids, Ling Jingxuan had no reason to refuse. After they left the restaurant, it was half an hour later. The carriage ran all the way after going out of the town. The three in the carriage talks and laughed now and then. For future, it seemed they grew some more confidence. It was just they never expected to see that kind of scene when arriving at home.

 Chapter 123

    ¡°What the hell are you? What makes you think you are worthy to propose? Go back to tell surname Ling! My Jingxuan is already not in the family tree of old Ling family! And you have no right to control him! Yeah, Jingxuan can give birth to children and he has a bad reputation, so what? What¡¯s the business with you? Get out of here! I said, get out of here!¡±


    ¡°Oh, come on, you are just Ling Jingxuan¡¯s mother¡¯s mom, not his father¡¯s mom. You have no right to made the decision for him! Ling Jingxuan got pregnant at fifteen. All people in the nearby villages know his bad reputation! It is his blessing that the grandnephew of the old chief¡¯s wife would like to marry him. You really can¡¯t tell good from bad.¡±


    ¡°His blessing? When our Jingxuan was like a fool, why didn¡¯t you ever think of marrying him? Now he got recovered and becomes smart, and you saw that he went to buy land and livestock early in the morning, so you came to propose. The son of old Su family is a fool who can¡¯t even take care of himself. How could you have the face to denounce our Jingxuan? Aren¡¯t you afraid that your new-born son would have no asshole?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? Huh? What are you talking about? What is wrong with the son of the old Su family? Isn¡¯t he just a little clumsier than others? Ling Jingxuan isn¡¯t good either! Just a monster who looks neither like a woman nor a man! He should already feel lucky that someone would marry him¡­¡±


    On an open land out of the gate of Ling family was crowded with a lot of people. In the middle, an old woman about fifty or sixty years old was having a fierce battle of tongue with a middle-aged woman who was dressed gorgeously. Behind the old woman stood Ling Chenglong with his face sunk and Ling Jinghan who kept silent, and two little bun standing next to them wearing an angry face. On the middle-aged woman was quite lively¡ªa few rough men carrying all pots and jars. From their arguing, one could tell they were here to propose¡ªto Ling Jingxuan.


    The carriage stopped outside the crowd, and their conversation came into the ears of Ling Jingxuan and others inside. The three of them had different expressions. Ling Jingxuan looked cold, like it had nothing to do with him. Yan Shengrui frowned, with killing feeling flashing in the eyes, like he would be prepared for a huge fight already. And Ling Jingxuan, feeling angry, observed the two of them gingerly. They never expected that before they started their project, they already met such a scene!


    ¡°Three masters, you see¡­¡±


    It was all people in the front, and their carriage couldn¡¯t pass through at all. Song Gengniu looked inside and said so embarrassed¡­


    ¡°Come on! I¡¯d like to see who wants to marry my wife¡­¡±


    Hiding that rascal-like side to Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui carried him domineeringly and jumped off the carriage. Maybe because his momentum was too overwhelming, when those people noticed their presence, they all made way for them, soon a passable way appeared. Yan Shengrui who was holding Ling Jingxuan strode forward, behind them was Ling Jingpeng who already wore that expression and that new carriage.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, you are back. Who is that man? Looks like his son¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah, he bought a carriage! Since when Ling Jingxuan made a fortune?¡±


    ¡°Bah! A pair of adulterers! They just hug each other under the daylight without even getting married! So humiliating!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, a bitch is a bitch! He already knows to seduce men when he was only a teenager! And not long after he got recovered, he again hooked up with a man¡­¡±


    The appearing of the male lead undoubtedly attracted those onlookers¡¯ gossiping. But as they saw he was held in another man¡¯s arms, a lot of women couldn¡¯t help cursing out loud, like Ling Jingxuan was insulting them. For those people who were either surprised, or jealous or angry, Ling Jingxuan just ignored it all. Yan Shengrui tried to stand out for him, but he knew it was useless to reason with those people. So he also ignored them.


    ¡°Wow, isn¡¯t it Childe Ling Ling Jingxuan! Finally you are back. I¡­¡±


    In the center of the crowed, that middle-aged woman who was having a hot quarrel with the old woman turned back and moved forward to greet him, with that big and fleshy waist twisting. But Ling Jingxuan threw him an eye as cold as it could freeze people, she instantly froze where he was. Yan Shengrui who was standing aside took a look at those men holding all kinds of pots and jars, a killing feeling instantly surged in the heart. The momentum having accumulated from all years¡¯ fight on the battlefield was not those ordinary people could take. Those men¡¯s body were shaking reflectively, and were all at the edge of wetting their pants.


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    Seeing them, the little buns who were nestling on the side of Ling Jinghan ran over, holding Ling Jingxuan¡¯s legs on both sides.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Be good. Why don¡¯t take a noon nap?¡±


    Ignoring the surrounding dense gaze from those women, Ling Jingxuan squatted down and respectively kneaded their heads, did not put the current situation in the eyes at all. To the old Ling family, he even dare to fight back, let alone a bunch of outsiders? He just didn¡¯t have the mood to deal with them.


    ¡°They are quarreling outside. How can we fall asleep? Daddy, today, you¡­Forget it. We¡¯ll talk about it inside. You tell her, we have our father. We don¡¯t need a new father. Let them leave.¡±

 Chapter 124

    Ling Wen pointed to the middle-aged woman with a darkened face, he had said to them many times, they just didn¡¯t listen, just insisted on making a proposal to daddy. And they said they¡¯d find them a new father who would be good to them. Seriously? They already had a father. Why would they need a new one?


    ¡°Daddy, I don¡¯t like them either. They quarreled with grandma, grandma even cried just now¡­¡±


    Ling Wu pouted to complain. The most egregious thing was that they also said to let the new father to discipline him. Even his daddy never did that, who are they?


    ¡°Really? Then I can¡¯t just ignore it.¡±


    Picking his eyebrow, Ling Jingxuan touched their heads and stood up, and the tenderness on the face disappeared in an instant. That pair of beautiful eyes swept over the crowned. When he those jars and pots, a cold smile was bloomed at the corner of the mouth. So are those the betrothal presents? They just tried to make the proposal with those junks?


    ¡°You¡­ adulterers¡­¡±


    The middle-aged woman who froze there for a long while pointed at them with a trembling finger, and her words totally got Yan Shengrui infuriated. If it hadn¡¯t been it was a woman, he had already threw a slap in her face.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even have a husband, how can I have an adulterer?¡±


    She was shaking with fear and still dare to shout abuse at him? Ling Jingxuan even lost the mood to teach them a lesson. He bent down to carry up Ling Wu and Ling Wen. Before he left, he said to Yan Shengrui faintly, ¡°I¡¯ll leave it to you. Do it neatly. I don¡¯t wanna see them again.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    With a murderous nodding, Yan Shengrui suddenly stepped forward, his tall and strong body gave people kind of strong pressure. That middle-aged woman sat on the ground, looking at him cowardly, ¡°You¡­what do you want?¡±


    ¡°To kill you¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Looking down at her, Yan Shengrui said coldly, but her pig-slaughtering like screams already sounded. Those onlookers quietly took backwards, but Yan Shengrui hadn¡¯t done anything yet!


    ¡°No matter who you made the proposal for. Grab those garbage and get lost! Jingxuan was already my wife five years ago. I won¡¯t want such a thing to happen again, otherwise¡­¡±


    Yan Shengrui did not say the rest of the words, but just glanced at them in a murderous way. The woman could not stand any more fright and fainted as she rolled her eyes. The men carrying the betrothed gifts did not dare to hesitate any more, nor did they care about the difference between men and women. Carrying that middle-aged woman, they all ran away.


    ¡°And if anyone of you ever dares to bully my wife or what, I¡¯ll kill his whole family! Get lost!¡±


    The incident did not end there. Yan Shengrui raised his head and looked coldly at the onlookers, his handsome face full of anger.


    ¡°Oh no¡­¡±


    They were all country people. How would they have ever seen such a mad man who would kill people so casually before? They all gasped and took a few steps back, and then¡­all turned to run away like hell, like they got mad dogs chasing after, even faster than a rabbit.


    ¡°Shengrui, impressive.¡±


    When it was only their own family left at the gate, Ling Jingxuan gave his thumbs-up to Yan Shengrui. Not far away, Ling Jinghan who was leaning on the gate wore a gloomy face. As for Ling Chenglong and that old woman, they already went in with Ling Jingxuan and the two little buns.


    ¡°Gengniu, we did not buy you back as a decoration, tell your wife and children, don¡¯t show any mercy on those people. If you accidentally kill any, I¡¯ll take the responsibility.¡±


    Ignoring Ling Jingpeng, Yan Shengrui was still very unhappy. As long as he thought that someone was coveting his wife, he couldn¡¯t help wanting to kill people.


    ¡°Yes, Master Sheng.¡±


    Song Gengniu respectfully replied. Having not seen his wife and kids, he also felt upset. Something so huge happened to the master¡¯s family, where were they? Were they even the master¡¯s servants?


    Inside, Ling Jingxuan took the two little buns to the room where Lady Wang was resting. Lady Yang and Song Shuiling were being with her. Song Shuisheng stood by the door holding Xiaohu. As they came in, Song Shuiehng hurriedly pulled his little brother to bow to them.¡±


    ¡°My lady, my Lord, master Xuan, little masters.¡±


    ¡°Well, problem solved outside. Go and help your father move things in.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan did not blaming them for hiding in. He asked them to do things and then took the little bun to go inside. As Lady Song and his son heard them, they already stood obediently aside. Ling Jingxuan raised a hand to gesture them to go out. Then he put down the little buns and went over to feel the impulse for Lady Wang. After making sure she was all right, he said slowly, ¡°Mom, I heard you cried again. Why got mad with those unworthy people?¡±


    They could make a proposal as they wanted? They wish! Today, even without Yan Shengrui, he could never accept such a ridiculous proposal! Just a bunch of clowns!


    ¡°How can I not get mad? Just after you left this morning, people of old Ling family came, trying to pull your dad to serve the ill old man. Your dad is dull, if it hadn¡¯t been Jinghan who tried to stop him and your grandma who happened to came, he would have already gone. Finally we sent them away, that matchmaker came, saying to find you a good family. But who doesn¡¯t know the grandnephew of the old chief¡¯s wife is a fool? I heard he even beats his parents. And they still have the face to say it is for your good. Woo~¡±


    Thinking he had known everything, Old Lady Wang told him everything. Before she finished her words, she started to sob again. Ling Jingxuan looked her silently, with a cold feeling only he himself what it meant under his eyes. Though he had asked Ling Jinghan to watch his dad, in case people of old Ling family came again, he didn¡¯t expect they really came. Do they really think he could do nothing and is afraid of them since he did much cry and little wool yesterday?


    The old chief¡¯s wife was so funny. So old and she still tried to add some trouble. Isn¡¯t she afraid of karma? All in all, he was not heartless enough. Since so, he¡¯d make preparations later. Anyhow, he got nothing to do today.

 Chapter 125

    ¡°Why are you crying again? You are already a grandma of the kids. Aren¡¯t afraid they may laugh at you? You had a miscarriage at such an age, plus your health condition isn¡¯t so good, now you are crying so hard. What if you got some kind of chronic disease? Jinhua, now Jingxuan¡¯s finally gets better, and you move out. Don¡¯t think of that heartless family again. Nourish your body and take care of the kids, which is most important.¡±


    The old woman walked over, sat at the bedside and said so as she held her daughter¡¯s hand. When she heard that her daughter and son-in-law had a condition, she stayed up the whole night. Before dawn, she already got up and hurried over from the next-door village. She felt like someone was cutting her heart, and couldn¡¯t help complaining about regretting to marry her daughter into this family! The only good thing was that Jingxuan and Jinghand both got recovered. Especially Jingxuan, it seemed his days were getting much better, and it was good to have a grandson-in-law now. It was just that he was too kind and well-behaved.


    ¡°Mom, I know, but I¡­¡±


    How could he not understand it? The problem is, she just couldn¡¯t help it. They were such bullies.


    ¡°All right, mom. What grandma said is right. You are still in confinement. You can¡¯t cry like that. You can rest assured. Now Jinghan is getting better and better. When he gets a title, see who dares to bully us again! Besides, we got Shengrui now. And the wound on his head is almost healed. And when he is totally fine, he could beat ten at a time!¡±


    To ease Lady Wang¡¯s mind, Ling Jingxuan spoke as easily as possible.


    How would the little buns be absent at such a case?


    ¡°Grandma, father is really impressive. Don¡¯t worry. He will beat all those bad people away. And I am also learning martial arts head. When I grow up, I will protect you.¡±


    The small bun squeezed over to the bedside and promised to her while patting on his little chest. The big bun Ling Wen also added, ¡°Grandma, daddy said right. Don¡¯t cry. Have a good rest. After you get recovered, I will go to town to buy you a pair of silver earings, bling bling, very pretty.¡±


    Ling Wen¡¯s usual tricks to coax people showed up again, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling. A smile also crawled onto the face of the old lady and Lady Wang. Whether he was only comforting them or what, at least, he had the heart, right?


    ¡°OK, I¡¯ll listen to you. I won¡¯t cry. I still want to live till the day you two get married!¡±


    After a while, Lady Wang wiped away her tears and the cloud over her head finally got dispersed. The father and two sons breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing this, the old woman also nodded with satisfaction. That was what she wanted to see. Such a life was worth expecting.


    ¡°Mom, are you all right?¡±


    Shortly afterwards, Ling Jingpeng entered the room, followed by Ling Linghan and Yan Shengrui. Until now, someone¡¯s face was still pulled as long as down to the ground.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine. I shouldn¡¯t have split hairs. Don¡¯t worry, I will never get mad or what for those irrelevant people.¡±


    After her mother and son and grandson¡¯s comforting, Lady Wang suddenly felt much stronger. Ling Chenglong, who stayed in a corner, also felt much relieved on seeing this. When he turned to look at his sons, undisguised guilt crawled onto his wrinkled face again. It took Jingxuan so much pains to help him live independently, but when he heard the old man was seriously ill, he¡­he felt so sorry to his son.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s the way it is. What those outsiders do or say have nothing to do with us! What we need to do is close the door and live our life. Jingpeng, tell Gengniu¡¯s wife to cook some food. Having been busy outside all day, I¡¯m so starving.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng nodded and went out. On hearing the name Gengniu, Ling Wen who was standing by the bed immediately moved before Ling Jingxuan, with that pair of black eyes staring at him, face sunk. Ling Jingxuan had a twitch of the corner of his mouth, heart skipping a beat, then he turned to look at Yan Shengrui, signaling for help. How did he forget about this?


    ¡°Daddy, you¡­¡±


    ¡°Xiaowen, you got a minute? I have something to say to you.¡±


    Here it comes! As soon as Ling Wen opened his mouth, Ling Jingxuan who played domineering outside shrank his neck. But the next second, Yan Shengrui¡¯s sound was heard. Ling Jingxuan patted on chest dramatically while heaving a sigh of relief. Ling Wen then turned to Yan Shengrui, frowning, ¡°What is it? I have something to talk to daddy first.¡±


    Yes, a lot of words. This morning, Uncle Jingpeng brought people to measure over two hundred mu of land, and he could let it go. But then Uncle Zhao brought some strangers, saying they were servants daddy bought from Guarantor Liu and he nearly lost his temper at the time. The only thing he didn¡¯t but wanted to do was sending them back to town. He knew his daddy always blew money, but he never expected that he even bought some servants. That¡¯s unbearable! This thing is serious! Very serious! He had to talk to daddy immediately!


    ¡°Something very important. Let¡¯s go out first.¡±


    Yan Shengrui picked him up, ignoring whether he agreed or not. Before he left, he still didn¡¯t forget to give Ling Jingxuan a wink, reminding him that he owed him a big one.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    After watching the father and son¡¯s figure disappear in his sight, Ling Jingxuan deeply exhaled a long breath. Everyone on spot couldn¡¯t help chuckling. Who allowed you to buy servants? Why does a village family need servants for? He is asking for it!


    ¡°Be careful, Dad. My elder brother is furious this time, and you¡¯ll be in trouble when he comes back.¡±


    The small bun snickered covering his mouth. Even he thought that his daddy made big mistake. It was true they were rich now, but there was no need to buy servants! They themselves even had no room to stay. Why buy those servants?


    ¡°You little heartless thing. So I was good to you for thing! Go go go¡­ Go out to play. I got things to talk to your second uncle.¡±


    Stretching out a finger to tap his head, Ling Jingxuan pretended to get angry. After throwing Ling Jinghan a look, he stood up and said the old woman, ¡°Grandma, you stay with mom. We¡¯ll talk later.¡±


    ¡°Oh, OK. You can go. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    The old woman was a typical peasant woman like Lady Wang, and loved them very much. Ling Jingxuan smiled and turned to leave with Ling Jinghan.


    On the footpath not far from the Ling¡¯s house, Yan Shengrui and Ling Wen were dragging their long shadows under the sunshine. Ling Wen who was carried out against his own will wore a dark face. He was trying to say something serious to daddy!


    ¡°Xiaowen, are you mad because Jingxuan bought so much land and then bought some servants without letting you know?¡±


    Suddenly, Yan Shengrui who was walking ahead stopped and turned to squat down before him, with that pair of deep peach-blossom-shape eyes looking at him. Ling Wen answered without thinking, ¡°It¡¯s true that I was unhappy when daddy bought so much land. But after daddy explained to me about the return of investment, I thought it through. Though the homestead is not fertile as the dry land, as long as we nourish it for a few years, it could grow grains and other food. So it¡¯s ok to me. But, how could he buy servants? A village family like us, how can we let other serve us? Those outsiders may think we are very rich. Finally our days are getting better! Daddy is too extravagant!¡±

 Chapter 126

    At the thought of all the money his daddy had spent, he could not help feeling all kinds of pain in the flesh, and only wished he could have brought his daddy over to give him a good reprimand.


    ¡°Hehe~ Who told you that a village family could not be served?¡±


    Rubbing his head with a smile, Yan Shengrui pulled him to sit down, then said slowly while looking into the distance, ¡°Xiaowen, I know you are a good kid, and since you often got starved before, so you could care about money so much. But every time, you only saw how your daddy spent the money, but never thought how he earned money. Let me explain to you. First, the medicinal fish, at least over one taels of silver a day, right? And that¡¯s about fifty taels of silver a month. As for the jam, I don¡¯t even need to say. In only about ten days, we sold over two thousand taels of silver. And in the future, it¡¯d only grow more. So what¡¯s wrong to buy land and servants? Compared with the money spent, we could earn several times more than that.¡±


    A general who had led the troops for wars all the year around, even if he had lost his memories, it was not appropriate to be so gentle. But facing his own son, he already tried to be euphemistic as far as he could. But if his son still wouldn¡¯t listen, he could only offer his trump card, because he had promised Jingxuan to persuade the little bun.


    ¡°I know we¡¯ve made a lot of money, and I¡¯m not trying to keep dad from spending it, but we can¡¯t afford to waste it. Why would he buy a bunch of servants when we don¡¯t have a place to live? Father, I have tried so hard to tell myself that I shouldn¡¯t always focus on the money thing. But every time I see him waste money, my heart aches. Yeah, we earned some money now, and we can keep earning more, but¡­but¡­what if some day we run out of money and suffer from hunger and cold again?¡±


    It was absolutely impossible that Yan Shengrui¡¯s words were not useful at all. But the little bun was too scared of a poor life. Till now, he still hadn¡¯t forgotten about those bitter days. At the end of his words, his eyes even turned slightly red, and the hands hanging there tightened. He was really too scared of that kind of days when they even didn¡¯t have food to eat.


    ¡°Silly child, even if someday Jingxuan can¡¯t make more money, you still have me! After I get recovered, I can go hunting in the mountains to support the family. I will never let you stave. Xiaowen, I am not trying to lesson you or what, I only hope you can forget about the past gradually, and forget about the responsibility you impose on yourself. Just be a five-year-old kid.¡±


    Pulling him to sit on his lap, Yan Shengrui touched his face with deep sadness. Ling Wen lowered his head, neither saying yes nor no. Seeing that he should still not give up the idea of nagging Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui sighed helplessly, then his face in his hands and said in a slightly solemn tone, ¡°Xiaowen, as you can see, they are making jam all day. It¡¯s so hot, and they go to the mountains and come back a few times a day, and still need to stay up to make all the fruit into jam, and store it in the basement. Even your uncle Zhao and others can¡¯t take it, let alone your thin daddy. Today Shopkeeper Zhang said they would need more and more jam, and your daddy will get more and more tired. Do you really have the heart to let them tire out themselves?¡±


    ¡°No, no! I don¡¯t want to tire daddy out. Maybe we can sell less jam.¡±


    This time, Ling Wen shook his hand without thinking, like he was anxious to expression his feelings. He¡¯d rather earn less money than tiring out his daddy.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Xiaowen, we have signed the agreement with Shopkeeper Zhang. How can we sell less as we want? During the three month we promised, we have to make as much as they ask for. Or they¡¯d go to yamen to sue us. At that time, your favorite daddy would go to jail and eat the food in there.¡±


    Forcing himself not to be soft-hearted, Yan Shengrui deliberately made it serious.


    ¡°What to do then? Daddy can¡¯t go to jail. But I also don¡¯t want daddy to be too tired. Father, how about we hire some people?¡±


    As expected, the little bun got anxious this time, with his tears dropping, his two little hands grabbed Yan Shengrui¡¯s shoulders, with only worried and anxiousness written on the face, like Ling Jingxuan had already gotten tired out or got taken away by the yamen. Trying to hold his care about his little son, he continued, ¡°Doesn¡¯t hiring people need money? Do you know how much it would cost a day to hire someone? Thirty copper coins a day! And that doesn¡¯t include the food and water. So it¡¯s at least thirty five copper coins a day, and ten would need three hundred and fifty. So about ten taels of silver a month. But it only cost us seven or eight taels of silver to buy a servant. And they can serve us the while life. Let¡¯s talk about Song Gengniu and his whole family we bought today. Five of them, only thirty taels of silver. Only six for each. You think about it. Is it better to hire people or buy people?¡±


    Reasoning with a kid like that, except Ling Jingxuan, maybe only Yan Shengrui would do that. Judging from Ling Wen¡¯s wide opened mouth, he knew he didn¡¯t understand at all, but¡­


    ¡°So, you mean buying people is better than hiring people? But where do you get so much food to support them? And a place to live? We even have no place to live ourselves. Where do they live then?¡±


    After a while, Ling Wen, with tears hanging from the corners of his eyes, tilted his head in bewilderment. But apparently, his resistance about it became much less. Although he couldn¡¯t fully understand Yan Shengrui¡¯s words, he at least grabbed the key point.


    ¡°Hehe¡­aren¡¯t we going to build a big house soon? Still worried you don¡¯t have a place to live? Xiaowen, we know you are a good kid and always try to maintain this family. But this is really not something that needs your concerns. Promise me. Study hard with your younger brother. Don¡¯t worry about the money thing. Leave it to us, OK?¡±


    Finally, he couldn¡¯t take it and said to him tenderly while touching his little face. Deep in his heart, like Ling Jingxuan, he also felt sad and blamed himself in the heart.


    ¡°So¡­we keep them with us?¡±


    Without answering him, the little bun wiped off tears and asked. Yan Shengrui smiled, ¡°Hmm, we keep them.¡±


    ¡°All right. Since even father said it¡¯s better to buy people than hire people, we¡¯ll let their whole family stay.¡±


    Like having made a huge decision, Ling Wen finally agreed. Watching his little adult-like appearances, Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help smiling. Fortunately he cared about Jingxuan, or he really wasn¡¯t sure he could make it.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Then let¡¯s go in. I guess food is ready.¡±


    After the problem was settled, Yan Shengrui held him and stood up. And Ling Wen finally showed a smile. Later, after Ling Jingxuan listened to Yan Shengrui how he persuaded him, he felt so warm in the heart. Although his little bun was a bit stingy and often gave him a headache, between his daddy and money, he chose his daddy! And that was already enough!

 Chapter 127

    While Yan Shengrui was having a ¡®naked chatting¡¯ with his little son, Ling Jingxuan also learned about what had happened in the morning from Ling Jinghan¡¯s mouth. As expected, the old Ling family still tried to ask Ling Chenglong to go back alone, apparently trying to persuade him to join them again. For this, Ling Jingxuan only had a twitch of his mouth. If he guessed it right, it should also be their idea of letting the fool grandnephew of the chief¡¯s wife propose to him. Whether it was their trick or not, he only put the blame on them.


    In the afternoon, after letting Song Tilling sent his grandma home, Ling Jingxuan did not go to fetch the tiles and crocks with Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong, only said he was too tired, and then hid in the basement with Yan Shengrui to work on the medicine they bought today.


    ¡°You should be able to use lightness skills, right? Can you use it now?¡±


    Making poison was as easy eating and drinking water to Ling Jingxuan. Soon, he already finished it all. Then he turned to look at Yan Shengrui who was leaning against the wall with his hands crossed before his chest. That face which had become a bit smoother was stained with a slice of indifferent and solemn feeling. If the old Ling family kept pushing them, then don¡¯t blame his ruthlessness.


    ¡°That depends on what you want me to do. If it¡¯s as simple as climbing over a wall to enter into someone¡¯s room, there wouldn¡¯t be a problem. But it¡¯s things like killing or robbing people, or hunting some beasts, it¡¯d be a little bit difficult for me. Jingxuan, so, what do you want me to do?¡±


    Yan Shengrui said so with a faint smile, with that pair of tiger eyes staring at that little cloth bag with pills inside with interest. If he guessed it right, it would be used on people of old Ling family. He just didn¡¯t know who would have this ¡®honor¡¯.


    ¡°What can I do? Isn¡¯t it just a little ¡®reward¡¯? You need to do this¡­¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan leaned over to whisper in his ear. Yan Shengrui¡¯s eyes were getting brighter as he heard him, finally even he burst into an undisguised raptures. After Ling Jingxuan finished, he held him around the waist, ¡°You are really tough. If this works, that old xiucai would go mad! And the old Ling family will never use family morality to embarrass us.¡±


    Although he said, his eyes were only shaded with naked pampering. Not knowing why, others all liked kind and nice people, only he liked Ling Jingxuan¡¯s being cruel and heartless. The more heartless he was, the more he fell for him, like there was a voice at the bottom of his heart telling that only he could match him.


    ¡°You call that heartless already? Compared to what they have done, I¡¯m already very benevolent.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan made a twitch of his mouth, with a slice of fierceness flashing across his eyes. He was never a person who retuned good for evil. If others bullied him, he¡¯d definitely give it ten times or even a hundred times back. If he couldn¡¯t ruin that whole old Ling family, he¡¯d change his name into Xuan Jingling!


    ¡°Haha¡­ I like your ¡®benevolence¡¯, Jingxuan, after the house is built, let¡¯s get married, OK?¡±


    With a peck on his lips, Yan Shengrui suddenly said so in seriousness. Today¡¯s thing also reminded him that he and Ling Jingxuan were still not real husband and husband, though their sons were nearly five years old. On thinking that some day people could come to propose to his Jingxuan again, he would want to kill all of them.


    ¡°Get married?¡±


    Sword-shaped eyebrow reflectively knitted together, like it was telling Yan Shengrui he didn¡¯t even thought about this question. In the beginning, he was kind of repulsive to him, be it for the original owner of this body or himself, he didn¡¯t plan to accept him at all. Then he stood out for him, which changed his attitude toward him, but not to the degree of letting him accept him. If it hadn¡¯t been those words the little bun said in his dream, they even wouldn¡¯t have become this close now.


    In his view, now that he had promised him, there was no denying the fact that they were lovers, he was not the sort of tsundere and wayward man, and things next developed too smoothly, like they were years¡¯ old couple. Sometimes, only an eye contact, they¡¯d know each other¡¯s thought. Last time when they met Chu Chi, he also subconsciously made plans about how the little buns could become the host of the Prince Mansion. But when it came to getting married, he again became a bit uncertain. From his previous life, he had never thought of getting married. All those years, he had lingered between killing people and saving people. He had seen two strange bedfellows, even couples who tried to each other. A marriage was like a huge joke to him. So he¡¯d rather go for a one night stand when he needed than find a fixed lover, or even step into marriage. After having transmigrated in here, he got two precious sons, and now their sons got their father. Would he really have to accept them all?


    Yan Shengrui was the prince. His present character was definitely not what a prince should have. When he regained his memories one day, would he still keep his original heart? Would they, too, be like those husbands and wives he had seen in his previous life, who only wished to kill each other? Then the saddest ones should be his two little buns.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to get married with me, or you still haven¡¯t accepted me?¡±


    Yan Shengrui was not stupid. His response was too direct. That pair of tiger eyes instantly got infected with sadness, like someone was cutting his heart with a blunt knife. He thought, after that night¡¯s thing, their relationship had been confirmed, and holding a wedding was only a necessary procedure. But seen from now, he was the only who thought it that way. Yeah, Jingxuan had accepted him, but still hadn¡¯t given his heart to him.


    ¡°Huh?¡±

 Chapter 128

    Ling Jingxuan came to his sense, and that pair of phoenix eyes instantly bumped into his injured eyes, frowning. After quite a while, Ling Jingxuan touched his face and said deeply, ¡°We are both men, we don¡¯t have to act like women. So, I will say it openly. Shengrui, have you ever thought why you know so many things others don¡¯t know? Why are you always so arrogant and domineering before others, like no one is worthy even a look for you? People would lose memories because of injuries or medicine, but the inherent courage, abilities and old habits would never disappear. Maybe that is the real you, a man who wouldn¡¯t put anyone in your eyes. To be honest, I like you, not only because of the kids. But the current you is not the real you. If some day you regain your memories, are you sure you will still be like this? You should know what kind of person I am. Once I put too much into a relationship and you choose to leave halfway, whatever reason it is, given my personality, I will definitely chase after you wherever you go. And at that time, the saddest people would be my sons. Shengrui, I promise I¡¯ll get married with you. But I hope it is after you resume your memories. If you still wouldn¡¯t change your heart then, we will get married.¡±


    It was the biggest promise he could make, and he was willing to try to operate a marriage work as long as he wouldn¡¯t change his mind after regaining his memories.


    Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t nod immediately. Some things, even if Ling Jingxuan did not speak out, he also had some doubts in his heart. He knew it was reasonable he was worried, such as his identity. He could feel what he felt No one knew himself better than himself. Today, since he dared say he loves him, he¡¯d love him to the end. He would never leave halfway or what. It was just that his Jingxuan wouldn¡¯t believe him now.


    What would he have to do to let him trust him and fall in love with him with all his heart?


    Raising a hand to touch his face, with his thumb gently rubbing his cheek, with a little love and obsession, thin and sexy lips gently moving, ¡°For you, I can give up the throne, I wouldn¡¯t listen to anyone¡¯s golden saying, I would go to knife mountain and fire sea for you. Jingxuan, remember what I said today. The day I regain my memories is the day we get married. I will tell you with my action that I am a man of my word.¡±


    Domineering and affectionate, overwhelming and touching, only Yan Shengrui could say out such different but nice lover¡¯s prattle.


    ¡°OK!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was lying if he said he was not touched. He could even hear clearly his heart was beating faster. Looking at that pair of eyes which only had him inside, Ling Jingxuan nodded. If he really could do what he said, he could definitely repay him with all he had. The throne? As long he wanted, he¡¯d seize it for even the whole world opposed!


    ¡°I want a stamp¡­¡±


    As his words fell, Yang Shengrui lowered his head and kissed on his lips, with his smooth tongue licking his lips, then used force to pry open his teeth, and made a stir in his mouth. After a second¡¯s stun, Ling Jingxuan held his neck with his hands, and entangled his wet tongue with his. In the basement underground, two people were kissing hard, tried different angles to exchange the sweet body fluid in each other¡¯s mouth. A kiss as the oath, lips as the agreement, they made their eternal love pledge.


    ¡°Daddy¡­daddy¡­father, where are you? I¡¯m Xiaowu¡­¡±


    As it was at clearly the most passionate moment, the small bun¡¯s voice was heard inappropriately. The two of them who were like a blazing fire and dry wood froze there, reluctant to let go of each other. A few hairs were connecting each other¡¯s lips, which added some more ambiguous feeling to the passion who was about to be put out.


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Looking at his ¡®hungry¡¯ look, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling, flattening his clothes which were nearly all taken off, he wiped off the hickeys left on his lips. Pity that they were too devoted, and Yan Shengrui¡¯s kiss was as domineering like himself, his red lips already got slightly swollen. It wouldn¡¯t go down in such a short time.


    ¡°You are still laughing¡­With a few more times of such a condition, I¡¯m gonna have impotence.¡±


    Throwing his a stare dotingly, Yan Shengrui lowered his eyes to look at the high tent between his legs. His precious son really came at the wrong time!


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I can definitely cure you. Trust me. I got superb medical skills, haha!¡±


    Patting on his shoulder, pretending to use a serious tone, Ling Jingxuan already couldn¡¯t hold it after saying those words. He fell on his chest. Yan Shengrui raised a hand and slap in his butt, saying ¡®grumpily¡¯ by his ear, ¡°You ungrateful little thing! Who do I consider it for? If I really got impotent, isn¡¯t it you who¡¯d suffer?¡±


    ¡°Really? Don¡¯t forget I am a doctor. As for how to satisfy myself¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy, father, so you are here. I was looking for you everywhere.¡±


    Their flirtation got interrupted again as the small bun climbed down the stairs. He rushed over to hug them happily. Ling Jingxuan gave Yan Shengrui a nudge and bent over to hold him up, ¡°What? Aren¡¯t you supposed to teach Tiewa martial arts now? Where is Xiaowen? Isn¡¯t he with you?¡±


    ¡°He told us to take some rest, so I came to look for you. Daddy¡­Hmm? What¡¯s wrong with your mouth? Why does it become so red?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    However brazen Ling Jingxuan was, under his na?ve son¡¯s question, Ling Jingxuan still blushed. After quite a while, he looked into his eyes and said grumpily, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just got bitten by a dog.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Speaking of which, he cast a glance at Yan Shengrui meaningfully. Instead of getting mad that he compared him to a dog, the latter smiled more wildly. The small bun looked at both of them, confused. Daddy got bitten by a dog, why father look so happy?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s getting late. You should go. Or you¡¯d miss the best time.¡±


    The three of them climbed out of the basement. Ling Jingxuan who was carrying Ling Wu raised his head to look at the sky. It¡¯d get dark after two hours. And those villagers who were busy in the farm should go home then. And the drama they designed should be on!


    ¡°Hmm, I gotta go.¡±


    Leaning over to leave a kiss on the face of both him and his son, Yan Shengrui already disappeared before their eyes with a flash. The small bun said excitedly, ¡°Father is impressive. Daddy, did you see that? Father is so impressive. He just disappeared with a flash. I want to learn it from father! Daddy, let father teach me, OK?¡±


    ¡°All right, all right, I¡¯ll ask him to teach you from tomorrow morning, OK? Xiaowen, why are you alone? Where is Tiewa?¡±


    Seeing Ling Wen who was walking over with the split vision, Ling Jingxuan immediately walked over. Zhao&Han couple were doing things for them. Of course he should take good care of their son.


    ¡°Aunt Song asked Huzi to send some tea for them. Tiewa went with him. Daddy, what¡¯s wrong with your mouth?¡±


    Under the son, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s slightly swollen lips looked extra obvious. So Ling Wen just asked without thinking. Before he could react, the small bun in his arms already answered it for him, ¡°Daddy got bitten by a dog!¡±


    ¡°Hahaha¡­¡±


    Getting busted by his two sons successively, Ling Jingxuan who was supposed to flush again couldn¡¯t help laughing out loud. The same reason, why does it sound so funny out of the small bun¡¯s mouth?


    Ling Wen and Ling Wu both looked at their daddy strangely. They really could not understand why their daddy could still laugh like that after getting bitten by a dog.

 Chapter 129

    As the sun went down, the whole earth was like being wrapped with a bloody red plumage clothes. People busy in the farming season carried the hoes and went home in twos and threes. Because only in the Lingjiang basin was suitable to plant things, almost all the plantable land was here. So the villagers usually took the same path. And those gossipy women talked about those big things that had happened recently, like the military service thing, like the old xiucai¡¯s second son moved out, and the freshest one that only happened yesterday¡ªthe monster of their village Ling Jingxuan bought land and livestock, and the old lady of the chief entrusted the matchmaker to make a proposal but instead got insulted¡­Everything could be their topic.


    ¡°Hmm¡­Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that noise? Sounds weird!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°There seems to be something behind that. There¡¯s a strange noise¡­¡±


    The villagers had to pass through the threshing-floor if they wanted to go home, as they passed by there, someone with good ears suddenly heard that behind the piled haystacks came some kind of beast¡¯s roar now and then, but also a bit like someone¡¯s groan due to pains. Those timid women hid behind their own man, and some villagers who were bold enough carried their hoes and approached carefully.


    ¡°Ah! Oh¡­¡±


    ¡°Pa~pa~pa~¡­¡±


    Suddenly, a woman¡¯s joyful groan mixed with a bit painful feeling sounded. Those approaching villagers subconsciously all stepped back, and then that body bumping sound mixed with a man and woman¡¯s enjoying sound that most villagers were familiar with sounded again. Now, let alone those women, even those rough men who kept working in the field all the year around couldn¡¯t help blushing. No one expected that someone even dared to have intercourse behind the haystacks.


    ¡°Who is so bold? It¡¯d bring shame to our village!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, look who it is! How could they do something like that in a place like this? What if a girl sees it? Even if they are shameless, there should be a limit¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, come on, let¡¯s see who it is¡­¡±


    After shyness, it was undisguised anger. No one knew who took the lead. A lot of villagers clamored, some were really angry, and some only tried to kick up a fuss. More and more gathered. Under people¡¯s instigation, the few men headmost walked over holding the hoes.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    ¡°Gee¡­This is so humiliating¡­¡±


    The moment they haystacks got pushed over, a man and a woman tangled up got revealed before everyone¡¯s eyes. A slim woman with her clothes messed up was riding on a man, whose smooth and high breasts and two snow-white legs exposed in the air, and the man below was no better, naked, with pair of eyes turning red, two hands holding the woman¡¯s thin wrist, up and down, bumping her body. Though the haystacks already got pushed over, they didn¡¯t mean to stop what they were doing. The woman¡¯s enjoying groans and the man¡¯s heavy breaths got overlapped. A lot of woman turned around, face reddened, while most of those men stared at the woman¡¯s delicate body without even blinking, and the tent between the legs immediately got set up.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Ling Chenghua and Ling Jingwei? Oh my god, that is his aunt! This is so humiliating¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh no! It¡¯s really Ling Chenghua and Ling Jingwei. He is having an affair with his own aunt under the daylight! So shameless¡­If this spreads out, who would dare to marry girls in our village? And who dares to marry their daughter into our village?¡±


    ¡°An adulterer and a slut! This is incest! What a shame! They should be soaked in the pig cage¡­¡±


    ¡°Shameless¡­¡±


    After seeing who it was, the villagers instantly forget what shame was. They pointed at them who were still having intercourse while cursing. Those were acting like they didn¡¯t any of them, the fleshing bumping sound never stopped.


    ¡°Chenghua? Jiangwei! Oh my son¡­¡±


    ¡°Damn it, what are you waiting for¡­Separate them¡­¡±


    ¡°Separate them quickly¡­¡±


    Ling Chengcai who heard of it rushed over. The moment he elbowed in and saw the scene, he got dumbfounded instantly. After quite a while, under Lady Li¡¯s screams, he only came to his sense and jumped over. People of old Ling family hurriedly tried to separate them, but they were like being possessed, holding each other tightly, only kept enjoying it. Those people felt both shameful and angry, only wishing to kill them with a slap!


    ¡°Ah¡­Jingwei, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Have you lost your mind, Chenghua?¡±


    ¡°Jingwei, Chenghua, what¡¯s wrong with you? Wake up¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah~ Ling Chenghua, you shameless bitch. How dare you seduce my man?¡±


    ¡°Ah, help me¡­¡±


    ¡°Ling Jingwei, are you fucking insane? Let go of my wife¡­¡±


    What made them surprised more was, those two who got separated immediately tried to hold anyone they touched. One shamelessly held any man and rubbed on him, while the other would did ¡®piston motion¡¯ whoever¡¯s wife he held. The whole threshing ground fell into a total mess. Screams and deep growls were heard, cursing words never stopped. Today wouldn¡¯t be a quiet day.


    But all these seemed to have nothing to do with Ling Jingxuan and his family. From half the afternoon, all men went to Laowang¡¯s place to pick up the goods they ordered. Not until it was dark that they came back laughing and talking. Of course they also heard about the incest thing. Except Ling Chenglong who kept silent, others all took it as a joke, saying it was karma.


    At night, Ling Jingxuan asked Zhao Dalong and his whole family to stay for dinner, and asked Lady Yang (Song Gengniu¡¯s wife) to bring the clothes and a bolt of deep blue cloth he especially bought for them.


    ¡°Brother Zhao and Han, I¡¯m afraid I still need to trouble you for some time. Today I happened see some suitable clothes and cloth for you in the market. Though it¡¯s only some cheap cotton cloth, I hope you can accept it.¡±


    ¡°No, we can¡¯t take it. Jingxuan, compared with what you did for us, what we do for you is not even worthy mentioning. How can we take things from you? No, you put it away. Now you got more people in the family, and needs money. You keep the clothes to yourself. As for the cloth, ask Mrs. Song to make some clothes for Xiaowen and other kids.¡±


    As always, Han Fei refused him directly. Who doesn¡¯t want new clothes? But yesterday they just took twenty taels of silver from them. How could they take more?


    ¡°Hehe, we all have it. Brother Han, don¡¯t try to refuse me. Hear me first. Today I have already seen Mr. Chu in town. He isn¡¯t a tutor who opens a private school, but he is young and learned. I told him that I¡¯ll bring the kids over. If he finds them suitable, he¡¯d taken them in. And then, Tiewa also needs new clothes. Even if you don¡¯t consider it for yourselves, you should consider it for the kid. Although we are that rich, we shouldn¡¯t let the kids suffer, right? Besides, this is something expensive. Just take it as the rent for Jinghan and others.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan said so with a smile while pressing his hand. Since he already bought it, he¡¯d try to let them take it. Everyone loves money, some is even crazy for it. But in his heart, it could never compare with a true heart. Zhao&Han couple treated him with their heart, he¡¯d like to spend money on them. On the contrary, if it were people of old Ling family, even spending a copper coin on them was like cutting his flesh.


    ¡°What are you talking about? How about this, we¡¯ll take the clothes you bought for Tiewa, but not that bolt of cloth. You keep it for yourselves.¡±


    Han Fei thought for a while and resolutely picked up the two sets of water blue small clothes and pushed back all the others.


    ¡°Brother Han, stop bargaining with me. Or, I will never dare to ask for your help in the future.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan intentionally withdrew that smile. Han Fei and Zhao Dalong both froze there, not knowing what to do. Song Xiaohu and the three little buns looked at them strangely. Then Ling Wen suddenly pulled Tiewa to move forward, ¡°Uncle Han, just take them. That¡¯s my daddy¡¯s heart. If you don¡¯t accept, my daddy couldn¡¯t sleep tonight. What if he wakes up late and can¡¯t take us to see the tutor tomorrow?¡±


    Speaking of the school thing, Han Fei became anxious. In their heart, a tutor had a very high status. Finally their Tiewa had a chance to go to school, they didn¡¯t want to spoil it.


    ¡°Haha, yeah, Uncle Han, we also want to see you wear new clothes. Tomorrow we¡¯ll all wear new clothes to see the tutor in the town. OK?¡±


    Ling Wen rolled his eyes and decisively joined them. Tiewa who was stuffed inside moved his eyes around them, then stretched out a hand to pull Han Fei¡¯s clothes, face blushing, ¡°Daddy, I also want to wear new clothes.¡±


    ¡°You kid! How could you be so ignorant? That¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°All right, Brother Han, don¡¯t scold Tiewa. I still want to take him as my adopted son.¡±


    Han Fei felt awkward. But before he could finish his words, Ling Jingxuan cut in. He held Tiewa up and put him on his thigh, asking while pinching his little face gently, ¡°Tiewa, how about you be my son?¡±


    ¡°OK, OK! Great!¡±


    Before Tiewa responded, the little bun already clapped to agree. The adults couldn¡¯t help laughing, while Tiewa tilted his head to look at his daddy, then whispered with his head lowered, ¡°I can¡¯t be uncle Ling¡¯s son. I am my daddy¡¯s son.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    After hearing him, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help laughing out, while Han Fei and Zhao Dalong looked delighted, their son was small though, he still knew who was the closest to him.


    ¡°Little fool, even if you become my son, you are still your daddy¡¯s son. Then you¡¯d have three daddy to be good to you. Isn¡¯t it good?¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Raising his head with joy, Tiewa asked, eyes glistening. Could he really be both his daddy and uncle Ling¡¯s son? Would daddy be unhappy? Thinking of this, his little head turned to Han Fei and Zhao Dalong, while the two latters nodded with a smile. Then his little face instantly bloomed with a smile, ¡°Forget about what I said just now. I want to be uncle Ling¡¯s son.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Hearing his na?ve words, all people in the room laughed hard. And since then, Ling Jingxuan had one more son. Then, whatever he bought for the two little buns, there would be Tiewa¡¯s share. Even after many many years when Yan Shengrui asked for a title for his sons, he¡¯d also ask for a title for Tiewa. A village kid who grew up in the village became the youngest duke, also became a role model that those students from poor families longed for.

 Chapter 130

    After sending Zhao&Han couple away, Ling Jingxuan arranged Song Gengniu and his family to make a bed on the floor in the central room temporarily. The two little buns had already went away with Zhao&Han couple, and Ling Jinghan and Ling Jinghan stayed, because recently they clearly noticed Ling Chenglong¡¯s silence. They were not fools, they could guess what he was thinking, but no one asked it out. They were waiting, waiting for him to say it himself.


    ¡°Jing¡­Jingxuan, I got something to ask for your opinion.¡±


    Just as Jinghan and Jinghan were about to leave and Ling Jingxuan used the excuse of taking a walk with Yan Shengrui to help digestion after dinner to see them off, Ling Chenglong finally couldn¡¯t hold it and stopped them. The three brothers exchanged an eye contact, then sat back, ¡°Dad, what is it? Just say it.¡±


    Under the dim lights, Ling Chenglong obviously did not notice the coldness in his eyes. After looking around them timidly, he stammered, ¡°Here is the thing, Jingxuan. You also heard about your aunt and Jingwei¡¯s thing. So I am thinking your grandpa is still ill, and after this, I¡¯m afraid he can¡¯t take it. So, I want to go check on him. What do you say?¡±


    After all having been a filial son for his whole life, however he was disappointed of that family, he still cared about the old man deep in his heart. But the three brother instantly darkened their face. Yan Shengrui directly wore a sarcastic smile. Jingxuan said right. The reason they always got bullied was not only because that those people were bad, but also because they gave those people the chance.


    ¡°Dad, do you know what it means if you go back now?¡±


    After a while, Ling Jingxuan picked up a faint smile and said so, slender fingers playing with the empty cup in front of him. No one knew what he was thinking. It seemed that Ling Chenglong did not notice that his voice became a little colder than before. He raised his head reflectively, ¡°What does it mean? I just want to go back to check on your grandpa. No other thoughts.¡±


    ¡°Daddy, why haven¡¯t you still changed? Heavenly knows how mad they are now. Aren¡¯t you offering yourself to them if you go now? And about grandpa, he has already known my second elder brother has recovered, plus my big brother¡¯s series of doings today. Even the old chief starts to set his eyes on my big brother. Don¡¯t you understand? If you go home now, they¡¯ll try every mean to let you move back!¡±


    Ling Jingpeng was the first who couldn¡¯t take it and opposed. Then Ling Jinghan who was sitting next to him said deeply, ¡°Dad, I have no objection that you care about grandpa, after all you are his son. But we just divided up the family and moved out, and they thought this is the best timing to persuade you to move back. If you go back now, I¡¯m afraid we¡¯ll go back to the old days again.¡±


    With his dad¡¯s honest and foolishly filial temperament, this may one hundred percent thing.


    ¡°How is that impossible? Finally we moved out. How would I be that stupid to move back?¡±


    Dissatisfied with his son¡¯s accusation, Ling Chenglong retorted, but¡­


    ¡°What if grandpa and grandma threat you with their lives?¡±


    Ling Jinghan¡¯s eyes suddenly became stern. Ling Chenglong instantly got stoned there, apparently stuck by his question, but also indirectly gave them the answer.


    ¡°Dad, if you insist going back, I won¡¯t stop you. But before you go, please write down the divorce paper and a statement renouncing us as father and sons.¡±


    Ignoring his father¡¯s stunness, Ling Jingxuan stood up and said so coldly. That side face under the candle light was infected with undisguised seriousness. He could understand his doing, but did not approve of it. He could never let his mother and two younger brothers go back to that wolf den again. Actually Ling Chenglong was not a bad person, or you could say he was a good father, but just too stupid and silly. If you didn¡¯t use some tough means on him, only heaven knows when they¡¯d get set up again without themselves knowing.


    ¡°Jingxuan¡­¡±


    Ling Chenglong had a cold shiver, eyes wide open staring at him with huge pains. This was the first time his big son was so rude to him.


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m on big brother¡¯s side this time. If you still care about them, you can go back yourself.¡±


    ¡°Me too, dad, I will never want to see those people again.¡±


    Like having sensed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s intention, Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng stood up and walked to their side, deliberately not looking at their sad dad. If he kept on being like this, they also couldn¡¯t help him. Being filial to parents is a must thing. If some day the old Ling family divided up, and the two old couple had some changes, they had no objections if their dad means to send them something or what, but definitely not now. They would never go back to that family again.


    After all, the honest man chose his sons and wife. They said right. If his parents really threatened him with their lives, maybe he¡¯d really agree to move back. So, he¡¯d better not seek trouble for himself.  Actually he still remembered the scene his wife lay in a pool of blood, and how they treated them before.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, dad. After we move out, it means we cut off any relations from them. Even if the old man dies some day, you don¡¯t need to wear mourning dress for him. Dad, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to fulfill your filial duty. If the old man is good, I have no objections however good you are to him. But what they did really make us disappointed. And now Ling Chenghua and Ling Jingwei did that kind of thing. I guess they are like rats crossing the street everyone hates now. If you go now, isn¡¯t like drawing fire against ourselves? And, this winter, Jinghan will join the examination. If they know we have connections with that kind of family, what would people thinking o Jinghan?¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan helplessly made a sigh, trying to persuade him while holding his hands. It¡¯s true he is a good dad who really cares about them, but just a little too stupidly filial.


    ¡°Ay, I thought it too simply. I promise I will never think of that again.¡±


    Hearing that it might do harm to his sons, Ling Chenglong became more determined. Three brother took a look at each other, feeling relieved in the heart. They feared of nothing but their dad being soft-hearted.


    ¡°Dad, sleep early. I¡¯m gonna see them out.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you guys also sleep early. You still need to take the kids to town. Don¡¯t be late.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Chenglong walked out. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, then sent Jinghan and Jingpeng out together with Yan Shengrui.¡± Now there were not enough room. They and the little buns needed to live at Zhao&Han couple¡¯s place before the new big house was built.


    ¡°Ge, was it you about the thing between Ling Chenghua and Ling Chenglong?¡±


    Under the dim moonlight, Ling Jinghan who was walking behind with Jingpeng suddenly stopped to ask. When he heard about them talking about it, his intuition told him it was his big brother. How could it be so coincidental? In the morning people from old Ling family just came to make a scene, at dusk, Ling Chenghua and Ling Jingwei did that thing¡ªincest! Now the old Ling family should be in chaos now.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Who knows? Maybe one is too lone having stayed single for so long, while the other just got a peaceful divorce. So they hooked up.¡±


    Stopped his steps, Ling Jingxuan turned to look at them with a smile. Even if it was him, so what? Doesn¡¯t the old Ling family think the family morality is the most important? Then he¡¯d destroy the thing they cared about most. He¡¯d like to see the old man and that unreasonable old woman would put on that drama five years again and throw out their most spoiled little daughter. And Ling Jingwei! Didn¡¯t Ling Chengcai just pay to exempt his military service? How could he stay in the village after his reputation got totally ruined? This was only the beginning. They¡¯d better not provoke him ever again if they were wise enough, otherwise, he couldn¡¯t guarantee whether Ling Chenghua would crawl onto her own dad¡¯s bed.


    Ling Jinghan did not speak, but only looking at his big brother with that pair of deep eyes. After quite a while, he stepped forward again.


    ¡°Whether it was you or not, I only want to say, good job!¡±


    His deliberately lowered voice was mixed with schadenfreude. Ling Jingxuan grinned. He knew his second younger brother was not that easy to fool.


    ¡°Ge, I think you did a perfect job!¡±


    Ling Jingpeng was even unabashedly happier, the brothers are just the same. The three brother were all not pushovers. Ling Jingxuan turned to look at Yan Shengrui, shrugged his shoulders while twitching the mouth. Compared with his honest and wooden dad, his two little brothers are so cute, right?¡±


    ¡°So we¡¯re family, isn¡¯t there an old saying that Birds of the same kind live together?¡±


    Smiling, Yan Shengrui lowered his head to talk in whispers by his ear while holding his shoulder. Maybe that was not bad. At least his Jingxuan doesn¡¯t need to worry about them so much, right?


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled without saying anything, reached out his hand to hold his. The two of them walked behind his two younger brothers. Not until they sent them to Zhao&Han couple¡¯s place did they go back.


    On the side, the whole house of the old Ling family got upside down. Ling Jingwei and Ling Chenghua who got knocked out woke up successfully. They still had no idea what had happened. Not until the old woman¡¯s cursing words and Lady Li¡¯s complaining tearfully came into their ears did they realize what they had done. Both were stoned there. No matter what the old woman or other said or did, they totally had no response.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ You two shameless things! Jinghong, go get the village head and the old chief here. I will open the ancestral hall and punish them.¡±


    The old man lying in bed came out under Ling Jinghong¡¯s support. And his dull eyes suddenly became fierce. They were a scholar¡¯s family! How would they tolerate any offspring that brought shame to the family? Even not his most loved daughter. Especially that they had intercourse in the wilderness, and it was incest!


    ¡°No, my lord, how can you be so hard-hearted? Chenghua is our only daughter. It must be that Jingwei the bastard forced her. Chenghua is a weak girl. How could she fight a big man? My lord, Chenghua is also the sufferer. You can¡¯t throw her out.¡±


    Hearing that, the old lady held Ling Chenghua and started to cry, with that pair of eyes like stained with poison staring at Ling Jingwei who was sitting there dully. She had never thought he would be so heartless that he even raped his own aunt! How would her daughter go out in the future?


    Ling Jingxuan has a sentence really said right, his own children only hurt, when the accident, the old lady jumped up and down, to pull him to sink the pond, now turn to his daughter, treatment decisive is not the same.


    ¡°Mom, how can you say that? No one knows what has happened between them. How can you already jump to the conclusion? Maybe Chenghua seduced Jingwei first! Already twenty years old, she still hasn¡¯t been married. Maybe she feels too lonely. Not long ago, she still tried to seduce Ling Jingxuan¡¯s woman under so many pairs of eyes.¡±


    For his son, Ling Chengcai immediately jumped out and retorted. He was not so weak and useless like Ling Chenglong. He would never see his mom splash dirty water onto his son and let them throw his son out without doing anything. At The most scenario was he divided up the family like Chenglong and they lived alone, and no one should disturb each other.


    ¡°Oh, big brother, look what you are saying. Chenghua is still a virgin anyhow. How could she ever seduce her own nephew? I think, it might be like what mom just said. Jingwei forced Chenghua. He has ever done such things before. Otherwise how would my second brother and his wife would ask to divide up the family ignoring our parents¡¯ objection?¡±


    When the first son¡¯s family got into trouble, the third son and his wife should be the happiest. Lady Jiang who had been suppressed all those years couldn¡¯t help saying so with sarcasm. While sucking up to the old lady, she also reminded of everyone what Ling Jingwei had ever done.


    Sure enough, the next second, the look of the old lady undoubtedly became colder. The way she looked at Ling Jingwei was like she¡¯d skin him. If it hadn¡¯t been him, how would her second son move out? If they didn¡¯t move out, how would the old lord get so badly ill? And now, she would never believe it if someone told him it was not him who led the incest!


    ¡°Shut up, Lady Jiang! We all don¡¯t know what has happened, but now the whole village already heart of this, and we are still having an internal fight here. Don¡¯t forget. The ruined reputation will directly you first. You should know Jingren and Xiaoying both haven¡¯t gotten married!¡±


    Kneeling on the ground, Lady Li suddenly stood up and pointed at Ling Jiang¡¯s nose, shouting back. One had to admit that among the three daughters-in-law of the old xiucai, Lady Li should be the fiercest one. You would understand judging from Lady Jiang¡¯s instantly shut mouth.


    ¡°Dad, mom, things have happened. We¡¯d better listen to what Jingwei and Chenghua say. Even if they deserve the family punishment, we should make clear of the whole story.¡±


    After solving Lady Jiang, Lady Li knelt down again, trying to persuade the old couple. She thought this thing wouldn¡¯t be so simple, but she also couldn¡¯t figure out what was wrong, or maybe after the two of them told them what had happened, there¡¯d be a clue?


    ¡°Grandpa, my mom said right. At least we should give them a chance to explain, right? You also don¡¯t want to let the thing that has ever happened to my second uncle happen on them again, right?¡±


    Silently standing behind the old man, Ling Jinghong helplessly looked at his younger brother and parents, and finally made his voice. If possible, he wouldn¡¯t step in. He was brought up by his grandparents. When Jingwei was not born, Lady Li still often played with him. Since Jingwei was born, she put all her thoughts on him, only said some caring words in a few days, so did his father. As a result, his younger sister-in-law also was not familiar with him. People only knew he was the biggest grandson of the biggest son in the family. But no one knew he was like transparent in that family. He had no bonds with them at all. In his eyes, they were even no better that his second uncle and his wife who often stuffed food in his hands, and Jingxuan and Jinghan who often took him to the river to play water with them.


    What he said undoubtedly touched the old man, Ling Qiyun¡¯s eyes moved, and he did not refute, signaling that he approved of it. Seeing this, the old lady who was holding her little daughter pinched her in the wrist, trying to tip her daughter to get the drop on, but¡­


    ¡°It was him! He dragged me into the haystacks! Mom, he is a monster¡­¡±


    Ling Chenghua suddenly screamed while pointing at Ling Jingwei who was still sitting there like a stone. The whole family was surprised, only Ling Jingwei didn¡¯t say a word to defend himself. Nearly everyone believed what Ling Chenghua said. The old lady now got angrier and tried to beat Ling Jingwei. Lady Jing, of course, tried her best to protect her son. In an instant, the whole family got into a mess. No one had expected that Ling Chenghua¡¯s doing the old lady reminded her of had already let them miss the only chance to know about the truth.

 Chapter 131

    The next morning, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui got up early. After regular exercise, one pulled the handcart to Yuehua Ditch to catch fish, while the other took the two little bun and Xiaohu to practice martial arts in the yard. As for cooking and cleaning, it was all left to Song Gengniu¡¯s family. In the simple yard, one could hear the kids¡¯ innocent and hearty smile.


    After someone from the restaurant fetched the fish, Guarantor Liu brought thirty workers here in person. Everyone was strong, dark-skinned, one could tell Guarantor Liu really put a lot of thoughts on this. Although after they saw Ling Jingxuan¡¯s house, they had about one second¡¯s doubt, it was gone soon. Ling Jingpeng and Jinghan took the job of arranging work for the workers-they brought them to open up wasteland.


    ¡°Godfather, godfather¡­¡±


    After the carriage was parked, Tiewa who wore his new clothes ran into the yard happily, with Han Fei and Zhao Dalong who also wore clean clothes following behind nervously. Seeing their companion, the two little buns moved forward to welcome them, the three of them held each other¡¯s hands and made circles there with great joys.


    ¡°Hehe¡­be careful. Don¡¯t get your clothes dirty.¡±


    Looking at them, Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head. Do they need to be so happy for going to school? Still a bunch of kiddos.


    ¡°Jingxuan, how do we look? Is it possible Mr. Chu wouldn¡¯t like our Tiewa?¡±


    Since the village head and the old xiucai kept making trouble for them before, Han Fei had trust issues about scholars. Now finally they got a chance to send Tiewa to town for school, he was really afraid he himself might ruin such a rare opportunity. Bays of being parents! For the kid, he was nearly not like the usual him now!


    ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous, Mr. Chu is a very nice man, not much older than we are, and he also has a son, I heard he is nine years old, also a handsome young man.¡±


    Noticing that they were so nervous that their bodies even went stiff, Ling Jingxuan tried to comfort them. If they kept it that way, he was afraid that they¡¯d directly pass out when they saw Chu Ci.


    ¡°Oh? Really? That¡¯s good, that¡¯s good¡­¡±


    But Rome is not built in a day! The couple¡¯s nervousness wasn¡¯t eased much only by a few words of Ling Jingxuan. Early in the morning, without doing any farm work or what, they even got their clothes wetted, from which one could tell how nervous they were.


    ¡°Then I will go to town with them. When those workers come, you make the arrangements. I also told Jinghan and Jingpeng to let the workers dig a ditch around the edge. If possible, let the team responsible for building walls come too, and they all start their job from tomorrow at latest.¡±


    Knowing that they could not calm down for a moment, Ling Jingxuan stopped his futile work trying to comfort them but turned to Yan Shengrui and said so. So many things got together. So they could only act separately.


    ¡°Hmm, I know what to do. Be careful. Come back early.¡±


    Lifting his hand, Yan Shengrui brushed a lock of hair on his face behind his ear.


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan turned to Lady Yang and her daughter who were standing aside, ¡°Mrs. Song, it¡¯d be a hard work. Remember giving them water. And stew the big bones I asked Shuisheng to buy this morning, and make steamed buns and send them over at noon. We should let them have enough food. Shuiling, help your mom. Make the schoolbags when you have time.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master Xuan!¡±


    The mother and daughter respectfully bent over, after a day¡¯s adaptation yesterday, today, they already accepted everything. Although this family was a bit poor, the master was good to them. Though that approachable to let them eat with them on one table, their food was the same with the master¡¯s. And the master¡¯s parents and two younger brothers were also good to them, especially the two little masters, they nearly took Xiaohu was their own elder brother, let alone Ling Jingxuan was their savior. The only one they feared of should be Master Yan. Not knowing why, they always felt that he had some kind of unapproachable feeling. Every time they saw him, they had some kind of untold fear.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    After making clear of everything at home, Ling Jingxuan nodded at Yan Shengrui, then signaled the few excited kids to go with him. Song Gengniu and his son also followed up, since from now non, he¡¯d be responsible for sending them to school and picking them up after school. Besides, Xiaohu was the two little buns¡¯ pageboy, of course they should go with them. As for Song Shuisheng, holding a giant carp in his hand, a jar of jam in the chest, was responsible for carrying things. And those things were all the gifts for Chu Ci.


    ¡°Father, we gotta go.¡±


    Before he got on the carriage, Ling Wen made a bow at Yan Shengrui. As the small bun and Tiewawho were about to climb onto the carriage saw this, they also hurriedly slipped down and did the same. Yan Shengrui touched their heads one by one and said with a smile, ¡°Off you go. I hope you are also so well-behaved when you see the tutor. Remember your daddy¡¯s words, don¡¯t run about when you go there.¡±


    ¡°Yes, father.¡±


    With another bow, Ling Wen and his two younger brothers climbed into the carriage. After watching them leave, Yan Shengrui turned into the courtyard.


    Since the way from Ling Jingxuan¡¯s place to the village was narrow and bumpy, the carriage drove not fast. So when passing through the village, even sitting in, they could hear people¡¯s gossiping. But the different thing was, they who had changed their ¡®handgun¡¯ for ¡®cannon¡¯ were no longer monsters in the villagers¡¯ eyes. Someone even had undisguised jealousy in the eyes.


    ¡°Xiaowen, I am thinking that maybe we could mend a road from our home to the village. Or maybe directly build a road to the market at the entrance of the village? Given such bumpy road, however thick the mattress is, I¡¯m afraid you still can take it since you have to go this way twice every day. And if it rains, the wheels might get stuck in the mud, and you may be late for school. There is a saying, ¡®if you want to get rich, build a road first. Our business is getting bigger and bigger, how could there be no big road?¡±


    Out of the village, the road immediately became flat, the carriage also had its normal speed. Ling Jingxuan looked at his sons, trying to organize his words, only afraid his little son would say would waste money again. He should only have himself to blame since he spent so much money yesterday. If it hadn¡¯t been Yan Shengrui, he¡¯d get nagged to death.


    Strangely enough, this time the little bun did not speak at once. Instead, he gave him a deep look and gritted his teeth like it was cutting his flesh, ¡°As for things about money, you can decide. You don¡¯t need to talk with me. As for the road, build it if you want.¡±


    One could tell it should have taken him a lot to make this decision of giving out the financial power. Ling Jingxuan froze there, but instantly smiled. He held him up and put him on his thigh, ¡°Hmm, daddy listens to you. Trust me, Xiaowen. I am not that kind of unreliable person. If it does no good, I wouldn¡¯t spend the money. Daddy promises you, I wouldn¡¯t spend a copper coin if not necessary.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s the way it should be. Daddy, I don¡¯t quite understand what you said, but we should as much as we could.¡±


    Seizing the opportunity, Ling Wen started his nagging again. But this time Ling Jingxuan had no complains in the heart, but hurriedly said, ¡°What you said is right, daddy will try to save money.¡±


    And then the daddy and son reacted. The son was disciplining him like a little adult, while the daddy echoed like a son. Even through the whole world, there was no such daddy-son relationship.


    ¡°Daddy, what kind of person is Mr. Chu? Is it possible he wouldn¡¯t like me?¡±


    Seeing his daddy had been holding his elder brother, Ling Wu who had enough of playing with Tiewa climbed onto his other thigh, while Tiewa was also looking at them with craving. Because of Ling Wu¡¯s question, Han Fei who suddenly realized that he neglected his son hurriedly held his son up.


    ¡°How is that even possible? Our little bun is so cute, how is it possible Mr. Chu wouldn¡¯t like you? Trust me. He is a nice person. As long as you behave and learn things from him with your heart, he will like you more than I do.¡±


    Fixing his body with a hand, Ling Jingxuan said so with a smile. If his guessing was all right, Yan Shengrui should be Prince Sheng, and Chu Ci and his son were also from the imperial capital, but they escaped out, they¡¯d definitely be good to the little buns. Maybe someday they still needed him to help them. Those who grew up in the imperial family wouldn¡¯t be some average people. Even Chu Ci was not so learned as Shopkeeper Zhang described, he should be so stupid to give such a great opportunity to suck up to Shengrui.


    ¡°Haha, that¡¯s great, that¡¯s great! Daddy, what does Mr. Chu look like? As good-looking as you?¡±


    Grinning, Ling Wu asked with interest. To all unknown things, he always had numerous why. Ling Jingxuan cast a glance at Zhao&Han couple and Ling Wen and Tiewa who were also listening carefully, saying with a smile, ¡°Mr. Chu is much better-looking than me. But Xiaowen, we can¡¯t judge a person through his appearance. Some may look a bit ugly, but they have a good heart, while some may look good, but have a black heart. We should see people with our heart, not only the eyes.¡±


    ¡°I know, I know, daddy, I know what you mean, like that fierce woman who ame to our house to make trouble, she is very good-looking, but her heart is black, my grandpa is not good-looking, but he is good for us. Right?¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words fell, the small bun already picked up the conversation. He even gave examples! Ling Jingxuan, even Zhao&Han couple couldn¡¯t help laughing out loud. Isn¡¯t it right? But, if Ling Chenglong knew that his grandson said he is not good-looking, he¡¯d be sad, right? Fortunately Ling Jingxuan and his two brothers resembled Lady Wang. If they resembled Ling Chenglong, one could imagine how the small bun would say about their appearances.


    ¡°This kid is so smart. In the future, he may be the zhuangyuan (lit. ¡°top thesis author¡± the jinshi who ranked first overall nationwide.)¡±


    The interaction between father and son relieved the tense atmosphere in the carriage. Han Fei also finally forgot the fear in the heart, smiled while touching Ling Wu¡¯s head, but the small bun made a frown, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a zhuangyuan, which is my elder brother¡¯s wish, I want to be a general.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Hearing that, three adults longer could no longer hold their laughing. Ling Wu thought they looked him down, so he pouted and swore in the heart that some day, he would be a real general and let them see. Everyone there, including Ling Wu himself, never expected that some day, he not only became a general, but also became a big figure that all those neighboring countries were afraid of.


    Of course, that was a later story. After this, the remaining nervousness was totally gone. The carriage was fast driving on the official road. All they way, the received a lot of jealous eyes. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s entanglement and Zhao&Han couple and the three little buns¡¯ future would all have earthshaking changes from here¡­

 Chapter 132

    As Zhao&Han couple and the kids were nervous as they were about to see the tutor, as the tutor, Chu Ci and his son Chu Yan were also waiting nervously. Although their lives now couldn¡¯t compare with when in the imperial city, it was the happiest two years after they left there. They thought they would live quietly like this for the rest of their life, but unexpectedly, they met Yan Shengrui who lost his memories, which also brought back those forgotten past, and it forced them to face reality.


    Whoa~


    ¡°Master Xuan, here we are.¡±


    Along with the stopping sound of the carriage outside, Chu Ci and his son who specially kept the door closed waiting for them went stiff. Finally, Yan Shengrui came with his sons!


    Knock knock~


    Then the door knocking sound was heard. Chu Yan reflectively had a shake, which also awakened Chu Ci who was having his mind wandering. He took a look at his nervous son, and then tried to wave off those messy thoughts in the head. He elbowed his son with a smile, ¡°Go answer the door. Shengrui has lost his memories. We¡¯ll be fine. We should stay calm.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Under his comfort, Chu Yan also slowly calmed down, nodding and he went to answer the door, soon, Ling Jingxuan, holding the two little buns in each hand followed behind Chu Ci and came in, Zhao&Han couple also followed closely behind, then with Song Shuisheng with things in his hands and the shy Song Xiaohu behind.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    When he saw the appearance of the two children, Chu Ci pointed at them, eyes wide open. Even though he had been prepared for this, he still felt a huge wave rising in his heart. So much alike! They resembled the little Yan Shengrui totally! No one would suspect whether they were his sons.


    ¡°Good morning, Mr. Chu.¡±


    Already expecting him to have such reaction, Ling Jingxuan smiled and nodded at him. The two little buns looked up at their daddy, both let go of his hand and took a step forward, ¡°Good morning, Mr. Chu!¡±


    No one knew whether they had learnt it from. They nearly cupped their hands while bending over at Chu Ci at the same pace, a total school boy look.


    ¡°Huh? Good, good, come and let me take a look.¡±


    Coming back to his sense, Chu Ci waved a hand to signal them to go over. The two little buns were also bold enough. They didn¡¯t show a slice of shyness but directly walked before him. Chu Ci touched them with a nearly trembling hand. After quite a while, he said with a hoarse voice, ¡°What¡¯s your name? How old are you? Did you ever learn something before?¡±


    They are really Shengrui¡¯s sons! Never expected the legendary prince general would have sons! As long as he could teach them well, Shengrui would owe him. Even if he made the same mistake and couldn¡¯t escape from the set fate, at least he could keep his Yan¡¯s life.


    ¡°Sir, my name is Ling Wen, the elder brother, he is Ling Wu. We are both nearly five. Not long ago, our daddy taught us the three-character primer, and something called multiplication table. Our father taught us a lot of characters. And we both learned hard.¡±


    After making a bow, Ling Wen said clearly, while Ling Wu aside kept nodding approvingly. The two buns looked exactly the same, but with totally different characters, really easy to mix up.


    ¡°Good. But don¡¯t call me sir. I am not a real tutor actually. You can call me uncle Chu then. Don¡¯t you have another companion?¡±


    The kids¡¯ sensibility undoubtedly subdued Chu Ci¡¯s heart. He touched them dotingly, and finally moved his eyes to the kid behind them.


    ¡°Quick, Tiewa, greet the tutor.¡±


    Seeing this, Han Fei who was stoned there holding the kid hurriedly put him down, urged the shy Tiewa. Hiding away the cute side in the carriage, this little guy just wouldn¡¯t let go of his daddy. You could imagine how tense Zhao&Han couple was at the moment, only afraid that the tutor refused to accept him for his not being well-mannered enough.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, Tiewa. Uncle Chu is not a good-looking man with a dark heart. Come on, he is as good as daddy!¡±


    Two little buns walked over, held his hand on both sides and brought him before Chu Ci.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, I don¡¯t eat people, tell me, what is your name, and how old are you?¡±


    Seeing the kid was so nervous, Chu Ci withdrew his usual coldness, and asked so with a gentle tone. Maybe because of this, Tiewa gave the two little buns a look, after receiving their silent encouragement, he said in a low voice while crossing his finger, ¡°Tutor, my name is Zhao Tiesheng. They all call me Tiewa. I am five years old, and I also learned the three-character primer with them. But I am not as smart as them, I learned not so well¡­¡±


    Although the sound was as small as a mosquito buzzing, he still clearly answered the question of Chu Ci, and Zhao&Han couple also felt much relieved. They were really afraid that he would stay silent like that time when he saw the old xiucai, and they could only take him back.


    ¡°Hmm, good, like Xiaowen and his younger brother, just call me uncle Chu. Come on, let me introduce you. He is Chu Yan, nine years old, my son. You can call him brother Yan.¡±


    Chu Ci nodded with satisfaction, and pulled his son over to introduce them. Then the three little buns said, ¡°Hi, brother Yan!¡±


    ¡°Hi.¡±


    When talking, Chu Yan¡¯s eyes always firmly locked the two buns. They are his cousins! But judging from their appearances, they wouldn¡¯t be so arrogant like his other cousins, right?


    ¡°Yan¡¯er, take them in and teach them the three-character primer. I will come soon after.¡±

 Chapter 133

    ¡°Yes, father.¡±


    Young though, Chu Ci was from the imperial family, from his head to his toes was with that kind of nobility and gracefulness. Every movement of his showed the good education he received. The three little buns looked back at their own parents, after getting their permission, they followed Chu Yan to the backyard. Xiaohu who was standing behind Ling Jingxuan also went with them. Hiding away the tenderness just now, Chu Ci stood up and said to Ling Jingxuan blandly, ¡°I¡¯ll take them in. From now on, they come at eight forty-five in the morning and leave at six fifteen in the afternoon. I don¡¯t like others wasting my time. I hope you can stick on punctuality.¡±


    ¡°No problem, but Mr. Chu, the kids used to take a nap at noon, I hope you can let them keep this habit, take two minutes to let them take a break every day, this is my jam and medicinal fish I raise my self, as the greeting gifts. I hope you can accept them. As for the payment, what is your requirement if I may ask?¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan signaled Song Shuisheng to put the things on the counter beside. Taking a nap at noon would do a lot of good. If possible, he didn¡¯t want the kids to drop the habit. Only reading was useless. Combining exertion and rest could yield twice the result with half the effort.


    ¡°Forget about the tuition. I am not a professional tutor. And I don¡¯t lack of that little money. I like the three kids. So within my abilities, I will teach them with all my heart. As for your requirements, I agree.¡±


    Glancing at those things on the counter, he was still indifferent. Even though he knew that the man in front of him had a close relationship with Shengrui, he did not intend to curry favor with him. Born in the imperial family, he had his dignity and pride.


    ¡°The tuition is a must. If Mr. Chu does not accept it, we will take the children back.¡±


    Who is Ling Jingxuan? Is he that kind of person who covets little advantages? Today if he owed Chu Ci, someday he¡¯d have to pay back with bigger price. He was not that stupid to put Yan Shengrui in a dilemma.


    Once again learning the other side¡¯s sharpness, Chu Cu darkened his eyes and said to the others with a serious tone, ¡°Excuse me, can you leave us alone? I got some words to talk to Childe Ling alone.¡±


    The seemingly polite and gentle words were mixed with some kind of ordering feeling. That kind of unique nature for someone who had been in a high potion for so many years, even though he had already tried hard to hide it, it still got revealed without himself noticing. The Zhao&Han couple looked at Ling Jingxuan perplexedly, and left only after he nodded.


    ¡°What would you like to say, Mr. Chu?¡±


    Casually finding a chair to sit down, Ling Jingxuan crossed his legs leisurely looking at him. He wouldn¡¯t lay the cards on the table now, would he?


    ¡°You are smart, so I won¡¯t beat around the bush with you. Do you know Shengrui¡¯s real identity?¡±


    Chu Ci sat down on the opposite side of him. The previous coldness disappeared without any trace, and his body was vaguely surrounded by a sharp breath instead. Ling Jingxuan raised his eyebrows and put his lips together, ¡°Why don¡¯t you keep denying it? You should know that before Shengrui regains his memories, only by denying is could you keep you and your son safe, right? At least, you wouldn¡¯t remind him of his sleeping memories and let him remember who he is ahead of time.¡±


    Now that the other side had made it clear, Ling Jingxuan also stopped pretending. His words clearly told him that he not only knew who Yan Shengrui was, but also knew their background.


    ¡°I know you won¡¯t tell him, Ling Jingxuan, some things are not simple as you thought. People of imperial family are not someone you could watch stealthily. I don¡¯t know why you got two five years old kids with Shengrui, but if I guess it right, before he lost his memories, he had no idea of the kids¡¯ presence, right? So, instead of worrying about us, you should worry about yourself first. Shengrui is not a man who could play with.¡±


    Chu Ci was also not a fuel-efficient lamp. Without Yan Shengrui there, he didn¡¯t feel nervous or what at all. He stayed so calm facing Ling Jingxuan¡¯s fierceness, and perfectly interpreted the unique courage of noble people. If Ling Jingxuan was only a common person, maybe he¡¯d really get scared or what. Pity that he was not the original owner, or even someone of this era. In the twenty-first century, he was also a big figure that overrode a lot of people. How would ever get frightened by him?


    ¡°Words back to you, Chu Ci, we both know why you ended up here with the kid, and why you are willing to accept the kids. I have no interest in anything of your imperial family, and I have never wanted to become a member of you. Some things are predestined. Since you can¡¯t escape from it, you can only face it. I hope you can teach the two kids about how to cope with everything of the imperial family and the court, but save those doctrines like ¡®His Majesty asks me to die, and I can only obey the order to die.¡¯ My kids should never work under anyone, even that noblest person!¡±


    No longer concealing his strong aura that outmatched Chu Ci, Ling Jingxuan said with an firm tone, with sharpness reflected under that pair of phoenix thin and long eyes¡­and killing feeling that only Yan Shengrui could match with it¡­Chu Ci froze there, thought one couldn¡¯t see any change from his appearance, in his heart already rose a big wave. What a horrible man! He changed his face instantly! And his momentum is no inferior to Shengrui or anyone from the imperial family! Who on earth is he? How could a common farmer own such boldness and courage? And how could those words come out of his mouth? Does he know His Majesty¡¯s words are bigger than heaven? If someone holding bad intention heard this, he¡¯d lose his head.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ Since Mr. Chu is not willing to accept the tuition, then from now on I will regularly ask someone to send you things I make myself. As for the kids, sorry to trouble you then.¡±


    While he was still stunned, Ling Jingxuan regained his previous indifference and stood up with a smile. Some things, you should stop at where it should. He believed that as smart as Chu Ci was, he should know what do to.


    ¡°Maybe people like you are suitable to that kind of place where people got swallowed without their bones spat out.¡±


    Chu Ci¡¯s voice was mixed with some kind of sobbing feeling, and a little pains, helplessness and grievance. Ling Jingxuan who was about to leave cast a glance at him and said, ¡°No one is born to be suitable to anything. Everyone owns infinite potential. If you want achieve your goal and lives the way you want, you must make yourself strong, strong enough to change the environment around you.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan turned to leave. Only trying to adapt to the environment or reply on others could never make you become strong, let alone lead your own life. If Chu Ci couldn¡¯t understand this point, he could never escape.


    ¡°Change the environment¡­ Ling Jingxuan, If possible, I would like to see with my own eyes how you¡¯d change the environment.


    No one knew how long it had passed, Chu Ci¡¯s cold voice sounded, with that super charming face having a little expectations and a little excitement, but more blankness and uncertainty. As a member of the imperial family, he knew more about the characteristics of the imperial family members than anyone else. He could confirm now that Ling Jingxuan¡¯s appearance would definitely cause a great disturbance to the whole imperial family. The imperial family could never accept someone so wild and arrogant. If¡­if he could still survive in that kind of environment, then he¡­he¡¯d believe what he said today, and would no longer keep escaping. As for how things would develop, he was kind of expecting it. He believed that Yan Shengrui wouldn¡¯t let them wait for too long.

 Chapter 134

    After leaving Qingchen bookshop, Ling Jingxuan went to Xinyuan restaurant to say hello to Shopkeeper Zhang, and bought some meat and vegetables by the way. The butcher sent him a few big bones for free as always. When they went back to the village, the few heads of the construction teams had arrived. Early in the morning, Guarantor Liu brought thirty workers and the quarantine ditches around the edge of his land. After the head responsible for building walls checked the site, he went back to find workers, and prosed to start working at noon the latest. And under Yan Shengrui¡¯s leading, others also checked the part they were responsible for. Although the winding corridor could only be built after the fishpond was dug, they could lay the foundations and build the factory first. As for their thatched cottage they were living in now, since it lay with the back against Yuehua Mountains, in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s preliminary planning, there would be built into a duck shed, so whatever those workers did in the front, it wouldn¡¯t influence their life.


    Such a big move, and it was about the most infamous Ling Jingxuan of the whole village. Those who owned no land and those who were temporarily done with the farm work all came to watch. Some even tried to pick up a talk with Ling Chenglong and his sons, wondering how Ling Jingxuan made such a huge fortune. Pity that Ling Chenglong only smiled there, and Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng were smart enough, they wouldn¡¯t get any word out of them, so they could only gossip aside with jealousy, watching this whole scene in full swing.


    ¡°Dad, how is it possible that son of a bitch bought land without your approval?¡±


    Among the crowd, the village head and his son who also came to watch looked bad. Anything in the village, be it big or small, it all needed his approval. But this time Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thing was both quick and big, but the village head even got to hear of it later than the villagers. Whatever he thought of it, in those outsiders¡¯ eyes, that was absolute face slapping.


    ¡°Shut up! Stop calling him son of a bitch! He is not old him anymore. And our family¡­Aye¡­¡±


    Giving his son a stare, and thinking of what had happened to his brother¡¯s big son¡¯s family, Ling Qiyun made a deep sigh. Although, strictly speaking, it had nothing to do with him, after all they were family, and Ling Chenghua and Ling Jingwei¡¯s incest also brought shame to him. How could they have the face to say Ling Jingxuan is a son of a bitch?


    ¡°Dad, my big uncle¡­what should they do?¡±


    Knowing what his father was saying, Ling Chengyu, Ling Qicai¡¯s big son, also darkened his face. Now everybody knew about that. Early in the morning, the chief and the elders of the ancestral hall¡¯s side already sent people to intervene. If they couldn¡¯t give a solution as soon as possible, things would lose control. Incest between the aunt and the nephew, under the public! And they even harassed anyone they touched, which had a really bad influence. Only his father and big uncle were hard to press it down.


    ¡°Is there a second choice? Obey the family rules!¡±


    Obey the rules? So Ling Chenghua and Ling Jingwei would be thrown out of the family? Will his big uncle agree? Ling Chengyu highly doubted of that. Forget about the old lady¡¯s spoiling of her little daughter Chenghua, Ling Chengcai and his wife would grant whatever Jingwei requested. They are not Ling Chenglong and his wife. They would never allow that to happen.


    ¡°Village head, uncle Ling, you are also here. I was planning to go to visit you. Now it saves me it.¡±


    Suddenly, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s voice clearly came into their ears. He called them the village head and uncle Ling instantly distanced their relations, which made Ling Qicai and his son so embarrassed, but they couldn¡¯t retort. They had been grandpa, uncle and nephew relations, but now¡­


    On the other side, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan brought the head of a construction team came over. When he came back, other heads had left already, only this one called Wang Da stayed. After Ling Jingxuan simply told Yan Shengrui about his thought of building a road, he immediately agreed. Then they brought Wang Da out to survey the terrain. Whether to build a road linking his house to the village, or steer by the village and link it to the market, it had to get the village head¡¯s approval. They planned to bring Wang Da to the village head¡¯s home to ask, but bumped into him here.


    ¡°Hehe, Jingxuan, such a big move! Are you planning to open up wasteland to plant things or build a house?¡±


    Trying to swing away that little embarrassment from the heart, Ling Qicai raised a stiff smile toward him, compared to Ling Qiyun¡¯s stubbornness and self-conceit, the old ling Family¡¯s arrogance, as the village head, there was no doubt Ling Qicai was much more shrewd who could size up the situation.


    ¡°Sorry to make you see a joke of us. You know, my parents moved out without taking anything. My few cottage rooms are not enough. So I am planning to buy some land and build a house.¡±


    Stopping at a one-arm distance from them, Ling Jingxuan smiled at Yan Shengrui and then said so slowly. In and out of his words, one could sense his sarcasm about the old Ling family. Whether his parents were thrown out of the house or they asked to move out themselves, it was a truth that they took nothing. It was absolutely wrong for the old man to treat his filial son like that. So whatever Ling Chenglong did, Ling Qiyun should never take a little bit advantage of him or what.


    The village head was not stupid, he knew he was being sarcastic, so he said with a frown, ¡°Jingxuan, I know you are still angry about that thing, and put the blame on my big brother. I know, what they did to your parents is way too much, but anyhow, they are your¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t! Don¡¯t put us together again? They are them, and we are us. The old xiucai said something quite right. We live our own lives, be it life or death, rich or poor. Today I am here to talk about something with you the village head not my second grandpa. And if you are willing, we¡¯ll go on. But if not, I can also save some saliva.¡±


    But Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t give him a chance to finish his words at all, and the smile hanging on his face instantly changed into overwhelming indifference. Even if he could only build the road through his approval, he could exchange the opportunity with having any more connection with the old Ling family. He¡¯d drop that plan for the time being at most. And in the future, when he needed to buy a lot of land, he¡¯d directly go to the magistrate, whichever era it is, building a road is something both good for the country and its people. He wouldn¡¯t believe that the magistrate would oppose.


    ¡°You¡­aye¡­¡±


    Pointing at him with a deep sigh, Ling Qi knew that he could never look back, and his big brother would be so regretted about for the rest of his life.


    ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t say another word about it. So, what would you like to talk to me about?¡±


    A moment later, when Ling Qicai raised his head, he already put on a face a village head should have.


    ¡°Here is the thing, I want to build a road around the village to the market. I wonder if you would approve.¡±


    Just now he had decided how to build the road, and he did not want to be stopped by people pointing at them every day. So going around the village became the only option, although it¡¯d cost a lot more.


    ¡°Go around the village?¡±


    Is he going to give up the whole village? Ling Qicai couldn¡¯t help but frown again, though on the surface, he was villager of Ling village, actually the moment he was thrown out of the family, they did not set him another household. So to put it simply, their father and sons were already not in the family tree of the ancestral hall at all. So they were like outsiders to the whole village, even no better than those settlers from other places. So if he built the road around the village, it meant that he¡¯d completely disconnect himself from the village completely.


    ¡°Well, as you know, my father and I were never liked in this village. Now my sons will go back and forth from home to school several times a day. You¡¯d also find us an eyesore, right?¡±


    On the surface, Ling Jingxuan said it was for their good, actually everyone could tell the naked sarcasm. Yan Shengrui who sat next to him raised the corner of his mouth, giving him thumbs-up in the heart. That¡¯s his Jingxuan! Even begging people is so different!


    ¡°Where do you want to go round by? Almost all the land in the village that could be used are planted with crops. There is no room for roads. I think you might l build it through the village.¡±


    Knowing he was mocking them, Ling Qicai could only say so. Now the land Ling Jingxuan bought was even not far from Zhao Dalong¡¯s house, not very far from the village already. So instead of going against him, why not give face to him. He had a feeling that Ling Jingxuan was even more capable that he had thought. Maybe someday, the whole village needed to reply on him. So he would never let him disconnect himself from the village.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t there an empty space that side? You know, in inland sea area, it doesn¡¯t grow anything all the year round, and there¡¯s no personal land around there. Isn¡¯t it the best to build a road through there?¡±


    Pointing to a place, Ling Jingxuan said so faintly. After buying the half alkaline land, he didn¡¯t need to mention mending a road thing again. He could directly build a straight road there to go out.


    ¡°You¡­think before you act. If you build a road there, the money needed would be a lot more.¡±


    Ling Qicai nearly got ill because of huge anger. So the other side has already chosen a route and is determined to cut off any relation with the village?


    ¡°Hehe¡­You don¡¯t need to worry about it for me. I wonder what you think.¡±


    Since he brought it up, would he be afraid of money? Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling. Is money more important than his little buns¡¯ future and psychological development? Not to mention that he had already planned to buy that huge half alkaline land. So it was only a matter of time to build a road there.


    ¡°I need to consult with the chief and the elders on such an important matter.¡±


    Ling Qicai also knew, the road is a good thing. If he, as the village head, kept refusing, once people heard of it, who knows what people would say behind? So he needed time to think carefully.


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan slightly frowned. Is he using dilatory tactics? Some kind of cold feeling was infected under his phoenix thin and long eyes. As he was about to push him, Yan Shengrui opened his mouth, ¡°Never mind, Jingxuan. Building a road is something important. Anyhow, he is just a village head. How can he make the decision? Last time when we went to the medicine shop, the shopkeeper said Magistrate Hu is looking for you. Maybe we could go to town some other day. I think as the local magistrate, he would have the final say.¡±


    Yan Shengrui looked at Ling Jingxuan and said so, but actually he was saying those words to the village head and those villagers around, trying to tell them Ling Jingxuan already had Magistrate Hu as the back. He came to the village head only to show him the face. If the village head kept refusing him, they could directly pass him, like how they bought the homestead.


    ¡°Hehe¡­I nearly forgot it if you don¡¯t mention it. He should refuse me since I did him such a big favor. Besides, I personally pay to build a road, he has no reason to turn me down.¡±


    How would Ling Jingxuan not understand his intention? With an eye contact, he immediately put on a two-man comic show with him. Ling Qicai and the villagers all opened their eyes wide. They never expected that Ling Jingxuan now even had connections with the magistrate! When he bought land and ox and carriage, they thought he only used the money that man next to him gave him. Otherwise, he is it possible he got rich overnight£¿ But seen from now¡­


    ¡°Forget it, Jingxuan, don¡¯t disturb the magistrate on such a minor thing. I was just worried that you don¡¯t have so much money! Since you are so determined, then build it there.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Qicai turned to leave, he could not stop it already.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Wang Da, let¡¯s go and see check geology there.¡±


    The purpose had been achieved. The couple gave each other a smile, ignoring those villagers around, they directly took Wang Da to that wasteland. Ling Qicai wants to have a battle of wits with them? Not even the next life!

 Chapter 135

    Ling Chenghua and Ling Jingwei-the aunt and her nephew had intercourse in the wildness. After being separated, they even insulted a lot of men and women, which had a huge bad influence. The whole life¡¯s fame the old xiucai had accumulated for his life had been ruined. On the side of the ancestral hall, on seeing that they still hadn¡¯t come to admit their mistake and ask for punishment till noon, the old chief brought people to go to the xiucai¡¯s place to catch them. Except Ling Jingxuan who was busying with building his house, all villagers dropped their work at hands and went to the xiucai¡¯s place to watch.


    When hearing it, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui smiled at each other, like it had nothing to do with them at all. Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng both had similar reaction, one was reading a book casually sitting under the roof of the backyard, while the other kept burying his head working with those workers. Only Ling Chenglong had a mood swing. But thinking of his sons¡¯ warning, he could only give a deep sigh and do nothing.


    ¡°Shuisheng, you don¡¯t have to help your dad in the future, I heard that you also know a few words, when you have time, you can ask Jinghan to teach you, and you can be his attendant boy.¡±


    Not long after sending the bone soup and meat stuffed buns to the workers, those for building the road and walls came. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui made arrangements for them separately. When they came back, he saw that Song Shuisheng was going to help his dad again, he stopped him.


    On hearing he could be Master Jinghan¡¯s attendant boy and learn some more words, after a moment¡¯s blankness in the head, Song Shuisheng showed great excitement, so did his dad. Although they hadn¡¯t been here for long, they also heard things about Ling Jinghan, and knew that he was endowed with extraordinary talents. If it hadn¡¯t been his illness, maybe he would have already gotten a xiucai title or what. If Shuisheng could be his attendant boy, his future would very promising, at least it wouldn¡¯t be so hard like now. That¡¯s a huge good thing to their whole family!


    ¡°What are waiting for? Thank Master Xuan!¡±


    Song Gengniu who came to his sense first pushed his son grumpily. Now his little son became the attendant boy of the two little masters and learned things from Mr. Chu, and now his big son would be Master Jinghan¡¯s attendant! A bright future is waving hands at them!


    ¡°Yes, yes, thank you, Master Xuan.¡±


    Finally coming to his sense, Song Shuisheng hurriedly kowtowed to Ling Jingxuan. Wherever it is, to those poor families, reading would be a whopping blessing.


    ¡°Jinghan, from now on he¡¯s yours. You haven¡¯t been fully recovered, so if there¡¯s anything, you can let him do it for you. Rest when you need to. As the saying goes, it¡¯s better to travel ten thousand li than to read ten thousand books. Only burying your head among books is no use. Don¡¯t give yourself too much pressure. You are only 14 years old. It¡¯s fine even you can¡¯t pass the examination for a tongsheng title. You can try next year. Don¡¯t tire yourself out.¡±


    Raising a hand to signal him to stand up, Ling Jingxuan turned to say those words to Ling Jinghan who was going to the backyard with a book in his hand. He knew his younger brother learned very hard, and he felt gratified about that, but meanwhile, he also felt sorry for him. Is there anyone who could sit there reading books a whole day? If it went on like that, soon he¡¯d have ischialgia or lumbar disc herniation.


    ¡°Hmm, ge, I¡¯ll take care of myself. Shuisheng, go get a pot of tea in the kitchen for me.¡±


    Ling Jinghan nodded, and then left asking giving Song Shuisheng the order. Now the whole family was busy with this and that. How could he really drop his book and rest? With such a weak body, he could no other abilities except reading.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He is not a kid. He knows what he is doing. But you, is it OK if you don¡¯t take nap?¡±


    Seeing that he frowned watching the back of Ling Jinghan, Yan Shengrui said worriedly. Before, however busy, he¡¯d take a noon nap, even if it was only a few minutes. Today the construction teams came right after lunch. After making arrangements of those people, it was already nearly an hour later. He was really worried about him.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s Ok that I don¡¯t take a nap at noon occasionally.¡±


    Withdrawing his eyes, he threw him a comforting smile, then turned to Song Gengniu and others, ¡°Gengniu, you help my dad and others temporarily. Remember! Don¡¯t forget about picking up the kids. Sister-in-law Song, I¡¯ll leave the cleaning job of those rooms and the kitchen to you. Make sure to prepare each meal on time. And my mom, don¡¯t forget prepare her medicine. Shuiling, milk the cow every morning, and decoct herbs for Shengrui three times a day, that¡¯s your job. You are a thirteen-year-old big girl now. Don¡¯t already try to help your mom and others. We don¡¯t have so many rules at home. After finishing your job, you can accompany my mom. I heard your embroidery skills are not bad. When you have time, make us some pouches or what.¡±


    Now that they were with him, he wouldn¡¯t maltreat them, of course, given the premise that they would never betray him.


    ¡°Yes, thank you, Master Xuan.¡±


    A family of three all bent to him happily. Lady Yang looked at him and hesitated to say, ¡°Master Xuan, I see that the whole family doesn¡¯t have enough clothes to change. I see you bought a lot of cloth yesterday. When I am done with work at hand, how about I make every one of you some new clothes?¡±


    People are complementary, if you good to others, others would be good to you. Besides, he is their savior.


    ¡°Hmm, as for those minor things, you just make the decisions yourself. Besides, don¡¯t forget to take the two puppies in the backyard out to have some fresh air. The little buns are not home, they¡¯d also feel bored.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan nodded, but before leaving, he suddenly remembered Dahei and Xiaohei. They all thought they were two puppies, and he didn¡¯t want to explain, so if they thought they were puppies, then they were, although that was kind of result to their dignity as wolves.


    ¡°OK, please rest assured, master Xuan. I will take good care of them and ease the little masters¡¯ mind.¡±


    Lady Yang was also a straightforward person, she patted on her chest and instantly agreed. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui nodded with satisfaction, and then went to the backyard. Although building the house was extremely urgent, they still needed to make money. Now they got more mouths to feed, they also needed to prepare more food. The kitchen was already not big enough for them to make jam. So they asked the Zhao&Han couple to help. In the after while they were free, they built a simple temporary shed in the backyard, make some earth stoves to temporary use.


    ¡°Ow~¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­ I think they¡¯ll hate you for the rest of their lives.¡±


    As soon as they went into the backyard, the two cubs tethered there showed their teeth at him, and kept growling. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help teasing him. Ling Jingxuan gave him a sulky look. Whose fault is it? If it hadn¡¯t been that he brought the mother wolf to them, did he need to kill her?


    ¡°Jingxuan, you are here. Take a look, is it OK?¡±


    As Han Fei who was working saw them, he raised a hand to say hello to them, with sweat all over the face. It was only an hour¡¯s time, they already finished the basic framework. The temporary work shed that nearly took half of the backyard was really big. For their convenience, he specially used some bamboo racks separate the two sides, on one side it was totally empty, while on the other side, you could already see two earth stoves in a row.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s the feeling I want, Brother Zhao, brother Han, sorry to trouble you.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan walked over and checked it, then raised his head with a satisfactory smile. The empty side was used to wash the wild fruit. They could put some big wooden basins there. As for the other side, he planned to make four earth stoves, as large as it could accommodate the biggest-size iron pans, which would be convenient for making jam. Simple though, before the house was built, they could only temporarily work here.


    ¡°Come on! Why say thank you! Why didn¡¯t you say we troubled you when you helped us? Look! Now we only need another two earth stoves. Later, when Gengniu buys the oilcloth on the way picking up the kids, the temporary work shed would be done.¡±


    His being polite undoubtedly received complaining from Han Fei. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly. Only he would complain him about this and that.


    ¡°By the way, Brother Zhao, I heard that you often work for the smithy in town. I wonder whether they accept customized things.¡±


    The more he said, the more mistakes he made. So Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui rolled their sleeves and joined them. While busying working, Ling Jingxuan asked so casually. He still remembered his scalpels. Not only for precautions, the more important reason was that a scalpel was also his weapon. Without a satisfying weapon, he already felt insecure.


    ¡°Why bother? Just tell brother Long what you want. It¡¯s not that I am boasting. Dalong¡¯s iron forging skills are a lot better than that black smith in town. It¡¯s just we don¡¯t have money to open one, or the smithy in town already closes.¡±


    Before Zhao Dalong said anything, Han Fei already picked up the conversation and said half-jokingly. The four of them all laughed. Then Ling Jingxuan asked, ¡°If so, brother Zhao, with the present iron forging skills of our Qing Kingdom, can you refine high quality steel?¡±


    Stainless steel was refined by high quality steel step by step, and the scalpel could only be made by stainless steel.


    ¡°High quality steel? Isn¡¯t that unique to the Xi Kingdom? I heard that while forging iron, if add a little of that in it, the forged iron weapons would be sharper and harder. When I used to send goods to town, I heard from someone say that the only defeat of the invincible Prince Sheng was that he lost to a general using a high quality steel knife of Xi Kingdom. Of course, Prince Sheng is a war of god in our kingdom. Although we lost in that war, Xi Kingdom was no better. And that¡¯s also why they dare not start a war again these years.¡±


    No matter how humble, ordinary or silent a man was, when talking about wars, he¡¯d become hot-blooded. Zhao Dalong was no exception. It¡¯s just that no one but Ling Jingxuan noticed that when Yan Shengrui heard the words Prince Sheng, he stopped the work at hands, and that pair of bright and deep tiger eyes had a slice of sharpness and countless doubts. Apparently his reaction about the title Prince Sheng was big.


    ¡°Is that so? So even our Prince Sheng would suffer defeats sometimes. Since he is so powerful, why are there wars at the borders all those years?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan threw a meaningful glance at Yan Shengrui who got stoned there, and asked more things about Prince Sheng for him. If possible, he hoped that he could remember everything soon. People¡¯s emotions couldn¡¯t be controlled by sensibility. He really did not hope that they¡¯d end up wanting to kill each other because their relationship. One day earlier he could regain his memories, only step earlier there¡¯d be a final conclusion of their relationship.


    ¡°That¡¯s all because of Dong Kingdom¡¯s wild ambition! They have been planning to annex our kingdom and Xi Kingdom, so every year, they¡¯d sow discord among those nomads in the north. And in spring, they¡¯d start to harass attack our borders, burning, killing and pillaging, committing all sorts of crimes. So every year, Prince Sheng would lead troops to the borders personally. But those nomads in the north have no fixed abodes. So they¡¯d run away immediately after robbing things. The icebound terrains and boundless grassland become their natural barrier. Every time Prince Sheng led troops to chase after them, they¡¯d end up with nothing, only killing a few subchiefs at most. It¡¯s say the civilians there are having a hard life all the year round.¡±


    Rarely mentioning a topic he was interested, Zhao Dalong was like plunging into his spiel, and kept saying those things he heard from the storyteller on and on and on. Although there should be a lot of exaggerating parts, it should be mostly true, as you could tell from Yan Shengrui¡¯s expression that became gloomier and gloomier. Ling Jingxuan heaved a sigh in the heart. Although having lost his memories, this man¡¯s heart was still on the battlefield. If they really got married in the future, he could only help him suppress pacify the borders for him first if he wanted to love a quiet life. Or maybe some day he¡¯d go to the battlefield again. He didn¡¯t want to stay in an empty room waiting for him to come home all day long.

 Chapter 136

    ¡°What about the Xi Kingdom? They should have been in the same situation as the Qing Dynasty, right? Haven¡¯t they ever thought of joining hands to destroy the initiators of all this?¡±


    Dropping those thoughts in his heart, Ling Jingxuan continued asking, that was only because it was a total blank space in his head about those memories in recent years. The only thing he knew was that here was an era of a situation of tripartite confrontation. Among the three kingdoms, Dong Kingdom was the most powerful and richest, and also the largest, Xi Kongdom was said to own a million cavalry, and their unique quality steel knives were well-known to the whole world, while for Qing Kingdom, though their ancestors conquered the world on horseback, the founding emperor felt they had done too much killing, so after uniting the kingdom, he issued the decree of bringrecovery. You could say since the founding of the kingdom, people all advocated civilization and did not advocate forces. So after generations, Qing Kingdom¡¯s military force became weaker and weaker. Every time the other two kingdoms tried to invade them, they¡¯d make peace through marriage, using a princess to exchange for peace. In history, even a few nomads in the north had used force to marry a few princesses. Until the appearance of Duke Zeng who earned his name as God of War¡­


    It was said that Duke Zeng and Princess Mingshang were childhood sweethearts, but when the crown prince of Dong Kingdom went to Qing Kingdom as an envoy, he fell in love with the beautiful and gentle Princess Mingshang on the first site, so he requested the emperor at the time to betroth her to him as a concubine. The whole court got furious. How could their princess be a concubine??? That was like a slap in the face. And the emperor also refused him on spot. Unexpectedly, not long after that, the troops of Dong Kingdom bore down in force at the borders. Duke Zeng who was still young volunteered to go fight the enemies. Maybe it was his good luck or what, though it was a tough war, he still defeated them. The emperor was overjoyed and immediately issued the decree to betroth the princess to him. And since then, Duke Zeng¡¯s big name spread into all families together with his fairytale-like love story with the princess.


    And Yan Shengrui was another iconic figure on the battlefield after Duke Zeng. That year, regardless of the late emperor¡¯s opposition, the fourteen-year-old Yan Shengrui followed Duke Zeng to fight the Dong Kingdom, and captured their biggest princess¡¯ husband who was responsible for escorting the provisions alive, which won them the agreement that Dong Kingdom wouldn¡¯t start a war against them in ten years. So he also made his name after that. Since then, Yan Shengrui went for wars a lot, and nearly won them all, and he also completely replaced the aged Duke Zeng¡¯s position to become the new God of War of Qing Kingdom. Nearly all those civilians had heard about it. The former Ling Jingxuan who had been normal also knew that, he was only not clear of things in recent years.


    ¡°Dong Kingdom is a total asshole! They bully the weak and fear the strong. Xi Kingdom is known as owning a million cavalry. How would they have the balls to start a war with them? Besides, that year, Prince Sheng kidnapped their big princess¡¯ husband and forced them to sign that ten-year peace treaty. I¡¯m afraid they already hate us to the bones. Now ten years have passed. The only reason they haven¡¯t made a move is that they still have fears of Prince Sheng in their heart. I¡¯m afraid the military service thing is a sign of an upcoming war.¡±


    Han Fei could not help sighing, although those things were national affairs, which had nothing to the civilians, if Dong Kingdom really started a war, how would they escape from it?


    ¡°Hehe¡­It seems Xi Kingdom is not a fuel-efficient lamp, just waiting to be that third dog who runs away with the bone. Once the war between two kingdoms breaks out, the northern nomads would also get involved. The only one that wouldn¡¯t lose a hair is Xi Kingdom. Maybe it was also them who played those nomads off against one another.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan slightly smiled but his smile obviously did not extend deep into his eyes. A war had nothing to do with him. And he also had never planned to assist the Qing Kingdom to rule all the land. But, how could there be unbroken eggs under a toppled nest? Whichever times it is, the ones that suffered from wars are the civilians. It seemed that he also needed to pay some attention to the situation on the battlefield while earning money.


    ¡°Really? But the storyteller said that Xi Kingdom fears of our Prince Sheng. As long as Prince Sheng is alive, they dare not make a move.¡±


    Hearing that, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei asked, with those innocent eyes blinking. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, and did not intend to give them a detailed explanation. If a storyteller¡¯s words are credible, even a sow can fly!


    ¡°Prince Sheng is not omnipotent, I agree with Jingxuan¡¯s point of view, Xi Kingdom should also have the ambition to dominate the world, otherwise why would they train a million cavalry? For fun?¡±


    Unexpectedly, Yan Shengrui, who had been silent all the time, picked up the conversation, with his handsome face filled with naked disdain and¡­rage, yeah, the rage one would hold against the sworn enemies¡­


    Zhao Dalong and Han Fei looked at each other, after quite a while, both nodded to agree. Then Ling Jingxuan gave Yan Shengrui a meaningful look. If it hadn¡¯t been that he was sure he hadn¡¯t regained his memories, he even couldn¡¯t help suspecting whether he had already remembered everything. This man¡­maybe the so-called soldier¡¯s soul has already been imprinted in his bones.


    ¡°No matter whether the Xi Kingdom has the ambition or not, it has nothing to do with us. Brother Zhao, I know how to refine high quality steel, I wonder if you can help me to make a set of such knives on the basis.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan picked up a crabstick, squatted down to draw the shape of a scalpel on the ground. But after quite a while, no one replied. Ling Jingxuan turned around curiously, and found that the three of them all got stoned there, like three statues, staring at him like he was a monster. Ling Jingxuan got up and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you guys?¡±


    He didn¡¯t say anything to shock them like that, did he?


    ¡°You can refine high quality steel?¡±


    Suddenly, regardless of his muddy hands, Yan Shengrui quickly moved forward and grabbed his arms. Apparently he had lost his memories, but when he heard the words high quality steel, his body made a move faster than his sense. Actually, a lot of people had no idea that during the war those years, Qing Kingdom had always been in a passive position. They got fooled by those nomads in the north, and also needed to beware of the invasion of Dong and Xi Kingdom on both sides. The cavalry of Dong Kingdom was famous through the lands, while the high quality steel knives of Xi Kingdom were also a big trouble. If it hadn¡¯t been that Yan Shengrui trained the soldiers well, the Qing Kingdom should have already been devoured by those careerists. Those years, Yan Shengrui had always been trying to get the formula of how to refine high quality stell of Xi Kingdom, but that was their top secret. How could he get it so easily?

 Chapter 137

    You could say the high quality steel had become a sore point in Yan Shengrui¡¯s heart. So, even if he had lost his memories now, he still got excited on hearing those words.


    The pains in the arms clearly told Ling Jingxuan how excited his man was now, so excited that he even ignored his feelings, some kind cold feeling crawled upon that pair of thin and long phoenix eyes, but he didn¡¯t shout or what, only looking at him with that pair of cold eyes with even blinking. He could understand his feelings, but could not accept that he ignored his feelings for some damn formula for refining high quality steel. You could say he is selfish, or he is too possessive, but he and his sons were not the most important in his heart, he chose to want nothing.


    ¡°Shengrui, let go of Jingxuan, he is weak, you are hurting him.¡±


    Seeing this, Han Fei and Zhao Dalong hurriedly moved forward no both sides, one holding Jingxuan, while the other trying to get Yan Shengrui¡¯s hands off him. Then Yan Shengrui came to his sense suddenly. He hurriedly let go of him, ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t know why I did this. Jing Xuan¡­are you all right?¡±


    As Mr Yan, with a pained look on his face, reaches over to pull up his arm, Mr Ling dodged by saying, ¡°You can¡¯t die.¡±


    The tone became as cold as when they communicated for the first time. Yan Shengrui¡¯s black sword-shape eyebrow nearly screwed into one. Damn it! Why did he make that kind of reaction? It had taken him so much trying to improve his relationship with Jingxuan. But everything had to start all over again.


    ¡°Jingxuan, don¡¯t be mad at Shengrui. He was not on purpose. The refining method of high quality steel is the top secret of Xi Kingdom. So it¡¯s reasonable that he behaved like that.¡±


    Han Fei¡¯s eyes moved between them, then helplessly tried to speak for Yan Shengrui, he really didn¡¯t want Jingxuan to get mad on such a thing. After Jingxuan said those words, he and Dalong also felt shocked, and excited.


    ¡°I am not mad at him. Brother Zhao and Han, sorry, I need to take some rest.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan went toward the direction to the basement without even giving Yan Shengrui a look. Ling Jinghan, who was sitting under the roof reading books, also heard the noise on this side. Now on seeing his big brother coming over, he meant to say some caring words, but as he got up, he saw Yan Shengrui was closely following him behind, he decisively sat back, since he believed that brother Rui could do the job well.


    ¡°Master Han, don¡¯t you go check things out? Master Xuan seems to be injured.¡±


    Watching them disappear in sight, Song Shuisheng who was serving aside said so worriedly. He was fifteen already, even one year older than Ling Jinghan, of course he could read people¡¯s emotions.


    ¡°No need, brother Rui is more capable than I thought. He has his ways to comfort my big brother.¡±


    Shaking his head smilingly, Ling Jinghan lowered his head and gently flipped over his book again. If he guessed it right, Brother Rui wouldn¡¯t be an ordinary person.


    Song Shuisheng did not quite understand what he meant, but since he had said so, he should not say more. After filling his empty cup with tea, he quietly picked up a branch and continued practicing the words Ling Jinghan had just taught him.


    ¡°Sorrym Jingxuan, I really did not mean it, let me help you apply the medicine.¡±


    In the basement, watching Ling Jingxuan taking off his coat to try to apply the medicine himself, Yan shengrui said so, with that pair of tiger eyes staring at the bruises on his arms. In his heart, he had already cursed himself like a million times. Not long ago everything was fine, how could it become like this now?


    Ling Jingxuan ignored him, just quietly applied the medicine there, in fact it was also a total mess in his heart. He knew he shouldn¡¯t put the blame on Yan Shengrui. Like what he often said, one might lose his memories, but one¡¯s some habits would never be gone. Yan Shengrui had ever suffered a lot under those high quality steel knives, so it was normal that he would have had such reactions just now. So now he was behaving like a woman on such a thing, but¡­He just didn¡¯t want him to put him and their sons behind the damn high quality steel in his heart, or ever behind others things maybe. And it was until now he realized that his feelings for Yan Shengrui had been so deep already. What if he no longer loved him after he regained his memories? He¡­he couldn¡¯t even afford to imagine that scene. He even didn¡¯t know what he would do.


    ¡°Jingxuan, don¡¯t be angry, I swear, it will never happen again. This is the first time, and you can¡¯t directly sentence me to death. Jingxuan¡­¡±


    Seeing that he was not touched at all, Yan Shengrui directly dropped his dignity on the ground, opened his arms to hold him tightly, saying so with a nearly begging tone. He nearly gave play of his shamelessness to a new level. At first, Ling Jingxuan still tried to break free from him, but then amused by him and laughed. After burying his face in his chest for quite a while, he looked up at him, ¡°Who sentenced you to death? I was just thinking things.¡±


    This man¡­His rascal doings already made him speechless. Although still a little bit mad in the heart, he was already not that angry now. He was not a man who liked avoiding things or kept receiving other¡¯s giving. Since he was sure his feelings for him grew deeper, he could only try to take up that spot deep in his heart now, right? Even if someday he really regained his memories, he would never live without him.


    ¡°Ha¡­ Scared me to death. Jingxuan, don¡¯t frighten me so anymore, OK. I¡¯m not afraid of anything, but only afraid you no longer want me.¡±


    He exhaled an exaggeratingly long breath. Leaning on his shoulder, Yan Shengrui breathed his breaths. Heaven knows that he was scared just now that his heart nearly stopped beating.


    ¡°I guess you are only afraid that you¡¯d have no sons to bury you after you die.¡±


    Misunderstanding removed, Ling Jingxuan teased him. It seemed he needed to put the high quality steel thing aside first. Getting and maintaining a relationship also required little tricks. In order to tie his heart tightly, he needed to use his brains.


    ¡°Nonsense! We are still young. Never say that again.¡±


    Pretending to stare at him sternly, Yan Shengrui already couldn¡¯t hold it and laughed in the middle of his words. He wanted his sons, but he wants his sons¡¯ daddy more!


    ¡°All right, let¡¯s go help brother Zhao and others. Today we need to finish sheds. Tomorrow we need to make jam already.¡±


    Stretching out a hand to pinch his face, Ling Jingxuan brushed off his hands with a smile. Yan Shengrui smiled. After calming down, he noticed that he was exceedingly familiar with those words like¡­Prince Sheng and the battlefield¡­Yes, very familiar, like that was his game¡­Is it possible I have something to do with that Prince Sheng?


    Once had to say, Yan Shengrui was astute and he almost hit the bull¡¯s eye. However, now he would never know that he was the Prince Sheng himself even in his dream!

 Chapter 138

    Many hands make light work, and money makes work easier. In only a month, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s manor was nearly completed. Whole-colored grey brick walls spread from Yuehua Ditch on the east to the Xiaoniu Mountain on the west. Three walls firmly encircled his manor. For the convenience of going in and out, except the big front gate, he also opened a small gate for the carriages in the middle of the walls on both sides. Three gates were all connected to the straight cobblestone path which led directly to the newly built official road on that wasteland. Seen from afar, the whole manor looked so majestic like the imperial palace. The only drawback was it was too empty inside now.


    Ling Jingxuan did not use the ancient classic wooden double door, but the modern firm and solid iron gate, which was painted red, making it looking differently luxurious. Now it was still at the ending stage. Although the necessary furniture had been all made, and they moved all necessary things over, and they could also eat and sleep here, Ling Jingxuan still hadn¡¯t given it a name, since he meant to let everyone sit together to decide the name when they had time.


    Pushing open the iron gate, a bluestone road led straight to the main house about a hundred meters away. In the field on both sides were already planted with grape vines Ling Jingxuan had gotten from the mountains. With the Crescent Spring water, those thick branches already sprang to life.


    The grey bricks and black tiles of the main house added radiance to each other. The central room in the middle at least occupied over a hundred square meters. It had eight rooms on both sides. And each room was modern three bedrooms and a living room style, and a bathroom and a small kitchen. You could either sleep in it or entertain the guests separately. On one side of the main house was a giant and clean kitchen and two spacious warehouses, and the entrance to the basement, while on the other side were the stables, cowsheds and a freestanding wolf shed. As for the pigsty, henhouse and duck shed were all in the backyard.


    Bypassing the main house, on the left side was a row of tile-roofed house with grey bricks about ten meters long and at least three meters high. It had four rooms, each of which had double door, floor space was pretty considerable. That was Ling Jingxuan¡¯s so-called factory. On the right side was also a long big tile-roofed house, which was divided into a lot of small rooms. That was the spare warehouse and also where the servants lived.


    Be it the factory or the servants¡¯ house, areas for planting fruits trees both in the front and back were planned out, it was just nothing was planted yet. About ten meters away from the main house, that big pond which occupied nearly five mu was already impounded with water, with lotus planted inside, but they just hadn¡¯t grown out yet. When drawing water from Yuehua Ditch, Ling Jingxuan secretly added shoal of fish in. In case others might notice it, he specially asked Ling Jingpeng and Song Gengniu to rent a boat and salvage a lot of duckweed and put them in the pond. On one hand, it could add some green to the yard, on the other hand, he could raise fish and ducks with it. So now on the surface of the pond was nearly enveloped in total green.


    And in the middle of the pond, an end-to-end giant winding corridor hovered above, which could only be used for people to pass through, in the octagonal pavilion in the middle, one could also enjoy the cool. After those fruit tree all grew up, and the lotus in the pond bloomed, what a scene! Forget about other things first. After the pavilion was built, here could be Ling Jinghan¡¯s personal study! Every day when he had time, he could bring Song Shuisheng over, made a pot of tea, and a plate of pastries Lady Yang made, and learn there for half a day.


    Behind the pond was a few big sheds, which were the pigpen, henhouse and the duck coop respectively. And the two piggies and over a dozen chickens they bought earlier now were all moved here. Ling Jingxuan bought another eight piggies, two hundred chicken and five hundred ducklings. When it was next Spring Festival, they¡¯d have a big harvest. And behind was a large blank space stretching to the foot of Yuehua Mountain which was used to plant fruit trees.


    In general, except the few houses and the winding corridor over the pond through the whole manor, it was all blank space. But when the trees made a pleasant shade next year, it¡¯d be another scene!


    During this month, Ling Jingxuan also wasn¡¯t at grass. Xinyuan Restaurant came to collect the goods two times, plus the money he made from selling fish, over two thousand taels of silver he had spent on building the house was earned back.


    Compared with him getting richer, old Ling family was having some hard time. After unanimous decision of the old chief and elders, they didn¡¯t allow Ling Jingwei to use money to exempt himself from the military service. The village head returned the twenty taels of silver he had received to Ling Chengcai. Not long after that thing, Ling Jingwei was sent to draft camp, while on the other hand, since Ling Chenghua insisted that Ling Jingwei raped her, plus she had the old lady defending her, though she did not get thrown out of the family, her fame had been totally ruined. Now she even didn¡¯t have the face to go out, let along marry someone. Plus, Ling Chengcai and his wife had already hated her to the bones, even with the old lady protecting her, her days were kind of tough.


    The old xiucai¡¯s whole family already lost their prestige because of that thing, so they could no longer get above themselves like before, even the old man¡¯s private school was shut, because almost all villagers let their kids drop out from school. They even cursed in their face that they¡¯d rather let their kids be a farmer than turn them into a scumbag like Ling Jingwei.


    Series of blows made Ling Qiyun ill in bed, and the whole family nearly fell into the hands of the old lady. The big son asked to divide up the family because of his son¡¯s thing, and the third son¡¯s side was also not that good. Ling Chenglong moved out, and Ling Chengcai was adding trouble, now all housework and farm work fell on the third son¡¯s head. So Ling Chenghu and his wife who had been used to a laid-back life kept grumbling. There were a few times that they even secretly went to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s place trying to persuade Ling Chenglong to move back. But Song Gengniu strictly stuck to Yan Shengrui¡¯s order. Without even asking, every time he came, he¡¯d beat him away. So they even had no chance to see Ling Chenglong.


    But anyhow, these things all had nothing to do with Ling Jingxuan, he still led a busy but quiet life every day, after sending his sons to school in the morning, he¡¯d go to the mountains to pick wild fruit with Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingpeng and others, and after lunch, he¡¯d wash those wild fruit with Lady Wang, Lady Song and others after some rest, then make jam, then after his sons came back after school, the whole family, together with Zhao&Han couple and their son, had dinner together sitting around a specially-customized round table. Usually, the sun hadn¡¯t gone down after dinner, so they¡¯d go to the factory to go on making jam, while the four little buns would practice calligraphy and recite them under Ling Jinghan¡¯s guide. After dark, a whole busy day was over in an era where there were no recreational activities.


    ¡°Daddy, come here, have a taste of the wine I brewed.¡±


    Recently, they had moved everything from the thatched cottage to the new house one after another. When ling Jingxuan came back from his evening walk, he finally remembered the wine he had sealed under the cellar of the old house. He calculated the time and took Yan Shengrui to the cellar to get a bottle.


    ¡°Ok, after I finish this wooden wedge.¡±


    The large furniture like the wardrobes and beds in the new house, Ling Jingxuan asked the carpenters come make them at home. Now what he needed was things like customized desks and chairs and other things. Those were all small items, Ling Chenglong didn¡¯t want his son to spend more money, so he said he¡¯d make them all. Now every day, he¡¯d bury himself among piles of wood.

 Chapter 139

    ¡°You can do it anytime. It¡¯s getting dark now. Dad, make it tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, OK, coming!¡±


    ¡°Ignore him, he is a toiling life. Wow! Jingxuan, what wine is it? Why is it red?¡±


    Lady Wang, who had been fully recovered, threw a stare at her man busy in the yard, couldn¡¯t help exclaiming as he saw some blood-red liquid in the cups. She picked one and observed curiously. Ling Jinghan and others who were sitting around the table were no better. Except Yan Shengrui, all looked curious more or less.


    ¡°Mom, have a taste.¡±


    Without answering her question, Ling Jingxuan smiled and threw her a encourage look, Lady Wang whole held the glass took a smell of it tentatively, and then sent it before her lips. Now everyone¡¯s eyes fell on her at the same time. Then she stuck out her tongue to have a lick, like she tasted something, then raised her head to drink if all.


    ¡°Ah! Delicious, different from other wines, it wouldn¡¯t burn your throat, and also has a faint fruity smell. Jingxuan, can I have another one?¡±


    Licking her own lips, Lady Wang now nailed her eyes on that wine jar in his hand. This was the first time she drank such good wine, even tastier than the sugar water they made from the ham.


    ¡°Haha¡­Mom, it¡¯s still wine. You may get drunk. But you can have some every time before going to sleep, which will help with your sleep, maintain your beauty and keep you young. But, don¡¯t drink too much a time.¡±


    It was not that he was stingy or what. His mom didn¡¯t drink at ordinary times. That cup was at least three liang (one liang equals 50 grams). If she kept drinking, as the wind blew, later she¡¯d practice drunken fist then.


    ¡°Dad, is this your wine made from wild grapes? Can I have a taste?¡±


    Anything related to food and drinks, the little small bun would never be absent. Ling Wu, who just came back from his boxing practicing, smelled it from far away. Leaving his elder brother Ling Wen behind without hesitation, he already climbed onto Yan Shengrui¡¯s thigh, with that pair of longan-shape eyes staring at the cups before them, drooling.


    ¡°You want to drink wine? Boy, ten years later.¡±


    Seeing his little nephew¡¯s lovely appearance, Ling Jingpeng sitting on the opposite side could not help teasing him. Every time this kiddo saw food, he¡¯d act like changing into another person. Using his big brother¡¯s words, he is a standard foodie!


    ¡°Ah? I can¡¯t drink it¡­¡±


    After this period of careful care, his plump little face collapsed in despair and looked like he might cry at any moment. Ling Jingxuan and others all could not help laughing. However, Yan Shengrui who spoiled the kids lifted a cup and sent it directly to his lips, saying, ¡°You can only drink a little.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t help it. He just couldn¡¯t let his baby son down.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    That small face instantly had coruscating luster, then the small bun held it and took a big mouthful¡­


    ¡°Ahem¡­ Tastes so awful¡­ Water¡­water¡­¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Anyhow, it was wine. The small bun even stuck out his tongue. In a blink of eye, tears nearly popped out of his eyes. This time, even Yan Shengrui could no longer hold it and laughed out loud. As Ling Wen, who followed behind to come in, saw his little brother¡¯s embarrassed appearance, he hurriedly handed him a cup of water, while not forgetting to throw his two dads who were laughing exaggeratingly his dagger eyes. How could they play such a trick on their own son?


    ¡°Oh¡­ Finally feeling comfortable, daddy, why this wine tastes so bad?¡±


    After taking several cups, he only felt a bit comfortable. While speaking, Ling Wu still didn¡¯t forget to push that wine cup aside with disgust. Hum! It smells so good, but tastes like pepper water! Tastes so awful!


    ¡°You little fool, wine needs to taste slowly. Who drinks like a fish like you? This grape wine already has the lowest degree among all alcohols. You are still young. Don¡¯t spoil my good wine.¡±


    Bending a finger to tap his forehead, Ling Jingxuan took a sip from his cup. The wine made from wild grapes was really different. It was fruity, with a little astringent taste and a small amount of alcohol concentration. Although it couldn¡¯t compare with the top quality wine he had taken in his previous life, it was at least above-average.


    Seeing that, others all learned from him and took a sip. The dense fruity taste instantly suffused the whole mouth. It was the first time for them to drink such a special wine, just like Lady Wang, they all raised their head and swigged.


    ¡°I think I¡¯ve tried it before, but it didn¡¯t taste as good as this.¡±


    Putting the cup down, frowning, Yan Shengrui said so. After the last incident, he had secretly inquired things about Prince Sheng and the frontline. But his reaction was no longer that strong. So he could only give it up. Today was the first time he had such familiar feelings again of this month.


    Of course you have. As the noblest prince in the imperial family, is there anything good you haven¡¯t tasted?


    Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes at him, and even didn¡¯t want to talk to him. Except the original twenty jars of wine he had brewed, later, he brewed another five hundred jars. Judging from the present situation, it should be successful. Some other day, he¡¯ll take some to town to let Shopkeeper Zhang take a look. Maybe he could earn his second bucket of gold through this!


    Thinking that he might have the money to buy land in the future, his thin and long phoenix eyes nearly narrowed into a line. And Yan Shengrui who always settled his eyes on him showed faint affection under his eyes. Not knowing why, as long as it was Ling Jingxuan, whatever expression he was wearing, he only felt he was so pretty.


    ¡°Daddy, didn¡¯t you say it is for sale?¡±


    No matter how beautiful the atmosphere was, a penny slave had the ability to spoil it. Those people who were still drowned in the aftertaste of the wine all got dragged back to reality. They only wished to find a needle and some thread to stitch his mouth on! Can¡¯t he let them enjoy it for a bit longer? Anyhow, he now already goes to school, why does he still stink with money?


    ¡°Well, yes. Tomorrow we are going to town for Shopkeeper Zhang. We¡¯ll ask the price first. If it¡¯s too cheap, we¡¯ll keep it to ourselves.¡±


    Putting him on his leg, Ling Jingxuan tipped his nose. Anyhow, they didn¡¯t invest much on it. Wine was something good. If he couldn¡¯t sell it at a good price, he¡¯d rather keep it for himself to drink.


    ¡°There¡¯s so much. How can we drink it all? Daddy, it¡¯s not that I am nagging you. I told you not to brew so much, but you didn¡¯t listen to me, and even went to book a lot of jars with Uncle Peng without letting me know. Now, we got a whole cellar of wine. When can we drink it all ourselves? No, you should go ask Uncle Zhang tomorrow. If the price is reasonable, sell them all. At least we can¡¯t earn some¡­¡±


    The long-lost Ling Wen-style nagging rang up again. Looking at his constantly squirming mouth, Ling Jingxuan only had a twitch of his mouth, feeling uncomfortable all over. When did he say his wine wouldn¡¯t sell? He only said if¡­IF¡­OK?


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Seeing the son scolding his dad, others nearly laughed out their tears. Ling Wen might be the ¡®hoodoo¡¯ of his daddy for the rest of his life.

 Chapter 140

    After the new home was completed, it¡¯d definitely arouse people¡¯s doubt. So Ling Jingxuan specially let them to dig quite a few wells in the front yard and backyard, and he injected some water of the crescent spring to dilute. After over a month¡¯s observation, he had nearly mastered the effect of the crescent spring. Simply speaking, the spring was good to both plants and animals, and to human beings. The most direct proof was that in such a short time, their bodies had all been recovered. Even working so hard everyday, their skin was still so smooth and fair, which was even getting better. Of course, it was also related to their good food. But still the direct reason was the crescent spring. So after deep consideration, he decided not to let his family keep drinking water from the spring, in order not to arouse people¡¯s suspicion. After the dilution, the water in the wells may no longer be that good, it could still maintain their body, which was already enough.


    Speaking of the spring, the thing that depressed Ling Jingxuan most was those two wolflings. Only a month, their body had fast grown, and gradually they showed the physique of a wolf. The worse thing is, it seemed they had known that Ling Jingxuan did something to the water, after he changed it to water from the well, they refused to drink, but only kept growling there all day. Finally it made Ling Jingxuan mad. So while no one was around, he took out the spring and injected water into the little bath pool in the doghouse. The two wolflings frisked into it and played, like they knew human world. Since then, Ling Jingxuan got on more job¡ªAt night when all was still, he¡¯d go to the doghouse to give them a bath and let them play.


    ¡°Ow~ ow~¡±


    After nightfall, there was no so-called nightlife in villages, plus the oil was very expensive, most people directly went to sleep, so did Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family. After the whole family made some loud noise after drinking some wine, it slowly got totally dark outside. The couple helped the kids bath, and coaxed them to sleep, then Ling Jingxuan made an excuse saying that he was not sleepy and went into the workroom he specially made inside the room. Using the dim light, he tried to work out all kinds of poison. After quite a while after everyone fell asleep, he quietly went to the doghouse. As always, seeing him, the two black wolves nearly half a meter long pounced at him.


    ¡°You ungrateful little things, you only show off your cleverness now! Why don¡¯t you wag your tails at me at ordinary times?¡±


    Holding them helplessly, Ling Jinxuan squatted down and tapped their heads. The two wolflings made circled around him excitedly, the scene how they showed their teeth at him during the day was already gone.


    ¡°All right, stop making circles around me. It makes me dizzy. Come on. Go sit there. I¡¯ll inject water for you first.¡±


    They were not people, it was useless to reason with them, Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, stood up and walked to that two meters lone and one meter wide deep bath pool in a corner he specially built for them.


    Although it was a doghouse, it was not an ordinary one. It was built completely according to human house. Inside there was a bath pool, a tatami-like bed which was made with wood, and a big basin they used to eat and drink. The two wolflings¡¯ life standard was even higher than some families.


    It was also not difficult to see that although Ling Jingxuan often said he hated them, actually he was especially good to them, apparently already taking them as family.


    Clatter~


    Ow~


    ¡°You boys have got my clothes wet again!¡±


    The crescent spring came from nowhere, and the moment the spring water was injected into the little pool, the two wolflings already couldn¡¯t wait jumping in, with water splashed on Ling Jingxuan all over. He got so mad that he withdrew his spring and gave each of them some slaps. But the two wolflings were like they didn¡¯t feel it, only kept swimming around in it, and sometimes waved their claws to splash water towards Ling Jingxuan. One human, two wolflings, under the dim moonlight, again started to play in the little pool.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you have the habit of bathing with the wolflings, Jingxuan, what are you doing here at such late night instead of sleeping in your room?¡±


    Yan Shengrui voice, suddenly, fell from the sky. Ling Jingxuan who was enjoying a good time with the woflings reflectively turned around, and saw that the closed door already opened, and Yan Shengrui wearing thin underclothes was leaning against the door holding his hands before the chest. Because he stood against the moonlight, he couldn¡¯t see his expression, but he was sure he should be smiling, smiling evilly.


    ¡°What else can I do? Didn¡¯t you see it? Bathing with the wolves!¡±


    Thinking that he should have just arrived, he guessed that he shouldn¡¯t have seen the spring thing. After a moment¡¯s stunning there, Ling Jingxuan directly relaxed his body and soaked his whole body in it. Two wolflings¡¯ green eyes cautiously stared at Yan Shengrui. After making sure who he was, they started to play in the water again.


    ¡°Then you wouldn¡¯t mind if I join you, right?¡±


    Speaking of which, Yan Shengrui directly walked toward them. When he stood by the side of the little pool, the clothes above the waist were already gone, revealing his sexy chest muscle and eight abdominal muscles. Ling Jingxuan swallowed some saliva with difficulty. Damn! This nice body nearly made him nose bleeding! Is he trying to seduce him?


    ¡°Hehe¡­ are you satisfied with what you see?¡±


    Seeing him staring at his half-naked body like dull, Yan Shengrui was in a cheerful mood. He squatted down and helped him brush his wet hair behind his ears. His fingers were rustling uncontrollably around the back of his long, sexy neck.

 Chapter 141

    ¡°Dare I say no?¡±


    Coming to his sense, Ling Jingxuan looked away embarrassedly, muttering. Compared with his wheat color healthy skin, he had already got rid of bony and sallow face after nearly a month¡¯s recuperation and showed his fair skin few men would have. But that was all. Muscles? Nah! Even dare not expect that! It was already luxurious that he didn¡¯t look thin already.


    Yan Shengrui could be rendered as among the top of men, be it his face, his figure and abilities. If it hadn¡¯t been that he was his man, he¡¯d so dead jealous of him. Heaven so favors him! But, on thinking that such a man belonged to him, he couldn¡¯t help feeling complacent. Just let others get jealous! He could only belong to him!


    ¡°Hey, what are you doing here instead of sleeping in your own room?¡±


    Seeing that he really stepped into the pool, Ling Jinxuan angrily rolled his eyes, and completely forgot the fact that he was also here to play at middle night.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ As your husband, how can I not accompany you? Be good, move over. Or you can sit on my lap.¡±


    Totally not minding it, Yan Shengrui also shamelessly jumped into water. Before Ling Jingxuan could react, he already grabbed his waist and held him up. After sitting in the pool, he opened his legs and let him straddle on his laps, which immediately made the atmosphere become ambiguous. Ling Jingxuan who was forced to sit over him only felt weak all over, and his hands reflectively placed on his burning chest.


    ¡°Stop it, I¡¯m bathing Dahei and Xiaohei.¡±


    A familiar but strange feelings rose. Ling Jingxuan feebly tried to push his hard chest and meant to stand up, but his thin and pliable waist got tightly held by him. Ignoring his pushing, Yan Shengrui said by his ear with a hoarse voice, ¡°Don¡¯t move, or even I can¡¯t guarantee what I would do.¡±


    A deep and lustful voice, and the hot breaths totally exhaled over his sensitive neck, like a current going through his body, Ling Jingxuan subconsciously shuddered, the skin hidden under his completely wet clothes turned slightly red. Under the faint moonlight, the clothes sticking to his body was like feather clothes on him, so sexy and seductive.


    ¡°Jingxuan, I regret promising you that we¡¯d get married after I regain my memories. Heaven knows that I feel like I have taken the strongest aphrodisiac and you keep seducing me at any time anywhere.¡±


    Pulling open his clothes a little, Yan Shengrui lowered his head and nipped into his plump white shoulder, gently rubbing his tongue against it. A groan slipped out reflexively, Ling Jingxuan who also got turned on slight opened his eyes, with his hands helplessly put on his shoulders and already forgot trying to push him away.


    Ow~


    Ow~


    All of a sudden, the wolflings¡¯ growling came into their ears, the two men who were drowned in lust froze there, and then threw their dagger eyes at the two wolflings at the same time.


    Ow~


    But they seemed to have no idea what nasty thing they were doing, wagging their tails at them and splashing water on them with their paws, as if to say, come and play with us, come and play with us~


    ¡°Damn it, one day I¡¯m going to kill you and make soup.¡±


    The passion on the simmer instantly was gone. Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help grinding his teeth. Is it easy for him? He got interrupted every time the atmosphere just got a little hot. If going on like this, when could he ¡®eat¡¯ him?


    Fine, although he never planned to have their first sex in such a place, at least let him eat some ¡®soup¡¯!


    ¡°Hehe¡­ I agree with you this time. Why don¡¯t we kill one tomorrow?¡±


    A bloodthirsty smile crawled onto the corner of his mouth, Ling Jingxuan stared at those two wolflings with cold eyes. He is also a man! He also has physiological needs! Finally the atmosphere is right, it got totally ruined by those two little assholes!


    Ow~


    As if they understood what they were saying, the two wolflings backed away, whimpering, their green eyes fixed on them defensively, as if they were afraid they would jump over and kill them the next second.


    ¡°Haha¡­ I can¡¯t pretend it any more. These two beasts looks like they know human language!¡±


    Seeing this, ling Jingxuan can¡¯t help laughing out while falling on Yan Shengrui¡¯s body. He did not know whether it was before of the spring water, he always thought the two wolflings were getting shrewder, although sometimes they were a bit silly.


    ¡°The beasts in the deep mountains are all intelligent. I think their breed should not be ordinary wolves, maybe they are the generation of the wolf queen. It is normal for them to be smart, but they have no eyes.¡±


    At the end of the sentence, with one hand holding him, Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help complaining, swearing in his heart that he¡¯d definitely find an untrodden place in case they got disturbed halfway again! If such a thing happened a few more times, his little ¡®Rui¡¯ could not stand up again!


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    OW~


    ¡°Stop that. Holy shit! Don¡¯t throw yourselves at me!¡±


    Recognizing his resentment, Ling Jingxuan laughed even more exaggeratedly, but he seemed to forget, extreme joy begets sorrow. Seeing they were both laughing, the two wolflings thought they were teasing them, so with a push of their back legs, they pounced over at them. Two men and two wolves instantly got into a ball in the little pool, laughter and the growling sound was heard now and then, with joys filling the whole doghouse¡­

 Chapter 142

    The next day, Ling Jingxuan still woke up early. Now his home got much bigger, and he could no longer run around the house, otherwise he¡¯d tire himself out if he ran a whole circle. So the whole family only made a circle around the pond. Under Ling Jingxuan, the two little bun and two wolflings¡¯ lead, Ling Chenglong and others also joined their team. They had worked in the field all the year round, so they got good physical constitution, so they had no idea what running could bring them. But Ling Jinghan was different. All year round sick in bed, even if not he had been recovered, he was still weak. At first, he even couldn¡¯t run one circle, usually he could only walk back under Song Shuisheng¡¯s support at the end. Nearly about half a month, he could finally finish one circle by himself. Although always nearly out of breath, be it he himself or others, they all noticed that he looked more and more vigorous. For this, the whole family all persisted. Every morning, the first thing after washing the face was running.


    ¡°Daddy, why isn¡¯t father up yet? Aren¡¯t you coming to town with us?¡±


    After the running, the two little buns were practicing martial arts as usual. When they sat by the table for breakfast, it was almost the time. And at this time everyone found that this morning they did not see Yan Shengrui, who used to get up the earliest and practice with kids and teach them martial arts. Today was really abnormal.


    ¡°Maybe he went to bed too late last night. You eat first. I¡¯m gonna check on him.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan also felt confused. After stretching out a hand to rub the two kids¡¯ head, he walked out. He, Yan Shengrui and the two kids lived in the house on the right, besides, the two buns were little, so they shared one room, one room was left for Tiewa who would stay over sometimes, he and Yan Shengrui had their own room, so they had their own privacy. The one innermost was temporarily empty. As for Ling Chenglong and his wife, and Ling Jinghan and Jingpeng lived in the house on the left rise. The couple shared one room, while the two brothers had their own rooms. So the innermost room was also empty. And Song Gengniu and others lived in the house for servants and maids. Although it was the servants¡¯ place, the living conditions were no worse than any other village families.


    Knock knock~


    ¡°Shengrui? Shengrui? Are you up?¡±


    Standing at the door of the third room on the right hand side, Ling Jingxuan lifted his hand and knocked on the door, but there was no response inside. Just as Ling Jingxuan was thinking about whether to take out a dagger and pry open the latch, the closed wooden door was suddenly pulled open from inside, and Yan Shengrui¡¯s reddened face appeared before his eyes.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Jingxuan, I seem to be ill¡­¡±


    Collapsing onto his body, Yan Shengrui said so, the burning hot breaths exhaled on his shoulder.


    ¡°Go inside first.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan raised a hand to feel his forehead, and then supported him into the room, and headed to the bedroom, only after putting him on bed did he sat aside and felt his pulse, ¡°You caught a cold, having a fever. We got star herbs at home. Later I¡¯ll ask Lady Song to decoct it for you.¡±


    Last night they all drank a little wine and played in the pool for a long time. It was not surprising that the caught a cold as the wind blew at night.


    ¡°Jingxuan, I feel awful¡­¡±


    Grabbing his hand that he tried to withdraw and placing it over his chest, Yan Shengrui whose face got totally reddened due to the fever gave him a pitiful look, like a child that needed comforting. Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes, ¡°Stop playing pitiful! Later I¡¯m gonna take the kids to town. You take some sleep after taking the medicine. You¡¯d get better by noon.¡±


    Having been used to him playing rascal every now and then, Ling Jingxuan pulled his hand back. It was not that he did not care about him, he just can¡¯t. Giving his villainous personality, if he really showed his concerns, he¡¯d definitely badger with him all day.


    ¡°I am so seriously ill, can¡¯t you stay to look after me? Jingxuan, stay home today with me, OK?¡±


    Lying in bed sideways, Yan Shengrui looked at him while saying so with a begging tone. As expected, he played the highest state of being a rascal. Ling Jingxuan sighed deeply, then got up and left a light kiss over his forehead, saying with a nearly kid-coaxing tone, ¡°Stop it! You need rest. I¡¯ll be back when you wake up.¡±


    ¡°Really take me like a child¡­¡±


    Face sunk, Yan Shengrui lay on back. If he kept playing a rascal, even he himself would feel embarrassed. His Jingxuan really had no compassion, not so cute as before¡­


    Well, our Prince Sheng became angry. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help laughing. He poked his shoulder and said, ¡°Why do you look like a child?¡±


    ¡°I wish I could be your child. Look how good you are to Xiaowen and other kids. And look how you treat me! Why is there such a huge gap???¡±


    Sitting up and holding his waist, Yan Shengrui buried his head in his chest and complained. Dignity? Already digested!


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to have a kid your age.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    The words blurted out instantly ignited his dissatisfaction. Ling Jingxuan bent down and pecked on his lips, then said with his forehead holding against his, ¡°If you become my son, what should I do? Have a good rest, be good, and I¡¯ll come stay with you right after I come back.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡±


    At last, Yan Shengrui lay contentedly back. Ling Jingxuan leaned to pull the thin quilt to cover him, and then left after leaving another kiss on his face.


    Later, when he asked Lady Song to decoct the herbs, the little buns all heard it. They hurriedly put down their bowls and ran to check on him. Ling Chenglong and others also showed their concerns. After making sure he was fine, the whole family felt much relieved. After Han Fei sent Tiewa over, Ling Jingxuan left with them after fetching two jars of wine from the basement.


    ¡°Just go. I¡¯ll come to see you after I talk about some business with Shopkeeper Zhang.¡±

 Chapter 143

    It was straight road all the way, the carriage ran fast, in less than half an hour, they stopped before Qingchen Bookshop. Not until Ling Jingxuan changed clothes for the four of them did they got off the carriage. This month, the kids knew a lot more characters, and they had already learned the second volume of The Analects of Confucius. Every day, one could hear them reciting ¡®Confucius said¡¯ this and that while shaking their heads. Ling Jingxuan knew that Chu Ci really used his heart to teach them.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll tell Uncle Chu later. Daddy, we gotta go.¡±


    Ling Wen nodded. After saying those words on behalf of the four of them, he brushed open the curtain. Song Gengniu who was already waiting outside held them down one by one. Only after they saw them walk into the bookshop did the carriage ran again. Inside the carriage, Ling Jingxuan, hands crossed before the chest, was resting his mind with his eyes closed. This month, while making jam, he also used the knowledge in the head to work on the high quality steel with Zhao Dalong, and even stainless steel! Now they had already made some progress! A few days ago, Zhao Dalong had already forged two scalpels with that little stainless steel they had refined according to his drawings. But he didn¡¯t tell it to Yan Shengrui. It was not that he didn¡¯t trust him, but he wanted to give him a surprise. If someday when he had to leave them and go back to the battlefield, in such an era where people used cold weapons, the only thing he could do was to teach him the mature steel-making techniques.


    ¡°Master Xuan, we are arrived at Xinyuan Restaurant.¡±


    Not long after, the carriage stopped again, and Song Gengniu¡¯s voice was heard. Ling Jingxuan who was resting his mind with his eyes closed opened his eyes, lifted up that jar of wine and brushed open the curtain. But the thing that came into his eyes was not the extravagant front gate of the restaurant, but an extremely luxurious carriage. The body of the carriage adopted the top quality rosewood, which was sending out some kind of faint natural fragrance. The whole body was engraved with exquisite flowers and plants, with a closer look, one could even see the grains of the petals and leaves. And in the front were two snow-white horses, each of which looked pretty strong. Even someone who knew nothing about horses could tell that they were top level horses. Having been here for so many times, this was the first time he saw such luxurious carriage. Is it possible that a big figure came to Datong Town?


    ¡°Master Xuan?¡±


    As Song Gengniu who was waiting aside saw that he didn¡¯t move for quite a while, he couldn¡¯t help raising his head and calling him again, with undisguised doubts under his eyes. But he was smart, so he knew this master didn¡¯t like them long-tongued. So he did not ask more.


    ¡°You wait outside for me.¡±


    Coming to his sense, Ling Jingxuan jumped out of the carriage. Carrying the wine, he bypassed that carriage and went in. Now was not the busy hour, so there was nearly no guests inside. But the strange thing was Shopkeeper Zhang was not behind the counter.


    ¡°It¡¯s Child Ling. Please wait a moment. Our shopkeeper is entertaining some honored guests.¡±


    The waiter who was doing some cleaning job saw him. He hurriedly moved forward and greeted him. Since he often came, those waiters here all knew him, and also showed respect.


    ¡°Honored guests?¡±


    Looking up, he saw a row of maids by the fence of the third floor. So many maids waiting on? Is it possible it¡¯s some official¡¯s wife?


    ¡°Hmm, they said it¡¯s our boss. He suddenly showed up here, even the shopkeeper was surprised.¡±


    No one isn¡¯t gossipy. See? The waiter looked so curious. He moved to his side and said so mysteriously. That¡¯s really a big beauty! He had worked here for nearly two years and never seen someone more beautiful than him.


    ¡°Hehe¡­really? Then I will go to the second floor and wait for a moment. After brother Zhang is done, remember to tell him that I¡¯m waiting here.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled and then went straight to the second floor. The waiter hurriedly followed to wait on him, ¡°Childe Ling, shall I make you a pot of hot tea for you?¡±


    ¡°No, just bring me a pot of plain water.¡±


    Tea early in the morning? He doesn¡¯t have such a good appetite.


    ¡°Got it!¡±


    Every worker in the shop was a deep card. Who didn¡¯t know his relationship with the shopkeeper? Let alone a pot of plain hot water, even if he asked for a pot of cold water, they would immediately do as they were told.


    They went all the way to the room closest to the left on the second floor, after sending him in, the waiter went downstairs to get the plain boiled water he asked for.


    In the luxurious box on the third floor that was not open to public, a man wearing a red brocade clothes was leisurely leaning on a recliner gracefully and casually, two beautiful women in green standing on both sides. The morning sun shone in through the open window. Under the refraction of the sunlight, the man¡¯s skin was so delicate that it looked nearly transparent, but not that kind of sickly delicate, fine and smooth, with a little bit healthy pink, a pair of fox eyes like they were bearing boundless sentiment, high nose bridge, plump lips, only one word could describe that face¡ªbeautiful! Seen from each angle, he was breathtakingly beautiful. If it hadn¡¯t been his dressing and that obvious Adam¡¯s apple, one would really take him as a woman, a exceedingly fascinating and graceful lady.


    ¡°Master Liu, what brings you here this time, if I may ask?¡±


    Standing in front of him tremblingly, the shopkeeper asked carefully. That man was called Zeng Shaoqing, the youngest son of Duke Zeng, 27 this year, unmarried, owner of this restaurant. Although he looked like a seductive woman, as long as you contacted with him, you would know he was not a pushover. If you got fooled by that beautiful face, you¡¯d even get your bones chewed.


    Reclining on the chair, Zeng Shaoqing gave him a faint look, and then made a lazy but enchanting smile, ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous. A few days ago when I went to Zhenguo Temple to pray and draw a divination stick for my mother, I happened to hear that recently the profit here is very considerable. And I only know after the shopkeeper in the prefecture told me that you launched a cold desert aiming at those guests who suffer from a hot summer, so I came to check it out by the way.¡±


    The shopkeeper couldn¡¯t help twitching his mouth. Although he had never seen the boss before, every year when he went to report the profit, people often mentioned him before him. That was not a fain¨¦ant! He would never just come here by the way. Obviously, he should be holding some other purpose. But, he was not a fool. Since the boss wouldn¡¯t tell, he shouldn¡¯t ask. Things about the boss, the more he knew the worse.


    ¡°I heard that the one who supplied you with something called jam is only a common farmer?¡±


    As if satisfied with his humble manner, Zeng Shaoqing sat up slowly, crossed his legs and asked casually.

 Chapter 144

    ¡°My lord, Childe Ling was indeed born in a peasant family, but he passed the tongsheng entrance examination at the age of 13. To a peasant family, he was already quite outstanding.¡±


    Not knowing why he suddenly asked about Ling Jingxuan, Shopkeeper Zhang raised his eyes to carefully look at him, with his head down as far as possible, and only picked some nice words to say. Zeng Shaoqing smiled and muttered to himself, ¡°Ice cubes are not something rare, but to those minor families, it is not easy to store. A farmer could even think of using it to make food. Maybe that¡¯s a real talent.¡±


    He hit the mark with a single comment about something that no one noticed. Zeng Shaoqing seemed careless about anything, in and out of his words was with some kind of sharpness. Shopkeeper Zhang only felt his forehead was having cold sweat all over, and became more confused about what the boss wanted.


    ¡°What is his name?¡±


    With his head resting on one hand which was holding against his thigh, Zeng Shaoqing enjoyed Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s nervousness smilingly, with undisguised teasing and interest deep in that pair of fox eyes. Apparently, not only the gap of the identities, before him, even the capable Shopkeeper Zhang was like a na?ve child. They were not on the same page at all.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan.¡±


    Besides deferentially answering him, Shopkeeper Zhang did not know what to say. He was indeed a little confused about this master¡¯s temper.


    ¡°The name doesn¡¯t sound like a farmer. You know where he lives, don¡¯t you? Send someone for him, and I will see him myself.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing slightly curved his lips, showing more interest under his eyes. Recently because of the disappearance of that bastard Yan Shengrui, plus the unceasing wars at the boarders, his father could only begged His Majesty to the boarders to take charge. Everyone in the mansion was jittery. Finally he ran out under the name of of asking for a safe rune for the old man, and secretly asked about Yan Shengrui¡¯s trace all the way. Pity that the only news he got was that he seemed to have disappeared in his fief, nothing more. For this, as he who nearly got mouldy staying home all day heard that a farmer in Datong town even thought of using ice cubes to make food and multiplied the income of a restaurant nearby in only a month, he came to check it out, and breathed some fresh air by the way.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang looked a little hesitated. Sweeping over at him with his split vision, Zeng Shaoqing said deeply, ¡°What? Inconvenient?¡±


    At this time, the well-hidden dominance suddenly broke out. So it was completely wrong to describe him with words like seductive or charming. Only some slight change of his tone, Zeng Shaoqing already looked like he had changed to another person, and his beautiful face seemed tougher. Shopkeeper Zhang had a skip of his heart and he hurriedly bent down, ¡°No, don¡¯t take me wrong, master. It¡¯s not inconvenient. To tell you the truth, except the jam, he also uses medicinal herbs to raise some kind of fat medicinal fish, but in small amount, merely enough for the branch in Datong. So every morning I¡¯d send people to fetch the fish at his place. Today when the worker came back, Ling Jingxuan asked him to tell me that he¡¯d come in person later. So if you are not in a hurry, can you wait for some time?¡±


    Speaking of which, Shopkeeper Zhang held his breath and looked at him nervously. The master¡¯s temper was so fickle that he¡¯d change his face at any minute. He was really a little scared.


    ¡°Oh? Someone who could even does fish-farming in Cangzhou? Really something.¡±


    Lips curved, that kind of sharpness instantly disappeared. Zeng Shaoqing lowered his head to flatten his golden-silk cuff whole saying, ¡°When did he say he¡¯d come?¡±


    In today¡¯s world, few people dare to make him wait. He¡¯d like to see what kind of big figure the other side is!


    But he seemed to forget, Ling Jingxuan never let him wait.


    ¡°His children are studying in the town, and I guess he¡¯d come with them. Maybe they are arrived already. Will you please allow me to check it out?¡±


    Looking at the sky outside the window, Shopkeeper Zhang was still tense. Zeng Shaoqing casually waved his hand and he bowed down to back out. Not until the door of the box was closed did Shopkeeper Zhang breathed a long sigh and wiped off the sweat off his forehead. Coping with him was even harder than coping with people from yamen! Who said he is easy-going?


    ¡°Master, why do you want to see a farmer? He should have nothing to do with Lord Jiu.¡±


    After he left, the woman in green clothes standing on the left hand of Zeng Shaoqing asked curiously when she was serving tea, thinking that she hid her infatuation about him well but was totally betrayed by that pair of eyes, while the woman in green clothes on the other side frowned so slightly that one could barely notice. Of course she noticed it with a glance, but said nothing, only standing there like a statue.


    ¡°Cuizhu, you¡¯ve been with me for nearly a year, right?¡±


    Taking a sip of the tea elegantly, Zeng Shaoqing said lightly. The woman who was called Cuizhu froze there, then hurriedly knelt down, ¡°I deserve to die!¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    With only a random eyebrow-picking of him, Cuizhu who was kneeling down there nearly had her heart jumped out, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have asked about your personal thing, master. I deserve to die.¡±


    Outsiders might not know, Zeng Shaoqing looked amiable in ordinary times, and his beautiful appearance often made other think he was totally incapable but only relied on his family. Only those who had really contacted with him knew that his personality was totally different from what he looked. He never liked others asking about his personal stuff, including the old duke and Princess Mingshang. Apparently Cuizhu had touched his taboo.


    ¡°Go down and take your punishment.¡±


    Lazily raising his eyelids, Zeng Shaoqing even didn¡¯t give her a look, but only lay back after handling the tea cup in his hand to the other maid. Cuizhu repeatedly said thanks while wiping off her tears. Soon, the box quieted down again. Zeng Shaoqing put his hands on the back of his head, staring at the roof listlessly, with all things about Yan Shengrui flashing in his head.


    On the other side, as Shopkeeper Zhang who just came out of box heard that Ling Jingxuan had come already, he immediately went to the box on the second floor. The boss¡¯ coming undoubted hurry-scurry. But¡­it seemed that he couldn¡¯t show a slice of complaining feeling. He could only swallow a bitter pill in silence¡­

 Chapter 145

    ¡°Hehe¡­ Brother Zhang.¡±


    Seeing that he pushed open the door and came in, Ling Jingxuan who was standing by the window overlooking the scenes in the streets boringly moved forward with a smile. With his subtle observation, apparently he noticed his abnormality. But he didn¡¯t mean to dig into it, for their relationship was not that close. But even if they were that close, even he didn¡¯t take the initiative to tell him, he wouldn¡¯t ask.


    ¡°Brother Ling, Sorry to have kept you waiting.¡±


    Sitting across from him, Shopkeeper Zhang was still a little uncomfortable. That was a huge blow from the boss.


    Seeing that he was kind of spaced out, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t push him, but poured a cup of warm boiled water for each of them. He took up his own and sipped lightly now and then, but in his head was all Yan Shengrui who got a cold, wondering if he was better now, whether he had taken the medicine and rested well. He really didn¡¯t understand. Apparently his physical condition was apparently much better than him. And they both played in water. Why he caught a cold? Is it possible that his man looks strong, but¡­hollow inside?


    Thinking of this, Ling Jingxuan laughed in spite of himself. If he knows what he was thinking, would he directly find a random place and sleep with him? If it was him, he¡¯d definitely do that!


    ¡°Ah¡­ Almost forgot the important thing, brother Ling, do you have anything else to do later?¡±


    After quite a while, Shopkeeper Zhang suddenly said so, then looked at him nervously. Ling Jingxuan put down his cup, picking his eyebrow, ¡°What is it? Just shoot. As long as it¡¯s something within my ability, I¡¯ll do it for you.¡±


    He was a little unaccustomed to his probing.


    ¡°Then I won¡¯t stand on ceremony. Here is the thing. The boss Lord Liu of our restaurant suddenly came today. And he heard things about you and means to see you in person. So, what do you say?¡±


    The big boss behind Xinyuan Restaurant wants to see him? Just a cold dish. He shouldn¡¯t have been disturbed by this, right?¡±


    Compared with Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s innocence, Ling Jingxuan apparently thought more. Xinyuan Restaurants had branches all through the whole Qing Kingdom. Of course the boss behind should be a bigwig, or he would even be possible to be one of the top figures in the imperial city! He didn¡¯t think that only a cold dish deserved his sudden interest. But, if it was not that case, why would he want to see him, someone who was so distant from him?


    ¡°Brother Zhang, tell me the truth. What is this Lord Liu¡¯s background?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not some kind of big secret, actually. Master Liu is the youngest son of Duke Zeng and Princess Mingshang, since he ranks sixth of his siblings, so people all call him Lord Liu (Liu means six in English).¡±


    Thinking he might ask something, Shopkeeper Zhang already told him so. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes sank, ¡°Duke Zeng? You mean that famous Duke Weiyuan who has outstanding military exploit all his life who trained Prince Sheng into a new god of war at his last days?¡±


    Regardless of who he was, he must make sure that he was harmless to Yan Shengrui first.


    ¡°Yeah, it is Duke Weiyuan. It¡¯s said that Prince Sheng grew up with Lord Liu. They were quite close. Some people even said they are lovers.¡±


    At the end of his words, Shopkeeper Zhang even showed a bit gossipy feeling, totally did not notice that Ling Jingxuan¡¯s smile grew bigger, ¡°Lovers! Then I¡¯d like to see him.¡±


    Clearly at this time his smile was as bright as flowers, but it gave people some kind of depressed feeling, which made Shopkeeper Zhang who only noticed something not right about his smile after a while have a shiver. Did he say something wrong?


    ¡°If so, Brother Ling, please come with me.¡±


    Not knowing why, he already felt today¡¯s Ling Jingxuan was indescribably strange. But Lord Liu was still waiting, he had no time to waste on that.


    ¡°After you.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan stood up and hesitated a bit, then stretched out a hand to hold up the wine jar by his feet. Since there was another more wealthy guy, why not take the chance to make a fortune out of him?


    ¡°This jar smells strange. What¡¯s inside?¡±


    Till now he noticed the presence of that jar. Shopkeeper Zhang asked so as he walked. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t think much and said, ¡°Some wine I brewed myself. Today I plan to¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Wine?¡±


    Unexpectedly, his words were interrupted by Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s exclaiming, with that square face written with naked excitement and shock. Ling Jingxuan blackened his face. Just some wine? Do you need to act so exaggeratingly? If you want, I can give you a few jars for free.


    ¡°This¡­this¡­ this is really wine?¡±


    Pointing to the jar in his hand with a trembling hand, Shopkeeper Zhang was so excited that he even got his tongue tied.


    ¡°Uh-huh.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan nodded slightly. His calm appearance was in stark contrast with the other side¡¯s excitement. Then he pretended to ask casually, ¡°Is wine very expensive stuff?¡±


    ¡°Of course , you can¡¯t even buy some even if you have money!¡±


    Seeing that he had a face of ignorance, Shopkeeper Zhang continued his nagging, ¡°This kind of wine is only special to Dong Kingdom. A few years ago when the boarders were peaceful, some businessmen would take some back occasionally. Basically, only those noble families and officials could have a chance to buy it. But in recent years, it keeps having wars at the boarders, this kind of wine is rarely seen in whole Qing Kingdom. I heard even His Majesty has no chance to drink it. But¡­never expected you could even brew it! Brother Ling, you are so rich this time!¡±


    So rare?


    After hearing his explanation, Ling Jingxuan was wild with joy in the heart. A thing is valued if it is rare. Something even His Majesty seldom had a chance to have a taste, while he could brew it. So those hundreds of jars of wine could sell for sure! Besides, if using a proper propaganda way, maybe he could even make the name of his wine shop widely spread. And at that time, did he still need to worry that money and wealth wouldn¡¯t run into his pocket obediently?


    Hahaha¡­I¡¯d definitely get rich! He seemed to have seen a mountain of gold and silver was waving hands at him.


    ¡°Brother Ling, you got to provide us your wine!¡±


    Seeing that he had no response for a long time, Shopkeeper Zhang quickly played his brotherhood card. If he could secure the exclusive right to sell the wine, would he still need to worry he couldn¡¯t get wealthy? Thinking of this, Shopkeeper Zhang even would wake up from laughing too hard in his dream. Relying this business, maybe he even had a chance to get transferred to the capital to see a bigger world.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ That¡¯d depend on whether your Lord Liu can afford the price.¡±


    Since the wine was so rare, of course he¡¯d name a big price. Seen through the whole kingdom, is there anyone more suitable than Xinyuan Restaurant to be a sucker? Ahem¡­not a sucker, but an important client, yeah, an important client¡­


    ¡°What you mean is¡­ I see. Please follow me.¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang also restored his consistent shrewdness. After getting what he was trying to say, he turned around and took him upstairs. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s concerns were only reasonable. Compared with talking with him and letting him report it to his boss, it was more effective to directly talk to Lord Liu, also maybe he could sell it at a higher price.

 Chapter 146

    Although having seen all kinds of handsome men and beautiful women from different countries in his previous life, when he first saw Zeng Shaoqing, Ling Jingxuan still couldn¡¯t feeling stunned. It lasted quite a few seconds, which one could tell how beautiful Zeng Shaoqing was. Compared with Chu Ci whose beauty surprised him, he looked even prettier, not, to be more exact, they were of different kind. Chu Ci¡¯s beauty was cold and arrogant, which would keep someone a thousand li away. While this man before his eyes, his beauty was that kind of stunning feeling, so enchanting, and so seductive.


    At the same time, during the few seconds he froze there, Zeng Shaoqing who was leaning on the couch also cast a quick glance at him. Strictly speaking, Ling Jingxuan was not that kind of first-sight looker, but his facial features were quite exquisite, that pair of long and thin phoenix eyes should be seducing, but they looked so sagacious and mysterious on his face. Once someone looked into his eyes, one would feel like being captured. Plus, the good food recently and the nutrition of the water from the Spring, his skin was so smooth and fair, which added more gracefulness and elegance to him, but¡­


    What surprised Zeng Shaoqing most was his temperament, his not so tall figure made him look kind of slim, but the moment he appeared in the box, his momentum didn¡¯t lose to anyone, including him, but even kind of above him. How could a farmer have such kind of imposing manner?


    To this end, Zeng Shaoqing showed more interest under his eyes, clearly Ling Jingxuan was to his liking.


    ¡°Lord Liu, this is Childe Ling Ling Jingxuan.¡±


    Seeing that both of them gave each other a fox-like smile, Shopkeeper Zhang couldn¡¯t help sighing in the heart. At first, he thought Ling Jingxuan would have performance anxiety, after all Lord Liu was the real imperial family member, the cousin of the present emperor, son of the number duke. Even if he just sat there without moving a bit, others might feel scared in the heart, but¡­he acted as normal, like he completely had no idea of the other side¡¯s background, but only took him as a common person.


    ¡°Brother Ling, Lord Liu is the owner of Xinyuan Restaurant.¡±


    No matter how much surprised and helpless he felt in the heart, Shopkeeper Zhang still did his job and introduced them to each other.


    Zeng Shaoqing slowly stood up from the couch, walked to Ling Jingxuan elegantly step by step. About less than half a meter place, he stopped, then held out a hand to hook his chin, ¡°What a nice childe! I guess you still under twenty, right? You are not even scared on seeing me. I like it.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want your hands to get rotton, you better behave!¡±


    Without brushing off his hand or taking a step back, Ling Jingxuan slightly moved his body, with that pair of calm eyes coldly looking at him, with a faint smile hanging at the corner of his mouth, but there was no smiling feeling in that pair of eyes at all, or you could say his eyes were freezing cold. Zeng Shaoqing who tried to molest him was stunned. Before he could react what he was indicating, the back of that hand started to feel extremely itchy. With a faint glance, he noticed that his delicate skin on the back of his hand already got reddened, with dense rashes on it. His eyes instantly darkened. He slowly took back his hand, turned to walk beside the table. The woman in green waiting on soon got a basin of cold water, knelt down to rinse it for him carefully.


    ¡°My lord, our detoxification powder is useless.¡±


    After a moment, the woman looked up at him. She had already added the detoxification powder exclusive to the imperial palace in the water. Usual poison would be detoxified after washing with water. But the back of Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s hand was still swollen like a pig hoof, and it looked like more and more serious.


    ¡°Hehe¡­never thought you even know about poison, and play it well, the poison you made is very special.¡±


    Looking down at his own swollen hand, Zeng Shapqing looked over at Ling Jingxuan who didn¡¯t show any trace of giving him the antidote. He really looked down on him.


    ¡°My lord, I¡¯m so flattered, this is the antidote. Mix it with warm water and smear it on the back of your hand, and you¡¯d be fine.¡±


    Ignoring Shopkeeper Zhang who nearly shitted his pants there, Ling Jingxuan walked over holding the jar, and only felt out a finger-size brown pill and threw it to the woman in green after sitting on the opposite side of Zeng Shaoqing. If he guessed right, this guy wouldn¡¯t be so simple as he appeared. Judging from his swift steps, his martial arts should be pretty high. The reason he could successfully poison him was his luck and his defenselessness. If given another chance, it wouldn¡¯t be so easy. If possible, he would want to offend such kind of person, or make friends with him. A man who performed his own advantaged to the extreme to cover his true nature was usually very dangerous.


    Of course, if he kept molesting him, he wouldn¡¯t show mercy. Poisoning him might not be easy, but not totally impossible. He had his own way to deal with him.


    To put it bluntly, he was just too lazy, and had no mood to deal with this kind of tough and sly fox.


    They were both the shrewd and cunning kind. Just a little skirmish between them, and they saw each other¡¯s nature more or less clearly.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d let my hand rot like that.¡±


    The woman in green soon smeared the antidote on the back of his hand was she was told. Nearly in a second, the extremely itch was gone, and swollen back of his hand went down. Zeng Shaoqing slightly curved his lips. It seemed that this time he came to the right place. He even picked such an amusing delicate man.


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s only your hand that¡¯s going to rot?¡±


    Eyebrow lightly picking, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t mind exposing his ability with poison, only to let the other side see what he was capable of, they would have a greater space for cooperation, someone like him, he would never want to cooperate with a fool.


    ¡°Haha¡­So, I got a huge bargain!¡±


    Hearing him, Zeng Shaoqing revealed the most real smile. Since Yan Shengrui went missing at the boarders, a few big forces were all looking for him secretly. In case they found him first, he had to cast a net to look for him too. Pity that no news he received was cheering. He nearly forgot since when he even nearly lost his real desire. But such a whim visit could make him laugh again.


    He was already seductive enough, plus that smile made his charm off the charts. Even Ling Jingxuan sitting on his opposite side had to look away to get distracted, having no idea who could subdue such a demon-level figure! But as long as it was not his man, he¡¯d give his blessing.


    ¡°Jingxuan, are you really just an ordinary farmer? A farmer could never figure out such a cold dish. And the medicinal fish! Through the whole territory of Cangzhou, in those 120 towns of the six prefectures, no one had ever successfully fed freshwater fish. If someone told me a farmer did it, I can¡¯t believe it.¡±


    After the greeting, Zeng Shaoqing finally got into the business. If he was only a bit interested when heard about that cold dish, now he was surprised about that he could even raise fish in this place. That pair of seemingly careless eyes stared at him. Even a subtle change of his expression couldn¡¯t escape from his eyes, but¡­


    Let along expression fluctuations, even the radian of that faint smile didn¡¯t change a bit, ¡°When a person is forced to the dead end, anything impossible will become possible. When I was a child, I once learned some medical skills from a barefoot doctor. So it isn¡¯t strange that I can use herbs to raise fish. Or, we can only follow the predecessors¡¯ footsteps and walk the chalk, but could never have our own innovation?¡±


    Stereotyped excuse! He did not believe that he could really insist on asking him to find out the non-existent barefoot doctor for him. In this world, there were so many things that human could not reach, even though he had a strong background or was backed by the imperial family, he still could not do many things.


    Pia~Pia~


    ¡°Good innovation! I like someone like you! Jingxuan, would you consider about being with me?¡±


    All of a sudden, the applause broke out, Zeng Shaoqing swept the previous probing attitude, half of his body leaned forward across the table, with that pair of fox eyes fixing on him. His hand that stretched out trying to touch him shrank back again. About his poisoning abilities, he was still a little scared.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Forget it. What of you fall in love with me? I will be very troubled.¡±


    His clear and deep eyes looked straight at him. Ling Jingxuan was still calm, without any hurry and confusion, but he couldn¡¯t help complaining in the heart. No wonder he and Yan Shengrui were childhood friends. Both were so thick-skinned.


    ¡°Troubled?¡±


    Isn¡¯t it his honor if he falls in love with him? Why bother? He should know, countless ladies in the imperial city were lining up for his favor, while he refused? Is it possible his charm has retrogressed?


    Zeng Shaoqing could not help feeling upset in the heart He was the son of a noble duke, the emperor¡¯s cousin, and the first rich businessman of the Qing Kingdom. Who wouldn¡¯t lose himself/herself to him as long as they saw him? He said it¡¯d be a trouble??? That was a big blow to his confidence.


    ¡°My heart is very small, I only need one I love. Besides, I am petty on relationships. I can never share my lover with someone else. You look so handsome, so chanming. I guess you should have a lot of admirers. But I am not interested to be on your hunting list. Of course, if you don¡¯t mind me poisoning all of them to death, and then poisoning you, I don¡¯t mind you keep chasing after me. But on one premise, you should have enough abilities to make me fall in love with you.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words were not only cruel, but also astounding. In such a world where a man could three wives and four concubines but a woman could only be faithful to her husband unto death after marrying that man, if those words spread out, he¡¯d even be thrown into a pig cage and soaked in water. The slightest outcome was that he was a slattern and got pointed at by people for the rest of his life, let alone he was merely a farmer. Even the present empress wouldn¡¯t dare say it so reasonably. She even had to act like a virtuous woman to arrange the sleeping list for the emperor. But not only he said, but also he looked as if it was a natural thing. Thinking of here, Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s interest about him grew denser.


    ¡°Then, for the sake of my life, I¡¯d better behave myself.¡±


    The ambiguous feeling mixed in his interest was already gone. This was the first time they met, he wouldn¡¯t give up the whole forest for one crooked tree. But¡­Some kind of evil light flashed under his fox eyes. What would happen if that asshole Yan Shengrui met him? One was so domineering and aggressive, while the other always performed so calmly but also imposing, which advocated monogamy. If they met, what chemical reaction would they have? Not knowing why, he suddenly became expected about it. When he found Yan Shengrui, he¡¯d definitely bring him to see this Ling Jingxuan in the first place!


    Of course, that was only his wishful thinking. Even in his dream he couldn¡¯t expect that now Yan Shengrui who he had been looking for everywhere was at Ling Jingxuan¡¯s home now.

 Chapter 147

    Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s ¡®frankness¡¯ undoubtedly let one have the spur to kick his ass. Judging from that evil smile on his face, even thinking with the butt, one would know he was scheming something. Ling Jingxuan looked at him with that pair of pure and proud eyes at him faintly. Seeing that he kept sneering there, Ling Jingxuan also rolled his eyes higher and higher. Could this guy show a little bit respect to others?


    ¡°If Lord Liu asks me here for such boring things, excuse me, I got a lot of things to do.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­ aren¡¯t you going to tell me the truth?¡±


    Raising his eyes to look at Ling Jingxuan who was about to stand, Zeng Shaoqing turned sideways , put a hand on the table and crossed his legs, totally revealing his ruffian-like style. Apparently that made one feel disgusted, but it was so reasonable when he did it, like he was born to be a dope.


    Ling Jingxuan sat back on hearing that, calmly adjusted his sleeves, holding that imposing manner no inferior to him, ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you mean, Lord Liu, about our cooperation, if you want, we can continue, if you don¡¯t, I have no loss. Food is the paramount necessity of the people. Even if you no longer want my jam and fish, I can sell it to someone else. Only marketing thing. As for myself, it makes no difference. But you should be clear that how much profit my jam would bring you. Without my supply, you¡¯d only suffer more than me. Let alone today I even brought something good you even don¡¯t have somewhere to buy.¡±


    No one wanted his buried secret revealed before the public, including Ling Jingxuan. Business is business. Seen from now, whether Xinyuan or Zeng Shaoqing, they were the best cooperative partners. But if he kept on like this, he could only give up.


    ¡°Oh? Is something good you mention that?¡±


    It was the first time someone dared to talk to him in this way. Zeng Shaoqing raised his eyebrows and swept his eyes over the large jar he put on the table. At first glance, it looked a little like a vase. But given a careful look, there was a wooden wedge on the top. Apparently inside there was something special. After hearing his words, Zeng Shaoqing got his curiosity triggered.


    ¡°Hmm. Lord Liu, would you like to have a taste?¡±


    Nodding slightly, Ling Jingxuan looked at him blandly. As far as he knew, this super spoiled childe wouldn¡¯t eat food outside, besides, just now he had just showed his poison-using ability, under normal condition, he wouldn¡¯t eat anything from him.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    But he obviously looked down upon Zeng Shaoqing. He was born into a noble family, but he also came from a family of a military general. He had been spoiled since he was a child. In recent years as he grew older, he kind of restrained himself. What situation hadn¡¯t he experienced? If he was really afraid that Ling Jingxuan may poison him, he would be sitting here now.


    ¡°Excuse me, please fetch a few cups for us. Brother Zhang, you can also have a taste.¡±


    As if not surprised that he would nod to agree, Ling Jingxuan asked that woman in green to get them the cups while standing up to feel out a special opener, which he asked Zhao Dalong to make, kind of like the wine opener in modern times, but a little simpler.


    ¡°Boh ~¡±


    The moment the wedge was plugged out, a faint aroma of fruit filled the air, with a hint of wine mixed in it. Sitting on the opposite side, Zeng Shaoqing couldn¡¯t help raising his eyebrows and looked more focused. The smell¡­is it wine?


    Soon, the light red liquid Ling Jingxuan poured in the cup and pushed before him gave him the answer. Surprised, Zeng Shaoqing took it up and had a smell, then couldn¡¯t help taking a sip, then showed an evil smile again. That was really the wine Dong Kingdom took as their national treasure. Even he had few chances for have a taste of it. Never expected that now he could taste it again in a village tour. Besides, it tasted even better, and the fruity smell was denser! Apparently it was top quality!


    ¡°Brother Zhang, have a try!¡±


    Ignoring the subtle change of his expression, Ling Jingxuan handed Shopkeeper Zhang another cup. This batch of wine was all made using the crescent spring water, of course the taste was not any wine of this era could compare. If preserved in low temperature for a few years, maybe even the top wine in modern times wouldn¡¯t be its match. So, he was completely not worried that Zeng Shaoqing wouldn¡¯t fall for it.


    ¡°Good, good¡­¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang first looked at Zeng Shaoqing. Seeing that he had no reaction, he took the cup with a trembling hand. Looking at the reddish liquid inside, his facial muscles were even convulsed with excitement, never dreamed that he could drink the wine that only the rich and noble people could drink.


    Ling Jingxuan poured himself a cup. First, he had tasted it last night, second, he was not a sot, he was not interested in drinking in broad daylight, third, he was still worried about the patient at home. So after finishing things here, he¡¯d go back as soon as possible, otherwise someone would play a rascal before him again using the excuse that he was a patient.


    ¡°You made this wine yourself? Is there any stock at home?¡±


    After quite a while, Zeng Shaoqing pacified himself in the heart. He raised his head to look at Ling Jingxuan. How many things did he not know about him? A farmer, who looked so elegant and graceful like a childe from a big family. A random cold dish from him had doubled the turnover of his restaurant. And the small-pot jam even became something those misses and madams of those big families were craving for. Besides, he could also raise freshwater fish in Cangzhou! And just now, he had shown his extraordinary poison abilities. And now, he even could brew the wine only Dong Kingdom¡¯s could. If he didn¡¯t see it with his own eyes, he would never believe there¡¯d be such a ¡®pervert¡¯!

 Chapter 148

    ¡°That depends on whether you got the desire to buy.¡±


    In other words, if you buy it, we have room to continue. If you don¡¯t buy it, I¡¯m sorry I got not time to waste with you.


    ¡°Huh? Haha¡­¡±


    Through the whole kingdom, few people dared to use that tone to talk to Zeng Shaoqing. For this, Zeng Shaoqing was stunned there for a few seconds, and then gave a flippant laugh. Interesting! This guy is really interesting!


    ¡°Lord Liu, so¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan wore a poker face, standing quietly. But, Shopkeeper Zhang who had just tasted the wine already couldn¡¯t help looking over at his boss nervously. Lord Liu, don¡¯t get soft in the head! Once they obtained the exclusive right of sales of this kind of wine, their business wouldn¡¯t get simply doubled. Maybe they could even get the authority of exclusive supply of the imperial family! Although they themselves already had the imperial family as the back, but that was something special!


    The laughter stopped abruptly, and after a warning glance at him, Zeng Shaoqing looked at Ling Jingxuan and said, ¡°How much stock do you have at home? How do you want to sell?¡±


    ¡°Four hundred jars, ten jin each, a hundred tales of silver each jar.¡±


    Red lips wriggling, Ling Jingxuan demanded an exorbitant price without even thinking. Business needed to be negotiated. Yeah, it was true that a hundred taels of silver for each jar was kind of too high, but, it was such a rare chance to meet such a sugar daddy¡­oh no, moneybag, he¡¯d feel sorry to himself if he didn¡¯t swindle some money out of him.


    ¡°All right. I want them all! If you could make more, send them all to my Xinyuan Restaurant!¡±


    Super rich people were really different. Without even thinking, he wanted them all. That was one hundred taels of silver for one jar! In total, it was forty thousand! Zeng Shaoqing even did not blind his eyes. Even Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help freezing there. But then he instantly smiled, ¡°Lord Liu is so straightforward! The wine is at my place. You can ask people to get it. As for the business about the jam and fish¡­¡±


    He deliberately did not finish the rest of the words ¡°I¡¯ll save them for you¡±. As smart as Zeng Shaoqing was, he instantly understood what he was trying to say, ¡°As long you can guarantee the quality, be it wine or other things, just send them here. And I believe Shopkeeper Zhang will give you a reasonable price.¡±


    ¡°In that case, we have an agreement.¡±


    Then Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t want waste one more minute, and was about to stand up to leave, but got stopped by Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s words.


    ¡°Are you really not considering going to the capital with me? Compared with Datong town, such a rural place, with your talent, the capital can undoubtedly better show your talent, right? I heard you have two kids who went to school not long ago. If you can help me, I can guarantee them a smooth career.¡±


    He was a businessman, and Ling Jingxuan was a talent. If he could make him work for him, it was like adding wings on a tiger.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like taking orders from others. Thank you anyway.¡±


    Looking at him sideways, Ling Jingxuan said faintly. Zeng Shaoqing was surprised. Although this was not the first time he said something that beyond his imagination, ¡°Won¡¯t you consider it for the kids?¡±


    ¡°If they have the ability, even in the countryside, they¡¯d be successful. On the contrary, if they are incapable, even if they are the emperor¡¯s sons, they would only be some weaklings. Studying is only to tell black from white and know what¡¯s right and wrong. I don¡¯t expect them to be superior to others, but only hope they wouldn¡¯t get bullied or inferior to others. Lord Liu, don¡¯t you think so?¡±


    If he really cared about fame, how would he go into business? Some things, Ling Jingxuan did not speak it out did not mean he didn¡¯t see it through. Actually Zeng Shaoqing was worthy associating with, but the premise is, he had to walk into his heart and let him really take him as friend from the bottom of his heart, otherwise, he¡¯d even eat you without bones left. Pity that he was too lazy, he neither wanted to cope with him nor wanted to make friends with him.


    ¡°Hehe¡­I did not see you wrong, this is my token. With it, whichever branch of Xinyuan Restaurant you go, they¡¯d grant whatever you request. Ling Jingxuan, if you change your mind some day, come to find me in the capital.¡±


    While speaking, Zeng Shaoqing felt out a piece of green jade token to him, and threw an eye at the woman in green aside. Then the woman went into another compartment. Ling Jingxuan took it and saw it was only the size of a baby¡¯s palm, with a picture of birds paying homage to the phoenix engraved in the middle.


    ¡°Thank you, Lord Liu.¡±


    It was a good thing at first sight. Why not take it?


    ¡°This is the bank note of forty thousand taels of silver, I will not stay here long, so later will let someone to fetch the wine at your place.¡±


    Then the woman in green handed a few bank notes before him. Ling Jingxuan took them and saw each was ten thousand, four pieces in total, ¡°No problem. If so, I¡¯m going home to wait for you.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan put away the bank notes and jade token and turned to leave, he still needed to go to Chu Ci¡¯s side.


    ¡°My lord, I¡¯ll go make the arrangements then.¡±


    After watching them leave the box, Shopkeeper Zhang was still suffering from the shock said with a trembling voice. He knew the wine was expensive, but never anticipated it would this expensive. Besides, that was a price Ling Jingxuan offered Lord Liu. Heaven knows how many times of one hundred taels of silver for a jar Lord Liu would sell.


    ¡°OK.¡±


    Nodding faintly, Zeng Shaoqing held his chine with a hand against the table, no one knew whathe was thinking, of course Shopkeeper Zhang dare not ask, only bowed to back out. Then the woman in green aside said, ¡°My lord, would you like another cup?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan did not take it away, apparently he meant to leave it for them to taste.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ no, seal it up and I¡¯ll take it away.¡±


    Standing up to stretch himself, Zeng Shaoqing suddenly said, ¡°Damn it! I got set up by that jerk!¡±


    With his eyes nailing on that wooden dredge, Zeng Shaoqing now reacted. Without the customized opener, they couldn¡¯t open it. But now, Ling Jingxuan already went out of the restaurant. He turned to look at the direction of third floor, showing an evil smile. The last of the last, he still beat him!

 Chapter 149

    ¡°Confucius said: To learn something and timely practice it ¨C it is a pleasure, isn¡¯t it? To have friends who have the same ambition as yours coming from far away and talk to each other ¨C it is a delight, isn¡¯t it? Not to blame a person who does not recognize you ¨C it is a gentleman, isn¡¯t it¡­¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan who was holding a jar of wine in his hand approached the door of Qingchen Bookshop, he heard the kids¡¯ reading from the backyard, and his foot froze in the air, with a smile slowly crawling upon his lips. No sound could be more pleasant than the kids¡¯ reading using that innocent tone. Although disdains those ancient style proses or what in person, compared with the most famous cramming method of teaching in Hua Kingdom in the twenty-first century, which basically required rote memorization, he disdain the latter more. No wonder a lot of people couldn¡¯t get enlisted after learning for a whole life. Studying didn¡¯t mean to imprint things in the head. The most important thing is to apply it, and draw inferences about other cases from one instant, and have one¡¯s own understanding. So, every day when he had time, he still would teach the kids the multiplication table, basic life principles and other stuff. The two little buns were smart. They could often unite what he taught them and things they learned from Chu Ci and come up to their own conclusion. Maybe they were a bit strange in others¡¯ eyes, but he would love to see that.


    ¡°Mr. Chu.¡±


    After entering the room, as he saw Chu Ci holding a book in his hand sitting behind the counter, absent-minded, Ling Jingxuan walked over and casually put the wine on the counter. Chu Ci who came to his sense cast a faint glance at the jar, but his eyes didn¡¯t stay on it for long. This month, Ling Jingxuan often asked the kids to bring him some jam or other new and strange food he made himself. So he already became inured to the unusual.


    ¡°What?¡±


    For so long, in the face of Ling Jingxuan, Chu Ci was still as cold as ever, and Ling Jingxuan seemed to be used to it. He walked directly to a chair aside and sat down, saying slowly, ¡°Nothing. I¡¯m here to send you a jar of wine in brewed myself, and check on you by the way.¡±


    Well, before he met Zeng Shaoqing, his purpose was really so simple, now it depends, although he had not expressed it, in fact, he had been very concerned about one thing, and the only one that could give him the answer was the man in front of him.


    ¡°Wine? Impressive. You even can get the national treasure of Dong Kingdom. What else can you not do?¡±


    The word ¡°wine¡± apparently drew Chu Ci¡¯s attention, and his eyes inevitably swept over that strange jar, and his tone was still so rude as always.


    ¡°There are a lot of things I can¡¯t do, and there are a lot of things I don¡¯t understand. Chu Ci, guess who I saw when in Xinyuan Restaurant just now.¡±


    Lying on the counter sideways, the present Ling Jingxuan was like a quick-witted child. At the end of his words, he even threw him a leer. Now knowing why, thought having few contacts with Chu Ci, he kind of liked him.


    Chu Ci made a shiver, and threw him his dagger eyes, red lips slightly moving, ¡°What does it have anything to do with me?¡±


    In other words, keep your mouth shut!


    ¡°You¡¯d only know after I tell you. I heard he is the boss of Xinyuan Restaurant¡­¡±


    Pa~


    As he heard the words ¡®boss of Xinyuan Restaurant¡¯, the book in Chu Ci¡¯s hand dropped on the ground, and his arrogant face slightly changed, with that pair of long and thin eyes infected with some kind of undisguised horror. Ling Jingxuan already noticed it clearly, so he hurried comforted, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I didn¡¯t say a word about you. I told talked with him about the wine business.¡±


    Having known him for so long, plus, he was really using his heart to teach his little buns, it was


    inevitable that Ling Jingxuan generated some curiosity about him, wondering why he would hide here with the kid alone, and why he was so scared about anything and anyone about the imperial palace. But of course, he knew Chu Ci wouldn¡¯t tell him, at least before Shengrui regained his memories, he wouldn¡¯t say a word about himself.


    ¡°Is¡­he all right?¡±


    After quite some time, Chu Ci squeezed those words out of his mouth. Ling Jingxuan slightly frowned, ¡°as the son of the number one duke, and the wealthiest businessman of Qing Kingdom, do you think he wouldn¡¯t be good?¡±


    Is there something going on between these two? But it doesn¡¯t make sense. Judging from that kid¡¯s appearance, he should have blood relationship with Yan Shengrui. Besides, Zeng Shaoqing was nearly reaching his thirties but still hadn¡¯t been married. Apparently he wouldn¡¯t care about what other said behind him. If there was really something between them, Chu Ci should have already been Mrs. Zeng. Why hid here? Given Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s ability, how could he not be able to shield him?


    ¡°Hehe¡­You think things too simple. Be it number one duke or the wealthiest businessman, that is only up to His Majesty. Through the whole kingdom, the only one who dares say no to His Majesty is your man. By the way, how much for a jar did you sell the wine to him?¡±


    Smiling, pale and weak, Chu Ci bent down to pick up the book that had fallen to the ground and tried to change the topic. As long as he was all good. He really didn¡¯t want to talk about anything about the imperial palace. If possible, he¡¯d rather live such a life for the rest of his life than go back to that gorgeous cage.


    ¡°A hundred taels of silver.¡±


    Sensing he was trying to avoid it, Ling Jingxuan also no longer tried to tear his scar, but only stretched out his finger. To him now, one hundred taels of silver for a jar was already a sky-high price, but¡­


    ¡°Too cheap. He¡¯d sell it at least a thousand.¡±


    Rarely a sneer crawled into his eyes. A second ago, Ling Jingxuan who was still in a good mood suddenly felt stunned, red lips slightly opened with surprise. A thousand taels of silver? Is he a robber? Ten times! How could there be so many so rich people???

 Chapter 150

    ¡°Don¡¯t look down on those meritorious officials, not to mention the imperial family, wine is the best skin nourishing thing for women, and, the least thing that the imperial family lacks is women. With Shaoqing¡¯s ability, it¡¯s as easy as pie to sell those wine into the imperial family.¡±


    As if seeing through his thoughts, Chu Ci said lightly, ¡°The luxurious life of the patricians is beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Sometimes their daily expenses are enough to sustain ordinary people a lifetime of good food and drinks.¡±


    ¡°Well, I really belittled their consumption ability. But it doesn¡¯t matter. I have earned enough. Chu Ci, I got something to ask you.¡±


    Helpless shaking his head, Ling Jingxuan got up and threw himself on the counter, with that pair of sincere eyes looking at him with great interest. Chu Ci raised his eyebrows, stretched out a finger to poke on his forehead trying to push him away, ¡°Just shoot. Don¡¯t show that hungry-wolf look. Others may think you have feelings for me.¡±


    With their relationship, it wasn¡¯t a problem to make jokes, but that¡¯s all.


    ¡°You sound like you are a stunner! My Shengrui is much more handsome than you! All right. Here is the thing. I heard from Shopkeeper Zhant that people in the imperial city said that Shengrui and Zeng Shaoqing were lovers. What is going on?¡±


    Yeah, it was that thing. He¡¯d feel uncomfortable all over if he couldn¡¯t make it clear. Nearly the second he saw Zeng Shaoqing, he was pretty sure they would never be lovers, but he himself being sure of it was one thing, the truth was another. He was a jealous man. He didn¡¯t like his man having a scandal with someone else.


    ¡°Huh? Hehe¡­¡±


    Chu Ci was stunned there for a second, but instantly smiled covering his mouth. Isn¡¯t he very smart? Why make a fool of himself now? Shengrui and Shaoqing??? Come on! Even only the two of them were left in this world, they wouldn¡¯t become lovers. Others may not know. But how could he who saw them grow up not know? Those two were both flippant and impudent. It was only strange that they would fall in love.


    ¡°Answer me when you laugh enough.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face blackened, he also knew his question was stupid, but he just cared about it.


    ¡°If it were someone else, I can¡¯t guarantee you. But you can rest assured. About those rumors, it should be fabricated for neither of them wanted to marry each other. So they released such fake news. Plus, they were childhood friends who grew up sharing their pants to wear. So it¡¯s only normal those who don¡¯t know them would buy it.¡±


    Suppressing the desire to laugh, Chu Ci said so seriously, but still you could read a teasing smile under that pair of long and thin eyes. Apparently different from that ice-cold beauty look!


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Sitting back, Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes. People in this era got married earlier, and in order to reproduce their offspring, people of the imperial family or those official family would let the kids get married even earlier. Now both Shengrui and Zeng Shaoqing already in their twenties, it was only normal that they would use this way to avoid getting married, but¡­


    ¡°Weren¡¯t they afraid that His Majesty would grant their marriage?¡±


    A man is allowed to marry a man. Isn¡¯t the queen abolished by the emperor five years ago also a man? Maybe someday what was make-believe would become true and His Majesty really grants their marriage? Like what Chu Ci said, be it the prince or duke, all have to bow to the emperor. If His Majesty really grants their marriage, dare they act against it?


    ¡°It seems that you really don¡¯t know Shengrui. If you do, you should ask if His Majesty dares provoke him.¡±


    Speaking of the imperial family, the smile on Chu Ci¡¯s face quietly disappeared, after quite a while, he continued under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s craving eyes, ¡°Actually His Majesty isn¡¯t a wise emperor, but only a diligent moderate sovereign. While Yan Shengrui not only holds great military power in his hands, but is also the prince that has the right of succession. The only thing he doesn¡¯t have is the ambition for the throne. So, how would His Majesty ever have the guts to provoke him? If he doesn¡¯t want to get married, even Her Empress Dowager could do nothing. Besides, I¡¯m afraid His Majesty wouldn¡¯t want him to get married.


    The only prince in the Qing Kingdom that held a heavy army, and among the army, the court and the people, he had a very high reputation, once he got married and gave birth to his son, even if he had no ambition, some people would still plot against him in the dark.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ His Majesty is strange, but what about his sons? Not afraid of Shengrui?¡±


    As smart as Ling Jingxuan was, of course he read those implied words. To be honest, he felt relieved on hearing that Shengrui was not interested in the throne. What¡¯s any good to be the emperor? Such a thankless job, and had to guard against so many people every day. It was a must as he did that job well. If not, he might go down in history as a symbol of infamy. Apparently not so free and unlabored as a common civilian. Throughout the five thousand years¡¯ history of Hua Kingdom, how many emperors have ever lived over a hundred years? He didn¡¯t want his Shengrui to die from overwork.


    ¡°What do you think? Shengrui is the youngest brother of His Majesty, ranking the ninth. He is twenty-seven now. His Majesty is the eldest son, who nearly reaches the age of no-doubt (in China, when one reaches his thirty, it is called the age of no-doubt.) Even the eldest son of His Majesty is in his twenties, plus His Majesty has been in bad health in recent years. It¡¯s only strange if they are not anxious.¡±


    Throwing him a faint glance, Chu Ci settled his eyes on that book again, but apparently his eyes weren¡¯t focusing. He also had no idea why he said so much to Ling Jingxuan today. Maybe deep in his heart, he had already taken him as a friend. If he knew nothing, and one day Yan Shengrui regained his memories, given his personalities, he¡¯d even have no bones left if he went to the capital. Those people were a bunch of hungry wolves, so blood-thirsty. Family affection? Already gone in their heart.


    ¡°No wonder¡­¡±


    No wonder Shengrui got so badly injured. It should be the credit of those sons of His Majesty! Thinking of this, Ling Jingxuan smiled, that smile was so cold and blood-thirsty. He didn¡¯t care whether it was His Majesty or princes! He could let go of the past, but if someday they tried to ride over his head, he didn¡¯t mind clear both the old and new hatred. Of course, the premise is he and Shengrui could still be together at the time.

 Chapter 151

    Seeing his strange smile, Chu Ci couldn¡¯t help shivering, at the same time, some kind of expectation rose in his heart. He¡¯d like to see how he¡¯d overturn the imperial family. The imperial family had lived a comfortable life for too long. It was time to let them suffer. Maybe, it could also earn him and his Yan¡¯er a different future!


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    No one knew when the reading sound in the backyard had already stopped. With a clear and na?ve ¡®daddy¡¯, the next second, a little bun already rushed before him, held his waist to act cute. Ling Jingxuan found it funny and held him up, ¡°Let daddy see if my little bun gets a little smarter!¡±


    After over a month¡¯s effort, although the two little buns were still a little far from meat stuffed buns, they were no longer so thin and dark-colored, and so cute now. If they could grow more flesh, of course they were meat stuffed buns!


    ¡°Daddy! You bully me again~¡±


    Nose wrinkled, mouth pouted, the little bun ¡®protested¡¯. Was he not smart before? But Uncle Chu and brother Yan often praised him for being smart and cute, OK?


    Yeah, you are the one I wanna bully! Of course Ling Jingxuan would never say those words before him. Smiling, he looked over at Ling Wen, Tiewa and Chu Yan who were following behind. He signaled Ling Wen and Tiewa to come over with a hand, and then said to Chu Ci while nailing his eyes on Chu Yan, ¡°Your son is cute. That¡¯d be a big trouble for you in the future.¡±


    Only nine years old, he was already one meter and a half, looking handsome and graceful. Heaven knows how many girls¡¯ hearts he¡¯d hurt!


    ¡°I¡¯d rather him bother me. I¡¯m just wondering if I have that opportunity¡­¡±


    In the end, Chu Ci¡¯s words were basically with his mouth, and his cool eyes flashed some undisguised pain. If everything couldn¡¯t be changed, he and his family could never have a chance to see him grow up.


    ¡°Dad¡­¡±


    Keenly aware of his father¡¯s depression, Chu Yan sensibly went over, but, after all, it was only a nine-year-old child, and it seemed he was not a talkative person. Except looking at him worriedly, he didn¡¯t know how to comfort him. Ling Jingxuan who was seemingly teasing the kids quietly took everything under his eyes. Pretending he didn¡¯t see anything, he touched each kid and then said, ¡°Oh right, I¡¯m gonna invite some friends and those workers for dinner in a few days. If you don¡¯t mind, I hope you can come.¡±


    According to the customs in countryside, after building the roof, one should invite his relatives and friends over to have a meal to share their joys. But at the time he had been busy making jam, so, he invited people only after hanging the plaque for the house. But before that, they needed to come up with a nice name first.


    ¡°Lots of people will be there?¡±


    Quickly hiding the pains in the eyes, Chu Ci raised his head to throw his son a comforting look, then turned to Ling Jingxuan, frowning. If possible, he¡¯d rather his son could contact more with Yan Shengrui. But he himself didn¡¯t like a place with too many people.


    ¡°Hehe¡­I guess. There are dozens of workers. And the rest are those relatives from my mother¡¯s family, and brother Zhao, Shopkeeper Zhang, Laowang and others. But don¡¯t worry. No one knows you.¡±


    As for the old Ling family, nah!


    ¡°OK. As for the specific time, you can ask Xiaowen or Xiaowu to tell me.¡±


    If so, he¡¯d just go, also, he could take his sons to have some fun. Since he had transmigrated here, they had never gone out for fun.


    ¡°No problem. Then I¡¯ll ask someone to pick you up. All right, later, Shopkeeper Zhang will come to my place to fetch the wine. If there¡¯s nothing else, I gotta go.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan patted the little bun¡¯s butt, signaling him to get off. It was quite a while since he was here. So it was time he should go home, otherwise, that ¡®patient¡¯ at home would lost his temper again.


    ¡°Daddy, is the wine all sold out?¡±


    Ling Wen grabbed the lower hem of his robes, with that pair of round eyes stained with undisguised worries, only afraid that their wine was not worth much. Ling Jingxuan rubbed his head, ¡°Hmm, four hundred jars all sold out.¡±


    ¡°Why still one hundred jars left? Forget about the price, as long as they sell. Sell all those five hundred jars. If you want to keep some for yourself, aren¡¯t there twenty jars you brewed before? Daddy, it might be cheap, but didn¡¯t you say a mosquito¡¯s leg is also meat?¡±


    On hearing that he still kept another one hundred jars, Ling Jingxuan instantly thought it was because the price was too low. See? Now he again started his special nagging skills like a little adult. On the other hand, the small bun and Tiewa snickered covering their mouths. Every time daddy would lessoned by his elder brother, but his daddy just kept making mistakes again and again, and was always so incorrigible. So funny! Compared with the two black-bellied little buns, apparently Chu Ci and his son who saw such a scene for the first time dropped their jaws. Is there something with their eyes? Is it a show of a son disciplining his dad being on? Did they see it wrong?


    Well, Ling Jingxuan was also speechless. When did he say the price is not good?


    ¡°Xiaowen, I didn¡¯t say the price is not good, besides¡­¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan took out the bank notes Zeng Shaoqing gave him. Ling Wen then took them over with suspicious. As he saw clearly that it was written with ten thousand taels of silver, the hand that was holding the bank notes started to tremble like chicken feets. He raised his head to look at Ling Jingxuan, stammering, ¡°You mean¡­this is ours???¡±


    Ling Wen was really afraid that he saw it wrong, even his thin body started to tremble. That¡¯s forty thousand taels of silver! Oh my! How much is that? Would it stuff their warehouse if they exchange them into real silver?


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s the money for the wine. Today is really my lucky day. I met the boss of Xinyuan Restaurant. He offered a hundred taels of silver for each jar. And I said I have four hundred for him, and one hundred left for ourselves.¡±


    Confronting his son¡¯s exciting eyes, Ling Jingxuan squatted down. That was forty thousand taels of silver! It was almost enough to buy the land! After being done with the jam stuff, he could go to the magistrate in town to buy land!


    ¡°A hundred¡­ a hundred taels of silver for a jar!¡±


    On hearing the price, Ling Wen exclaimed, but soon found himself was so loud, so he hurriedly lowered his voice and said in whispers, ¡°Daddy, since it¡¯s such a good price, why didn¡¯t you sell them all? One hundred jars is ten thousand taels of silver! Besides, we can¡¯t drink that much. And, that is one hundred taels of silver for a jar! Do you even have the heart to drink it?¡±


    All right. He¡¯d be scolded if the wine was not worthy, but he¡¯d still be scolded even if the wine was worthy now. Ling Jingxuan helplessly held his forehead. After quite a while, he tried all he could to say with a calm tone, ¡°But Xiaowen, wine is some good stuff, which could help women maintain their beauty and keep them young. Your grandma is in poor health now. So I am thinking of keeping a hundred jars for her. We shouldn¡¯t focus on earning money only, right?¡±


    ¡°Daddy, you are wrong. Do you think grandma will still drink it if she knows the wine is a hundred taels of silver for a jar? Besides, a hundred taels of silver can buy a lot of things. I heard that ginseng is something good. Even a dead person could come back to life after taking it. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s better than wine?¡±


    Holding his hand, Ling Wen earnestly reasoned with him. Ling Jingxuan suddenly regretted having told him how much he had earned. And he shouldn¡¯t have taught him math. Now he got himself outwitted.


    ¡°Ahem! Ahem! You¡¯ve really had a long day! Haha¡­¡±


    No one noticed when Chu Ci walked by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s side and patted on his shoulder with sympathy, but the moment he turned around, he couldn¡¯t help laughing out. Holy shit! This is so funny! So the shrewd Ling Jingxuan also had his bane! And that was his own son! Haha¡­only for this, he would teach Ling Wen well! Heaven knows how much fun he¡¯d bring him!


    Not only he, even the non-talkative Chu Yan grinned, while the small bun and Tiewa who snickered at first now got confused. They were not so sensible like Ling Wen, but they understood their conversation. They knew that daddy had earned a lot this time, so much that it was already beyond their imagination.


    ¡°What¡¯s good about ginseng? Any medicine is kind of poisonous. So however good some kind of tonic is, it¡¯s still not good to the health if taking too much. But the wine is brewed using the wild grapes, totally natural nutrition! There are no side effects with wine. Besides, we still need to send others some as gifts. Like your uncle Chu, uncle Zhao, and Shopkeeper Zhang. When we were having a hard time, they lent us a hand. Now we are rich, we should repay them right? Xiaowen, you¡¯d never earn enough money. Today we earned forty thousand taels of silver, which is already quite a lot. The thing is we know the market price of the wine now, so we can brew more next year.¡±


    Throwing his dagger eyes at Chu Ci who was laughing there, Ling Jingxuan pulled Ling Wen to his side and untiringly taught him things. If there was no business of the jam and fish, maybe his thought would be totally the same with the little bun¡¯s¡ªto sell the rest one hundred jars for more one hundred taels of silver! He had plenty of ways to earn more silver, it was just that now their days were kind of abundant now, there was no need to live such a miserable life like before.


    This time Ling Wen seemed to take it in. Now it seemed he was assessing his words, or like he was weighing his words. After quite a while, he squeezed some words through his teeth, ¡°All right. But daddy, now we are rich, but you still can¡¯t waste any. Save as much as we can. A few days ago, you still said you¡¯d get Uncle Jingpeng a wife. And Uncle Jinghan also needs money for the examination. So we¡¯d better save some in our hands.¡±


    Although he already gave up the purse strings in the family, every time when it came to money, he still couldn¡¯t help nagging his daddy, in cause he¡¯d waste money again. For a daddy who didn¡¯t know how to live a life, he really took too many pains¡­


    ¡°Hmm, daddy knows, it¡¯s about time for you to go back to class! Come on! Daddy also needs to go home.¡±


    After nailing his son, Ling Jingxuan decisively showed that smile again. He knew his little bun was filial and reasonable.


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, you should go, otherwise Shopkeeper Zhang would be waiting for you.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Wen turned to hold his two little younger brothers. The three little buns said spontaneously, ¡°Daddy, be slow!¡±


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    After watching the buns go into the backyard with Chu Yan, Ling Jingxuan slowly got up. Casting a glance at Chu Ci who had already resumed that stern face, he was about to leave without even saying goodbye to him. But¡­


    ¡°Jingxuan, I think it is a little hot in town, your new house should be big enough, right? I plan to take Yan¡¯er to stay there for a few days, you know, to avoid the summer heat¡­¡±


    This was the first time Chu Ci was so active since they met. Even an idiot could tell the gloating and expectations in his words. Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes, ¡°All right, but don¡¯t forget to pay for the food.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan strode away. Want to see his joke? Okay, then he¡¯d like to see who would see whose joke! Son of a bi*ch!


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Soon, a hearty laughter was heard from inside the bookshop. Ling Jingxuan who was about to climb onto the carriage made a teeter and nearly fell onto the ground. Bumbling some cursing words, he crawled in. But though feeling upset, he was not mad for real. Having a chance to see more emotions except arrogance and fear of Chu Ci, his OS was ¡°I am also quite happy¡±. At least, gradually he was being like a real person, right?

 Chapter 152

    If the news that Xinyuan Restaurant often sent a few carriages to fetch the jam was shocking enough, this time it¡¯d be much more shocking that Shopkeeper Zhang came in person. A long line of black horses pulling carts behind stopped before the gate of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s new house. Then under Ling Jingpeng¡¯s leading, they went to the basement in the old house. One carriage stuffed after another. A lot of villagers gathered around, gossiping while pointing at his new manor.


    ¡°Look, Ling Jingxuan has really made a killing. I heard he is close to Xinyuan restaurant in town.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they come here several times this month! Look at his new house, even the landlord in the next village¡¯s big house can¡¯t compare with his! I guess it should at least cost a few thousand taels of silver!¡±


    ¡°He even acquaints himself with the magistrate! I heard he did the magistrate a favor. No wonder he gets rich!¡±


    ¡°Bah, money can never erase the nasty thing he has ever done! Even now, he is still hiding some wild man in his place! A bi*ch is a bi*ch¡­¡±


    ¡°In my opinion, the fengshui of the old xiucai¡¯s house is not good, or how could their family have so many whores?¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Among the crowd, some were jealous, some admired them, some even hated them to the bones. Except Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family and Zhao&Han couple, no one else really knew how he made such a huge fortune. Most of them still thought it was Ling Jingxuan who gave him the money. Even for those things he sold every time, they thought it was some kind of shady secret money-earning business that man brought. Otherwise, how to explain he got so rich over one night?


    Hiding in the crowd, Ling Xiaoying stared at that huge manor with hatred, two hands crossed, with undisguised anger on her face. The one she hated most was living a better life now. On the contrast, the big son¡¯s family never stopped making a scene, all the dirty and hard work fell on her dad and them. And her grandma often vent the anger on them. Although her grandpa had recovered, he no longer ran any affairs. Her parents got so exhausted every day, how would they have time to find a husband, they even didn¡¯t have time to talk to her. And her brothers were also no better. Her elder brother who had been married only cared about his wife, and her younger brother who hadn¡¯t been married cared about nothing. If he could be so lucky like Ling Jingxuan to meet a guy like Yan Shengrui, she¡¯d be willing to marry him even without a name.


    ¡°Elder sister, look! Brother Jingxuan is back.¡±


    No one knew when the third son Ling Chenghu¡¯s youngest son Ling Jingxiao came back. He came over while pointing at the familiar carriage. He was only twelve years old. Compared with other members in old Ling family, he apparently looked green. Some time ago when Ling Chenglong helped those workers do some chores, he also came to help, and Ling Chenglong secretly stuffed him a lot of food he hadn¡¯t eaten before. And since then, he often came, also he became the only one from the old Ling family that could go in the manor.


    ¡°Ah¡­ what are you doing, sister? It hurts so much¡­¡±


    The ear suddenly got pinched, Ling Jingxiao cried, Ling Xiaoying ignored it and grabbed his ear while walking forward, ¡°What¡¯s there to look at? Huh? They just earn some smelly money! But he is still a shameless bi*ch¡­¡±


    Many onlookers heard her swearing words all the way, all couldn¡¯t help shaking their heads. A girl that even hadn¡¯t gotten engaged said such nasty words like bi*ch? The fengshui of the old xiucai¡¯s house was really not good!


    ¡°Brother Ling, you¡¯re back finally.¡±


    When Ling Jingxuan came back, workers from Xinyuan Restaurant, Ling Jingpeng, Zhao&Han couple who came to help were busy carrying wine from the basement, while Shopkeeper Zhang moved forward to greet him.


    ¡°Brother Zhang, you are really fast! I just spent some time checking on the kids at Mr. Chu¡¯s place, and you are already arrived.¡±


    And brought so many carriages??? Xinyuan Restaurant really shouldn¡¯t be underestimated.


    ¡°What choice do I have? Lord Liu is leaving later, and he¡¯d bring the wine with him. Oh, Jingxuan, I should put the blame on you. You sold us the wine but did not sell us the openers! How do we open it? Anyhow, you can¡¯t let us break the neck of the jar every time!¡±


    Speaking of which, Shopkeeper Zhang deliberately put on a reproaching expression. Heaven knows how awful Lord Liu looked when he called him to his box. He thought that he¡¯d be silenced! But after knowing the reason, he felt both helpless and speechless, complaining in his heart, ¡®you should only blame yourself for molesting him¡¯, but of course he never had the balls to say them out before Lord Liu. He could only keep promising that he¡¯d definitely bring the openers back.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ I¡¯m not to blame.¡±


    With a smile, Ling Jingxuan reached out his hand and made a ¡°please¡± gesture as he walked in, ¡°In fact, I also spent money on those openers. How could I even offer openers for free? Brother Zhang, if you need it, you can buy some yourself. It¡¯s they who made those openers.¡±


    Seeing that Zhao&Han couple happened to come over from the backyard, Ling Jinxuan stretched out a finger to point at then, a slice of cunning light flashing across his eyes. About earning money, how could he leave his buddies alone? Zeng Shaoqing could blame himself only!


    Following the direction his finger was pointing at, Shopkeeper Zhang slight frowned. After quite a while, he said helplessly, ¡°Fine. We are both not fools. Lord Liu said, this time he was too careless. How much for each opener? Just name a price.¡±


    Having known each other for so long, this was not their first business. For Ling Jingxuan¡¯s personalities, Shopkeeper Zheng knew a little more or less. He was a vengeful person, but also a grateful person. If it hadn¡¯t been that his boss molested him first, he wouldn¡¯t have blackmailed them.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ Brother Zhao, brother Han, come here.¡±


    Throwing him a ¡®you know me¡¯ look, Ling Jingxuan raised his voice to call Zhao&Han couple over. After they entered the guest room, Ling Jingxuan first introduced them Shopkeeper Zhang and then said, ¡°Brother Zhao, brother Han, still remember the openers I asked you to forge? Shopkeeper Zhang wants four hundred of them. One tael of silver each.¡±


    ¡°One tael of silver?!¡±


    On hearing that, Zhao&Han couple exclaimed at the same time. Even Shopkeeper Zhang couldn¡¯t help twitching his mouth, cursing Ling Jingxuan in the heart. But since Lord Liu had issued the order, he had to buy however expensive it was!


    ¡°Hmm, one tael of silver. Brother Zhao, bring them over first. Later Shopkeeper Zhang will take them away.¡±


    Casting a glance at Shopkeeper Zhang who obviously agreed with the price since he said nothing to oppose, Ling Jingxuan smiled bigger. It seemed that guy also had some merits.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    Zhao&Han couple nodded stupidly and turned away mechanically. That thing was enough to make them stunned for quite a long time. A opener that cost less than a copper coin, which was at most worth of two or three copper coins with the cost of labor, he sold it one tael of silver¡­That was a whole tael of silver!


    ¡°Hehe¡­Brother Zhang, isn¡¯t Lord Liu here in Datong to breathe some fresh air? Why he is already going to leave later?¡±


    Could he have guessed it wrong? He¡¯s not looking for Yan Shengrui? However, It had been more than a month since Yan Shengrui arrived here. So, he should at least been lost for over two months. As his good buddy, how could Zeng Shaoqing not look for him?


    ¡°Well, I am not quite clear. But I heard that the front line is quite tense. They don¡¯t know what is wrong with those nomads in the north this year. They still keep harassing attacking us now. Not long before, His Majesty issued an order asking Duke Zeng to bring the prince to reinforce the boarders. Lord Liu said he¡¯d go to the Huguo Temple to pray for a blessing rune. I guess he is in a hurry to see off the duke and others.¡±


    At present, the news of Yan Shengrui¡¯s disappearance was still highly classified. Few people knew about it, and Shopkeeper Zhang also knew little.


    ¡°Never expected Lord Liu is so filial.¡±


    Picking up the cup to hide the curving lips which was filled with sarcasm, Ling Jingxuan was not stupid. With one look, one could tell Zeng Shaoqing wasn¡¯t someone who believed in heaven or gods. The reason he was here should be looking for Yan Shengrui. Maybe he thought Yan Shengrui wouldn¡¯t appear in a place like Datong, so he was in such a hurry to leave! But, he also picked up Yan Shengrui in Yuehua Mountains. It looked like that he went through the whole Yuehua Mountains and came all the way here. Besides, Yuehua Mountains stretched over at least a few thousand li. That was to say, the place where Yan Shengrui got lost should be at least a few thousand li from here, so no one came here looking for him?


    ¡°By the way, Lord Liu asked me to tell you that if the jam could be kept longer, he would like you to make more small jars, as many as you can, and you¡¯d better deliver them within seven days. He would take them to the capital.¡±


    Suddenly remembering Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s order, Shopkeeper Zhang hurriedly said so. A month ago, they already began to sell jam in small jars. They didn¡¯t sell well in towns. Taking Datong Town for example, here they only sold dozens of small jars a month. After all, this place was small, and there weren¡¯t so many rich people, fewer people would spend five taels of silver on such things! But they sold well in the prefectures. Till now, a thousand were sold, and they still kept urging delivery. So, presumptively, they¡¯d sell pretty well in the capital, since all the wealthiest people in the world were gathering there.¡±


    ¡°Well, if in low temperature, it could be preserved at least half a year. But for weather like now, three months tops. Tomorrow I¡¯ll start to make it. You can ask someone to fetch it after seven days. I can say I¡¯ll make as much as I can.¡±


    Nodding, touching his chin, Ling Jingxuan meant to say that he¡¯d take a few days¡¯ rest first, but seen from now, it was impossible. So entertaining the guests for his newly built house would have to be postponed. But that may be not a bad thing. Zeng Shaoqing would either offer his jam to those officials or directly take it into the imperial palace, which also indirectly advertised for him for free. So he¡¯d make as much as he could. Next year, he still planned to do something bigger. So if he could make his jam and wine shop popular this year, he could be able to yield twice the result with half the effort next year.


    ¡°You can count on me. The wine is all moved onto the carriages. I gotta go.¡±


    Speaking of which, Shopkeeper Zhang stood up, and Zhao&Han couple also happened to came in carrying a huge bamboo basket. Han Fei who still hadn¡¯t waken up from the shock said, with sweat all over the forehead, ¡°This is all we got. We made five hundred. Jingxuan took some, so there are over four hundred now.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. Brother Zhang, would you like to examine the goods?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan turned to look at him teasingly. Shopkeeper Zhang only looked at those snaky little things in the bamboo basket heartbrokenly, then helplessly felt out five bank notes and handed them to Han Fei, ¡°This is not the first time I cooperate with Jingxuan. I trust who he trusts. Here are the bank notes for five hundred taels of silver. Take it.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Han Fei looked at those bank notes hesitantly, but dared not stretch out his hand to take them, finally could only turned to look at Ling Jingxuan signaling for help. Only those things and they would charge him five hundred taels of silver???


    ¡°Hehe¡­Brother Han, take it! Don¡¯t worry. They wouldn¡¯t ask it back. Maybe in the future they¡¯d buy more from you.¡±


    Throwing an encouraging look, Ling Jingxuan said so, in and out of his words one could sense his sarcasm of someone who was still in town waiting for those things delivered.


    ¡°Take it. Your things look small, but are of great use to us. Next year when brother Ling brews more wine, you can still make the same amount of openers. We¡¯ll purchase them all.¡±


    Seeing this, Shopkeeper Zhang took the initiative to stuff the bank notes into his hand, then turned to Ling Jingxuan and said, ¡°Brother Ling, I gotta go. About the ham, please hurry up. You are smarter than me. You should know what you¡¯d get in return if those things sell in Lord Liu¡¯s hands.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your tips, brother Zhang. Please!¡±


    Leaving Zhao&Han couple there stoned, Ling Jingxuan saw Shopkeeper Zhang out in person. Not until their carriages disappear in his eyes did he come back in.


    ¡°Jing¡­Jingxuan, is the money really ours?¡±


    Pulling Ling Jingxuan who was passing by, Han Fei said stammeringly after quite a while. Five hundred taels of sliver! He even had never seen this much of money for all his life!


    ¡°Of course, isn¡¯t it in your hand?¡±


    Picking his eyebrows, Ling Jingxuan meaningfully pointed at those bank notes in his hand. Their appearance suddenly reminded him the scene how his two little buns slipped down on the ground when they heard he earned two taels of silver for the first time. To those common village families, money that measured with taels should all be a stupendous sum! To be honest, he personally thought Zhao&Han couple was already quite receptive.


    ¡°I, I just can¡¯t believe it, Jingxuan, how could those things be so expensive? When you let us make them, I was still confused why making so many! Never expected that¡­Oh no, this time we are really rich! We even have the money to find Tiewa a wife¡­¡±


    As Han Fei spoke, he even started to laugh foolishly, even Zhao Dalong beside couldn¡¯t help grinning. Looking at them, Ling Jingxuan suddenly remembered that he had been back for quite some time. It seemed he had already forgotten about his man¡­


    ¡°Brother Zhao, brother Han, stay for lunch later. I have things to talk to you.¡±


    Thinking of this, Ling Jingxuan simply explained it to them and then turned to walk toward Yan Shengrui¡¯s room. Watching his back, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei showed naked gratitude under their eyes. They were not stupid. If it hadn¡¯t been Ling Jingxuan, they would have never been able to earn such a big money!

 Chapter 153

    After taking some medicine in the morning, Yan Shengrui fell asleep heavily. Until Shopkeeper Zhang came to fetch the wine, the noise outside woke him up. Feeling a lot better, he meant to go out to take a look. But on thinking of the words Ling Jingxuan said this morning before he went out, he immediately lay back. Finally his Jingxuan agreed to stay with him, how could he ever miss such a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity?


    But, having been waiting on and on, apparently he heard Ling Jingxuan¡¯s sound but he didn¡¯t come in. Yan Shengrui started to feel anxious and restless. Wearing thin underwear, he peeped out through the crack of the door, there were a few times that he even went to check the bolt, but¡­Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t seem to come in to check on him at all. Until Ling Jingxuan said wait to Zhao&Han couple did Yan Shengrui who pressed his ear against the door hear it. Hearing the approaching steps, he instantly rushed into the bedroom and threw himself into bed.


    The sound of opening the door rang softly, and the footsteps were getting closer and closer. Lying in bed, Yan Shengrui thought about it. Just a second after Ling Jingxuan stepped into the bedroom, he turned to face the wall, with his back against him, to express his protest. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s foot froze in the air, mouth twitching. Is he still a kid? What kind of adult would do such a thing to express his anger?


    ¡°Shengrui, are you feeling better?¡±


    Though complaining in the heart, Ling Jingxuan was really worried about him. Sitting on the bedside, he tried to pull him to face him, but¡­Yan Shengrui patted off his hand, saying sullenly, ¡°I won¡¯t die. It won¡¯t be late to come after I die.¡±


    Listen to that! Would those words even come out of the mouth of an adult man?


    Ling Jingxuan only felt a big headache. He stood up and pretended he was about to leave, ¡°If so, I will come again when you die.¡±


    ¡°Are you really leaving?¡±


    Quickly turning around to grab his clothes, Yan Shengrui said with a pitiful tone. He said he¡¯d come back as soon as possible to accompany him. But having been back for a long time, he still didn¡¯t remember him. Shouldn¡¯t he express his anger?


    ¡°Come on. Don¡¯t play pitiful there. Shopkeeper Zhang came to fetch the wine in person. How can I leave him alone?¡±


    Heaving a helpless sigh, Ling Jingxuan sat down again, saying so while grabbing his hand to feel his impulse for him. After making sure that he had gotten a lot better, he felt relieved. This man was even more unreasonable than the two little buns! So embarrassing!


    ¡°So you left me along?¡±


    Of course he understood it, but accepting it was another thing. Yan Shengrui looked at him plaintively, with that pair of domineering tiger eyes filled with undisguised blame now, like Ling Jingxuan had done some unforgivable thing. Speechless, but also finding it so funny, ¡°Like you got some kind of incurable disease! Stop playing a baby! Get up, take a bath and change some clean clothes. It¡¯s time for lunch. I will take you out for a walk this afternoon, and you¡¯d almost recover after a night¡¯s sleep.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan grabbed his big hand and pulled him up, while Yan Shengrui took the chance to hold him, and buried his head in his neck, ¡°You said it! Don¡¯t regret it! Recently you were busy with building the house and making jam, you didn¡¯t even have time to stay with me alone.¡±


    ¡°Come on, stop that now, I¡¯ll ask Gengniu to send you two buckets of hot water, you get up as soon as possible.¡±


    His neck was quite sensitive, and now he was licking it like a dog, Ling Jingxuan felt itchy and pushed him aside. If it went on like this, it wouldn¡¯t be him only who would take a bath.


    ¡°Give me a kiss¡­¡±


    Speaking of which, Yan Shengrui unexpectedly held his face and kissed on his lips. Ling Jingxuan wanted to push him away. But on thinking that he was still ill, he directly gave up resisting, instead, he sat on heels, held his hands around his shoulder, and stuck out his tongue to respond to his kiss. Two wet tongues got tangled together in each other¡¯s mouth flexibly. Yan Shengrui¡¯s broad tongue that took the leading role rolled the tip of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s tongue into his, and sucked it and licked it hard, like he was trying to suck out all his essential qi.


    ¡°Oh¡­ are you trying to suck me dry?¡±


    The intense hot kiss lasted several minutes. After separating, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help breathing hard for some fresh air to supply enough oxygen for his lungs. His red lips now looked brightly wet, a bit swollen, making it tastier.


    Yan Shengrui subconsciously swallowed some saliva, using almost all his strength to restrain himself from jumping on him again. Jingxuan was becoming more and more attractive to him. He was not sure that maybe someday when he couldn¡¯t control himself, he¡¯d press him down.


    ¡°By the way, I met the boss of Xinyuan Restaurant today. His name is Zeng Shaoqing, who is¡­¡±


    ¡°Zeng Shaoqing?!¡±


    Before leaving Ling Jingxuan thought for a bit and still decided to tell him, but he could finish his words, Yan Shengrui who heard the name suddenly yelled, face twisted. A minute ago, he was still ill in bed, a minute later, he was already standing before him with his eyes popped out. Ling Jingxuan went on, ¡°Oh, Zeng Shaoqing is a top beauty.¡±


    Holy shit! Even if that is your best childhood friend, do you need to act so excited???


    ¡°Huh? Wait, Jingxuan, are you jealous?¡±


    Noticing his jealous tone, Yan Shengrui who was thinking of something suddenly cast it behind and bent down to look into his eyes. That tough but handsome face gradually showed a bright a smile. Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes, ¡°Can¡¯t I?¡±


    Even being jealous could be expressed so reasonably. Except him, no one could do that.


    Yan Shengrui cheerfully hugged him, ¡°Of course you can, Jingxuan, you are jealous for me, ha ha¡­¡±


    Being jealous meant he cared about him. Yan Shengrui made circles there holding him. His Jingxuan cared about him! Haha¡­


    ¡°All right, All right, it makes me dizzy, haha¡­ Put me down¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan already threw that bit of bad mood away now. Their laughter got tangled up in the air. When they appeared at the central room, lunch was already prepared. The whole family and Zhao&Han couple were all waiting for them. They also didn¡¯t avoid them but directly walked over hand in hand and sat down.


    ¡°Shengrui, are you feeling better? Don¡¯t try to be brave. If you are still feeling not well, go back to lie in bed after eating some food. And let Jingxuan feel your impulse. Poor Shengrui. How could you catch a cold on such a hot day?¡±

 Chapter 154

    Lady Wang who had already accepted him nagged so much, only afraid he hadn¡¯t recovered. Heaven knows she was most afraid that someone in the family got ill, since Jingxuan and Jinghan¡¯s serious illness still remained fresh in his memory.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, mom. Just a cold. The medicine Jingxuan got me is quite good, and I am strong, so I am already feeling much better after a long sleep.¡±


    Yan Shengrui was also quite shameless. As early as when Ling Chenglong and others moved here, he already started to call them dad and mom. Now the word mom came out of his mouth even smoother than coming out of the three brothers. The old couple couldn¡¯t be more satisfied with him.


    ¡°But you still need to be careful. A lot of diseases are caused by cold. I told Lady Song to decoct some medicine for you. You take it after lunch.


    On this matter, Lady Wang¡¯s tone showed no room for negotiation, so Yan Shengrui could only nodded to agree. Ling Jingxuan then picked up the conversation with a smile, ¡°Mom, those who don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening would take you as a doctor.¡±


    ¡°Prolonged illness makes the patient be a doctor, understand?¡±


    Throwing her son who was teasing him a hard stare, Lady Wang lowered her head and mumbled, ¡°That year, Jinghan also only caught a cold. And I thought it was nothing serious, but¡­¡±


    At that time, they hadn¡¯t divided up the family, and all the money was in the old lady¡¯s hand, plus Ling Jinghan was still young and hadn¡¯t shown his talent in reading, so the old couple didn¡¯t favor him at all. They told the old lady that Jinghan was ill and meant to see a doctor for him, but the old lady only gave them a bad scolding. Then she used dowry money to buy some medicine for a cold from a doctor in the village next door, and decocted it for her son. She thought it was only a cold and her son would be fine after taking the medicine, but never expected it had gotten her son ill in bed for over ten years. Every time she thought of that, she couldn¡¯t help blaming herself in the heart. If that year she could have been more considerate, how would her Jinghan been ill in bed for so many years?


    ¡°Mom, I am much better now. Besides, I go running every morning, and I practice boxing with Xiaowen and Xiaowu every day, I am a lot stronger now.¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Jinghan who was sitting next to her tried to comfort her. That was already the past. And they also could do nothing at the time.


    ¡°Yes, mom, don¡¯t dwell on the past. See how good our whole family is now. Days are getting better and better, you can¡¯t always lament over the past, or you¡¯d get ill.¡±


    While helping Jinghan to comfort his mom, Ling Jingxuan gave Ling Jingpeng an eye, and the latter instantly said, ¡°What they said is reasonable. Mom, don¡¯t think of those sad things. After Jinghan passes the examination and becomes a xiucai, you¡¯d be a xiucai¡¯s mom!¡±


    ¡°You all just pick the nice words to say. All right, I am not sad. Let¡¯s eat food. Come on.¡±


    Their comforting ways were all different. Lady Wang couldn¡¯t help laughing out. And Ling Chenglong aside who looked nervous also started to laugh foolishly. In the past, they even wouldn¡¯t dare to think such kind of life.


    ¡°Oh right, Jingxuan, how did the wine sell?¡±


    While eating, Ling Chenglong suddenly asked. Others all pricked up their ears. When Shopkeeper Zhang came to fetch the wine, they were all frightened, and then hurriedly carried the wine onto the carriages. They didn¡¯t even find a chance to ask about that.


    ¡°Not bad, don¡¯t talk about that while eating. Today Shopkeeper Zhang ordered a lot of jam. As for the specific situation, I will talk to you later.¡±


    Helping Yan Shengrui scoop out a bowl of tomato and egg soup, Ling Jingxuan casually fuddled this topic over. It was not that he did not trust them, but forty thousand taels of silver was not a small amount, plus his dad was a suggestible person, if someone from old Ling family¡­He had to be cautious¡­


    ¡°Mom, dad, have a taste of the braised fish. Lady Song¡¯s cooking skills are getting better and better.¡±


    Instantly getting what he meant, Yan Shengrui stood up and picked some fish maw meat for the old couple. And the old couple was both happy and forgot about that matter. The husband and husband exchanged an eye contact of ¡®you know me¡¯, while Ling Jingpeng and Zhao&Han couple completely didn¡¯t notice what was happening. Only Ling Jinghan knew what was happening. Of course, he took his big brother¡¯s side.


    ¡°Thank you for your praise, Master Sheng.¡±


    Lady Song who was waiting upon was smiling like a flower. For the sake of the whole family, she really had spent a lot of time on food. Every day, she changed the menu for them, only afraid they didn¡¯t like it.


    ¡°Song, no need to wait upon there, go eat with Gengniu and others.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan waved his hand, beckoning her to leave. Song Gengniu¡¯s whole family was good, diligent and loyal. The only shortcoming was they were too duteous, sometimes one might not even be used to it.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Lady Song looked a bit hesitant. The master was good to them, but they couldn¡¯t just take it so reasonably, right?


    ¡°Just go. No buts¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes¡­¡±


    With an order of Yan Shengrui, Lady Yang¡¯s hands shook reflectively. Hesitant no more, she bowed to them and walked away. And others gave each other a soft smile. So sometimes a bad person¡¯s existence was necessary, although Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t look like a bad person at all, who even never spoke loudly in this house. But that kind of domineering aura on him always made one awed.

 Chapter 155

    Having been used to a busy life, even though they were rich now, they still couldn¡¯t stay idle. After lunch, Ling Chenglong started to be busy with his carpenter work in and out. Now and then Song Gengniu and Ling Jingpeng would come to help. But today Ling Jingxuan let Ling Jingpeng stay, and also called Ling Jinghan who was about to go to the pavilion to read books, and then took them and Zhao&Han couple to his own room.


    His house imitated the modern three-bedroom style, with facilities like the guest room and bathroom. One room was used as the bedroom, one as a working room, and the other one was empty for now. The living room hadn¡¯t been decorated now, only a set of wooden chairs he specially asked the carpenter to make for him. Each room had such a set, and a specially made tea table, If only looking at the furnishings in the living room, one would think it was a modern house, thought a bit too simple.


    ¡°The reason I called all of you here today is to talk about our jam business. This month, Xinyuan came to collect the jam three times. One time, it was all small canned ones, one thousand and three hundred in total, the other two times, it was all big jars, sixty jars in total, so it¡¯s six thousand jin in total. As for the small-jared ones, it¡¯s one tael of silver for each one, and for the big ones, the price is one tael of silver for one jin, so it¡¯s seven thousand and three hundred taels of silver. For the three hundred, I¡¯ll keep it to myself, which would be used to pay for the fees for Laowang who baked those jars for us and other stuff, the books management and this money, I¡¯ll leave it all to Jinghan. As for the rest seven thousand, I divided it into ten shares. Shengrui and I take four, Brother Zhao and Han take two, Jingpeng and Jinghan, two for each of you. If you have no objections, we will share it now.¡±


    Taking out the books he had already prepared, Ling Jingxuan said so as he looking at them calmly. Correct counting keeps good friendship. Before he didn¡¯t share the money because it wasn¡¯t much, and he also hadn¡¯t expected that the business would be this good. Now everything was on the right track gradually, he wouldn¡¯t treat his brothers and friends unfairly. Money, they¡¯d earn together, a good life, they¡¯d live together!


    ¡°No! You brought in the business all by yourself, and it was also you alone who figured out how to make jam, we just did a little help, how can we take so much? No! Jingxuan, this won¡¯t do! We have already received enough for you. We can¡¯t take it.¡±


    Han Fei refused without thinking, even if it was only 20 percent, it was fourteen hundred taels of silver, which would scare the shit out of him if he really took it in his hand! He still couldn¡¯t accept the fact he earned five hundred silver taels today .


    ¡°Xiaofei is right. You already let us earn enough. We can¡¯t take more.¡±


    Rarely, even Zhao Dalong who had been silent all the time showed his stand, and Ling Jingpeng standing aside also said, frowning, ¡°Big brother, you keep the money. The thing we should focus on now is to make our days better. As for money, whether to divide it or not, does it matter?¡±


    ¡°This time I agree with Jingpeng. Big brother, we are family, we are blood brothers, there is no need to calculate it so clearly, besides, they all helped you a lot, while I only read books everyday. How can I take the money?¡±


    Ling Jinghan also didn¡¯t approve of his decision. Except Yan Shengrui who didn¡¯t take a stand, others all objected. Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, and decided to handle them one by one. Of course he¡¯d start from Zhao&Han couple.


    ¡°Brother Han, Brother Zhao, I know that you are both honest and kind-hearted and wouldn¡¯t take the money that doesn¡¯t belong to you. But you both have your share of this money. If you hadn¡¯t helped me pick the wild fruit, how can I earn so much money? Today Shopkeeper Zhang told me to run up a large sum of small-jared jam, saying his boss would take them to the imperial capital, and if we can open the market in the imperial capital, it wouldn¡¯t be only a few thousand taels of silver. If you still wouldn¡¯t accept this money now, what about in the future? How to divide the money? Besides, I didn¡¯t take any advantage of you. First, I didn¡¯t divide up the money for selling the wine, because you started to help after I brewed it. Secondly, Shengrui and I take forty percent, twice the money you take. So, do you still think you shouldn¡¯t take it?¡±


    He had ever said he wouldn¡¯t treat them unfairly and he meant it. Not only the jam business, all the project he¡¯d do in the future, if they were willing to work with him, he¡¯d all share with them according to this standard. Money, one would never be able it earn it all. But the thing is they treated him with their heart, so it was only reasonable he should give them the reward.


    ¡°But, after all, this is your own business, and we really take too much. How about this? We take ten percent?¡±


    Han Fei looked at Zhao Dalong who also didn¡¯t know what to do. Even ten percent, it was seven hundred taels of silver, plus the money they earned from the openers, they just earned one thousand and two hundred altogether. That was really too much! Before today, they even dared not think of this!


    ¡°Hehe¡­what¡¯s the difference between 20% and 10%? Brother Han, you may have forgotten one thing. Do you remember what I said when I took my kids to the market for the first time? We only do the jam business till the end of September, but in early September, I will go to town to find the magistrate to buy that half-saline land, I¡¯ll buy as much as I can, and then hire people to assart it before the sea water flows back. If you trust me, take it. After I buy the land, I promise that we¡¯ll earn much more by this time next year.¡±


    He has said this to Ling Jingpeng several times. Even Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t know it. Now was still in the middle of July. Till early in September, he could at least earn another few thousand taels of silver. So he was planning to use all the forty thousand taels of silver he earned from selling the wine on buying land. As for how much for one mu of land, it all depended on what the magistrate would say.

 Chapter 156

    ¡°Can you really grow out something on that land?¡±


    At the beginning, they thought he was just saying it, but¡­looking at his confident face, Han Fei also nearly believed it. They were farmers. How could they live without land? Before they had no money to buy land. Now that half-saline land could really grow something, he¡¯d love to even if it¡¯d cost all he had. Who didn¡¯t want to earn money and let other look up at him? Those days when they got bullied, he had really had enough. If possible, he wished that they could create a brighter future for Tiewa.


    ¡°Hmm, I have ninety percent confidence, the remaining ten percent would rely on heaven¡¯s blessing. For us, it is undoubtedly a huge gamble, if we fail, I¡¯m afraid I will lose all of our savings, on the contrary, if we succeed, I¡¯m sure, in three years, through the whole Cangzhou, even through the whole Qing Kingdom, we will have our name! So? Brother Zhao, brother Han, would you like to gamble on this with me?¡±


    Ambition is the basis for human progress. If Ling Jingxuan alone, maybe he would be content with the status quo, with the money he earned now, he could sustain his life quite well. But he got his little buns, and his parents and brothers, and a man with a noble identity. So in the future, a lot of places needed money. So he must earn as much as he could. Only after accumulating a certain amount of money could he already own the speaking right wherever he went.


    All the people in the room, including Yan Shengrui, cannot help looking at him in surprise. They had never known he was so ambitious. Now they even didn¡¯t have a space in the little Ling village, let alone the whole Cangzhou. Who gave him the confidence to say that they¡¯d have their name heard through the whole Qing Kingdom?


    If one of them said he wasn¡¯t suspicious at all, he was totally lying. Even Zhao Dalong and Han Fei who had already been a father were only in their twenties. In modern times, they even hadn¡¯t graduated from college. The last thing that young men lacked of was got blood. So though they didn¡¯t believe what he said, they still felt their blood was boiling, like the beast sleeping in their heart suddenly got awakened.


    ¡°All right, we¡¯ll take the money, Jingxuan, I trust you, as long as you don¡¯t mind, whatever you do, count us in.¡±


    Han Fei and Zhao Dalong gave each other a look and nodded at each other, finally reached a decision.


    ¡°Me too, big brother.¡±


    Unwilling to get left behind, Ling Jingpeng also hurriedly expressed his feelings, while Ling Jinghan said slowly, leaning on the chair, squinting his eyes, ¡°Well, I won¡¯t join you then. But I will make accounts for you. Even if someday I got listed, I will teach Shuisheng how to do it. I won¡¯t let you have worries. So, just do it, guys!¡±


    Backup was also very important. Ling Jinghan was crystal of his goal at the very beginning¡ªgetting listed! As long as he could get listed, his whole family could finally hold their heads high and people would no longer look down upon them.


    ¡°Hmm, then let¡¯s divide the money.¡±


    Nodding his head, Ling Jingxuan went to his working room and took out a stack of bank notes, and gave each of them a thousand and four hundred, even Yan Shengrui had his share, but only one hundred taels of silver, as his pin money.


    ¡°Jinghan, Jingpeng, we¡¯d better not tell our parents how much we earn, just give them some spending money sometimes. Don¡¯t give it all to them.¡±


    After splitting the money, Ling Jingxuan suddenly said to his two younger brothers. Ling Chenglong was too indecisive and very suggestible. Now they could be called a big family in Ling Village. If some day those shameless people of old Ling family came to cotton up with them, maybe their parents would get soft-hearted. Although it wasn¡¯t like they¡¯d move back, giving material assistant to them was quite possible. Those who were good to them, he wouldn¡¯t have any objection. But to those from old Ling family, he wouldn¡¯t even spend a copper coin!


    ¡°Hmm, we know.¡±


    The two brothers were not stupid, of course they knew what he was worried about, so they both nodded.


    ¡°By the way, brother Han, if you don¡¯t find it too troublesome, you can go to Guarantor Liu to buy homestead, and build walls around like we do. And you can also redecorate your house. But if you don¡¯t want to, forget about what I said. The main thing is the land. You can¡¯t grow grains on the homestead, but you can plant some fruit trees. And then we won¡¯t have to go deep in the mountains next year.¡±


    Now his front yard was full of grapes, and all of them have survived under the watering using his crescent spring. Later, he planned to plant raspberries, pear mulberries and other fruit trees around and in the backyard. He watered them with the diluted crescent spring water every day, and maybe they would hang fruit next year.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve also been thinking about that, but aren¡¯t we going to start making jam again tomorrow? So I want to wait till we are done with this.¡±


    To be honest, he had long been longing for Ling Jingxuan¡¯s home, but now he was only planning to buy a land and encircle it. As for building a house thing, not now, at least after they bought the half-saline land.


    ¡°Haha¡­ It seems that Brother Han has his own ideas. Brother Zhao, you really have a good wife!¡±


    Business finished, Ling Jingxuan started to make jokes with them. Zhao Dalong was not a talkative man. Hearing him, he instantly blushed. The couple all got their face reddened. And Ling Jingxuan and his two younger brothers, and Yan Shengrui, all grinned. Who said it¡¯s an embarrassing thing for a man marrying a man? If they could live a happy life, is there any difference marrying a man or a woman?

 Chapter 157

    After taking a noon nap, Ling Jingxuan kept his promise and went out for a walk with Yan Shengrui. Rarely having a chance to relax, in case someone who was not sensible enough jumped out to interrupt them, they chose that road they built themselves next to the half-saline land. All the way, those two were hand in hand, talking and laughing, walking and stopping now and then. It had been over a month, this was the first time they saw the full view of the whole village clearly.


    ¡°If trees are planted on both sides of the road, it will not be so hot in summer. After dinner, we can also take our children for a walk under the trees and increase parent-child interaction.¡±


    July is hot dead weather, two people with wet clothes from sweat return leisurely and unavoidably were a little uncomfortable.


    ¡°If you want, we can hire a few people to go to Xiaogong Mountain to transplant some saplings some other day, wipe off your sweat, I really should have stayed in bed with you.¡±


    Stopping behind a farm house, Yan Shengrui wiped the sweat off his face for him. Ling Jingxuan smiled, ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. But we can only talk about it after reclaiming the wasteland. At that time, workers would be a little cheaper. On such kind of weather, you¡¯d feel hot even standing on the road doing nothing, let alone doing some hard work. If those workers all have sunstroke, shouldn¡¯t we have to pay the medical fee for them?¡±


    His words that were said using some kind of teasing tone amused Yan Shengrui. They smiled at each other. Now they were arriving at the market at the entrance of the village. Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes and pulled him back to the road, ¡°Let¡¯s go to Laowang¡¯s place to look around, I want to talk with him about the making of the jars thing.¡±


    On hearing it was about work again, Yan Shengrui frowned, but soon smiled helplessly. So, it seemed there was nothing else they could do on such a weather.


    ¡°How many do you want this time?¡±


    Pacing up his steps to catch up with him, Yan Shengrui asked gently. Look at that undisguised affection in his eyes. Though sometimes he complained about him neglecting him for his work, but actually he liked watching him so devoted in his work, and especially when he bickered and reasoned with the two little buns.


    ¡°Last time I ordered five hundred more, but those tiles we need for building the house were also made by Laowang, so he hasn¡¯t delivered the goods, I am afraid he still hasn¡¯t finished them. I am thinking of ordering five thousand more. Now we got more hands, so picking wild fruit, cleaning and decocting could be done at the same time. So, it won¡¯t be a problem to make a few thousand jin in seven days.¡±


    The two already came to Laowang¡¯s booth without themselves even noticing as they walked and talked. But no one was inside. Thinking that he might be in the plant firing, they went to the direction of Zhao village. Zhao village was next door to Ling village. Laowang was adopted into his wife¡¯s family. But his wife only had her mom, who was quite open-minded. Though he was adopted into his wife¡¯s family, except that their big son was surnamed Zhao following his wife¡¯s surname, the other kids were all surnamed Wang. Laowang was also a hardworking and honest man, who enjoyed a good name in Zhao village. Last time Ling Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan had ever come before, so they knew where it was, but¡­


    Unexpectedly is, Laowang also wasn¡¯t there. Only after asking the workers did they know that Laowang¡¯s wife was delivering, so he was with his wife at home. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui meant to go home, but as the worker said their home was not far away and even said they could lead the way, so they could only follow them to go to Laowang¡¯s home.


    ¡°Ahh¡­ woo¡­¡±


    Before they walked into that quadrangle courtyard, a woman¡¯s screams at the top of her lungs came into their ears clearly. The one leading the way and Yan Shengrui both thought it was nothing. A woman giving birth, all like that, having some huge pains and the baby was out. But as a doctor, Ling Jingxuan frowned. Apparently the woman¡¯s voice sounded weak and would pass out at any minute. If he guessed it right, Laowang¡¯s wife was having a dystocia.


    ¡°Mom, what to do? It¡¯s been a day and a night, but Shulan still couldn¡¯t give birth!¡±


    In the courtyard, hearing his wife¡¯s screams become weaker and weaker, Laowang was so anxious. That was their fifth child. They thought it would be quite smooth, but¡­no accident, please!


    ¡°Oh, my son-in-law, stop walking around. I¡¯m also very anxious!¡±


    A woman about in her forties or fifties looked quite worried. The one inside was her only daughter. Seeing that she couldn¡¯t deliver the baby after a whole day and night, she was also very anxious. If her daughter was gone, who else could she count on then?


    Squeak~


    Suddenly, the door that had been closed for a day and a night was suddenly pushed open from inside, and a slightly plump old woman walked out. Aunt Zhao and Laowang walked to her at the same time, ¡°Aunt Zhao, how is my wife (daughter)?¡±


    The midwife looked quite dignified, said after giving a deep sigh, ¡°It¡¯s dystocia. Now she has no strength to hang in there. So I am here to ask you, if only one could be kept safe, the mother or the child?¡±


    In general, such words were tantamount to a direct declaration of the death of the mother or the child.


    Bam~


    Hearing that, Aunt Zhao had a stumble, fortunately her few grandsons supported her. But Laowang wasn¡¯t that lucky. His whole body collapsed onto the ground, with only blandness in his eyes. Dystocia? Even in those big families, they could do nothing, let along in such a place in the village. It seemed that the sky of their Zhao Family had collapsed. Among the four kids, the biggest one was over ten years old, and the youngest one was seven or eight years old. Children in poor families would become independent very early. So they also understood the midwife¡¯s words, all looking desperate. To them, whether they¡¯d lose their mom or younger brother, that was really a heavy blow.


    ¡°Both.¡±


    Suddenly, a clear voice fell from the sky. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui walked in shoulder by shoulder. Laowang who knew he knew some medical skills instantly saw hope. He scratched and scrambled before them, ¡°Brother Ling, do you have a solution?¡±


    That pair of dazed and helpless eyes were filled with hope again. If possible, who would give up one of them? His wife and his son, he really didn¡¯t want to lose either of them!


    ¡°Of course, but brother Wang, it might be kind of risky. Besides, after this, I¡¯m afraid your wife could never get pregnant. You got to consider it carefully.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan wasn¡¯t an unsolicited person, at least never active. But Laowang wasn¡¯t an outsider. From the first time he helped him make jars for free till now, their cooperation had always been smooth. And Laowang was also a trustworthy man. So he would make such an exception for him. But, as for what to do exactly, he didn¡¯t plan to tell them. After all, to them, this thing was unimaginably queer.


    ¡°OK, no problem! With the one in her belly, we already have five kids. I also no longer want to see Shulan to suffer again.¡±


    Hearing him, Laowang hurriedly waved his hand. This time he was really frightened. If Shulan was really gone, who would take care of the children? Even their family would fall apart.


    ¡°Wait, childe, you said you can keep them both. But you even haven¡¯t checked her situation. How can you be so affirmative already? You should know, if both die, you¡¯d go to jail.¡±


    Seeing that someone was trying to grab her business, the midwife said with ridicules. She had helped people deliver babies for tens of years and had never heard that both could be saved. Whether he could really do it or not, she would never let him take over. If the mother and son really got both saved, who would ever dare to ask her to deliver their babies?


    ¡°That¡¯s my business. It doesn¡¯t seem to have anything to do with you. Or do you have a better idea?¡±


    With an eye, he saw through her selfish thinking. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face turned colder. Although he himself was also a cold-blooded person, as long as it was a patient in his hands, he would try his best to save people and would never give up midway. With that age, she really didn¡¯t deserve to be a human being!


    ¡°What else can be done? If it is to protect the adult, use scissors and other sharp tools to cut the child into pieces and pull the pieces out, if it is to protect the child, while the adult is still breathing, cut open her stomach. There is no other way.¡±


    Such cruel words, she said so reasonably. Everyone there couldn¡¯t help frowning, with totally objection written on their faces. The full-term baby was already a life. If cutting it into pieces using scissors, what¡¯s the difference from killing someone?


    ¡°Aunt Zhao, could you please let this opinionated midwife leave? Brother Wang, listen to me. Now I need one jin of Zuixin flower, twenty grams of radix aconite, ragrant angelica root, angelica sinensis and ligusticum wallichii each, five grams of rhizome arisaematis, fifteen grams of gumbo and cannabis sativa¡­ Grind them all into powder. Go to the village doctor for those things now. Besides, I need a goat, right now!¡±


    Casting a glance the midwife, Ling Jingxuan even lost the interest to say one more word to her. He just turned around and said so to Laowang. The herbs were used to make anesthetic, and the goat was used to make intestine thread. Now he would do a caesarean operation. Fortunately in his previous life, he had been used to bringing those tools for operations on him as weapons. After Zhao Dalong forged them for him, he had brought them with him. Now they came in handy finally!


    ¡°OK, I¡¯ll go buy them right now. Big son, you go to get the goat in the backyard. Second son, you send Aunt Zhao back, and pay. Third son, fourth daughter, you stay here and do as what Uncle Ling asks you to do.¡±


    Having been doing business for so many years, of course Laowang had a quick reaction. After telling his kids what to do, he ran out. Then the kids did their own jobs. Before the midwife left, she threw Ling Jingxuan a hard stare, under that pair of vicious written with undisguised ¡®let¡¯s see how you embarrass yourself¡¯. Pity that everyone just ignored her.


    ¡°Uncle Ling, will our mom be all right?¡±


    The fourth daughter was the youngest. She grabbed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s clothes and looked at him with tearful eyes. She didn¡¯t want to be a child without a mom. Those kids in the village who had no mom were all very pathetic, especially after they got a stepmother. She didn¡¯t want to be one of them, or his daddy finding them a bad stepmother. She only wanted her own mom.


    Perhaps her words touched the soft spot in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart. He stretched a hand to rub her head, then squatted down to comfort her gently, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Everything will be fine. I promise I will give you a living mom and a cute younger brother.¡±


    In an era where the medical conditions were so behindhand, so many women died when delivering a baby. If it hadn¡¯t been that he owed Laowang a big one, he wouldn¡¯t save her, after all, here had no sterility room, or searchlight specially used for surgeries, so it would be more difficult for a doctor. With slight carelessness, maybe he¡¯d be sued like what the midwife just said.

 Chapter 158

    ¡°Hmm, thank you, Uncle Ling.¡±


    The little girl nodded obediently. Then the third son took her hand, ¡°Little sister, don¡¯t disturb Uncle Ling. Let him check on mom. Uncle Ling, is there anything we can help with?¡±


    The ten-year-old boy was already quite sensible. Although he was also tearful and worried, he tried his best to pretend to be calm and old, which made people feel very distressed. Ling Jingxuan smiled and said, ¡°Well, you can boil a pot of water for me, and be careful not to let the smoke run into the water.¡±


    If he didn¡¯t find them something to do, he was really afraid they couldn¡¯t hang in there. Kids were kids. However sensible they were, you couldn¡¯t take them as adults. Thinking that his big bun also often behaved like that, Ling Jingxuan felt more determined to save their mom.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Nodding his head, the third son took his sister to the kitchen. Aunt Zhao, who was sitting not far away, was still in shock when the eldest brother, Zhao Shan, walked over with a goat, ¡°Uncle Ling, do you think this goat will do?¡±


    Zhao Shan was fourteen years old, and he often helped his dad with his work. He was already quite tall now, wheat-colored skin, looking kind of handsome, who should resemble his mom.


    ¡°Yeah. Shengrui, you help me kill it, take the small intestines and put them into a clean earthen pot. I¡¯m gonna check on their mom.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, don¡¯t try to be brave. Save her if you can, but no one will blame you if you can¡¯t.¡±


    Not knowing what he was gonna do, Yan Shengrui was kind of worried. Ling Jingxuan nodded and went into the room. And Yan Shengrui asked Zhao Shan to fetch the sharpness knife of his family, then pulled the goat in a corner in the yard, and killed it and took out the small intestines as Ling Jingxuan told him.


    As he walked into the delivery room, he could smell some dense bloody smell. The women was lying in bed, legs spread open, almost dying. Seeing Ling Jingxuan a strange, she already had no strength to panic, even couldn¡¯t fold her legs, lips moving as if she was asking who he was. Ling Jingxuan walked over and felt her pulse, then felt out the silver needles he almost sterilized everyday, frowning.


    ¡°Sister-in-law, don¡¯t be afraid, my name is Ling Jingxuan, a doctor, now your condition is very bad, it is impossible for natural childbirth. I will think of a way to keep you and the child, if you are tired, then sleep for a while.¡±


    His voice was as if with a force for calming people. Zhao Shulan feebly closed her eyes. The twinge of pains in the belly wouldn¡¯t allow her fall asleep at all. But at least, her tensed heart had been calmed down. Ling Jingxuan helped her spread her legs, then untied her under clothes, and revealed her round big belly, then got the oil lamp from the cupboard aside and lit it up, used the high temperature to sterilize the silver needles, and then pricked them into quite a few acupoints quickly and accurately, to ease her labour pains and postpone the laboring time, so as to win some time for his surgery.


    No sharp pain, Zhao Shulan soon really fell asleep, and when Ling Jingxuan helped her finish the acupuncture and went out, it was already half an hour later.


    ¡°Brother Ling, check these herbs.¡±


    Laowang had been back already. Seeing that Ling Jingxuan came out, he instantly took those herb packs before him. Ling Jingxuan opened them and checked carefully. After making sure it was things he asked for, Ling Jingxuan nodded, ¡°Brother Wang, I need a clean room with good light. You prepare for me, and then carry your wife there. Remember, be gentle. I helped her do acupuncture, and she has been asleep now. Don¡¯t wake her up, or she¡¯d suffer again. Besides, I want a lot of clean cotton cloth, which needs to be sterilized using boiling water.¡±


    At such a time, Ling Jingxuan felt lucky that it was July, though a little hot, the light was very good, and the day was long. Even if the operation time was extended, he still could do it before dark. The most important thing is, the things he needed would soon be prepared taking advantage of the high temperature.


    ¡°OK, I¡¯ll go prepare things for you now.¡±


    Time is life. Saving people is like saving fire. Laowang also knew now was not the time for formalities. So he instantly turned to go inside. Aunt Zhao who had been stoned there for quite some time looked at Ling Jingxuan suspiciously, and then went to help her son-in-law. Now except trusting him, there was no other choice.


    ¡°The intestines you asked for.¡±


    At the same time, Yan Shengrui skillfully slaughtered the goat and carried the earthen pot full of the intestines to him. Seeing his sweating forehead, he felt so worried. They meant to take a walk outside, but who knows¡­Today he would exhaust him again.


    ¡°I¡¯m OK. Saving people is most important. Sorry, I said I was gonna take a walk with you today.¡±


    Seeing the worries in his eyes, Ling Jingxuan felt kind of guilty. No one had expected they would come here on a whim and meet such a thing.


    ¡°What are you talking about? Am I that kind of petty person? As long as you don¡¯t wear yourself out, I¡¯ll feel relieved.¡±


    Knocking on his forehead with a knuckle, this time Yan Shengrui unexpectedly wasn¡¯t being unreasonable or complained. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling. Seeing Zhao Shan walking over with his split vision, Ling Jingxuan hurriedly walked to him, ¡°Boil three bowls of water into one bowl. Be quick. I¡¯ll use it later.¡±


    The narcotic prescription he prescribed was used to make the anesthesia powder invented by Hua Tuo (A famous doctor in ancient China), but he added a few better herbs and made some slight improvements. The effect would be definitely better.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Zhao Shan said nothing, only took the herb pack and went to the kitchen, with Ling Jingxuan followed behind carrying the intestines, ignoring Yan Shengrui who picked up the pace with him behind. He scooped out the boiling water and poured into the basin, and those cleaned intestines instantly shrank. Before they shrank into a ball, Ling Jingxuan picked them out with chopsticks, and then scooped another scoop of boiling water to pour onto the intestines, and then put them on the clean chopping board which had been cleaned already, then carefully cut them into thin and even slices along with their grains using that sharp dagger he had always kept with him, and finally sterilized them and made them into intestine threads.


    The seemingly simple work wasn¡¯t easy actually. One had to be extremely careful. Yan Shengrui who was standing next to him had no idea what he was doing. Whenever he saw his forehead oozed sweat, he¡¯d wipe it off for him gently. Their tacit understanding couldn¡¯t be described with any language.


    ¡°Brother Ling, things are prepared.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Ling, the herbs are decocted well.¡±


    At the same time, Laowang and his son finished the preparation work, Ling Jingxuan, carrying the bowl of catgut, led by Laowang to the new delivery room, because the roof covered with a few bright-colored tiles, the light in the room was not bad, barely enough for him to carry out the operation, but¡­


    ¡°Brother Wang, remove the bed curtain, Shan, blow on the herb liquid in the bowl, and then feed your mother.¡±


    In the countryside, people would hang up a bed curtain to keep the mosquitos and other little bugs out. But now it became an obstacle. Laowang and his son instantly did as they were told. As everything was ready, it was already half an hour later. Ling Jingxuan told them to boil some water and wait on outside, only keeping Yan Shengrui aside as his assistant. Abdominal delivery was kind of too shocking in this world. So before he succeeded, he was not planning to tell him.


    ¡°What on earth do you want?¡±


    Yan Shengrui asked in surprise as he saw that Ling Jingxuan sterilized the scissors, a set of strange knives and a few odd needles.


    ¡°Abdominal delivery.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan who was busy there replied without even raising his head, but only kept sterilizing those tools forged by stainless steel.


    ¡°What did you say?!¡±


    Hearing that, even Yan Shengrui who wouldn¡¯t even turn a hair if Mount Tai collapsed before his eyes exclaimed. Is he insane? Would the woman survive after getting her abdomen cut open? Is he kidding? Does he know what he is doing? If something happens during the process, how is supposed to explain to Laowang and his family?


    ¡°Keep your voice down. In principle, an abdominal delivery is a minor operation, not life-threatening, but after all, no one has done it before, so don¡¯t let them hear you.¡±


    Knowing why he was so shocked, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t mean to explain it in detail. After Ling Jingxuan sterilized all tools, he turned back and saw that Zhao Shulan had woken up, looking at them with that pair of sagging eyes, with naked shock under her eyes. Apparently she heard their conversation. But the anesthetic worked slowly, so even if she was scared, she couldn¡¯t speak it out.


    ¡°Sister-in-law, trust me, everything will be fine. After the abdominal delivery, I will stitch it for you. But you can no longer get pregnant. Hope you can understand.¡±


    Standing by the bedside, Ling Jingxuan said so trying to keep his voice as low as possible. In the 21st century, a few years after a C-section, a woman could get pregnant again. But in this era things were different. The only method was doing ligation for her.


    Not knowing why, his words and his confidence in the eyes seemed to instantly appease her terrified heart, Zhao Shu feebly nodded, approving of him. Anyhow, the worst scenario was she died, but at least she could keep the baby safe. She believed that even if she died, her husband would take good care of their children and wouldn¡¯t let them be bullied, which was already enough.


    ¡°Jingxuan, you sure of this?¡±


    After getting along with him for so long, Yan Shengrui knew him well, since he had already decided, he can¡¯t stop him, so even if he was worried, he didn¡¯t try to persuade him to give up, and¡­there seemed to be a voice in his heart telling him all the time that he could make it, he could make it, he could make it for sure!


    ¡°Hehe¡­Any operation has risks, I am not a god, how can I be a hundred percent sure? But don¡¯t worry, there should be no problem.¡±


    Throwing him a soothing smile ,Ling Jingxuan untied Zhao Shulan¡¯s clothes again, picked up a silver needle and pierced her belly, after making sure she didn¡¯t wear any painful expression, he turned to take the clean white cloth he asked Aunt Zhao to prepare for him, and covered below her breasts and above the thighs, and then made a small square on her belly using the cloth, and all preparation work was done.


    ¡°Shengrui, I need your help. This is a towel. When I sweat, wipe the sweat off immediately. And if I ask for something, you hand it to me immediately.¡±


    Looking no longer so relaxed like just now, as he took up the scalpel, Ling Jingxuan said using a serious tone. It wasn¡¯t that he had never performed an operation alone. Actually, in his precious life, he often performed operations alone, but the conditions here were different, so he needed to be extremely cautious.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Without further words, Yan Shengrui reached out to take over that plate full of tools, with the other hand holding the towel. Ling Jingxuan gave a smile of gratitude, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then turned to start his first operation in ancient times.

 Chapter 159

    When the sharp scalpel cut opened the abdominal skin of Zhao Shulan, Yan Shengrui even dare not blink his eyes, only fixing his eyes at Ling Jingxuan, while Ling Jingxuan quickly took up the haemostatic forceps to ligature the blood vessels for her expertly. After finishing that, he took up the scalpel again and precisely cut open her uterus and took out the baby together with the placenta and handed it to Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Turn the baby upside down and pat him on the bottom. Make him spit out the dirty blood from his mouth. I¡¯ll do the ligation and sew her up.¡±


    Without looking up, Ling Jingxuan pressed the wound with sterilized cotton cloth to stop the bleeding, while looking for the fallopian tube to cut it, while Yan Shengrui awkwardly grabbed a leg of the baby and gently tried to pat on his little butt.


    ¡°Neh¡­¡±


    Loud cries instantly rang into his ears, which scared Yan Shengrui and he nearly dropped the baby. But the next second, he held the baby who hadn¡¯t gotten its umbilical cord cut off in his arms awkwardly. Ling Jingxuan who was stitching the uterus for Zhao Shulan made a second¡¯s time to throw him a look, and showed a smile. Meanwhile, as Laowang and others who were waiting outside heard the baby cry, he nearly cried. Finally¡­Heaven bless! His wife finally did it¡­


    Suturing the wound wasn¡¯t simply stitching two pieces of flesh. Each blood vessel needed to correctly connected, otherwise the wound would slowly turn back and get rotten. So this job nearly cost Ling Jingxuan a whole hour¡¯s time. After making sure the styptic cotton and all tools were there, Ling Jingxuan then carefully checked the newly stitched wound. After making sure there was no problem, he pulled the thin quilt in the inner side of the bed and covered it on her gently.


    But his work wasn¡¯t done. The woman was done, and there was the baby.


    ¡°Give it to me.¡±


    Yan Shengrui who was carrying the baby was stiff all over. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly. After taking over the baby, he lay him flat on the bed, and then neatly cut off the umbilical cord. After processing the placenta, he walked out carrying the baby.


    ¡°Congratulations, brother Wang, it¡¯s a son, quite heavy, give him a bath and put on some clean clothes.¡±


    ¡°Really?! Is Shulan¡­ all right?¡±


    Seeing him come out, Laowang and others instantly crowded around. But their attention was not on the baby, but all peeped inside the room, only afraid that something would happen to Zhao Shulan.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Yeah, she is fine. Aunt Zhao, please take a bath for the baby. I got something to talk to brother Wang.¡±


    Stuffing the baby into Aunt Zhao¡¯s arms, Ling Jingxuan gave Laowang an eye, signaling him to go inside with him. After knowing his wife and son were both safe, Laowang just followed him in reflectively wearing that silly smile, while those kids went away with Aunt Zhao to bathe their younger brother and wear clothes for him.


    Inside, Ling Jingxuan did not open his mouth to explain to him, but took him to the bedside, lifted the thin quilt that covered on Zhao Shulan and let him see it himself.


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    The smile froze on his face in an instant. Laowang stared in disbelief. Seeing this, even an idiot knew what was going on. Ling Jingxuan nodded as he put away those tools, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t tell you this beforehand, but you can rest assured. She will be all right. She would wake up soon. The wound on her stomach will heal in five or six days at most. But there are some matters needing attention. Brother Wang?¡±


    Seeing that he was still frozen there after he said so much, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help raising his voice. Laowang suddenly made a shiver and came back to his sense. He kept repeating his words in his head like he was trying to print them in his head. As the efficacy of the anesthetic faded, Zhao Shulan made a groan and slowly opened her eyes. Laowang instantly rushed over and grabbed her hand, ¡°Shulan, how you feeling? Any uncomfortable place?¡±


    Don¡¯t say it¡¯s him, even Yan Shengrui can¡¯t believe what he sees, Ling Jingxuan is really successful.


    ¡°No¡­I¡¯m fine. Laowang, don¡¯t blame Childe Ling. He told me everything in advance, and I agreed. How is the baby?¡±


    Shaking her head weakly, Zhao Shulan said so gently. The effect of the anesthesia had not completely worn off, she did not feel too intense pain at present, but she knew that she had survived.


    ¡°I know, we got another big fat boy, but first, close your eyes and have a rest, I¡¯ll ask the biggest son to get you a bowl of chicken soup. Mom has already stewed it well. It¡¯s just the right time to eat some.¡±


    Speaking of which, Laowang stood up and was about to run out. Ling Jingxuan made a big stride and blocked his way, helplessly saying, ¡°Brother Wang, she can¡¯t eat anything now. Can you hear me out first?¡±


    Come on! Didn¡¯t he just say he got some matters needing attention?


    ¡°Ah?¡±


    Laowang froze there, and then turned to give his wife a pitiful look. Still can¡¯t eat anything?


    ¡°Abdominal delivery is different from normal delivery. You need to let her defecate some gas, I mean, fart, then she can start to eat food. Besides, her wound couldn¡¯t touch any water, and you can¡¯t cover it. Now the anesthetic has been worn off. So in the evening, I guess she¡¯ll start to feel the pains. But don¡¯t worry. That¡¯s normal. From tomorrow afternoon, however painful she feels, you have to support her to walk around in the room. After four or five days, her wound will heal. And then I will come check on her again. If she feels hot, find a piece of clean cloth, wet it, then wring it out and then wipe her body for her, as long as you don¡¯t touch her wound. As for other things, just do according to the way a normal lying-in woman does.¡±


    In this weather, as long as there was no festering infection, the wound would heal quickly. When the catgut was completely absorbed by the body and the wound was healed, there would be no more danger to her life.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve got it. Should Shulan take any more medicine?¡±


    That was a big cut in his wife¡¯s belly. He already felt painful even by thinking of it.


    ¡°Yeah, I will prescribe a prescription for nourishing blood and replenishing qi for her, and you can decoct it and let her drink according to the prescription.¡±


    Things almost settled, Ling Jingxuan said so as he walked out of the room. The little daughter carried a basin of warm water before him. Ling Jingxuan took it wearing a smile, and only wrote the prescription after washing his hands. Before leaving, Ling Jingxuan still couldn¡¯t hold it and asked, ¡°Brother Wang, recently, I need a large amount of small jars. Can¡¯t you let the workers rush them out for me?¡±


    ¡°No problem. The 500 pieces you ordered last time have been made, and I asked the workers to make some extra ones. Because Shulan was giving birth, and I thought you are not in a hurry, so I didn¡¯t deliver them. Later I¡¯ll ask them to send them over for you. How many do you need this time?¡±


    The little jars were easy to make. Hundreds of them could be made every day, and the apprentices can make them, too, so he didn¡¯t need to do it in person.


    ¡°Five thousand, but later, I¡¯ll also need some big ones, so make it three hundred first. And the tiles, I guess in a few days someone will come purchase in great amount. If you have time, you¡¯d better fire some in advance.¡±


    Last time when he built the house, he basically emptied his kiln factory, and kept them busy for half a month, this time bricks and tiles Han Fei needed wouldn¡¯t be less than his.


    ¡°Huh? OK, I¡¯ll hire some more people to do it. Brother Ling, thank you again for my wife¡¯s thing. I will go to your place in person to express my gratitude some other day.¡±


    Tears welled up in the eyes of a stout man in his thirties. If it hadn¡¯t been him, he would have already lost his unborn child today.

 Chapter 160

    ¡°Hehe¡­Just a lift of the finger thing, not worth mentioning. But, brother Wang, about this thing, I hope you can keep it a secret. I don¡¯t want anyone to know I know some medical skills.¡±


    Smiling, he exchanged an eye contact with Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan held his hand. Laowang nodded. At this time, Zhao Shan suddenly walked over holding a basket, ¡°Uncle Ling, these are some red skin eggs. Thank you for saving our mom and little brother.¡±


    In the countryside, people would usually send red skin eggs to their relatives and friends when someone gave birth. So Ling Jingxuan did not turn him down. He took the basket and said goodbye to them and left with Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Anesthetic, skillful operation, Jingxuan, how many things about you are there I don¡¯t know about?¡±


    Hand in hand, walking on the road home, Yan Shengrui turned to give him a look with great interest. Even if he had lost his memories, he knew that not anyone could make the anesthetic, let along performing an operation. Every time, Jingxuan would bring him a surprise and refreshed his cognition about him, also let him more addicted to him, only wishing that he could tie him around his waist belt, in case someone else peeped at him.


    ¡°Hehe, there are many things about me you don¡¯t know about. How can I let you see me through at a time?¡±


    Loosening his hand, Ling Jingxuan turned to face him and walked backwards slowly, showing a naughty smile on the face. Undisguised helplessness and affection crawled onto Yan Shengrui¡¯s face, ¡°Then I¡¯ve got to watch you for the rest of my life, otherwise I¡¯ll suffer a great loss if I miss you. Jingxuan, what to do? I am so desperate to marry you, then you¡¯d belong to me only.¡±


    In the end, Yan Shengrui even started to act cute shamelessly. The better his Jingxuan was, the more he was afraid that others might also find it. What if some day he got a strong rival in love? It was neither that he had no confidence in himself nor he didn¡¯t believe in Jingxuan¡¯s feelings for him. It was just before they got married officially, he couldn¡¯t feel 100% at ease. On thinking that someone might also see his good side hidden behind his coldness and indifference, he had a spur of killing someone!


    ¡°Is it so important to get married? I don¡¯t think a marriage paper means anything. When two are together, the most important thing is they have each other in the heart. Look at Brother Zhao and Brother Han. Their days are hard, and people will point at them to say some bad words wherever they go, if it weren¡¯t that they have each other in the heart, I¡¯m afraid they have already broken up. And brother Wang¡¯s family. It looks simple and ordinary, but that kind of family bound is so natural like it has integrated into their blood. To be honest, I am so jealous of them. A strong love is beautiful, but after the passion wears off, what¡¯s left? An ordinary love may be flat, but it is cozy and comfortable, and can last long. Shengrui, I like you, very much, and I won¡¯t hide it like a woman. But getting married isn¡¯t a thing between the two of us. I really hope that some day you¡¯d regret it while I become unlike me anymore.¡±


    Having not talked about it for a long time, Ling Jingxuan nearly forgot that they hadn¡¯t been married yet. In fact, except not sleeping together, seen from any aspect, they were not difference from common husband and husband.¡±


    ¡°I was just saying it, and you listed a long line of reasons. Jingxuan, can¡¯t you coax me like coaxing a child?¡±


    ¡°Stop! If you go on, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯d say you want to be my son.¡±


    Throwing him his dagger eyes, Ling Jingxuan then couldn¡¯t help smiling on thinking of the words this morning. This man has always performed like villain before him, making him embarrassed but also helpless. But, to be honest, only in this way, they perfectly complemented each other. Maybe, that is the best way for them to get along?


    ¡°Who wants to be your son? I want to be your man, Jingxuan, I¡­¡±


    Without finishing his words, Ling Jingxuan slowly pressed down, and as his lips were about to touch his¡­


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    Horseshoes suddenly came from afar, and then a carriage stopped within two meters away from them on the back. Yan Shengrui who was about to make a kiss blackened his face, mouth twitching. Who the hell is it! Didn¡¯t he know it he¡¯d get stepped on by the horse for interrupting others making out? Damn it! It was that close that he could have kissed on Jingxuan¡¯s tender and wet lips, only that close¡­


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan who was also stunned there for a moment suddenly burst out laughter. It seemed that his man really had a word of it.


    ¡°Daddy, what are you doing standing on the road?¡±


    Not long after, the small bun¡¯s voice was sounded. Song Gengniu knew he had disturbed his masters¡¯ good thing, so he dare not move forward to say hi, but only silently held those kids off the carriage. He also didn¡¯t want it! But who knew they were making out in the middle of a road?


    ¡°Father, aren¡¯t you feeling hot holding daddy?¡±


    Runingn to the middle of them, the small bun asked wearing that innocent face. The big bun was also confused. Although it was nearly six in the afternoon, it should still feel pretty hot to hold like that. And his father, look at his sullen face! And daddy was also looking weird, laughing so exaggeratedly.


    ¡°Yeah, I know, I know.¡±


    Tiewa who had become quite outgoing now excitedly raised his hand, and said only after taking a looking at those two who were still holding together, ¡°They are making out! I saw my daddy and father ever do that. It was exactly like them. And sometimes when I woke up at night, I saw that father was moving over daddy looking for something, and they were even kissing when looking for things.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Children and fools speak the truth. This time, even Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help laughing hard holding his belly. Tiewa, you seldom talk, but when you talk, your words would be explosive. If your parents knew it, they¡¯d spank you for sure!


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Looking at Tiewa with doubt and then his daddy and father who were laughing more and more exaggeratedly, the small bun suddenly ran to hold Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thigh, ¡°Daddy, I also want to make out.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan froze there, now no words could describe his feelings. Their making out was not that kind of making out! Little bastard! Are you saying it on purpose?


    ¡°Ahem¡­Xiaowu, you are a big kid now. You can¡¯t make out with daddy.¡±


    Pretending to clear his throat, Yan Shengrui bent over to hold his son up. Seeing that he already pouted to expression his unsatisfaction, he hurriedly added, ¡°Or I¡¯ll sacrifice myself to play with you.¡±


    ¡°OK¡­¡±


    As he said, the small bun unceremoniously held his head and kissed him, leaving a face of saliva, Ling Jingxuan who already laughed his waist bent grabbed Ling Wen and Tiewa¡¯s hands weakly, and also said hello to Huzi who came together with them, and left the father and son behind to walk to the carriage. He had laughed too hard, and really had no strength to walk back.

 Chapter 161

    Laowang was really an honest person. As long as he promised, he¡¯d do it. While Ling Jingxuan and his family were having dinner, a few ox carts came sending over seven hundred clay jars. Now his house was big enough, so the ox carts directly drove into the big factory in the backmost on the left. After the workers unloaded them all with sweat all over, Ling Jingxuan asked Shuisheng to stuff string of copper coins in each other their hand, saying that buying them some drinks. So the workers all left gladly with the money.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t seven hundred too little? Given our present speed, they will be used up in about a day, and the new ones will be delivered in at least two or three days, which may be a little too late.¡±


    After dinner, since having nothing to do, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan played chess in the yard. Ling Jinghan and others watched aside, while the kids were chasing each other in the yard.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s OK, don¡¯t we still have a lot of big jars left? If the small jars can¡¯t be delivered in time, put it in the big jars first. Anyhow, it¡¯s for sale. No big deal.¡±


    Moving his xiang (In Chinese chess, a xiang can move along the diagonal of a square which composed by 4 grids.) to capture one of Yan Shengrui¡¯s piece, Ling Jingxuan said with ease. Their shipment was too large, it was only normal Laowang couldn¡¯t make them in time. Next year, if Laowang still couldn¡¯t expand his factory, he had to more cooperative partners, since next year his quatity demanded would be over a hundred times more than now, or even more.


    ¡°Hmm, you can¡¯t get fat on one mouthful. So don¡¯t give yourself too much pressure. If we can¡¯t make it this year, we can make it next year, right?¡±


    Raising his eyes to give an eye at Ling Jingpeng aside, Yan Shengrui tried to echo with him. Not knowing why, every time Ling Jingxuan made a lot of money, the whole family was very excited, especially the two little buns. But only him, however much he earned, he wouldn¡¯t have any mood swing, like in his subconsciousness, he had seen much more money than this.


    ¡°You are right. Now we¡¯ve got nearly all the wild fruit on the outskirts of the mountains. I¡¯m afraid we¡¯ll have to venture deeper into the mountains. Even if there¡¯s still wild fruit in there, we can¡¯t make more jam.¡±


    No matter how important money is, it¡¯s not as important as your life. Ling Jingpeng¡¯s eyes were not without regrets. It was obvious that he had tasted the sweetness from jam. Ling Jingxuan shook his head while casting a glance at him, ¡°Even if we can¡¯t make jam, we can make other things, Anyway, you wouldn¡¯t have free time.¡±


    There were many ways of making money if one would only use his head, and he had never intended to make a fortune by making jam.


    ¡°Hehe, so you mean you already had a plan?¡±


    Ling Jinghan, who was sitting on a chair, picked his eyebrows while looking at him with expectations. Although his job at home was reading, no other stuff, as long as it was concerned about the whole family¡¯s bread-and-butter issue, he still should show some concern, right? The most important thing is, his big brother¡¯s place could always surprise all of them. Be it doing business or life principles, he always had his own unique thoughts, which would also be helpful to his essay writing. So he was really anticipating it.


    After what he said, others¡¯ eyes all fell on him, even Yan Shengrui who was playing chess with him couldn¡¯t help throwing him a peep, with only affections in those peach blossom eyes.


    ¡°Sort of, but it¡¯s also a seasonal thing, it¡¯s only suitable for cold weather before the snow. Can¡¯t be before or after that. Stop wondering it now. Whether it¡¯s workable or not, I am still in the process of experiment. Now we only need to concentrate on the jam making.¡±


    Throwing him a sweep lightly, Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly. Why do those people look like hungry wolves every time they heard there¡¯s money to earn?


    ¡°Is it possible you are talking about the locked room when the factory was newly built?¡±


    Ling Jinghan was so shrew. With a rolling of his eyes, he instantly remembered that weird thing. About twenty days ago after the factory was built, the first thing Ling Jingxuan did was locking the first time. And then after delivering the jam and having nothing to do, he¡¯d take dad, Jingpeng, Gengniu and others to Dagong Mountain to collect rotten leaves. For the saw powder those carpenters left after work, he¡¯d also collect it all and locked in it in that room. No one knew what he was doing. But they did knew he should be doing something new to them.


    ¡°Hehe¡­instead of learning stuff from the books, why are you always thinking what I am doing?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan did not deny it, just looking at him amusingly, originally he thought he was the most unconcerned about this family, never expected that he had already taken everyone¡¯s doing under his eyes and his heart.


    ¡°So it seems I was right.¡±


    Grinning, Ling Jinghan had his eyes rendering undisguised self-confidence, in the face of his family members with such distinctive personalities, Ling Jingxuan could only helplessly shake his head, then suddenly saying, ¡°On right, since everyone is here, how about we think of a nice name for our home? Then I¡¯ll ask them to make a plaque and hang it outside.¡±


    The sky gradually darkened down, Ling Jingxuan simply dropped the chess, and leaned sideways on the chair, as leisurely as you could imagine. A big yard was really good. While leaning in the chair to enjoy the cool in the yard, one could still look at the sky with the sky studded with stars.


    ¡°Just call it Ling Mansion. Before when your dad and I passed Landlord Wang¡¯s house on the way to the market, I saw they hung a plaque with Wang Mansion.¡±


    Ling Wang said while stitching the shoe soles. After moving out to live with her son, they no longer let her do some physical work, or only letting her wash the wild fruit when they running up the jam. So she would stitch the shoe soles with Lady Yang and her daughter often.


    ¡°Your mom said right. Ling Mansion is good. Easy to remember, and not so swanking.¡±


    The honest Ling Chenglong hurriedly echoed his wife. Ling Jingpeng teased him, ¡°Dad, I guess you¡¯d also say it¡¯s good even if mom said we don¡¯t need a name, right?¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    People there all laughed. And the old couple instantly blushed, only throwing their naughty little son a hard stare, of course there was not a bit of anger in it. This kind of life is life, isn¡¯t it?


    ¡°Daddy, what are you laughing at?¡±

 Chapter 162

    Too much noise this side, even the small bun who was hanging out in the yard was attracted. He ran over and threw himself into Ling Jingxuan¡¯s arms, followed by Ling Wen and Huzi who had sweat trickling down their foreheads. After having gotten along for over a month, the three of them and Tiewa had already become best friends.


    ¡°Haha¡­ nothing, it¡¯s just we are trying to give our home a name.¡±


    After holding him up and putting him on his lap, Ling Jingxuan said while wiping the sweat off his face, while Yan Shengrui on the other side also came over and sat down on the lounge chair beside him, pulling his big son over and helping him wipe off the sweat.


    ¡°Do we need a name for our home?¡±


    The small bun wore a doubtful expression, head turning sideways. Don¡¯t only people need a name?


    Ling Jingxuan tipped his nose and said dotingly, ¡°Of course! Didn¡¯t you also give a name to the two cubs? Oh right, where are Dahei and Xiaohei? Why didn¡¯t I see them?¡±


    It was then he noticed that the two cubs that always tightly stuck to them after they came back from school weren¡¯t there. Ling Jingxuan looked around the yard but still didn¡¯t see them.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. They were gone when I was eating. Maybe they went to the chicken coop to amuse those chicks? Xiaohei is bad. Every time he¡¯d chase after those chicks and piglets to bully them.¡±


    Seizing the opportunity, the small bun started to complain with that wrinkled face. Ling Jingxuan shook his head. They are wolves! Although he raised them as dogs, they wouldn¡¯t lose their original nature so easily. It was already fortunate enough that they didn¡¯t eat those little things at home.


    ¡°Daddy, how about we call our home orchard? Didn¡¯t you say that you¡¯d plant a lot of fruit trees in the open space of the house in the future? When the fruit trees are full of fruit, it will be an orchard.¡±


    Sitting on Yan Shengrui¡¯s lap, Ling Wen suddenly cut in their conversation, and pulled it back to the topic. But Ling Jingxuan froze, ¡°We¡¯d plant fruit trees, so we call it orchard? At the beginning, I only planned to raise two buns. According to what you said, shouldn¡¯t we call it bun restaurant?¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    Everyone present heard that Ling Jingxuan called them little buns not just one or two times. So as those words came out, everyone instantly understood and laughed violently. Only Ling Wen was choked with resentment while staring at his daddy angrily. How could bun restaurant even sound better than orchard? Daddy is the worst, always bullying him!


    ¡°Haha¡­How about we call it Ling Park (In yin pin, it has the same pronunciation with memorial park), both good to hear and different from others.¡±


    ¡°Only you¡¯d live in a memorial park! No! That won¡¯t do!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan got goose bumps as he thought of memorial parks. Although he was not a superstitious person, or you could call him an atheist, the new house had just been built. At least it should be something symbolizing auspiciousness, right? Ling Park? Memorial Park? Sounds kind of creepy? Doesn¡¯t it?


    ¡°OK, Ling Park it is. Jingpeng, ask someone to make a plaque and hang it.¡±


    If competing who was the most thick-skinned, if Yan Shengrui said he was only second, then no one would dare to say they are first. Now, he totally didn¡¯t take himself as an outsider anymore.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Ling Jingpeng hesitated to look at his big brother. He also felt Ling Park was not bad, but his big brother seemed quite unsatisfied. So he doesn¡¯t dare to make that decision.


    ¡°No, definitely not Ling Park!¡±


    Facing his younger brother¡¯s inquiring eyes, Ling Jingxuan shook his head resolutely. Others all felt confused, because they all thought Ling Park was not bad. Why was only he opposing?


    ¡°Our home is backed by the Yuehua Mountain, and is built into the shape of a manor, it is better to call it Yuehua Manor.¡±


    Ling Jinghan felt his chin while he meditated for a moment and finally came up with a decent name, Ling Jingxuan thought about it a little and nodded, ¡°Yuehua Manor it is!¡±


    Looking at him being so eager, the others all laughed again, but they also indirectly approved of Ling Jinghan¡¯s suggestion. Yuehua Manor! A grand and magnificent name! Seen from any aspect, it was just right.


    ¡°It¡¯s getting dark. We have to get up early tomorrow. Guys, go to bed early.¡±


    After chatting for a while, the sky had become completely dark, Ling Jingxuan, holding the small bun, stood up, seeing that, others also got up, tomorrow would be a busy day, so it was time to rest.


    ¡°Why so repulsive of Ling Park?¡±


    One after the other, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan held a son each and went back to their room. Suddenly Yan Shengrui paced up and walked side by side with him. Yuehua Manor is good, but lacks the feelings of home. Besides, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s reaction just now was really weird.


    ¡°As far as I know, some local mass cemeteries are called memorial park,¡± Ling Jingxuan said, frowning and grumbling, ¡°Although it is just them pinyin, it¡¯s still not auspicious.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Yan Shengrui picked his eyebrows, saying with an obvious suspicious tone. But for this thing, he who had lost his memories couldn¡¯t verify it. Ling Jingxuan said impatiently, ¡°Yes, yes, go give the little buns a bath and let them sleep early. And you, sleep early, and you¡¯d be almost recovered tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord!¡±


    Grabbing his son¡¯s hand and shaking it mischievously, Yan Shengrui went into the room with Ling Jingxuan and his two little sons. And a whole day was finally over.

 Chapter 163

    ¡°Oh no, where does this wild goat come from?¡±


    Before dawn the next day, the Ling family got up one after another. Before they had finished washing in the bathroom attached to their respective rooms, Song Yang¡¯s exclamation suddenly reached their ears. The family opened the door and went out to see what had happened.


    ¡°A wild goat?!¡±


    ¡°Howl~¡±


    Right in front of the door of the central room, a big wild goat was lying there quietly, with a few badly mutilated wounds in the neck. The blood had already coagulated, which looked quite frightening. As the whole family was wondering what was happening, the two cubs appeared from nowhere and howled toward Ling Jingxuan¡¯s feet.


    Eyes rolling, his two sharp eyes notice some kind of black hair by their mouths, so Ling Jingxuan squatted down while rubbing them, after quite a while, he pointed at the dead wild goat and asked, ¡°Did you catch it?¡±


    ¡°Howl~¡±


    The two black wolves seemed to understand what he was saying, they howled while wagging their tails at him, as if they were claiming their credit from him. Everyone stared at them. They were so little and could hunt a wild goat? No wonder they hadn¡¯t seen them for the whole last night. Is it possible that they went into the mountains?


    ¡°Be good. Go play with Xiaowen and others.¡±


    Different from the others¡¯ surprised reaction, Ling Jingxuan looked a little thoughtful, he patted their heads respectively and stood up, ¡°Gengniu, sister-in-law Song, you handle this wild goat. Later when people of Xinyuan come to fetch the goods, let them take a leg for Shopkeeper Zhang, and one for Mr. Chu. As for the rest of the meat, we¡¯ll keep it to ourselves. Don¡¯t look so surprised. Just use some salt to make it into dried meat. Remember, use a bit more salt.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan stood up. Yan Shengrui who had nailed his eyes on him all the time quietly followed up. Obtaining such a fat wild goat for free, Ling Chenglong and others all grinned from ear to ear, but none noticed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s strangeness.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Worried about the two cubs?¡±


    Catching up with Ling Jingxuan who was running ahead, Yan Shengrui asked with concern.


    ¡°No, they originally belong to the forest, so it¡¯s only normal to hunt wild animals in the mountains, it¡¯s just¡­¡±


    When it came to the critical moment, Ling Jingxuan went silent again and continued after quite a while, ¡°That wild goat is quite big, plus wild goats are famous for being flexible. Even if they are wolves, they are still two cubs. How could they bring it back?¡±


    ¡°So you mean¡­¡±


    Yan Shengrui instantly understood something. If it hadn¡¯t been those two cubs, it should be someone, no, it should be a much bigger and more fierce beast that helped them. Now he felt extremely terrified when thinking of this. Forget about how those the cubs met it and let it willingly help them catch it, only the current safety issue of the manor would be enough for them to be worried. One should know, on the side that sat against the Yuehua Mountain, they hadn¡¯t taken any protective measures. If some wild beast really came out from deep in the mountain¡­


    ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s like what you are thinking. But seen from the current situation, we should be safe.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan felt not so worried about their safety. Since that beast was willing to carry that black wild goat back for Dahei and Xiaohei and didn¡¯t disturb them, it should be non-offensive to them. Now he was worried that other beasts might follow their taste and enter the manor. Although he had given each of them some knockout drops, he should still stay alert. Besides, he got the little buns at home.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get up at night and see what would happen. The beasts in the mountains are mostly intelligent. Perhaps we can communicate with them as well as with the cubs?¡±


    Yan Shengrui knew what he was worried about, but now everything was only their speculation. As for how things would be, they could only verify it after they saw it with their own eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s the only way.¡±


    The two people¡¯s dialogue came to an end for now. No one knew what worried them, and all were trying to welcome a new day with a good mood. After breakfast and sending the two buns to school, the Zhao&Han couple was also here. Except Ling Jinghan, this time all men went into the mountains, including Song Shuisheng who had always stayed at home to serve Ling Jinghan.


    After handling the wild goat in the morning and sending the two legs to the ones Ling Jingxuan told her to send, taking advantage that all men went out into the mountain, Lady Yang neatly processed the offal, threw them into the brine as Ling Jingxuan taught her, she put the two left two salted legs into a basket and planned to hang it inside the well. On the way to the front yard carrying the basket, she noticed that Ling Chenghu and his wife were peeping outside with her split vision. Without even thinking, Lady Yang walked over and told them to walk way, in case they might disturb Lady Wang who was stitching shoe soles with Song Shuiling in the room.


    ¡°What is with your attitude? You are just a maid. I am your master¡¯s younger brother!¡±


    Having been proud all those years, even if the old xiucai was over the hill, now seeing that even a maid dare to use such a tone to talk to him, Ling Chenghu instantly got mad at her. As he saw those goat legs in the basket, he couldn¡¯t help swallowing some saliva. Thinking of their own days, and now his second elder brother¡¯s, Ling Chenghu only felt his jealousy had instantly reached the highest point. And look at their big house! Even through the whole town, no one would be more extravagant than this! And now they even bought some servants and maids. They were brothers. How could his second elder brother could live such a good life while they could only be exploited?


    ¡°It¡¯s true that I am only a maid. But my job is to obey the master¡¯s order. Master Sheng ordered that we¡¯d beat you every time we see someone from your family!¡±


    Wearing a fake smile, Lady Yang wasn¡¯t a pushover. Before when Master Xuan had been so poor, why hadn¡¯t they ever thought of lending him a hand? When the Master¡¯s mother had the miscarriage, had they ever thought they were brothers? More than that, they even added insult to the injury. Now that the Master finally lived a good life, they came? How could there be such a good thing under the sun?


    You weren¡¯t there with them when they were suffering, now you don¡¯t deserve it while they are enjoying honor and distinction. People of old Ling family try to use that little blood relation trying to gain some benefit. Not possible!

 Chapter 164

    ¡°Alas, those who don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening would think you are the hostess here. Even my second elder brother and sister-in-law didn¡¯t say anything, when is a wild man¡¯s turn to issue orders here? Open the door! Or later I¡¯ll report before my second brother and ask him to throw your family all out!¡±


    Relying on her man being here while that tough Song Gengniu and Ling Jingxuan were both not home, Lady Jiang shouted, hands held around the waist, head held very high. Finally the farm work at home was almost done, and the old lady wasn¡¯t feeling quite well today, so they¡¯d find a chance to run out. Anyhow, they got to meet Ling Chenglong and his wife today! Working so hard all day and night, she had had enough. She wanted to reason with Lady Wang. Better they could also divide up the family from that old woman and move in this manor-the best place in the village.


    At the thought of the good food and clothes, and the good days having servants serve them, Lady Jiang was more determined to see Ling Chenglong and his wife. In their eyes, Ling Chenglong and his wife were soft bones, it was as easy as pie to nail them.


    ¡°You? You are even not qualified to put on shoes for Master Sheng. Move your ass out of here. The old master and the madam have no time for you!¡±


    On hearing that she called Yan Shengrui wild man, Lady Yang also got mad and her voice turned ever colder.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Lady Jiang was furious, with her trembling finger pointing at her. Seeing the distain on her face, Lady Jiang was even madder. Suddenly she grabbed the iron gate and shouted, ¡°Second brother, sister-in-law, come out! See how your maid bullies your younger brother and sister-in-law. What is wrong with this world? Even a maid dares to crawl over our heads to poop! Second brother, sister-in-law, you should hold justice for us¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up, you impudent b*tch!¡±


    Hearing her, Lady Jiang got so mad that her chest was going up and down rapidly, while Ling Chenglong who was standing aside loved to seeing this, with his head held high, hands behind, a total proud look, like he was the real master of this family.


    ¡°Second elder brother and sister-in-law, you heard her. This damn maid said nasty words to me! Come and see! You can never keep such a maid around. Second brother, sister-in-law¡­¡±


    Instead of stopping it due to Lady Yang¡¯s rebuke, Lady Jiang shouted even louder. Of course Lady Wang who was stitching shoe soles in the room heart that, and her face instantly turned gloomy. And Song Shuiling beside her couldn¡¯t help blushing while feeling quite angry, after all, she was still an unmarried girl.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, ignore them. They¡¯ll leave when they get tired.¡±


    Seeing that Lady Wang¡¯s face turned gloomier, Song Shuiling persuaded, with thinking whether she should go to call Master Jinghan in the pavilion. She had long heard how shameless those people were. The amiable ma¡¯am was never their match. Now Master Xuan and Master Sheng were both not home, she could only turn to Master Jinghan for help.


    ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s go. I¡¯d like to hear what she is going to say.¡±


    Apparently not listening to her persuasion, Lady Wang threw off the shoe sole in her hand, got up and stormed out.


    ¡°Madam¡­¡±


    Seeing this, Song Shuiling could only follow up. When passing the central room, she saw that her mother was at the door. She rolled her eyes and then walked into the backyard.


    ¡°Sister-in-law, finally you came out. Look at your maid. Instead of inviting us in, she even denounced me! Boohoo~ Sister-in-law, we are family. How could you allow your maid to bully me like that?¡±


    Seeing Lady Wang from afar, Lady Jiang couldn¡¯t feel more agitated, and accused of Lady Yang¡¯s ¡®crime¡¯ while sobbing and sniveling. You could imagine how ¡®pathetic¡¯ and ¡®wronged¡¯ she was at the moment. And Ling Chenghu aside also brightened his eyes. This month, he had been here for quite a few times quietly. But every time he got no chance to see any of them. Finally!


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, why are you out?¡±


    Hearing that Lady Wang came out, the angry Lady Yang abruptly turned around, then hurried moved forward to support her. Before, she only heard people say that people of the old xiucai¡¯s family were all bad, and she still didn¡¯t believe it, since anyhow, they were from a scholar¡¯s home, a lot better than those common families. But, seeing it with her own eyes today, it completely changed her impression of the scholars. Are they really from a scholar¡¯s family? They are totally unreasonable and shameless ruffians!


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Sorry to let you suffer.¡±


    Throwing her an apologetic eye, Lady Wang looked embarrassed and then went to the door trying to restrain herself, ¡°What are you doing here? We have long disassociated from your family. As for how to regulate my maid, it¡¯s my own thing. It¡¯s never your turn to say anything here.¡±


    After moving out, her husband and sons intentionally restricted her range of activity, they basically didn¡¯t let her go out alone. Anyhow, the new house was big enough, and she also didn¡¯t want to see those people she didn¡¯t want to see, plus she has Song Gengniu¡¯s wife and daughter as company, she didn¡¯t feel bored at all. So, after over a month¡¯s time, this was the first time she saw them. Like when they left in a mess, when seeing them again, the resentment and hatred in her heart didn¡¯t diminish a little, but she found herself even more disgusted on seeing them since they always reminded her of her unborn child.

 Chapter 165

    ¡°Sister-in-law, see what you are talking about. My second elder brother and I are blood brothers. Even if you have moved out, you can¡¯t erase our blood connections, right?¡±


    Before his wife made a scene, Ling Chenghu stood up, frowning, and in those eyes that were looking at Lady Wang were filled with disdain. In their hearts, be it Ling Chenglong or Lady Wang, they were their bullying objects. Now the reason they could live such a comfortable life was only because Ling Jingxuan¡¯s paramour had brought enough money and money-making methods. As long Ling Jingxuan wasn¡¯t here, he didn¡¯t need to be afraid of anyone. After nailing Ling Chenglong the master of this house, wouldn¡¯t it be a natural thing that Ling Jingxuan would bow his head and invite them in respectfully? Being filial is bigger than heaven! When the old Ling family gave up on Ling Jingxuan, no one would say anything if he gave no heed to it. But his second elder brother and his wife had never given up on their monster son. So if he dared go against them, even the villagers¡¯ saliva could drown him.


    ¡°Yes, second sister-in-law, your words are so hurtful. If my second brother heard you, he¡¯d definitely repudiate you!¡±


    Just more than a month, she looked much more light-footed, and her skin turned more delicate, though the light blue clothes on her were still plain, it was made of silk which only people in the town could afford. Compared with her, she had been tortured by the old lady, Ling Chenghua and Lady Li this whole month. On thinking of here, Lady Jiang felt so mad, only wishing to rush inside and tear off her clothes and put them on herself!


    Those two who had been blinded by the jealousy in the heart seemed to have forgotten that people change. When Lady Wang was at the old Ling family, she was soft-boned, but outside, she was famous for being shrewish for protecting her son. Now they had had no connections with them, how could she still wrong herself?


    ¡°Whether brother Long repudiates me or not is my thing. If you are capable, let him write the repudiating letter, I will accept it. Ling Chenghua, Lady Jiang, don¡¯t try to suck up to me, or try to intimidate me like before, I don¡¯t buy it. The old Ling family has already had no connections with us. So you have no right to come to my place, and I also have no obligation to entertain you.¡±


    After coldly saying that, Ling Wang proudly turned around, her palms under her clothes were full of sweat. She had never expected that they would dare to come to her door. Who gave them the face?


    ¡°You¡­ I won¡¯t talk to a brute b*tch like you. Let my second elder brother out. I want to see him.¡±


    Obviously they didn¡¯t expect Lady Wang was no longer as obedient as before. Ling Chenghu was so mad that his face turned dark red like the pig¡¯s liver. After quite a while, he flung his sleeves and wore an ¡®I won¡¯t argue with a woman¡¯ expression. But that pair of blurred eyes were still filled with undisguised viciousness. If he saw Ling Chenglong, the first words would be complaining about Lady Wang¡¯s wrong doings.


    ¡°He is not at home. You¡¯d better go away, otherwise you¡¯d only suffer more if Jingxuan and others come home.¡±


    Turning sideways, wearing a fake smile, Lady Wang said with sarcasm.


    On thinking of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s ferociousness, Ling Chenghu and his wife reflectively made a shiver. But the huge manor before their eyes was too appealing. Finally they got a chance, how would they give up so easily? Once they successfully convinced Ling Chenglong, not only they would have good days to live, but also their kids would gain some advantage, especially their second son and their daughter Xiaoying. Because of Ling Jingwei and Ling Chenghua¡¯s thing, their second son Ling Jingyu¡¯s engagement had been canceled, and their daughter wouldn¡¯t be easy to find a husband. If they could move in here, who would dare look down on them? And those who got daughters should queue in line to marry their Jingyu. And Xiaoying, maybe they could even get their daughter a big dowry.


    The more they thought about it, the more thrilled they felt, as if the better days were already waving to them. Seeing them like that, Lady Wang frowned. They had become frenzied to this level? Why still wouldn¡¯t let go of them? Why still try to use them? Bah! A bunch of shameless things! Did they owe him what in previous life? Don¡¯t even think of it!


    ¡°Madam, ignore them. Let¡¯s go inside. When after Gengniu comes back, he will drive them away.¡±


    Lady Yang was not stupid, with an eyes, she could tell what they were thinking, so she hurriedly tried to pull Lady Wang to go in, in case she might get too mad to hurt herself.


    ¡°You dog flunkey, what did you say? Do you believe I¡¯m gonna rip your mouth? You b*tch! Since when it is your turn to bark about your master¡¯s thing?¡±


    Hearing that, Lady Jiang jumped out and shouted abuse at Lady Yang while pointing at her. Look her appearance! She had already taken herself as the owner of the manor. Lady Yang nearly choked by her words, and instantly dissed back, ¡°Anyhow, I still know who is the master and who is the maid. Unlike someone, so shameless and so unabashed! When the madam got miscarry because of you, have you ever thought that they were brothers? When the court came to recruit, apparently Lord Chenglong and the madam only have one healthy son, but you still pushed him out. What? Now seeing that our lord and madam finally live a better life, you are here wanting to have a piece of it? Bah! Stop daydreaming! They would never agree, let alone the three masters would never agree. Such shameless things like you deserve to live some bitter days because you ask it for yourselves!¡±


    Ever since Ling Jingxuan bought her back, Lady Yang not only scrupulously abided by her own duty, but also often nagged her husband and kid of remembering the master¡¯s kindness to them, and they should never do anything that went against the master. Usually, when those men were busy outside, she and her daughter would cook and do cleaning job. And when having time, they¡¯d accompany Lady Wang to stitch shoe soles to kill time. And no one had ever said some hush words to them. Today, if it hadn¡¯t been that Lady Jiang kept calling her dog flunky and other dirty words, she wouldn¡¯t have lost her temper. Even Master Xuan had never treated her like this. Who gave her the right?


    ¡°Oh, you dog flunky, how dare you talk back to me? I¡¯ll kill you, you son of a bitch, you piece of junk who is born to be a flunky, I¡¯ll kill you¡­¡±


    Anyone who had a little sense of shame, being abused by Lady Yang like that, she would only feel so ashamed and only hope to dig a hole and bury her head in it. But instead, Lady Jiang grabbed the iron gate and crazily shook it, like she was going in the next second. Fortunately Ling Jingxuan had already anticipated this. Though it was an iron gate, above was as sharp as spears, and over the walls aside were all sharp broken pieces of tiles. Common people couldn¡¯t climb over it at all. As long as they didn¡¯t open the gate, Lady Jiang could do nothing to them, however hard she was shouting outside.


    ¡°Enough! Jiang, this is my home! It¡¯s never your turn to lesson her! Get out of here! I have already had no connections with you a month ago!¡±


    Lady Wang rushed over and stood before Lady Song who Lady Jiang was yelling at, and angrily pointed at them to let them leave. Lady Jiang was stunned there, and then directly collapsed onto the ground, crying while patting on her own legs, ¡°Oh dear heaven! Aren¡¯t we family? Why are you driving us away for a maid? Second brother, come and see your good wife! She bullies your younger brother and sister-in-law behind your back! If you don¡¯t repudiate her, some day she¡¯d dissipate all your belongings¡­Second brother¡­¡±


    Lady Jiang once again refreshed the lower limit of shamelessness. Lady Wang was so mad that she staggered back and nearly passed out. However good-tempered one was, meeting such unbelievable relatives, one would get mad¡­


    ¡°Master Jinghan, don¡¯t we go over and see what¡¯s happening? The ma¡¯am seems quite mad. What if¡­¡±


    Not far behind the grape trellis, Ling Jinghan, with a hand held behind, was watching the whole scene indifferently, while Song Shuiling aside said so while looking at him cautiously, not knowing what he was thinking.


    ¡°My mom is not that fragile.¡±


    Not meaning to go over to help at all, Ling Jinghan still had no expression change on the face. Song Shuiling suddenly felt that Master Jinghan looked gentle and courtly, but actually he was ever harder to understand than Master Xuan and Master Sheng. What kind of son would stay so poised while his mother was being bullied?


    ¡°Hehe¡­never expected they¡¯d dare come again¡­¡±


    Suddenly, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s voice came from behind them, they turned around at the same time, and saw that Ling Jingxuan who was wearing coarse linen clothes had his face covered with sweat, his waist-long hair tied up high swaying left and right along with his steps, and his face which had becoming more and more delicate was stained with undisguised sarcasm, and the curving lips also revealed his disdain.


    ¡°Big brother, why are you back so early today?¡±


    Ling Jinghan looked at him strangely. Aren¡¯t they supposed to be making jam now? Before, they¡¯d usually go into the mountains to pick wild fruit in the morning, and in the after, he¡¯d stay home and lead them to clean those wild fruit and make jam. But why didn¡¯t he come back so early today?


    Walking over to stand by her side, he found that his long and thin phoenix eyes were fixing in the direction of the gate. To be honest, he kind of admired those people from the old Ling family. After having been lessoned for quite a few times, they still had the guts to come. Would they only give up after he silenced them all?


    ¡°They have been here for quite a while and are clamoring to see our dad. I¡¯m afraid they think that our dad is the master of this family and they want to take advantage of him to connect them with us.¡±


    Following his sight to look over, Ling Jingxuan said with a voice seemingly having no emotion in it but actually cold. Ling Jingxuan crossed his arms before the chest, turned around and looked at him, grinning, ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? I am so wondering. Why they always take all the others as fools? Do we so much look like blockheads?¡±


    The atmosphere in there was becoming more and more intense. But instead of going over for help, the two brothers made jokes here, which made Song Shuiling aside so confused. They were usually quite filial to the ma¡¯am. What is going on now?


    ¡°Blockheads?¡±


    For this kind of advanced words, Ling Jinghan obviously kind of didn¡¯t understand. Ling Jingxuan waved a hand casually and said, ¡°It means brainless.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­ a good adjective, but, you said wrong. We are not blockheads, but them!¡±


    Figuring out what Ling Jingxuan was saying, he pointed at the direction of the gate while saying so.


    ¡°In my opinion, they¡¯re not just brainless, but actually mentally retarded.¡±


    Rolling his eyes, Ling Jingxuan said. If they are not mentally retarded, why would they keep asking face-slapping from me again and again. Are they really tired of living?


    ¡°I don¡¯t care whether they are blockheads or mentally retarded. They are bullying our mom. Big brother, aren¡¯t you going to help?¡±


    With his eyes flashing a slice of teasing feeling, apparently Ling Jinghan was preparing to watch a good show. Ling Jingxuan cast a glance at his black-bellied younger brother, lips curved, ¡°But you also didn¡¯t mean to lend a hand, did you?¡±


    Some things, Lady Wang had to solve it by herself, like the parents could never protect the kids for their whole life. Even as their son, they could never stay by their side all the time. Every time they had to help her solve the problem. If she couldn¡¯t even handle a village woman, how is she supposed to face more difficult things in the future?


    The two brothers gave each other a smile, finally they thought the same thing. That only one is strong isn¡¯t really strong. Their whole family should advance together hand in hand. Besides, no one couldn¡¯t become strong overnight. One had to experience things and then made progress. They had been overprotective of Lady Wang. Now it was time for her to reply on herself. Don¡¯t blame her sons for being indifferent. They were doing it for her own good.

 Chapter 166

    ¡°Oh my heaven! Open your eyes and look! Lady Wang is unfial to her parents-in-law, despise her husband¡¯s brother, and even help a flunkey to bully her husband¡¯s younger brother! Is there justice under the sun? Second brother, why don¡¯t you come out? Your wife has nearly bullied us to death! Boohoo¡­Lady Wang, you shameless bitch! A bitch who only gives birth to bastards! You¡¯d die in your boots¡­¡±


    At the big gate, Lady Jiang complained tearfully while having a running nose, and those words coming out her mouth became harsher, with Ling Chenghu standing aside holding his hands behind proudly, like he didn¡¯t see what his wife was doing. Inside the iron gate, Lady Wang and Lady Song were so mad that their eyes were liking spurting fire the next second.


    ¡°Lady Song, open the gate¡±


    Seeing that she even included her sons in her cursing, Lady Wang suddenly said darkly, with two hands on both hands clenching into fists. Lady Song turned around surprisingly. Then the crying outside instantly stopped. And Ling Chenghu and his wife immediately showed some ¡®triumphant¡¯ shrew light. As long as they entered into the manor, it would be impossible to let them out!


    ¡°Madam?¡±


    Lady Yang frowned, with naked disapproval on her face, but Lady Wang sneered and ordered her, ¡°Open the gate!¡±


    Want to get into my house? All right, she¡¯d let them in, but¡­


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    What could she do since the madam had already said so? She put the basket in her hand aside and went to open the iron gate using a very slow pace.


    ¡°Hum! Piss off, you silly flunkey!¡±


    As the lock hanging on the door was just taken off, the impatient Ling Chenghu and his wife pushed her aside through the crack. He reached in to pull open the door pin and pushed open the heavy iron gate.


    ¡°Want to get into my house? Screw you¡­¡±


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    ¡°Bam!¡±


    As they were about to swagger in, suddenly, Lady Wang rushed at them like a fast running locomotive, and knocked Lady Jiang over with a kick. And before she could stand steadily, she raised her leg and aimed at Ling Cheng¡¯s crotch. Then pig-slaughtering screams were heard. Pity that before he could make clear what was happening, he directly threw himself on his knees covering his crotch.


    ¡°Keep yelling at me! Why do you stop? See how I rip your mouth¡­¡±


    Lady Wang¡¯s action was far from over. After giving them a hard blow, before Lady Jiang could get up, Ling Wang rushed over and sat straddling over her belly, her sharp fingernails scratching her face.


    ¡°Ouch¡­ stop it, it hurts, you b*tch, stop it¡­¡±


    ¡°Keep screaming. I¡¯ll kill you, you shameless b*tch¡­¡±


    Lady Jiang who had lost the initiative already had no ability to fight back, only waving her hands, but of no use. On the other side, Lady Wang who seized the initiative beat her even harder and took this opportunity to vent all her anger. Lady Yang who was standing aside already froze there, jaws dropped, with no reaction for quite a while. Her slightly opened mouth explained her shocking. No one would ever think the usually mild Lady Wang could be this tough.


    ¡°Shh¡­Never knew that our mom has such a tough side.¡±


    Beside the grape trellis, Ling Jingxuan made a whistle, while watching that wonderful scene at the gate with a smile. To be honest, Lady Wang¡¯s action had long exceeded his expectations. He thought she¡¯d use the knockout drops on them at most. And after Song Gengniu and others came back, they could throw them far far away. But never expected that¡­Hehe, this is more awesome, isn¡¯t it?


    ¡°Hehe¡­Big brother, it¡¯s your show time. It seems Ling Chenghua has fetched his breath.¡±


    Throwing his big brother an evil smile, Ling Jinghan turned to look at him expectantly. Ling Jingxuan was stunned, but immediately strode over. Lady Wang had already proved her tough side through her doing. Next step should be left to him. Ling Chenglong still tried to touch his moth with those dirty claws? No way!


    ¡°You¡¯d better stop it. If you hurt my mom, I¡¯ll let your whole family pay!¡±


    As Ling Chenghu who finally felt a bit better from the huge pains between the legs saw that his wife was ridden below by Lady Wang, he struggled to stand up. As his fist was about to fall on Lady Wang, Lady Yang who finally came to her sense already forgot about they were man and woman and grabbed his waist from behind, used all her strength to pull him off Lady Wang. Fist hitting nothing, Ling Chenghu pried open her hands and knocked her over with a kick, and then turned around, swung his fist to hit at Lady Wang. As that giant fish was about to hit on Lady Wang, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s sound suddenly was heard. Ling Chenghu¡¯s body went stiff and his action instantly froze there.


    ¡°Get out of here!¡±


    Seeing that, Lady Yang crawled up and pushed him aside, and then bent over to support up Lady Wang who had already stopped her action. Ignoring Lady Jiang who was curling up there sobbing, she signaled her to look over at Master Xuan and Master Jinghan who were walking over. Lady Yang quietly exhaled a sigh of relief. Finally Master Xuan is back!


    ¡°Mom, are you all right?¡±

 Chapter 167

    Casting a glance at Ling Chenghu who was wearing a complicated look and Lady Jiang who was lying on the ground and refused to get up, Ling Jingxuan directly walked toward his mom, and stretched out his right hand to brush her scattered hair behind her hair gently. After Ling Jinghan who was closely following behind whispered something by Song Shuiling¡¯s ear, she nodded and then slipped out. Except Ling Jingxuan, no one saw it.


    ¡°Jingxuan, Jingxuan, I¡­weeping¡­how could they do this to me? We already have no connections with them, but they still came to make a scene here. Why? Weeping¡­¡±


    Seeing the two sons, Lady Wang, who had been hanging in there for a long time, instantly dropped that vixenish side and threw herself into Ling Jingxuan¡¯s arms. She was not an aggressive woman. But they forced her to become a shrew.


    ¡°Some people are born lazy and couldn¡¯t afford to see others live better than them. And when they see someone is power, they¡¯d instantly try to suck up like bloodsuckers. Mom, it¡¯s not worth crying for that kind of people. Don¡¯t cry. You did a good job today. Don¡¯t try to reason with that kind of people. Just use your fists. Even if you kill them or get them crippled, you still have us as your back.¡±


    In this era where a woman¡¯s reputation was the most important, if others saw that side of Lady Wang, people would gossip behind her back. But Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t care at all. If his mother wasn¡¯t vixenish enough, she¡¯d be bullied. To deal with some unbelievable people, you got to be more unbelievable. Sometimes, violence against violence could get twofold results with half the effort.


    ¡°Mom, didn¡¯t my big brother give you a lot of poisons? Next time, waste on saliva on them. Just let them in and use the poison. Anyway, our house is isolated and no one would visit us. Even if you kill them, we can say they trespass into our personal place. Even if they sue us, we¡¯d be exempted from any crime.¡±


    Ling Jinghan was saying those words to Lady Wang, but his eyes were coldly fixing on Ling Chenghu and his wife. And the couple also didn¡¯t let him down and had their hearts skip a beat on hearing that, body shaking violently, and their eyes finally revealed some scared feeling.


    ¡°Really? I wouldn¡¯t be in jail even if I killed them?¡±


    Lady Wang looked at her two sons with red and swollen eyes. Previously, she had not thought so much, but now after she calmed down, she still felt kind of scared. Ling Jingxuan and Jinghan looked at each other and nodded in unison, ¡°Hmm, mom, trespassing is a heavy offense. Even if we ¡®mistakenly¡¯ killed them or got them disabled, we only need to compensate some money at most. We still can afford that little funeral expense.¡±


    While speaking, Ling Chenghu threw his malicious eyes toward that couple. Lady Jiang who had just got up under Ling Chenghu¡¯s support nearly fell down again on hearing that. Ling Chenghu was no better. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s appearance also reminded him the thing he fed Ling Jingxuan the goat¡¯s urine that day. So deep in his heart, he was scared of him.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s good¡­¡±


    On hearing that, Lady Wang patted on her chest and her tears also stopped dropping. Ling Jingxuan signaled Lady Yang with an eye, and the latter went forward to support Lady Wang, ¡°Ma¡¯am, since Master Xuan and Master Jinghan are here, leave everything to them. Let¡¯s go inside and I¡¯ll help you get changed.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Lady Wang hesitantly looked at her and then his sons, with undisguised worries in the eyes, only afraid the two brothers would suffer.


    ¡°Just go, mom. We¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Throwing her a comforting eye, Ling Jingxuan made a gentle smile, while Ling Jinghan aside also very cooperatively nodded. And then Lady Wang left under Lady Yang¡¯s support. Having a huge fight with that couple, Lady Wang who was already weak now felt really exhausted.


    ¡°You¡­what do you want?¡±


    Seeing them approaching, Ling Chenghu and his wife who were supporting each other got scared back, in their eyes were only fear, their voices were shaken. That rude and unreasonable side at first was already nowhere to see. As the saying goes, a wicked person will be harassed by another of like ilk. Before such a big villain Ling Jingxuan, they were undoubtedly cannon fodder.


    ¡°Dada¡­dadada¡­¡±


    The sound of hooves suddenly was heard. With his eyes looking over at them and saw a carriage was heading here from the village, Ling Jingxuan curved up his lips. Ignoring them, he fixed his eyes on Ling Jinghong who was sitting next to Song Gengniu on the carriage with great interest. Even Ling Jinghan who was standing next to him couldn¡¯t help showing a sneer.


    Of course, Ling Chenghu and his wife also noticed something was happening. As long as he turned back and looked over following the direction their eyes were at, Ling Chenghu made a teeter and nearly collapsed onto the ground. Ling Jinghong is here, then the old lord¡­


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    The carriage directly drove in and stopped before them. Ling Jinghong jumped off first, After throwing the two brothers an apologetic eye, he turned back and brushed open the curtain, and then the village head Ling Qicai jumped off under his support, face sunk, and then followed by Song Shuiling, who gave Ling Jinghan a mischievous look.


    ¡°Se¡­second uncle, what are you doing here?¡±


    Seeing it was not his father, Ling Chenghu sighed with relief quietly, and then the couple moved forward wobbly.


    ¡°Pa~¡±


    ¡°Second uncle, what are you doing?¡±


    Without saying anything, Ling Qicai directly raised a hand and slapped him in the face. Covering his left face, Ling Chenghu popped out his eyes querulously. Ling Jingxuan said ruthlessly using a deep tone, ¡°You shameless thing. Who allowed you here?¡±


    Heaven knows how shocked he felt when that maid from Ling Jingxuan¡¯s place came to him. After she told the whole story, Ling Qicai got so mad that he nearly passed out. Seeing that Ling Jingxuan¡¯s days were getting better and better and apparently he was trying to distance himself from him even the whole village, he was still racking his brain on how to mend their relationship with him and then tried to fool him to tell him how he got so rich and then he could lead the whole village to get rich. Now, this as*hole held him back at such a time. Are they brainless? Is the present Ling Jingxuan someone they could afford to offend?


    ¡°I came to visit my second elder brother. What? I even don¡¯t have that right?¡±


    Ling Chenghu was clearer than anyone. If he didn¡¯t stick to this, that two brothers who was watching aside would definitely sue him for trespassing their private place, and by then¡­he didn¡¯t want to be thrown into prison¡­

 Chapter 168

    ¡°You even have the face to say? Who would make a scene and even get physical when visiting his relatives? However wrong she is, that is your second elder brother¡¯s wife! And it¡¯s an unquestioned fact that you hurt her feelings. So it¡¯s only normal she didn¡¯t let you in. Can¡¯t you wait till Chenglong is back quietly there?¡±


    On the surface, there was no problem about Ling Qicai¡¯s reprimand, but he totally ignored the fact that Ling Chenglong had already divided up the family with them and lived alone now, and even tried to draw close their connections in and out of his words. Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jinghan were not fools, so in an instant they understood their intentions. If they approved of it silently, endless troubles would come finding them. As they were about to stand out to deny it, someone was even faster than them.


    ¡°Uncle Chenghu, Uncle Chenglong has already divided up the family that very day. And my grandpa even wrote the statement saying that they already have no relationship with us any more. Even we are family by blood, the fact is we are not anymore. Allow me to say some disrespectful words. Let alone you, even if some day my grandpa or grandma passes away, they don¡¯t have to wear mourning clothes. Today you are here making such a scene, they can directly hand you over to the yamen.¡±


    Ling Jinghong carried a hand behind the back while looked at his third uncle and aunt-in-law using a nearly indifferent eye. Those words were quite reasonable, not partial to any side, but Ling Qicai and Ling Chenghu cursed him in their hearts for being long-tongued. But the two brothers Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jinghan picked their eyebrows. Everyone in the old xiucai¡¯s family was so unbelievable, and their big uncle¡¯s whole family was even heartless and shameless, how could such a good bamboo shoot grow among those bad bamboo shoots?


    ¡°Jingxuan, Jinghan, sorry for the trouble. Grandpa told me to bring them back. He¡¯ll punish tjem. Please raise your hand high in mercy and give them a chance.¡±


    Ignoring the reaction of others, Ling Jinghong turned back to the brothers and bowed, still using that kind of neither humble nor partial attitude, and on that face, or you could say, there was only some indifference, like nothing had to do with him.


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s long and narrow phoenix eyes quickly flashed a touch of interest, is he really a good bamboo shoot or a fake good man? With his extraordinary experience, plus the memory of the original owner, he could be basically sure he belonged to the former, but it wasn¡¯t all correct to say it that way. How to explain? Maybe he is even more cold-blooded than them? In that home, the only one he cared about should be that old man. So once the old man was gone, would still help them clean the mess like now?


    The answer was no without any doubt, perhaps, Ling Jinghong would be more ruthless than them, and it wasn¡¯t impossible he¡¯d directly take his wife and kids to move out of Ling village.


    ¡°Why should I spare them? As I said last time, if anyone comes to my house to make a scene again, I won¡¯t show mercy.¡±


    No matter how much he was thinking in the head, making the decision was a moment¡¯s thing. Ling Jingxuan showed a sneer, turning his eyes coldly toward Ling Chenghu and his wife, ¡°Gengniu, tie them up and send them to the yamen! I¡¯d like to see how many balls they have!¡±


    ¡°Yes, master!¡±


    Song Gengniu who already couldn¡¯t wait took a rope from the carriage and moved toward them. When sending the kids to school in town, Master Xuan told him to buy two old hens and some meat and send them to Laowang. On the way back, since it¡¯d be faster to go through the village, he didn¡¯t take the road they built themselves, and then happened to meet Shuiling. After hearing her say what had happened, he immediately turned around and took his daughter to the village head¡¯s place.


    ¡°What¡­what do you want? Second uncle, save me¡­¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Chenghu got frightened and stumbled backwards, even had no time to care about his wife. He pushed her aside and threw himself before Ling Qicai. That tall and strong body was shaking. He was scared, he was really scared this time. Villagers like them, once they went sent to the yamen, they¡¯d at least be tortured even if they could survive. If it had been before, his xiucai dad could still protect him, but now¡­he wouldn¡¯t go to the yamen even if you kill him.


    ¡°Wait, Jingxuan. It¡¯s just having not seen Chenglong for too long, Chenghu just missed him. Although he had some offensive behavior, can¡¯t give them a chance for my face?¡±


    At this time, Ling Qicai still did not forget to draw close their relationship, while Ling Jinghong aside slightly frowned. He meant to say something more, but finally gave up and wouldn¡¯t meddle in this. He had done what grandpa had told him to do, he could do nothing since Jingxuan disagreed.


    ¡°Hehe¡­He missed his second elder brother? Really, second grandpa?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled, his eyes slowly nailed on his body, the smile on his face suddenly disappeared, ¡°Someone who has never taken my dad as his elder brother for tens of years, he already missed him only after a month now? Who would believe it? Village head, I only called you that to show you some face. Do you really think only you are qualified to be the village head? If you are still want to keep your minor title, you¡¯d better stop fooling with me. Gengniu, tie them up!¡±


    Did he really take him as a fool if he didn¡¯t say anything? Hum! A village head is a village head who only has a say in the village. Given his wealth and relations with Xinyuan Restaurant, he could let anyone take that place any time. Fooling with him? Maybe next life!


    ¡°Yes, master.¡±


    ¡°You¡­you¡­¡±


    Song Gengniu who had temporarily stopped what he was doing no longer hesitated. He walked over and pulled Ling Chenghu over easily. Ling Qicai already couldn¡¯t breathe due to great anger. So he already had no time to care about him.


    ¡°What are you doing? Let me go, let me go¡­¡±


    How could Ling Chenghu who had been bumming around be stronger than Song Gengniu? In an instant, Song Gengniu already tied him into a zongzi and threw him onto the ground. Turning around, ignoring his shouting, Song Gengniu took up another rope and walked to Lady Jiang.


    ¡°Ah¡­ I won¡¯t go to the yamen, no¡­¡±


    Lady Jiang screamed, then tried to run away with her hair disheveled. Ling Jingxuan stopped Song Gengniu who was about to chase out, ¡°No need. She can¡¯t escape. Send Ling Chenghu to the yamen first.¡±


    No one noticed that sly light flashing across his phoenix eyes. Still wanting to run away after bullying his mom? Isn¡¯t it like daydreaming?


    ¡°Yes, Master Xuan¡±


    Song Gengniu responded respectfully, and turned to pull Ling Chenghu up and threw him onto the carriage. Seeing that, Ling Jinghan came forward, ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    ¡°Master Jinghan, it¡¯s a long way to go. You¡¯d better stay home. I can handle it myself.¡±


    The yamen of Qingyang county was set in Qingshui town next door. Worrying about his body condition, Song Gengniu had to stop him. But Ling Jinghan waved his hand and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Anyway, this winter, I¡¯m going to town to take the exams. It¡¯s better to get myself familiar with everything there. Big brother, anything you want me to buy for you?¡±


    Unceremoniously stepping over Ling Chenghu¡¯s body to climb onto the carriage, before lowering the curtain, Ling Jinghan turned and looked at Ling Jingxuan, completely ignoring the presence of the village head and Ling Jinghong.


    ¡°No, there¡¯s nothing I especially want. But you check the quality of the cloth in town. If it¡¯s not bad, you can buy some bolts, and we can make some clothes for mom. Now we are rich. We should let our parents dress decently.¡±


    Totally not minding others might know he was rich now, Ling Jingxuan deliberately raised his voice. Strictly speaking, he was not someone who would bully others using money, or forget who he is after getting rich. But some people just coveted his money. If so, he didn¡¯t mind showing off.


    ¡°OK, then I¡¯ll buy some if I see some quality ones.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jinghan put down the curtain, and Song Gengniu also climbed on the carriage. Seeing that they really meant to send Song Gengniu to the yamen, Ling Qiyun had to stand out with a stiff head, ¡°Jingxuan, do you really need to do this? Anyhow, he is your third uncle by blood.¡±


    ¡°Are you blaming me? When they bullied my parents, have you ever thought they are brothers by blood? When they made my mom have a miscarriage and could never get pregnant again, who stood out to say a single word for my mom? Till now, everyone of that family still thinks it¡¯s my mom¡¯s fault. I am so damn wondering now, since when the injured one becomes the murderer? Ling Qicai, don¡¯t try to rope us in everywhere. The spilled water can never go back without a drop lost. I already showed you face that I didn¡¯t take the initiative to fight back. Since he dares to make trouble again and again, why should I show mercy? If it were can, can you take this? Something you can¡¯t do, don¡¯t force me to do it. You either go back to be your village head and we don¡¯t interfere with each other, or you offer your position out. Don¡¯t try to seize everything in your hand. There¡¯s no such good thing. Please!¡±


    Withdrawing that cold smile, Ling Jingxuan approached him step by step, with those harsh words coming out of his mouth. Ling Qicai kept backing up under his overwhelming posture. Until the last word fell, Ling Jingxuan swung his sleeves, and Ling Qicai only felt that he came back to life. And it was also until then did he realized his clothes had already been soaked in his sweat.


    ¡°Second grandpa, let¡¯s go. Uncle Chenghu deserves it. We should go back and think about how to save him first.¡±


    Ling Jinghong came forward to hold him, with his eyes suspiciously staring at Ling Jingxuan. He was so much different from in his memories, like he changed completely changed into another person. Did the thing that year hurt him so hard?


    ¡°Hum!¡±


    Angrily waving him off, Ling Qicai threw Ling Jingxuan an eye with fear and then strode out. Watching his back, Ling Jinghong heaved a light sigh. Why can¡¯t they just live peacefully? That is his second uncle¡¯s ability that that could live a much better life now. Why do they always try to calculate them and reap without sowing?


    ¡°Jingxuan, since so, I¡¯ll also go home.¡±


    No longer wanting to stay here to be an eyesore, Ling Jinghong cupped his hands to them and turned to leave.


    ¡°Ling Jinghong, what do you really want?¡±


    But the moment he turned around, Ling Jingxuan took the initiative to stop him. Ling Jinghong turned back to look at him strangely. He was stunned there for quite a while before lowering his eyes and whispered, ¡°What do I really want? Hehe¡­I only wish I knew it¡­¡±


    Yes, since the day he was no longer a child, he had never known what he wanted. As the big son of the old xiucai¡¯s first son, he should have enjoyed everyone¡¯s doting. But instead, the one his parents cared about was never him. The only ones who were good to him was his grandpa and¡­Ling Jingxuan and others when they were little. In old Ling family, he was some kind of special presence since he was little. No one would like to be close to him. Except grandpa, only his second uncle Chenglong and second aunt-in-law would secretly stuffed some food to him. That was bought using the money they saved for Jingxuan and their other two sons And only Jingxuan and his two younger brothers would take him to Yuehua Ditch to catch fish, and called him brother Jinghong. When that thing happened to Jingxuan, actually he tried to help. But at the time the old man was still mad, so his words didn¡¯t work. And then, he couldn¡¯t help. Gradually, he became estranged with them. Now in that home, the only ones he cared about was his grandpa and his wife and kids. Maybe after the old man passed away some day, he¡¯d also choose to leave?


    ¡°My feeling is indeed correct, the most lonely person in the old Ling family is you, you go, tell the old man, let him restrain his family. It wouldn¡¯t be so simple by sending them to yamen.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan turned to go away, and the carriage had already gone far away, leaving Ling Jinghong who was still thinking of something and Song Shuiling who was waiting to lock the gate after he left. This draw should come to an end. As for whether old Ling family would go to the yamen to save them, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t care at all. With Ling Jinghan there, it wouldn¡¯t be an easy job to save them.

 Chapter 169

    ¡°Mom.¡±


    After sending off those irrelevant people, Ling Jingxuan went to Lady Wang¡¯s room. With the help of Lady Song, she had already washed herself clean and got changed.


    ¡°They¡¯re gone?¡±


    Looking up, Ling Wang asked in an absent-minded way, with an obvious feeling of anger in her heart. Ling Jingxuan went over and sat down beside her, ¡°Ling Qicai and Ling Jinghong came, and I let Gengniu tie up Ling Chenghu and sent him to the yamen, Lady Jiang ran away like she had gone mad. I guess she should have gone home and hidden away. Mom, you did a good job today. To deal with that kind of shameless people, you have to be more shameless, otherwise, the more you care about your dignity or what, the further they cross the line. There are some things, even if I don¡¯t say, you should understand. Shengrui¡¯s background isn¡¯t simple. So I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t stay in here for my whole life. And given Jinghan¡¯s intelligence and talent, it¡¯s not a problem to get listed. And Jingpeng, as our business is becoming bigger and bigger, he may often work outside here and there. Under the premise that we are all away, you and dad have to take care of this family. You know what my dad is like. To put it in a nice way, he is a goody-goody. But to speak bluntly, he is too soft-boned. If you can¡¯t toughen up, this family will sooner or later fall into other¡¯s hands. So, mom, don¡¯t feel burdened or what for things today. We did nothing wrong. They shouldn¡¯t have come make trouble again and again. What others say has nothing to do with us, as long as we have a clear conscience.¡±


    Taking her hand, Ling Jingxuan only picked some nice words to placate her as much as possible, in this era, there were too many unreasonable doctrines, especially for women. The reason Lady Wang dare not fight back was all because of them. She was a good mother, who was clearer than anyone that if she ruined her reputation, it¡¯d also indirectly have a bad influence on her sons. He and Jingpeng would be both occupied in business, so it wouldn¡¯t be a thing. But Jingpeng would have his official career. If people knew that he had such a vixenish and unreasonable mother, he¡¯d be looked down upon. So Lady Wang would restrain herself so hard. Bug he personally held a scornful attitude toward those things. And judging through Jinghan¡¯s action today, he also wouldn¡¯t care about it. Since so, she needn¡¯t wrong herself.


    ¡°But¡­well, since you said so, what can I say? Besides, I already beat them even if I didn¡¯t want to. So it¡¯s no use to regret now. Jingxuan, you said you sent Ling Chenghu to the yamen? Where is Jinghan. Why didn¡¯t he come with you?¡±


    Lady Wang originally wanted to say something, but she swallowed them down finally and changed the subject, with her eyes peeping outside. Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan leaned backward casually, ¡°He went together with Gengniu.¡±


    ¡°What? Why didn¡¯t you stop him? The town is far away. What if something happens along the way?¡±


    Hearing his words, Lady Wang resolutely popped out her eyes, although Ling Jinghan¡¯s illness had been completely cured, in her heart, he was still that fragile porcelain doll.


    ¡°Hehe¡­mom, have you ever heard an idiom? A loving mother always has a spoiled wastrel son.¡±


    Without answering her question, Ling Jingxuan grinned while pressed a hand over her shoulder, with an undisguised teasing expression. Lady Yang who was waiting on aside also couldn¡¯t help lowering her head, sniggering. So Master Xuan also has such a naughty side!


    ¡°Screw you, I am serious.¡±


    Embarrassed, Lady Wang pushed his head away with a finger, that little bit left bad mood and the worries about Ling Jinghan were already nowhere to find. Even she herself didn¡¯t sense it. Ling Jingxuan smoothened his high-tied ponytail villainously and stood up, ¡°Mom, Jinghan has already fully recovered. Sooner or later, he has to make contact with people. It isn¡¯t a bad thing to see outside world earlier. Don¡¯t worry. Besides, he has Gengniu around. He wouldn¡¯t suffer. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m going into the mountains. Jingpeng and others are waiting for water.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan did not say was given Ling Jinghan¡¯s black-bellied personality, others should feel lucky that he didn¡¯t bully them. How could it ever be others¡¯ turn to bully him?


    ¡°Ah, how about I go with you? I can also help.¡±


    Then she stood up and said so. On such a hot day, watching her husband and sons were all so busy, she really didn¡¯t have the heart to rest aside.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve managed to get you a little better now. Don¡¯t mess with yourself any more. It¡¯s stuffy and hot on the mountain. If you wanna help, like before, wash those wild fruit with me in the afternoon.¡±


    Holding down her shoulder to press her back, as Ling Jingxuan just stepped out two steps, she said to Lady Yang, ¡°Burn those clothes the madam has just exchanged. And you should also take a bath and get changed.¡±


    It sounded like a normal instruction, Lady Wang who was sitting with her head against him found nothing wrong except still feeling a little sorry for her son. But Lady Yang who was facing him felt startled as she saw his freezing cold expression, she hurriedly nodded while saying yes repeatedly. Giving her the last glance, Ling Jingxuan strode out of his mother¡¯s room.


    On the side of old Ling family, after hearing that Ling Jinghan had sent Ling Chenghu to the yamen in person, the old lord nearly passed out. And the old lady was so mad that she hurled all kinds of abuse, nasty words like son of a bitch, ungrateful as*holes, all bad words one could imagine. But it seemed she had forgotten, who would be more like a b*tch like her own daughter?


    ¡°Enough! All you know is shouting abuses every day! Go get the money now! I¡¯ll go to town with my Qicai. That useless thing! See how I beat him after he is back!¡±


    After getting himself together, Ling Qiyun mercilessly stared at the old woman, in the heart he put the blame on her. If it hadn¡¯t been she had gone too far, how would Chenglong have moved out and lived independently from them? And now Jinghan should have been fully healed, in the future¡­Alas, such a big misfortune of the family!


    ¡°What? Use money to save him? Are you crazy, my lord? Who doesn¡¯t know that the yamen is full of hungry wolves, and how much money can our farmers have for them to squeeze?¡±


    On hearing that they had to spend money, the old woman ignored his bright shimmer of disgust, voice instantly pulled up a few degrees, wearing a flesh-cutting expression on her face. Ling Chengcai who was only standing there watching the drama sniggered with schadenfreude, until his wife poked him secretly and threw him an eye did he come to himself. So he moved forward, ¡°Dad, mom said right. However rich our farmer families are, we can never stuff up those people. Besides, the shared money is ours. If you use it to save Chenghu, what about us in the future? We are both your sons, you can¡¯t be partial to him!¡±

 Chapter 170

    Since Ling Jingwei was sent away, the big son had ripped open the face with the old couple. Now in their hearts, they were already like outsiders. So what he should and shouldn¡¯t say, what he could and couldn¡¯t say, now he could all say them out, totally didn¡¯t care whether he¡¯d irritate the old man, or even only wishing he would let them move out.


    ¡°You¡­The shared money is all my money, and I can give my money to whoever I want. You ungrateful thing! Chenghu is your younger brother!¡±


    The old man was furious, finger tremblingly pointing at him, an old face turning all crimson. Ling Jinghong who was serving aside came forward to help him smoothen his breaths, while casting a light glance at his parents, no blame, no resentment, completely like looking at a stranger.


    ¡°Even if he is my younger brother, so what? It wasn¡¯t I who sent him to the yamen? Jingwei is your grandson, how did you treat him? If you can leave my son alone, why should I care about yours? Father, if you don¡¯t like it, you can throw us out. From now on, we¡¯ll live on our own!¡±


    Ling Chengcai was ready to risk it all. On thinking that whether his son would survive was still uncertain, he got endless resentment generating in the heart. That year, the old could took his big son to raise by their side, resulting in that till now his big son wasn¡¯t intimate with him at all. Finally they had Jingwei, and they planned to count on him in the future. But as a result, they sent him to the battlefield while he was still in the worst mood. In his remaining years, he might have no chance to see his son come back alive.


    ¡°Well, you want to divide up the family, right? OK!¡±


    Ling Qiyun was super mad. He turned around and sat next to Ling Qicai, ¡°Qicai, you happen to be here today. You be the witness. I will divide up the family completely!¡±


    Ling Chengcai and his wife felt ecstasy in the heart and felt relieved. Finally they got what they wanted, but¡­


    ¡°Big brother, are you out of your mind? Now is the time to split up? We tried to persuade you when Chenghu was asking to live alone, but you just wouldn¡¯t listen, and now you want to follow the same old disastrous road again?¡±


    In his heart, Ling Qicai did not want to get involved with their family stuff anymore, pity that, they were born with the same roots, honor one and you honor them all, and injure one and you injure them all. If his big brother¡¯s family became the laughing stock of the whole village, how could he escape? Next year, his little son Ling Chenggui, who was studying in the townt, would take part in the xiucai examination. If people knew about this, how could he raise his head in front of everyone?


    ¡°Then I¡­I¡¯ll wait until I save Chenghu out.¡±


    Reflexively, the old man tried to diss back, suddenly he thought of Ling Chenglong¡¯s family, so he decisively swallowed those words back. Seeing that, Ling Chengcai anxiously said, ¡°Dad, how can you go back on your words?¡±


    If not now, when he calmed down, he probably would never have a chance.


    ¡°You dog thing, I have the final say whether to divide up the family or not! It¡¯s never your turn to say no! If you want to leave this home, you can learn from Chenglong and move out. I have no objection!¡±


    After being slightly calmer, Ling Qiyun mercilessly threw his big son a hard stare. Why did he raise such an ungrateful and unfilial thing?


    On hearing that he had to move out, Ling Chengcai decisively shut up, he would like it, but, he just did not want to move out penniless like Ling Chenglong.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go get the money now?¡±


    After nailing the big son, Ling Qiyun yelled at the old woman. Saving people is like saving fire. However useless Ling Chenghu was, that was their son. How could they watch him sent into the tiger¡¯s den without doing anything?


    ¡°Is it easy for us to save that little money? If you use it to save Chenghu, how will we live then? Chenghua hasn¡¯t been married!¡±


    Wearing that painful look, the old lady didn¡¯t mean to stand up at all. Now Ling Chenghua¡¯s reputation had been totally ruined, and she dare not count on her to marry into some big family, only wishing that she could find a good family if she could save as much dowry for her. But now Ling Chenghu was being sent to the yamen. How could that little money be enough? Anyhow, it wouldn¡¯t be some capital crime. She¡¯d rather her son suffer a bit than wasting so much money.


    ¡°Chenghua, Chenghua, only Chenghua is your flesh, while Chenghu is not? Who still hasn¡¯t heard about her bad reputation throughout the few villages around? Do you still expect someone would marry her? You silly old woman, did you see it clearly or not? We can only count on our sons now!¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Qiyun pointed at his daughter accompanying the old lady and said bluntly. When other family¡¯s daughter got her reputation ruined, she¡¯d either kill herself or hide in her own room all day long. But what about his daughter? She had resumed how she had performed before and even secretly ran out recently and no one knew what she was doing. If it hadn¡¯t been his wife, he had already thrown her out.


    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    Ling Chenghua choked with grievances hiding behind the old lady, which broke the old lady¡¯s heart. She held her and threw Ling Qiyun dagger eyes, ¡°Count on our sons? Which of them do you think we can count on? Huh? Chengcai only thinks about dividing up the family. And Chenghu, needless to say, a total unfilial thing who should be struck by lightning and split into two halves. And Chenghu? Now he is sent to the yamen! To count on them is no better count on ourselves!¡±


    Like being possessed, the old lady just blindly defended her daughter, no wonder her sons were all so unfilial!


    ¡°You¡­you¡­I¡¯ll go get it myself.¡±


    Ling Qiyun got so pissed off. He directly turned to go into the room, while the old woman showed a nearly unnoticeable sneer. These years, all the belongings of this family were in her hands. Without her, no one could find those things.


    ¡°Big brother, I guess there wouldn¡¯t be any result here. I gotta go. Tell Jinghong to call me when you go somewhere.¡±


    Ling Qicai, who had a full view of everything, got up and shouted to the open door. He didn¡¯t wait for the answer from inside, and just went away. He really didn¡¯t want to get involved in his big brother¡¯s family thing.


    ¡°Qicai, Qicai¡­¡±


    When the old man chased out, Ling Qicai¡¯s figure had already disappeared at the gate, he turned back and stared at the old woman who was holding her daughter to appease her. He sighed deeply and then went into the room again.


    ¡°Grandma, please save daddy, he is your son.¡±


    Ling Chenghu¡¯s three sons walked into the room and straightly knelt in front of the old lady, they heard about their parents. Now their dad was sent to the yamen, while their mom was wrapping herself in her quilt, shivering. They could only come to the old couple for help.


    ¡°Go away! What¡¯s the big deal? The yamen is not opened by that son of a bitch! Your dad will only receive some reproach from Lord Magistrate at most. No big deal. Go back to your room!¡±


    The old lady was not budged at all, waved a hand impatient to let them leave. The biggest son Ling Jingren darkened his eyes, secretly signaled his two younger brother with an eye, and the three of them backed out silently. Seeing here, Ling Jinghong who had been keeping silent turned to go back to his own room. To this family, he had no attachment. And now that scene made him even more disappointed.

 Chapter 171

    ¡°Jinhua, Jinhua¡­¡±


    About an hour after Ling Chenghu and his son made that scene, Ling Chenglong who was supposed to be picking wild fruit in the mountains rushed back into the room. As he saw Lady Wang who was sitting in the chair stitching show soles, he immediately pulled her up and checked her up and down carefully without thinking, with that kind of covered in sweat and only worries stained under the eyes, and his shorts were all soaked in sweat.


    ¡°What are you doing? Why are you still so licentious? Lady Song and Shuiling are here!¡±


    Only checking her by eyes was not enough. Ling Chenglong even rubbed here and felt there on her body with his hands, which made Lady Wang super embarrassed and blush instantly, while Lady Yang, snickering, quietly pulled her daughter to get out, leaving them some space.


    ¡°I am worried about you! I heard Chenghu and his wife came making a scene again, and you even fought them. Jinhua, are you hurt? Did they hurt you?¡±


    Like he was also aware of his rudeness, Ling Chenglong scratched his head and tried to confirm with her again. Heaven knows how worried he was when heard it, he nearly wanted to carry that big bamboo basket to run back. All the way, countless hypothesis floated in his head. He even thought that if his wife got killed or what, he¡¯d fight that couple to death.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not hurt. Sit down, take a breath and listen to me.¡±


    Strangely looking him, Lady Wang dragged him to sit down, then gently poured him a cup of tea, while Ling Chenglong¡¯s eyes were always filled with strong worries. Only after he took several cups of tea did Lady Wang gently ask, ¡°Didn¡¯t Jingxuan tell you the whole story?¡±


    Or why did he look like he only knew the beginning but had no clue of the ending?


    ¡°Ah? No, he only said that that couple came again, and had a fight with you, I was so afraid that I didn¡¯t even have to ask it clearly. Is there anything I don¡¯t know?¡±


    Ling Chenglong was not stupid, it was just he lost his head since he was too worried and fell into his son¡¯s ¡®trickery¡¯.


    ¡°Poof ¡­ you got fooled by Jingxuan!¡±


    On hearing him, Lady Wang couldn¡¯t help laughing out. Ling Chenglong¡¯s rusty brain finally became flexible for once, and he straightened his face pretendingly, ¡°That bad kid!¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Anyhow, pretending is pretending. The moment their eyes collided, both laughed.


    ¡°Ah-choo!¡±


    At the same time, Ling Jingxuan who was picking wild fruit in the mountains suddenly made a big sneeze. Next to him, Yan Shengrui laughed and teased him, ¡°Is it possible your parents are cursing you?¡±


    For he deliberately misguided his father.


    ¡°Just let them do it, anyway, I won¡¯t lose a piece of my flesh, as long as my mom is happy.¡±


    Making a shrug, Ling Jingxuan did not stop his movements at hands at all, on an empty space not far behind had been piled several big bamboo baskets full of wild fruit which were all picked by him and Yan Shengrui. On the side of Zhao&Han couple, Jingpeng and Shuisheng, there were even more. On the way he came back from home, he suddenly came up with that idea of spying his dad¡¯s thoughts and also amusing his mom by the way, so he deliberately told his dad that Ling Chenghu and his wife came making trouble and nothing else, as expected, Ling Chenglong instantly lied that he had picked enough wild fruit and headed home. Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan was quite happy. Although his dad was simple and honest, his heart to his mom and them was all sincere, which was already enough!


    ¡°You always do something that¡¯s easy to make others misunderstand. Don¡¯t you do this again.¡±


    Throwing him an eye, Yan Shengrui said so dotingly. Ling Jingxuan in those outsiders¡¯ eyes was heartless and vicious, but in his eyes he only saw filialness and kindness. As long as others didn¡¯t provoke him or what, he wouldn¡¯t stir up trouble basically. As long as you feel out his personalities and do things following how he thought of things, he¡¯d definitely give his heart to you, like Zhao&Han couple and Laowang, who were the most direct beneficiaries.


    ¡°Hehe¡­They are my parents. What¡¯s there to misunderstand? I¡­Ouch¡­¡±


    Before finishing his words, Ling Jingxuan suddenly made a deep groan. Yan Shengrui rushed over and grabbed his hand. The middle finger pulp of his right hand oozed out a big blood drop. Without even thinking, Yan Shengrui sucked it with his mouth. Some kind of electric current feeling instantly spread his four limbs. Ling Jingxuan tried to withdraw his finger, ¡°Just got pricked by some little thorn. No big deal.¡±


    But Yan Shengrui still held his finger in his mouth tightly, even licked the hurt place gently with his tongue. He just couldn¡¯t take it back. In such broad daylight, in the wilderness, and Zhao Dalong and others might come over any time, even Ling Jingxuan whose face was even a few centimeters thicker than the city wall couldn¡¯t help blushing now.


    ¡°What do you mean by no big deal? It¡¯s bleeding. No, stop picking. Sit aside and rest.¡±


    After quite a while, Yan Shengrui let out his finger and checked it repeatedly. After making sure the bleeding stopped, he pulled him aside while severely talked back. Sweeping around with his tiger eyes, he locked the target and ran over holding his wrist.


    ¡°Er¡­ I¡¯m not made of glass. Not that delicate! Can you slow down? I¡­hey¡­¡±


    Did he take him like a porcelain doll? Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face sank. But his nearly mumbling complaining was finished, he only felt the sky and earth were spinning around. And when he could react, Yan Shengrui already carried him up. With a few leaps, they were already under a giant wild pear tree. Ignoring his protest, Yan Shengrui carefully put him down, and placed him on a big rock under the tree domineeringly.


    ¡°Jingxuan, how about we buy a few more people. Look at you! So thin and have to work so hard in and out. What if you get ill and can¡¯t work some day?¡±

 Chapter 172

    Squatting in front of him, Yan Shengrui held his hand while looking at him with affection. Actually he had meant to say this a long time ago. The reason he didn¡¯t speak it out was because of Xiaowen. This mouth, their food was good enough. Except breakfast, there was meat and fish for almost every meal. But Ling Jingxuan only grew a bit more delicate, but didn¡¯t gain too much weight at all, which made him so worried. Although just now he only got a finger pricked, it had already lit up that wire lead he had suppressed for a long time. Anyhow, he would never allow him to wear himself out like this. What if some day¡­No, he couldn¡¯t even think of it. Only thinking of it, his heart ached, only afraid that some day the hypothesis could come true.


    ¡°Haha¡­ how can I be so delicate? I¡¯ve been putting on some weight lately, didn¡¯t you notice it? Look at all those muscles!¡±


    After a short stunning, Ling Jingxuan reached out his left hand and pinched the muscles of his right arm with a smile. Now it was true he was thin, but he was not as weak as before. The unremitting exercise and hard work every day had strengthened his body, although he still looked a little slim.


    ¡°You call that muscles already?¡±


    Glaring at him, Yan Shengrui suddenly tore open his upper clothes, showing his thick upper arms and patting it with slaps. ¡°These are muscles. When you become like me one day, I will not worry about you.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Awkwardness crawled over his forehead. Ling Jingxuan already had no mood to appreciate his sexiness, making crazy twitches at the corner of his mouth. He wanted him to look like that? Not even possible in his next life, OK? It¡¯s not that he had no confidence of himself, it¡¯s just whether one could grow strong was also closely related to one¡¯s skeleton. His skeleton was already small among men, plus so many years¡¯ malnutrition, in this life, he could only grow a bit fatter at most, but could never reach Yan Shengrui¡¯s level. Never!


    ¡°Jingxuan, tomorrow, let Gengniu go to inform Guarantor Liu. Let him bring some people home for you to select, OK? Then you don¡¯t have to go into the mountains yourself. You can stay home to wash those wild fruit and make jam with mom.¡±


    Pulling back the clothes, Yan Shengrui touched his face and said so. In a word, he was reluctant to see him work so hard.


    ¡°Fine, fine, I¡¯ll let Gengniu go tomorrow, OK? If you keep saying, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll really become a porcelain doll. It¡¯s about noon. Get back to work already!¡±


    Unable to stand his focused eyes, Ling Jingxuan could only nod to agree, but as he made a gesture to stand up, he got pressed back by Yan Shengrui, ¡°You sit and rest, I¡¯ll go pick up wild fruit myself.¡±


    Speaking of which, after throwing him a stern warning eye, Yan Shengrui turned around. Only a few leaps, he took their bamboo baskets and started to pick wild fruit not far from Ling Jingxuan. Ling Jingxuan who was sitting on the rock helplessly shook his head. He lowered his head to look at that still a bit painful finger, his lips curved into a sweet smile. It really felt not bad to have a man caring about him. In his previous life, he never had such blessing. Every time he got badly wounded, he¡¯d nailed it all by himself. Except himself, no one had ever really cared about him.


    Seeing that it seemed he really gave up standing up, Yan Shengrui felt relieved, and started to pick those scarlet wild fruit fast using two hands. But it seemed that he forgot it. How would Ling Jingxuan ever be sitting there idly? Taking advantage that he was not looking his way, Ling Jingxuan stood up, stretched himself, then walked to the bamboo baskets filled with wild fruit, picked up a sharp sickle and walked deeper into the mountains. To Yuehua Mountain, he had always held a lot of curiosity. For the sake of other¡¯s safety, usually he wouldn¡¯t go very deep. Today, since he got nothing to do, he decisively went deep inside.


    After walking some distance, those wild grapes actually all disappeared, and another shocking picture came into his eyes, on some adult-thigh thick trees were hunt with all orange yellow plums, so thickly dotted. If not seeing it with his own eyes, Ling Jingxuan almost thought he was mistaken. It was like those trees were all planted by human hands. So unbelievable!


    ¡°It¡¯s sweet!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan casually picked one and stuffed it into his mouth. The sweet and sour flavor made him have a shudder. It tasted even better than those grafted and high-producing ones in modern times. Although it wasn¡¯t so crisp and tasty since it was overripe, it had some different mouthfeel. His long and thin phoenix eyes gradually narrowed into two crescent moons. Finally he found some good stuff that could replace the wild grapes to make jam! Besides, plums could also be used to brew wine, make jam, countless things!


    ¡°Growling¡­¡±


    As he was picturing how to use those wild fruit to the largest extent, beast¡¯s deep and hoarse growl was heard. He suddenly opened his eyes and the hand holding the sickle tightened.


    ¡°Growling¡­¡±


    Suddenly, a large boar jumped out from the woods opposite him and ran toward him, Ling Jingxuan, cursing in the mouth, turned to run instantly. Behind, the boar seemed strong, whose action was very agile and fast. The moment it was about catch up with him, Ling Jingxuan swayed his hand and some knockout drops was thrown at that boar.


    ¡°Growling¡­¡±


    But only a moment, that boar rushed at him again, and it seemed a lot faster this time.


    ¡°Damn, not enough dose!¡±


    Heaven knows how many years this boar had been living here, at least a few hundred jin! Ling Jingxuan¡¯s knockout drops only targeted human and those middle and small size beasts, but it seemed it didn¡¯t work on that boar at all. After realizing that, Ling Jingxuan gave up using poison directly. With turns and twists, he ran into the woods, and the boar was approaching behind. As it was about to catch up with him, Ling Jingxuan made a sudden turn and climbed onto a big tree.


    Bang~ Bang~ Bang~


    Instead of leaving, the crazy boar hit on the tree trunk with its body hard, like it was going to eat him today. Ling Jingxuan flashed some bloodthirsty feeling in the eyes, quickly accessing the possibility of fighting it face to face.


    ¡°Growling~¡±


    Suddenly, another sharp and horrible howling rang out of thin air, under a second, a large, at least two meters long, all black, adult giant wolf whose forehead and four paws were snow white shot out. Seeing it, Ling Jingxuan suddenly remembered the two cubs and the mother wolf butchered by him, and then remembering the wild goat the two cubs brought back this morning, he almost sure that it was Dahei and Xiaohei¡¯s father. It was he who taught the two cubs the hunting skills, and it was also he who caught that wild goat and sent it home for them.


    ¡°Growling¡­¡±


    As if to verify his guess, the two cubs who had followed them into the mountains jumped out of the wood one after another, frisking toward that giant wolf. The giant wolf who was majestic-looking a moment ago now was like a common father, who lowered the head to lick on them, while the two cubs also made circles around him excitedly.


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    The reunion of the father and sons was suddenly interrupted by others. The boar, which had been hitting the tree, had stopped and was howling at them.

 Chapter 173

    ¡°Growl~¡±


    The two cubs were quite brave, growling at that giant boar tens of times bigger of their size on both sides of that giant wolf. Ling Jingxuan hiding in the tree was so worried that he nearly jumped off to stop those two cubs who weren¡¯t quite clear of the situation now. Do they thing the boar is as weak as them? Even their father might not be its rival! As far as he knew, the fighting capacity of the boar is rather intimidating.


    ¡°Growl~¡±


    ¡°Growl~¡±


    With a fierce roar of the boar, two cubs shrunk back out of fear. Suddenly, with a pounce, the giant wolf fell dead ahead of that boar not more than three meters away, then made a few deep growls at it. A flash targeted the two cubs at a lightning speed, picked them up in his hands, and the next second, that figure fell steadily on the branch Ling Jingxuan was at.


    ¡°What are you doing here? Where are brother Zhao and others?¡±


    Seeing that it was Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan felt relaxed quietly, then reached out and took one of the cubs in his arms, and then kept his attention on the two beasts below, carelessly ignoring Yan Shengrui¡¯s blackened face.


    ¡°Are you worried about them? Didn¡¯t I tell you to sit there and not move? Why did you run about again?¡±


    When he found that he was not there, he thought he had went to look for Zhao Dalong and others. But when he heard the beast¡¯ growling, he was so worried that he nearly passed out. And then he saw that the two cubs by Ling Jingpeng¡¯s side suddenly ran deeper into the woods, after asking Ling Jingpeng and others who also hurried over on hearing the beast¡¯s growling to go back, he collected himself and ran all the way here. Fortunately he was totally fine, otherwise¡­He really didn¡¯t know what he would do.


    ¡°Er¡­you know, I just felt bored, and meant to look for some herbs, and, and, I went deeper and deeper, and finally ended up here. I didn¡¯t incur that boar! It came itself! I also didn¡¯t expect there would be such giant beasts here.¡±


    Finally aware of his anger, Ling Jingxuan stiffly turned his neck, trying to explain, if possible, he also didn¡¯t want to be chased by such a beast. After going back, he got remake the poison! Next time, even if it¡¯s pack of them, he¡¯d knock them all out, let alone only one!


    ¡°There are so many things you didn¡¯t expect! See how I lesson you after going back!¡±


    Throwing him his dagger eyes, Yan Shengrui then also looked over at those two beasts already fighting together, ¡°He is the same kind of Dahei and Xiaohei. He should be their father, right?¡±


    ¡°Growl!¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan could reply, the two cubs growled in their arms, like giving him an affirmative answer. Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows at him. The answer was obvious. He had never doubted the two cubs¡¯ understanding ability and hearing. Oh damn! They are like human now! Whatever they said, they just understood, totally owing to the crescent moon spring!


    ¡°Bam~¡±


    The giant wolf was really worthy to be one of the tyrants in the woods. After the boar lost one of its attacks, its giant body directly got upside down. Along with a jump in the air, those sharp fangs directly at its neck. Like a collapsed hill, the boar struggled while making painful groans. But the giant wolf didn¡¯t let loose a bit, finally tore a large piece of flesh off it, blood gushing out. After spitting it out, the giant wolf aimed at another place in its neck.


    ¡°Blare¡­¡±


    The struggling of the boar became weaker and weaker, and the painful growls also became lower and lower, until only some whimpering sound was left, that giant body jerked wildly for a moment until it lay still there.


    Ling Jingxuan who took everything under his eyes quietly wiped off some cold sweat off his forehead. What a tough fight! So that mother wolf wouldn¡¯t be much weaker than him! If it hadn¡¯t been that she got severely injured at the time, he and the two buns might have already been dead.


    ¡°Growl!¡±


    Seeing their father¡¯s win, the two cubs struggled excitedly in their arms, which also pulled Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thoughts back instantly. He and Yan Shengrui took a look at each other, and released them almost at the same time. When they ran towards the giant wolf, Yan Shengrui also jumped off the tree holding Ling Jingxuan¡¯s waist.


    ¡°Growl~¡±


    The giant Wolf, who was enjoying some intimacy with the two cubs, noticed their approaching, his blood-stained mouth roared fiercely at them, with warning in those green eyes.


    ¡°Growl~!¡±


    ¡°Growl~¡±


    Before Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan could react, the two cubs suddenly rushed toward them, and stood in the front of them to growl at that giant wolf, like they were trying to stop his rudeness toward them. A warm feeling flashed under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes. He really hadn¡¯t raised them with his heart in vain. Although they also showed their teeth at him sometimes, at the critical moment, they¡¯d still take on his side.


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    After the giant wolf watched them for quite a while, he suddenly raised his neck and made a cloud-piercing growl. Like they understood something, then the two cubs ran over. The giant wolf brought them to a place far away from the body of that boar, and then lay on the ground and started to smoothen their hair using his tongue. Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows. After exchanging an eye contact with Yan Shengrui, they tentatively tried to approach them.


    ¡°This wild boar must weigh over six hundred jin!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan whispered while throwing a kick on the boar that had been deadly dead. Under normal circumstances, an adult boar would weigh around 200 jin, but it did not rule out that some who had been living long enough would exceed that standard. And this one was an example.


    ¡°Not surprisingly. Half of Yuehua Mountain is shrouded in clouds all the year round. Few humans have ever ventured there. And there may be even larger beasts inside.¡±


    Yan Shengrui who was holding him casually echoed.


    ¡°Jing¡­Jingxuan¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan nodded. As he was about to say something, a trembling voice rang from the back. The two of them turned around at the same time, seeing that Zhao&Han couple, Ling Jingpeng, Song Shuisheng, and Ling Jinglong who they tricked to go home all stood there. All their eyes fell on the giant wolf and the two cubs not far away. Look at their trembling legs. Apparently they were all very scared.


    ¡°Daddy, what are you doing here?¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui walked toward them. Zhao Dalong who stood headmost took a look at that giant wolf and said stammeringly, ¡°I¡­we were worried about you. So we¡­we came to see if we¡­could help. Jing¡­Jingxuan¡­what¡¯s this?¡±


    What a giant wolf! He had never seen such a giant one before! Judging from his appearance, without even asking, they could tell the two little puppies Ling Jingxuan raised at home were not real puppies as they thought.


    ¡°Like what you see now, Dahei and Xiaohei are actually wolves. When I picked them, they were just born. Xiaowen said he liked them, so I brought them home and raise them as dogs. In case you¡¯d feel scared, I didn¡¯t tell you.¡±


    Standing in front of them, Ling Jingxuan nodded and explained simply. Humans, in the blood, were afraid of beasts, especially like wolves and tigers. If he had told them, it¡¯d scared the sh*t out of them!¡±


    ¡°Well¡­then he¡­¡±

 Chapter 174

    Pointing at that giant wolf with his trembling finger, the outspoken Han Fei now started to stammer, he even needed to grasp Zhao Dalong¡¯s arms from collapsing on the ground. That huge body¡­Meh¡­really scary¡­


    ¡°He should be the father of both of them. I don¡¯t know when they started to make contacts. Enough of this. It¡¯s good that you are all here. Go grab some ropes. We¡¯ll carry that boar home.¡±


    In case they scared themselves to death, Ling Jingxuan moved his body and decisively changed the subject. And then others¡¯ attention got focused on the body of that boar. Ling Chenglong and others who meant to ask more could only swallow those words back. Ling Jingpeng secretly elbowed Shuisheng, and the latter immediately ran away. Soon, he came back, with two thumb-thick ropes and two shoulder poles in his hands.


    ¡°Jingxuan, it¡­it won¡¯t attack us, right?¡±


    The wolf father and his two sons were not far away. They really had no balls to go over.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK. They would have already attacked us if they would. You know, beasts deep in the mountain have intelligence. You can tell through Dahei and Xiaogei. So he should also understand what we are talking about. Don¡¯t be afraid. Just take him as a dog with a bigger size.¡±


    ¡°Growl~¡±


    ¡°Oh my heaven¡­¡±


    As his words fell, the giant wolf not far away growled to protest, which instantly face-slapped Ling Jingxuan who had just said those comforting words. Han Fei instantly hid behind Zhao Dalong. Ling Chenglong and the other two also kept shaking there. Their fear that finally had faded away a little bit now increased by times. Ling Jingxuan felt speechless. Damn! He¡¯d guarantee in the name of his head that those things even had intelligence, how would he not understand what they were talking about?


    ¡°Hehe¡­you¡­ Wolves are a very noble species, you take it as a dog, it is not strange that he¡¯d protest.¡±


    Poking Ling Jingxuan on the head in exasperation, Yan Shengrui then said to Shuisheng, ¡°Give me the ropes.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    Shuisheng who only reacted after a whole handed the ropes in his right hand to him tremblingly.


    Taking the ropes, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan, one after the other, walked toward the boar. Together, they still couldn¡¯t get the ropes through under its body, but it only made them sweat all over the head. Seeing that the giant wolf really didn¡¯t mean to attack them, Zhao Dalong and others got emboldened and moved over slowly. Under their help, it still took them a lot of strength to tie up that boar.


    ¡°Jing¡­Jingxuan, Dalong, Xiaofei, Shuisheng and I will carry it home. You go to place where we were picking wild fruit, in case the blood would bring more beasts.¡±


    With two ropes tying its front hooves and back hooves, and shoulders going through, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei in the front, Ling Chenglong and Shuisheng in the back. Before leaving, Ling Chenglong was still worried and nagged them. That was a boar weighing six hundred jin! Even the four of them, it was still a huge strain. Ling Jingxuan nodded and turned to walk toward the giant wolf and the two cubs.


    ¡°Are you going to stay in the forest or go home with me?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan asked in whispers as his eyes fell on the two cubs. He knew they understood. They belonged to the forest anyway, and now with their wolf father¡¯s protection. if they wanted to stay in the forest, he wouldn¡¯t force them.


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    The two cubs got up, looked at Ling Jingxuan and others, then the giant wolf. They growled at the giant wolf in a low voice, like the three of them were discussing something. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t understand their beast language. Ling Chenglong and the other three who were supposed to carry the boar home now all nailed their eyes on that giant wolf, whole the giant wolf also happened to be looking at Ling Jingxuan. In face of those horribly green eyes, Ling Jingxuan tried to say, ¡°How about you go back with us? You can in the doghouse I built for them with Dahei and Xiaohei. And it¡¯s also convenient for you to go back to the mountains. But you have to promise me. Never hurt anyone at my home. If necessary, you have to protect them. Beside, you can¡¯t hunt animals near my place, in case those beasts deep in the mountain are attracted there. In exchange, I will give you unlimited supply of the water you need.¡±


    As for the water, he was sure he had drunk it already. Dahei and Xiaohei were not stingy, and he¡¯d bathe them in their special pool every day. Since he had ever been his home, he wouldn¡¯t have missed it.


    Ling Jingpeng looked at his elder brother like looking a monster. He is actually negotiating with a wolf? And means to bring it home? Is he insane?


    Only Yan Shengrui was wearing the expression of ¡®I have already expected this¡¯, only standing aside to support him silently, with only undisguised spoiling and affection in those eyes.


    Like those three understood him. The giant wolf stared at Ling Jingxuan with silence, like he was accessing his proposal. Then the two cubs walked over and gripped his legs with their teeth, making deep growls. The giant wolf lowered his head to look at them, suddenly roared at Ling Jingxuan. But this time it was kind of different, it was much gentler, apparently he agreed.


    ¡°Come with me.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan turned around and took the lead to go with Yan Shengrui, with Ling Jingpeng closely following, with all question marks over his face now. But he dare not ask any before the wolf father and two sons. So he could only press them in the heart.


    From this day on, Yuahua Manor had one more member. At first, except Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui and the two little buns who were unreasonably excited, all the others were very scared of that giant wolf. But gradually, after making sure he wouldn¡¯t attack, they felt relieved, and then accepted his existence from deep in the heart. Of course, that was the later story.

 Chapter 175

    This sudden accident disrupted their original plan of picking wild fruit. After they carried that giant boar home, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui no longer went back, while others still had to go back to carry those picked wild fruit back. Unsurprisingly, seeing that giant black wolf, Lady Wang, Lady Yang and Song Shuiling all even didn¡¯t dare to move, and held their breath. And when the two cubs frisked passing over them leading the giant wolf, they nearly passed out.


    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t be afraid, as long as we don¡¯t take the initiative to mess with him, he won¡¯t attack us. Just take him as Xiaohei of a bigger size.¡±


    Finding it so amusing, Ling Jingxuan held the crumbling Lady Wang and explained while looking at the father and two cubs. That wolf is quite noble. He even didn¡¯t communicate with them all the way back, let alone that he had already promised that he wouldn¡¯t hurt his family. But even if he hadn¡¯t promised, he would feel it was under his dignity to attack them.


    ¡°A bigger size? That¡¯s nice to hear. He is at least quite a few sizes bigger. Oh my, I am so scared!¡±


    Tremblingly, holding Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand to keep her feet, Lady Wang said with horror. When that giant wolf came her away, she thought she would have ended up in his fangs. So scary!


    ¡°Xuan, Master Xuan, it¡¯s¡­¡±


    Lady Yang who was holding together with her daughter, a whole face filled with fear, already couldn¡¯t utter words fluently. His size and momentum were too bloodcurdling.


    ¡°Master Xuan, will it stay home with us? I¡¯m so scared¡­¡±


    The usually quick-witted Song Shuiling now nearly cried, her thin and slim body was shaking like sifting the chaff, indescribably weak and pitiful. Ling Jingxuan helplessly exchanged an eye contact with Yan Shengrui, ¡°He is Dahei and Xiaohei¡¯s father. Usually he¡¯d just stay in his kennel. As for the food, they¡¯d solve it themselves. If you are really scared, try not to go near there. After getting along for a long time, you¡¯ll no longer feel scared.¡±


    Except this, there was no other way. Fortunately, the kitchen was in a different direction from the kennel, and usually their activity area was around the kitchen. So it wouldn¡¯t delay their work even if they didn¡¯t go around the kennel. It was just that the cleaning job would a bit troublesome. He could only wait till Song Gengniu to come back and see if he could take care of it.


    ¡°OK, great¡­¡±


    The three of them nodded in unison, but their voices were still stained with undisguised fear, which was only understandable. Suddenly there came such a huge beast at home, besides, the little puppies they had thought they were puppies were not real puppies. No one wouldn¡¯t feel scared.


    ¡°I wanna go to the wolf kennel to take a look. Sister-in-law Song, Shuiling, find something to cover that boar by the pond. Let brother Zhao and others take care of it after they come back.¡±


    Speaking of which, before they could reply, Ling Jingxuan already turned around and walked toward the wolf kennel with Yan Shengrui. Because of the sudden appearance of the black wolf, those cows in the cowshed next door mooed ceaselessly. Yan Shengrui nodded at Ling Jingxuan, then took a few steps forward, untied the rope tying to the nose of the cow and tried to pull it out, while Ling Jingxuan pushed open the moveable double-shutter door he designed himself and walked into the wolf kennel.


    To his surprise, instead of resting on the tatami, the three of them were playing in the water, and the whole pool of spring water was stained red with dirt.


    ¡°Growl~¡±


    Seeing him come in, the two cubs jumped out of the pool, gripped his trouser legs no both sides with the teeth and tried pull him to water trough aside. And the giant wolf also slowly stepped out of the pool, shook off the dirty water and then looked deeply at him with those green eyes. Ling Jingxuan was speechless. Are they taking me as their nanny?


    ¡°Do I owe you big in previous life? Let go.¡±


    Under the silent threat of the giant wolf, Ling Jingxuan could only surrender. After grumbling something, he released the crescent spring and filled the water trough, and then rolled up the bottom of his pants and stepped into the little pool. He bent over to feel the moveable plu at the corner, then emptied the dirty water. The drainage system of the wolf kennel, the cowshed and the stable was designed very conveniently. The dirty water and faeces would directly be discharged into the manure pit behind. The liquid dung mixed with the crescent spring water was the best fertilizer, which could be used to water the fruit tree and irrigate the crops, to make them grow stronger.


    After emptying the water and washing it using the well water in the wood bucket aside, Ling Jingxuan plugged it again and refilled it. All in all, it was only ten minutes¡¯ thing. But his clothes all got wetted now. Ling Jingxuan threw the three wolf lords an ¡®are you satisfied¡¯ eye.


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    ¡°What the f*ck!¡±


    Unexpectedly, the big wolf seemed to really understand him, after growling at him, those wolf eyes looked over at the kind of dirty tatami. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help saying some swear words, only wishing to slap himself in the face. What is wrong with me? Why would I have invited home a lord?

 Chapter 176

    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    Yan Shengrui who tied the cow near the factory came back and happened to see this scene, and couldn¡¯t help laughing hard holding door frame. Rarely could he see his Jingxuan get frenzy.


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    Two cubs rushed to him and wagged the tails facing him, while the giant wolf always stared at Ling Jingxuan. Ling Jingxuan felt so speechless. After throwing the giant wolf a hard stare, he made a light sigh resigning himself to destiny, and turned to pick up the wood bucket, took a strip of duster cloth and walked to the tatami, and helped them wipe off the dirt on it without complaint.


    ¡°In the future, you are not allowed to go on it before taking a bath. If I ever see you jump on it using your dirty paws, see how I beat your asses!¡±


    Under the help of Yan Shengrui, the two of them finally wiped it clean. Ignoring the giant wolf staring at him, Ling Jingxuan threw those warning words at the two cubs. He didn¡¯t want to do the cleaning job for them three times a day.


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    Like knowing he was really angry this time, the two cubs whimpered whole lowering the heads. After throwing him a warning stare, the giant wolf stuck out his tongue and picked their heads. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, then went over and picked one of them up. He also couldn¡¯t tell who was Dahai and who was Xiaohei. Anyhow, they looked the same to him! So he really had no idea how the two buns distinguished them.


    ¡°I am not angry, but hope you can stay clean, or later on your body will grow a lot of lice, and it¡¯d be deadly itching.¡±


    ¡°Growl!¡±


    The cub growled like he was answering him. Ling Jingxuan rubbed his head dotingly, and then let him down and touched the other one, finally got up and said to the giant wolf, ¡°I have cleaned your room. From today on, I will come check it every day. You guys take care of yourself. Even if you want to go to the mountains, it¡¯d better be at night.¡±


    This time, the giant wolf ignored him, with a toss of his head, he led the two cubs to walk to the tatami. Ling Jingxuan darkened his face and nearly said swear words again. Yan Shengrui aside tried to hold his laughing and pulled him out of the wolf kennel. Now with the giant wolf joining them, their life would be more and more interesting.


    After they went back, got changed and went to the factory, Ling Jingxuan and others already carried all those wild fruit back. Now baskets of wild fruit were neatly piled up inside the jam factory. As they were about to look for Ling Jingxuan to ask whether they should go on picking wild fruit in the mountain or wash those wild fruit at home first, Ling Jingxuan came in with Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Jingpeng, you drive brother Zhao¡¯s ox cart to go to the town to find Shopkeeper Zhang, ask him if he wants some wild boar meat in the restaurant. If he says yes, let him send a carriage to fetch it. Then you go to the grocery store to buy tens of jin of salt, and some sweet potato powder, some chili powder and pepper. I¡¯ll let sister-in-law Song to pickle the lean meat and make it into spicy dried meat this afternoon.¡±


    That was a six hundred jin boar. They could never finish the fresh meat. And he guessed the restaurant also wouldn¡¯t want a lot. The fat meat could be used to extract some oil, while the lean meat would only be made into spicy dried meat or multi-spiced dried meat. As for the offal, he planned to stew them all, to have a rare sumptuous meal today!


    ¡°Got it, I¡¯ll go right away.¡±


    The ox cart of Zhao family was tied to the side door outside the factory. Ling Jingpeng responded and then ran away. Then Ling Jingxuan said to Zhao&Han couple, ¡°Brother Zhao, brother Han, you help my dad butcher the boar. These days, don¡¯t cook at home. Eat here. So much boar meat is enough to sustain us quite a few days.¡±


    Usually, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei still stood on ceremonies. So they only had lunch here. As for breakfast and supper, they¡¯d eat at home.


    ¡°Hehe¡­I¡¯ve been wanting to eat the boar meat long ago. This time, we don¡¯t stand on ceremony!¡±


    Rarely, Han Fei made a joke. Ling Jingxuan also laughed, ¡°Yeah, you should have already been like this. Why still take us as outsiders now? I can¡¯t guarantee other things, but three meals a day won¡¯t be a problem.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    A group of men laughed, then they went to be busy with their own things. After they were almost all done, it was already after the noon. During this period time, Xinyuan Restaurant sent someone to buy a boar leg. After Ling Jingpeng came back, be it old and young, those men started to slice the meat. Yan Shengrui, the only one who didn¡¯t know how to slice meat, was responsible for the fire. The whole family was in full play.


    But on the side of old Ling family, it was a total different scenario. As Ling Qiyun was so mad that he nearly wrote the repudiating paper, the old lady finally took out more than one hundred taels of silver she had saved for years reluctantly. Ling Qiyun took it and went to town by water with Ling Qicai. The old lady who got her all her savings taken away shouted abused at home. Ling Chenghu and his whole family shut the door and no one dared to come out, while Ling Chengcai and his family were like they didn¡¯t hear it at all. Then after having had enough, the couple directly locked the door and went to his wife¡¯s family.


    Now back to Ling Qiyun¡¯s side, even though they took the waterway, they were still late. When they arrived at the yamen, Magistrate Hu had already announced the sentence-30 planks and three months in prison. When they heard that it was Ling Jinghan who wrote the paper complaint and handed it over, the two brothers grabbed Ling Jinghan who was passing over, looking at him with disbelief. They had thought Ling Jingxuan was the most venomous, but never expected Jinghan who had been ill in bed when he was little was no better than him!


    ¡°Why, Jinghan? He is your blood uncle.¡±


    Old lord Ling was like having been a few years older in an instant. He never expected it was he who sent Ling Chenghu into prison.


    Ling Jinghan scanned him with indifference and looked at him as if he were a stranger, ¡°Once I gave you countless opportunities, hoping that you could have a little bit of kindness on my parents and brothers, but how did you do it? My blood uncle? When we moved out, I no longer had no blood uncles. There is something you may not know. About my mother¡¯s miscarriage, it was all Ling Chenghua! She did it on purpose. And my mother can no longer get pregnant ever again! When you defended Ling Chenghua while blaming my mother, have you ever thought she is your daughter-in-law? Instead of questioning me here, why don¡¯t go in to check on Ling Chenghu. Don¡¯t let him fall into my hands again, otherwise, the result would be more cruel. I gotta go.¡±


    After saying that with a stern face, Ling Jinghan tossed his sleeves and left, Ling Qiyun had a lurch, if it hadn¡¯t been that Ling Qicai was fast enough to hold him, he should have already fallen onto the ground. Looking at his big brother¡¯s face as pale as ashes, Ling Qicai made a deep sigh. Who to blame? He only had himself to blame for being too partial!

 Chapter 177

    After learning Ling Chenghu¡¯s sentence, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan only gave a sneer, didn¡¯t even give a one word comment, only afraid to waste any saliva on him, even Ling Chenglong said nothing, just held Lady Wang¡¯s hand wearing an expressionless face. In the afternoon, Ling Jingxuan again didn¡¯t go into the mountain, but stayed home washing the wild fruit and made jam with his mom and Shuiling.


    The kids would usually come home around half past six in the afternoon. They only had dinner around three quarters past six. Seeing that it was almost time, Ling Jingxuan asked his mom and others to rest while he himself went to his own room to change some clean clothes, and went to stand at the gate with Yan Shengrui waiting for them.


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    Two cubs were even more expectant than them, since they were even earlier there. On seeing those two, the cubs howled at them as saying hello.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think they¡¯re smarter than human?¡±


    Walking side by side, Ling Jingxuan turned to smile at Yan Shengrui. Since the two buns went to school, those two waited for them at the gate almost every day, be it rainy or windy weather. Most people wouldn¡¯t so loyal like them.


    ¡°After you got them back, the kids took them everywhere and shared food with them. So it was only normal that they would be so grateful. Their loyalty is much higher than us.¡±


    Holding his hand, Yan Shengrui looked at the two young children and said so. Most beasts were stubborn. Once they decided it was you, then they only had you in their eyes. Unlike human, nothing could fulfill their greediness. The more they got, the more they want. Human desire and ambition was like a bottomless hole.


    ¡°Dadada¡­dadada¡­dadada¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled and did not say more. Not long after, the sound of hooves came far on the road, and the two cubs rushed out howling, then ran back by both sides of the carriage.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    The carriage steadily parked before their side. After giving them an embarrassed look, Song Gengniu jumped off, brushed open the curtain, but the little buns didn¡¯t come out excitedly like before. They look at each other. As they were about to climb onto the carriage to check what was going on, under Ling Wen¡¯s lead, four little buns came out in succession. And Song Gengniu held them down one by one.


    ¡°Master Xuan, punish me, I didn¡¯t protect the three little masters well.¡±


    Song Xiaohu suddenly cried and knelt down in front of Ling Jingxuan. After seeing the obvious scratches on his face, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes sank and he reached out to check the other three buns¡¯ heads respectively. Each kid¡¯s face had light or heavy scratches or scrapes, which didn¡¯t look like it was left by an adult, but a little more like a child¡¯s doing.


    ¡°It¡¯s none of his business. Daddy, those people are too bad. They laughed at uncle Chu and brother Yan saying they are widow and orphan, and said we are wild children having no parents. And they said we try to pretend to look noble only after learning a few words. I was so mad and fought them. Daddy, just punish me if you want.¡±


    Ling Wen moved forward and stood before the others, looking up at him with tearful eyes. He knew it was not right to do that, but he just couldn¡¯t stand that others bullied his younger brother and Tiewa.


    ¡°No, daddy, I started it. They were just trying to help me.¡±


    Seeing this, small bun hurriedly waved off his hand and rushed forward to admit his mistake, while Tiewa also squeezed out from the other side and said pitifully with his head down, ¡°Adoptive daddy, I am also wrong.¡±


    ¡°Master Xuan, it¡¯s none of the little masters¡¯ business, I did not protect them well¡­¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s me¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s me¡­¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui said anything, the three buns had already had a fight trying to take the responsibility to themselves. Ling Jingxuan raised a hand to rub his swollen temple. Did he say he¡¯d hold any of them responsible? At least he should know what had had happened first, right? Those ¡®annoying¡¯ little buns¡¯ quarreling really gave him a headache.


    ¡°Master Xuan, Mr. Chu said that today Wang juren (¾ÙÈË, lit. ¡°recommended man¡±), a qualified graduate who passed the triennial provincial exam) brought his students to visit him. As those childes from rich families saw that the little masters and others already started to learn The Analects of Confucius at such young age and can even detailedly explain the meaning of each sentence with their own understanding, and Wang juren gave some complimenting words, so they held the hatred in the heart. While Mr. Chu wasn¡¯t paying attention, they had a fight with the little masters.¡±


    Having served them for so long, Song Gengniu also learned to read their face. Seeing this, he hurriedly moved forward to explain the whole thing. Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows, saying with a grin, ¡°Oh? Did you win?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Song Gengniu was stunned there with his mouth slightly open. The little buns who were fighting to take the responsibility to themselves now all looked at him with their heads tilted. Under normal circumstances, weren¡¯t he supposed to scold them?


    ¡°I said, did you win?¡±


    Squatting down to help him wipe the tears off his face, Ling Jingxuan repeated again. Ling Wu who was the first to react rushed to embrace his neck, ¡°Daddy, we lost, they are all over ten years, we can¡¯t win.¡±


    ¡°How do you even have the face to cy if you lost?¡±


    Raising a hand to pat on his butt slightly, Ling Jingxuan pushed him back a bit gently and wiped his tears off while saying, ¡°Only those who are wrong need to admit they are wrong. Since you think you are right, why would you admit that you are wrong? It doesn¡¯t matter if you didn¡¯t win this time. After all, your age difference is there. From now on, you should learn martial arts with your father and take revenge next time you meet them again. But daddy doesn¡¯t like blood. Didn¡¯t I give you some powder for defense. In the future, remember not to act on impulse, just deal with them quietly.¡±


    Blahblahblah, he was saying on and on, while the others already got stoned there, especially those little buns, secretly thinking why what he said was so different from Wang juren. As for Mr. Chu, he said nothing about their fight thing, just drove away Wang juren who was mad at them, and asked them to go home to ask punishment from daddy, and then told him how daddy punished them today.

 Chapter 178

    ¡°But daddy, it¡¯s wrong for children to fight, and we don¡¯t dare use the medicine on others.¡±


    Ling Wu bowed his head and wrung his fingers wrongfully. The words that Wang juren said had been ringing in their ears. He even hit the palms of each of those kids in their faces. Their hands all got swollen, looking quite scary! He didn¡¯t want daddy to punish him like that.


    ¡°There is such a convenient way. You are a fool if you don¡¯t use it. You did nothing wrong. Why can¡¯t you fight back? Did you want to wait for them to beat you to death? Huh? Xiaowen, Xiaowu, remember. We will not attack unless we are attacked; if we are attacked, we will certainly counterattack. The more you abide by the etiquettes, the weaker others think you are. As long as you beat them until they surrender, they would no longer dare make trouble for you again. So, be it childes from rich families, or a juren¡¯s child, as long as you think you do nothing wrong, just beat them, beat them hard, if there is any problem, daddy will take care of it for you.¡±


    Regardless of whether they were the children of Yan Shengrui, who would have to face the trickery of the imperial family in the future. Even as kids from an ordinary farmer¡¯s family, as his Ling Jingxuan¡¯s children, he wouldn¡¯t allow them to be bullied. What is wrong with kids¡¯ fight? Those kids who wouldn¡¯t fight would only end up as the objects of those bullies. He¡¯d father his kids aroused a nest of hornets for him rather than they got bullied. Besides, he didn¡¯t think his buns were kids who would take the initiative to make trouble.


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Ling Wu tilted his head to look at him, with his eyes still hanging tears looking over at Yan Shengrui who was standing aside. They really can fight with people?


    ¡°Hehe¡­your daddy is right. A tamed horse is often ridden; A weak person is liable to be bullied. It¡¯s not bad to act as bad people sometimes. But, this isn¡¯t an excuse to bully the weak and young, you know?¡±


    Receiving his son¡¯s requiring eyes asked, Yan Shengrui smiled while stretching out his hand to rub his head. In principle, he agreed with Ling Jingxuan way of education. Children are different from adults, the more they think, the easier they¡¯d lose their nature. So, a sound deep in his heart was telling him that only by this way wouldn¡¯t his kids become the bullying or plotting objects in the future.


    ¡°Well, won¡¯t daddy punish us then?¡±


    Ling Wu nodded. As his words fell, the four little buns all looked up at Ling Jingxuan. That was what they were concerned most. If possible, why would want a physical punishment?


    ¡°No, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Jingxuan, why haven¡¯t the children come¡­Tiewa! What¡¯s wrong with you little things? Why ddi you get hurt?¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan could finish his words, Han Fei suddenly rushed before them. Taking a look at the kids, then he pulled Tiewa over and touched the bruises on his face. Then like thinking of something, he straightened his face and said, ¡°Did you have a fight with other kids?¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    With that thin body reflectively shaking, Tiewa lowered his head wrongly while wringing his fingers.


    ¡°Pia~¡±


    knowing that he guessed right, without even thinking, Han Fei gave two slaps in his butt, so fast that Ling Jingxuan and others even didn¡¯t have time to stop him.


    ¡°Crying~¡±


    ¡°Brother Han, what are you doing? How could you just beat the kid without asking what has happened?¡±


    Tiewa cried in pain. Ling Jingxuan hurriedly pulled him in his arms. Han Fei ,with tears in his eyes, pointed at Tiewa and said, ¡°How can you fight with other kids again? We finally got a chance to send you to the town to study, what if Mr. Chu throws you out of school? Do you want to be like us, illiterate, and get despised by people all your life?¡±


    Tears mixed with the grievance rolled down his face. Han Fei cried even harder than Tiewa. For the kid¡¯s study, he and Zhao Dalong had suffered too much. Finally under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s help, he got a chance to learn from Mr. Chu, heaven knows how happy he was when the kid nagged about the school thing when in bed at night and told them what Mr. Chu taught them in school. And at that moment, they felt from the deep of their hearts that as long as their kid could have a bright future, it was worth it however tired they were. But¡­now he had a fight in school¡­He¡­


    ¡°Daddy, don¡¯t cry, I was wrong, I won¡¯t fight with people again, daddy¡­¡±


    Seeing this, the sensible Tiewa threw himself at him. The father and son cuddled up together and started to cry. The kids were still small, had no idea how to comfort people, only standing there with tears in the eyes. Ling Jingxuan helplessly held his forehead, then bent over to hold up Ling Wen, meanwhile, Yan Shengrui also held Ling Wu up. After the father and son had enough crying, Ling Jingxuan said solemnly, ¡°Brother Han, I know you have suffered a lot before, and I know what worried you. But the kids did nothing wrong. It was the other side¡¯s fault. If they didn¡¯t fight back, do you want them to stand there to be beaten to death? Sorry, maybe I am not in the position to say those words. If Chu Ci is that kind of person who can¡¯t tell right from wrong, I¡¯d rather let the kids stay home rather than send them to his place. Besides, which kid wouldn¡¯t fight or quarrel with other kids? Pardon me for speaking frankly, you may throttle Tiewa¡¯s nature by doing so, and cultivate him into a pushover personality. And when he grows up, he¡¯d only be bullied wherever he goes.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan went into the manor holding the kid. He had ever said so before. He had never been a father before, and had no idea how to educate a kid. He wasn¡¯t that kind of big villain, but also could be called a good person. To the two little buns, he used half free-range parenting. While letting them develop freely, he¡¯d also indoctrinate his own thoughts and the rules of conduct now and then. As for whether the kids would grow bad and become some kind of big bullies or dandies, he wasn¡¯t worried at all. At least they wouldn¡¯t be bullied or what. In this era, they were too many restrictions. He didn¡¯t hope his kids to grow into that kind of soft-boned and vulgar people in the future.


    ¡°Jingxuan¡­¡±


    Holding Tiewa in his arms, watching his back, Han Fei unconsciously blurted his name in whispers, Yan Shengrui who was passing over gave him a light glance, ¡°You¡¯d only get bullied by people because you already put yourself in a passive position. Do you want Tiewa to be like you?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that, I¡­¡±


    ¡°I have no interest to listen to your explanation, the child is yours, as for how to educate him, it¡¯s your problem. Jingxuan¡¯s education way may be kind of appalling, at least our children will not be bullied.¡±


    After saying that indifferently, Yan Shengrui also strode away holding the kid. Watching him leave, Han Fei opened his mouth, but couldn¡¯t utter a word. Is he wrong? But he didn¡¯t consider others¡¯ feeling, what if someday his kid makes Mr. Chu angry? Jingxuan could educate his own kids. But what about them? What should they do?


    Strictly speaking, neither Ling Jingxuan nor Han Fei is wrong, it¡¯s just their life experience is different, so their life principles and way of educating the kids are different.

 Chapter 179

    ¡°Ha ha! Wolf daddy, it¡¯s itchy! Ha ha¡­¡±


    The giant wolf everyone was scared of, who even didn¡¯t put Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan in his eyes, now was licking the two little buns¡¯ faces. Ling Wen and Ling Wu directly called him wolf daddy, laughing while holding his neck on both sides. Seeing this scene, most of them were secretly worried for them, only afraid that the giant wolf might show his nature as a beast. But as their parents, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan performed strangely calm. They even didn¡¯t forget to pour themselves a cup of wine while chatting.


    ¡°Daddy, is wolf daddy really going to stay with us?¡±


    Tired a bit finally, Ling Wen ran to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s side and climbed onto his thigh, while Ling Wu was still dragging Tiewa and Huzi who dare not come close, while speaking for the giant wolf, telling them the good places of the giant wolf.


    ¡°Well, he is Dahei and Xiaohei¡¯s father. Of course he got to live with his own kids. Besides, he has to teach them their unique skills.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan clamped his waist with a hand in case he might fall down, while the other hand rubbed his little face dotingly. They got some slight wounds on the faces. After applying some medicine and take a sleep, they¡¯d be fine. As for the education of the kids, Han Fei held different opinion with him. Zhao Dalong dragged Han Fei aside and said something. When eating supper, Han Fei directly threw the responsibility about how to educate Tiewa to him. Although he said it with a teasing tone, both sides knew that there was some kind of seriousness mixed in it.


    ¡°Dahei and Xiaohei also have to learn skills? What do they learn? Can they still play with us in the future? I like running taking Dahei with me. I can run with him for a long time.¡±


    Ling Wen raised his head with a face of curiosity. Hearing that they were talking about something, the small bun decisively left Tiewa alone and ran over, face blushing, ¡°Daddy, daddy, do they also have to study? I can teach them. Uncle Chu and brother Yan said we are very smart and learn things fast. I can teach them to read the three character primer every day!¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    Hearing that, all people in the room burst into laughing. The only thing he could show off was his three character primer, right? He was still a little kid himself, and still tried to teach others to read? Fortunately the two cubs couldn¡¯t talk. If they could, they wouldn¡¯t lose to them, maybe even better than them!


    ¡°Why are you all laughing? Did I say something wrong?¡±


    The small bun¡¯s face was even thicker that the city wall. So he didn¡¯t feel embarrassed or what at all being laughed at by everyone. Instead, he said so wearing a reasonable face, hands held around his waist. Yan Shengrui bent down to carry him up and placed him on his thigh, saying smilingly while tipping his little nose, ¡°They are not human. They don¡¯t have to study. If you want to teach them something, you can practice fighting with each other. The skills they have to learn is hunting the prey.¡±


    Actually he was just saying it, but forgot about the small bun¡¯s execution ability. Every day from then on, he really did as what he said¡ªpracticing boxing with Xiaohei every day. And because of that, his martial arts was becoming better and better. Of course, that was the later story.


    ¡°OK, I¡¯ll practice boxing with them every day. Big brother, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Ling Wu¡¯s motivation had always been amazing. See? As he promised, he already slid down his father¡¯s thigh and still didn¡¯t forget to pull Ling Wen in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s arms.


    ¡°OK.¡±


    ¡°Wait a moment, I have something to say to Xiaowen, you go by yourself first.¡±


    As Ling Wen nodded to agree, Yan Shengrui suddenly stopped him. Ling Wu turned look at him strangely, but didn¡¯t think much and directly rushed to the wolf daddy and the two cubs and played with them again, while Tiewa and Huzi standing aside wore a longing face. But they still couldn¡¯t overcome the fear in the heart, and dare not move forward to play with them like the two little buns.


    ¡°What do you want to say, father?¡±


    Withdrawing his jealous eyes, Ling Wen pretended to look solemn like an little old man, and Ling Jingxuan who was holding him was also wondering what he would say to him.


    ¡°Here is the thing, Xiaowen. Today something happened in the mountain today, and I suddenly thought your daddy shouldn¡¯t go there again. But you know, Shopkeeper Zhang is urging us. So I am wondering if we should buy a few more servants?¡±


    Although he had talked to Ling Jingxuan about this, in case someone would act dumb and gloss it over, he thought it¡¯d be more secure to talk to his son directly.


    ¡°Buying more people? Wouldn¡¯t it cost a lot of money again?¡±


    Ling Wen reflexively frowned, even if he no longer regulated the money, seeing that they were going to spend another huge sum of money, he still felt like flesh-cutting pains, only wishing to recapture the purse strings of the family again! He knew that some money couldn¡¯t be saved, but apparently buying people was not on the list.


    ¡°Yeah, Shengrui, we almost have enough hands, why buy people again?¡±


    Lady Wang on the side also cut in. Until now she still had no idea how much money his son had earned. But however rich they were, they should save money as much as they could. In the future, a lot of places needed money!

 Chapter 180

    ¡°Because someone is always causing us trouble.¡±


    Taking his son¡¯s hand, Yan Shengirui cast a meaningful glance at someone, whole that one gave a bad smile. He was not on purpose. Who knew that boar would run out suddenly?


    As smart as Ling Wen was, he instantly knew he was meaning daddy. So he slowly withdrew his suspicious eyes. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face sank, ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look. That place is not so far from where we picked wild fruit. There should be some other reason that boar would appear there. I got nothing to do with it.¡±


    Yeah, definitely!


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t it come to the place where we were picking wild fruit?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Once again, Ling Jingxuan got speechless under his son¡¯s questioning. Yan Shengrui, who found it so funny, again picked up the topic, ¡°Even if that¡¯s not a problem, I am still worried that your daddy has to get up so early and come home so late every day. Xiaowen, look. You and Xiaowu are growing stronger, while your daddy is still as thin as a bamboo pole. A little bigger wind could blow him away. Besides, it¡¯s getting dead hot now. How could you daddy nurse his body? So, Xiaowen, you know we have money. Why not buy some more people to help up?¡±


    Yan Shengrui had never concealed his affections for Ling Jingxuan. Even in the face of the whole family, he had already talked explicitly, which made others kind of embarrassed. But it was just they only had their blessing and admirations under their eyes.


    ¡°Hmm, then we¡¯ll buy a few more servants. Daddy, after we buy new servants, you shouldn¡¯t go up to the mountains again. You stay home to clean those wild fruit with grandma and others. And eat more and grow more weight, or father will buy people again. Even if our family is rich now, we can¡¯t keep buying people, right? Just do it for our family.¡±


    Ling Wen said justifiably, and also didn¡¯t conceal his worries about his daddy. Ling Jingxuan held his chin, ¡°Then should I do some embroidering job or stitching show soles like them when I have time?¡±


    Did the father and son really take him as a woman? He didn¡¯t object to their buying people plan, which was bound to happen sooner or later, but did they need to use him as an excuse? What¡¯s wrong with being a bit thin? Would they only be happy after raising him into a pig-size?


    ¡°Why not, if you want to.¡±


    ¡°Urgh¡­¡±


    Who knows that the always smart Ling Wen didn¡¯t recognize the sarcasm in his words. He just nodded seriously. Ling Jingxuan declared a white flag completely. He admitted defeat, OK? The little buns only knew how to set him up! He would no longer be good to them! Hum!


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    The contest between the daddy and son again declared Ling Wen¡¯s victory in the end, and everyone watched a good show, as for the buying people thing, after Yan Shengrui¡¯s explanation, others no longer opposed to it. So Yan Shengrui directly asked Song Gengniu to inform Guarantor Liu after sending the kids to school tomorrow. So it was a sure thing now.


    ¡°Come here, Tiewa. Wolf daddy doesn¡¯t bite! He is very cute, just like daddy.¡±


    On the other side, the small bun ran to pull Tiewa who was standing together with Huzi again. The damn kid! Why compare daddy with that giant wolf? Tiewa also couldn¡¯t resist it now, but he still feared of his giant body and sharp fangs, looking quite entangled.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m scared¡­¡±


    Finally, that little bit curiosity lost to human¡¯s inborn fear for beast. Ling Wu frowned and pulled his hand to pat on his chest, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I will protect you. Besides, wolf daddy is Xiaohei¡¯s daddy, and also our daddy. He doesn¡¯t bite.¡±


    ¡°Howl~¡±


    As if to confirm what he had said, the two cubs rushed up to them, opened their mouths and bit Tiewa¡¯s clothes, and then dragged him to their daddy¡¯s direction. Their enthusiasm was so irresistible, Tiewa finally was forced to take his steps and moved before the giant wolf. He was so scared that he could barely breathe, only staring at him stiffly.


    As that giant wolf head was approaching, Tiewa abruptly closed his eyes, trying to stop himself from screaming out. But the next second, some kind of wet and warm sense of touch fell on his face. His closed eyes slowly opened a bit, that wolf head had already withdrawn back, but that kind of sense of touch was left on his face. Realizing that he really didn¡¯t bite and even licked his face to show his friendly side, Tiewa stretched out his trembling hand and gently touched his head, a smile slowly blooming on his little face.


    ¡°It¡¯s true! Wolf daddy really does not bite, Xiaowu, look, I am touching his head.¡±


    By taking the first step, there would be no obstacles next. Tiewa happily leaned on the giant wolf¡¯s strong body, wearing a flower-like smile, and seeing this, Huzi also tried to move forward. Soon, a bunch of little guys got themselves acquainted with the giant wolf. Everyone was called him wolf daddy, and played with him.


    Han Fei who had hung his heart in the throat finally exhaled a long breath of relief quietly. Heaven knows how he meant to rush forward to pull him back when Tiewa was walking to the wolf. But at the critical moment, in his head was ringing Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words and Zhao Dalong¡¯s heads-up. He didn¡¯t want Tiewa to be like them. He didn¡¯t want to stifle his talent. He must learn to let go. And it turned out that he did it right. The giant wolf didn¡¯t hurt Tiewa, and Tiewa also became much braver because of it.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Someone suddenly grasped his hand resting on his knee. Han Fei subconsciously turned around and saw that Zhao Dalong was grinning at him, and his soft face also bloomed a smile, then he crossed his fingers with his. It seems that Jingxuan¡¯s way of education is right. Tiewa is a boy, he got to be brave, and should have the courage to face all difficulties. And such kind of courage had to be trained since he was young.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s getting dark. Go take a bath, rinse your mouth and get ready for bed.¡±


    Seeing that the kids were playing like crazy, Ling Jingxuan had to remind them, or they¡¯d be late for school tomorrow. He still hadn¡¯t forgotten those words Chu Ci said on the first day. He wouldn¡¯t feel sad or what if his kids lost in a fight with other kids. But it¡¯d be like cutting his flesh if they got punished by Chu Ci!


    ¡°We know.¡±


    The kids were all well-behaved, They climbed off the giant body of the wolf. The giant wolf who had been ¡®ravaged¡¯ for a long time made a deep groan, as if saying good night to them. Then he took the two cubs back into their own room. And others also stood up and left in succession. Today, meeting a great danger during the day, busy picking wild fruit, processing the boar, they were already quite exhausted.

 Chapter 181

    Early in the morning the next day, after sending the children to school, Ling Jingxuan asked Lady Yang to use the little jars for jam to stuff four full jars of spicy jerkies and spiced dried meat slices for Chu Ci and his son. Lady Yang was worried that the kids might starve in school, so she used the oiled paper to wrap some for each of them and stuffed in their bags, and told them to eat some when they felt hungry.


    After sending the kids away, another busy day had begun. Because of the kids¡¯ fight thing, they no longer made jam after dinner. There were still a lot of wild fruit in the warehouse to be cleaned and decocted. Under Yan Shengrui¡¯s insistence, Ling Jingxuan could only stay home to make jam, while all the others went into the mountain again. The only one who had nothing to do was Ling Jinghan in the pavilion.


    ¡°Master Xuan, Guarantor Liu said he could only bring people here by noon.¡±


    The factory for the jam making covered a very large area, which was divided into two parts, on one side was built a lot of reservoirs used for washing those wild fruits, while on the other side was a long row of large cooking ranges, on each of them was a bit iron pan. When the restaurant was urging too often, Ling Jingxuan would use the three of them together. Today was the same case. When Song Gengniu went to report things, Ling Jingxuan who was busy among the three big iron pans just nodded casually signaling that he got it, but didn¡¯t say one word. Song Gengniu also didn¡¯t think much, directly went out and walked toward the mountain. As long as there was work, he¡¯d go into the mountain to help after sending the kids to school.


    At noon, the family got together for lunch. Since the economic condition at home improved, Ling Jingxuan completely ignored the rules of the two meals a day, and changed it to three meals a day. At first, Ling Chenglong and his wife still felt it was a little luxurious and complained it before him obliquely, but instead, they had to listen to his convincing words every time. Gradually, they were used to three meals a day. Even Zhao&Han couple got used to it. Even when they didn¡¯t have to run up, they¡¯d make some food at home at noon.


    Another change was taking a nap. Not only Ling Chenglong and others, Ling Jingxuan even asked Song Gengniu and his family to do that. The reason was it¡¯s good for their health. Anyhow, he was a doctor, who dare not believe him?


    ¡°Master Xuan, Guarantor Liu is here with people.¡±


    Thanks to wolf daddy and the two cubs, these days, the six dishes and the soup on the table all had meat. As Song Gengniu came in to report, Ling jingxuan put down his chopsticks and said, ¡°Bring them in.¡±


    Seeing that they were almost all full, Ling Jingxuan meant to ask them to select people with him.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    After Song Gengniu went out, Lady Yang and Song Shuiling deftly removed the remnants on the table. Ling Jinghan looked at his big brother and said, ¡°How many people are you planning to buy this time?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, let¡¯s take a look first, it mainly depends on their quality. Later, you guy also try to select two. In the future when our business grows big enough, we¡¯ll have to buy more. So learning how to select people isn¡¯t a bad thing.¡±


    Shrugging, leaning on the chair, Ling Jingxuan narrowed his eyes, a total ¡®material comforts lead to sexual desire¡¯ decadent look.


    ¡°We also have to do that? Jingxuan, I can¡¯t. You can just pick some randomly yourself.¡±


    Hearing that they also had to learn to select people, Lady Wang hurried waved his hand. She heard from Lady Yang that some servants had already formed that kind of shameless characters being sold between human traders. If they bought some bad servants, they¡¯d be acting like they were the masters. They were born farmers. How would they be those tricky servants¡¯ match?


    ¡°Do you even have to learn? It¡¯d be enough as long as we have money.¡±


    Seeing her frightened look, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help finding it so funny. Lady Wang said quickly, ¡°What if I buy some bad people?¡±


    Finally they lived a better life, she didn¡¯t want to spend money to trouble herself.


    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t worry, we have their indenture in our hands. According to the law of Qing Kingdom, if a servant has signed the indenture, the master even doesn¡¯t have to take any responsibility even if he kills the servant. So if we buy a tricky servant, we¡¯ll sell him after giving him a good beating.¡±


    In this respect, Yan Shengrui seemed particularly familiar, even Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help throwing him a look, with a smile crawling on the corner of his mouth. If it hadn¡¯t been that he was 100% sure that he had lost his memories, he would really think he was lying to them. As long as it was things he had ever contacted before, he¡¯d spit it out without even thinking, totally unlike someone who had lost his memories.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Lady Wang was still a little embarrassed, but she couldn¡¯t convince them, so finally she could only turn to her husband signaling for help. But Ling Chenglong was no better than her. They could only stare at each other helplessly.


    ¡°Brother Ling, long time no see, your big house is good, so spacious and bright. Even I want to build a new house copying yours!¡±


    A little while, under the guidance of Song Gengniu, Guarantor Liu came in with a group of thirty or forty people, the spacious room instantly became a little crowded. There were men and women, old and young, some were even at least over fifty, and also a few skinny children, you couldn¡¯t tell their exact age, but no more than ten. There were also some restless ones. Once they came in, they kept peeping around. Especially a few girls, when they came in, they stuck their eyes on Yan Shengrui as they saw him. Ling Jingxuan looked at Yan Shengrui, while the latter shrugged his shoulders, signaling that he didn¡¯t mean to seduce anyone of them. They stuck onto him themselves, which had nothing to do with him.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­yes, long time no see, about the worker¡¯s thing, I haven¡¯t thanked you. After I am done with everything and not so busy, I will invite all relatives and friends home for a big feast. You have to come then, Guarantor Liu!¡±


    Reading his eyes, Ling Jingxuan grinned. When he turned to Guarantor Liu, that social big smile had already hung on his face.


    ¡°Then I won¡¯t stand on ceremony. I wonder how many people you are gonna buy. Any special requirements?¡±


    After some small talk, Guarantor Liu got to the point. He was too busy recently and had no time to delay.


    ¡°No, are these all you have?¡±


    Then he moved his eyes to those people. Many who had ever served those rich families all showed undisguised despise in the eyes, apparently they didn¡¯t want to work for this kind of family, thinking they were only some parvenu at most, and wanted to learn from those rich families to parade their wealth. But it seemed they forgot one thing¡ªwhether Ling Jingxuan was a parvenu or whether he was parading his wealth, at least he had the money to buy them, unlike them who were even no better that some animals.


    Of course, there were bad ones, there¡¯d be some good ones. There were even some who were for sale for the first time. Some were written with fear on the faces, some still held the fantasy that someday they could fly onto a high branch and become a phoenix. But most of them looked numb. Being sold for too many times, they gradually became numb to it. There were too few of them like Song Gengniu and his family.


    ¡°Well, Song didn¡¯t say it clearly, so I brought all of them here. Pick anyone you want. The price is negotiable.¡±


    To Ling Jingxuan, Guarantor Liu always held some kind of suck-up feeling and inexplicable fear, although he himself also had no idea what he feared of.


    ¡°Dad, mom, brother Zhao and Han, Jinghan, Jingpeng, you choose first.¡±


    Giving a rough look at those people, Ling Jingxuan decisively offered his priority to others. On hearing that they were also included, Zhao&Han couple hurriedly said, ¡°Don¡¯t include us. Look! We already have three meals here everyday. And we still have our own land to take care. So we don¡¯t need any servant.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­ don¡¯t you want to buy a footboy for Tiewa? I plan to prepare one for Xiaowen. Little Huzi is steady, so I¡¯ll leave him for Xiaowu. For footboys, you¡¯d better pick those of their age. So they can grow up together and they could serve them better. Some day Tiewa and others have to go to the capital for the imperial examination. We can¡¯t let them go by themselves, right?¡±


    As long as it was something Ling Jingxuan had decided to do, he had plenty of words to persuade them. See? When it came to Tiewa, Zhao Dalong instantly shut his mouth, while Han Fei already moved his eyes on those kids of Tiewa¡¯s age. For his son, he¡¯d like to spend each copper coin they earned.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Seeing his parents were still hesitating, Ling Jinghan got up and held his mom up, while Ling Jingpeng also held up his father and walked behind them. They passed through those people in four rows. Seeing that the two brothers looked kind of handsome, one was strong while the other was so elegant, the point is both looked still single, some women slightly raised their chin and gave them those pitiful eyes. Pity that the two brothers didn¡¯t even look at them at all.


    ¡°I want this girl. She looks not bad.¡±


    In the last row, as they were almost finished, Lady Wang just randomly picked a comely girl. With a glance of that girl, Ling Jinghan slightly frowned. Noticing that, Ling Jingxuan also walked over. He saw that girl was looking at Ling Jinghan shyly. He instantly found it so funny. Is his mom selecting a bed-warming girl for Jinghan? That girl looked pure, but that pair of seducing eyes sold her out. It should be some maid who rolled sheets with the master of a big family and got sold out. His mom was really daring.


    ¡°Mom, we are choosing someone who could do some labor work, this is not a beauty contest. Don¡¯t look at their appearances but their hands first. Those who even have no cocoon on their hands, no! Besides, no too beautiful ones. Mom, you are the most beautiful in our family. How can you let someone beat you?¡±


    Holding her, Ling Jinghan half-jokingly said so, also indirectly denied her choice.


    ¡°Go away! How could you tease your mom like that?¡±


    As she heard those teasing words, Lady Wang¡¯s nervousness disappeared a lot. According to his method, she pulled up that girl¡¯s hands. They were even more delicate than hers! Lady Wang decisively gave up, and then went on choosing. Finally she chose a woman who had a birthmark on the face in her thirties. Ling Jinghan asked about her condition and knew that she was sold because she was too ugly and talked back to her last master. Then he no longer objected. Anyway, it was only a maid. Like Yan Shengrui said, if she was not appropriate, they could sell her.


    And it was a rare thing that Ling Chenglong performed better than his wife. After careful looking back and forth, he chose a middle-aged honest-looking man like him. And Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng chose two men in their twenties each. Although they both followed their principles and specially chose those honest-looking and had cocoon on their hands, nothing was absolute. Soon after, they¡¯d find that buying people is also some profound thing. You should never judge people from their appearances.

 Chapter 182

    Those people Ling Chenglong and others picked stood out in one line. Next it was Zhao&Han couple¡¯s turn. They gave each other a look. Then Han Fei stood out to select people. Since he was choosing a footboy for their son, of course he would only choose one from those kids. But there were only four or five of them. Whichever Han Fei walked to, that kid would shrink behind the adult next to them. Obviously, they were their kids. If he only bought the kid, it was like separating a family.


    ¡°Jingxuan, I think I should buy a footboy for Tiewa later.¡±


    After all, he was not a cruel person, and they also didn¡¯t need to buy the child¡¯s parents for the child. So Han Fei could only give up. The good thing is Tiewa was still young. Later he could tell Guarantor Liu that he¡¯d buy one when the kid was alone.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? You are already sold to me and still so shy? It¡¯s your blessing that if he could pick you! Didn¡¯t hear what Lord Ling said? Lord Han is picking a footboy for his son! Maybe you can even learn something! And if you serve his son well, it¡¯s not impossible that you¡¯d have your sl*ve registration removed! Don¡¯t be so unappreciative!¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan could say something, Guarantor Liu already jumped out. Don¡¯t blame him for being too harsh. In their industry, being too gentle would never do! Benevolence was the last thing they needed!


    ¡°Can you really remove the sl*ve registration?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan, raising his eyebrows, whispered to Yan Shengrui aside. He thought once one was registered as a sl*ve, one would be a sla*ve forever.


    ¡°Hmm, but only under the condition the master agrees. One can¡¯t remove it oneself, or those big families will have no servants to work for them. Some maids and servants from those big families are even favored than some disfavored masters, and easy to make money.¡±


    Yan Shengrui nodded, and those words slipped out of his mouth so naturally. Before, he would be wondering how he knew it, now he no longer lingered on it since he couldn¡¯t get any conclusion.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Lips curved, Ling Jingxuan cast a faint look at Song Gengniu and his family with a meaningful smile. As far as he knew, be it men or women, those who had registered as sla*ves were hard to get married. If they could stay unchanged, when Shuisheng and Shuiling reached the age, he¡¯d consider removing their sl*very. But the premise was that they had to sign an employment contract with him, otherwise he¡¯d foster them for nothing. He would never do a thankless job.


    That camouflaged smile can fool all the people, but not Yan Shengrui. When he noticed the warmth under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes, his affection for him grew denser. Who said his Jingxuan is vicious? As long as you are good to him, he will certainly pay you back. Of course, on the contrary, you¡¯d have to bear his counterattack a thousand times more.


    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s our turn.¡±


    After Guarantor Liu¡¯s yelling at those kids, Han Fei the buyer felt embarrassed now. Helplessly nodding, Ling Jingxuan got up with Yan Shengrui. It looked as if he was passing by those people casually, actually that pair of radar-like eyes had already taken in all the emotions under their eyes. As he was about to finish the first row, Ling Jingxuan stopped before a skinny and sallow girl about twelve or thirteen years old.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    The girl was very shy and dared not look at them at all, replying like mosquito buzzing, head down, ¡°Lord Ling, my name is Xiaosui, my surname is Liu.¡±


    In general, the human traders would have a basic training of the new sl*ves. Though Liu Xiaosui was also shy and cringing, her reply was decent.


    ¡°A clever one, raise your head and let me see.¡±


    She already called him Lord Ling, obviously she was an observant and alert kid. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help throwing Yan Shengrui a smile, while the latter also responded with an affirmative eye. Being shy wouldn¡¯t be a thing. The most important thing for a servant or maid was being loyal and observant. As for other things, time could solve them all.


    ¡°Yes¡­yes¡­¡±


    Liu Xiaosui¡¯s body fibrillated, so slightly that one could barely notice. She raised her head stiffly. That skinny little face looked so sallow that you couldn¡¯t even tell how she looked, beautiful or ugly? The only good thing was that pair of round big eyes. Ling Jingxuan nodded with satisfaction, ¡°How old are you? Have you ever served in other places?¡±


    ¡°My lord, I¡¯m thirteen years old. Because my family is too poor, in order to raise my younger brothers and sisters, my parents could only sell me. I have never served in any other place.¡±


    Head down again, Liu Xiaosui still answered very quietly, but those words were clear, 13 years old like Shuiling, but a size smaller than her. Lady Wang aside couldn¡¯t help feeling pitiful for her. But Ling Jingxuan still performed untouched at all. He flattened his sleeves and asked casually, ¡°Would you like to stay?¡±


    With money, he was not afraid he couldn¡¯t buy people. And he felt disdained to force others.


    ¡°Yes¡­I¡¯d love to¡­¡±


    Liu Xiaosui looked at them timidly and nodded with a blushed face. Compared with those old foxes who had ever served in the big families, she who was born in a poor family felt like she had come back home the moment their carriage went into the village. She had been carefully listening to their conversations, and subtly felt that they should be some good people easy to get along. So as long as she could work hard, the master¡¯s family wouldn¡¯t maltreat her.


    ¡°Hmm, go wait aside.¡±


    Casually pouting his lips, Ling Jingxuan moved his steps again. The two of them paced slowly among those who were waiting for the right price to sell. That scene was unspeakable weird but strangely harmonious. There was a kid in the second row, about five or six years old. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s steps stopped. But as he saw the adult¡¯s wandering eyes, he gave up.

 Chapter 183

    Before an apparently fine-boned girl, even those coarse linen clothes cannot conceal her beauty, Ling Jingxuan paused. He picked his eyebrows, with his eyes moving to her hands thoughtfully. The reason she could attract him was all because that pride under her eyes. To others, pride was necessary to others, but wasn¡¯t that appropriate under the eyes of a sl*ve. This girl was either a chaste and undefiled dominant person or a snake-like vicious person. There wouldn¡¯t be a third possibility. But judging through her delicate face and her hands with all blisters and cocoons, she should belong to the first kind.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    The girl did not answer him immediately, but moved her beautiful star eyes between Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui and then lowered her eyes, saying gently, ¡°My name is Gui Yun, fourteen years old. I have ever served in Gui family, and the big madam granted me ths name. If Lord Ling is willing to buy me, I can use the name you grant me.¡±


    Only a short sentence, she had explained all her information, obviously a very assertive girl, not knowing why, although her attitude was still kind of humble, which reminded Ling Jingxuan of those modern girls, so it was avoidable he grew some affability of her.


    ¡°Well, your name is Ling Yun then. Go over.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord.¡±


    Gui Yun, not, she should be called Ling Yun now. She bent her knees to give a salute and then joins Liu Xiaosui and others taking gentle and little steps. A maid from a big family was really different, even had to learn etiquettes. Ling Jingxuan was very satisfied, but¡­Yan Shengrui on his side wasn¡¯t happy now, for his wife chose a big beauty!


    ¡°We¡¯re choosing those who could do labor jobs. No more women!¡±


    Stepping closer to his ear, Yan Shengrui nearly squeezed those words through his teeth in whispers. He could bear with it if he chose women. But he only chose the pretty ones! Is he doing it on purpose to piss him off?


    Ling Jingxuan suspiciously looked back and saw the undisguised jealousy under those peach blossom eyes. He was stunned, but soon smiled. What is he thinking? Just some women. Why bother?


    As if seeing his complaining in the heart, Yan Shengrui abruptly held his waist, and then gave a hard pinch on the side of his waist as a warning. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, and moved his steps again, finally he stopped before a four or five years old kid.


    ¡°Master Ling, if you want to buy Eggie, can you buy us all? My wife and I can do a lot of things. My father is a bit old, but he can drive a carriage, and also good at farming. Eggie is our only hope. Please show mercy. Don¡¯t separate us. I swear we¡¯ll repay you!¡±


    Before he could speak, a middle-aged man standing aside dragged the oldest man among all of them and a woman with straggly hair to kneel down, that four or five years old child was leaning in the woman¡¯s arms, although he looked a little terrified, big dark eyes were staring at Ling Jingxuan without blinking, his small mouth tightly pressed into a straight line.


    Ling Jingxuan turned to look at Yan Shengrui. They both saw the reflection of Ling Wen on the child.


    ¡°What is your name? Where are you from?¡±


    With his hand holding Ling Jingxuan tightened slightly, Yan Shengrui finally opened his mouth and asked. Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan directly left it all to him, and swept over at other kids, his eyes stopped on a comparatively older one and soon moved away. Buying people was not a pushy thing. You had to see everyone clearly. Although he could return them, it¡¯s still troublesome, right?


    ¡°My lord, my name is Zhou Er, thirty five years old. This is my father Zhou He, fifty two years old. This is my wife Lady Wu and this is my son Zhou Changsheng, pet name Eggie, six years old. We are from the south. This year, the rains were too heavy and became a disaster. My house, my crops, my brothers and my mother, my big and son daughter, they were all dead. We had no choice but to escape here. Last month, my aged father suddenly got badly ill, without money, we could only sell ourselves. My two honorable lords, please show mercy and buy us all!¡±


    The man dragged his father and wife to keep kowtowing to them. He had heard what Guarantor Liu said. This family was trying to pick kids as footboys for their sons. Of course he hoped that his son could be chosen, but he couldn¡¯t afford parting with his son, so he could only risk begging them.


    ¡°There was a flood in the south?¡±


    Yan Shengrui frowned uncontrollably, then quickly tried to hide it, he turned to Ling Jingxuan, ¡°What do you think?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s up to you.¡±


    ¡°Then buy them all.¡±


    The brief conversation soon decided the fate of the whole family. The few adults surnamed Zhou obviously did not expect that it would go so smoothly. They were so stunned there that they even forgot to thank them. But the kid was smart enough. He pulled his mother but got no response, so he directly went over and knelt down, ¡°Thank you, my lords!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, my lords, thank you, thank you¡­¡±


    Led by him, the family cried and kowtowed to them. With a wave of his hand, Yan Shengrui held Ling Jingxuan to walk before the kid who looked the oldest of those kids, ¡°How many families do you have? And what¡¯s your name?¡±


    Just now he noticed that the way Ling Jingxuan looked at him, apparently he wanted him.


    ¡°My lord, I only have my mother Lady Zhang, she is twenty-seven years old, she can weave cloth and do some embroidering job, and basically all farm work. My name is Long Dashan, I¡¯m nine.¡±


    With the Zhou family as an example, the skinny boy seemed to see hope. He pulled his mother who was keeping wiping off her years and knelt down before them. A nine-year-old kid could already be taken as an adult. And Long Dashan also performed quite mature and sensible. Ling Jingxuan sized him up and down and then turned back, ¡°Brother Han, how about letting this kid be Tiewa¡¯s footboy/servant?¡±


    Compared with Ling Wen and Ling Wu, Tiewa was more soft and introverted, so the first requirement was that his footboy should be older than him, so he could look after him. One important reason he wanted Long Dashan was because of his age. As for his being mature and sensible, to say it bluntly, is there any nine-year-old kid from those poor families who isn¡¯t mature and sensible?


    ¡°Urgh¡­wouldn¡¯t he be a little too big?¡±


    Han Fei walked over and looked at Long Dashan. He had never bought people before. So he was only thinking of what Ling Jingxuan had said at first. A footboy should be at almost the same age with their kids. But Tiewa was only five years old, while this kid was nine. So subconsciously, he felt it was inappropriate.


    ¡°Hehe¡­actually not that old, Tiewa is timid and shy. A footboy who is older than him could take care of him, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡±


    Hearing that, Han Fei couldn¡¯t help nodding. And Ling Jingxuan said with a smile, ¡°If you have no objections, then buy them.¡±


    ¡°All right, I trust you, but¡­¡±


    Han Fei looked at Long Dashan¡¯s mother embarrassedly. It was not that he didn¡¯t want to pay, it was that they were both men, wouldn¡¯t people gossip if they bought a woman back?

 Chapter 184

    ¡°Hehe¡­Then Lady Zhang can stay to help sister-in-law Song. Will you agree?¡±


    Sensing his scruples, Ling Jingxuan turned to the mother and son with a smile.


    ¡°Mom, is that all right?¡±


    Long Dashan did not answer immediately, but held his mom¡¯s arm and asked in whispers. Really a filial son at such a young age!


    ¡°May I ask if this Master Han¡¯s home is far from here?¡±


    Lady Zhang winced at them and asked hesitantly. She knew it was already the best result, but still could not help asking. Who would like to part with her own son as a mother?


    ¡°I am not what master, don¡¯t call me that. My house is about hundred meters away on the other side. If you are willing to stay here, you can meet your son every day.¡±


    Han Fei was a father, more or less he could understand what Lady Zhang was thinking, so he didn¡¯t think she asked something crossing the line, so his attitude was also mild.


    ¡°Thank you then, masters. We will try our best to look after the little master and work hard to repay you.¡±


    Having never met such a kind master, Lady Zhang pulled his son and kowtowed to them gratefully. Till now, the people-buying thing was all decided. Ling Jingxuan then walked over and nodded at Guarantor Liu. Then with a wave of Guarantor Liu¡¯s hand, those heelers waiting outside brought them out, leaving those who were chosen to stand in one row before them.


    ¡°Jingxuan, there are five adult men, five women, two kids, still eight taels of silver for a grown man, xis for a woman, the kids are for free, so it¡¯s seventy in total, What do you think?¡±


    Apparently knowing the two kids were the most important, Guarantor Liu deliberately offered them to him for free, first, to sell him some face, second, to stuff his face for bargaining. Ling Jingxuan grinned and looked at him meaningfully, which made him kind of creepy, with his hair standing up. After quite a while, Yan Shengrui took out a bank note for one hundred taels of silver and handed it to him, ¡°Don¡¯t calculate with us. As long as your people are good enough, we don¡¯t mind paying some more.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes¡­¡±


    As he said it so openly, Guarantor Liu only felt so ashamed. After taking the bank not, he took out thirty taels of silver and handed it to him with two hands. Before leaving, Guarantor Liu suddenly turned to ask, ¡°Brother Ling, are you interested in buying land?¡±


    ¡°Buy land?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows. Sensing that he might have a chance, Guarantor Liu hurriedly leaned over with passion, ¡°To be honest, a few years ago, Landlord Zhang¡¯s son from the next door town got listed as a jinshi (ßMÊ¿, lit. ¡°advanced scholar¡±), a graduate who passed the triennial court exam) and was appointed as a magistrate in southeast. Now having been settled down there, his son means to take his father to live with him. Except his big house, he also entrusted me to sell all those shops and land under his name. Others may not be a problem. It¡¯s just that that over eighty mu of paddy field, no one wants it. Those landlords and rich families think it¡¯s too little, some things it¡¯s too far away. If you are interested, I can sell you at the price of eight taels of silver for one mu. What do you say?¡±


    Top class paddy field would cost at least ten taels of silver for one mu. If it hadn¡¯t been the owner was in a hurry and Guarantor Liu tried to kiss Ling Jingxuan¡¯s ass, he really wouldn¡¯t sell it at such a low price.


    ¡°Do you mean the inner most one on the east side of our village?¡±


    Ling Chenglong who knew about land the most suddenly cut in and asked, those usually honest eyes were shining with excitement, with undisguised desire of wanting it. Ling Jingxuan found it so funny. Could his dad be more honest?


    ¡°Yes, it is. So, are you interested, old lord?¡±


    Guarantor Liu nodded excitedly. He already couldn¡¯t wait to unload it.


    ¡°Hmm. Jingxuan, if you have enough money, we should buy it. You know, everything in this house is bought using money, and you like eating rice, which will increase the cost. When we don¡¯t make jam, I¡¯ll go take care of those lands. I can grow rice, which will be enough to sustain our whole family.¡±


    Farmers are farmers. When it came to things about land, he looked extra excited. Ling Chenglong¡¯s honest face was reddened with excitement. Not only Ling Jingxuan, others all found it so funny. Lady Wang even dragged him embarrassedly, ¡°Look what you! Aren¡¯t those things enough for you? Only farming can make you happy?¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­isn¡¯t that something I am familiar with?¡±


    Being lessoned by his wife, Ling Chenglong was not angry or what, only smiling like a fool scratching his head. Lady Wang stared at him, ¡°That¡¯s eighty mu! Even if it¡¯s eight taels of silver for one mu, it¡¯s still eight hundred and forty! Do you really think we are that rich?¡±


    ¡°Ah?¡±


    As Ling Chenglong heard her, that silly smile froze in the face, with undisguised disappointment flashing across his eyes. Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan hurriedly said, ¡°Mom, it¡¯s OK, dad rarely wants something. Just take it as private property I purchase for you.¡±


    Then Ling Jingxuan turned to Gurantor Liu, ¡°Since my dad knows that land, I don¡¯t need to see it in person. Still the the official deeds, write my parents¡¯ names. A lump sum.¡±


    ¡°OK. I promise I¡¯ll finish it in three days. Thanks for taking care of my business. It¡¯s getting late, so I¡¯ll leave first.¡±


    Finally selling that piece of land, Guarantor Liu left joyfully. Ling Chenglong and his wife were both stunned there for quite a while. So in a blink of an eye, they got eighty mu of classy paddy fields? Are they not dreaming?


    ¡°Want to take a nap?¡±


    Due to the land-buying thing, it was already past the napping time. Yan Shengrui pulled his hand and asked concernedly. Ling Jingxuan shook his head with a smile, ¡°No, I can sleep early in the evening. Let¡¯s make arrangements for those people first.¡±

 Chapter 185

    Sweeping over at those newly-bought servants maids, the smiling under the eyes all gone, Ling Jingxuan stood up and walked over before them slowly, then turned back and said, ¡°We don¡¯t have so many rules like those big families, but it doesn¡¯t mean we have no rules. I don¡¯t care where you come from, or what kind of noble families you have ever served before, since you came into my house today, I only have on demand for you¡ªyour loyalty. If I find that someone does something sneaky behind my back, it¡¯s not so simple just selling you. So I hope you can consider it carefully before you decide to stay.¡±


    His usual gentle-like-water attitude abruptly became sharp and terrible. Those people Ling Chenglong and others chose were all surprised in their heart, while others all lowered their head and said reverently, ¡°Yes, master!¡±


    ¡°My father is the master. This is Song Gengniu and his wife. They will teach you rules. Long Dashan, you stay. Others can go to take some rest. I guess you should be tired. You got to start working tomorrow.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan nodded at Song Gengniu and his wife, while Song Gengniu took a step forward and made a ¡®please¡¯ gesture to them. Except Long Dashan, others all went into the central room with Song Gengniu.


    ¡°Brother Han, do you think this child should live with you or me?¡±


    As Tiewa¡¯s footboy, of course he should stay with Tiewa. But since Tiewa spent most of his time here. So it was the same wherever Long Dashan lived.


    ¡°Better in my place. Since the kid is for free, then I¡¯ll pay for the money to buy his mom. I¡¯ll take you the money tomorrow.¡±


    After thinking about it, Han Fei took a look at Zhao Dalong, and finally decided to let Long Dashan to live in their place. No other thoughts, he merely felt it was more convenient to let him get familiar with Tiewa as soon as possible.


    ¡°Forget about the money. Tiewa has been calling me adoptive daddy for so long, I still have sent him any decent present. So, don¡¯t pay me. Just take this as my present for him.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°No buts, it¡¯s settled.¡±


    No longer giving him the opportunity to refuse, Ling Jingxuan turned to Long Dashan, ¡°You go to help your mother tidy up the room, and get familiar with the environment by the way. In the evening, when they go home, you can go with them.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    After a bow, Long Dashan backed out with respect. Han Fei and Zhao Dalong more or less knew about Ling Jingxuan. Seeing that, they could only accept it. It was just they felt a bit sorry.


    Then, no one took a snap, but directly went to be busy with their own things. Those little buns kicked up their heels as they knew they¡¯d footboys after they came home after school. The only who wasn¡¯t happy was little Huzi. He thought Master Xuan bought two more people because he failed to protect the little masters well yesterday. But the one who knows the son best is his mother. Noticing what was bothering his son, Lady Yang pulled Huzi aside and explained it to him, and finally the smile slowly crawled over his face.


    ¡°Daddy, how about I sleep with you tonight?¡±


    At night before going to bed, Ling Wen suddenly hugged Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thigh and asked. There were so many more people at home suddenly, he felt a little insecure, so he tried to find some warmth in his favorite dad.


    ¡°What? Because of the silver spent today?¡±


    Sitting on the bed while holding him in his arms, Ling Jingxuan indulgently poked his head, saying with a teasing tone.


    ¡°I am lying to you if it¡¯s completely not because of that. On thinking the money we spent today to buy land and people, it feels like my heart is broken. But I know you, grandpa, grandma, and others, should all be tired. So buying people is a must. And as a farm¡¯s family, we should buy land. So I tried to tell myself I shouldn¡¯t think too much. It¡¯s just that suddenly over a dozen more people would live with us, I¡¯m just not used to it. Just now, I saw someone when I went to check in wolf daddy, the way he looked at me is weird, which made me uncomfortable. Daddy, will those people be as good as uncle Song and his family?¡±


    Holding his waist while lying in his arms, Ling Wen raised his head wearing a confused expression at last. He was still too little and couldn¡¯t accurately tell good people from bad people, he only did things replying on his intuition, so he would feel a bit restless in the heart. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes turned deep, and he touched his face, ¡°It¡¯s OK. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll let those misbehaved people behave! You only need to remember one thing. You are the master, they are the servants. Never show weakness before them. Wen, I know you feel a little unsettled, and couldn¡¯t adapt such great changes of our home in such a short time. But you have to get used to it. Some things are hard to say. Some day you¡¯ll know I did those all for your good.¡±


    They were Yan Shengrui¡¯s sons, the only two kids of Prince Sheng, especially, Ling Wen, who would inherit his title. If he couldn¡¯t get used to such superior life, his days would be much harder after he went to the imperial capital. No one could choose his birth. The only thing they could do was to learn to adapt to the environment, change the environment and steer it at last.


    ¡°Hmm, I know. I am just feeling a bit unsettled, not that I can¡¯t adapt myself to it. Daddy, don¡¯t worry. I will never let you down.¡±


    As smart as Ling Wen was, there were something that even Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t say, he was more or less clear in the heart. But his thoughts had never changed¡ªto learn hard and earn a title for his daddy who worked so hard to earn money to support him!


    ¡°Ha ha¡­ My little bun has never let me down, not now, not forever. All right, today daddy will sleep in your room. You still have to go to school tomorrow. Sleep early.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The daddy and son put out the oil lamp and lay on the spacious bed together. Ling Wen nested in the arms of Ling Jingxuan. Yan Shengrui who had just coaxed Ling Wu to sleep came in on his tiptoes. Looking at the daddy and son¡¯s handsome face under the moonlight, he unconsciously wore a smile on his face, this is the so-called happiness, right?

 Chapter 186

    The one that Lady Wang picked who had a birthmark on the face was called Cheng Ruhua. And the man Ling Chenglong picked was called Zheng Da. And the ones Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng picked were called Su Jian and Li An. After sending the kids to school the next morning, Ling Jingxuan asked Zheng Da and Zhou Er to go into the mountain to pick wild fruit with Yan Shengrui and others. Old Zhou was aged, so Ling Jingxuan asked him to clean the barns and acted as doorkeeper by the way. And Li An, Su Jian, Lady Zhang, Lady Wu and Chen Ruhua went to the factory to wash the wild fruit. Liu XIaosui and Ling Yun worked as sister-in-law Song¡¯s assistants. As for the kids, they had already gone to school with the little buns.


    ¡°Do we wash it like this, madam? Why get rid of the cores?¡±


    ¡°Li An, this is wrong. You have to wash them one by one. You can just throw them all in the water and wash so randomly¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Su Jian, didn¡¯t I tell you to wash them one by one? Like this¡­¡±


    When doing things, some people¡¯s nature was totally exposed. After a whole afternoon¡¯s acquaintance yesterday, and seeing that the whole family was so easy-going, so good-tempered, Li An and Su Jian started to loaf on their job. When cleaning those wild fruit, they kept having situations. However Lady Wang patiently taught them, they only nodded to agree, but the next second they already cast her words behind, and still threw a bunch of wild grapes in the water and stir it randomly and done. Beside their feet, it was piled a stack of grape skin. One should know Lady Wang was a village woman, so even they got servants and maids at home serving them now, she had never ordered them to do this and that. Now seeing such a situation, she also didn¡¯t know what to do, but could only keep correcting them again and again.


    As for those women, Chen Ruhua pricked her ears to hear while burying her head to do something, who neither helped nor added oil to the fire, Lady Zhang and Lady Wu would occasionally help Lady Wang say something. But they were all maids, they didn¡¯t listen to them at all, those two men even threw a hard stare at them, and they no longer dared to help.


    ¡°Look, I will teach you again, like this, pick it one by one and squeeze out its core lightly. After cleaning them in the big sink, you should wash them with the water in the small basin, and finally put them in the basket. We are making food. What if the guests get ill after eating some dirty food?¡±


    Lady Wang was not a fool, she knew that it was quite possible he had met two tricky servants. But except teaching them patiently, she had no idea what to do. And now, sister-in-law Song and Shuiling were cleaning the yards, and Jingxuan was busy next door, she couldn¡¯t find anyone for help.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am, but we¡¯re men and we just can¡¯t do this kind of fine work. How about you teach us a few more times?¡±


    Li An and Su Jian stood aside looking at her with a kind of naked frivolity in the voice, if you said they were bullying their ma¡¯am, they were using a respectful tone, but whether it was from their heart remained to be discussed.


    ¡°Then watch carefully, I¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll teach you.¡±


    Lady Wang had no choice but picked another bunch of wild grapes. At this time, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s voice was suddenly heard. Everyone in the washing room was startled and their eyes all swept over at him. With a gentle smile at the corner of his mouth, you couldn¡¯t see a slice of displeasure. Li An and Su Jian took a look at each other and moved over fawningly, ¡°Great, master Xuan. You know, we have never done this kind of job. So it¡¯s really hard to catch up. Sorry to trouble you then.¡±


    Only judging from Ling Jingxuan¡¯s figure, he was a typical pushover. Seeing that he wasn¡¯t angry or what, those two decisively forgot about his warning yesterday, with undisguised triumphant feeling between his eyebrows. As the servants, they could screw the masters around. To them, that was their ability.


    ¡°It¡¯s been an hour and you still can¡¯t catch up. I guess it¡¯s too fine work for you.¡±


    When passing them, Ling Jingxuan swept over all of them faintly, and his eyes fell on Chen Ruhua who was avoiding his eyes, while the latter got frightened and hurriedly lowered her head and washed those wild fruit. When Ling Jingxuan saw two piles of hill-like grape skin on the ground, his eyes slightly sank. No wonder the next clean wild fruit hadn¡¯t been sent over since they had already finished decocting the last patch. It turned out¡­They really had the nerve! They really took his words as bullsh*t?


    Anyone who wasn¡¯t a fool could hear the sarcasm in their words. The two servants¡¯ face changed. Relying on his strong and high shape, with a big stride, Su Jian already stood before him, looking at Ling Jingxuan who was a head shorter than him, ¡°Master Xuan, what are you talking about? We are men, of course we are not used to doing some women¡¯s job.¡±


    In their eyes, in this family, only that Master Sheng was a bit like something, others were all trash, including Ling Jingxuan who was standing before them. Now Master Sheng was not here, of course they already didn¡¯t take anyone in the eyes.


    ¡°Hum! Mother, let me teach them.¡±


    With a nearly unheard hum, Ling Jingxuan ignored them, he bent over to hold Lady Wang up, and then sat on a small stool before the sink, ¡°Come here and see clearly.¡±


    Picking up a bunch of wild grapes, Ling Jingxuan still remained that normal expression.


    ¡°Oh, OK!¡±

 Chapter 187

    Thinking he was scared of him, Su Jian picked his eyebrows at Li An, then the two of them walked over with a grin, then squatted down on both sides. Though they looked like listening to him carefully, their eyes were sweeping around, with strangely lazy light flashing under the eyes. Taking everything in his eyes, Ling Jingxuan said nothing, instead, his hands started the job, soon, a bunch of wild grapes were washed all clean.


    ¡°Master Xuan, impressive. You can even do a woman¡¯s job so neatly. It¡¯s really a rare thing!¡±


    Li An who was on the right gave his thumbs-up. On the surface, he was praising him, but actually he was teasing that he was like a woman, plus that kind of exaggerating and giddy tone, really making one uncomfortable.


    ¡°Yeah, look, Master Xuan is much faster than any of you. You women are even no better than a man on this, aren¡¯t you ashamed?¡±


    Seeing that he didn¡¯t get angry, Su Jian on the other side grasped a handful of wild grapes Ling Jingxuan had just washed clean and said to Lady Zhang and others while eating. Lady Wang was so mad that you could even see her chest up and down. Apparently they were insulting Jingxuan, but Jingxuan acted like it had nothing to do with him. And she didn¡¯t know whether she should stand out to excoriate them.


    At this time, sister-in-law Song and Shuiling pushed the door open and came in. Giving each other a look, they both had some kind of bad feeling. They were not blind. Of course they knew someone was making trouble here. But after seeing Ling Jingxuan¡¯s expressionless face, they showed a slice of sarcasm deep in the eyes. Who is so silly? You are so dead and still have no idea! If Master Xuan is so incapable, how do you think he would hold such a big family?


    Liu Xiaosui who was following behind was no longer that shy like yesterday. Now she was looking at them with a pair of big eyes strangely. But Ling Yun was different. After all she had seen some bigger world. Facing those two men who were making trouble, she held the same thought like sister-in-law Song and Shuiling.


    ¡°At least we still know how to do it, unlike you, still have no clue after learning for so long. Having bothered them ma¡¯am and Master Xuan to teach you again and again, shouldn¡¯t you feel ashamed of yourselves?¡±


    Seeing that the masters were all so weak, Chen Ruhua who had been pretending to be diligent was also sarcastic like them. Lady Wang wide opened her eyes. She had thought she was a good one, never expected¡­She had both an ugly face and an ugly heart! She was so blink to pick her!


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    The three of them burst into laughter, so loud like it could break the roof the next second, totally ignoring their masters¡¯ existence. Ling Jingxuan cleaned it and slowly stood up, ¡°Did you learn what I just taught you?¡±


    Still no fluctuation of his tone, but so cold that it directly penetrated their laughing. Li An and Su Jian took a look at each other and became more licentious, ¡°Sorry, master Xuan, we are too stupid, you were too quick, we didn¡¯t see it clearly. Can you do it again?¡±


    Thinking that was how he was, the two of them even didn¡¯t hide their disdain anymore. Just a little who was married to another man. Nothing to fear of!


    ¡°How about I wash all these wild fruit and ask sister-in-law Song to make you a pot of tea?¡±


    Having a sudden change of his tone, Ling Jingxuan held a hand behind. That mild feeling was instantly gone, with that pair of long and thin phoenix eyes sharply staring at them. The two of them were stunned, and sensed that they were fooled, feeling both humiliated and angry. Li An even straightened his neck and said angrily, ¡°We are men. We can¡¯t do such women¡¯s job. Master Xuan, please arrange us some other things.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master Xuan, you can use yourself as a woman, but we can¡¯t. We don¡¯t know how.¡±


    They tried where his bottom line was and thought they had basically knew his personalities, so they became more daring. But he suddenly changed his face, making Su Jian feel like he had been taken as a clown, blushed.


    ¡°Hum !This is the first time I have heard a flunkey has the right to make a choice.¡±


    Lips making a cold snort, those long and thin phoenix eyes nailing on them, he suddenly raised his voice, ¡°Since you can¡¯t do women¡¯s job and I can¡¯t afford to use you, sister-in-law Song, call Gengniu, Shuisheng and Old Zhou here, tie them up, including Chen Ruhua, and send them back to Guarantor Liu.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master Xuan.¡±


    Sister-in-law Song backed out respectfully. Seeing that, those two men were super mad. Apparently, Chen Ruhua didn¡¯t expect that she was also included. She hurriedly knelt down before Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Master Xuan, please spare me. I didn¡¯t do anything. I was just talking back when they insulted us. Just a quarrel between us flunkeys? How could you sell me because of this?¡±


    Chen Ruhua looked up at him while reasoning. She had been enduring, only wanting to see what this family was like. But she didn¡¯t expect that she saw it totally wrong. She was born ugly, so she could only do some rough work and had to undertake people¡¯s strange eyes, especially the disdain from the masters. But here was different. Although it was only one day, forget about other things, even food and accommodations here were tens of times better than other places. So she would never leave.


    ¡°We just don¡¯t know how to do women¡¯s work. Is there anything wrong with that?¡±


    ¡°Say no more, dude. We can only blame for that we are the servants. If the master doesn¡¯t like us, we can never talk back whatever they say about us. But I can¡¯t accept this. Everybody look! This is our master. Today he picked trouble with us for no reason! Tomorrow, he¡¯d pick trouble with you. So, be careful.¡±


    Li An and Su Jian sang the same tune, acting like they were the sufferers, and still not forgetting to instigate others. But except Chen Ruhua, Lady Zhang and Lady Wu just watched the whole scene from the beginning. They were not stupid, so they knew who was right and who was wrong. As for Shuiling and others who came later, although they were young, they could already tell right from wrong. They were some smart girls. The most important thing is, they knew their place. Servant VS master, the master is always right, whatever the reason is, they have no right to argue with the master. Let alone it¡¯s a rally rebellion now!

 Chapter 188

    Seeing that they were behaving like one was more reasonable than the other, if it hadn¡¯t been the wrong timing, Ling Jingxuan would have already laughed out. As the master, he couldn¡¯t even lesson some servants? If it had been some big family, dare they do this? They should have already received planks from the housekeeper. They didn¡¯t even have a chance to see the master. After buying them yesterday, he should have given them enough face. He provided them with good food and accommodations. What? Did they really take themselves as the masters?


    ¡°Do I need to reason with you servants?¡±


    Finding a chair to sit in, Ling Jingxuan crossed his legs, those long and thin phoenix eyes as cold as the snow, that kind of feeling unique to the masters came out of him slowly. Everyone on spot couldn¡¯t help wiping off the cold sweat on their forehead secretly. So this was the real him! How horrible momentum! He even said such unreasonable words so reasonably!


    That gentle little man was totally replaced by a domineering and cold man. Su Jian and the other two of them secretly gritted their teeth, feeling kind of regretted now. Since their indentures were in his hand, they had no other choice even if he tried to beat them or even kill them. But having come to this step, do they have a way back?


    ¡°I am just not convinced. You are the master, so what? Even if you want to punish us, you got to give us a reason. We can¡¯t do that kind of women¡¯s job. Is there anything wrong that we asked you to change some other job for us?¡±


    With his neck straightened out, the tall and strong Su Jian stood out to argue with him. With a cold glance, Ling Jingxuan said, ¡°Why should I let you convinced? I am the master, you are the servant. If I let you die three in the morning, you can¡¯t live one minute longer. That¡¯s my rules.¡±


    Su Jian did not expect that he was so tough, feeling kind of panicked now, and he also couldn¡¯t help taking a few steps back. But, those hands hanging there clenched into fists. So many people were watching. He could never lower his head and admit his mistake, or how would he face others? He couldn¡¯t afford losing his face like that.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid people would say you mistreat your servants?¡±


    A few minutes ago, they were still so imposing and turned from a guest to a host unscrupulously, but now¡­Li An just couldn¡¯t understand how a person could change so abruptly.


    ¡°Hehe¡­you words reminded me. Killing you will only get my hands dirty. How about I make you mute with some poison? Anyhow, the least think I lack of is poison¡­¡±


    Making a sneer, Ling Jingxuan leisurely played with his fingernails, totally ignoring his threat. If he cared about others¡¯ attitude, he would have already been skinned by those people.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Li An was furious, the muscles under the clothes were beating faintly. Chen Ruhua rolled her eyes as she saw that the situation was becoming more and more unfavorable. Suddenly, she crawled to Lady Wang aside, but¡­


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan who looked casual was actually even faster than her. When she passed his side, he already stood before Lady Wang and threw her away with a kick. Chen Ruhua¡¯s body rolled aside, and her pig-slaughtering like scream resounded through the whole factory. Everyone was startled by his sudden move, freezing like being cast a spell.


    ¡°Shuiling, Ling Yun, protect the ma¡¯am.¡±


    Staring at the whining woman lying on the ground not far away, Ling Jingxuan left the order without turning his head.


    ¡°Yes, Master Xuan!¡±


    The two of them had a shudder on receiving the order. One on the left, one on the right, they pulled Lady Wang to back out, their action also reminded Liu Xiaosui, Lady Zhang and Lady Wu. Without Ling Jingxuan ordering them, the three already moved over to stand before Lady Wang. The five of them made a human wall, protecting Lady Wang in the middle.


    ¡°You¡­ what do you want?¡±


    Finally having realized he was meaning it, Li An who was closest to him was trembling there with fear, even began to stammer, that square face stained with naked fear.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Don¡¯t you want to be convinced? I¡¯ll be kind enough to make you.¡±


    As his words fell, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s figure instantly disappeared where he was standing. And when other saw him again, he was already standing before Li An. Ignoring his shocking and fear, Ling Jingxuan grabbed his shoulders and hit between his legs with his right leg.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    More shrill screams were heard. After a push, Ling Jingxuan threw a kick at him. With a turn, his murderous eyes aimed at Su Jian.


    ¡°Ah¡­help¡­somebody help¡­Master Xuan is killing me¡­¡±


    As Su Jian, who was acting as like a tough man, saw that both Li An and that ugly woman ended up like that, he no longer cared about his face issue, instantly turned to run, but¡­


    ¡°Ouch¡­ it hurts¡­¡±


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    The next second, Su Jian who hadn¡¯t run a few steps felt soft in the right foot and he instantly fell on the ground in the face. Then everyone saw that in his left lower leg was hanging a dazzling strange knife, and blood was dripping down along the blade. Soon the whole factory was stained with faint smell of blood. Ling Jingxuan moved over swiftly, then squatted down and pulled the knife out.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    Another terrible scream sounded, accompanied by blood squirting out from the wound, lying on the ground, Su Jian was having convulsion all over due to the huge pain, and that kind of arrogance was already nowhere to find.

 Chapter 189

    ¡°To be honest, I really feel a little under my dignity to deal with you using my own hands. I didn¡¯t mean this, I just wanted to sell you. But you kept pushing me, even I don¡¯t teach you a lesson, you¡¯d really think I am a pushover!¡±


    Squatting in front of him, Ling Jingxuan looked down at him. With such ability, they had the nerve to fool around with him? Really sick of living!


    ¡°You¡­you are so vicious¡­¡±


    Holding the terrible heart-drilling pain in the right leg, Su Jian was having undisguised resentment and pains in his eyes. Ling Jingxuan gave a cold sneer, ¡°Before saying that, you should think what you did first. I already said yesterday, in this family, we don¡¯t have so many rules. As long as you behave yourselves and do you job well, I won¡¯t maltreat you. But you shouldn¡¯t have offended my mother. Two big men bullying a woman. Where is your face? Hum! I already showed mercy not to kill you!¡±


    As servants, they didn¡¯t use honorific before him, he could let it go. Anyhow, he didn¡¯t care about those pedantic old formalities at all. And when he, Li An and Chen Ruhua ridiculed that he was like a woman, he also didn¡¯t put it in his heart. What made him angry was that Chen Ruhua shouldn¡¯t have meant to use his mother as a threat. Since they invited a death wish, he didn¡¯t mind making them.


    ¡°Big brother, what happened?¡±


    Before long, Ling Jinghan arrived together with Song Gengniu and others. Seeing the situation, especially after he recognized that the one lying on the ground was the one he chose, Ling Jingxuan was gathering the killing qi under his eyes.


    ¡°Nothing, just a few tricky servants.¡±


    Clapping his hands while standing up, Ling Jingxuan turned to point at those people lying on the ground, ¡°Tie them all up and send them to Guarantor Liu. Tell him that I Ling Jingxuan can¡¯t afford to use such master-like servants!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master Xuan.¡±


    Song Gengniu was smart enough and had already gotten the ropes. After receiving the order, he instantly went over to tie all them up with Old Zhou and Shuisheng.


    ¡°Wait a minute. Give each of them twenty spanks first before sending them back. Tell Guarantor Liu, my Yuehua Manor is not a trash can. Never send such trash here again!¡±


    After being silent a whole aside, Ling Jinghan suddenly said so, with those hanging hands clenching into fists, and those thin lips pressed into a line, which showed that he was trying to suppress his feeling. Ling Jingxuan cast a glance at him, but didn¡¯t say no, for he knew that this thing was a big below to him, after all, one of those people were chosen by him. He was smart since he was little. Even having been ill in bed for years, his talent was widely praised by people. Except his illness, in his fourteen years¡¯ life, he had never met any big setbacks. This failure also indirectly proved his inadequate capability on reading people. No wonder he would be so angry.


    ¡°Yes, Master Han.¡±


    Seeing that Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t respond, Song Gengniu and others took the order and then dragged the three of them out. Ling Jingxuan stretched out a hand to pat on his younger brother¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Don¡¯t put the blame on yourself. You are only fourteen years old. Although you are talented, you haven¡¯t experienced too much. This kind of thing is not on books. You can only gather some experience in real life. After this, you wouldn¡¯t make the same mistake.¡±


    Along such a long life, who wouldn¡¯t take a few wrong steps? He was already doing it good enough.


    ¡°Big brother, I¡­ I¡¯m sorry, I thought if I pick a strong and tall one, he could do more work for you, but¡­¡±


    Turning his head to look at him, Ling Jinghan said so. Like what his big brother said, he was too green, his thinking was too na?ve, otherwise he would feel so disgusted with a servant like that.


    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. Just sell them if they are not appropriate. Don¡¯t think too much. If I get bullied by those useless things, I would have lived all my life for nothing.¡±


    Trying to comfort him, Ling Jingxuan turned to look at those people who were guarding Lady Wang, eyes flickering. At first he didn¡¯t lose his temper was not only because he didn¡¯t take it in his heart. He also partly meant to try those people. As result, he tried Chen Ruhua out. As for Lady Zhang and Lady Wu¡­to him personally, he was quite unsatisfied.


    ¡°Remember who are your masters, and what happened today is just a warning. Do not take my mother¡¯s kindness as her weakness. If this happens again, I won¡¯t mind selling you straight to the brothel.¡±


    His dissatisfaction was due to their attitude. Whatever the reason was, her mother was their ma¡¯am, they should try to protect her even at the cost of their lives and didn¡¯t let anyone hurt a hair of her. But they only tried to show their loyalty after his order, which made him kind of disappointed.


    Bam~ Bam~ Bam~


    ¡°Yes, Master Xuan!¡±


    All of them, including Lady Yang and others, who had come back with them, knelt down in unison and turned to Ling Wang, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, madam, we didn¡¯t protect you well.¡±


    ¡°Oh, what are you doing? Get up! Since you come to my home, I wouldn¡¯t take you as outsiders. If I have food, you¡¯d have yours. As long we work together, we could build this family better.¡±


    Apparently Lady Wang had a fish¡¯s memory. A moment ago some bad servants were making trouble for her on purpose, now she already forgot she was the ma¡¯am. Seeing that they all knelt down, she hurriedly tried to hold them up one by one. And just because of her sincerity, those people all reddened their eyes, swearing in the heart that they¡¯d stay in this home with all their heart, no other thought!


    As shrewd as Ling Jingxuan was, how would he not understand what the excitement on those people¡¯s faces mean? To his mother¡¯s over sincerity, he didn¡¯t mean to correct it or felt unsatisfied. Being sincere also had its good places. See? Now in an instant, she had bought a lot of people¡¯s heart already.


    ¡°Bit brother, it seems our mom knows how to be a good person, while we become the bad people.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng, who had processed those negative emotions, leaned over and whispered by his ear with a smile. Their mom was a good person, also a good mother, worth for them to be her guardian angels.


    ¡°You care?¡±


    Hands behind his head, Ling Jingxuan cast a glance at him, eyebrows slightly picked. The two brothers smiled at each other. Yeah. What¡¯s the big deal to play the bad people? Who cares?

 Chapter 190

    Since Ling Jingxuan and his brother lost their hair and sold them, those who stayed dare not have any second thought. What¡¯s worth to praise was that, although those Lady Wang, Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng picked all got capsized, the one that the most honest person in this family-Ling Jingcheng picked was quite well-behaved. He talked little, basically did his job with his head low. Ling Chenglong was quite satisfied with him, which also earned him a chance to hold his head high before his wife and sons.


    Three days later when Guarantor Liu went to send the title deeds for Ling Jingxuan, he kept apologizing to him and promised that he¡¯d bring people here after selecting. Ling Jingxuan just smiled it off and totally didn¡¯t put his promise in the heart at all. No businessman doesn¡¯t seek profits. He was in awe of him was because of his superb medical skills. On other things, he didn¡¯t think he¡¯d be soft-hearted.


    Back to the side of the old Ling family, in order to bail Ling Chenghu, Ling Qinyun not only ran out of all his savings, but also sold his over ten mu top quality of sand land and ten mu irrigated land. For this, the old lady and her big son¡¯s wife had a huge fight. And it was said that Lady Jiang finally hid in her own room. Whatever swear words the old lady shouted outside, she never went out again. Such a family was not far from disintegration.


    Now after having more hands at home, the speed of making jam was much faster. Plus, Laowang¡¯s side was quite gelivable. Three days later, he sent them another two thousand jars. With the joint effort of the whole family, they stuffed all the over two thousand small jars on the night of the sixth day, and also over thirty big jars. And the next day, Shopkeeper Zhang took them all away.


    Two days later, it entered into August. The afterheat was still rampaging and it was still very hot. Ling Jingxuan finally remembered that they hadn¡¯t hung that plaque. For this, he decided to invite all guests over by the way. In the morning before that day, he asked Old Zhou who replaced Song Gengniu to send the kids to school buy ten chicken and ducks, twenty jin of pork, two sets of pig offal, plus a roe deer the daddy wolf and two cubs hunted and their own fish, it should be enough for the banquet.


    Early in the morning today, sister-in-law Song already led Lady Zhang, Lady Wu, Liu Xiaosui and Ling Yun to start busy in the kitchen. They made two iron pots of meat stuffed buns and steamed buns. After about eight, outside the manor started to get busy. People¡¯s steps mixed with their talking sounded. As the hosts, the two little buns didn¡¯t go to school. They specially put on their new silk clothes. Two little figures in red and blue took the initiative to stand by the gate to welcome the guests. What a scene!


    ¡°Grandpa, grandma, great-grandfather is here. Uncle Peng asked you to greet them.¡±


    Blue satin robes, embroidered with emerald green bamboos at the neckline and cuffs, along with Ling Wu¡¯s running, the bamboos were shaking like they were real. Those robes were made by Shuiling, at such a young age, her embroidery skills were already at the master¡¯s level.


    ¡°Oh, my good grandson, slow down, don¡¯t get tripped.¡±


    Seeing the small bun, Lady Wang who was sitting in the central room hurriedly got up and went forward to hold him up, felt out her hanky to wipe off the sweat on his face gently. Meanwhile, Ling Chenglong, Ling Jinghan, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui also stood up. Lady Wang¡¯s family was here, by rules, they all needed to go to greet them.


    ¡°No big deal, grandma. As a big man, this is nothing. Come on! Let¡¯s go welcome my great-grandpa and others.¡±


    Grasping her hand, Ling Wu said while dragging her to the outside, Ling Wang helplessly smiled, ¡°OK, OK, let¡¯s go to welcome your great-grandpa and others. Xiaowu, be slow. Grandma can¡¯t keep up with you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, grandma, no hurry. We can walk slowly. Watch your steps. Don¡¯t fall.¡±


    Hearing her, Ling Wu decisively stopped and went back to her side. Lady Wang rubbed his head dotingly, with a loving smile on her face. My grandson is so considerate!


    Following them, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan looked at each other and smiled at the same moment. During the walk, Yan Shengrui quietly grabbed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand. Seeing that he didn¡¯t struggle, he crossed his fingers with his, with a satisfying smile rippling over that charming and tough face.


    Two ox carts carrying over a dozen of people were driving over, the old lord Wang Ping¡¯an and his wife Lady Sun were sitting on the front one with their grandsons. And Ling Jingxuan¡¯s uncles and aunts-in-law and their comparatively older sons and daughters were sitting on the back one. Ling Jingpeng who had already gone to them was slowly walking by the side, like he was talking to the old man, and put on a faint smile now and then.


    ¡°Dad, mom, why are you here so early?¡±


    After the ox carts stopped before the gate, Ling Chenglong and Lady Wang went forward to support them on both sides, while Ling Jingpeng held the kids down. Seeing that his daughter and son-in-law looked in the mood, Wang Ping¡¯an even got his eyes reddened. After his daughter married into this family, she had never had one comfortable day, and because of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thing five years ago, she had suffered so much. In the past five years, they had been worried with her all the time, pity that their daughter had already been other family¡¯s daughter-in-law. However long their hands were, they couldn¡¯t reach them into the Ling family. So, even if they knew their daughter wasn¡¯t doing good, they could only secretly worried for her in the heart but do nothing. Last time, when they heard that their daughter had a miscarriage, one could imagine how anxious they were. And Lady Sun happened to be there. Fortunately her able grandson handled it, then she went back relievedly.

 Chapter 191

    ¡°It¡¯s cool in the morning. Jinhua, now that your days are getting a lot better, I also feel much relieved.¡±


    Watching that giant manor before their eyes, Lady Sun held tears in her eyes, saying with a sobbing tone. Lady Wang also quietly reddened her eyes. But then she remembered today was a good day. She shouldn¡¯t shed tears, so she hurriedly supported the old lady to walk in, ¡°Mom, enough of that. You must be tired all the way here. Take a rest inside.¡±


    ¡°OK!¡±


    Nodding with excitement, Lady Sun raised a hand to wife off her tears. Then the mother and daughter went into the yard leaving everyone behind. Ling Chenglong scratched his head embarrassedly, then looked over at his brothers-in-law while supporting old lord Wang, ¡°Make yourselves at home! Jingxuan, Jingpeng, Jinghan, take them in!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, dad, grandpa, go in please.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan nodded on behalf of his two younger brothers. And then Wang Ping¡¯an noticed his presence, he suddenly straightened his face and said in a deep voice, ¡°Since you have recovered, try to live a good life. Stop thinking those irrelevant things. Is there anything more important than living?¡±


    Although the old man¡¯s tone was very severe and the words were not pleasant to hear, it was mixed with some naked concern. Ling Jingxuan smiled, ¡°OK, grandpa said right. I will be filial to my parents. Grandpa, go in to take some rest with my dad.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Still wearing that darkened face, Wang Ping¡¯an finally stepped forward, but¡­


    ¡°Wow, Jinghan, what a splendid big house! I am afraid it should top all the nearby villages. Even those landlords¡¯ big houses are not as good as yours, I suppose. It should have cost you a lot, right?¡±


    An exaggerated sound sounded. And Wang Ping¡¯an who was about to go into the room darkened his face and his steps also stopped. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui turned to look over. It was a woman in her thirties, with a baby that was only one year old tops in her arms. Looking at her fake smile, and the undisguised coveting and greediness under her eyes, Ling Jingxuan frowned nearly unnoticeably. So that should be his second aunt-in-law? Having not seen her for too long, he searched the original¡¯s owner¡¯s memories and still couldn¡¯t be sure.


    ¡°Do you know how to talk? Didn¡¯t you see Jingxuan is here? When is it Jinghan¡¯s turn to speak? Whether their house is big or not, does it have anything to do with you? Go back home if you don¡¯t know how to speak!¡±


    Seeing that everyone¡¯s smile froze on their face, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s second uncle Wang Jingui threw a hard stare at his wife. His wife always had a bad mouth. She was also like this at home. But she never learnt a lesson. Today they meant to let her stay home, but thinking that finally Jingxuan had been recovered, and their elder sister and brother-in-law divided up and the family and built a big house, how could any of them be absent? So finally they decided to take her with the, but never expected that¡­


    ¡°Jingxuan? Who the hell is he? Five years ago, he had¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    You don¡¯t know whether Lady Han was really stupid or played dumb. She already uncovered that scar at the gate. The old man turned to yell at her. Wang Jingui also felt super embarrassed. So he snatched their son from her hands and threw a slap in her face.


    ¡°How dare you slap me?¡±


    Covering her face, Lady Han stared at him with disbelief. Did she say something wrong? Five yers ago when Ling Jingxuan was thrown of the family, he was no longer her elder sister and brother-in-law¡¯s son. In this family, only Jinghan was kind of promising. Did she do anything wrong to elevate his position in this family?


    ¡°Jingxuan, sorry, your second aunt doesn¡¯t mean it. She just has a bad mouth. Just ignore her.¡±


    Throwing her a warning stare, Wang Jingui turned to make an obsequious smile at his big nephew. People all say the nephew is his uncle¡¯s son in previous life. So, one could tell Wang Jingui was really good to Ling Jingxuan. Ling Jingxuan secretly pinched Yan Shengrui¡¯s hand, then made a smile, ¡°What are you talking about, uncle? We are family.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s your family?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    As his words fell, Lady Han instantly objected again. The smile on both the uncle and the nephew froze on their face instantly. And others all looked bad. Of course, the worst should be Yan Shengrui. That tough charming face had already turned dark in the beginning. Now he already nearly couldn¡¯t hold it. If it hadn¡¯t been that Ling Jingxuan was grasping his hand, he had already gone forward to teach her a lesson. When is it such an ignorant village woman to insult his wife again and again before so many people?


    ¡°Can¡¯t you keep your mouth shut? Remember, you¡¯re a guest.¡±


    A woman who was about in her forties was the first to react. As she took the opportunity to support her, she also restricted her action, and then turned to Ling Jingxuan and his two younger brothers, ¡°Jingxuan, don¡¯t listen to her. I will make an apology on her behalf.¡±


    Lady Mu, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s big aunt, was a very capable, but also very gentle and virtuous woman. Although the Wang family hadn¡¯t been divided up, almost everything was in her charge. She was also a capable woman, who regulated everything in and out of the family well.


    ¡°What are you doing? Did I say something wrong? Don¡¯t forget, big sister-in-law, he is someone who has ruined his reputation. A lot of kids in our family haven¡¯t been engaged. If people know that we are so close with him, who would marry into our family? Besides, look at him. Before so many elders, he is holding a wild man¡¯s hand. We could never have any connection with this kind of bit*h!¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan could open his mouth, Lady Han broke away from Lady Mu, then rushed forward to scold Ling Jingxuan while pointing at him. This time, as thick-skinned as Ling Jingxuan was, he couldn¡¯t take it any longer, and Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng instantly darkened their face. Without even thinking, Yan Shengrui snapped, ¡°Don¡¯t let me hear the word bit*h for a second time! If you don¡¯t like it, the road is behind you. You can leave now. Our Yuehua Manor also doesn¡¯t welcome a guest like you!¡±


    His words also didn¡¯t show her any face. Everyone of Wang family looked ashamed. Only Lady Han looked super angry. But what they didn¡¯t know was that for the sake of the old man, Yan Shengrui already showed mercy. If it were someone from old Ling family, maybe he had already driven her away by force. How could keep her for another second to annoy them?

 Chapter 192

    When a family was big enough, it was unavoidable that there would be one or two unbelievable ones. The only failure among the second generation of Wang family should be the second son¡¯s wife Lady Han. Usually, she¡¯d only eat her head off all day and they could bear with it. She also liked badmouthing people behind their back. Lady Sun and Wang Jingui had regulated her again and again, but she just didn¡¯t learn a lesson. When lessoning her, she¡¯d instantly admit her mistake, but with a turn, she had already cast it behind. What they didn¡¯t expect was, under such circumstances, she still acted so recklessly and said some words no one shouldn¡¯t say. Undoubtedly, Yan Shengrui¡¯s words made them thoroughly disgraced.


    ¡°What are you? When is it your turn to open your mouth? I am their second aunt-in-law¡­I¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    ¡°Pa!¡±


    ¡°Ouch¡­Wang Jingui, what are you doing? Stop it¡­ouch¡­¡±


    Lady Han became angry from embarrassment, pointing to his nose and swearing. Wang Jingui could no longer take it. He roughly stuffed the kid into his big sister-in-law¡¯s hands, strode forward, grabbed his wife¡¯s collar and gave her quite a few hard slaps. Lady Wang wasn¡¯t a pushover. While screaming, she still didn¡¯t forget to fight back, but got back more densely slaps. Ignoring the occasion and time, the couple directly had a huge fight before the gate of Yuehua Manor.


    But no one felt anything wrong, on the contrary, they all wore a satisfying face, saying in the heart ¡®you deserve it!¡¯ How could she insult the master as a guest? And she said she is Ling Jingxuan¡¯s second aunt-in-law? Is there this kind of aunt-in-law? Anyone with brain wouldn¡¯t do such a thing. If it hadn¡¯t been for the sake of Wang Jingui, it wouldn¡¯t be Wang Jingui alone who were beating her.


    ¡°Ouch¡­Mom¡­¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­mom¡­stop it¡­¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­¡±


    Seeing that Wang Jingui¡¯s fists became heavier and Lady Han got her face all swollen, their kids cried while rushing forward to stop them. The biggest one was a girl, the same age with Ling Jinghan, fourteen years old, who inherited the good gene of Wang family and looked quite pretty. But at this moment, she was weeping hard, quite pitiful. The second and third kid were both boys, twelve and eight, already some big kids. But facing such a scene, they could only persuade them aside and couldn¡¯t get any close at all. As the youngest one, it was still clapping the hands while drooling in Lady Mu¡¯s arms.


    The old lord Wang didn¡¯t open his mouth to stop them, so the other three daughters-in-law also dare not try to stop them, let alone Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan and others. They were not afraid to lose face, they were also not afraid to be laughed at, anyhow, their family had too many laughing sticks in other people¡¯s eyes. Anyway, it was only eight or so, and most guests hadn¡¯t arrived. And there were not so many onlookers, most of whom only came over on hearing the noise.


    ¡°Why are you fighting at the gate? Jingui, stop it!¡±


    Hearing the noise outside, the old Lady Sun who had just sat down in the room came out again with the support of Lady Wang. As she saw that her second son was beating his wife in such an occasion, she got so mad.


    ¡°Hum! If you badmouth people again, I will repudiate you!¡±


    Under Old Lady Sun¡¯s yelling, Wang Jingui finally stopped. Lady Han who was wearing a swollen face rushed to the old lady, ¡°Ouch! He is killing me. Mom, you got to hold justice for me. Jingui tried to beat me to death¡­Boohoo¡­¡±


    Grabbing the old lady¡¯s arm, Lady Han cried so hard. Old Lady Sun showed a slice of disgusting feeling under her eyes quickly. She was old though, she was not blind. So many people here but no one stopped it, plus, she knew what her second daughter-in-law was like usually, without even asking, she knew that she must have done something she shouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Second sister-in-law, look at you. Jingui, how could you beat her so hard? She is your wife!¡±


    Lady Wang was kindhearted, but she also knew more or less about Lady Han¡¯s thing. After all, this was at her place, as the big sister, it was inappropriate for her to stay out of it. Seeing that finally someone spoke for her, she threw herself at Lady Wang and cried even harder, ¡°Boohoo¡­Big sister, you got to hold justice for me. What did I do? I am also for the good of this family! How could he beat me¡­Boohoo¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up, you b*tch!¡±


    Seeing that she still had the strength to cry, Wang Jingui could not help taking a fews steps forward. Frightened, Lady Han hurriedly hid behind Lady Wang, who was stuck in the middle and said with embarrassment, ¡°All right, all right. You beat her, of course she¡¯d cry. Jingui, just let it go.¡±


    ¡°Sister, you don¡¯t know what she did, she¡­she¡­she¡­alas¡­¡±


    Pointing at her own wife with a trembling finger, Wang Jingui still couldn¡¯t speak what she did. Before his elder sister, he really felt ashamed to say it.


    ¡°Well, actually it was nothing. It¡¯s just our second sister-in-law said something she shouldn¡¯t say again. Well, don¡¯t stand here to make people laugh. Let¡¯s go inside.¡±


    Seeing that, Lady Mu moved forward with the kid in her arms. And the big son Wang Jinfu grabbed his younger brother, while the third son and fourth son and their wives took care of those over a dozen kids, big or small. The Wang family had four sons and two daughters. Lady Wang was the big daughter, a little younger than the biggest son Wang Jingfu. She had a younger sister, who married a bricklayer. Unluckily, her husband died young, leaving her and their son alone. A widow¡¯s door is full of gossip. Besides, because of the good genes of their family, Wang Jinyu was even prettier than her elder sister Wang Jinhua. After her husband died, in case people would spread rumors about her, she basically never went out, and only made a living by doing some embroidery job. Lady Wang asked Song Gengniu to invite her yesterday. On hearing that her elder sister built a new house, she was also glad for her, and instantly replied that she¡¯d come with the two sons. But she lived too far away and would only arrive after some time.

 Chapter 193

    ¡°Since everything is OK, let¡¯s go inside to have some rest. Big sister-in-law, this is the second son Xiaochen, right? So cute. Why didn¡¯t I see your other little kids?¡±


    Brushing off Lady Han who was still sobbing there, Lady Wang moved forward to pick the kid from Lady Mu¡¯s arms. Seeing that her husband, her sons and Yan Shengrui all looked bad, and Ling Wen and Ling Wu were pressing their lips, and little Huzi and Zhou Changsheng were both staring at Lady Han, Lady Wang had guessed what had happened. But now was not the time to talk about that, so she could only switch the topic and ease the atmosphere, only hoping that Lady Han wouldn¡¯t act so stupid again, otherwise, if she really pissed of his son, she also couldn¡¯t save her.


    ¡°Yeah, those whelps are very naughty, who also give me a big headache.¡±


    Sensing what she meant, Lady Mu followed her lead and said so. Then she walked over and secretly pulled Lady Han who was still not convinced. In an angle no one could see, she pinched her waist to give her a warning. Seeing that even Lady Wang ignored her and others looked like they would eat her alive the next second, Lady Han who was still sobbing could only give up, although still feeling angry in the heart.


    ¡°Which kid isn¡¯t naught? Our Xiaowen and Xiaowu are also quite naught. Xiaowen, Xiaowu, take your cousins to play in the yard. It¡¯s hot today. Don¡¯t get sunstroke!¡±


    Following her thread of discourse, Lady Wang waved at the two little buns. Ling Wu turned his head and acted like he didn¡¯t hear her, while Ling Wen looked at her and then turned to his father and daddy. After Ling Jingxuan nodded, he pulled his younger brother and went forward, ¡°Welcome to my home. My name is Ling Wen, this is my younger brother Ling Wu. They are our footboys, called Song Xiaohu and Zhou Changsheng. Come in, please. If there¡¯s any place we don¡¯t entertain you well, hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    The big bun who had been studying in school for a few days stood before them uprightly, those words he used were all honorific, but, it only made one feel alienated. He also never expected that the speech he specially prepared for his second uncle and uncle Chu would be used on his relatives.


    ¡°Haha¡­ This child is so lovely. When you were little, I have ever held you in my arms, remember?¡±


    Anyone with sharp eyes could tell those two kids were kind of rebellious. Kids of Wang family were all right, each was shy and introverted, but the adults felt embarrassed now. As the big son, Wang Jinfu had to stand out to put a good face. Ling Wen looked up at him and nodded, still wearing a stern face. Then he dragged his younger brother to make a ¡®please¡¯ gesture, ¡°Big uncle, please.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ ok, ok¡­¡±


    Wang Jinfu felt so helpless. But except saying OK, he also didn¡¯t know what else to say. After all, the other side was only a five years old kid, his nephew. Could he find fault with him?


    Under the guidance of two little buns, people of the Wang family all entered into the manor, the old couple also followed in under the support of Ling Chenglong and his wife. Before entering, the old couple threw Ling Jingxuan and his two brothers an apologetic eye. They also felt awful in the heart.


    ¡°Our second aunt-in-law has gone further and further! Pity that our second uncle is such a good man, but married such an unbelievable wife!¡±


    When it was only the few of them at the gate, Ling Jingpeng couldn¡¯t help complaining in whispers. If it hadn¡¯t been that they were afraid their grandpa and grandma might be sad and their uncles would feel embarrassed, which would also indirectly make their mom sad, he had already thrown her out of here using a stick!


    ¡°All right. Hasn¡¯t our second uncle already taught her a lesson? Today is our big day after all. We shouldn¡¯t spoil it ourselves. Anyhow, they don¡¯t live here. Just take it for the sake of grandpa and grandma.¡±


    Ling Jinghan quietly pulled him, he was also angry, but, his second uncle was a good person, and his mom also chose to smooth things over, what could he say?


    ¡°I know, big brother, brother Shengrui, don¡¯t put her words in the heart, she has always had such a bad mouth, these years she has cause my second uncle a lot of trouble, if it weren¡¯t for the sake that she has given birth to some kids for the family, I guess my second uncle should have already repudiated her.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng nodded, turned to Lng Jingxuan and comforted.


    Yan Shengrui still looked mad, with undisguised hostility under his eyes, while Ling Jingxuan always wore a faint smile, but, it was hard to tell whether he was faking it or now.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK, you go entertain the guests inside. Yanrui and I will receive the guests outside.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng looked at him hesitantly, then glanced at the tiger-faced Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan felt amused, ¡°Go. I can take care of it.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, we¡¯ll be out soon.¡±


    Relieved, the two brothers turned around and walked into the courtyard. Ling jingxuan turned around to look at Yan Shengrui, gestured Song Gengniu and Zhou Er to take care of everything for him, then pulled him behind the plaque, put his arms around his waist and smiled, ¡°Still angry? What is there to be angry about with a village woman?¡±


    Although he said so, the smile on his face was enough to reflect his sweetness in the heart. The angrier Yan Shengrui was, it meant the more he cared about him, right?


    ¡°How can I not be angry? Even I wouldn¡¯t say any harsh words. When is such an ignorant woman to insult you like that?¡±


    With a fierce look on his face, Yan shengrui complained. If he had not been holding his hands tightly, he would have already beaten her.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ All right. Just take it as showing some face to mom. You also don¡¯t want to see her upset, do you? After all, that is her family.¡±


    The smile was even sweeter. His hands moved up and held his face, after saying those words, Ling Jingxuan even gave him a kiss as a prize on tiptoes, then Yan Shengrui looked a little better. He pulled him to lean against his shoulder while saying sullenly, ¡°Only this once! Next time, I won¡¯t bear with it even for the sake of mom. You too! Don¡¯t try to stop me!¡±


    Insulting him was fine, but not his wife! That was the only taboo in Yan Shengrui¡¯s heart!


    Nodding sweetly, Ling Jingxuan raised his hands to embrace his waist, in an angle no one saw, those long and thin phoenix eyes flashed a cold light. Let alone him, even he himself would never allow anyone to challenge him again and again without a reason!

 Chapter 194

    Standing outside Yuehua Manor, one would only think it was big and new, but only after you went inside, you¡¯d know how beautiful it was. Even though only the front courtyard was not bad, and the only highlight was the fish pond with duckweed on the surface and that winding corridor over it, to those common village families, here was like the imperial palace. So after entering the manor, people of Wang family were all amazed. Wang Ping¡¯an and his wife also kept nodding with satisfaction. As parents, who don¡¯t want their kids to live a good life?


    ¡°Huzi, take them to play at the grape trellis. Changsheng, go grab some candies for us.¡±


    Ling Wen was a total ¡°I am the host¡± appearance, hands held behind while ordering the two footboys. Song Xiaohu looked at with hesitation, after quite a while, he nodded, ¡°Oh, I know, master.¡±


    ¡°Ge (elder brother), I¡¯ll go pick up uncle Chu and others by the door.¡±


    After they left, Ling Wu who had been not in the mood did not even look at the Wang family, only said that to his big brother and ran away, drumming his cheeks. Watching his little brother¡¯s back, Ling Wen helplessly shook his head, and then turned to the adults of the Wang Family, ¡°Great grandpa, great grandma, uncles and aunts-in-law, come in please.¡±


    Under his reminder, people only withdrew their eyes back from the new house and those servants and maids busy going between rooms, and entered into the central room following the old couple. Lady Mu had tightly holding Lady Han all the way, only afraid she¡¯d make fool of herself again.


    ¡°Good morning, my old lord, my old lady, and all uncles and aunts-in-law, childes and misses!¡±


    Waiting inside, Ling Yun led Liu Xiaosui to bend over to greet them, making them all quite uncomfortable. Only Lady Han subconsciously held out her chest, like this was her home and she was superior to anyone. Ling Chenglong and his wife supported the old couple to sit in the main seats, and Ling Wne followed them behind like a little adult, ¡°Sister Ling Yun, sister Xiaosui, pour some tea for everyone. You don¡¯t need to wait on here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, young master.¡±


    Respectfully responding, Ling Yun and Liu Xiaosui poured tea for everyone. Only after they left, the whole Wang family felt relieved. Anyway, they were farmers who had never enjoyed such high standard reception. So they really felt quite uneasy.


    ¡°Dad, mom, big brother and sister-in-law, and you guys, don¡¯t stand on ceremony. Just make yourselves at home.¡±


    Noticing their discomfort, Lady Wang smiled. She could understand their feelings. Didn¡¯t she feel the same at first? Actually she was still not quite used to it till now.


    ¡°Oh, come on, big sister, we are family, how would we stand on ceremony with you? This big house is really not bad. You even have servants and maids. Big sister, how about me and my daughter live here for a few days?¡±


    See? Lady Han who was still wearing a swollen face stood out again. The whole Wang family couldn¡¯t help darkening their face. Seeing that Ling Wen¡¯s face changed, Lady Wang smiled drily, ¡°Look at what you said. I really want you and my big sister-in-law to stay for a few days to relieve the boredom with me. But your family also can¡¯t live without you, right? And dad and mom still need you to take care of.¡±


    Apparently when by the door, she had insulted her son. She¡¯d only want her to stay only if she got her head squeezed by the door!


    ¡°It¡¯s OK. It¡¯s OK. Our parents can still move. I can keep the little son by my side. Aren¡¯t there a few little kids here? They can help me take care of him?¡±


    Totally ignoring Lady Wang¡¯s meaning in the words, Lady Han was really so thick-skinned, she even had already thought of letting the kids to take care of her kid! The old Wang couple and Wang Jingui only wished to find a pit and bury their heads in it. Others from Wang family also wore a face of embarrassment. They were family anyhow. She didn¡¯t care about her face and it was fine. Why drag them into this?


    ¡°I have to go to school. How can I take care of your kid?¡±


    Ling Wen who can no longer bear with it couldn¡¯t help yelling, face blushing. Why this second aunt-in-law become more and more annoying?


    ¡°You are so little. What¡¯s the use of going to school? What can you learn? My sons Feng and You, they both didn¡¯t go to school.¡±


    Without thinking, Lady Han stared back at him, with all disgust in her eyes. Just a bastard! He really takes himself as the young master?


    ¡°You¡­ what is said on the book is true, only women and snobs are difficult to maintain! Second aunt-in-law, you are our guest, and a woman, I won¡¯t argue with you.¡±


    Ling Wen was so angry. After saying those words, he turned to Ling Chenglong and his wife, ¡°Grandpa, grandma, sorry to trouble you to entertain them. I¡¯ll go outside to receive the other guests.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Wen turned around and strode out. Watching his straightened back, Lady Wang felt so sorry, and her dissatisfaction against Lady Han grew a little more. But for the sake of her parents and younger sister, she didn¡¯t lose her temper on spot. But, in the future, she¡¯d estrange this second sister-in-law.


    ¡°You, you, you¡­you little kid, what is your attitude?¡±


    Being talked back by a five years old kid, Lady Han got so mad that even her mouth drooped, but¡­


    ¡°Jingui, send her home now!¡±


    The old man, trembling all over with anger, pointed at the disgraced Lady Han and roared angrily.


    ¡°Dad? What did I do?¡±


    Hearing that, Lady Han reflexively screamed. The whole room¡¯s people were speechless. Now she still had no idea where she was wrong? Stupidity should also have a limit!


    ¡°Go!¡±


    Face sank, Wang Jingui grabbed her hand and dragged her out. He was so fed up with his wife. Lady Han, who was being dragged out, shouted, ¡°Let me go. I won¡¯t go. Dad, mom, look at your son! Mom¡­¡±


    ¡°Grandpa, let mom stay, she didn¡¯t mean it, grandpa, please!¡±


    Seeing this, their eldest daughter Wang Yunya cried and knelt down in front of the old lord, she also knew that her mom had gone too far, but after all, it was her mom. If her dad brought her like that, she¡¯d definitely get another beating.

 Chapter 195

    ¡°You¡­ alas¡­¡±


    The old man sighed helplessly. Seeing that, without having time to thank her grandpa, Wang Yunya immediately ran to her dad and grabbed his hand, ¡°Dad, grandpa has agreed to let mom stay. Please give her a chance. I promise I will watch her and won¡¯t let her say something she shouldn¡¯t.¡±


    Wang Jingui could ignore her wife¡¯s whining, but he couldn¡¯t ignore his daughter¡¯s feeling. After throwing that ghost-like wife, he threw her aside and saw next to his big brother Wang Jinfu¡¯s side and sat down, with his head hung. Wang Jinfu helplessly patted on his shoulder. That¡¯s his wife, what choice does he have?


    ¡°The kids¡¯ big aunt, how about we go to the kitchen to help? It¡¯s really uneasy just sitting here.¡±


    Seeing that, the always meek and smart Lady Mu¡¯s smiled and tried to divert everyone¡¯s attention. Lady Wang¡¯s instantly understood, ¡°If it¡¯s like before, I won¡¯t stand on ceremony with you. But today is different. Things were all prepared yesterday. Sister0-in-law Song and others will take care of everything. How about this? I¡¯ll accompany you to take a walk in the backyard, OK? There is a winding corridor behind, and an octagonal pavilion. We can take some food and take a rest there, in case we may cause those rough men trouble.¡±


    ¡°Great, mom, let¡¯s go to the backyard.¡±


    Two people instantly hit it off, other people also nodded to agree. Today, they should have distinguished guests, they also didn¡¯t want to let Lady Han¡¯s make trouble and make them lose face with her again.


    ¡°Was that man the father of the two children?¡±


    When those women left, a little peace returned to the room, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Old man Wang turned his head and glanced at his son-in-law. To tell the truth, he had had a problem with him for many years, but now that their life had improved a lot, he didn¡¯t want to argue with that nymore.


    ¡°Huh? Oh, his name is Shengrui, and he has temporarily forgotten the past because of his head injury, but he is very good to Jingxuan and us.¡±


    Carefully accompanied by the side of the old man, Ling Chenglong said honestly, even he was a grandpa now, before his father-in-law, he still performed nervously.


    ¡°Hmm, seems not bad, although he treated Jingxuan like that before, after all, he is the kids¡¯ father. If they are in good relationship now, you better hold the wedding for them as soon as possible. It¡¯s five years. My smartest big grandson got gossiped by people. He has received enough insult. Chenglong, you should put in on your mind. You can¡¯t let the kid live without a decent name and let people talk behind his back anymore.¡±


    As the old man said, his eyes turned red. He had almost reached the age of going to another world. The only wish was to see that all his kids could live happily. Others were not important anymore.


    ¡°Oh, I will keep it in mind.¡±


    Ling Chenglong was stunned there, but instantly nodded. Actually, they really had neglected it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t just keep it in mind. You got to do it.¡±


    The old man darkened his face, and Ling Chenglong instantly had a shudder and hurriedly echoed, ¡°Yes, yes, yes, I will talk to Jinhua tomorrow and let her take care of it.¡±


    ¡°Dad, you scared Chenglong. Today we are here to congratulate them. Can¡¯t you stop lessoning people?¡±


    Wang Jinfu found it funny and cut in. Look at his dad! He knew Chenglong was afraid of him, and every time he¡¯d drop on him. What if he got angry in the heart and maltreated his younger sister? Of course, he knew Ling Chenglong wouldn¡¯t do that kind of thing. This brother-in-law of his was good in every aspect, but only a bit too weak, so sometimes he¡¯d get bullied by his wife and kids sometimes. It¡¯d be much better if he could change a bit.


    ¡°Yeah, dad, now that my big brother-in-law has moved out, he should be head of the family. You shouldn¡¯t lesson him like before.¡±


    The third son Wang Jincai on the side also hurriedly echoed. Their brother-in-law was older than all of them. Since his big sister got married with him, he had always been good to them, so they also held respect to him.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Then I won¡¯t say more. My big and third brother have said all words I want to say. But big brother-in-law, dad said right. Jingxuan¡¯s marriage thing shouldn¡¯t be delayed. You should hold it as soon as possible. Not too extravagant! Go to sign the marriage paper in yamen, all the family sit together to have a meal, done.¡±


    Without his wife dragging him down, Wang Jingui also resumed his usual appearance.


    ¡°It¡¯s I who have nothing to say. My three elder brothers, can¡¯t you save at least one sentence to me?¡±


    The fourth son was Wang Jinwei, only 20 years old, who had grown up under his parents¡¯ spoiling. Of course his words sounded quite casual. But you could tell, their family tradition was really not bad, there was no little tricks against each other like common families. Although sometimes there was no absolute eldership when they talked, the father was affectionate and the son was dutiful, and brothers also were good to each other. No wonder when something like happened to Ling Jingxuan that year, they still lent a hand to Lady Wang.


    Bang~


    ¡°What? Are you little whelps trying to rebel?¡±


    Suddenly, the old man banged the table, his eyes glaring, looking very scary, but..


    ¡°Ha ha¡­dad, don¡¯t you get addicted to acting¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    The next second, under the guidance of Wang Jinfu, several brothers plus three generations of adult men were all laughing hard. The old man who was acting instantly couldn¡¯t hold it anymore and also burst into laughers. The whole family, old and young, all laughed. And the former displeasure was already nowhere to find.

 Chapter 196

    In that year, Ling Jingxuan was thrown out of the family bearing the name of a monster. Except a bad name and the two kids in his belly, he had nothing with him, totally penniless. In the past five years, the daddy and two sons, even his parents and his two younger brothers couldn¡¯t get away from it. Day and night, every minute, they had been suffering from people¡¯s insult. Wherever they went, people would fling abuses at them. But who would expect that after five years, Ling Jingxuan had quietly built the biggest manor all around the nearby villages, which really manifested a proverb¡ªThings change!


    Then they installed the beams for the manor, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t invite any guest. So today, on the day of hanging the plaque, he invited all guests here. After nine, all guests arrived in twos and threes in succession. Those villagers who heard the noise came to watch for fun, but no one dare say those harsh words again. Humans nature, they would bully the weak and fear the strong. Now, Ling Jingxuan wasn¡¯t only rich! Even the old xiucai¡¯s family that, what to say, could do anything they wanted in the village now nearly fell apart because of him, and that was his family, let alone others, of course none dare to provoke him now.


    ¡°Daddy, look, it¡¯s our carriage. It should be Uncle Chu and brother Yan.¡±


    Seeing the carriage of their family driving over from afar, the two little buns in red and blue jumped and cried, while the comparatively introverted Tiewas only stood there with his hand held in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand, that little face was stained with a thin layer of blush, under his eyes was also undisguised joys. They all liked Uncle Chu, not only because Uncle Chu was the most beautiful person they had ever met, but also because he cared about them and taught them a lot. And Chu Yan, he always took good care of them like a big brother, he led them to study and taught them to write stroke by stroke.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    The carriage stopped steadily before Ling Jingxuan and others, then Ling Wen and Ling Wu rushed forward with great joys, with the cubs following behind. In case they might scare people, Ling Jingxuan had already made a deal with wolf daddy and let him stay inside and not come out today.


    ¡°Go.¡±


    Seeing Tiewa, wearing that craving expression, was watching his sons, Ling Jingxuan left go of his hand and patted on his shoulder to give him some encouragement. Tiewa looked up at him. After quite a while, he nodded and then ran to Ling Wen and Ling Wu happily. The three buns stood in a line to wait for their tutor to come.


    ¡°Uncle Chu, Brother Yan!¡±


    As the curtain got brushed open, Chu Ci and his son came out one after another, the three buns flushed with excitement. Chu Ci gave them a smile, suddenly everything around seemed to be overshadowed, and everyone who saw him froze there and couldn¡¯t move a bit. He was already beautiful enough, plus that flower-like smile, like the old saying, he could really make wild geese alight and fish dive down for shame, and obscure the moon and make flowers blush


    Being aware of the stir he caused, he slowly withdrew his smile. After jumping off the carriage, he still didn¡¯t forget to turn to hold his son down. The three buns stood in a line and bowed together, ¡°Welcome Uncle Chu and Brother Yan.¡±


    ¡°Good kids. Where are the others?¡±


    Rubbing each of their heads, Chu Ci asked with a light tone. He liked children, especially these children. They were all smart, sensible and well-behaved. He liked them even without Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Huzi and others are busy entertaining the guests. Uncle Chu, brother Yan, let¡¯s go in.¡±


    As he thought of Lady Han, some kind of displeasing feeling flashed across his face. But soon, Ling Wen moved forward and grabbed his hand. As sharp-eyed as Chu Ci was, how could he not notice his abnormality? But he didn¡¯t ask more, but only nodded, held his hand and walked to Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan who were also walked their way. Chu Ci held Ling Wu with one hand, and Tiewa in the other, followed by Zhou Er and Zheng Da who were carrying those gifts and packages.


    ¡°Welcome, Mr. Chu!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan made a bow, wearing a bright smile, while Yan Shengrui behind him looked deep, a pair of eyes as deep as the abyss. Chu Ci tried to hold his strange feelings, tried to look ahead at the giant manor calmly. The plague was already hung up. And the two words Yuehua Manor written by Yan Shengrui looked so lively and vigorous. With a look, Chu Ci already recognized that was his handwriting, eyes couldn¡¯t help flickering. After quite a while, he quieted himself down as he pretended to be appreciating their big manor. Then he slowly turned to Ling Jingxuan and said with a faint smile, ¡°Your place is not bad. I guess I would disturb you for a few days.¡±


    Last time he said, he and his son would stay here for some time, Ling Jingxuan also agreed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that. It¡¯s my honor that you and your son would live in my shabby place for a few days. I have asked someone to clean up your room. Xiaowen, Xiaowu, Tiewa, take your tutor inside.¡±


    In fact, a few days ago, he already let Sister-in-law Song prepare all new thin quilts and other daily supplies and cleaned up the room in the innermost on the right, only waiting for them to move in.


    ¡°Hmm! Uncle Chu, come with us. Our house is very good. Each room is different. In my and my elder brother¡¯ room, we got a lot of paperboards daddy made for us. After you place your packages, I will show you around. Oh right, Uncle Chu, Brother Yan, they are Dahei and Xiaohei, and they have their wolf daddy. But daddy doesn¡¯t allow him to come out, in case he scares people. Wolf daddy is good, and he won¡¯t bite people. But those people just barked like dogs. So annoying!¡±


    Ling Wu dragged Chu Yan forward with a hand, while holding Chu Ci¡¯s hand with the other, he excitedly started his chatterbox mode. And at the end of his words, his little mouth pouted as high as he could, to express his strong dissatisfaction. Everyone was amused. Chu Yan felt his head, ¡°Everyone likes judging a person by the appearance. After they know about wolf daddy, they would no longer fear of him. Xiaowu, later you introduce wolf daddy to me, OK?¡±


    Chu Yan scrupulously observed the rules of etiquettes, and his gestures and actions were so dignified and graceful. Even in the countryside, he still acted so, just like the best example of the imperial family.


    ¡°Hmm, OK, Brother Yan, you are gonna love wolf daddy! And he often brings back some dead wild animals for us. See? I have gained a lot of weight, right? That¡¯s all wolf daddy¡¯s credit!¡±


    Speaking of his favorite daddy wolf, Ling Wu swept the awful feeling and smiled sweetly. Chu Yan unconsciously pinched his smooth and tender cheek and blurted out, ¡°Yeah, you¡¯ve really gained a lot of weight, soon you¡¯ll grow into a meat stuffed bun.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Hum! Brother Yan is bullying me!¡±


    Hearing that, the crowd burst into laughter. As thick-skinned as the small bun was, he already couldn¡¯t help blushing. But he could only have himself to blame. Since they had gotten acquainted with Chu Ci and Chu Yan, like spilling the beans, he told everything in the family to them, including that his daddy often said he¡¯d raise them into meat stuffed buns, so Chu Yan would tease him on that.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ It¡¯s my bad. Don¡¯t be angry, Xiaowu. I have brought you a lot of delicious food, all made by my father. Let¡¯s go in and eat some, OK?¡±


    Seeing that he was really a bit angry, Chu Yan hurriedly squatted down to appease him.


    On hearing there was delicious food made by Uncle Chu in person, Ling Wu instantly threw that little shame behind, and nodded repeatedly, ¡°OK, OK, OK, let¡¯s go inside now.¡±


    Speaking of which, he already couldn¡¯t wait pulling him in, which made Ling Jingxuan and others so amused. Ling Jingxuan could only say ¡®you little foodie¡¯ in his heart.

 Chapter 197

    ¡°Sorry to trouble you then.¡±


    Giving a nod at Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan, one hand holding Ling Wen, the other holding Tiewa, Chu Ci entered into the yard under their lead. Only watching their figures appear in the yard did Ling Jingxuan said in whispers, ¡°Chu Ci is a bit cold, but has good personality. Chu Yan is young, but also sensible and smart, but a little premature like our Xiaowen. How I wish they are so pure like Xiaowu.¡±


    Of the three children, Ling Wen was sensible and premature, so kind of lost his innocence as a child, Tiewa was na?ve, but a little too weak, and Ling Wu, sometimes he was even more concentrated than an adult when doing things. And after finishing it, he¡¯d resume his innocent side, and that was the point Ling Jingxuan liked.


    ¡°You like them?¡±


    Yan Shengrui raised his eyebrows. Why didn¡¯t he know he got along so well with Chu Ci?


    ¡°Hehe¡­Who doesn¡¯t like a beauty? Easy. I haven¡¯t finished.¡±


    Before his went on, his waist suddenly got tightened. Ling Jingxuan hurriedly avoided him, then threw him a stare and continued, ¡°No one doesn¡¯t like beautiful people and beautiful things, including me. But that¡¯s all. But to be more exact, it¡¯s more like kind of appreciation of him. Not everyone has his courage. He left such a high position and great wealth behind, and lived in seclusion with his son in such a small town. Although he might be living in horror, his doing is really worth our appreciation. Don¡¯t you agree?¡±


    In this feudal society where imperial power was paramount, the behavior of Chu Ci was absolutely different from normal people, otherwise there would not have been so many cases of princes killing each other for the throne in history.


    ¡°Not at all.¡±


    Yan Shengrui blurted it out without thinking. He just didn¡¯t like him to say anything good about another man, not even he said he appreciated the other side.


    ¡°Er¡­ you can be more boring.¡±


    Stunned, noticing he was being jealous, Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes. He and Chu Ci? Never, OK?


    ¡°I am so bored, OK?¡±


    Ignoring their circumstances, Yan Shengrui pulled him into his arms, domineering and kind of villainous. His wife said he liked someone else, how could he not be jealous?


    ¡°All right, you win.¡±


    Throwing an angry stare at him, Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head. He would even get jealous on this? He was really kind of boring.


    ¡°I¡¯d love to. If they stay here, then let Jinghan entertain them. Anyway, they are both scholars and should have a lot of common language. You are not allowed to stay alone with him!¡±


    The more he acted like this, the further Yan Shengrui crossed the line. Ling Jingxuan looked up into his eyes, ¡°Am I that untrustworthy?¡±


    F*ck! He thinks he can fall in love with anyone he sees?


    ¡°It¡¯s not a trust issue.¡±


    Hid cold eyes made his heart skip a beat. Yan Shengrui buried his head in his neck and said stuffily, ¡°It¡¯s my problem. I don¡¯t have too much confidence. You are too good. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯d no longer like me some day, after all I am a man having lost my memories. And you haven¡¯t let me see each side of you. I¡¯m afraid some day you¡¯d get sick of me and leave me.¡±


    For the first time, Yan Shengrui told him his fear. Ling Jingxuan felt shocked in the heart. He thought¡­So, he was also a common person, he would also feel afraid, he would also have anxiety for losing his memories. Thinking of here, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling, then he raised his hands to hold him, ¡°Silly man! What you are scared of is what scares me. But, what¡¯s the use of feeling scared? It¡¯s not possible that we wouldn¡¯t do anything or contact with anyone only because we are afraid of it, right? I suppose everyone in love would have that kind of worries of losing the other side. Maybe only when we both get grey-haired, that kind of feeling would really be gone.¡±


    When in a relationship, one would feel scared that he might lose the other side. No one was an exception, not even him!


    ¡°Really? Are you sure you¡¯re like me?¡±


    Surprised, Yan Shengrui asked, holding his head in his hands.


    ¡°Sure, but I wouldn¡¯t get jealous so easily like someone. Be careful. Some day you¡¯d get drowned in your vinegar vat.¡±


    While nodding his head, Ling Jingxuan can¡¯t help teasing him, but Yan Shengrui said domineeringly, ¡°If I said I¡¯d love to, who dares say so?¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan could not help but laugh while falling in his arms. Why is this man so villainous but also so cute?¡±


    ¡°Dadada¡­dadada¡­¡±


    Just as the two were flirting with each other sweetly, ignoring those servants and maids being busy around, time also slowly passed. A carriage stopped in front of them, and Shopkeeper Zhang brushed open the curtain and jumped off, ¡°Haha¡­ Jingxuan, Shengrui, congratulations, I am not late, am I?¡±


    Seeing those two who were standing before the gate receiving the guests, Shopkeeper Zhang cupped his hands and went forward to congratulate them.


    ¡°Of course not! Brother Zhang, it¡¯s our honor that you can come. Please!¡±


    They both cupped their hands to bow back. Under such circumstances, it was Ling Jingxuan who would say things, while Yan Shengrui only stood aside assisting him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go in then.¡±


    They were old acquaintances, so Shopkeeper Zhang also didn¡¯t stand on ceremony. He took the lead to go in, with Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui followed behind. Today, the mains guests were Lady Wang¡¯s family, Chu Chi and his son, Shopkeeper Zhang, Laowang, and those workers who built the house for them. Zhao&Han couple didn¡¯t count. They were their own people. Now that everyone was here, the rest things were left to Song Gengniu.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, stop!¡±


    Suddenly, a woman¡¯s shriek sounded behind, and the three of them who were stepping inside stopped where they were. Ling Jingxuan slightly frowned. The moment he turned around, he saw that Ling Jingxuan was walking over from the onlookers supporting a masked woman. Judging from her figure, it should be her mother Lady Jiang. Only ten days, they already couldn¡¯t hold it? They specially picked such an occasion to embarrass her?

 Chapter 198

    A full face of jealousy and resentment, Ling Xiaoying supported her mother to elbow through the crowd and moved toward Ling Jingxuan and others at the gate. Song Gengniu meant to go to stop her, but Ling Jingxuan waved him to stand down. Then he turned to run in to seek help. And those villagers who were only watching far away also quietly moved close before the mother and daughter¡¯s arrival. Everyone was holding the attitude of schadenfreude, wanting to see how Ling Jingxuan got humiliated.


    ¡°What did you do?¡±


    Leaning his head close to his ear, Yan asked in whispers in an affirmative tone. Glancing at him, Ling Jingxuan said, ¡°You are so canny.¡±


    Two people smiled at one another. Last time when Ling Chenghu and his wife came to make a scene, he drugged his wife using some kind of slow poison he specially made taking advantage when he got close to her. It wouldn¡¯t show effect immediately. And she took a bath in a few hours, it¡¯d be washed off. But after a few hours, the poison would infiltrate into the skin. The incubation period was three to seven days, and the poison would show effect bit by bit. At first, one would neglect it. But when it became serious, it was already late. Except him, he believed that no one could cure it.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, what did you to my mother?¡±


    Coming in front of them, Ling Xiaoling who was holding her mother questioned her. That day, after her mother went home, she just hid in the quilts shivering. She just couldn¡¯t take in any comforting from any of them. Plus, his father had just been sent to jail by them. The whole family fell in a mess. Her mother didn¡¯t want to show up, so as their kids, they could only stand out to be busy with everything, meanwhile, they still had to understand the old lady and the big son¡¯s wife¡¯s sarcasm, so they basically had no time for her, it was already good enough that they could cover the three meals of her, but who knows¡­


    A few days ago, her grandpa finally announced that her father would come home soon, and comparatively, her mother should be fine. So they couldn¡¯t wait running to tell their mother the good news. But, what they saw was that their mother got a full face of sesame seed size swollen blisters, someone even bigger than a soybean, and also a lot of her body, so scary! They nearly passed out on spot. Then, her big brother asked Doctor Zhou over. He said it might be chicken pox and told her mother not to touch water. But two days later, those sesame seed size blisters all became soybean size, red and itchy, which made her mother even hard to fall asleep. Those places her mother scratched broken all got infected, and grew denser blisters. She thought back and forth and suddenly remembered that Ling Jingxuan knew how to use poison, connecting it with the time her mother got poisoned, she subconsciously put everything on Ling Jingxuan. But after she told her big brother and others about her thought, they all warned her not to provoke Ling Jingxuan anymore. And then, even though she held resentment in the heart, she dare not do anything.


    This morning, she suddenly heard that Ling Jingxuan would hold a banquet to entertain the guests. Thinking about him in the past and now, and their switched position, she just got even madder. And it happened that her big brother and others went to the town with her grandpa to pick up her father from the prison, she quietly brought her mother. She would expose him in front of everyone and make him lose all reputation and become a rat crossing the street.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ What Miss Ling said is so funny. I am so busy these days that I can hardly get out of my house. What could I do to your mother? And, Miss Ling, as an unmarried woman, it was already not appropriate to come to a place where they are so many men. Your mother used to be my third aunt-in-law, but after all, we have no blood relation. And your old Ling family could even do things like aunt-nephew incest. So, please! Even you don¡¯t about your own reputation, I got to care about mine, OK?¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    As his words fell, the surrounding onlookers burst into laughter, Ling Xiaoying trembling with great anger. And her mother hiding behind her quietly pulled her clothes, suggesting that she go back home, but occupied by shame and anger, she had already lost her mind. How could she still care that much?


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, don¡¯t try to be sarcastic. Over ten days ago, my parents missed their younger brother too much and meant to come to talk about the old days with my second uncle taking advantage that they were not busy. But without asking for the reason, you tied up my dad and sent him to the yamen and threatened my mom saying you¡¯d also send her in. My mom was so scared that she hid home for quite a couple of days, and then she found she got blisters all over, and you happen to know how to use poison. You must have done something to her! Today you have to give me an explanation. Or, I¡¯¡¯ ask second grandpa and the old patriarch to hold the justice for me. I¡¯ll let you also have a taste of being in jail!¡±


    Shaking off her mother, Ling Xiaoying moved forward and angrily accused of him while pointing at his nose, and that kind of delicate little face had already been distorted due to hatred and jealousy.


    ¡°Oh? Your parents missed my parents? Why didn¡¯t I know they are so close? All those years, what kind of life my parents lived in that family, I guess whole village should know it! Anyone who has the brain would never think it that way. Maybe, seeing that our days are getting better and better, they planned to seek gratuitous financial help from us! Don¡¯t forget that¡¯s what you have ever done before. That time, I earned some money through selling fish, I bought some clothes for my sons and some meat for my man, you came to my place to make a scene, and you even snatched away my well-fried meat! I guess everyone here should have heart of that. And now you let your mom wear a mask and come again slandering me of having poisoned her on the day that I invited so many guests. Ling Xiaoling, do you really take me as a pushover, Huh? All right. I don¡¯t care whether you go to the village head or the old patriarch, or even the yamen, I¡¯ll just wait here. I¡¯d like to see what proof you have that I poisoned your mother!¡±

 Chapter 199

    If he couldn¡¯t even handle such a little vicious girl, he wouldn¡¯t be Ling Jingxuan! While refuting her, Ling Jingxuan still didn¡¯t forget to agitate those onlooking villagers, after all, those things they had done were known to all, right?


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°Lady Jiang, Ling Xiaoying, don¡¯t you go too far!¡±


    Before Ling Xiaoying had time to talk back, Lady Wang¡¯s angry voice suddenly came out from the manor. People all looked over and saw that she was followed by a large group of people, including Ling Chenglong and his sons, two buns, people of Wang family, servants and maids at home, and Ling Jingxuan¡¯s guests, almost all the people were out.


    Lady Wang stormed over between them. Without asking why, she pointing at her nose and shouted, ¡°Lady Jiang, you shameless b*tch! That day, you said you missed Chenglong while threatening me and even beating my servants, and you made a scene at my gate and wouldn¡¯t leave even when we asked you to leave! What? You see that we have so many guests today and want to make trouble again? Pah! Do you even have a little bit face? You b*tch! Who gave you the damn face?¡±


    She was kind of occupied by super anger now. Never thought that those people still hadn¡¯t given up, always thinking how to trip them up, only wishing them to die. Do they owe them something? Jingxuan said right. She should be more shameless than them! Anyway, she seldom went out now. Whatever people said about her was not her concerns. She is a shrew, so what? If she didn¡¯t perform shrewd enough, this family would have no way of living!


    Of course, she did not know about the thing of Ling Jingxuan having poisoned her, otherwise, with her good nature, she would not be so mad.


    ¡°Second aunt, you see clearly, it¡¯s not that I am not deliberately looking for trouble, it¡¯s because Ling Jingxuan poisoned my mother!¡±


    ¡°Hum¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Being scolded by her like that, the last never of Ling Xiaoling got broken. She pulled her mother over and pulled off the facecloth on her face. After seeing her toad-like swollen face, not only those onlookers, even Lady Wang and others gasped on seeing it, and all couldn¡¯t help taking a few steps back. Lady Jiang who finally noticed what was going on made a scream, covered her face and hid behind her daughter, tears flowing down her face without her own control, body also trembling hard.


    A girl will doll herself up for him who loves her. Even if it was a rough village women, she would feel self-abased for her ugly face. Anyhow, she was not ugly before and only looked like this because of those scary blisters on the face. People¡¯s reaction was like cutting her flesh.


    Even Yan Shengrui picked his eyebrows, since the only ones who had no any scared feeling was Ling Jingxuan and¡­Chu Ci and his son. The former, the poisoned was made by him, so he was cleared than anyone how it would be like when the poison took effect, and the latter, they had already seen too many even scarier scenes, so this was nothing. But, though they weren¡¯t scared, the few little buns behind all got jump scare. His intuition told him that it should be him. It was just that those two women couldn¡¯t find any proof. Given his shallow understanding of Ling Jingxuan, he would never be that kind of woman who would be careless enough to leave any proof for others to sue him.


    One had to say, Chu Cu was a keen and smart person. But what he saw only was a tip of the iceberg about Ling Jingxuan, no, to be more accurate, till now, Ling Jingxuan had never shown his most vicious side. So what everyone saw was only a little bit of him. The true Ling Jingxuan was as dreadful as his codename Soul-chasing in his previous life.


    However, he was not bored enough to apply those tactics to a group of farmers. They might have a chance to see the real him when he was in the face of much more powerful enemies.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that. I don¡¯t deserve it. You said Jingxuan poisoned your mom and it is him? That day, after Jingxuan came back, he didn¡¯t even touch a finger of hers. How would he have ever had the chance to poison her? Besides, many people have seen Jingxuan¡¯s poison, and your father has ever been poisoned. I remember he directly fell down, right? But now, you only came after over ten days, and chose such a day while we are entertaining so many guests. Seen from any angle, you should be holding some ill intention, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Lady Wang who instantly reacted what was happening immediately talked back. If she pinned this on Jingxuan, how would Jingxuan or even the little buns go out?


    ¡°So funny! Why should I frame him? Are you so anxious to protect your son so you are lying? My mother did not go out after she went home that day. She only had body contact with Ling Jingxuan who knows how to use poison! Who else could be it except him?¡±


    Hands around her waist, Ling Xiaoying also wouldn¡¯t give up, and insisted that her mom got poisoned by Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°Mom, take it easy, right and wrong, there¡¯d be the judgment. Dad, take care of mom.¡±


    Before Lady Wang said anything more, Ling Jingxuan took the opportunity of supporting to slightly pinch her arm, and only turned to Ling Xiaoying after handling her over to Ling Chenglong who was also very mad now, ¡°I only have two questions, first, your mom is already like that, as her unmarried daughter, why do you bring you out here? Under such circumstances, shouldn¡¯t it be your grandpa come with her? At least, your grandma or your brothers. Second, since you insist that your mom got poisoned, and it is my big brother. I don¡¯t know if you have the doctor¡¯s diagnosis proving that it was my big brother?¡±


    Intellectuals are intellectuals. He seemed much milder than Lady Wang, but every word of his got right to the point. Ling Xiaoying¡¯s face changed, and she subconsciously took two steps back. It was true that she had heard that Ling Jingxuan was entertaining the guests today this morning, thinking that her assumption should be correct, she only planned to claim justice for her mom and also make Ling Jingxuan lose all his reputation before so many people, but didn¡¯t consider so much. Now being questioned by Ling Jingxuan, she felt perplexed. The diagnosis only said it was only chicken pox, but no proof showed that it was Ling Jingxuan. Everything was only her reasonable deduction, and she was eighty percent sure it was him. But, who would believe such kind of conclusion?


    Judging from her appearance, people knew she should have no proof at all. So those onlookers all looked at her suspiciously. So is it true like what Lady Wang and her son said? She deliberately picked such a day to come find fault for them? Then what was going on with Lady Jiang? Why did she suddenly grow chicken pox without a reason? If it was really chicken pox, shouldn¡¯t she have associated symptoms like having a fever or what? But she didn¡¯t show any symptoms. But you said she was poisoned, they got no proof at all. How to prove it?


    And as the party that got involved, Ling JIngxuan no longer said anything after Lady Wang rushed out. Judging from his frank faint smile, he really didn¡¯t look like that one who used poison on others, but more like an onlooker who was watching it for fun. So what was going on?Everyone on spot was confused, having no idea whose fault it is. But the only thing they were sure was this was a wonderful drama!

 Chapter 200

    ¡°Lady Jiang seems to have chickenpox. I think it must be that the mother and daughter are jealous of them, so they deliberately chose such a time to come to disgust them. Tut~ Ling Xiaoying is still waiting in the boudoir to be betrothed. What? Doesn¡¯t she want to get married?¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily true, Ling Jingxuan knows about how to use poison, and we all know he is also heartless. I think that might not be chickenpox, but more like poisoned. But how could the poison show effect till now?¡±


    ¡°No matter what, I guess the old xiucai would lose face again.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, haha¡­¡±


    Among the crowd came people¡¯s laughter with schadenfreude. Those people were so boring. Usually, they¡¯d pass time by gossiping this and that. In recent one or two months, the most relish thing should be the drama between the old xiucai and Ling Jingxuan. Besides, poor people more or less held some hatred of the rich. As they saw that someone they used to look down upon now built a big manor and bought a crowed of servants and maids, of course they¡¯d feel so unfair and generate some kind of jealous feeling, only wishing he would go bankrupt the next morning.


    ¡°What proof? My mother¡¯s face is the best proof, you see, her face is like this, if it is not poisoned, who will believe it? In our village, except you son of a b*tch Ling Jingxuan, who would have time to make poison?¡±


    Blushing under everyone¡¯s staring, Ling Xiaoying directly pressed her luck. She pulled Lady Jiang who was behind her over, and used all her strength to pry open her hands covering the face. Ignoring her pains and embarrassment, she just let her expose her swollen face with pus flowing down exposed before everyone. A lot of people frowned on seeing that, not for Lady Jiang¡¯s face, but for Ling Xiaoying¡¯s behavior. How could a teenage girl be so heartless? Did she see how embarrassed her mother is? Didn¡¯t she know this would only make her mother more awful? She even treated her own mother like that, let alone others.


    Gradually, most people switched to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s side, at least, Ling Jingxuan would never treat his mother like that. And even if others provoked him or what, he¡¯d show some mercy.


    ¡°No, Xiaoying, let¡¯s go back, I¡¯m begging you¡­ Xiaoying¡­¡±


    Lady Jiang begged her own daughter, with tears dripping down. Now she was scared of Ling Jingxuan to the extreme. How would she still have the guts to find trouble with him? If it hadn¡¯t been that her daughter kept persuading her by saying that even if she was not poisoned, before so many people, Ling Jingxuan who had not bad medical skills would cure her. She only promised to come with her to save consultation and medicine fee. But never expected that, things were not as they had anticipated at all. Now they became the ones that got humiliated. Now she already didn¡¯t expect Ling Jingxuan to cure her, but only wanted to run away and hide in a place no one could find her.


    You make the bed that you lie in. If it hadn¡¯t been that she always thought of taking advantage of someone else, how would she have ended up like this?


    ¡°Go back now? Don¡¯t you think about it? Your face is poisoned by Ling Jingxuan and only he has the antidote! We can¡¯t go back now. We should let people see how vicious he is to have turned you into this!¡±


    Now Ling Jingxuan already forgot about whether that was her mother or not. She pulled her to show people her face, especially Ling Jingxuan¡¯s guests. What she knew was her doing now was much more vicious than Ling Jingxuan, or one could say she had already lost her humanity. For her own jealousy in the heart, she pushed her own mother to this step. What is the different between her and an animal?


    ¡°I guess she is not poisoned, but more like having leprosy.¡±


    The ethereal voice suddenly fell from the sky, and everyone was shocked. Following the direction of the voice, they saw a very beautiful man in white embroidered brocade robes who was holding Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eldest son Ling Wen looking at them with a cold look. How could people in the countryside have ever seen such a beautiful figure? Completely like a fairy, OK? Almost everyone could not help but be amazed by his beauty, including the aggressive Ling Xiaoying, whose distorted little face was strangely flushing now.


    Chu Ci slightly frowned, and swept over at them with a cold face, he knew that he was pretty, but¡­ do they have to be so exaggerating?


    Standing on one side, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan raised their eyebrows. With an eye exchange, they saw amused feeling under each other¡¯s eyes. Are the women of the old Ling family all anthomaniac? Last time when Ling Chenghua saw Yan Shengrui, her vagina nearly crawled out of her pants. And now Ling Xiaoying¡¯s turn? Or is chu Ci really too beautiful?


    ¡°Childe, may I know who you are?¡±


    Slightly withdrawing the former shrew appearance, Ling Xiaoying asked, blushing, of course, that was what she thought, in the eyes of others, she was no difference from a b*tch in its oestrous period.


    ¡°You have no qualification to know.¡±


    Also arrogant, but in a total different way. That day, Yan Shengrui¡¯s attitude toward Ling Chenghua was overbearing and unreasonable, but Chu Ci¡¯s attitude was indifferent and cold, so cold that it had no temperature at all. Ling Xiaoying¡¯s face instantly turned pale. And those onlookers all snickered while gossiping. Who dare to marry women from the old xiucai¡¯s family? Look at each of them! If someone married any of them home, wouldn¡¯t he wear a green hat every night?


    ¡°Instead of having the heart to make a scene here, and even ignoring the basic reservedness as a woman to ask my name, why don¡¯t you take your mother home first? As far as I know, leprosy is not curable, and highly contagious, which belongs to a plague.¡±

 Chapter 201

    Totally ignoring how much psychological harm he¡¯d bring to the other side, Chu Ci just said so indifferently. Of course, there must be some exaggerating part. What he wanted was a favor Ling Jingxuan owed him. Don¡¯t blame him for calculating him everywhere. Someone born with that kind of background, he had already learnt about how to calculate others in his mother¡¯s womb, otherside, he¡¯d only end up being calculated by others and death was the only end.


    ¡°Huh¡­ the plague¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah? Plague? Run¡­¡±


    ¡°Damn Ling Xiaoying, even if you wanna die, don¡¯t drag us!¡±


    ¡°Run, run, plague¡­¡±


    On hearing the word plague, and highly contagious, the villagers all got so frightened and turned to run instantly, even the guests behind Ling Jingxuan quietly took several steps back. The plague for them was a terminal illness, and not long ago, in the town just had the outbreak of a plague, almost no one doubted Chu Ci¡¯s words. Everyone was only thinking of surviving and not to get infected by her!


    ¡°You, you¡­ my mother is not having leprosy, or the plague. Don¡¯t talk nonsense. Mom, you tell them, Ling Jingxuan has poisoned you! He made you like this! Say it!¡±


    Ling Xiaoying¡¯s eyes already turned all red due to super anger, as she yelled like a maniac, she turned around to grab her mother¡¯s arm, red eyes stained with blood streaks. Lady Jiang looked at her own daughter who looked like having changed into another person like a dull. Since when her daughter had become like this? Did her daughter really hate Ling Jingxuan so much?


    ¡°Xiaoying, let¡¯s go home. I don¡¯t want any antidote. I only want to leave here, OK?¡±


    At this moment, Lady Jiang finally had a little conscience, holding her daughter¡¯s hand, she begged her daughter, she did not want anything, as long as her daughter could go back to the previous appearance, and then find a good family to marry in. Really, she didn¡¯t want anything else, also already had no guts wanting anything.


    ¡°What? Ling Jingxuan has turned you into this, and that guy said you are having leprosy, and we just go like this? Do you know consequences we¡¯d be facing? No, I can¡¯t leave like this! It¡¯s all because of Ling Jingxuan! He has to pay!¡±


    Ling Xiaoying had lost her mind. How could she ever hear her entreaties? With a finger pointing at Ling Jingxuan, she got her face written with jealousy and resentment. It was obvious that she had added the insult she had taken from Chu Ci on Ling Jingxuan, only wishing he would die the next second.


    Ling Chenglong and his wife really had no heart to see that. But as they were about to stand out, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui raised their hands at the same time to stop them. Then they could only turn their eyes to Lady Jiang. They were waiting¡­waiting for her choice. If she still had a little bit conscience, for the sake that she had taken enough insult today, they wouldn¡¯t want to push her too hard. On the contrary, don¡¯t blame them for being too heartless.


    Totally ignoring the psychological fluctuations of Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan at all, slowly, Ling Jiang¡¯s eyes were full of her daughter¡¯s crazy and distorted face. After the heartache, a twisted and sick thought came into her mind. If, if she could help her daughter solve Ling Jingxuan, would she regain her former appearance? As soon as this idea appeared, it took root and germinated in her mind quickly, grew up. Anyone who had a little sharp eyes, like Shopkeeper Zhang, Chu Ci and his son, they all couldn¡¯t help shaking their heads. They are really mother and daughter. Unworthy to show mercy on at all!


    ¡°It is you, that day you poison me. Ling Jingxuan, if you do not cure me, I will kill myself before your gate!¡±


    Suddenly, Lady Jiang withdrew her fear and yelled at Ling Jingxuan with a finger pointing at him, and her already swollen face with blisters all over instantly looked scarier. The corner of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s mouth curved into a cruel bloodthirsty curve, ¡°Jinghan, Jingpeng, bring them in. I will handle everything here.¡±


    Some scenes were not suitable for them to see.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Ling Jingpeng hesitated to look at the mother and daughter who had already gone crazy, worried. But Ling Jingxuan moved forward to grab his younger brother, ¡°Hmm, big brother, brother Rui, be careful.¡±


    Then the brothers, holding their father and mother, beckoned the guests back to the courtyard and looked at them through the closed iron gate.


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    Ling Wen and Ling Wu held by Chu Ci and his son separately looked at their parents with worried in their eyes, only afraid they got bullied by bad people. Chu Ci lowered his head to look at them, saying solemnly, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Your father wouldn¡¯t get bullied by anyone. They are not your father¡¯s match.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    What he said was reasonable. But looking at those two crazy women, how could they really feel settled? The two buns bit their lips, staring at their father and daddy without even blinking.


    They had all left, and before the gate instantly felt emptied. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui walked toward the mother and daughter shoulder by shoulder, with kind of horrible feeling all around them, and even the temperature around seemed to have dropped a few degrees. The mother and daughter, holding each other, took steps back. Like having noticed the fear under the heart, Ling Xiaoying suddenly held out her chest and pretended to be fearless, ¡°What do you want? You wanna get physical with us women under the broad daylight? Ling Jingxuan, tell you what. Others may be afraid of you, but not me! If you dare touch a finger of us, everyone of the Ling village wouldn¡¯t let you go!¡±


    The more she said, the more confidence she gave herself, and her voice also became louder. Actually those villagers who ran away didn¡¯t leave, but still watched them from far away. That was where her confidence came from. She assumed that Ling Jingxuan wouldn¡¯t dare beat them under so many pairs of eyes.

 Chapter 202

    ¡°What? Did you say you are gonna kill yourself before our gate? I have cleared a big space for you. Lady Jiang, please.¡±


    Throwing a cold look at her, Ling Jingxuan then turned his sharp-as-a-knife eyes to Lady Jiang who threatened her. A moment ago, he thought she was only an ignorant village woman and meant to ignore them, but only gave them some slight punishment so they wouldn¡¯t come make trouble again. But never thought she was such an intriguing woman trying to frame him up. Since so, why should he show mercy?


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    The mother and daughter stared at him in disbelief, as if to say, why aren¡¯t you afraid?


    Indeed, if it were someone else, one might have even wetted the pants already! But who is Ling Jingxuan! How would he ever take the threat from two village women?


    ¡°If you wanna die, no one will stop you! My new house happens to need some human blood to increase some horror feeling, in case some people always try to make trouble here. If you don¡¯t wanna die, then let¡¯s go to the village head and the old patriarch and ask them to hold the justice for us.¡±


    His callous tone told them plainly that it was no longer a question of whether they would compromise, but whether he would spare them.


    ¡°Go then! Do you think we are afraid of you? You poisoning my mom is a fact. Even if you accuse of us before the emperor, I am not afraid.¡±


    Quietly pulling her mother who started to shrink back again, Ling Xiaoying wore the appearance of ¡°I¡¯ll definitely beat you¡¯. As long as they insisted that he poisoned her mother, what could they do? Today was the best chance to kill Ling Jingxuan! She wouldn¡¯t miss it so easily!


    ¡°Huh? You really have a big face? You even wanna see the emperor? Not even next life!¡±


    Yan Shengrui looked at her with disdain, like looking at an ant. Now knowing why, on hearing she mentioned the imperial family, he just felt super pissed off. Does she even deserve to mention it?


    ¡°You¡­hum, stop being a slick talker. When we go before the village head and the patriarch, you¡¯d suffer!¡±


    Ling Xiaoying was furious. Perhaps she had suffered enough insults today. She soon forgot about the sniping of Yan Shengrui and smirked with naked pride.


    ¡°No need, they¡¯re already here.¡±


    Looking at a group of people in a hurry to run over from afar, Ling Jingxuan sarcastically raised the lips. He didn¡¯t have the time to go to them.


    Hearing him, Ling Xiaoying and her mother turned around at the same time and saw that over ten people under the lead of her grandpa, Ling Qicai and the old patriarch were striding over, including Ling Chenghu who looked a lot haggard and his sons were also among, and the elders, Ling Chengcai, Ling Jinghong who were serving her grandpa by the bed and other few strong young men.


    ¡°Grandpa, you finally came, Ling Jingxuan¡­¡±


    ¡°Pa!¡±


    Thinking their savior was here, Ling Xiaoying hurriedly took her mother to meet them, but before she finished her words, the furious old man mercilessly threw a slap in her face. Covering her face, Ling Xiaoying popped out her eyes with disbelief. How is it possible? Why did he beat her? Today was not her fault. They should be clear of that. Why beat her without a reason?


    ¡°A troublesome thing! Who sent you here? Don¡¯t you think we¡¯re not embarrassed enough, huh? Move you¡¯re a*s back home!¡±


    The old man stared at the mother and daughter madly. Heavenly knows how suspicious and shocked they were when they saw that the old patriarch and a few elders were walking toward their house before they arrived home after picking up Ling Chenghu from town. After making clear what had happened, he sad so mad that he nearly passed out. With his savings and the money he sold his land for, he finally bailed his third son out. Now they still dared to make trouble here. Do they really think they are super rich? Every time they came to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s place, they¡¯d take a beating or suffer losses. Why they still don¡¯t know to behave? Why has he given birth to such a bunch of useless things?


    ¡°Why? Grandpa, apparently it¡¯s Ling Jingxuan who poisoned my mom! Look at my mom¡¯s face! Shouldn¡¯t come claim the antidote? Grandpa, since we were little, you taught us to be filial to our parents. Now my mom is like this, as her daughter, did I do it wrong to hold justice for her?¡±


    Ling Xiaoying totally feared no one now. Without thinking, she pushed Lady Jiang who was hiding behind her back before them. After seeing her face clearly, everyone got scared and took a few steps back, including Ling Chenghu and Ling Jingren.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    Ling Chenghu never expected that, only a few days in detain, his wife had turned into such appearance. To be honest, he was really scared.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening? Don¡¯t you know, dad? The day when you came here, mom got poisoned by that son of a b*tch Ling Jingxuan!¡±


    Their shocking appearance gave Ling Xiaoying a lot of courage. They thought they believed what she said, so her words were harsher, but the word filial sounded so ironic when coming out of her mouth.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s impossible. Ling Jingxuan¡­¡±


    Ling Chenghu subconsciously wanted to say Ling Jingxuan did not get close to them at all. How could he have poisoned her? But on thinking that it was his wife and daughter, if he said so, it meant to indirectly sentence them to death. So he swallowed those words that were nearly at the mouth back. Whatsoever, they had to get out of here first. Ling Jingxuan was too heartless. He had suffered enough from him. Until now, his butt was still painful like hell. He didn¡¯t want his daughter to take this like him.


    ¡°What do you mean by saying impossible? My mom said it herself. How could it be false?¡±


    In spite of her father¡¯s mood, Ling Xiaoying contradicted him in a shrill voice. Old Lord Ling gave her a stern look and lifted his eyes to look at Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui nearby. His eyes could not help flashing. To be honest, he was also afraid of them. If possible, he¡¯d rather not visit each other all their lives. But¡­Alas! That was his family¡¯s misfortune!


    ¡°Big brother, I don¡¯t think it is that simple. Maybe we should bring Chenghu¡¯s wife and daughter home first. Ling Jingxuan invited a lot of guests today. As the elder, we should show him some face. Even if it¡¯s really him, we can talk about it after today, otherwise, our old Ling family will really become famous throughout the whole Datong town.¡±


    Afraid that he would get ashamed into anger and did something silly again, Ling Qicai leaned over and said in whispers. He always felt that something wasn¡¯t right about this. They had ever seen how Ling Jingxuan¡¯s poisoned worked. Totally unlike Lady Jiang¡¯s symptoms. Besides, why did she have the poison attack no sooner or later, but right at the time while they were away from home? He didn¡¯t think Lady Jiang and Ling Xiaoying were some well-behaved people. What if they took act rashly and offended Ling Jingxuan, then¡­they¡¯d also suffer with them.


    ¡°Well, what you said is reasonable.¡±


    Ling Qiyun gently nodded. He had seen what Ling Jingxuan, including Ling Jinghan, were capable of. Before they were one hundred percent sure, he wouldn¡¯t take the initiative to provoke them, and his home couldn¡¯t suffer another blow.


    ¡°Are you finished? Is it my turn now?¡±


    No one noticed when Ling Jingxuan moved over and suddenly opened his mouth, with bitingly coldness in his eyes. Anyone who looked into his eyes, be it old or young, all had a shudder in the heart and hurriedly looked away. Now Ling Jingxuan was already not someone they could cope with.

 Chapter 203

    ¡°Ahem¡­Today is my daughter-in-law¡¯s bad. For the sake that they are just some ignorant women, give them a chance. After going home, I will strictly discipline them and won¡¯t let them show up before you so easily.¡±


    Ling Qiyun made a few unnatural coughs. Under such circumstances, he had to lower his head to apologize. After Chenghu¡¯s thing, he was really scared.


    ¡°What will you use to promise me? As the saying goes, don¡¯t make the same mistake three times. Feel your heart and ask yourselves. How many times have they made a scene here? With the excuse that they are just some ignorant women and you want me to let it go? Isn¡¯t it too easy? According to your theory, if I let a few women make a scene at your place now and then, will you also let it go saying that they are only some ignorant women?¡±


    Not accepting it at all, Ling Jingxuan said using sarcasm. He had ever given them a chance, but they didn¡¯t know to cherish it. Then don¡¯t blame him now.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a xiucai? How could there be such easy thing? They framed Jingxan and made a scene here, apparently holding some ill intention seeing that we got so many guests here today! Why should we let go of them? If it were you, will you spare those who try to frame you up?¡±


    Giving them no chance to rebut, Yan Shengrui added those words which were no less harsher than Ling Jingxuan¡¯s.


    ¡°Who framed him? Who¡¯s making a scene at your place? If it hadn¡¯t been that Ling Jingxuan poisoned my mother, I will never come even if you beg me!¡±


    Before everyone could speak, Ling Xiaoying jumped out again. Everyone on spot couldn¡¯t help feeling speechless, only wishing to stuff her mouth with something now. What is wrong with her? Got her head kicked by a donkey? Didn¡¯t she see that they were trying to patch it up? Did she want to make it irremediable? Did she think the present Ling Jingxuan was still that pushover they could bully as they wanted like before?


    ¡°Shut up, Jingren, Jingyu, shut her mouth. See how I lesson her after going back!¡±


    Ling Qicai yelled angrily. Ling Jingyu and the other two could only step forward on hearing that. They also felt mad in the heart. Before they went out this morning, they told them not to go out and wait for them to go back, but¡­


    ¡°Let me go, uh-uh¡­¡±


    Ling Xiaoying who got caught struggled, but she was a woman after all, how could ever be the match of three men? Ling Jingyu and Ling Jingren held each of her arms and wrung it behind her back. The youngest Ling Jingxuan felt out the handkerchief out of her and stuffed it into her mouth, and the shrill suddenly disappeared.


    From the beginning to the end, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan only watched aside coldly. They were not stupid. They were just doing it to show them. Do you really think they cannot see it?


    ¡°It all blames for my bad discipline. Sorry for the trouble. I hope you can spare them this time. If there¡¯s next time, I promise I will stay out of it. You can do whatever you want to them.¡±


    Biting his teeth, Ling Qiyun again lowered his gesture. He bent down to make a bow to make an apology. Ling Jingxuan have a snort, ¡°I¡¯d like to let go of them. But I just don¡¯t know if the magistrate will let you go. As far as I know, I¡¯m afraid Lady Wang has caught some kind of strongly contagious plague. What do you think Lord Magistrate will do if he knows?¡±


    Whether it was plague, whether it was contagious, whether he had informed the magistrate, only heaven knows except him. Even if they might know some day in the future that he lied to them, before that, they¡¯d stay in panic for some time.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Ling Qiyun was horrified and wide opened his eyes. Meanwhile, others all reflectively moved as far as they could away from Lady Jiang who had blisters all over her face, including her husband and sons. Lady Jiang only felt her heart was aching. She cried, ¡°No, it¡¯s not true! Doctor Zhou said it¡¯s just chickenpox! It¡¯d get better in a few days. Not plague! Dad, Chenghu, you got to believe me!¡±


    At this moment, Lady Jiang finally said the doctor¡¯s diagnosis, but her husband and sons were still wearing that scared and disgustful expression. A married woman ended up like this. Is there anything sadder? Especially in an era where men were like heaven. Lady Jiang now finally knew how far she had gone. Pity that it was already too late.


    ¡°She¡­she really got the plague? Is there a cure?¡±


    Ling Qicai who was the first to react subconsciously turned to look at Ling Jingxuan, they all knew that he had some medical skills, and pretty good.


    ¡°Never mind, if you don¡¯t believe it. Anyhow, I have sent someone go to the town to inform the magistrate. Not long ago, a plague just broke out in Datong town. It¡¯s not impossible that it¡¯d break out again. Originally, for the sake that we were ever related before, as long as they said some nice words, I might have saved her. But now¡­Hum! I am not kind enough to return good for evil. So, fend for yourself. As far as I know, anyone who has physical contact with the plague sufferer will be quarantined. And, he might have the possibility to get infected. As for what would happen at last, I guess you don¡¯t need me to tell you, right?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan twitched his mouth, with undisguised sarcasm under his eyes. He¡¯d save her only if he got a tumor in the head. Anyway, she wouldn¡¯t die but only keep growing blisters, gradually her closest family would stay away from her, her husband abandoned her, her sons left her, making her feel like living in hell. As for Ling Xiaoying, didn¡¯t she insist that he had poisoned her mother? Then he¡¯d let her feel how her mother felt! Today she¡¯d definitely get shut in the room after going home. It was impossible that she¡¯d take a bath. After a few days when the poison attacked her in bed, she¡¯d totally feel how Lady Jiang felt. By then, see how she said it was he who poisoned her, since so many people could prove that he had never had the chance to contact her at all. How would he have poisoned her then?


    Don¡¯t blame him for being too cruel, they forced him to do so. If he didn¡¯t solve her one for all, their home would never stay quiet.


    ¡°You¡­ you hate us so much?¡±


    The old man staggered. If it hadn¡¯t been that Ling Jinghong was quick enough to support him, he should have already collapsed onto the ground. Now, he was like a defeated rooster, already losing the pride as a xiucai.


    ¡°Hate you? You think you deserve it? I told you, as long as you don¡¯t provoke me, I won¡¯t ask trouble for myself. You only have yourself to blame for today¡¯s thing. It has nothing to do with me.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan proudly turned around, his purpose had been achieved, the result was enough to push them to hell.


    ¡°You also had contact with her. Aren¡¯t you afraid that the magistrate will also quarantine you?¡±


    Behind, Ling Qicai¡¯s trembling voice slowly sounded. Ling Jingxuan stopped his steps, and said without turning back, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me clearly? Since I have the prescription, of course I have taken precautions. As for you, I guess I don¡¯t have the obligations to save you, right?¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui took a look at each other, and then left, with the sound of heavy objects falling to the ground behind. But they no longer turned back again. They were not bad people, but also definitely not absolute good people. Others even climbed over their heads to poop, they had no reason not to fight back.


    ¡°You stupid woman!¡±


    After a long time, Ling Chenghu mercilessly knocked Lady Jiang over with a kick, with a turn, threw two slaps in his daughter¡¯s face. They all got involved into this because of what they did today!


    ¡°Ling Qiyun, take them back and lock them up. Do you want our whole village to catch the plague?¡±


    The old patriarch, leaning on a cane, roared from a distance. He was afraid, too, that if it were the plague¡­ the whole Ling village would be over!


    ¡°I¡­ Alas, what are you waiting for? Take them back!¡±


    When had Ling Qiyun ever taken this? He was so mad that he even didn¡¯t want to see anyone from his third son¡¯s family. After saying that, he asked Ling Jinghong to support him to leave. He got to go back to figure out how to deal with people from the yamen.


    Before long, the noisy clearing gradually quieted down, the crowd completely dispersed. This time, the old Ling family would be in a total mess. After this scene, no one would have the balls to make a scene again!

 Chapter 204

    A banquet entertaining the guests got spoiled by those people. They even missed settled time to open the banquet. The first thing after Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan went back in was to order Song Gengniu and others to prepare to start the banquet. Since there were too many people, and in the village, they didn¡¯t have so many etiquettes like men, women and kids under seven shouldn¡¯t share one table. Ling Jingxuan just let people to place that specially-customized rectangle big table in the spacious front yard, women and kids took one table, men were too many and occupied five whole tables, those servants still not included.


    On the banquet, chicken, duck, fish and pork, all meat dishes you could imagine, and a few exquisite bamboo baskets not far away, with white and hot steamed buns and meat-stuffed buns inside. At the tail of each table laid a giant wooden steamer, inside of which the rice made one drool. Such a big banquet should have never been seen in villages. But everyone there had no mood to pick up their chopsticks, since they were still worried about one thing¡ªthe plague Ling Jingxuan just said. So, however delicious the food tasted, it wasn¡¯t more important than their lives!


    ¡°Thank you all for taking the time to come and help me build the house. Sorry to have troubled you. I would like to offer you a toast with a cup of tea instead of wine. If there is any place I need your help, I still have to bother you.¡±


    As if he didn¡¯t feel the eerie quietness at all, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui gave each other an eye, and then nodded at his two younger brothers. Then they all stood up and made a toast to the guests. After saying those words, they spontaneously raised their heads and drank off the tea in the cup. After his two younger brothers sat down, Ling Jingxuan asked, pretending to be confused, ¡°Why don¡¯t you drink?¡±


    Is the plague that terrible? Look at them all so frightened. Come on!


    ¡°Ahem, well, brother Ling, is it true that woman got the plague?¡±


    Everyone felt embarrassed to open their mouths. So Shopkeeper Zhang cleared his throat and asked the doubts under everyone¡¯s heart on their behalf. Over a hundred guests all looked over at him. Ling Jingxuan smiled, ¡°Plague? Where is that? I just lied to them. With my diagnosis, Lady Jiang should have caught some kind of skin disease, the kind hard to cure, but it wouldn¡¯t be contagious. Brother Zhang, rest assured. If you are still worried, later I will give you prescription for clearing away heat and toxic materials in the body, you buy the herbs need from the medicinal shop. Two doses would be enough.¡±


    In front of so many people, he certainly would not say that he poisoned her. As long as someone got infected of that kind of poison, it looked quite horrible, in fact, not infectious at all, and it wouldn¡¯t kill people. Only a kind of poison that specially tortured people.


    ¡°That¡¯s great! It nearly scared me to death. I thought it is really plague. You don¡¯t know, the last plague in the town made everyone jittery. So scary!¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang patted on his chest exaggeratedly. Then everyone who finally got the accurate answer laughed out. The banquet started officially till now, the fragrant meat dishes on the table put an edge on their appetite. And those four tables of workers all ate to their hearts¡¯ content. And the table holding those women and kids were also quite lively, now and then you could hear the sound of them fighting for the food, and occasionally some little kids¡¯ crying sound. The whole courtyard was so alive.


    ¡°Daddy, shall we sit with you?¡±


    Later, Ling Wen and Ling Wu, holding their bowls pitifully, came before their father and daddy. They were the hosts at the table with woman and kids. But¡­Someone always said some harsh words. They could stand it that they totally had no table manners, a woman even just helped the kid pee and poop by holding his legs apart by the table! The toilet was just over there not far away. Their grandma just said she shouldn¡¯t do that by the table, she immediately talked back. They really couldn¡¯t stand it.


    Both the two little buns¡¯ mouths pouted so high that one could even hang a chamber pot on them. Ling Jingxuan threw a look over at that table on the side, then moved his body and pulled them to sit between him and Ling Jingxuan, ¡°I was about to ask someone to call you. In the future, Mr. Chu and your brother Yan will stay home to teach you things. So it¡¯d temporarily save your trouble going back and forth every day. Come on! Use the tea to propose a toast!¡±


    Noticing that they were afraid that he would criticize them for not fulfilling their duty as the little hosts, Ling Jingxuan said that while pouring the tea for them. The two little buns¡¯ attention instantly got shifted, and the pitiful look also disappeared. They both took up the cut and proposed to Chu Ci and his son next to Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Uncle Chu, brother Yan, thank you for teaching us so many things. Thank you!¡±


    The two little buns were quite sensible, and also clever. Chu Ci always wore that ice-cold face to anyone, but only showed that fatherly smile before them.


    Yan Shengrui secretly gave his thumbs-up to Ling Jingxuan behind their back. Impressive! Just a few words and he already relieved their fear. Ling Jingxuan smiled faintly. It¡¯s really no big deal. He just cared about the kids.


    ¡°Daddy, this steamed large intestines with rice flour is so delicious, and the sweet potatoes below are also delicious. Great grandpa, grandpa, have a taste. Every time daddy could come up with a lot of special dishes.¡±


    While eating, the small bun still didn¡¯t forget to entertain everyone. Looking at his mouth covered in oil, everyone couldn¡¯t help laughing out, meanwhile, they also indirectly felt that dish they found so strange at first was really delicious. So everyone ¡®attacked¡¯ at the steamed large intestines with rice flour in the wooden steamer using their chopsticks.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s really not bad. Fat but not greasy, smooth and refreshing. Brother Ling, you came up with this?¡±

 Chapter 205

    As the shopkeeper of a wine shop, in the aspect eating, Shopkeeper Zhang undoubtedly had the final say. After carefully tasting the large intestines, he picked up a piece of the sweet potato from under and put it in his mouth. So sweet and glutinous, which happened to neutralize the grease of the large intestines. If adding some decorations, it would definitely become one of their signature dishes!


    ¡°I just moved my lips, all the dishes were made by the maids under sister-in-law Song¡¯s lead. If you like, eat more. This sweet-and-sour fish is also not bad. And that stewed offal. I added a few herbs in it. Have a taste and see how is it compared with that of your restaurant.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan, smiling, enthusiastically introduced different dishes for him. And whichever dish he mentioned, Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s eyes would move onto that one, followed by his chopsticks, and every now and then showed an amazed expression. He really didn¡¯t expect that Ling Jingxuan¡¯s women cooks were even no worse than their big chefs. Although except that steamed large intestines with rice flour, he had ever eaten the rest dishes, the taste here was different, or he could say much better. The same dishes, how could they make them so differently?


    ¡°Brother Ling, may I see your women cook? These dishes are so good that I wish all the cooks in the restaurant could learn from her.¡±


    Putting down the chopsticks, Shopkeeper Zhang did not hesitate to say, he was also a friend of Ling Jingxuan. So he would say anything he wanted to say and never hid it.


    Ling Jingxuan liked his straightforwardness too, but¡­


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you can¡¯t. They are eating food in the kitchen. Having been so busy the whole morning, even if I am their master, I shouldn¡¯t disturb them now, right?¡±


    Mischievously making a wink, Ling Jingxuan deliberately gave an ambiguous answer. Shopkeeper Zhang who kind of knew about him gave a helpless smile, ¡°What? Are you going to blackmail me again?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make it so scrannel to the ears! Making dishes is also a technique, isn¡¯t it? Will you teach others your special dishes for free? Shopkeeper Zhang, how about we do some business?¡±


    As long as he was uncharacteristically enthusiastic about introducing him to those dishes, he had already set him a trap. Yan Shengrui who had already seen it through couldn¡¯t help smiling in the dark. And Shopkeeper Zhang who finally realized it darkened his face. So he got tricked again?


    ¡°Uncle Zhang is so stupid. My daddy has never gotten up early without any profit. Uncle Chu once said that if something goes strangely, there will be something fishy behind. He becomes so enthusiastic suddenly, didn¡¯t you feel it¡¯s weird?¡±


    Ling Wen rarely showed children¡¯s na?ve side. After saying those words, he covered his mouth and snickered, while Ling Wu who was still busying eating totally had no idea what was happening, and still echoed his elder brother habitually, ¡°Yeah, Uncle Zhang, except us, daddy will be the last person who would be so hospitable to people. You don¡¯t even know this? No wonder you¡¯d often get calculated by daddy.¡±


    Unexpectedly, he was ridiculed by two children under the age of five. Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s facial nerve fell into an unprecedented state of breaking down. Seeing that the initiator of all this was still wearing that frank smile, he felt his teeth were itching. So those daddy and sons were on purpose! Definitely!


    ¡°Enough! Don¡¯t you see your Uncle Zhang is on the edge of having epilepsy? Eat.¡±


    On the other side, Yan Shengrui seemed to be saying something nice, the word epilepsy nearly drove Shopkeeper Zhang crazy. He¡¯d break with this family! Four bullying one! Hum! This is so unacceptable!


    The others did not join in, but the smiles on their faces showed how much fun they had. Shopkeeper Zhang almost used all his will power to control the twitch of his facial nerves, and then he said through his clenched teeth, ¡°Shall we talk about it slowly later?¡±


    Damn it! He should have owed them a lot in previous life!


    ¡°OK, no problem. All right, brother Zhang, I was just kidding. Come on. Let me propose a toast with the tea representing alcohol!¡±


    Enough of the joke, Ling Jingxuan picked the right time to stop. He picked up a cup of tea and drank it off. The banquet was perfect from any aspect, the only thing was there was no alcohol. It was not that he couldn¡¯t afford it, but it was that people were prone to making trouble when being drunk. Besides, it was mostly labor workers today. It¡¯d be a big trouble if they really got drunk and had a fight or what. So from the very beginning, he didn¡¯t plan to prepare any.


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang was not a stingy person, and he was not angry at all actually, just a little depressed. Now he had taken the initiative to apologize, after a little grumble, this matter was over.


    ¡°Uncle Sheng, may I propose a toast?¡±


    As the meal time was getting longer and longer, the atmosphere was also getting more and more lively. While everyone was chatting heatedly, Chu Yan who was sitting next to Chu Ci leaned over and whispered something into his ear. After getting his permission, Chu Yan picked up a cup of tea and came before Yan Shengrui. That pretty face that hadn¡¯t been fully developed showed a slice of nervousness and awe. He was not so familiar with this imperial uncle actually, since most of them time, he was not in the imperial capital. But, as men, be it old or young, they all adored heroes, he was also no exception. So, it was more appropriate to say that he revered of him rather than say he feared of him.


    ¡°Wait until your hands stop shaking.¡±


    Glancing at his shaking hands, Yan Shengrui frowned. He did not know why he was kind of unspeakably upset. He simply did not like seeing him showing any signs of fear.


    As Chu Yan¡¯s heard that, his face turned pale and his hands holding the cup reflectively tightened, an injured feeling flashed across his eyes. Then he quickly covered it up and took a deep look at Yan Shengrui. It seemed that he really had quite a lot of instincts. Even though having lost his memories, he still planned to train him?


    Chu Ci, who was also watching them, tightened his grip on the cup and then sighed helplessly. Is Yan¡¯er destined to go that way? So, if this time, if they could win the support of Shengrui, and a Ling Jingxuan who came from nowhere, will Yan¡¯er and the family¡¯s fate be different?

 Chapter 206

    Except a few specificly related people, no one noticed this small disturbance, but not including the two little buns. Seeing that their father was so rude to Chu Yan who they took as their own elder brother, the two little buns immediately left the delicious food behind and put down the chopsticks and came before their father.


    ¡°Father, how could you treat brother Yan like that? Didn¡¯t you teach us to have manners? He is a guest, while you are the host. What kind of host would treat his guest like that?¡±


    Ling Wen put her hands behind his back, with a face of displeasure, sharp words, angry. The small bun on the other side also hurriedly said, ¡°Yeah, how could father do this? Brother Yan, ignore him. I¡¯ll take you to play with wolf daddy, OK?¡±


    For the first time, they resented their father for an outsider. Yan Shengrui only felt all dark before his eyes. He finally understood how Ling Jingxuan felt when he was scolded by his sons. Feels so awful, but¡­


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand things between grown-ups. I¡¯ll explain to you later.¡±


    Yan Shengrui did not change his attitude just because of his sons¡¯ displeasure. He seemed to have a voice in his heart telling him that he is right. Only when Chu Yan endured what ordinary people couldn¡¯t endure can he survive. He did it for his good!


    ¡°What¡¯s there we don¡¯t understand? Father, don¡¯t think we are children so we are just easy to fool, I saw it with my own eyes. You blamed Brother Yan without a reason, and that¡¯s your bad.¡±


    Ling Wen stood before Chu Yan like a hen protecting its chicken. Seeing that his father still refused to apologize, Ling Wen had undisguised anger and ¡­disappointment in his big round eyes. Fine! The disappointing that wasn¡¯t supposed to ever appear in the kid¡¯s eyes showed up. It looked like he had gone a bit too far. Yan Shengrui felt stuffy in the chest but couldn¡¯t have the heart to blame his son, so he could only turn to wink at Ling Jingxuan for help.


    As Ling Jingxuan who had been enjoying this scene received his signal for help, he could only temporarily suppress his desire for watching a drama and pulled the two little buns to his side, saying in whispers, ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, some things may not be necessarily true even if you see it with your eyes and hear it with your ears. It¡¯s not that your father was blaming your Brother Yan, he was reminding him that a real man shouldn¡¯t expose his obvious timidness before anyone in any occasion. Today, he is facing your father and it¡¯s OK. What if he faces his enemies the other day? His timidness might get him killed. You are still young, so you may not be able to understand what I am saying. But you only need to know your father is not holding any ill intention.¡±


    Unlike Yan Shengrui, when facing his sons, Ling Jingxuan never hid anything, whether they understood him or not, he would convey the information to them, and pass on his wisdom to them. He believed that even if they couldn¡¯t understand now, they¡¯d understood some day in the future. Of course, those words were not only to comfort the little buns, he was also saying them to Chu Yan. As for whether he would get what he was trying to say, that depended on his aptitude.


    ¡°Is that so? If what the eyes see and the ears hear is not real, then what is real?¡±


    Suspiciously moving the eyes around them, Ling Wen obviously still couldn¡¯t believe it. The small bun Ling Wu was still totally on his big brother¡¯s side. Two totally the same little faces revealed the same doubt. Ling Jingxuan found it amused and stretched out his hands to rub their head, ¡°Use your heart, of course. Sometimes, we need to feel it with our heart and see the truth behind things. Do you still remember the question about beautiful and ugly, good and bad? Actually it¡¯s the same thing. We shouldn¡¯t look at things only by its appearance, otherwise, you¡¯d suffer sooner or later!¡±


    Through the whole world, maybe only Ling Jingxuan would say such words to two kids under five. That was his unique way of education.


    ¡°Brother Yan, is what daddy said right?¡±


    The doubt gradually disappeared. Ling Wen looked up at Chu Yan, who was several years older than them. He did not fully understand his daddy¡¯s words, but at least part of it. Brother Yan should totally understand him, right?


    ¡°Hmm, Uncle Ling is right, Uncle Sheng is indeed teaching me in his own way, so Xiaowen and Xiaowu, don¡¯t blame Uncle Sheng, ok? I was wrong. When I can conceal my emotions, I will stand before Uncle Sheng and offer him a cup of tea again.¡±


    Crouching down, after Ling Jingxuan¡¯s explanation, Chu Yan who had thought it through said firmly. He was saying those to the little buns, but also to Yan Shengrui. After knowing his intention, instead of feeling injured, he felt that some kind of unyielding feeling got ignited deep in his body.


    ¡°I¡¯m waiting for that day.¡±


    Casting a faint look at him, Yan Shengrui picked up the cup and took a sip, others didn¡¯t notice it, but Ling Jingxuan saw that some kind of satisfied feeling flashed across his eyes. For that, he felt both happy and worried. It seemed that it was time to put everything above the table with Chu Yi. He would never let his kids get involved in the turbulence some day, or break today¡¯s quietness.


    ¡°Father!¡±


    Seeing that he was still stimulating Brother Yan, the small bun drummed his cheeks while mercilessly threw him a hard stare, then he pulled up the hand of Chu Yan and Ling Wen respectively, ¡°Brother Yan, big brother, let¡¯s ignore father and go hang out with Tiewa and others.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The three left hand in hand. At last, the facial nerves of Yan Shengrui, who was loathed by his son, could not help twitching. Ling Jingxuan laughed with gloat. Usually it was always he who got scolded by his son. But today finally it was his turn to see someone else scolded by his son. And that felt kind of not bad.


    ¡°You are still laughing? Xiaowu will no longer talk to me. Anyway, you have to handle him for me.¡±


    Without his two sons sitting in the middle, Yan Shengrui leaned over shamelessly, using his deep and villainous tone. Ling Jingxuan had all question marks all over the face, ¡°Why? It was you who offended them. Why should I take care of it?¡±

 Chapter 207

    The two little buns were like two chatterboxes when nagging others. He didn¡¯t want to send himself to get ¡®abused¡¯.


    ¡°Come on! Isn¡¯t my thing your thing? Remember when you planned to buy land, I helped you convince Xiaowen. Jingxuan, you wouldn¡¯t be so merciless, would you?¡±


    In front of him, Yan Shengrui was constantly renewing the maximum thickness of his face. See? Here it comes again!


    ¡°That¡¯s totally different things. As for other things, I may consider about it, but definitely not this one. You know about Xiaowen and Xiaowu. I would only get my head cracked if I offer myself to them. Do you think I still haven¡¯t had enough nagging?¡±


    Rolling his eyes, Ling Jingxuan argued back. But he expected that Yan Shengrui, ignoring the presence of hundreds of people, directly opened his mouth and bit his neck, ¡°I won¡¯t let go until you say yes.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan felt dark before his eyes. No word could express his feelings now. Who had ever seen such a shameless big villain? Why doesn¡¯t heaven just kill him with a lightning strike? Why allow him to exist in this world to harm others?


    Seeing his trick was about to succeed, with a slice of evil feeling flashing across his eyes, Yan Shengrui slowly let go, his warm tongue licked those shallow teeth marks he left with affection. Ling Jingxuan nearly moaned on spot. His neck was very sensitive, plus, he hadn¡¯t rolled sheets with anyone all those years, he was already very ¡®thirsty¡¯. If he kept flirting with him like that, he would either knock him out with his poison or throw himself on him.


    ¡°All right, I promise, happy?¡±


    Unbearable, Ling Jingxuan gritted his teeth while pushing him away. Who ever said he is kind of cute when playing rogue? He promised he wouldn¡¯t ¡®kill¡¯ him!


    ¡°Can¡¯t you hold on a little longer? I haven¡¯t licked enough yet.¡±


    Biting his ear, Yan Shengrui¡¯s tone was stained with some kind of noticeably lustful feeling, also became more hoarse and sexy. Ling Jingxuan simply slapped him away, after throwing him a hard stare, he simply switched his attention to Laowang who was sitting not far away chatting with Zhao&Han couple, ¡°brother Wang, is my sister-in-law good? Can you handle everything at home?¡±


    If he did not divert his attention, he was afraid that he would be tempted to use the poison.


    ¡°Ah? Good, very good, all depends on you. Oh right, brother Ling, will you take in any disciple? My big son admires you a lot and keeps saying he wants to take you as his shifu and learn medical skills from you.¡±


    Laowang who suddenly heard Ling Jingxuan call his name was stoned there, but soon, raised a smile of gratitude. Ling Jingxuan should be the savior of their whole family now. So his big son admired him even more.


    ¡°Hehe¡­It is very hard as my disciple, and my strong point is not medical skills, but using poison. If he can bear hardships and you don¡¯t mind your son becoming a master of poison in the future, I can take him in.¡±


    Actually he had already considered about it long ago. He himself didn¡¯t like saying people, but Yan Shengrui was destined to go to the battlefield some day. Before that, he planned to train a few disciples who knew about medical skills to assist him pacify the boarders. Wars were not strange to him. In peaceful times like his, there were also wars. On the battlefield, he was cleared than anyone of a doctor¡¯s use. And that was he could do for him.


    ¡°Of course I wouldn¡¯t mind. It¡¯s also a good thing that he could use poison, at least he wouldn¡¯t be bullied, right? As parents, that¡¯s we wish for.¡±


    Without thinking, Laowang already agreed. Ling Jingxuan nodded, ¡°Then after your baby is one month¡¯s old and your wife doesn¡¯t need him to take care of, let him come live in my place.¡±


    ¡°Ok, thank you, Brother Ling.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that. I also have a good disciple, don¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Ha ha ha¡­¡±


    Two of them laughed, and this thing was almost decided, and on the other table, after the children were full, they already went out to play, the rest of the few women were the Wangs. It was a rare opportunity for Old Lady Sun to meet her two daughters, so she held their hands and talked about the daily life, and Lady Mu also cut in sometimes, the atmosphere was kind of pleasant, but¡­


    ¡°Big sister, Jinghan and Jingpeng have not been engaged, right?¡±


    After throwing the child to her daughter, Lady Han rolled her eyes and pushed unceremoniously to Lady Wang¡¯s side. She took her arm and asked in a voice she thought she was whispering.


    But, everyone heard her, and their faces all sank at the same time. After all Lady Wang was the hostess. She couldn¡¯t let people say that she looked down on her own family after getting rich. So she could only say with a faint smile, ¡°Yeah, but no rush. They said they want to have their career before getting married. Anyway, they are boys, age isn¡¯t a problem.¡±


    In fact, they had never said that, but Lady Wang¡¯s intuition told he that she should be holding some bad intention, so she shut her mouth first.


    ¡°You have already earned so much, why still make a career first? Getting married is the most important. Big sister, you can¡¯t let them do what they want do to. I heard that those intellectuals likes going to places like brothels in twos and threes. Now Jinghan has been recovered, it¡¯s only a matter of time for him to take the exams. Why not find a wife earlier to regulate him?¡±


    But Lady Wang still underestimated the thickness of her face. When she mentioned the brothel, the smile on her face froze. Which parents would like to hear other people say that about their son?


    ¡°You shut up! Do you want Jingui to send you home again?¡±


    The old lady trembled all over with anger. Due to the presence of the guests, she could not speak too loudly. It was inevitable that she would be a little short of momentum, but Lady Han was still in pain from the wound, so she was still scared. Nagging, she left reluctantly.

 Chapter 208

    ¡°Jinhua, ignore her. She got totally paste filled in her head. Our Jinghan finally got recovered, he¡¯ll certainly get a xiucai title for us. And then, as his grandma, I also feel honored.¡±


    After driving away the one who was brainless and kept making them feel uncomfortable, Lady Sun held her daughter¡¯s hand and felt happier as she said, like she had already seen the scene that Ling Jingxuan had been listed.


    ¡°Yes, as his big aunt-in-law, I could also benefit a lot from it. Jinhua, you can¡¯t stand in the way.¡±


    The sophisticated Lady Mu hurriedly echoed aside, and the other two sisters-in-law also nodded in agreement. Then Wang Jinyu who was sitting on the other side of Lady Sun looked at her elder sister while grabbing her hand, ¡°Big sister, mom said right. Jinghan is smart since he was little. Having read books for all these years, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem for him to get listed. Just wait for your good life!¡±


    They all picked those nice words to say, making Lady Wang in such a good mood, ¡°Come on. You already made me expect it now! Mom, why don¡¯t you stay here for a few days with dad? I was useless before, and when you came, I couldn¡¯t entertain you. Now we moved out. And under Jingxuan¡¯s lead, our days are getting much better. Please give me a chance to show my filial piety.¡±


    Thinking of the old days, Lady Wang couldn¡¯t help reddening her eyes again. Lady Sun who cared about her daughter also felt sorry for her. Seeing that, Lady Mu hurriedly embraced her, ¡°Today is a good day. Jinhua, you can¡¯t cry. Mom, you just stay here with for some days. I can take care of things at home.¡±


    ¡°OK, I¡¯ll listen to you. I¡¯ll stay here to live with my big daughter for some time. So I¡¯ll leave everything at home to you. And you help her. We are family and we shouldn¡¯t have some other thoughts, otherwise, we¡¯ll be like the old xiucai¡¯s family sooner or later. Do you remember that?¡±


    Since her daughter and daughter-in-law said so, how could Lady Sun say no? It¡¯s just she still couldn¡¯t help giving her daughters-in-law a warning, especially Lady Han who was sitting aside rolling her eyes.


    ¡°Yes, your daughter-in-law will always keep it in mind.¡±


    Those wives were quite sensible, under the lead of Lady Mu, all nodded.


    ¡°Second sister, why don¡¯t you also stay with the kids? Doesn¡¯t Zhang Yang also go to school? You can let Jinghan teach him. Besides, Xiaowen and Xiaowu¡¯s tutor will also stay here for some time to avoid the summer heat. I heard he is quite learned. Yang can consult him if there¡¯s anything he doesn¡¯t understand. He¡¯d benefit a lot. After Yang gets listed, you and Qing will have your good days.¡±


    Looking up at her younger sister, Lady Wang said so. Her younger sister was kind of miserable. Fortunately her husband¡¯s parents died one after another not long after she married her husband, so she had no parents-in-law to bully her, otherwise, her days would be ever harder.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ okay, it¡¯s just¡­¡±


    Thinking about her widow¡¯s identity, Ling Jinhua was still a bit worried. Under general cases, widows shouldn¡¯t attend any weddings funerals. If it hadn¡¯t been that she was too happy for that her big sister had just built a big house, she wouldn¡¯t have come with her sons. And if she stayed here for a few days, she¡¯d have to face countless gossips against her after she went back home.


    ¡°What? It¡¯s decided already. If you don¡¯t consider it for yourself, you should consider it for the kids. Qing is only thirteen this year. In order to support his younger brother who is two years younger to study, he goes out to do odd jobs for others. You are also ignoring your own eyes and doing weaving and embroidering job day and night. Aren¡¯t you just hoping that Yang can make a rise in life? Mr. Chu is also here, this is a good opportunity that no one else can ask for.¡±


    Sensing her concerns, Lady Wang directly made the decision for her. Before, she was always afraid of this and that, but instead of getting anything good in return, even her sons were looked down upon because of her. Jingxuan said right. She shouldn¡¯t consider too much. People could say whatever they wanted to say, as long as they had a clear conscience.


    For the sake of her son¡¯s future, Wang Jinyu nodded after all. Gossip is never as important as the future of her son. She had seen it through all these years. Even if she had stayed at home and never gone out, had people even stopped badmouthing her? Too many louses and you wouldn¡¯t feel itchy anymore. The worst scenario was she stuffed her ears and didn¡¯t listen to whatever people said.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, Jinyu, I got a lot of words to talk to you. After the guests leave, we can chat slowly.¡±


    Patting her younger sister¡¯s hand, Lady Wang already had tears circling in her eyes, for herself, and also for Wang Jinyu.


    ¡°Big sister, I¡¯ll also stay here for a few days.¡±


    No matter how good the atmosphere was, the rat droppings would spoil it. See? As Lady Han opened her mouth, everyone¡¯s expression instantly darkened again. In case her daughter felt embarrassed, Lady Sun hurriedly said, ¡°No! Go back home! If you keep acting so shamelessly, do you believe that I¡¯ll ask Jingui to repudiate you!¡±


    Lady Sun really got mad this time. You couldn¡¯t say that every aspect of her four daughters-in-law were all good, but only this Lady Han, she always had the way to make her want to slap her in the face, especially that every time she saw her second son¡¯s grimace after seeing her make trouble again and again. And she couldn¡¯t help feeling regretted that why she had chosen such a woman for her son?


    ¡°I¡­Then let Yunya stay to serve you. I know my big sister doesn¡¯t lack of maids, but anyhow, it couldn¡¯t be better than being served by your own granddaughter, right?¡±


    Lady Han made a stop and then suddenly pushed Wang Yunya who was still holding the baby before them. Lady Wang looked at the blushing Wang Yunya, saying with a nod, ¡°Then let her stay. But you have to take the kid away. Yunya is big now. How could you always let her feed the baby?¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯ll take the baby with me.¡±

 Chapter 209

    Then Lady Han pulled her daughter and walked away. Watching their back, the few of them shook their heads helplessly. When could she change her hot temper?


    ¡°Mom, what are you doing? I am holding my little brother. Be slow.¡±


    Being pulled to the backyard all the way by Lady Han, Wang Yunya who was still carrying that meat bun in her arms couldn¡¯t help breathing hard. Lady Han turned to throw her a stare and then grabbed her little son from her arms, and then stretched out a hand to poke on her forehead while swearing in a deep voice, ¡°You silly girl! Even you want to ride over my head now, huh?¡±


    Wang Yunya felt great pains and avoided her hand, and rubbed her forehead. Lady Han looked around, then pulled her over and said carefully, ¡°Silly girl, stop it! Listen to mom. Do you know why I ask you to stay?¡±


    Seeing that her mom was behaving like thief, Wang Yunya asked, ¡°Why? Didn¡¯t you say you want me to stay to serve my grandpa and grandma?¡±


    ¡°Are you nuts?¡±


    Throwing her a hard stare, Lady Han continued in whispers, ¡°Seeing your big aunt is getting so rich, don¡¯t you have any thoughts? Yunya, you are fourteen years old, and it¡¯s time to find a husband. Do you want to marry a rough village man and have your feet planted in the soil the whole life? By then, don¡¯t blame me for not tipping you. Your second cousin Jinghan is already widely known out there for his scholarship. Before he didn¡¯t get listed was all because of his bad health. Today, I have carefully checked it. He has fully recovered, so he will definitely join the examination this winter. If he really becomes a xiucai, those who come to propose may even trample your big aunt¡¯s threshold. Yunya, why don¡¯t we take this opportunity to get doubly related?¡±


    Lady Han who had always forgot to bring her brain out could even come up with such an idea? So she just pretended to look wooden?


    ¡°Double¡­double related? Will that work? But my elder sister Yunyi is still single. Don¡¯t say that again. If others know it, how am I supposed to go out to meet people?¡±


    Speaking of which, Wang Yunya already couldn¡¯t help blushing. Although she said so, in her head already floated Ling Jinghan¡¯s figure, and her face was so red like blood.


    ¡°Bah! Yunying Yunying, which of them doesn¡¯t just think about Yunying? Even your useless father is partial to someone else¡¯s daughter! Yunya, don¡¯t be stupid! Think about it. Once you marry Jinghan, you could not only live in such a big house, but also have so many servants and maids serving you. After Jinghan gets listed as a xiucai, you¡¯ll be the xiucai¡¯s wife. By then, see who dares look down on us! What the hell is Yunying? Just born a few months earlier than you and she takes up the title as the eldest daughter? After you become a xiucai¡¯s wife, see if she dares ride over our heads anymore!¡±


    Lady Han wore a face of total vulgarity, with undisguised jealousy on her face. For the whole life, she might not be able to surpass Lady Mu, but her daughter had the chance. Given her daughter¡¯s appearance, if she took the initiative to seduce Jinghan, wouldn¡¯t it be as easy as shooting fish in a barrel?


    ¡°But¡­will he agree?¡±


    Before, when her mother scolded her, she wouldn¡¯t make any comment. But now, after her mother said so, her heart was touched, and everything in her head now was Ling Jinghan¡¯s figure, nothing else.


    ¡°Don¡¯t care whether he is willing or not, as long as you are willing, mother has plenty of ways to let him marry you.¡±


    Seeing that her daughter had been moved, Lady Han made persistent efforts, full of calculation under that pair eyes. Having lived for tens of years, hadn¡¯t she ever heard a saying ¡®nothing forcibly done is going to be agreeable¡¯? So brainless!


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ oh, I¡¯m so embarrassed¡­¡±


    After all, she was only a fourteen-year-old girl, and not that thick-skinned like Ling Xiaoying. She turned her back against her mother, with her hands covering her face. Lady Han had also even experienced this age. How could she not see what her daughter was thinking?


    ¡°When you get your Mr. Right, you won¡¯t feel ashamed. Silly girl, why should you look ashamed before your mother? Just do as your mother says, and grasp this good chance, and I promise you¡¯ll marry into this big house soon.¡±


    Bending his elbow against his daughter, Lady Han whispered by her ear for quite a while.


    ¡°I will all listen to you, mom.¡±


    The more she listened, the more ashamed Wang Yunya became. At last, she simply stomped her feet and ran out of the house. Lady Han cursed dead girl in her mouth, but she had a relieved smile on her face.


    ¡°Brother, what do they mean? Does that wicked woman want to marry her daughter to second uncle?¡±


    But what they didn¡¯t know was that after they left, the two little buns walked out from a corner. They meant to take Chu Yan to see wolf daddy, but later a few more kids followed. In case they might get frightened, under Chu Yan¡¯s suggestion, they played hide-and-seek. And then they accidentally heard their horrible conversation. Apparently they were kind of angry.


    ¡°Well, she wants Yunya to be our second aunt-in-law, Xiaowu, don¡¯t tell anyone about it. At night, we can tell daddy quietly. He¡¯ll stop it.¡±


    Turning around and pulling his younger brother, Ling Wen cautiously told him that. Although he was young, he also knew the importance of one¡¯s reputation. Isn¡¯t their father a ready-made example? If this thing spread out, their second uncle¡¯s reputation would be ruined.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s tell Dad together this evening. I don¡¯t want that wicked woman¡¯s daughter to be our second aunt-in-law. She said bad things about daddy and made fun of us. I don¡¯t like her.¡±


    The small bun nodded, little cherry lips pouted high, Ling Wen rubbed his head like Ling Jingxuan did, ¡°Neither do I.¡±


    Then, the two brothers left the backyard hand in hand, as to whether Lady Han¡¯s trick would succeed, the answer would be revealed soon.

 Chapter 210

    Both the hosts and the guests ate to the heart¡¯s content. When the workers left, everyone had two oilpaper packages, with pungent and spicy jerky and tapioca balls. Ling Jingxuan had ordered the servants to get them prepared in advance, wanting them to take back home for their kids at home. Although not that much, it was just to show his concern. Everyone looked so happy as they left, and all praised the host was so generous.


    As for Laowang, Guarantor Liu and Shopkeeper Zhang who were close to Ling Jingxuan received five packages of jerky. Ling Jingxuan said that was a dish for them to drink alcohol. After tasting the dishes, they just emblematically said some polite words and accepted it. Shopkeeper Zhang meant to stay to talk about the business with Ling Jingxuan. Someone from town suddenly came, as if there was something urgent. So, having no choice, he could only leave with Guarantor Liu and gave Laowang a ride by the way.


    Seeing that they got so many maids and servants and they could help with nothing, after the meal, Zhao&Han couple also left after asking Long Dashan to take care of Tiewa. Finally, it was only people of Wang family left. For the sake of his mother, when Lady Han tried to humiliate him quite a few times, Ling Jingxuan just didn¡¯t put it in his heart, just taking it as a dog barking. Since the banquet opened late, after sending all the guests away, it was already in the afternoon. No noon nap already, so the whole family directly sat in the central room, drinking tea while chatting.


    ¡°Grandpa, grandma, aunt and cousin Yunya, you live in that empty three rooms. Grandpa, grandma, you two share one. Aunt and Yunya, each of you lives in one. Later I will ask them to clean up the rooms for you. As for Qingzi, you share a room with Jingpeng. Yangzi with Jinghan. You are both intellectuals. So you could study together. Yangzi, if there is anything you don¡¯t understand, you can ask Jinghan. And if there is anything Jinghan doesn¡¯t understand, he could go ask Mr. Chu. Don¡¯t see that he looks so cold, he is quite nice actually. So don¡¯t be afraid.¡±


    Taking this opportunity, Lady Wang told Ling Jingxuan that her parents and younger sister were going to stay for a few days, Ling Jingxuan also did not say no. But when he heard that Wang Yunya was also gonna stay, he cast a glance at her, but didn¡¯t let anyone see the strangeness in his eyes. After thinking for a big, he made arrangements for their accommodations.


    ¡°Ah, Jingxuan is so thoughtful, Yangzi, you have to learn from Jinghan. Don¡¯t feel shy to ask if there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t understand. You can go ask Mr. Chu.¡±


    Hearing the words, Lady Wang felt indescribably happy. His son gave her family face, which also made her have face. Given his son¡¯s personality, that was really a rare thing.


    ¡°Well, thank you, big aunt, big cousin!¡±


    A thin boy, about ten years old, simply dressed, got up and bowed to each of them. He was Wang Jinyu¡¯s little son Zhang Yang, eleven years old, who inherited Wang Jinhua¡¯s good genes, a very elegant and pretty kid. But he only had a bad place of all kids from poor families, his skin was a bit dark, and too skinny. If he could eat good food, maybe he¡¯d grow into a handsome man.


    One had to say that the genes of the Wangs were really good, and the heredity was also very strong. There were few ugly members in this family. They were basically handsome men and beautiful women.


    ¡°Look at this boy. Why still be so polite with your big aunt? Qingzi, you too. Don¡¯t take yourselves as outsiders here. Just make here home. I was useless before, so when you came, I can¡¯t even entertain you with some pastries or what. Although we are so super rich, at least we are on our own and can make decisions for ourselves.¡±


    Speaking of which, Lady Wang already reddened her eyes. Every time she thought about those days being bullied, she felt aching in her heart, only regretting that why she had been so stupid and let those people bully them for so many years.


    The whole room instantly quieted down, everyone¡¯s good mood had been affected. Ling Jingxuan held his forehead, hurriedly tried to comfort her. Lady Wang was all good, but only a bit too sentimental. If going on like this, it¡¯d do bad to her eyes, and she might even suffer from depression, by then, it¡¯d be a big trouble.


    ¡°Yeah, mom, our days are just getting a little better. If your eyes go bad for crying too much, then you could never see how much money we¡¯ll earn in the future.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng hurriedly followed up, Ling Jinghan leisurely said after putting down the cup slowly, ¡°Mom, people say that men will become bad after getting rich. If you get ills or in bad health, maybe dad will marry another woman to enjoy the good life on your behalf.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, little bastard?¡±


    ¡°Bah! Bah! Bah! You silly kid, how can you curse your mom like that?¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Their conversation amused everyone at the moment, and that little bit displeasure already totally disappeared, then everybody talked about things about the crops, the overall atmosphere was good, it was just that when Lady Han occasionally opened her mouth, the smile on everyone¡¯s face froze. After quite a few times, maybe she also noticed it herself, later, she only kept her mouth shut and never said another word.


    ¡°Big uncle, you plan to open a shop in town?¡±


    Their topics never went away from crops. So Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t want to say anything. But when Ling Jingxuan heard that Wang Jinfu said that he wanted to open a shop in town, pity that he had no friends and didn¡¯t know what business to do, he finally cut in.


    ¡°Well, you know, your big cousin and second cousin are both in their twenties. Next year, Yunyin should also get married. Too many places need money. These years, we have saved a few tales of silver. So I am thinking to rent a shop in town to do some small business. So when in slack season, we could at least have some income.¡±

 Chapter 211

    Unlike others, Wang Jingui cared about Ling Jingxuan the nephew very much, not just because he was his biggest nephew, but also because of his talent and sufferings. That year, when his younger sister ran home begging for their parents to find them a place to live, clearly he knew that the reputation of their Wang family would be ruined, he still nodded to agree first, and then brought his parents and brothers to go to the old Ling family to reason with them. In the past five years, he often sent things like food or clothes over and asked his younger brother to bring it to them. Now seeing that his big nephew lived such a good life after so many pains, he was happier than anyone. But he was a man, he wouldn¡¯t express it with tears.


    ¡°I see. As far as I know, our Datong town is poor, but the prices are comparatively high, especially renting a shop. How about I give you some advice? You don¡¯t have to rent a shop. You can rent one after you earn enough money, do you say?¡±


    Touching the chin, after a little meditation, Ling Jingxuan said with a smile, in his memories, his few uncles were all good, at least when the original owner was in distress, they all lent him a hand. So for the sake of his mom, he didn¡¯t mind doing them a favor.


    ¡°Really? What is it?¡±


    Hearing him, not just Wang Jinfu, almost all the eyes turned to him at the same time. Why doesn¡¯t want to make money? But they were farmers, it was hard to earn money even if they wanted to. Now there was a little hope, how would they not feel excited?


    ¡°Our Datong town has convenient transportation. There are non-local traders on the wharf all the year round, and there are also labor workers. Why not set up a food stall near the wharf and sell some things like noodles and stews?¡±


    There are many ways to make money, it only depends on whether they are willing to use their brains or not.


    ¡°Will that do? I remember there are a lot of food stalls there. Will the business be good?¡±


    Wang Jinfu frowned slightly, while the others could not hide their disappointment. When it was the slack season, they would go to the dock to look for some labor work. They knew a lot about that area and their intuition told them that it wouldn¡¯t do. The businessmen were all rich people. Who would eat food on a roadside stall? Let alone they got so many competitors here.


    ¡°Hehe¡­It¡¯s hot now, I think selling hot and sour rice noodles is not bad, and with some stewed food, you¡¯d certainly make money, of course, the premise is that you can¡¯t be greedy. You can¡¯t expect to dig a golden doll with only one try, small profits and good taste to bring more regular customers.¡±


    Like he didn¡¯t see their disappointment at all, Ling Jingxuan continued saying his own idea, as far as he knew, there was no hot and sour rice noodles stall there. Last time he taught Sister-in-law Song to do some, and everyone at home liked it. But since the small bun had a running stomach for eating too much, they had never made it ever since. As for the stewed food, compared with those people¡¯s stewed soup that only used some old ginger, peppercorns, soy sauce and things like that, he made the formula himself. Even Shopkeeper Zhang couldn¡¯t give his thumbs-up after tasting it, let alone others? Whatever kind of food, as long as the taste was good enough, even if you sold it in deep mountains, those foodies would finally find it.


    ¡°What is hot and sour rice noodles?¡±


    All the Wangs were a head of question marks, Ling Wang suddenly patted on her thigh, looking at her big brother with great excitement, ¡°this is good, big brother, you give it a try, Jingxuan said that hot and sour rice noodles are very delicious, certainly easier to make money than noodles, we can sell it at the price of selling noodles, and add a little diced meat. People will buy it!¡±


    ¡°Right, I also think of something. You mean the food Xiaowu still wanted to eat even after having a running stomach after eating too much of it?¡±


    Hearing Ling Jingpeng, Yan Shengrui and others all couldn¡¯t help laughing. Their small bun was good in everything, but only a bit too gluttonous. Maybe it wouldn¡¯t be long before he really turned into a fat meat stuffed bun.


    ¡°As good as that? What kind of food is it?¡±


    With his eyes sweeping around the mother and sons, Lady Mu who sat next to Wang Jinfu asked. To be honest, five years, when Lady Wang came to tell them that Jingxuan got raped and had been pregnant, and the old man of Ling family meant to sink him into the pond, her first reaction was the same as those people of Ling family¡ªIt was already unbelievable enough that a man could get pregnant. And he even ruined his own reputation for getting pregnant. What? Is there any other choice except sinking him into the pond? Or maybe getting their Wang involved into such a big shame?


    But then seeing her husband was in full support, she did not dare to speak out her thought, and when she saw Ling Jingxuan holding such a big belly who was thrown out of the house, the resistance in her heart disappeared at that moment. They were both mothers, so she could feel how Lady Wang felt. At that moment, he also remembered Jingxuan¡¯s gentleness and courtesies. To be, the only thing left was pity, nothing else.


    During the past five years, it was not that she had no idea her parents-in-law, her husband and her husbands¡¯ brothers often secretly assisted her, but she never stopped any of them once. Sometimes, he even quietly stuffed a few copper coins into that package her husband prepare, only wishing that the poor father and two sons could get it over. Today, when she saw him again, she finally felt relieved. He not only got it through, but also lived a better life. And that man by his side looked not bad. So she was happy for Lady Wang from deep in her heart.


    ¡°No matter how much I said, it¡¯s not convincible enough before you taste it yourself. Sister-in-law Song, you take Lady Wu and Lady Zhang to make some, Xiaowen, Mr. Chu and others also should wake up now.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan who had always been a behaviorist signaled Lady Yang who was waiting on aside to come over. Under his order, Lady Yang brought Lady Zhang and Lady Wu to go to the kitchen. They got all ingredients needed at home, so making sour and spicy rice noodles wasn¡¯t a difficult thing. Soon, while they were chatting about others things about the stalls, Lady Yang and the other two came in carrying a few big trays. And the sour and spicy smell instantly came into their nostrils. Apparently it was not time to the next meal, they all felt kind of hungry, with all the craving eyes looking at the small bowls on the trays.

 Chapter 212

    ¡°Wow, it smells good. Daddy, what delicious food do you make this time?¡±


    Before the small bun arrived, his voice sounded first, the next second, a small figure appeared at the door, he went across the door and moved straight to Sister-in-law Song, followed by Chu Ci, his son and Ling Wen who all wore a helpless but doting smile.


    Seeing their arrival, especially they all heard that Chu Ci was quite learned, people of Wang family stood up prudently, even the old man took the initiative to offer the main seat for him, but Chu Ci did not really sit up, but only gently nodded at them, and then took his son and went to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s side to sit down.


    ¡°Everyone, you needn¡¯t stand on ceremony. Just take us as ordinary people.¡±


    ¡°We dare not¡­¡±


    Old Lord Wang swept off the cold sweat with his trembling hand. How dare they treat him as an ordinary man? To be a scholar is to be the top of society. In their eyes, the position of a learned man is very noble, or even sacred.


    ¡°So you are the two things¡¯ tutor? Pretty handsome.¡±


    None of the Wangs dared to speak, and they even felt that a big breath was like blaspheming him. However, someone with no brains not only said something, but also stared at him with a blushing face. The only thing she hadn¡¯t down was not drooling. Chu Ci slightly frowned, and then his eyes swept over at her blandly, ¡°Yes, I am. Do you have any problem, ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°No, no, no, no, I dare not, but Mr. Chu, I heard that you are very knowledgeable, anyway, you are a tutor. How about you teach my three kids altogether? It¡¯s not that I am boasting, my third son is only eight years old, but he is very smart.¡±


    Have you ever seen such a thick-skinned person? Who has ever seen such a thick-skinned person? Listening to her boasting with that proud face, the Wangs only felt all kinds of shame, only wishing to give her a slap in the face. And the few people of Ling family also wore a sullen face, and then their eyes swept over at the three kids behind her who were smiling like fools. Where did she get the confidence?


    ¡°I am not a tutor, ma¡¯am, so I suggest you send him to a private school.¡±


    His cold voice had no ups and downs, abruptly interrupted her. Lady Han¡¯s face went stiff. As she was about to shrewish and make a scene, Wang Jingui who wore a pained expression instantly grabbed her. After making sure that she dare not open her mouth again, he turned to Chu Ci and said apologetically, ¡°Sorry, Mr. Chu Ci. My wife is ignorant. I will lesson her after going back. I hope you wouldn¡¯t mind.¡±


    It¡¯s really hard for him to marry a wife like that.


    ¡°Never mind. Uncle Jingui, don¡¯t take it to the heart.¡±


    He called him uncle? Then think about what he called Lady Han. It was clear enough who he was close to. Others might not notice it, but Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan both noticed it. They exchanged an eye contact but still chose to stay silent.


    ¡°My lord, my ma¡¯am, please have a taste. This is the food our Master Xuan has invented. Tastes quite good.¡±


    Lady Yang and others picked an appropriate time to hand the sour and spicy rice noodles into everyone¡¯s hands, which also indirectly resolved the embarrassment. Although the Wangs¡¯ good mood was totally ruined, but, they couldn¡¯t show it, so they could only shift their attention on the food.


    Before they tasted it, the sour and spicy smell already went into their noses. The glittering and translucent rice noodles covered with a thin layer of minced stewed pork, a few fried soybeans and green chopped green onions sprinkled on the surface, perfect combination of color, aroma and taste! Everyone already couldn¡¯t wait to eat it with the chopsticks. The moment the smooth rice noodles slipped into the mouth, the smell of the capsicol and the sour taste of the vinegar, and the scent of the minced stewed pork spread through the mouth. At last, the bean sprout on the bottom and a few slices of raw turnip made up the deficiency that the rice noodles were not so chewy. It tasted so much better than noodles!


    ¡°Delicious! Sister-in-law Song, I want another bowl.¡±


    The small bun already forgot about the stomachache last time. Soon, he finished it already, even no soup left. Sister-in-law Song took the bowl and turned to look at Ling Jingxuan doubtfully. It¡¯s not she didn¡¯t want to let him eat more, but she was worried that he might have the stomachache again like last time.


    ¡°Look at your swollen belly! What! You wanna have another stomachache?¡±


    Touching his chubby belly, Ling Jingxuan found it amused and knocked on his head. This silly kid only knew eating! He¡¯d turn into a little fat pig instead of a meat-stuff bun if he kept eating like that.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s so itchy, daddy, stop touching it. The sour and spicy rice noodles are so delicious. I wanna have another bowl, just one more bowl, ok? Daddy¡­¡±


    Avoiding his hand, the small bun lay on his lap and acted cute, which amused Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui, but meanwhile, they also felt angry. If was not that they didn¡¯t want him to eat more. But, did he have to eat more after being full already?


    ¡°Xiaowu, be good. We still have to read books with Uncle Chu in the afternoon. You can¡¯t eat more. We¡¯ll eat at dinner later, OK?¡±


    Ling Wen put down the chopsticks and walked over, took his little brother¡¯s hand, touched his face and gently coaxed him. The small bun pouted his lips and looked at him and then Chu Ci and Chu Yan behind him, as if with great determination, he nodded with great difficulty, ¡°Fine, Sister-in-law Song, save some for me to eat in the evening, don¡¯t let daddy and others finish it all.¡±


    ¡°Sure, rest assured, little master Wu, there are a lot in the kitchen!¡±


    Hearing the satisfactory answer, Ling Wu finally smiled again, and the whole family could not help laughing, the child¡­is a total little foodie!

 Chapter 213

    ¡°You silly boy, go to read books already! By the way, where¡¯s Tiewa? Why didn¡¯t I see him?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan threw him a stare helplessly, and then remembered his adoptive son who was supposed to take a noon nap with them and be here now.


    ¡°He hasn¡¯t woken up yet. Dashan said he was too excited and went to bed late last night. So brother Yan asked us not to wake him up.¡±


    It was Ling Wen who replied. Ling Jingxuan nodded, ¡°Well, then let him sleep longer, remember to send him some food later.¡±


    ¡°Daddy, don¡¯t worry, I know.¡±


    Tiewa was not an outsider, Ling Wen had always taken him as his own younger brother, and cared about him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    While they were talking, Chu Ci and his son also finished theirs. They got up and bent over at the old man, and then gave Ling Jingxuan a nod and turned to leave with the two little buns. When Ling Wu left, he still turned back now and then while drooling at others¡¯ bowls, making some sucking sound. One could imagine that funny scene.


    ¡°Jingxuan, how to make the sour and spicy rice noodles? It tastes really not bad. Even I want to eat a few more bowls like Xiaowu.¡±


    After Chu Ci and his son left, the atmosphere in the central room instantly got a lot relaxed. Lady Want handed the empty bowl to Sister-in-law Song. Those sour and not only the spicy rice noodles were delicious, but also the soup was good, both sour and spicy, really appetizing.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­ The making method is actually very simple. Later I will ask Sister-in-law Song to teach you. Big uncle, what do you think of doing this business?


    With a gentle smile, Ling Jingxuan turned to look over at Wang Jinfu. He was sure that if they really set up a stall to sell sour and spicy rice noodles, they¡¯d have a fiery business, at least better than digging food in the field. After he earned enough money, he could rent a shop in winter and open a small hot pot restaurant. Wouldn¡¯t the silver run into his pocket?


    ¡°Not bad, but I still need to trouble your maids to teach us how to make it. As for the stewed food, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s necessary, what do you say? You know, pork is expensive.¡±


    Wang Jinfu nodded happily. After tasting it himself, he finally knew why had so much confidence. But he denied the stewed food. And the main stewed food was pork and offal. The cost would be high and it wouldn¡¯t sell well. And on such hot weather, they were easy to go bad.


    ¡°Who said that stewed food could only be meat? We can¡¯t make some stewed vegetables, like stewed dried tofu, lotus root, gluten and other things. But meat is necessary. Big uncle, think about it. Those on the wharf are mainly businessmen who do business on ships and the workers. The sour and spicy ride noodles are some appetizing food. One bowl is not enough for sure. But two bowls are too much. But with some stewed food, isn¡¯t it just good? We can make the price of the vegetable food a bit higher and the price of meat a bit lower, and limited supply. If you have the intention, you can sell some alcohol and sugar water or what. The income would be quite considerable.¡±


    If it weren¡¯t for the fact that he already had a jam business, he would really like to open a shop in the town by himself. As long as he got good word of mouth, there would be numerous regular customers, and maybe he would have a chance to compete with Xinyuan restaurant in the future.


    ¡°What you said is reasonable, but Jingxuan, if so, I still have to beg you for the recipe of making stewed food. The stewed food you made today is a lot better than that we made. If we decide to do the business, our food should have our own unique taste. I think your recipe is not bad.¡±


    That was his nephew. Why feel embarrassed to ask for a favor? Since Wang Jinfu could think of doing business in town, he should have a smart brain.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Big uncle, what are you talking about? Since I brought it up, I never planned to hide anything from you. Later I will ask Sister-in-law Song to make a small pack of the seasonings. You just need to do as how you stew meat usually. Remember. The used stewed soup should be boiled and then store it in the basement, better dig a huge pit in the basement and put the iron pant storing the stewed soup in it. As for the sour and spicy rice noodles, big aunt-in-law, you go to the kitchen with Sister-in-law Song. She will teach you. It¡¯s simple and easy to learn. You can take the guard ladle strainer used to make the rice noodles home to use temporarily. Some other day, I will ask Brother Zhao to make a bigger one for you.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. Sorry to bother you them, Jingxuan.¡±


    Seeing that he was so thoughtful, Lady Mu smiled and became more contented with this big nephew, while others¡¯ eyes burned even hotter. The Wang family hadn¡¯t divided up the family. So one should say that¡¯s their whole family¡¯s business rather than say that¡¯s the big son¡¯s business. If the big son could earn money, it means that they could also have a share. How could they not feel overjoyed?


    ¡°We are family, so don¡¯t say those polite words. Second uncle, third uncle, and little uncle, and aunts-in-law, you are all my mother¡¯s brothers and sisters, my closest relatives. Just let me know if you need anything. I will definitely help you as long as it¡¯s within my ability.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan turned his eyes around them. Actually he could directly give them money, but money would be used up sooner or later. As the saying goes, help someone in emergency but never someone poor. Rather than help them for some time, why not teach them some money-making method? As for whether they could really earn money, it depended on whether they¡¯d like to endure the hardships. If you don¡¯t work hard, you could never earn money.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    A few elders nodded spontaneously. The old couple who were sitting at the main east saw the whole family was in such harmony, they also felt satisfied. People at their age, what would they expect? Just a harmonious family!


    They started dinner quite early. So the Wangs only left after eating some food. Ling Jingxuan also asked the maids to prepare a lot of food for them. And Lady Wang also gave some copper coins to each kid. Even Wang Yunya who claimed to stay to take care of the old couple had her share. For this, Ling Jingxuan and his two younger brothers all had no objections. It was reasonable that the elders gave the juniors money. And they didn¡¯t care about that little money, as long as their mother was happy.


    ¡°Grandpa, grandma, go to bed early, I¡¯ll take the kids to sleep now.¡±


    The sky went dark, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan, holding a kid each, said goodbye to Wang Ping¡¯an and his wife and went back to their own room. And the old couple also left under the support of their two daughters. When Wang Yunya left, she still kept peeping at Ling Jinghan who were chatting with his two cousins, with undisguised admiration and affections in the eyes.


    ¡°Second brother, why the way Yunya looks at you so weird?¡±


    After they all went back to their own rooms, Ling Jingpeng asked, frowning. He thought it wasn¡¯t a thing when their mom allowed Yunya to stay. But the whole afternoon, she always peeped at his second brother, so he felt something strange.


    ¡°Hmm, I also noticed it. Second cousin, is it possible sister Yunya has feelings for you?¡±


    Zhang Yang, who was a few years younger than them, nodded while teasing him. Zhang Qing immediately slapped him in the face and said, ¡°What do you know? Don¡¯t take nonsense! If people hear it, brother Jinghan and sister Yunya¡¯s reputation will be totally ruined!¡±


    After all Zhang Qing was a little bit bigger, so he thought things more.


    After he said so, Zhang Yang no longer said anything, only mischievously stuck out his tongue while apologetically looking at Ling Jinghan, ¡°Sorry, second cousin, I was just kidding. Don¡¯t take it to your heart.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s just¡­¡±


    Someone is really plotting against him!


    But Ling Jinghan didn¡¯t say it out, but only looked over at the room with candlelight darkly. Although he had never gone through a relationship, he could see how his big brother and brother Rui showed their affections to each other, and the way they looked at each other, he was so familiar. So his second aunt-in-law let Yunya stay, plus, she was still unmarried, isn¡¯t it obvious what she was up to?

 Chapter 214

    On the other side, after going back to Ling Wen¡¯s room, the four of them were also talking about the same thing. The different thing is, they were not guessing, but that the two little buns told what they had overheard during the day to Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan. The two of them gave each other a look and showed an ¡®I see¡¯ expression, because that pair of mother and daughter had performed too obviously. Only a fool wouldn¡¯t tell.


    ¡°All right, go to bed early. It¡¯s not something you should care about. Your uncle is no fool. He knows what to do.¡±


    After giving them a bath, Ling Jingxuan put Ling Wen in bed, the small bun also ¡®shamelessly¡¯ lied in bed, obviously wanting to sleep with his elder brother.


    ¡°But, what if my second uncle really likes aunt Yunya? Daddy, I don¡¯t like her, I don¡¯t want her to stay at our home. If aunt Yunya really marries my second uncle and becomes our second aunt-in-law, she will never leave.¡±


    Ling Wen was seldom capricious, but on this matter, he was decisively capricious. Ling Wu, sleeping in the inside, also nodded in agreement, mouth pouting. They both didn¡¯t like her.


    ¡°Hehe¡­don¡¯t worry, they are impossible to get married.¡±


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan said confidently, while the two buns held a variety of doubts, as long as aunt Yunya was still here, they would never be able to rest assured.


    ¡°Of course. When did daddy lie to you? How about this? Even if your second uncle agrees, I will never agree. Can you feel at ease now?¡±


    He knew that if he couldn¡¯t give them a formative answer, they wouldn¡¯t let it go. He helplessly smiled. Yunya and Jinghan? Seriously? Only Lady Han could think of that!


    ¡°Good night, father, good night, daddy.¡±


    Feel relieved at last, the two little buns climbed up and kissed on their faces, and lied back and tucked themselves up with the thin quilts. Only after they fell asleep did Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui go back to their own room.


    ¡°I think you¡¯d better tip your second brother, and also tell mom and see if she has any idea. Otherwise, it¡¯d be late when something really happens some day.¡±


    Following Ling Jingxuan into his room and took a bath there, Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t show any sign of leaving, instead, he lay in his bed, holding him. Ling Jingxuan who was nesting in his arms lazily opened his eyes, ¡°I really don¡¯t know what Lady Han is thinking. Cousins get married? Isn¡¯t she afraid their kid would be born mentally disabled? Isn¡¯t their kinship too close?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s so strange? Isn¡¯t it a normal thing to be doubly related for two families? Especially those noble or rich families. In order to maintain their noble bloodline, they often do that. Like those official families, nine out of ten families are relatives.¡±


    Unlike Ling Jingxuan¡¯s scoffing attitude, Yan Shengrui just took it for granted. Ling Jingxuan who was lying in his arms sideways turned to look at him, ¡°Did you remember something?¡±


    Before, even if he often spat out things without thinking, it was things that common people all knew. It was the first time he had ever heard him speak of the secrets of the official families in the capital. Instinct told him that he must be keeping something from him.


    ¡°I¡­I¡¯ll tell you if you promise not to be angry.¡±


    Subconsciously avoiding his piercing gaze, Yan Shengrui waited for a while before looking at him again. Ling Jingxuan nodded calmly, giving him a ¡®you can go on¡¯ look.


    ¡°Do you remember what you said about Rong Shaoqing? After that day, things about him often emerged in my mind, and I also remembered some other things. Although they are kind of blurred, with those little things I remembered, it¡¯s enough for me to sum up a few key points. First, Zneng Shaoqing and I should be good buddies, because I remember that we spent most of our time together. Second, I should come from the capital, because I seem to know about things about those official families in the capital, even the imperial family! And Chu Yan¡­I always have some kind of special feelings about him. Take today¡¯s thing for example. Looking at his cowardly appearance, I just couldn¡¯t help wanting to discipline him. As for Chu Ci, no special feelings. But I can tell I should know about him before, but not that close. Finally, after the thing of the quality steel, I found that I am quite familiar with things on the battlefield, like I belong to that place. I guess maybe I was some general. Otherwise, how would I know about Duke Zheng¡¯s son and am so familiar with the battlefield?¡±


    Letting him lie flat on his chest, Yan Shengrui told him everything. Although the conclusion didn¡¯t aim at the bull¡¯s-eye, it was very close already.


    Obviously a man who seldom talked could have concluded so many things himself. Ling Jingxuan found it so funny, and also heartily admired his sharpness. According to the current development, maybe it wouldn¡¯t take long before he could remember everything? Or maybe, it only needed a chance to open the door of his memories.


    ¡°Do you know why I called you Shengrui instead of letting you use my surname?¡±


    Thinking about it, Ling Jingxuan decided to tell him what he knew. He didn¡¯t say it because he wasn¡¯t a hundred percent sure whether he was really that legendary Prince Sheng. If he was not, it would only increase his psychological burden. As for now, isn¡¯t it already very obvious?


    ¡°Huh? Didn¡¯t you say you didn¡¯t know who I am?¡±


    Yan Shengrui lowered his eyes to look at him. If he remembered it right, he said that more than one time. As long as he thought that he denied their relationship and always kept trying to drive him away, he felt mad at him. They even had kid and he said they had no connection? Fooling a ghost?


    ¡°And I told you that I had reasonable doubts, OK? You are familiar with the name Yan Shengrui, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Rolling his eyes, Ling Jingxuan suddenly turned to get up, sitting cross-legged while solemnly looking at him.


    ¡°Yan Shengrui? Prince Sheng?!¡±


    Eyes wide open, Yan Shengrui instantly changed his face. Then countless scenes flashed across his mind, the imperial family internal fight, shining spears and armoured horses, bloody battles, beautiful women¡­all kind of scenes nearly made his head explode.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    ¡°Are you all right?¡±

 Chapter 215

    In an instant, between, those scenes were like ox hair like needles pricking into Yan Shengrui¡¯s head, so painful that he felt like his head was gonna explode. He curled up in there holding his head. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t expect that he could such dramatic reaction. So he hurriedly moved to hold him, with his trembling right hand grabbing his wrist. The impulse was messy, and the qi circling in his body was like dashing around madly.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Cursing with a deep voice, Ling Jingxuan got off the bed, took out the silver needles out of the drawer, and then pricked them into the few acupoints over his head accurately, then tore open his clothes, pricked a few silver needles on his arms and chest, meanwhile, he felt his impulse to observe the effect. Not until he felt his body got relaxed slowly and his impulse also returned to normal did he exhale a big breath. And then he pulled out all the silver needles.


    ¡°How you feelings? Does it still hurt?¡±


    Throwing the cattlehide bad with the silver needles aside, Ling Jingxuan directly knelt on the bed checking him carefully, his hand gently touched his cheek with all sweat, undisguised worries under his eyes. If he had known he would act like this, he would never say a word to him!


    ¡°Jingxuan¡­¡±


    Rolling over and hugging his waist, Yan Shengrui buried his head in his belly and sulkily said, ¡°What to do? I really seem to be that Prince Sheng.¡±


    Those scenes just now were enough to confirm his identity. Although he hadn¡¯t remembered everything, it¡­just because he was sure now, he was more worried. First, if he was really Prince Sheng, he had the responsibility to guard the Qing Kingdom, so some day he had to leave him and their kids to go to the battlefield. Second, others may not understand Ling Jingxuan, he did! His Jingxuan was so smart and nothing could beat him. But he was quite lazy and was content of living an ordinary life. If it hadn¡¯t been for the kids, maybe he wouldn¡¯t have established such a huge business, or he might even wandered around carrying a package. How could he ever go back to the capital with him? And how could he have the heart to let him face those demon-like people in the capital? And their kids. They lived happily here. But once they went back to capital, they¡¯d lose everything they owned now, and would face assassination at any minute. By then, he¡¯d rather kill himself.


    Originally, he thought he was just an ordinary general from a rich family, unexpectedly, he may be the only prince of the kingdom who owned the general¡¯s title. The difference was huge. At this moment, he even wished that he was just a common village man, but not that godda*n Prince Sheng!


    ¡°Even if you are, so what? Or are you, as Prince Sheng, no longer my Shengrui?¡±


    His fingers unconsciously combed his long hair, and Ling Jingxuan looked straight ahead with deep eyes. He was the man he believed, no matter whether he was the Prince or just Shengrui. That was all.


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? Whether you acknowledge it or not, I am your man.¡±


    Hearing his words, Yan Shengrui decisively dropped those messy thought, got up and faced him. In the dark, his peach blossom eyes locked on him. No worries could compare with a ¡®no¡¯ eye of him. He would never allow him to deny their relationship again. Never!


    ¡°Hehe¡­What are you worried about? My man is not a coward!¡±


    Touching his face with a smile, Ling Jingxuan slightly curved his lips. Of course he would think of what he was thinking. But, who to blame? Since they couldn¡¯t change who they were, they could only change the circumstances. One sentence, nothing could stop them being together!


    ¡°Who said I¡¯m afraid? Except being afraid you may abandon me, I have never been afraid of anything or anyone!¡±


    Grabbing him, Yan Shengrui said gloomily, burying his head in the depths of his neck, his teeth gnawing angrily on his shoulder.


    ¡°Ouch¡­ is your zodiac dog?¡±


    Reflexively crying due to the pain,, Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes and threw him a hard stare. Holy sh*t! He likes biting people so much! Is his zodiac dog or he is a real mad dog?


    ¡°How do you know? I do belong to the year of dog, a dog who only bites you!¡±


    Loosing his mouth, Yan Shengrui pushed him over with a bad smile, and then straddled on his abdomen, carefully not letting himself pressing him. And then facing his compliant eyes, he grabbed the neckline of his underclothes, with a slight pull, his pure white underclothes spread open onto both sides, long neck, protuberant collarbones, delicate and smooth shoulders, even the chest was looming. Yan Shengrui who only meant to tease him now stared at his each cun of skin exposed in the air, and his throat suddenly turned extremely dry. Yan Shengrui swallowed some saliva with difficulty. He tried to press down his burning desire of stripping off his clothes, and his burning eyes stopped on the indentation on his right shoulder.


    ¡°Does it look good?¡±


    With his long hair hung down loosely behind, Ling Jingxuan lay in bed, lips slightly curved, while speaking so, he wriggled his body, and his abdomen ¡®accidentally¡¯ touched his most sensitive part, Yan Shengrui gave a deep moan reflectively, and then his eyes moved onto his face slowly. The lust instantly got on fire. Black and messy hair, delicate and smooth skin, looming sexy zone, the thin and white underclothes couldn¡¯t hide the dark color dots before his chest, plus his undisguised seductive expression, all those together were like the most effective aphrodisiac!


    ¡°So damn good-looking¡­¡±


    The following words disappeared between those slightly opened lips. Yan Shengrui barbarously kissed his lips, with his tongue domineeringly sticking into his mouth and rolling his tongue with his, and then he opened his mouth and sucked and licked it, and his two hands also didn¡¯t lay idle. His left hand held his back of the head, so he could kiss him harder, while his right hand held his waist and rubbed his body through his clothes.


    All moans were sucked into his mouth and swallowed into the belly. Ling Jingxuan who was lying below him looked up actively, hooked his neck and responded to his hot and passionate kissed, the temperature in the room rose sharply. The two people were like a blazing fire and dry wood, crazily exploring each other¡¯s body, so intense that even the moon blushed and quietly hid behind the clouds.

 Chapter 216

    In the simply but uniquely decorated room, on the ground scattered the broken pieces of the underclothes, on the bed big enough for a few adults men to lie on, Yan Shengrui lay there on his side, a hand holding his head, while the other gently touching Ling Jingxuan¡¯s exposed smooth shoulder. The two of them only had a thin quilt covered, with their upper body and legs exposed. Compared with Yan Shengrui¡¯s healthy and strong wheat-color skin, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s skin looked extra delicate and smooth, but now you already couldn¡¯t tell, because on his exposed skin was all purple hickeys, even the inner thighs. Apparently the important part under the thin quilts also couldn¡¯t ¡®survive¡¯.


    Their passion burned till late last night, but they did not break through the last line of defense. At the critical moment, Yan Shengrui flinched. It was not that he didn¡¯t want it, but he remembered some words he once said. He would keep their first night on their wedding night. For this, Ling Jingxuan who already got turned on said nothing. Men! There are so many ways to solve their physiological needs, not only that single style.


    Thinking of his special body structure, and that their sons came out there, Yan Shengrui¡¯s peach blossom eyes sank, with some kind of flame-like thing jumping in. His desire that Ling Jingxuan had tried quite a few times to put out now had a sigh of rising again, showing a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth, Yan Shengrui withdrew his hand and lay back, looking into the ceiling helplessly. To be honest, when he saw his special body structure, he was shocked, followed by obsession, deep obsession, but now disgust or what. And now, as long he thought of it, he couldn¡¯t help feeling burning hot inside, only wishing to press him down and get into that spot with all his strength.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Sound sleeping, Ling Jingxuan unconsciously moaned, then his body with marks of their passion all over moved into his arms, with a hand pressed on his chest, and his leg over his. Then his desire that had taken him so much to press down suddenly rose again. Yan Shengrui¡¯s bitter smile grew harder. He turned to give him a look, then carefully moved his leg away and meant to get up to take a cold bath and then lay down with him, because he was really afraid he couldn¡¯t control himself and ¡®eat¡¯ him.


    ¡°Be good, it¡¯s not the time. Wait till I regain all my memories, then no one can¡¯t stop me!¡±


    Leaning over to leave a domineering kiss on his lips, Yan Shengrur got up and went across his body, walked into the bathroom, naked, and what he didn¡¯t know was the moment he got off bed, Ling Jingxuan who was sleeping opened his eyes, without any trace of blurred eyes, instead, those eyes looked evil and shrewd.


    ¡°Hehe¡­good endurance. Shengrui, let¡¯s see whether you can hang in there till you regain your memories.¡±


    Rolling over to sit up, ignoring the thin quilts that had slipped off as he got up, he stared at the open door with evil eyes, as they had done that already last night, and he gave him a blow job, but he braked at the last second. Heaven knows how shocked he was at the moment. How could someone have such horrible self-control? Although he didn¡¯t say anything at the time and changed some other way to satisfy each other¡¯s burning desire. Now after the passion wore off, wouldn¡¯t it be more interesting to challenge his bottom line now?


    ¡°You are awake? It¡¯s still early. Sleep a little more.¡±


    Shortly afterwards, Yan Shengrui walked into the room with a cloth towel in his hand, naked. His desire between his legs had already perfectly satisfied. Ling Jingxuan looked at the thing with great interest and lifted the quilts.


    ¡°Well¡­ Take a bath if you don¡¯t wanna sleep. Xiaowen and Xiaowu should be here later.¡±


    Suddenly seeing that lustful scene, Yan Shengrui painfully looked away. Almost rigid, he opened the wardrobe and took out Ling Jingxuan¡¯s underclothes and put them on. His handsome face was slightly glowing with red, but¡­


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t I know you would feel shy?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan hugged him from behind, his voice full of insinuating banter. Finally having realized he got teased, Yan Shengrui abruptly turned around, and pinched the tip of his nose, pretending to be angry, ¡°Some day, you¡¯d make me impotent.¡±


    The tone was helpless, but also sweet. Ling Jingxuan made an evil smile, ¡°Who to blame then? Who said he would insist doing it till the wedding night? Even you get impotent, you ask for it.¡±


    He didn¡¯t care already, why would he still insist? Anyhow, this was a must step sooner or later, does it make any difference to do it now or then?


    ¡°Because I cherish you!¡±


    You know what? At this moment, Yan Shengrui really had a prince¡¯s dominance and mightiness. Ling Jingxuan froze there for a second and immediately followed his memories to bend down, ¡°Yes, my prince!¡±


    ¡°Haha, you!¡±


    Seeing that, Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t hold it any longer, he held him and laughed out. Fortunately when they built the house, in order to keep warm, the walls all had two layers, hollow inside, so the sound insulation was quite good, otherwise their flirting in their own room would be heard by everyone in the house.


    ¡°Go take a shower. I¡¯ll tie up your hair for you later.¡±


    It was getting late and they had enough fun. Yan Shengrui patted him on the bottom, watched him disappear at the door before going to the dressing table to tidy up his wet long hair.


    ¡°Quick enough! I¡¯m curious, if you are the real Prince Sheng, you wouldn¡¯t do things like tyting up the hair yourself, would you? But you seem to be quite adept of it. Did you do it all yourself before?¡±

 Chapter 217

    Soon, when Ling Jingxuan came back drying his hair, Yan Shengrui had already tied up his own hair and waited there, with a common quality wood comb in his hand. Looking at his neat topknot, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help saying that. To be honest, he really admired those people of ancient times. Only with a hairpin they could fix their waist-long hair. He had been here for nearly two months but still hadn¡¯t learned how to do it. Every time it was his turn to comb hair for the kids, he¡¯d use a sheadline to tie a high ponytail for them, even himself. Sometimes, he really wanted to cut his hair short. It was really hard to take care of such long hair. And it was so da*n hot. Short hair would be much more comfortable.


    ¡°You ask me, who should I ask? Still tied up like usual?¡±


    Pulling him to sit down, Yan Shengrui stood behind him with a comb in his hand, carefully and gently combed his half-dry hair for him..


    ¡°Whatever. Some other day, I¡¯m going to town to buy a pair of big scissors, and cut it short. It really bothers to comb it on and on everyday.¡±


    Looking at themselves in the mirror, Ling Jingxuan frowned.


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? The hair and skin are from our parents. How can you just cut it off? No one would want to cut off their hair except monks.¡±


    Knocking on his head grumpily, Yan Shengrui said so. One could imagine how sexy and seductive he was when he was lying in bed with his hair messed, especially when he was naked, making his skin more delicate and smoother. Even if he didn¡¯t do anything, he could turn him on instantly. So he could never let him cut his hair short.


    ¡°Never mind. We got different opinions on this. Just tie it up randomly for me. Don¡¯t make it so complicated. I¡¯m not used to it.¡±


    Who would grow long hair in the 21st century? On this issue, Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t want to argue with him. Just now, he was just saying it. If he really dare to cut his hair short, the two buns would be the first to say no. He didn¡¯t want to listen to their nagging all day. Compared with that, keeping long hair wasn¡¯t such a painful thing.


    It seemed that he had been tortured by them too maliciously, otherwise, why would he have a headache every time he thought of their nagging?


    One had to say, Yan Shengrui¡¯s hands were much more dexterous than Ling Jingxuan¡¯s. Soon, he already processed his waist-long hair neatly. Meanwhile, someone was knocking at the door. The two of them looked at each other in the mirror and saw helplessness under each other¡¯s eyes. Judging from the way of knocking sound, who else could it be except the small bun?


    ¡°Daddy, daddy, are you awake? Father is gone. Daddy, open the door.¡±


    As expected, Ling Wu¡¯s anxious voice then sounded, Ling Jingxuan got up and found a suit of blue clothes from the wardrobe and threw it to him, and then turned to answer the door.


    ¡°Daddy, bad news! Father¡¯s gone. Did he abandon us again?¡±


    The moment he pushed the door open, Ling Wu fiercely flapped up and took hold of his leg, the little face full of anxiety looking up at him, with looming traces of tears in the eyes. Ling Jingxuan had a pain in his heart, then squatted, held him while looking over at Ling Wen who was pressing his lips. He pulled him over and said, ¡°No! Your father is here. He didn¡¯t leave or abandoned us again. Be good. Don¡¯t be sad, or daddy will be sad too.¡±


    Only then did he know that they had always been living in that kind of fear.


    ¡°Cry~ Daddy, I was so scared. I thought father abandoned us again like last time, boohoo¡­¡±


    If he didn¡¯t say that, it would be good. But right after those words came out, Ling Wu instantly cried out hard holding his neck, even Ling Wen who had been suppressing his feelings began to choke with tears dripping down. Ling Jingxuan felt awful, and hurriedly helped him wipe off his tears, ¡°Be good, don¡¯t cry. Father will never leave us without telling us. Last night we chatted till late night, so he slept here. Didn¡¯t you also often do that? When you get too tired, you wouldn¡¯t want to go back to your own room. Your father is the same. So, if you meet this kind of thing again, stay calm, and come to daddy to check things out first, OK?¡±


    No matter how sensible they were, they were just kidsa. The absence of Shengrui Yan for nearly five years has left an unimaginable psychological shadow in their hearts.


    ¡°I will never leave you again.¡±


    Walking out of the house after getting dressed, Yan Shengrui squatted solemnly in front of them and said so. He never thought they would get so terrified since he only hadn¡¯t been in his own room for one night. He would take them with him wherever he went, until they no longer needed him.


    ¡°Father¡­¡±


    Seeing him, Ling Wu decisively abandoned Ling Jingxuan and ran around him, burying in his shoulder crying, as long as they got up early in the morning, they would go to knock at his door, but this time when they went to knock at the door, they saw that the door was locked from the outside, and the servants also said that hadn¡¯t seen him this morning, heaven knew how they were scared at the time. After getting along for the past days, they had already started to like him, if he really abandoned them again¡­what should they do?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. In the future, no matter how late it is, I will go back to my own room to sleep. Be good. Stop crying. Or father will also feel sad.¡±


    Holding his son tightly, Yan Shengrui looked at Ling Wen and made the commitment. He also felt inexpressively complicated in his heart.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Two brothers nodded. Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan gave each other an eye, and then comforted them for quite a while to calm them down. Although it was just a mistake, it left a scar in Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui¡¯s hearts, which also indirectly led to the result that wherever they went, they¡¯d stay together. Of course, that was the after story.

 Chapter 218

    After the oolong thing this morning, the whole family started their routine morning running. Seeing Ling Jinghan running ahead alone, Ling Jingxuan asked the two little buns to take the two cubs to go first, while he himself slowed his pace to run with Ling Jinghan.


    ¡°Big brother, just say it if there¡¯s anything.¡±


    Knowing that he should have something to say, after insisting on running a lap, Ling Jinghan¡¯s speed slowed down, panting while walking, now he was walking for a lap and running for lap, gradually building up his physical strength. Soon he should be able to insist on running two laps, finally he got his illness cured, he cherished his own body more than anyone else.


    ¡°Hehe¡­actually it¡¯s nothing important, I just want to ask you about opinion about Yunya staying with us.¡±


    Pulling down the towel around his neck to wipe off the sweat, Ling Jingxuan smiled and glanced at Wang Yunya not far away, whose hand was also holding a clean white towel, which should be specially prepared for Ling Jinghan, thin lips slightly hooked, she is quite active.


    ¡°No opinion.¡±


    Following his line of sight to take a look, Ling Jinghan didn¡¯t lay his eyes there for one more second. You know what, even if he was already twenty four, he wouldn¡¯t have that kind of thought, let alone he was only fourteen. It was neither that he didn¡¯t like Wang Yunya nor that he looked down Lady Han, but¡­His parents and two brothers were still working hard for this family, while he himself was idle everyday, like a rice weevil. If now he thought about of his own personal relationship, he even couldn¡¯t face himself, let alone his family.


    ¡°Hmm. If so, then you should explain it to her early. You know, women in unrequited love would do anything. Don¡¯t belittle them. By the way, remind Jingpeng. Don¡¯t stay alone when he is out. A woman¡¯s integrity is hard to explain in simple words. Besides, there¡¯s our mom and the Wang family in between. If we don¡¯t process it well, our mom will feel awful stuck in the middle.¡±


    Like having already expected that he would say so, Ling Jingxuan patted him on the shoulder and whispered. As for whether Lady Wang knew it or not, he wasn¡¯t concerned, he was worried that she would really get brainwashed by the so-called doubly-related idea. At first he didn¡¯t take it to his heart. But after what Yan Shengrui said last night, he remembered that people in ancient times all liked that! Like cousins uniting by marriage.


    ¡°Then sorry to trouble you to talk to mom. It¡¯s a bit convenient for me and Jingpeng.¡±


    As they were talking, two people already walked to corridor. Wang Yunya who was waiting aside offered the white cloth towel, face blushing, ¡°Second cousin, are you tired? Let me wipe off your sweat for you.¡±


    Speaking of which, Wang Yunya really moved forward wanting to help him wipe off the sweat. Ling Jinghan slightly frowned and turned his body sideways to avoid her, ¡°It is improper for men and women to touch each other. Please conduct yourself.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I saw you are full head of sweat, so I forgot, you can wipe it by yourself.¡±


    As he said so, Wang Yunya felt so ashamed, but reluctant to let go of this rare opportunity, so she pressed down her shame and handed the towel to him, with that pair of affectionate eyes looking at him, as for Ling Jingxuan on one side, she had already chosen to ignore him.


    ¡°No, Shuisheng has already gotten those things prepared for me. You are a guest. Just accompany our grandparents and don¡¯t bother about other things.¡±


    If you¡¯re not a fool, you can hear his refusal, right?


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, I would like to do those things for you. I heard that you would always go to the pavilion in the center of the pool to read books after breakfast, right? Later I will send you some pastries. It¡¯s hot. Don¡¯t exhaust yourself.¡±


    Wang Yunya unbelievably took his refusal as his care about her, as she thought he just didn¡¯t want him to get tired or what, so the girl became more active, making the two brothers roll their eyes in the heart. No wonder people said that girls in a relationship had no brains. Isn¡¯t she a living example?


    ¡°Ahem¡­¡±


    After all, he had never had contact with girls. Now facing such an active girl, Ling Jinghan totally had no idea what to do, so he could only turn to look at Ling Jingxuan signaling for help. Ling Jingxuan also felt so speechless. He deliberately coughed to attract her attention, but¡­


    ¡°Ah? You¡¯re here, too, big cousin.¡±


    Wang Yunya was a total ¡°I just see you are also here¡¯ face. Ling Jingxuan really admired her thick face, he held his anger and said meaningfully, ¡°Sorry that I am also here. Yunya, if there is nothing else, don¡¯t disturb Jinghan. He is still recovering. Doing morning run is one of the most important step. Being disturbed by you now, his running before is in total vain.¡±


    If it had not been for his mother¡¯s position, he really had no mood to deal with such a young girl who had just reached his puberty and didn¡¯t know how to read other¡¯s face..


    ¡°No way? Then I¡­ sorry, second cousin, I didn¡¯t know¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Wang Yunya instantly got her eyes reddened, twiddling her fingers while lowering her head. Ling Jinghan waved a hand and said, ¡°It¡¯s OK. If there is nothing else, you can go.¡±


    It was really mentally tiring talking with her.


    ¡°Oh, second cousin, I¡¯ll see you later then.¡±


    Raising her head to give him an affectionate eye, Wang Yunya turned to leave reluctantly, and once again, chose to ignore Ling Jingxuan. For this, Ling Jinghan was more determined not to have any relation with her. This was just the beginning and she totally didn¡¯t put his big brother who he respected in her eyes. What about in the future? Whether she did it on purpose or not, he couldn¡¯t take it.


    ¡°Before grandma and others leave, you study in your room with Yangzi, let Jingpeng stay with Qingzi. Who knows whether she would shift her eyes onto Jingpeng after getting rebuffed here. So we should be careful.¡±


    Although the way she looked at Jinghan was like she was really into him, Ling Jingxuan personally thought she only wanted their family properties. Otherwise, why hadn¡¯t she had any feelings for Jinghan before?


    ¡°Hmm, I know. But, big brother, it looks like you don¡¯t like her from the very beginning?¡±


    Without Wang Yunya, the two brothers started to run slowly again, and Ling Jinghan duly asked out the doubt in his heart, in common sense, isn¡¯t it a very normal thing of getting doubly related for two close families?


    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem whether I like her or not, it¡¯s just I am not familiar with her at all, so I don¡¯t hold any bias against her. If she behaves as our cousin, maybe I would grow some tenderness for her, but now she wants to marry you, which is definitely impossible. A consanguineous marriage, it has a much greater chance to have mentally disabled babies than common couples. For the consideration for your next generation, I will never agree.¡±


    Besides, after a short contact, he also saw that Wang Yunya was good for nothing at all, except having a pretty face. So she would never be able to regulate the domestic things for their family for Jingxuan at all. He who was from the 21th century, of course, didn¡¯t have that kind of pedantic thoughts like well-matched marriage. But a least, she should have some capabilities, right? Anyhow, she should have some room to improve. But from the things that she kept choosing to ignore him and she couldn¡¯t tell that Jingxuan directly refused her and still did things as the way she thought, he didn¡¯t see any possibility on her. JInghan would regret it sooner or later if he really got married with her.

 Chapter 219

    ¡°Is there such a thing? No wonder I often heard that someone¡¯s child is a fool. So that¡¯s the reason. Fortunately I didn¡¯t have any thought on this at all, otherwise, wouldn¡¯t I regret for my whole life if my child is also a fool?¡±


    The first time to hear this, Ling Jinghan exaggeratedly patted on his own chest, completely unlisting Wang Yunya.


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled, and did not say anything more, since his second brother did not have that thought, he did not need to worry.


    After breakfast, the whole big family started to be busy with their own stuff. Although the restaurant did not hasten the delivery, they still needed to make the jam in advance. If they could earn more money, why not? Even Zhang Qing went into the mountains with Ling Jingpeng. Ling Jingxuan neither went with them nor made jam in the factory like usual.


    ¡°Mom, aunt, why didn¡¯t I see grandma?¡±


    After looking around in the yard and making sure that Wang Yunya was not in his mother¡¯s room, Ling Jingxuan casually walked in.


    ¡°It¡¯s Jingxuan, your grandparents said that they want to see our the 80 mu of paddy field, and your father excitedly took them to go, your aunt and I think it¡¯s too hot outside, so we stayed home to do some embroidering work while chatting.¡±


    Seeing him come in, the two sisters who were studying embroidery put on a smile, Ling Jingxuan went to sit on the chair beside them, turned a light glance to Ling Yun aside, ¡°close the door and guard outside. Let us know if someone comes.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Ling Yun reverently bent down, turned to walk out, Lady Wang wondered, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Well, mom, I want to talk to you about Yunya.¡±


    Not wanting to waste too much time on this issue, Ling Jingxuan watched them and got straight to the theme. The two sisters froze there. After all, they were experienced hands, and Wang Yunya has performed so obviously. Soon, they reacted what he was meaning. But Lady Wang took it like nothing at all, ¡°Oh, I thought it¡¯s something serious. Look at you! Wearing such a solemn face! Your aunt and I were talking about this just now. Yunya is well-behaved, totally unlike her mom. If Jinghan has no objections, I also would love that.¡±


    After all, she was her family, and it was a common thing that cousins got married, so Lady Wang didn¡¯t find it not right at all. In her tone, like she had already taken Wang Yunya as her daughter-in-law.


    ¡°Elder sister, I think Jingxuan seems to have different views, let¡¯s listen to what he¡¯d say.¡±


    Acutely aware of ling Jingxuan¡¯s displeasure, Wang Jinyu could not help tipping her elder sister who was happy about. Only in a day, it was enough for her to see clearly who the master is in this family. Besides, she thought that her big nephew was quite possible to run the whole family.


    ¡°Huh? Jingxuan, you don¡¯t agree? Is it because of your second aunt-in-law yesterday¡­¡±


    ¡°Mom, am I that kind of stingy person?¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help rolling his eyes while directly interrupting her, after a helpless sigh, he continued, ¡°Mom, most kids of the consanguineous marriages are defective. If possible, better no marriages within five generations. Yunya and Jinghan are direct cousins. The possibility of having defective baby is as high as 80%. If you want your grandson to be a fool or has physical abnormality, find, you should feel happy.¡±


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    Never expecting such a thing, the two sisters both wide opened their eyes. Ling Jingxuan nodded, ¡°I can give you an example. Ling Chengcai. Didn¡¯t he marry the niece of the old ma¡¯am? The result is Ling Jingwei was born with dead sperms. Although Ling Jinghong and Ling Xiaoran escaped from it, maybe it¡¯d skip the generation and pass onto their kids. And the grandson of the old ma¡¯am of the old patriarch, remember? I heard that his parents are also cousins. Look at him. There should be a lot of such examples. Mom, you can think about it and you¡¯d find more.


    After he said so, the two sisters resolutely went silent, as time went by little by little, their faces turned gloomier. Ling Jingxuan knew they already bought what he said.


    ¡°Moreover, mom, Jinghan is going to have his official career. His wife may not have to come out of those famous and rich families, but at least she should have some social abilities and know how to run a family. That is what people all said a virtuous wife. And Jingpeng too. I can tell you. Our business is just at the beginning. In the future, I will definitely expand our business through the whole Qing Kingdom, and even through the East and West Kingdom. By then, only he and Jinghan can help me. So Jingpeng¡¯s wife also can¡¯t be a soft and weak woman. Mom, they are only fourteen now. Don¡¯t rush to find them wives.¡±


    In order to completely let her drop that idea, Ling Jingxuan spared no effort to give the final blow, and the most important thing he didn¡¯t say, that is, he wanted his two younger brothers to marry the right women, husband and wife is a lifetime thing, if without any emotional foundation, they just got married under the parents¡¯ arrangement, they could never be happy. Besides, he really didn¡¯t believe in his parents¡¯ taste.


    ¡°Hmm, you¡¯re right, it is my own wishful thinking, I was thinking about your uncles helped us a lot when we were down. Now we finally get rich and Yunya seems to like Jinghan, getting doubly related may not be a bad thing, but I really didn¡¯t think there would be so many things about cousins getting married. And you are right, Yunya is a bit too soft.¡±


    Lady Wang nodded again and again with fear in her heart. If it weren¡¯t for his son¡¯s skill in medicine and knew something they didn¡¯t know, she would ruin the two kids.


    ¡°Mom, I am glad that you know. Pay extra attention to Yunya. After all she is a single girl. If others see her with Jinghan, we¡¯ll have no choice but to let Jinghan marry her.


    That was what he wanted to say. To cut off all her in the rear. But he was a man, so anyhow, it was a bit inconvenient, and Jingpeng and Jinghan had never gone through that kind of things, so they¡¯d have no idea what to do. But with his mom¡¯s assistance, there would be no problem.


    ¡°Oh, I know.¡±


    How could she not understand what her son was trying to say now?


    ¡°Then I shall not disturb you two then.¡±


    Things were finished, Ling Jingxuan stood up decisively. Lady Wang was still thinking of Wang Yunya¡¯s thing, so she did not open her mouth to keep him stay. After quite a while, she grasped her sister and said with a trembling voice, ¡°Fortunately Jingxuan reminded me, otherwise¡­¡±


    ¡°Elder sister, don¡¯t worry too much. Anyway, Yunye wouldn¡¯t stay for too long. Just keep an eye on her these days. Sister, I am so jealous of you. Jingxuan is good in everything, so so capable, Jingxuan is so learned, it¡¯s only a matter of time to get listed. Jingpeng also learns a lot from Jingxuan, even my brother-in-law is not so cowardly like before. Your days are really getting better and better.¡±


    Holding her hand, Wang Jinyu calmly changed the subject, saying with an expression of envy. Although her two sons were also filial, her widow status invaded in a lot of gossip. Besides, she was not bad looking, and only about 30 years old, so there was even more gossip.


    ¡°Look at what you said. Aren¡¯t your two sons good? Jinyu, there is something I dare not say before. But today since we come here, don¡¯t blame me for being nosy. Shouldn¡¯t you find another one?¡±


    Decisively forgetting about the former fear, now Lady Wang felt sorry for her own younger sister. Because she barely went out of her house She looked skinny, but her skin was as white as the snow, totally unlike a women in her thirties. If she had the heart, it wouldn¡¯t be a difficult thing to find a good man.


    ¡°Elder sister, I won¡¯t hide anything before you. Before when they were little, I once held that thought, but¡­you know a widow¡¯s situations. Before I did anything, those gossips already nearly drowned me. I really dare not. And now the kids are big, I already don¡¯t have that heart.¡±


    She was in her early thirties, but her tone was like a sixty years old woman, which showed how hard life was for her all those years. Lady Wang instantly reddened her eyes. She stretched out her hands to hold her, ¡°Sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have asked this. Forget about it. Next time I¡¯ll ask Jingxuan if there¡¯s anything he could teach Qingzi. After he earns money, your days will also get better. And Yangzi, that kid is quite smart. After he gets listed, see if those people dare look down on you again!¡±


    ¡°Woowoo.. um¡­¡±


    Once again, she felt the warmth when she was a child. Wang Jinyu, who had insisted for many years on her own, could not help crying in her arms. Lady Wang was also sentimental and could not help shedding tears.

 Chapter 220

    With Lady Wang¡¯s secretly help, except appearing before Ling Jinghan alone in the morning, Wang Yunya never had a chance to see him again the whole day. Every time as she was about to sneak out, Lady Wang or Wang Jinyu would stop her. And only when eating, they would avoidably meet, but everyone was there, and Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng purposefully avoided her, so she also had no chance to pick a talk with them, one could imagine her anxious but helpless expression.


    On the side of the old Ling family, as Ling Jingxuan had expected, the old lord locked up Lady Jiang and her daughter after going back. After the whole family spent a horrible night, they finally realized they got fooled by Ling Jingxuan. He didn¡¯t send someone to notify the yamen at all. While feeling much relieved, they also faced a new problem¡ªwhether Lady Jiang had really caught a plague. If she did, none of them could escape. But if not, why did she grow blisters all over? Someone in the family already suggested burning them. The old lord was anxious but could do nothing.


    However, those things had nothing to do with Ling Jingxuan and others. Since they had just delivered the jam, it was not in a hurry yet. But in the afternoon, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t stay home to make jam, but took the wolf daddy and the two cubs to that plum woods again. Their whole family and Zhao&Han couple, in two groups, one group was responsible for picking plums, while the other cutting branches. Thanks to the Crescent Spring water, even if it was a chopstick-long branch, it could live after he grew it in the yard, which also indirectly saved them a lot of time digging seedlings.


    ¡°Jingxuan, is this also used to make jam?¡±


    Unlike picking wild grapes, they had to scatter around and work alone. To pick plums, one had to climb onto a branch to hit down those plums, while another picked them on the ground. Two working together could make it a lot quicker. So, over ten of them were working together, while the wolf daddy as their bodyguard lay aside sleeping with the two cubs.


    ¡°Yeah, most of it is used to make jam, and I also want to spare some to make fruit vinegar. I will show it to Shopkeeper Zhang some other day, maybe we¡¯ll have another income.¡±


    Everyone was either picking wild fruit or cutting branches, only Ling Jingxuan walked here and there to check around, and sometimes even hid in the grass to flip around, soon, the pack basket not far away was full of herbs.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Jingxuan really has a flexible brain, compared with him, we are like a bunch of stone heads.¡±


    Hearing that, Han Fei couldn¡¯t help joking, and others also supportively chuckled, Ling Jingxuan shook his head, no longer picked up the talk. The mountain with herbs all over was like his own private herb garden. Every time he would pick some by the way. For the convenience of the storage and the strengthening of the efficacy, he would clean them with clean water and then made into different kinds of pills using the Crescent Spring water. Of course, there was also some poison among.


    ¡°Oh right, dad, weren¡¯t you supposed to take care of the land? Why did you come here with Zheng Da?¡±


    After picking a basket full of all kinds of herbs, Ling Jingxuan stood up and stretched himself. With his split vision sweeping over Ling Chenglong who was working with Zheng Da to pick up the wild fruit on the ground, Ling Jingxuan had another doubt. That was eighty mu of paddy land, enough for his dad to be busy with. As far as he knew, now should be the best time of planting late rice. And by November, they could eat their own rice.


    ¡°There is nothing to be done. The fields that have just been harvested need to be well cared for until next year¡¯s harvest.¡±


    Speaking of his own land, Ling Chenglong showed a simple and honest smile. That¡¯s whole eighty mu of land! To village families, is there anything better than land for them? Now they should also be called substantial family.


    ¡°No late rice?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows. Aren¡¯t there supposed to be two seasons of rice, or even three seasons? Isn¡¯t it a waste of one season only a year?


    ¡°What late rice?¡±


    Ling Chenglong wondered. Having lived more than 30 years, he had not heard that it had early or late rice. Isn¡¯t it always transplanting in March or April and harvesting in June or July?


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Stoned, Ling Jingxuan was suddenly aware of what. Zhou Er on one side cut in, ¡°In the south, they really have two seasons of rice, but the after manuring has to be in time. After the harvesting of the late rice, a large quantity of straw ashes has to be buried under the land. And when spring comes next years, those straw ashes would turn into the best manure to supplement the nutrition of the land and make it more fertile. Before, our family had been doing like that. But I heard that other regions only grow one season, which should be because of the weather thing.¡±


    Zhou Er was a southerner, so he knew well about the farming methods of the South. He had heard a lot about farming in other regions of the kingdom all along the way.


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    Ling Chenglong resolutely forgot to pick the wild fruit, excitedly rushed to Zhou Er¡¯s side. If they can grow two seasons of rice, then their 80 mu of land can be immediately planted now?


    ¡°Well, my lord, the climate in the south is warm and the late rice harvest is just right at the end of October. I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s a little difficult here?¡±


    Nonsense! If it¡¯s not difficult, how could it ever be their turn till now?


    Ling Chenglong who had just been excited for a little while instantly got his shoulders collapsed, cursing himself for being too hasty in the heart. If it could really grow two seasons, someone had already done that! Even if it would be tired for the after care, no farmer didn¡¯t expect two harvests. One should know, Qingyang county was known as having more people but less land. Who could resist the big temptation of two seasons of rice?


    ¡°It¡¯s not that absolute. Dad, if you want, we can have a try. Maybe we¡¯ll succeed.¡±


    Having no heart to see him so disappointed, Ling Jingxuan curved his lips. As far as he knew, in twenty-first century, even three seasons a year might be possible, let alone two seasons. As long as they could grow seedlings and take care of the land well, manure the crops in time to supplement the nutrition the rice needed, three seasons of rice might be an extravagant wish, but two seasons would be quite possible.

 Chapter 221

    ¡°What if we fail? Eighty mu of land needs a lot of seedlings. Better forget about it. We can plant them at the beginning of spring next year.¡±


    Holding no more hope, Ling Chenglong said so while bending to pick up the wild fruit again. Looking at his kind of slouching figure, Ling Jingxuan helplessly spat out a heavy breath, ¡°Dad, you can have a try with Zheng Da and Zhou. Don¡¯t worry about the seedlings. I¡¯ll take care of it/ You only need to sort the land.¡±


    If using the Crescent Spring water to cultivate the seedlings, the survival rate and later growth should be relatively improved?


    ¡°Stop it, Jingxuan. How do you know about seed breeding? Don¡¯t waste rice seedlings, besides, it¡¯s already too late to add fertilizer to the fields now.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan had been spoiled by Ling Chenglong before he was thrown out of the family. What he did everyday was reading books. How had he ever done any farming work? In those years he was thrown out, he had also lived a messy life. So without even thinking, Ling Chenglong directly denied his proposal, others also held the same thought. Judging from that none of them responded, one could tell no one believed that he could breed the seedlings, let alone growing late rice.


    ¡°How do you know if we don¡¯t have a try? What if we really succeed? As for the after manuring, it¡¯s simple. Dad, look at those rotten leaves all over the mountain. At least one chi thick. Isn¡¯t it the best humus? Put them in the fields, I guess we don¡¯t even need the after manuring.¡±


    Ignoring his denial and others¡¯ suspicion, Ling Jingxuan who just made a random suggesting a moment ago now got more confirmed. The rotten leaves were the best organic fertilizer, which were good for planting vegetables and flowers. So, it should also work on the rice. If it failed, the worst scenario was that he secretly released some Crescent Spring water in the field after the transplanting. Whatsoever, he would let his dad see a good harvest of late rice.


    ¡°Rotten leaves make fertilizer? Why haven¡¯t I heard of it?¡±


    Ling Chenglong finally grew some interest again, stood up and looked at strangely. He had always known that how weird this son was now, like raising medicinal fish, making wine and jam. Seeing that he said so, he also couldn¡¯t help looking forward to it again. If they could really grow two seasons of rice, the villagers wouldn¡¯t have to starve then.


    ¡°Hmm, but it must be the rotten leaf soil below completely. Our village may have nothing valuable, but got the rotten leaves as many as possible. Only those rotten leaves on Dagong Mountain are enough for our eighty mu of land. Dad, nothing is impossible. If it really wouldn¡¯t work, the worst thing is that we¡¯d lose some money for the seedlings and the workers. But what if we succeed? Eighty mu of rice, enough to sustain our whole family for a years!¡±


    As he said so, not only Ling Chenglong, even others couldn¡¯t help dropping their work at hand. If eight shi(one shi equals to about 60jin) for one mu, it¡¯d be 640 shi! And if we take care of it well, maybe it¡¯d produce 9 shi for one mu! And since it was late rice, we don¡¯t have to pay any tax. All the rice would be their own. The temptation was huge!


    ¡°OK! I¡¯ll take Zheng Da and Zhou to collect rotten leaves on Dagong Mountain. But Jingxuan, can you really breed seedlings?¡±


    In the face of the great temptation, Ling Chenglong decisively got moved, the only worry was the seedling problem, no matter how he thought, he did not think Jingxuan can really cultivate the seedlings.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Dad, you rest assured, I promise that you will have seedlings to plant then.¡±


    Hearing his words, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling. When had he ever done something he wasn¡¯t 100% sure? As long as they bought the seeds this afternoon, he could start to breed the seedlings. He even chose the site¡ªnumber two warehouse. It was huge, and the temperature and humidity was easy to control, so the germination rate would be comparatively high. And with the help with the Crescent Spring water, in a few days, they would transplant those seedlings.


    ¡°Then I will wait for your seedlings.¡±


    Still a little worried, Ling Chenglong¡¯s tone still had undisguised uncertainty. Ling Jingxuan smiled and nodded, using silence to end the topic. However much he said now, it was no use. When they really saw the seedlings, one more word for explanation was redundant.


    ¡°Jingxuan, what do you say if we buy a few mu of paddy land to have a try too?¡±


    Everyone went on with their job at hands. And Han Fei moved over and said in a low voice. Actually he had always wanted to buy some land, but since Ling Jingxuan said he planned to purchase a large amount of half-saline land, he could only give it up. But as he had just said so, he felt like itchy in the heart, he also wanted to eat rice they planted themselves.


    ¡°It¡¯s good. But don¡¯t buy it too far away, it¡¯d be hard to manage. How about you go to town to ask Guarantor Liu later? See if he got any suitable land for sale. After making sure how many mu it is, tell me, then I¡¯ll prepare the seedlings for you.¡±


    This kind of place, only the field would appreciate, Ling Jingxuan had no reason to say no.


    ¡°OK, then later after lunch, I¡¯ll borrow your carriage then. I can buy the seeds for you by the way.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, the children don¡¯t need a carriage to go to school these days anyway, so you can use it.¡±


    Both of them were straightforward people. They instantly reached a consensus and decided to plant the late rice. All of them had more or less excitement and expectation on their faces. Whether it¡¯d work or not, at least, at this moment, they were very happy. Isn¡¯t that life?

 Chapter 222

    Their eighty mu of land lied in the innermost on the east side of the village, just under the foot of Dagong Mountain. After deciding to plant late rice, they instantly reallocated the hands at home. Except Ling Yun who had never done any farm work and had to stay home to serve the old couple and the few footboys, other labors, be it men or women, all got devoted into the work of making jam and going up to the mountains to collect rotten leaves and ploughing the field. Ling Jingpeng was responsible for the former part of the job, while Ling Chenglong led the latter part of the job. And Ling Jingxuan sank himself into the work of growing seedlings, totally burying himself in number two factory. And Yan Shengrui had to run among three sides. He¡¯d go each side whenever he was needed. During this time, he also went to town to buy three cows from Guarantor Liu. The whole family was at full blast.


    In ordinary time, if their action was so big, they would certainly attract a lot of the villagers to taunt, after all, no one had ever tried planting late rice. Some, like Ling Chenglong, even had never heard of it. Of course no one would believe it. But recently, the whole Ling village was stuck in the nightmare of a plague, especially after three days, they heard that Ling Xiaoying also got blisters all over her body, which made them more horrified, only afraid that they might get infected. And under the lead of the patriarch and those elders, they went to the old xiucai¡¯s place insisting on burning Lady Jiang and her daughter to death. Even the village head Ling Qicai couldn¡¯t stop them. And it seemed that Ling Qiyun¡¯s xiucai title also didn¡¯t work. The old Ling family had fall into an unprecedented mess.


    After making sure that they¡¯d buy land to plant the late rice with Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei took the time during the noon break to go to town and bought ten mu of paddy land from Guarantor Liu. And in recent days, they also didn¡¯t go up the mountains to help. Every day, they¡¯d go to the field with Ling Chenglong and others. Only after handling the eighty mu of land of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family did they start to be busy with their own land.


    It was easy to get the rotten leaves, plus they got so many hands, plus four cows together to plough. Only a dozen days, including Zhao Dalong and Han Fei¡¯s ten mu of land, they had finished ploughing all the ninety mu of land. Meanwhile, since the temperature was good, with the assistance of the Crescent Spring water, the supposed thirty days¡¯ period for growing seedlings had been great shortened. Now the about ten millimeters high green seedlings had overspread the whole number two factory. In five or six days, they could be transplanted into the field.


    ¡°I hope the weather will be a little better this year. Our late rice is at the mercy of heaven.¡±


    For the eighty mu of land, Ling Chenglong had taken great pains. He especially asked someone to buy him a few books on the rice planting in the south from town. During the day, he¡¯d run between the field and the mountains. And at night, he¡¯d read the books under the oil lamp, trying his best to study all knowledge about late rice. And because of that, he learnt that people usually breed the seedlings in July, plant in August, and harvest around the middle of October. Now they were already twenty days late. If the weather was a little better, harvesting wouldn¡¯t be a problem. On the contrary, they¡¯d lose everything.


    ¡°Look at how anxious you are these days. You even got blisters all over your mouth. Drink some cordate houttuynia tea to relieve your internal heat. Now that we have decided to do it, what¡¯s the use of being anxious? Didn¡¯t Jingxuan just say? The seedlings can be transplanted in a few days. We are just twenty days late. It¡¯s no big deal.¡±


    Looking at the blisters on his mouth heartbrokenly, Lady Wang handed him a cup of tea while nagging. Recently she also changed her coarse linen clothes again and went out to work with them. But they women were only responsible for collecting the rotten leaves, while men carried them down the mountain in baskets. So they didn¡¯t have to spend much strength. For the late rice this time, even the old couple, Wang Jinyu and his sons also didn¡¯t stay idle. Wang Ping¡¯an even asked someone to send a message back home to ask his brothers to process a few mu of land to try the late rice. Whether they¡¯d succeed or not, they wouldn¡¯t lose much even if they failed. But what if they made it?


    ¡°How can I not be anxious? It isn¡¯t a small amount of money for the seeds of eighty mu of land. Plus, we have put so many hands into this. If those hands go to pick wild fruit, how much jam can we make?¡±


    Ling Chenglong was really under a lot of pressure. A honest rough man was afraid of nothing, but only afraid to drag others down.


    ¡°Dad, you¡¯ll never earn enough money. We didn¡¯t delay the job on the side of jam making. So don¡¯t overthink things. I promise that if there¡¯s no huge problem of the weather, we will definitely have a good harvest.¡±


    Hearing their conversation, Ling Jingxuan who was having some small talk with Ling Jingxuan appeased him. Seeing that his dad was so anxious these days, he felt both sorry and helpless, only didn¡¯t tell him their real family properties on impulse. But after a second thought, if his dad knew they could earn a lot of money making jam but still slowed it down to help him grow late rice, he¡¯d be more anxious. So he dropped that idea.


    ¡°Well, I know, it¡¯s just¡­¡±


    ¡°Why are you behaving like a woman? Since we already did it, what¡¯s the use of being anxious?¡±


    Before he finished words, the old man dropped his chopsticks hard, eyes wide opened. Ling Chenglong, who had always been afraid of him, reflectively shrank his body, and no longer dared to say another word. Ling Jingxuan and others couldn¡¯t help snickering. This is called ¡®there is always one thing to overcome another¡¯. It worked much better than their saliva-wasting exhorting.


    ¡°Dad!¡±


    Looking at her poor husband, Lady Wang stopped her dad. Chenglong is all for this family!


    ¡°Well, old man, say no more, Chenglong has already done good enough.¡±


    Seeing that her husband was still bulging his eyes, Lady Sun quietly pulled the lower hem of his robes, and then turned to Ling Chenglong, ¡°Chenglong, don¡¯t take it to your heart. You know him, always so hot-tempered.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, mom, I know. Dad, don¡¯t be angry, drink a cup of wine to dissipate your anger.¡±


    With her in the middle to ease the atmosphere, Ling Chenglong had to stand up to pour a cup of wine to please him. That was his wife¡¯s father, his father-in-law. What could he do?

 Chapter 223

    ¡°Hehe¡­dad, since my brother-in-law already makes a toast, you drink it, the kids are all watching.¡±


    Wang Jinyu on one side also spoke for Ling Chenglong. She had planned to go home after staying for a few days. But her elder sister¡¯s family said to grow late rice and needed hands, so she and her sons also took the opportunity to stay.


    ¡°You! It¡¯s not that I am blaming you. You behave like a woman, even Jingxuan and others would be influenced. If the seeds for eighty mu of land go for nothing, who wouldn¡¯t feel sad? Jingxuan who supplies you full support would be more anxious. Nagging all day, aren¡¯t you giving him more pressure?¡±


    The old man took over the cup of wine and sighed helplessly. He was not mad, why would he scold others for nothing?


    ¡°Dad, you are right. I¡¯ll keep it in mind.¡±


    Taking a look at his big son, Ling Chenglong repeatedly nodded to admit his mistake, while Ling Jingxuan on one side felt stunned. He had never been worried about it, OK?


    Well, whatever they thought, he didn¡¯t want to correct it. With his split vision sweeping over Wang Yun who was staring at Ling Jinghan affectionately, like she was only afraid others didn¡¯t know she had feelings for him, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help frowning. He had to figure out a way to send her away. Otherwise, in the future, it¡¯d hurt the two families¡¯ harmony.


    ¡°Uncle Ling, can my father and I go to see you transplanting that day?¡±


    Chu Yan, who was sitting together with them, suddenly asked while looking at Ling Jingxuan, also unavoidably looking at Yan Shengrui who was sitting next to him. After staying together for some time, he was no longer that afraid of him. But he just hadn¡¯t found a more suitable way to get along with him.


    ¡°Of course. In fact, I personally think that it is better to travel ten thousand li than to read ten thousand books. You may not gain much knowledge if you only stay in your room reading all day long. Some experience needs to be accumulated by your own doing. Yan¡¯er, if you are interested, you can also do it together with us.¡±


    No matter what his identity is, which road he would take in the future, it is always right to accumulate more experience in all aspects. The kingdom is based on its people, while the people are based on farming. It is necessary for a scholar to know some knowledge of farming, especially for those who are ready to take the imperial examination.


    ¡°Hmm, I also think so, thank you, uncle Ling.¡±


    Chu Yan nodded contentedly, he liked Ling Jingxuan very much, not only because he would become his imperial sister-in-law, but more because that some strange ideas could often come out of his mouth, which often made him feel enlightened.


    ¡°Daddy, I want it too. I want to go to the field with Brother Yan.¡±


    Unwilling to be left behind, the small bun looked back at them and then them with expectations, hand raised. And Ling Wen on one side already couldn¡¯t wait, ¡°Daddy, count me. Daddy, you said only reading books is never enough. We should learn to use the knowledge we learn into our daily life. So I would like to verify if what you taught me is right or not.¡±


    Pretending to look mature, Ling Wen wore a serious face, which amused everyone, including Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°All right, all right, you¡¯ll all go, OK? Mr. Chu, you wouldn¡¯t mind, would you?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯d also like to see if your late rice planting would be successful.¡±


    Chu Ci nodded. In fact, as early as when he heard that he was going to grow late rice, he began to pay attention to this matter. If it became successful, whether to the kingdom or its people, it would be undoubtedly a huge thing. Although three years ago, when he woke up from a nightmare, he had decisively given up his own identity, and left with Yan¡¯er from their family and the court, his former identity was still out there. So, when meeting such a thing beneficial to all people, he still couldn¡¯t help paying extra attention.


    ¡°Hehe¡­it¡¯s decided then. Oh right, Song, tomorrow, you go to town to ask Guarantor Liu to find me thirty workers, better be those of last time. We are already late of the planting, so I think if we can plant them all in one day.¡±


    Without modern machines¡¯ assistance, in order to fight for time, he could only work on the number of hands.


    ¡°Yes, Master Xuan.¡±


    Song Gengniu, who had finished his food and served aside, said respectively. The diner lasted quite a while. When it turned dark, the whole family gathered together in the yard to enjoy the cool. Because of some reason, Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng hid in the room and didn¡¯t come out. Seeing the unhinged Wang Yunya, Ling Jingxuan threw Yan Shengrui an eye, and then quietly edged closer to those women who were doing some embroidery work.


    ¡°Aunt, your craft is so good, why not do some handbags or what, as long as the style is unique, it should be more profitable than embroidery work, and this is also where your hobby is, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Naturally taking the handkerchief that Wang Jinyu was embroidering, Ling Jingxuan looked over and over. He really didn¡¯t understand woman¡¯s stuff like this, but if he could design a few fashionable handbags, it should not be a problem.


    ¡°I nearly forgot if you don¡¯t say it. Jingxuan, I was about to ask you. I heard that the kids bags with the piggy picture was designed by you. I have checked it. I think we could sell it at a good price in town. So I was wondering if I could ask you for the pattern and do some.¡±


    As early as the second day after coming here, Wang Jinyu saw the piglet bag on the back of the little boys, the three-dimensional and lovely design was very funny, different colors showed different expressions, much better than those traditional single-shoulder bags, she had been thinking about it, today finally caught the opportunity to pick it up.

 Chapter 224

    ¡°Hehe, aunt, see what you are talking about. If you want, I can draw some for you anytime. But aunt, I think you¡¯d better do some women¡¯s handbags first. And don¡¯t sell them in town, better ask Qingzi to take them to the county or the prefecture to sell. Find the biggest embroidery shop there, and talk to the shopkeeper in person, sign a long-term contract. If you are interested, I can find a time to talk about the specific details with Qingzi.¡±


    Things like this, as long as they decided to do, they¡¯d take the high-end line. In any ear, women¡¯s money was the easiest to earn.


    ¡°What handbags? You mean pouches?¡±


    Wang Jinyu got totally confused. Zhang Qing, on one side, also approached as he heard their conversation. He quite admired this big cousin, only wishing to learn something from him.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s bigger than the pouch. Wait a minute.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t explain it using words, so he directly went into the room to take out a self-made charcoal pencil and a pile of rice papers the little buns used to practice their calligraphy, and then started to draw before everyone. Soon, a simple and beautiful square shape handbag appeared. Ling Jingxuan took up the paper and explained to his family who all moved over now, ¡°Look! You can make it with linen of different colors, and then use the silk to embroider a peony on it, and use the silk or brocade as the lining, and use some bamboo skin as the prop in between. After doing the stitches, use some bright color brocade for the edge covering. The handles are simple. Use some cotton sticks wrapping with the brocade of the same color of the linen, both soft and pretty. Finally, the design of the mouth sealing. Take this one I drew for example. Better use button knots like those on our clothes, a combination of linen and brocade, which features both hardness and softness. It could add some sexy and cute feeling to a woman.¡±


    Most important of all, it was cheap using linen as the main material, the slightly expensive silk was just for decoration, and bamboo skin was everywhere, for their initial startup, undoubtedly it was the best choice, and a combination of both would not lower the quality of the handbags, women would like it, as long as one woman used it, there would be more women following the trend, by then, wouldn¡¯t it be easy to make money?


    ¡°You know what, this bag looks really good. Usually, when we go out, we¡¯d only take a pouch with us at most, too small to carry a lot of stuff. Only a few copper coins would stuff it full. If it changes into this thing, those little things us women use could all be stuffed in. And the style is good. Jinyue, I think it¡¯s promising. How about you make one first?¡±


    Lady Wang took over the drawing and spoke her opinion first. She really thought highly of her big son now. Take the idea he gave for her family. She heard that after her big brother and his wife went home, they instantly made preparations. And the third morning, they went to town to make a stall. It was just a few days till now. Yesterday, her nephew came to say that they had already earned a few taels of silver already. And the whole family was happy, and had more strength to do things. Since her family¡¯s days were getting better, of course she¡¯d also wish that her miserable younger sister could live better.


    ¡°Looks good, I¡¯ll give it a try some other day. Jingxuan, why do you have such a flexible brain?¡±


    Wang Jinyu also nodded and could not help smiling at him. Her parents¡¯ family had already made money because of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s idea. If this handbag was as good as he said, she would certainly make a lot of money, and it was all his credit.


    ¡°Yeah, our Jingxuan has a lot of stuff in his head. Your big uncle said their business is quite good. Every day, they¡¯d send rice noodles to the town for quite a few times. They are nearly out of hands now.¡±


    To this big grandson, Lady Sun couldn¡¯t be satisfied, a wrinkled face with full smile.


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan flashed his eyes, tentatively asking, ¡°Really? That is good. I was still afraid that I gave my big uncle a bad idea.¡±


    He had been so busy breeding the seedlings recently that he had already forgotten about it.


    ¡°Bad idea? Yesterday your big cousin came and said, just a few days and they have earned several taels of silver, very busy every day, so he is considering to expand it.¡±


    When it came to the family¡¯s small business, Lady Sun¡¯s smile was even brighter. After making money, their life became better. And then, her several single grandchildren would be able to get married with splendor.


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan touched his chin pretending to meditate, after quite a while, he suddenly said, ¡°Since they are short of hands now, grandma, why not let Yunya go back to help? You and my grandpa can stay here for some more time. Anyway, we got so many servants and maids here, who would take care of you. You know, doing business, the startup stage is the most difficult.¡±


    Speaking of which, he swept over at Wang Yunya faintly. Her symptoms had become very serious. If he didn¡¯t send her away, something would happen. In an era where a man had to take the responsibility even if he accidentally touches a woman¡¯s arm, he should take precautions.


    ¡°Grandma, I don¡¯t want to go back. I want to stay and take care of you.¡±


    Hearing what he said, Wang Yunya instantly turned pale. You could imagine her pathetic look. Facing the whole family¡¯s eyes, Wang Yunya instantly grabbed the old ma¡¯am¡¯s arm and blurted out.


    ¡°We¡¯re not old enough to be looked after all the time.¡±


    The old lady glanced sharply at her, thinking that she was covetous of the comfort here and did not want to go back to work. Her face fell down instantly.

 Chapter 225

    Lady Wang and her younger sister knew the true reason stayed silent. At first, they kind of liked her. But after Ling Jingxuan told them that, they became more and more unsatisfied with her as they saw it was true that she only had a man in her eyes. Besides, everyone was so busy all day. Except a few scholars, all went to work, while Wang Yunya did nothing at all, though she claimed to stay to take care of the old couple. Instead, every day, she¡¯d stay home trying to find any possible chance to approach Ling Jinghan. If it hadn¡¯t been that they specially asked Ling Yun to watch her and Ling Jinghan also avoided her, something had already happened. So, they were both supportive of Ling Jingxuan. Such a troublesome figure, it would be better to send her away as soon as possible.


    ¡°Grandpa, I¡­¡±


    As if realizing her words were a little impulsive, Wang Yunya was anxious trying to explain, but the old lady waved her hand and said firmly, ¡°Needless to say. Song is going to town tomorrow, so let him drive you home by the way. Your grandpa and I don¡¯t need anyone to wait on us.¡±


    ¡°Grandma?¡±


    Wang Yun¡¯s body trembled, and her eyes turned red as she said so. In face of so many people, she really had no face to say that she had feelings for a man here. But she didn¡¯t say it, she must leave. Stuck in between, Wang Yunya felt so anxious that it felt like a cat was scratching her heart, her hands hanging on both sides gradually clenched tightly. As she decided to speak it out to make a gamble, Ling Jingxuan who was observing her aside suddenly opened his mouth, ¡°It¡¯s not bad that she goes back. Grandma, I hope you wouldn¡¯t mind. Actually I am kind of worried that she lives here. You know, our family is almost all men. And Mr. Chu and his son are also here. She is an unmarried girl. Anyway, it¡¯s a bit not convenient. If something really happens, I really have no face to see my second uncle.¡±


    Intentionally Ling Jingxuan mentioned Chu Ci, not only to remind Lady Sun, but also stop her from thinking of other possibility. One should know Chu Ci was quite learned, but he also had a pretty face. But anyhow, he was widower with a son. If Wang Yunya really had something with him¡­Wang family would lose big face.


    Of course, it also indirectly stopped her from saying things she shouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°I ignored it, but fortunately you remind me, Yunya, tomorrow morning you will leave with old Song, this thing is settled.¡±


    Lady Sun was surprised in the heart, and as she saw Wang Yunya didn¡¯t want to leave at all, she immediately thought it that way.


    ¡°Yes, grandma.¡±


    Seeing that she had no choice, Wang Yunye lowered her heart, tears dripping down. As she thought she could no longer see her second cousin anymore, she felt like someone was cutting her heart with a knife. Meanwhile, a resentful feeling also slowly rose in the heart, little hands clenching into fists, gritting her teeth. It¡¯s all her big cousin! If it¡¯s not him, how would her grandma suddenly ask her home? It¡¯s all his fault, all his fault¡­


    Noticing the suddenly change of her breaths, Ling Jingxuan twitched his mouth, totally didn¡¯t not put it in his heart. If she was a girl who held some upright thoughts, he might think of some way to make it up for her, like finding her a good husband, or offering her a large dowry when she got married, but¡­Seen from now, there was no such necessity.


    ¡°Daddy, is Aunt Yunya really leaving?¡±


    After going back to their own room, the small bun asked as he looked up at him. Heaven knows how thrilled he felt when he heard about it. In his little heart, he stubbornly thought that as long as she left, she¡¯d have no chance to marry his second uncle, so she would never be his second aunt-in-law. And that annoying second grandma would never come to their home.


    ¡°Hmm, she is leaving tomorrow morning. Feel relieved now?¡±


    Dotingly pinching his nose, Ling Jingxuan could not help but laugh, he saw uncle worry about nephew¡¯s marriage, never seen like two steamed stuffed bun so always care about uncle¡¯s marriage.


    ¡°Yeah, much relieved. Daddy, there is something you don¡¯t know. While you were out busy, Aunt Yunya went to see second uncle in the pavilion, my second uncle even dare not read books there, but only hide in his own room. But she still often sent him this and that. Finally, my second uncle could go to Uncle Chu¡¯s place. Although she no longer dare to disturb them, she often wandered around outside, making us unable to study.¡±


    Climbing up onto his thigh, the small bun complained, mouth pouting.


    ¡°Oh¡­ really?¡±


    Smiling, smoothing his half-dry hair, Ling Jingxuan looked up at Yan Shengrui who was staying with Ling Wen. He had never heard of those things. Never thought Wang Yunha had done so much in order to marry Jinghan. Fortunately he set up a trap to send her others, otherwise, heaven knows what would happen.


    ¡°Well, Aunt Yunya is always hanging around outside the door. Brother Yan is not patient with her. Daddy, don¡¯t keep any more women in our house. So annoying. When I am to get married, I will open my eyes big enough. I can¡¯t marry that kind of women.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Wen instantly changed the subject. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui both found it so funny. Such a little kid already thought so far? Wouldn¡¯t he have a harem then in the future?


    ¡°Me too, daddy, I have decided, I will marry a wife just like you, smart and capable but not annoying, what do you say?¡±


    At such a time, how could the small bun be absent of acting cute?


    Looking at his shining eyes, Ling Jingxuan only felt a twitch in the head. He didn¡¯t know whether to say yes or not. Once again, he felt so speechless. But Yan Shengrui walked over holding Ling Wen, patted him on the shoulder, pretending to be serious, ¡°That¡¯s my son!¡±


    ¡°Hee hee!¡±


    Being praised by him, the small bun smiled more exaggeratedly. Ling Jingxuan touched his forehead helplessly. He directly lay in bed and ignore those father and son. It was nearly September. So it was almost time to send the kids to town. Maybe after planting the rice. This thing shouldn¡¯t be delayed. If the sea water flowed back and they still hadn¡¯t processed the fields, next year, they couldn¡¯t grow anything on it.


    After they had some little chat, and the two buns¡¯ hair got dried, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui went back to their own room. A busy day was finally over.

 Chapter 226

    On the day for the rice transplanting, the thirty workers Ling Jingxuan had book came very early. Before daybreak, the whole family led the workers to moves the seedlings to the fields. This time, one could really say the whole family was mobilized, even the two little buns changed their old coarse linen clothes they wore before and went to the fields with the two cubs. As for those women who were not convenient to show their faces stayed home preparing food for dozens of people.


    ¡°Come on guys. Let¡¯s try our best to finish it all today!¡±


    As the sun just rose, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui drove the ox cart to send the last batch of seedlings into the field. And the workers already started to carry the seedlings into the fields. In the eighty mu of land, about every one hundred meters, there was a dustpan with all seedlings in. Seen from afar, loessland, green seedlings, making one refreshed. And when the seedlings were all transplanted, it would be another scenario.


    ¡°OK!¡±


    According to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s order, the thirty workers this time were all the people who helped him reclaim the wasteland last time. They all knew his generosity, so before working, they were already full of passion.


    ¡°Thanks, let¡¯s do this!¡±


    Under his command, thirty workers, together with Ling Chenglong and others, all rolled up their trouser legs. Each one was responsible for one part, about 25 millimeters from each other, they inserted the seedlings into the fields in pugillus. It was the old style, efficient and fast, no any tools, they wouldn¡¯t wind, just a straight line ahead.


    ¡°Daddy, daddy, it¡¯s our turn, we¡¯ll help, too.¡±


    Seeing here, the two buns excitedly rushed to them, as Ling Jingxuan turned to look, they had already rolled up the pants, like they already couldn¡¯t wait, a doting smile crawled upon his lips, ¡°OK, OK, but do not add trouble to your grandpa and others. You go to the outmost part.¡±


    Holding their hands, Ling Jingxuan said while walking, in fact, today he himself also planned to do it himself, he even changed those shabby clothes he wore when he had just transmigrated in here.


    ¡°Uncle Ling, how about this? Is it OK?¡±


    Rarely, Chu Yan who had already postured as an elegant and noble childe also changed into some plain clothes, and even put on a pair of straw scandals no one knew where he had found. That scene was indescribably strange. But seeing his pretty face stained with undisguised excitement, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t have the heart to sting his passion, so he only nodded, ¡°Hmm, not bad.¡±


    Hearing him, Chu Yan smiled. In order to have suitable clothes, he went to ask Jinghan and his father for help, and then asked Sister-in-law Song to make him a pair of straw scandals, which took him a whole morning.


    Chu Ci who was following behind him nodded at Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui, then turned to look at him with affection. He could feel that after they went to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s house, Yan¡¯er became much more lively and happier than before. Although he had already foreseen that this kind of happiness wouldn¡¯t last long since he knew Yan Shengrui was also here since they¡¯d go back to that place they belonged to, at least he could have some sweet memories now. If¡­He never wished that he had to tell him that born in the imperial family, he had never feel what happiness is!


    ¡°Won¡¯t you have a try?¡±


    Seeing that Chu Ci was still wearing the clothes he usually wore, Ling Jingxuan who passed by leading the few kids asked with his head turning sideways. The aching feelings flashing across his eyes didn¡¯t escape from his eyes, but he didn¡¯t ask why, also didn¡¯t mean to ask, since he had always known that deep in Chu Ci¡¯s heart hid huge pains and horror. Inside those common words might hide the hardship in the imperial family, or even scandals, at least, at present, he didn¡¯t plan to cut in.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t know anything about farming. I¡¯d better not spoil the seedlings you have worked so hard to breed¡±


    Shaking his head, just in a moment, Chu Ci had already converged the mood he shouldn¡¯t have shown, and resumed his cold appearance.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ Then you will not experience the so-called pastoral fun!¡±


    With a mischievous twinkle, leaving Yan Shengrui behind, Ling Jingxuan led the kids to the outmost part of the fields.


    ¡°Is it fun to think about those things all the time? Some day, you¡¯d have to face it. Like him, apparently he knew that he¡¯d face some unimaginable challenges because of me, he has never felt anxious or what. He already takes every step as planned.¡±


    Lagged behind, Yan Shengrui walked shoulder to shoulder with him. While he said those words, his affectionate eyes had never moved away from Ling Jingxuan and the kids. On hearing him, Chu Ci reflectively turned around, ¡°So you remember everything?¡±


    A touch of fear quickly flashed across the eyes, how can it so soon? At least a little longer, he thought.


    Taking back the sight temporarily and looking at him, catching his panic and fear, Yan Shengrui suddenly deepened his eyes, with his sword-shape brow furrowed, ¡°It looks like you didn¡¯t take any word I said into your heart at all. Do you think that thing would disappear if you fear for it?¡±

 Chapter 227

    ¡°What do you know? When you saw people of your family got beheaded one by one, and the kid who got his flesh sliced off piece by piece, and the man you took as your whole world looked at all that indifferently holding someone else in his arms, while I myself was only alive in a whole piece, can you feel that kind of pain? No, you can¡¯t! Because you are the superior Prince Sheng! Even the emperor could do nothing with you, and he even feared of you. So you would never be able to feel my pains and helplessness, never¡­


    Yan Shengrui¡¯s words were like the blasting fuse. Chu Ci who had always stayed poised and cold there instantly got broken down, tears dripping down his face, his delicate and pretty face stained with undisguised resentment, pains and anger. It had been three years. Till now, he often woke up at midnight from the nightmare, and then could no longer fall asleep again, only afraid that scene would reappear. If so, he¡¯d rather end his own life first than see that bloody and cruel scene again.


    Obviously he didn¡¯t expect that his pacification ,turned into the crime culprit that pushed him at the edge of breaking down, sword-shape brow furrowed, feeling indescribably irritable in the heart. After quite a while, he forced out the following words, ¡°It¡¯s not that I can¡¯t feel your fear and pain. I know, facing a powerful opponent, only fear and trying to avoid it would only push yourself in a dead corner. Only facing it, you¡¯d have the chance to win stead of losing again. Chu Ci, I didn¡¯t regain my memories, I just remembered some fragments of my memories. If I guessed right, you should be partly afraid that if I regained my memories, right? What I am trying to say is, is that thing really so important? Someone Jingxuan respects is someone who deserves my respect, besides, my sons like you. As long as you don¡¯t harm them, I wouldn¡¯t touch a finger of yours. When necessary, we might even lend you a hand for the sake you teach Xiaowen and Xiaowu so well. This promise, whether I could regain my memories, I will always keep it.¡±


    Yan Shengrui was like giving him a life-saving trump card. Chu Ci who was still immersed in his breakdown forgot to feel sad in an instant, only staring at him like a fool. After quite a while, he swept off his tears and looked into his bright and sharp tiger eyes, ¡°It¡¯s impossible, Shengrui. When you regain your memories and remember who we are, whether you are willing or not, you must send us back. I dare not have excessive requests. I only hope that one day when we are in some life-threatening danger, you can keep my son alive for sake that I am the tutor of Xiaowen and other kids. It¡¯s OK even if he becomes a peddlers or what, it¡¯s OK, as long as he is alive.¡±


    With Yan Shengrui¡¯s power, he was more than capable to keep Yan¡¯er alive. That that was all he asked for. As for other things, none was important. To him, death might be the real relief.


    ¡°OK, I promise you.¡±


    Deeply staring at him for quite a while, Yan Shengrui gave him a confirmative answer. Chu Ci, who was standing with his back against him, cried again, mumbling the words ¡®thank you¡¯.


    ¡°Come here. You go to the field one by one. Tie the lower of your robes up around your waist. Don¡¯t get wet.¡±


    On the other side, Ling Jingxuan who had walked to the outmost part of the land rolled up his pants and stepped into the field, and then led the kids into the field holding their hands one by one. Ling Wen, Ling Wu and Tiewa were good, even if they had never eaten the pork, they should have seen a pig running, besides, they all grew up in the countryside, as they stepped into the mud, instead of feeling afraid, they all looked quite excited, let alone their footboys. Only Chu Yan, after hesitating for a bit, he tentatively stepped in, after making sure there was no any discomfort, he revealed a shy smile.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Come on. Here are the seedlings. Keep a distance of 15 to 25 millimeters between each seedling. You know, insert it inside the hole. Remember, don¡¯t get it tilted. And make sure you press the roots into the mud. Later, we¡¯ll have a competition. See who does it faster.¡±


    After picking up the seedlings and carefully telling them the requirements, Ling Jingxuan, smiling, tried to improve their interest through the way of competition. Although the children were still young, he did not oppose them doing some labor work. There are some things they can not learn from books, proper work is only good for them.


    ¡°OK. I will be the fastest! Elder brothers, see how I beat you all.¡±


    Holding a pinch of seedlings, the small bun excitedly announced the declaration, and Ling Wen who had always spoiled him retorted, ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Xiaowu, you are too impatient. You will never be faster than brother Yan and me.¡±


    ¡°No, no, no, Xiaowen, Xiaowu, you will lose to me and Dashan, wait and see.¡±


    Totally unlike his usual soft side, Tiewa also refused to show white feather, holding Long Dashan.


    ¡°Hum, I hate you, including Tiewa. I have been good to you all for nothing. Let¡¯s wait and see. I will definitely be the fastest one!¡±


    Pouting, the small bun tossed his head and then walked out taking Zhou Changsheng. Seeing that, Ling Wen, Huzi, Tiewa, Long Dashan and Chu Yan also walked to the highest part of the field. They would insert the seedlings from up there in a straight line. Watching their backs, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling. Silly kids! So young and you are already so competitive?


    ¡°Howl~¡±


    ¡°Go back!¡±


    As he was about to keep up with the kids, the cubs standing on the raised path in the field rushed down to them. Ling Jingxuan turned to throw them a hard stare and the two cubs could only freeze their claws that were about to step into the field, green eyes looking up at him with pity, like saying ¡®we also want to hang out there¡¯.


    ¡°You can¡¯t come down, or your fur will be covered with mud and not easy to wash. Just stay here and wait. After we finish the work and go home, Daddy Ling will give you the delicious dried meat slices, OK?¡±


    No one could harden his heart when they looked at him like that. Ling Jingxuan had no choice but to walk back and wash his hands with the water in the field. After rubbing his hands on his clothes to dry them, he reached out and touched them respectively.


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    The two cubs howled deeply, like they were still trying to argue back, Ling Jingxuan wore a darkened face, ¡°Be good, otherwise, from today on, you¡¯d have no food and water.¡±


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    Under his threat, the two cubs had to leave the field with a sobbing sound. Looking at their pitiful look, one would think Ling Jingxuan bullied them or what.

 Chapter 228

    Two days ago, maybe unable to take the pressure from the villagers, or maybe it was Ling Chenghu¡¯s personal reason, Lady Jiang who got blisters all over her body got repudiated, she was thrown out of the old Ling family together with her daughter Ling Xiaoying. And the villagers only felt secure after driving them out of the village. Crisis resolved, and the Ling village gradually resumed its vitality. So, such a big action of racing against time for the late rice transplanting of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family naturally attracted a lot of onlookers, most of whom gossiped pointing at them and ridiculed them for overestimating themselves. But, those workers and the whole Ling Chenglong¡¯s family who were burying themselves in the fields just ignored them.


    Within two hours or so, with the sun braving high, nearly forty people had finished over ten mu, watching those nearly lined seedlings, everyone felt indescribably contented, worked even harder, by contrast, on the little buns¡¯ side, it was like a total ¡®disaster¡¯, at first they thought it was quite simple, isn¡¯t it just inserting the seedlings into the mud? But when they were actually doing it, they kept having all kinds of situations.


    ¡°Come on! It¡¯s falling down. Daddy, daddy, come take a look. Why our seedlings keep falling down?¡±


    ¡°Daddy, crooked again? It¡¯s really hard¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe I can¡¯t insert you in¡­¡±


    ¡°Uncle Ling, why does it float up not long after I inserted it?¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ daddy¡­come take a look¡­¡±


    ¡°Jingxuan, your teaching method is wrong, my seedlings are drowned¡­¡±


    Among the eighty mu of land, the crying sound of those little buns who were in the outmost row of land was heard now and then, and Ling Jingxuan was like a top spinning around them, while his own part was still empty. The worse thing is the almighty Yan Shengrui was even clumsier than the little buns. He couldn¡¯t do it but put the blame on Ling Jingxuan. He really wished to jump up and give him a slap. Come on! You use so much strength like when you practice martial arts on this! How could you do insert it well???


    ¡°Let me see. Come on, you should holding the seedling like this. Look at me. Be quick. Just insert it into the mud like this.¡±


    Coming to the small bun and Zhou Changsheng¡¯s side, Ling Jingxuan bent over to teach them in hold-handing way, and the two kids listened very carefully. But¡­


    ¡°Oh, darn, why did it fall again?¡±


    When it was their turn, the seedlings they had just inserted fell down as soon as they withdrew their hands. The small bun puffed his cheeks angrily. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, picked up the fallen seedlings, held his hand and inserted them into the mud again, ¡°Your strength is not enough, so the root didn¡¯t go in. Come on. Try it again.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Reluctantly separating another pinch of seedlings, the small bun nagged, ¡°Hey you, don¡¯t fall down again, do you hear me?¡±


    It¡¯d better understand! Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan helplessly made a sigh, simply standing aside to watch him. After chanting some spell-like thing, the small bun directly pressed the seedlings into the mud like how Ling Jingxuan taught him. Like he was afraid the seedlings might fall down again, the small bun held his breath and withdrew his hand little by little.


    ¡°Wow, it didn¡¯t fall this time! Daddy, look! It didn¡¯t fall! I¡¯ve learnt it! Haha¡­Daddy, I know how to do it¡­¡±


    This time, the seedlings showed him some face and didn¡¯t fall down again. The small bun was so excited that he jumped and screamed in the field. Ling Jingxuan secretly exhaled a long breath, saying with a smile, ¡°Xiaowu, good job. That¡¯s my boy. But remember the strength you used just now and the feeling. And, don¡¯t make it crooked. You know, we will save the rice grown out of this row for ourselves.¡±


    When the kid needed praise, Ling Jingxuan was never stingy of those good words, and still didn¡¯t forget to throw bigger temptation.


    ¡°OK, daddy, just wait to eat the rice I grow out, definitely more delicious than that we buy outside. Changsheng, come on. My daddy likes eating rice most. I will grow a lot of rice for daddy to eat.¡±


    Looking at his proud appearance, Ling Jingxuan felt so amused, but he didn¡¯t dare say any word to blow his passion. Seeing that he successively planted some more, and even taught Zhou Changsheng who was even one year older than him, Ling Jingxuan shook his head and turned to walk away. He¡¯d only feel gratified as long as the rice his small son grew out was enough for himself.


    ¡°Uncle Ling, is mine also too light?¡±


    As Chu Yan who got lagged behind heard their conversation, he decisively collected all those seedlings floating on the surface of the water, and stopped Ling Jingxuan when he was passing by.


    ¡°Hmm, don¡¯t be afraid to crush them. It doesn¡¯t matter if you use a little too much strength. Just feel for the right amount of strength and everything will be smooth then.¡±


    Looking at those wet seedlings in his hand, Ling Jingxuan took the initiative to grab his hand and taught him to plant some hand in hand. Embarrassed, Chu Yan blushed, he shook his hand loose and said, ¡°I know, uncle Ling, you can go teach Xiaowen and others.¡±


    After all, he was a big boy, who grew up in that kind of environment. Chu Yan was so precocious that he already knew to feel shy of being too intimate.


    ¡°Hehe¡­All right, then you learn it by yourself. Later I will come teach you again.¡±


    Noticing his embarrassment, Ling Jingxuan smiled faintly and then handed the seedlings left in his hand back to him. As he turned around, he saw that Tiewa who was still shouting now was learning it patiently under Long Dashan¡¯s guidance. And Ling Wen, like he was wrestling with those seedlings, kept inserting them again and again. Even if they fell, he just left them there. Gradually, fewer and fewer seedlings fell, and he was doing it faster and faster, apparently he had explored his own way.


    The last remaining old bun Yan Shengrui now was staring at him expectantly holding the seedlings. The moment their eyes collided, Ling Jingxuan felt like having a headache, he even didn¡¯t have the heart to look at those seedlings that got ravaged.

 Chapter 229

    ¡°Jingxuan¡­¡±


    Seeing that he didn¡¯t take any action, Yan Shengrui opened his mouth. Rarely, he who claimed that his face was even thicker than the city wall blushed. At first, when he watched others do it, he thought it was quite simple and he didn¡¯t even have to learn, but¡­he bet this should be the most embarrassing moment in his life!


    ¡°Do you hold any grudge against those seedlings or what? Do you have to use so much strength?¡±


    Resigned, Ling Jingxuan walked over and angrily took the seedlings from his hand, most of which had nearly gotten broken in his hands.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t use too much strength, I just hold them gently, and then gently inserted them in, who knows¡­¡±


    Then he even felt embarrassed to continue. Those his sons planted either fell or floated up, while those he planted were like being drowned. Holy sh*t!


    ¡°Are you sure it was gentle?¡±


    Leering on him, Ling Jingxuan threw away the seedlings in the hand, and picked up a few intact ones, Yan Shengrui got shamed into anger and directly walked before him and said shamelessly, ¡°Anyhow, you got teach me like how you taught Xiaowu and others.¡±


    He then grasped him wth his hand full of mud. In case he broke the seedlings again, Ling Jingxuan hurriedly handed them to his other hand, then he threw him a hard stare, ¡°Find. But you still don¡¯t know how to it, stop adding trouble for me.¡±


    How is it possible such a smart person even can¡¯t learn to transplant rice seedlings? Or their Prince Sheng is born not to be such a material?


    ¡°Come on. I¡¯m sure you didn¡¯t teach it well.¡±


    Tough-faced, which had always been his forte, he had fully displayed it now, though his handsome face was more or less shy.


    Arguing with him, he¡¯d get pissed off to death sooner or later, so Ling Jingxuan even wasted not a single drop of his saliva with him, instead, he directly grabbed his hand, spared him a batch of seedlings, and then held his hand to insert them into the mud like how he taught the small bun, ¡°Done? See? You got control your strength well, but don¡¯t use brute force. Just a little bit strength of your fingers holding the seedlings would be enough.¡±


    While speaking, Ling Jingxuan held his hand and planted some more. Watching those seedlings inserted in a straight line, Yan Shengrui had to admit it was not that Jingxuan didn¡¯t teach him well, but he himself really had no talent on this.


    But it did seem too much to let a sword-wielding man on the battlefield plant seedlings.


    ¡°What are you thinking? Try again.¡±


    Seeing he did not respond, Ling Jingxuan turned back and elbowed his waist, then handed the rest of the seedlings to him.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    No more words, Yan Shengrui who finally came to himself took a few deep breaths holding those seedlings, tried his best to relax himself and then spared a batch of the seedlings and inserted them into the mud. This time was a little better, but still a little too much strength, so over half of the seedlings sunk in the water, hard to survive. And even if they survived, the output wouldn¡¯t be high. But his man finally succeeded once. Ling Jingxuan would be nuts if he laughed him now.


    ¡°Yes, not bad, a little more softly. You go ahead. I should plant in my own part.¡±


    Today he had specially spared two furrows of the field for them to experience. For better or for worse, he wouldn¡¯t ask the workers to replant it, so those two furrows of field was their task. No one could go home before finishing it. So if he didn¡¯t try to plant more, today they couldn¡¯t finish it after dark,


    After dropping the seedlings and holding him, washing off the mud on his hands using the muddy water, Yan Shengrui raised his hand to take off his straw hat and put it on for him, with his fingers sliding down his face painfully.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a woman, it¡¯s OK that my skin turns a bit darker. Come on. We can go home early if we finish it all early.¡±


    Saying so, Ling Jingxuan still didn¡¯t refuse his good intention. After he left, Yan Shengrui bent down to start his job again. One could imagine the huge difference between their outcome and that of those workers. But, as they saw those winding seedlings, including Ling Jingxuan, everyone couldn¡¯t help laughing heartily.


    ¡°Daddy, I will help to plant rice seedlings in the future. Practice makes perfect. I am sure the more I plant the better.¡±


    The sun was setting down, their eighty mu of land was finally finished. And those workers, Ling Chenglong and others all went to Zhao family¡¯s field to help, while Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui and those little buns stood on the ridge in a line to appreciate the whole day¡¯s achievement with great satisfaction.


    ¡°Hmm, you are young and have never done it before, so it is good enough that you can do it like this. From now on, when we plant rice every year, we will leave one or two rows to plant by ourselves. Although it may be a little hard work, daddy promises you that when you eat the white rice grown by yourselves, you will be absolutely satisfied.¡±


    Down to look at Ling Wen, Ling Jingxuan then looked up to the green rice fields. Something you got easily, you wouldn¡¯t cherish it. Only things that took people a lot of pains, people would cherish it like their own eyes.


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    The few little buns looked at each other and then nodded in unison. Some day, they¡¯d do it as well as those workers.

 Chapter 230

    Racing against time to transplant the rice seedlings is a technical work. When it turned dark, ninety mu of land was finally finished, the whole family got so worn out. At dinner, everyone went back to their own room to rest after randomly grabbing some food. The second day, the second son of Wang family was going home, to bring the rest of the seedlings back to plant. Ling Jingxuan specially asked Old Zhou and Song Gengniu to drive the carriage and ox card to send them back. Thinking that now their business was so good and they might be short of hands, Ling Chenglong and Ling Jingpeng also went to help.


    As for Wang Jinyu, she planned to take her sons back, but after Ling Jingxuan checked the handbag she made according to the drawing, he found that she had the potential, so he said to her that he¡¯d bring Zhang Qing to town to their his luck, so finally she stayed, by the way, she could make some more handbags of different colors with Ling Yun, Liu Xiaohui and Song Shuiling and Lady Wang.


    As it was close to the end of the month, Shopkeeper Zhang boss send someone to hasten the delivery again, because the branches would come to Datong to pick up the goods, and the amount they ordered was horribly big. So Ling Jingxuan who meant to go to town could only stay home and led the whole family to make jam. Almost everyone there would be a few carriages coming to fetch the goods. Only until the last day of August when the last batch of jam was moved onto the carriage could they finally have the chance to have some rest.


    ¡°Wow¡­finally finished, today we got to have a good rest today, Sister-in-law Song, later, you go to the entrance of the village to buy a few jin of pork. We should eat something good as a reward to ourselves.


    Watching those carriages leave, Ling Jingxuan gave out an exaggerating breath. The restaurant was asking more and more jam. Only this month, it was nearly ten thousand jin. And it¡¯d only get more next month, which would be a tiresome month for them, but anyway, it wasn¡¯t bad that they could earn more. Otherwise, after he bought the land, they¡¯d go bankrupt, by then, the big bun would pull his face as long as a gorilla.


    As Ling Jingxuan thought of here, a touch of helplessness crawled upon his face. He had thought that as long as he could earn enough money, the big bun wouldn¡¯t be so stingy, but¡­Alas, thereby hangs a tale¡­


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m gonna go now.¡±


    Sister-in-law Song gladly responded, turned back and ran to the yard, although everyone had been exhausted these days, at this time, they all revealed a happy smile. Having meat to eat, who wouldn¡¯t have a good mood?


    ¡°Since we¡¯re not making jam today, I¡¯ll go with Old Zhou to look around in the fields.¡±


    Ling Chenglong was born of a busy body, who couldn¡¯t stay idle. See? As Ling Jingxuan just announced that they could have a day off, he was still worried about his eighty my of land.


    ¡°Dad, can¡¯t you have a day off? The rice can¡¯t run by itself in the field.¡±


    Hurriedly moving over to grab his wrist, Ling Jingxuan said so. He knew his dad bore great pressure in the heart, he couldn¡¯t have his nerves high-strung all the time. Having just been busy with so much work, without some rest, even an iron body couldn¡¯t take it.


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m just going to take a look.¡±


    Ling Chenglong gave a smirk, making Ling Jingxuan not know whether to let loose of him or not, at this time, Lady Wang suddenly cut in and brushed off Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand and said, ¡°Go, go, go, you just can¡¯t have a moment¡¯s rest. Jingxuan, ignore him! Let him do whatever he wants to do!¡±


    Having been married for tens of years, how could they not know about each other? Don¡¯t see that Lady Wang was complaining on the surface, in her heart, she also cared about him, but she also knew that none of them could stop him. So, instead of wasting time here, she¡¯d rather let him go early and come back early.


    ¡°Hehe¡­your mother understands me, Jingxuan, I¡¯ll be back soon. It¡¯s OK.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Chenglong already left with Old Zhou. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, turned to go in with Lady Wang and others. At this time, the little buns already started to read, they could already hear their reading sound, like the silver bells, crisp and pleasant. Recently, the luckiest guys should be Ling Jinghan and Zhang Yang. Not only they didn¡¯t have to do any labor work, but also they could go to consult Chu Ci whenever they had something they didn¡¯t understand.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t I see brother Zhao and others?¡±


    After going into the central room, Ling Jingxuan sat down and asked. Every time for the goods delivery, they could come to help. But today it seemed he didn¡¯t see them. Something wrong?


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t mention it. Every family has its own problems. Last night you were too tired and went to sleep before the kids. When Han Fei sent Tiewa here, his eyes were red. Apparently he had just cried before coming. As a married woman, I should ask much. So after he left, I secretly asked Tiewa what happened. And he said, family of Dalong¡¯s ex-wife came, on the surface, they said there are here to see Tiewa, but I am quite sure they should have heard that Dalong has earned a lot of money, so they came to ask for a share. Otherwise, why had they never come before? If they really missed their grandson, why would they start to miss him after their daughter has been dead for five years?¡±


    With a woman home, it was like having a gossip collector. About what had happened yesterday, Lady Wang had already made crystal clear. On hearing her, Ling Jingxuan slight frowned. Recently he had been too tired and his body nearly couldn¡¯t hang in there, so after saying hello to Yan Shengrui and asked him to coax the kids to sleep, he went back to his room to sleep already, never expected¡­Would they be all right? Anyway, the Zhao&Han couple was not that resigned like before, and Zhao Dalong¡¯s ex-wife had been dead for quite a few years and he could have already remarry. Although Han Fei was a man, he was still the decent and legal Mrs. Zhao. So it was not possible if those people planned to take a share. They should be able to handle it well by themselves.


    ¡°It was fine. I asked Han Fei quietly last night, and he said they would handle it by themselves. He just asked us to take care of Tiewa these days. Those people should still be their home and wouldn¡¯t leave now. So they don¡¯t want Tiewa to see those people¡¯s nasty side.¡±


    Noticing his concern, Yan Shengrui shook his hand and whispered reassuringly.

 Chapter 231

    ¡°Hmm, we should not let Tiewa know about this. Although brother Zhao and Han are no longer related to them, Tiewa is still their grandson. If there is a real disturbance, before the adults do something, the child will probably feel bad already.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan also felt helpless. It¡¯s true that every family has its own problems. When they were poor, they got bullied, and finally they got kind of rich, those unbelievable relatives could come to add trouble. Their situation is no better than theirs.


    ¡°If you¡¯re worried, we¡¯ll go and check them out later?¡±


    Now Zhao Dalong had bought all the land about tens of mu from their house to the left side of the village, and the walls had been built. Although, it was still those few rooms and the certain distance from them, they were neighbors now, because there was only a big road linking to the outside in between. So you wouldn¡¯t feel odd or what if they drop around.


    ¡°No, we¡¯d better not step into others¡¯ family affairs. If needed, they¡¯d come ask for our help. Oh right, Jinghan, you cast accounts of this month later. In the future, we¡¯ll cast accounts at the end of the mouth and share out the bonus at the beginning of the next month.¡±


    Shaking his head, Ling Jingxuan took up the cup and had a small sip of the tea, and the unique smell of cordate houttuynia spread in his mouth, making his whole person refreshed. Since they knew that the cordate houttuynian could be used to make tea, the two little buns fell in love with it. And they tea was basically all made by it, heat-clearing and detoxicating, and also tasting good, suitable for both adults and kids.


    ¡°Hmm, I have calculated them all, only a sum-up is needed now. Big brother, when are you going to the town?¡±


    Remembering that last time he seemed to say that at the beginning of September, he¡¯d to go to the town to buy land from the magistrate directly. Today was the last day of August.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take some rest for a few days first. Qingzi, you take those handbags and go with me by then. We can take this opportunity to do some businesses. In the future, don¡¯t let your mom do the needle work anymore, it¡¯s bad for the eyes. After you earn money, you can hire some people. But remember. You¡¯d better make them in batches. Don¡¯t let the same one master all the techniques.¡±


    Wang Jinyu was a good aunt, who was good to him and her own kids. And Qingzi and Yangzi were both quite sensible, so he put more of his time and effort on them than the side of Wang family, for he really wanted to help them.


    ¡°Hmm, I remember. But Jingxuan, can those handbags really make money? People in the town could like those rough things our village people make?¡±


    After all, they were made of some coarse linen and bamboo skin and other worthless things, although the appearance was indeed very beautiful, and they all liked it, but Wang Jinyu was still a little worried, because this might be related to their future survival, if they really sold well and they got rich, they¡¯d no longer have to be bullied.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with us village people? Aunt, don¡¯t think people in the city are nobler than us. Maybe they are no better than us. If they don¡¯t like it, it means they have no taste. Anyway, we have carriages. We can directly go to the prefecture. I don¡¯t believe that through the whole Cangzhou, there¡¯s no people with good taste. Trust me. I will take Qingzi to find the potential buyers. And when he is familiar with everything, I will leave everything to him.¡±


    Picking his eyebrow, Ling Jingxuan said kind of domineeringly, regardless of in his previous life or this life, compared with those cunning people in the town, he preferred the honest village people. Of course, the old Ling family was an exception. Having transmigrated here for over two months, he had also seen others in the village, who were totally different from them. And a lot of people should know about his situation, but still didn¡¯t say something bad in his face. But gossips behind his back is a sure thing, which was understandable, after all he was indeed quite special. All in all, people of the nearby villages were all not bad.


    ¡°No, if it can really make money, we can¡¯t take it all. You should take of it at least. This thing, from the beginning to the end, it is all you. I just did some handwork, even the raw materials are yours.¡±


    Hearing that he¡¯d leave everything to them, Wang Jinyu instantly disagreed. She was not that greedy. Zhang Qing aside also hurried echoed his mother, ¡°Mom said right. It should be like that. Big cousin, I still want to learn more from you. You can¡¯t get out of it halfway. However much we can earn, you should take half of it.¡±


    Before, it was the Zhao&Han couple, and now it was his aunt and cousin? Ling Jingxuan smiled while making an eye contact with Yan Shengrui. Who wouldn¡¯t want to make more money? Only they would be like that, making him feel that if he didn¡¯t accept it, he was owing them big.


    ¡°All right, we¡¯ll talk about it in the future. Aunt, how about you move to live with us? Look. Qingzi can learn to do business from me, and Yanzi can study together with Jinghan and whenever he meets something he doesn¡¯t understand, he could consult Mr. Chu. And you and my mom can accompany each other. Best choice for three sides. Isn¡¯t it perfect?¡±


    This was not the first time Ling Jingxuan thought of it, he just hadn¡¯t found an opportunity to say it. However close, the other side was just his aunt, not his mother. So if he said too early, it¡¯d make his aunt feel like being taken as a beggar or what. Those who were truly good to him, he wouldn¡¯t do that kind of things to make them uncomfortable.


    ¡°That¡¯s great! Jinyu, stay with us. Anyway, your husband¡¯s parents were dead. And their other sons only know how to bully you. Don¡¯t go back again.¡±


    ¡°No, anyway, I am the daughter-in-law of Zhang family. Although my husband has been dead for so many years, I still have Qingzi and Yangzi. If we really stay, I can¡¯t imagine how people in the village would say about us. I am ok with that, but what about my two sons?¡±


    Of course Wang Jinyu was willing to stay. But she was a widow, she should consider about his sons¡¯ reputation.

 Chapter 232

    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    Looking at her embarrassed appearance, Zhang Qing opened his mouth but didn¡¯t know how to comfort her. If they were rich, they could buy some homestead and build a house near her, then he and his mom could live her. But the thing is they were stone-broke, so he didn¡¯t have the guts to say that. Although he was clear that even if they lived here for long, they wouldn¡¯t say anything, he was the big son of their family anyhow who would support the whole family in the future. How could he have the face to live here all the time?


    All in all, it was about reputation. Lady Wang grabbed her younger sister¡¯s hand and made a sigh. Village people like them, as long as they could, who would want to carry a bad name? Let alone her younger sister, even they were being pointed at behind the back now, weren¡¯t they?


    About this matter, even Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t know what to do. He didn¡¯t care about reputation, but he couldn¡¯t ask others not to the care about theirs, right?


    For a while, the atmosphere in the room became a bit suffocating. No one said anything more. Everyone, including Ling Yun and others who were standing by, didn¡¯t look good. Yan Shengrui looked around them and then broke the silence, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to the town to see the magistrate later? You can ask him to move their registered residence into Ling village, problem solved, right? After Qingzi earns money, they could buy the homestead and build a house near us. See who dares gossip again!


    ¡°Would that work?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help picking his eyebrows at him. Isn¡¯t that like modern times? Wherever you transfer your household registration location, you¡¯d belong to that place. It seems the laws in this dynasty are quite adequate.


    ¡°Sure. Otherwise, how do you think those outsiders of this village came here? They didn¡¯t belong to this village before. But now except those people surnamed Ling, who dare say the others don¡¯t belong to this village? It¡¯s just that residence transfer is quite difficult, common people don¡¯t have that ability, and most people don¡¯t want to leave their native place.¡±


    Naturally reaching out a hand and smoothing the hair before his forehead, Yan Shengrui said softly.


    Hearing him, Ling Jingxuan touched his chin for a little meditation, then looked over at Wang Jinyu and her two sons sitting on the opposite side, ¡°Aunt, Qing, Yang, what do you say? As long as you nod to agree, I have my way to let the magistrate do us this favor. As for the homestead thing, I believe with your craftsmanship, you will definitely earn a lot of money and maybe build a big house next to us this year!¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Apparently she was lying if she said she didn¡¯t want it. But such a huge thing, Wang Jinyu also didn¡¯t know what to do, so her eyes signaling for help couldn¡¯t help turning to her two sons. Zhang Qing was thirteen and Zhang Yang was eleven, however mature they were, they were still two boys. They couldn¡¯t make such a decision immediately. Seeing that they all looked so embarrassed and didn¡¯t know what to do, Ling Jingxuan knew that he pushed them too hard, so he hurriedly added, ¡°Aunt, there is no hurry. Anyway, I¡¯m going to town a few days later. You can talk about it thoroughly together. I personally hope that you can say yes. People on that side are not good to you. What¡¯s the pointing living there? The deceased is deceased, but the living people should move on. Being gossiped by those people all day, you¡¯d have mental problems. If you still couldn¡¯t forget about my uncle-in-law, after you make money, you can buy a land here and move his cinerary urn here.¡±


    Life is extra difficult for widows. Watching the present Wang Jinyu and his sons, he couldn¡¯t thinking about the original owner of this body and the two little buns. Maybe that was one of the reasons why he tried to help them.


    ¡°Let me think, this is a big deal, I need to think it over carefully¡­¡±


    Raising a hand to hold his forehead, Wang Jinyu also felt entangled in the heart. People all hanker after an easy and comfortable life. Having lived here in her elder sister¡¯s place, she had already fallen in love with this place. Not only her elder sister and brother-in-law, even her three nephews, and even Xiaowen, Xiaowu and the servants and maids were good to them. Besides, what Jingxuan said was right. If so, Qingzi could also learn to do business from him, and Yangzi would have a much higher chance to get listed under the help of Jinghan, but¡­on thinking of her husband¡¯s side, she felt stuck in between. She was afraid that people¡¯s gossip might ruin her two sons¡¯ future.


    ¡°Jinyu, come and have a rest in my room, let us two sisters have some private talk.¡±


    Seeing this, Lady Wang felt heartbroken and hurriedly held her, nodded at Ling Jingxuan, the two sisters walked out, Yan Shengrui timely threw Ling Yun a look, the latter instantly got it and followed up.


    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    Watching their mother leave, Zhang Qing and Zhang Yang opened their mouths, also feeling sorry for her. How would they not understand the bitterness in her heart? Sometimes, they even had the urge of asking her to remarry. But every time when the words nearly got out of their mouths, they finally swallowed them back. If she remarried, she would never bring them with her. Clearly knowing that remarrying may be the best choice for her, they couldn¡¯t speak it out since they really didn¡¯t want to separate with her.

 Chapter 233

    ¡°Qingzi, Yangzi, people live only a few decades. If we care too much about what people say about us, we¡¯ll feel very tired. Your mother is merely thirty years or so. Do you really have the heart to see her being badmouthed by people in that village for her whole life? Even if people build a stone arch for her being a chaste woman her whole life after she dies, so what? That only shows to people alive. For the deceased, there¡¯s no point at all. Rather than feeling regretted by then, why not seize the opportunity to let her live quietly for the rest of her life?¡±


    He didn¡¯t see much of a widow remarrying, uncles Wang Jinyu really met a man who was truly good to her, otherwise, he didn¡¯t approve of her finding another man. But he did wished that she could liver happier from the bottom of his heart. Not demanding for a luxurious life, only wishing for a peaceful life.


    ¡°Hmm, big cousin, we¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    The two brothers took a look at each other, and Zhang Qing said so. Ling Jingxuan nodded and didn¡¯t want to say anything more. They should know what they were doing, that¡¯s enough. On the contrary, if they were just two blockheads, it would be of no use however much he said.


    ¡°By the way, big brother, don¡¯t we stop our jam business until the end of September? After October, I also plan to go to the town to buy a shop to do some small business, what do you think?¡±


    Looking back and forth at them, Ling Jingpeng suddenly opened his mouth to change the subject. Actually, he was not very active in doing business. The thing is he had nothing to do after the coming of winter. Anyway, he shouldn¡¯t stay home doing nothing all day. It¡¯s still good to earn some money to support the family. When he got busy next year, he can rent out the shop and collect some rent or something.


    ¡°Not so good. Still early to say that. We¡¯ve got other things for you to do after the jam¡¯s over, you¡¯ll come with me when I go out on business. Don¡¯t just bury your head doing things. You are not a worker I hired. You should go out to see a bigger world. In the future, most of our businesses will count on you.¡±


    Throwing him a stare, Ling Jingxuan rejected his proposal instantly. Did he really think he had been nesting in the factory to feed the mosquitos? Letting him do some small business? Unless he wanted to exhaust himself.


    ¡°Heihei¡­I was just saying it. But, big brother, if I go out to talk business, what would you do then?¡±


    Ashamed to scratch his head, Ling Jingpeng asked strangely, in his subconsciousness, he always felt that the business at home all belonged to his big brother, he already felt quite contented that he could have a little share. How could he grab it all in his own hands?


    ¡°Hehe¡­ I will certainly stay at home to enjoy life.¡±


    Turning to take a look at Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan smiled reasonably. What would younger brothers be used to do? Except taking care of them, he could also exploit them, right?


    ¡°Well¡­big brother, it¡¯s still too early for you to retire. After Xiaowen and Xiaowu grow up, you¡¯d have plenty of time to enjoy life. Don¡¯t try to exploit your younger brother me now, OK?¡±


    Face sunk, Ling Jingpeng unceremoniously retorted. His big brother is all good, but only often makes fun of him, which is a little annoying.


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Hearing that, people of the whole room couldn¡¯t help laughing out. And the suffocating feelings just now was already nowhere to find. Ling Jinghan and others still had to study, Ling Jingpeng and Zhang Qing would also read some books when they had time and learned more things, so Ling Jingxuan gave them room and left with Yan Shengrui hand in hand and then went to Chu Ci¡¯s room. The kids had studied for so long, it seemed they hadn¡¯t made some time to watch them how they performed in class.


    ¡°Are they practicing calligraphy? Why is there no sound?¡±


    As they walked to the door, they noticed that the sound of reading books disappeared, the yard fell into silence. Out of curiosity, Ling Jingxuan craned his neck to look inside through the window, and then saw that the little buns were quietly burying their heads in the customized tables practicing their calligraphy, including their footboys, while Chu Ci was leaning against his chair leisurely, his pretty face still cold as always.


    ¡°Did you say something to Chu Ci last time? Lately he seems to have grown even colder, but the fear that so often sat in his eyes seems to have gone, replaced by some kind of dead silence, a silence of indifference.¡±


    Withdrawing his body, Ling Jingxuan asked so in whispers, it was true that he had been busy recently, but it didn¡¯t mean that he had sense organ disorder. Since the day of the rice seedling transplanting, Chu Ci seemed to have changed. His intuition told him that it should be related to his man.


    ¡°Nothing important. I just made him a promise. Jingxuan, have you already guess out who he is?¡±


    Raising a head to touch his face, Yan Shengrui said affectionately. He had always known that although he seemed not to care about it, actually, he had already made plans for him and their sons.


    ¡°Hmm, probably, at first I meant to ask him directly, because I don¡¯t want to get involved into some strange things without any clue. But after thinking about it carefully, I gave up. What should come would come anyway. Rather than being worried and keeping guessing, I¡¯d rather live our life better. If something really happens in the future, I still can do something.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t hide anything from him, with undisguised dominance between his eyebrows. The affection under his peach blossom eyes grew denser. He liked him just because of this. Always so confident and dominant, like nothing could beat him down. Maybe sometimes, he felt sorry about him, or even blamed himself for being so useless since he couldn¡¯t do anything for him. If he couldn¡¯t give him a reliable life, what qualification did he have to say that he is his man?


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let anyone hurt you, even if it is the you-know-who. As for you and our sons, you just need to be yourselves and live happily.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­I¡¯ll take it seriously. In the future, if the little buns or I got hurt by that man, see how I punish you!¡±


    Grasping his neckline and pulling him to his side, Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows, put on a faint smile, and said with a flirting tone. But they both knew he was serious. The two little buns were their weak spot. Whoever touched them must pay the price. Ling Jingxuan was not that kind of people who could care about what others may think of him or fear of the imperial power like others.


    ¡°So, are you two having enough? Go back to your own room if you want to flirt! The kids are still studying!¡±


    All of a sudden, Chu Ci¡¯s cold voice came out from inside. The two of them felt embarrassed. As they turned their heads, they saw that the few little buns who were still carefully practicing calligraphy now were staring at them, grinning. Ling Jingxuan instantly blushed. After throwing Yan Shengrui a hard stare, he turned to walk towards them, while Yan Shengrui rubbed his nose and then followed up like nothing had happened. What¡¯s wrong with them flirting? It¡¯s not against the law! Who could say no?

 Chapter 234

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you practicing your writing just now? Why are you all out?¡±


    Bending down to pick up Tiewa, Ling Jingxuan asked pretendingly calmly. Of course the few little footboys would dare say anything, but the two little buns were different. The small bun giggled covering his mouth. Who knows what he is thinking? And the big bun held one hand behind his back and said solemnly, ¡°Father and daddy are chattering by the door, how could we get down to our study? Daddy, it¡¯s not that I am being nosy. We know you and father are good, but you shouldn¡¯t publicize it during the day. You know, doing nasty things during the day is not good to the body, which would also incur people¡¯s gossip and also is not good to us.¡±


    Having read some books, Ling Wen also became sour. Ling Jingxuan got stoned there and was highly doubting what Chu Ci was teaching them everyday. How could he teach the little buns into such sour scholar type?


    ¡°Inner peace and you¡¯d feel quiet. You can¡¯t stay quiet yourselves, how could put the blame on me and your daddy?¡±


    Yan Shengrui behind bent his finger and slightly tapped on the little sour scholar¡¯s head. If he couldn¡¯t even handle his son, how could he lead such large troops on the battlefield?


    ¡°No, no, no, father is clearly using sophistry. We are just some little kids. How could we hold the disturbance of the outside world?¡±


    Ling Wen shook his head and stated his own view, making Yan Shengrui nearly suspect whether that is really his little boy.


    ¡°You taught him that too?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan had a spasm of his mouth, then, carrying Tiewa, found a random chair to sit down, turning his eyes to look over at Chu Ci who were watching them battle for fun.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t teach him that. If you want to ask for a reason, I¡¯m afraid it is inherited, as far as I know, someone was also like this when he was little, often pissed off the tutor and made his mad. The record is changing eight tutors in a year. His senior got super mad and threw him out of the family, and it also made the number one bully in the capital, whom so many people proposed to impeach.¡±


    While speaking, Chu Ci meaningfully turned his eyes to Yan Shengrui, while the latter put on the appearance of ¡®I lost my memories, so I don¡¯t give it a sh*t¡¯, totally not feeling ashamed for his past, while Ling Jingxuan gave him a look with a grin. He had always thought he should be that kind of person who stayed poised and felt disdained to rub shoulders with anyone, never thought he also had such wild childhood.


    ¡°Uncle Chu, who are you talking about? Changing eight tutors in a year? Wouldn¡¯t his daddy spank him?¡±


    The small bun looked back and forth at them, then ran to Chu Ci¡¯s side, with that little delicate face full of curiosity. Chu Ci and Chu Yan nearly couldn¡¯t hold it and laughed out. But before Yan Shengrui, they dare not laughed too wildly, so Chu Ci tried to suppress himself, ¡°Ahem¡­he daddy wouldn¡¯t beat him, but just threw himself to his brother-in-law and let him discipline him.¡±


    That was also the beginning of the bleeding love between him and Zeng Shaoqing , ever since he went to live in the duke¡¯s mansion, the two of them immediately hit it off, almost bullied all children of those noble families and complaints could be heard everywhere, but none dare say a word about it. When someone finally reached fourteen, disregarding the late emperor¡¯s objection, he went to the boarders following Duke Zeng. Finally those finally thought finally they could get their breath back, he won the first battle, and then served with distinction in the war those years. The late emperor was overjoyed and directly conferred him the title of Prince Sheng, and also offered Cangzhou and Yunzhou which nearly controlled all of water fortresses of the whole Qing Kingdom to him as the fief. Facing such a powerful and overwhelming figure, at first those noble family felt angry but dare not have any complaints, but now, they even dare not have any anger against him.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t he have his dad and mom? Why ask someone else to discipline him?¡±


    Totally not perceiving the faint smile at the corner of Chu Ci¡¯s mouth, the small bun gave full play to his ability of a chatterbox, and began his one hundred thousand why.


    ¡°Hehe¡­because his dad was very busy, and had no time to personally discipline him, Xiaowu, when your daddy becomes very busy in the future, he may also have no time for you, so you gotta discipline yourself.¡±


    Throwing Yan Shengrui a meaningful look, Chu Ci tipped his little nose tip, the memory of childhood is always good, even he also had a happy and carefree childhood.


    ¡°Heehee, Uncle Chu, don¡¯t worry about that. I am well-behaved and wouldn¡¯t piss you off like that person. You will be my favorite tutor forever!¡±


    On his lap, Ling Wu gave a brilliant smile, he liked his Uncle Chu for he taught them many things they didn¡¯t understand, and he also liked Chu Yan, because he always took good care of them like a big brother, in his innocent heart, he only felt that they would always be like this and never part with each other, let alone piss them off.


    ¡°I also like Xiaowu very much, but I am not your tutor. When your father and daddy make more money, you can ask some famous scholars to teach you. They are your real tutors.¡±


    All he could teach them was some primers and the way to deal with the imperial family. The only people who could really teach them the art of statecraft were those great and respectable scholars.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want any, I only want you. What famous scholars? I don¡¯t give it a sh*t. Right, daddy?¡±


    But the small bun reddened his eyes, turned to look at Ling Jingxuan, pouting. He liked Uncle Chu, and only wanted him to teach them, he wanted no one else!


    ¡°Right, the premise is whether our Xiaowu likes him or not. Studying so hard, one wouldn¡¯t take the official career necessarily. One may distinguish himself in any trade. You only need to do things you like. Daddy won¡¯t force you to learn from those famous scholars or what or top the list of the imperial examination.¡±


    The so-called scholars were just a bunch of people who were profoundly learned but had no heart on their official career, to they chose to teach people. And the so-called saints, to those students who only aimed at their official career, it should be their blessing if they could take them as their tutor, because it could at least save them ten years for struggling. But Ling Jingxuan held some different opinion, or even felt kind of disdained about that. Those people had no heart on the official circles themselves, let alone know about the arts of being a good official. And what they could teach was just those things on the books plus a bit of their own understandings. Maybe it would be good for the imperial examination, but as for how to do well in one¡¯s official career, he personally thought one could only succeed through accumulating the experience oneself.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to let them take the official career?¡±


    Before the small bun opened his mouth, Chu Ci cut in. He had thought that he specially hired him to teach them only for their official career, but¡­what on earth does he want?


    ¡°Why should they take the official career?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled while picking his eyebrow, and asked him back. What¡¯s the good of being an official? To be a good official, one would exhaust himself but may not win people¡¯s praise, but to be a greedy official, one would live in fear all day and die young. If possible, he¡¯d like them to live freely without any restraint.


    Why should they take the official career?

 Chapter 235

    That question got Chu Ci. People like him already had their future decided when they were born, right? Why ask why? But Xiaowu and Xiaowu were born differently from those offspring of the noble families. Until now, the imperial family still had no idea of their existence. Plus, they had such a daddy who also didn¡¯t play by rules, their future was still intricate.


    ¡°I want to become an official. I will earn daddy a big official. But I also like Uncle Chu and don¡¯t want anyone else to be my tutor.¡±


    Understanding the dialogue between them, Ling Wen stood out to speak out his goal loudly, with his little face looking so firm, others would earn phoenix coronet and robes of rank for their mom and wife, while he wanted to earn his daddy an official position. So him being an official was all for his daddy?


    ¡°I also want to, adoptive daddy, I also want to be an official like Xiaowen, to make my father and daddy happy, and make you happy.¡±


    Tiewa who was sitting over Ling Jingxuan¡¯s lap also hurriedly echoed, blushing. He knew he was not as smart as Ling Wen and Ling Wu, so he would keep reciting what Uncle Chu taught them, only wishing that one day he could become an official together with Ling Wen and earn some face for their dads.


    Pouting, Ling Wu looked back and forth at them for a long while, and finally said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be an official. I want to be a general.¡±


    Three children¡¯s ambitions were all great, a few adults all could not help but laugh, including the precocious Chu Yan, and the few footboys looked even more excited. Their little masters would either be an official or a general. Would their future be bad? At this moment, Song Xiaohu, Zhou Changsheng and Long Dashan swore in their heart that they would also study hard to catch up with their little masters.


    ¡°A general? That¡¯s my boy!¡±


    Hearing his small son¡¯s ambition, Yan Shengrui instantly held him up. Chu Ci and Ling Jingxuan laughed. So is that also inherited?


    ¡°All right. Whatever you are going to be in the future, daddy will fully support you. But, be it an official or a general, it¡¯s not that easy. In the official circles, bragging, sucking up, coaxing and paying tribute, four rules you need to stick to, and for yourselves, heartless, precise, calm and enduring, you got keep those things in your heart. Only by knowing how to wield those eight things in your career can you be a good official. Remember, when the water is too clear, there are no fish. And if you too observable, you¡¯d have no partners. When you really achieve your goal some day, you must remember what I said today.¡±


    Whenever he saw an opportunity, whether it was appropriate or not, Ling Jingxuan would pass on his wisdom to them. He didn¡¯t expect them to understand it right away, but only wanted them to remember it and apply it to real life skillfully in the future.


    ¡°Yes, daddy (adoptive daddy).¡±


    Three little buns stood before him in a straight line, and then bent over reverently. Although they didn¡¯t understand at all, they had kept every word he said in their mind.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Good. Anyway, you are young. Don¡¯t give yourselves too much pressure. Studying is your job, and having fun is your nature. Remember. Alternate your study with rest. The true meaning of life could never been comprehended through books.¡±


    Touching their heads respectively, Ling Jingxuan said those words while throwing a meaningful glance at Chu Yan standing beside, who was only a nine years old child, but abided by the moral codes everywhere, looking just like a little old man, who had already lost his purity as a child, if possible, he hoped he can be a little bit naughtier, at least not so constrained.


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, we know.¡±


    Three little buns nodded obediently, with their little faces permeated with an innocent smile.


    Since he said those doctrines of being an official, Chu Ci went silent, sizing him up and down with a suspicious look. If not seeing it with his own eyes, he really couldn¡¯t believe that he was just a common farmer.


    ¡°Uncle Chu, what is the doctrines of being an emperor? If an emperor wants to govern his whole kingdom, should he hold a benevolent heart or a cold heart?¡±


    Chu Yan suddenly opened his mouth to ask. He still couldn¡¯t understand why that person had always been so indifferent to them, only watched them aside coldly at the time. In his heart, he was a total fatuous ruler. But his father told him that he couldn¡¯t be taken as a fatuous ruler, or a moderatamente one. What is a moderatamente ruler, a tyrant ruler or a wise ruler?


    Maybe because he came from the imperial family, so he only asked about the doctrines of being a ruler, but not officials.


    ¡°You can¡¯t put them together. Someone who is cold and decisive would be prone to adopting the high-handed approach of using force, and the civilians would be bound to live miserably, while someone who holds a benevolent heart couldn¡¯t hold a high potions, sooner or later, he¡¯d get dragged off his high position. So you could imagine his fate. A ruler is people-oriented. As the saying goes, the time isn¡¯t as important as the terrain; but the terrain isn¡¯t as important as unity with the people. The way of running a kingdom should depend on whether one could gain his people¡¯s support. A wise ruler needs to hold the whole world in his heart, but also needs to be cold and decisive sometimes. To his people, he has to show his kind side, and improve the whole nation¡¯s moral cultivation. Advocate both formality and laws, then a ruler could confirm what he wanted, and unite all the people. To the outside, to defend the national dignity and territorial integrality, though wars and bloods were inevitable, a ruler had to conquer the nomads and show his kingdom¡¯s strength. To those invaders, only one word, kill! A ruler has to stick one thing in the mind, the people are the foundation of a kingdom, people always come before a kingdom.¡±


    Only if the ruler holds the right attitude could he govern his kingdom in long peace. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t know whether he who was still young could understand it, or whether he would have the heart to fight over that supreme position. But which road he could take in the future, he hoped that he could keep those words in his heart.


    No one expected that he would give such a sharp but precise answer for a random question of Chu Yan. Let alone Chu Ci and Chu Yan, even Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help taking a whole new look at him. Something even they who were from the imperial family couldn¡¯t thoroughly understand came out of his mouth so easily. If someday he could be a ruler, wouldn¡¯t his big name go down in history? Any ruler who could make it as what he said would all leave his name down in history.


    No one noticed that Ling Jinghan and Zhang Qing who happened to consult something from Chu Ci happened to hear their conversation. So, while benefiting a lot, Ling Jinghan also felt bitter in his heart. He had always known that his big brother should be the smartest one. If it hadn¡¯t been that thing, he should have had a title in the court now. But¡­


    Suddenly Ling Jinghan turned to look firm, and held the book in his hand tighter. He swore he would have a space in the court on his big brother¡¯s behalf and show everyone who ever laughed at them and bullied them and people of the old Ling family that them three brothers were definitely some kind of shame. Someday, he¡¯d let them regret it!

 Chapter 236

    Duke Weiyuan¡¯s Mansion in the capital


    ¡°Master Six, a letter from Cangzhou!¡±


    Zheng Shaoqing who hurried all the way from Cang Zhou to the capital with a large number of goods finally made it back before his old father and his big and second brother went out for wars. Before they left, they nagged again and again that he should find Yan Shengrui as soon as possible, otherwise there would be change on the court and the borders. Some problems weren¡¯t that obvious when Yan Shengrui was here. But once he disappeared, the ugliness covered under the surface would slowly show. The reason that it hadn¡¯t caused any chaos was that His Majesty had issued an order of concealing the news of Yan Shengrui¡¯s missing. And only his personal bodyguards and Duke Zeng¡¯s mansion knew about it. If someday it got exposed, not only the enemy kingdoms would take advantage of it to invade them, but also those unsettled princes would also stir up trouble.


    As a result, Zeng Shaoqing had issued several orders successively, asking his subordinates to find Yan Shengrui even if they had to overturn the whole Cangzhou, but the situation was not optimistic, so far he hadn¡¯t received any positive news.


    Now hearing that it was a letter from Cangzhou, Zeng Shaoqing who was reclining on the armchair resting stretched out a hand, a girl in green waiting on aside took out a letter and handed it into his hand reverently. He opened his eyes and looked at the sealing was exclusive to Xinyuan Restaurant, a slice of disappointment flashed under his eyes. If it was news about Yan Shengrui, the sealing wax should belong to his mansion or his personal bodyguards.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ this Ling Jingxuan is an interesting one.¡±


    Reading the content of the letter, Zeng Shaoqing turned to sit up, the letter was from the general shopkeeper of Cangzhou, Datong town. The general meaning was that Ling Jingxuan provided several new dishes for them, and trials were pretty good. Shopkeeper Zhang meant to pay him silver to buy out his recipes, but instead of asking for silver, he proposed to take twenty percent of the profit of all the fishes he provided. Besides, he also promised that in the future, every month, he¡¯d provide them one or two new dishes. This thing was too huge. Let alone Shopkeeper Zhang, even the general shopkeeper of Cangzhou couldn¡¯t make the decision. Twenty percent of the profit sounded not much, but their Xinyuan Restaurant had branches all over the kingdom, there should be a few hundreds. So the net profit every month would be counted by ten thousand taels of gold. If his dishes were really that good, at least he would take away over a million taels of silver. Really having no idea what to do, the general shopkeeper mailed the letter to Zeng Shaoqing and let him make the decision himself.


    ¡°Kuiying, let people check his background, the more detailed the better.¡±


    This time he kept a quarter of the jam and grape wine he brought back from Datong town, the rest was all sent to the palace, and he immediately earned over a hundred times of the money he spent. His Majesty even rewarded him a lot of jewelries for that. It proved that Ling Jingxuan was really capable. He really wanted to cooperate with him and see what would happen.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The man called Kuiying bowed to back out. Zeng Shaoqing lay back, holding the letter. The more he carefully looked at the content, the denser interest under his pair of fox eyes. Ling Jingxuan! This name had gradually gotten imprinted in his brain.


    The present he felt really relaxed now. But when he got Ling Jingxuan¡¯s background investigated, and knew about Yan Shengrui¡¯s whereabouts because of that, would he still stay so poised like now?


    The whole family took a good rest for one day after delivering the jam. And the next day, they began to be busy again. Since no rushing delivery, Ling Jingxuan lazed and left the job of jam making to Ling Jingpeng. Of course, Yan Shengrui also didn¡¯t go up the mountains. The two of them just stayed together all day, or went to Chu Ci¡¯s room to read books with the kids. Days were so comfortable and cozy.


    ¡°Daddy, are we really going to the county tomorrow? I¡¯ve never been to the county before. There¡¯s everything there, isn¡¯t it the same as in town?¡±


    After class in the afternoon, the small bun rested on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thigh and asked out of curiosity. Since Ling Jingxuan told them that he would take them to the county two days ago, their mood had been keeping in an exciting state, especially the small bun, he seized any possible opportunity to ask, as if people in the county all had three heads and six arms.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Why ask so much? Won¡¯t you know when you are there?¡±


    His repeated questions were so few that he did not know how to answer them.


    ¡°But I just wanted to know earlier.¡±


    Pouty, the small bun held his arm and kept shaking it. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, then stretched out a hand to pat on his little butt and pouted his lips at Yan Shengruk, ¡°Come on. Go ask your father. Daddy only went there when taking the examination for tongsheng. How could I remember so much?¡±

 Chapter 237

    By the end of each year, almost all students of those towns would gather in the county, under the presiding of the magistrate, the annual tongsheng examination started. Only those students who had passed this examination would be qualified to take the county examination next spring¡ªthe examination for xiucai. Only a xiucai would have an official rank. In Ling Jingxuan¡¯s understanding, xiucai was like the student ID card the court issued all students. With it, those students who had studied hard for years could take the township examination held in every three years in autumn. Those who got listed as a juren would have one foot in the official circles. Next would be the provincial examination for jinshi held in spring every three years. Only jinshi could be taken as the real national public servants, which equaled to college graduates in modern times. So, to put it simply, tongsheng was like graduates from primary school, xiucai, middle school, juren, high school, and jinshi or above, college graduates. The original owner had passed the tongsheng examination at the age of thirteen. And no one in Ling village didn¡¯t say he was the star of wisdom at the time. But the present Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t give it a sh*t at all. Someone who graduated from primary at the age of thirteen already called star of wisdom? How about those who passed the entrance examination for colleges at the age of twelve in modern world? If in modern times, let alone a mere tongsheng, even a xiucai was nothing at all!


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    The small bun glumly turned to Yan Shengrui, finally quietness returned by his ears. As Ling Jingxuan was about to go out for some relaxation, he saw the big bun who only had his little butt exposed out there rummaged in the wardrobe. Curiosity crawled into his eyes, and he subconsciously walked over.


    ¡°What are you doing? Ransacking the wardrobes during the day?¡±


    ¡°Ah? Daddy, you scared me! I was looking for the saving pot you asked Uncle Wang to make for us.¡±


    As he said so, Ling Wen took out a saving pot out of the wardrobe, which Ling Jingxuan specially asked Wang to make for them, the three kids had one each. The wooden but na?ve piggy image was really cute. Its big belly could at least accommodate thousands of copper coins. Seeing that he was using a lot of strength holding it, he guessed that he should have saved a lot now.


    Out of curiosity, Ling Jingxuan followed him all the way to the tea table in the room, then Ling Wen carefully put it down, buckled off the cork, held it up and started to shake.


    ¡°Crash¡­¡±


    Countless copper coins together with some silver ingots got poured onto the tea table and soon formed a hill-like pile, inside of which there were a few bank notes. Ling Jingxuan made a rough calculation. Beside that bank note of one thousand taels of silver which was left after buying the land, there was two of one hundred and a few of ten, plus those silver ingots and copper coins, it should be at least one thousand and five hundred taels of silver in total. For this, Ling Jingxuan perspired from embarrassment. When had his little bun saved so much money?


    ¡°Ten taels? No, I should take some silver ingots with me. No, no, no, what if it¡¯s not enough then? So I should take some more. But¡­¡±


    Tonally ignoring his daddy¡¯s strangeness, Ling Wen put that giant saving pot on the chair beside, rummaged through that huge pile of copper coins with two hands, first, took up a bank note for ten taels of silver to have a look, and then put it back, over and over again, also, as if murmuring something. Ling Jingxuan squatted down strangely, ¡°Why are you taking them out? Didn¡¯t you save you¡¯ll save till it¡¯s full?¡±


    He remembered that when he brought the saving pots back, the three little buns all said excitedly that they would fulfill them with money. But not long after, he took it out already. This wasn¡¯t his stingy big bun¡¯s style!


    ¡°Tomorrow I¡¯m going to the county to buy something. But I put all my money inside. I¡¯ll have no money if I don¡¯t take it out.¡±


    Speaking of this, Ling Wen also felt depressed. At ordinary times, he had been too preoccupied with saving money, and wouldn¡¯t spend a single copper coin, which resulted in that he only got three copper coins for emergency in his pouch. See? As daddy said he was taking them to the country, he was in a hurry getting it out.


    ¡°Hehe¡­it¡¯s really a rare thing that you have something you want to buy. What is it? tell daddy, daddy will buy it for you.¡±


    For the first time he said he would spend money to buy something. Ling Jingxuan sat down in the chair beside, legs crossed. Did he little bun finally learn to spend money? So he would successfully step out the first step of raising them into the dandy rich second generation!


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll have to buy it with my own money.¡±


    Throwing him an angry look, Ling Wen then suddenly looked back at his piles of copper coins, silver ingots and bank notes, ¡°Daddy, should I take a bank note of ten taels or a few silver ingots with me?¡±


    His round big eyes were rendered with naked entanglement. If he had known this, he would have asked about the price of those things first.


    ¡°That depends on what you want to buy.¡±


    What? It would even cost him silver ingots? That was not his style! Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help feeling more thrilled. No parents wouldn¡¯t hope that their kids would develop good habits of thrift. Even for those rich or official families, few wouldn¡¯t wish to see their kids form a money blowing habit. But Ling Jingxuan happened to be the minority. He only wished that his little buns would spend money like water. Even if they spent all his money, it was totally fine. Though the whole kingdom, no one could do that.


    ¡°I¡­ I can tell you, but you got to promise that you won¡¯t tell anyone else.¡±


    Ling Wen rarely looked so embarrassed, face already turning red, Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrow, made a you-can-count-on-me gesture. As he was ready to say to what things he¡¯d buy, Yan Shengrui holding the small bun walked over, ¡°Why can¡¯t tell anyone else? Can we know about it?¡±


    Sitting next to Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui put down the small bun and glanced curiously at the coins piled up on the tea table. He came after hearing their conversation and, to be honest, he was also very curious about what he wanted to buy.


    ¡°Ge, why did you take the money out? Didn¡¯t we agree to deposit money together and see who would fill it first?¡±


    Ling Wen was confused. Compared with Ling Wen, he didn¡¯t take money that important. As for how much money he had saved, probably as much as Ling Wen. When Ling Wen handed out his control of the purse strings of the family, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t take back the banks notes in his hand. Later, in his face, he gave Ling Wu the same amount of silver, to show that he wasn¡¯t partial to any of them. And every time he gave them money, the two brothers and Tiewa all got the same amount. Besides, Ling Wu was also not that kind of kid who would blow money, so the money he had saved shouldn¡¯t be less than Ling Wen.

 Chapter 238

    ¡°I want to buy something.¡±


    ¡°What are you going to buy?¡±


    The more secretive he behaved, the more curious Ling Wu became, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan also pricked up their ears, whose curiosity had been lifted to the highest point by him.


    Facing their hot eyes, Ling Wen twisted his fingers and said shyly, ¡°Well, I promised grandma long ago that I would buy her a pair of silver earrings. It is rare that I can go to the county with daddy this time. So I think it¡¯s time to keep my promise and buy a pair of silver earrings for my grandpa and buy something for grandpa and second uncle.¡±


    Never expected he was not just saying it, but really planned to buy stuff for Lady Wang. At the time, they had all highly doubted if he would be willing to spend so much money. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui both picked their brows surprisingly, soon followed by delight. At usual times, it was true that he was quite stingy. But through this thing, they could tell he was quite generous to his family. One should know, he even wouldn¡¯t spend a copper coin on himself.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Our Xiaowen grows up and knows to be good to his grandpa and grandma. Not bad, not bad.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan wore a flower-like smile, feeling so thrilled in the heart. Yan Shengrui beside also gave him his thumbs-up. Ling Wen¡¯s cute face instantly blushed, he looked shyer now. The small looked around them, and then turned to run out. A few minutes later, he came back grabbing a same-size saving pot. Before his parents and elder brother, he pried open the wooden plug below and poured out all the money.


    ¡°Xiaowu, what are you doing? The copper coins are rolling all over the place. What if some go missing?¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Wen quickly squatted down to pick up all the copper coins scattered on the ground, in the tone rendering with undisguised care. That is money!


    ¡°I also want to buy something for grandma and others. You buy silver earrings for grandma, then I¡¯ll buy her a silver bracelet. Then grandma will have two different gifts.¡±


    Totally ignoring those scattered copper coins everywhere, Ling Wu said plausibly.


    ¡°But you needn¡¯t treat your money like this? Look, there¡¯s money all over the floor. See how you put them back.¡±


    Though it was not his own money, seeing that he didn¡¯t cherish money like that, Ling Wen still couldn¡¯t help straightening his face and scolded him. But Ling Wu still wore a ¡®I don¡¯t care¡¯ face, saying while scratching his head, ¡°Oh, ge, that¡¯s because I was anxious to pour them out. Don¡¯t be mad at me. I promise I won¡¯t be like this next time.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, don¡¯t do this again. Although our family is rich now, we can¡¯t forget the hard times we¡¯ve lived before. We should always remember what we¡¯ve suffered and what we¡¯ve enjoyed, or we¡¯ll lose all our wealth however rich we are.¡±


    Unable to take his younger brother¡¯s acting cute, Ling Wen nodded, and took the opportunity to teach him to learn to be frugal, and Ling Wu nodded obediently. As for whether he really took it to his heart, maybe only he himself knew. Seeing here, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan shook their heads at the same time. Maybe in this life, they wouldn¡¯t have a chance to see their stingy buns blow money.


    ¡°Daddy, you haven¡¯t told me how much money I should take.¡±


    After lessoning his younger brother, Ling Wen pulled him to come before them, wearing an entangled expression. He had only seen silver earrings but never bought them. He knew they should expensive, but he had no idea the money he needed.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan pulled them over to sit between him and Yan Shengrui, pretended to be pondering. After whetting their appetite enough, he continued, ¡°First, for clarification, I don¡¯t mean to let you waste money. But Xiaowen, Xiaowu, whenever it is, when you go out, we should bring money as much as we can, just in case of any emergency. If something happens suddenly, we could take it calmly, right? Since you want to use your own money to buy something for your grandpa and grandma, I wouldn¡¯t help you then. So, you must bring enough silver yourselves. Besides, now your aunts and uncles are also here, as the hosts, shouldn¡¯t you show your manners?¡±


    Before the start, in case his big son would nag him again, Ling Jingxuan made special clarification first, and then induced them that they should learn bringing money on them. He didn¡¯t believe that when a five years old kid saw some little cute items, he really could resist the temptation and not buy them?


    ¡°Then a bank note of ten taels of silver?¡±


    Putting wrinkles in his eyebrows, Ling Wen tentatively asked, in his opinion, that was already an astronomical figure, although it seemed he was a total little richie now.


    ¡°Xiaowen, in your eyes, it might be a lot, but have you ever thought of the value of the things you are gonna buy? Forget about the earrings you¡¯ll buy for your grandma. What are you planning to buy for your grandpa, second uncle and third uncle? Since you rarely have a chance to go to the county, you also wouldn¡¯t just buy them a few packs of pastries, right?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan held his forehead. Of course he had no idea how much woman¡¯s jewelries were worth. Ten taels of silver was too little. How could he induce him to buy more stuff?


    ¡°How much then? Anyhow, I can¡¯t take a hundred with me! Daddy, don¡¯t fool me for I am a kid. How could a pair of silver earrings be so expensive? Although I haven¡¯t decided what to buy for grandpa and others, even if those things were almost the same price with the silver earrings, it¡¯s totally enough. Don¡¯t fool me.¡±


    His voice suddenly raised high, Ling Wen looked at his daddy with serious suspicion. Ten taels of silver was a lot. It would be enough for the food of a common family the whole year.


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan felt so speechless, while Yan Shengrui also couldn¡¯t help laughing so hard. He knew his wife wouldn¡¯t be their son¡¯s match? See? Answer revealed!


    ¡°Laugh, laugh, laugh, why don¡¯t you die of laughing?¡±

 Chapter 239

    Ling Jingxuan who felt sullen decisively vented his anger on his man, while the latter laughed even more exaggeratedly. Ling Jingxuan threw his dagger eyes at him and then turned to his sons and said using a tone as mild as he could, ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you to spend it all. But bringing more with you wouldn¡¯t be wrong.¡±


    ¡°Why should I take so much? What if it¡¯s stolen?¡±


    Ling Wen still furrowed his little brows. He always felt that his daddy should be plotting against him.


    ¡°Ahem¡­don¡¯t you want to buy something for yourself? For example, some good quality clothing materials, ink and paper, and so on, we are rich now. We could win people¡¯s respect if we wear decently, right?¡±


    ¡°Why should I win respect from those irrelevant people? Daddy, it¡¯s true that we are rich now. But you earned the money through your hard work. How can I waste it?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t daddy¡¯s yours? Just spend as much as you want.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t do. How would hate that he has too much money? Daddy, I know you are trying to fool me, you want to spend more money.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    The result of the contest between daddy and son, Ling Wen had the absolute win. Whenever and wherever, as long as it was related about money, Ling Jingxuan, as the daddy, never won.


    ¡°Knock, knock¡­¡±


    Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and the daddy and son, staring at each other, had to cease the war. Ling Wen looked at the tea table and the money on the floor, and seemed to realize that it would not be possible to put them away so quickly, and they had to leave it there for the time being. And he ran outside to open the door.


    ¡°Why are you trying to induce him? You know he is stingy and you asked him to take a hundred taels of silver on him? Isn¡¯t it like cutting his flesh?¡±


    Sweeping over at the frustrated Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui found it amused. Anything should be taken step by step. He was taking a too big step, no wonder their son would fight back.


    Talking things about money with Ling Wen was even more tiring than doing some labor work. Ling Jingxuan collapsed into the chair, saying after making a twitch of his mouth, ¡°I saw that he had the thought of using the silver ingots, so I wanted to strike while the iron is hot. Who knows¡­when could I cure his stingy personality?¡±


    They had tens of thousands of silver at home now, so he could be rendered as a little richie now. In countryside, those money should be a lot, right? Why his little son still don¡¯t want to spend money? Is his nearly three months¡¯ teaching totally in vain?


    Thinking of this, Ling Jingxuan felt it was such a huge blow to him. Why is it so hard to raise them into the dandy rich second generation?


    ¡°Hehe¡­no hurry, take it slow. Hasn¡¯t he made some progress today? At least he took the initiative to try to spend money on his family. Don¡¯t expect that much now.¡±


    Stretching his hand to pat him on the shoulder, Yan Shengrui comforted him dotingly.


    ¡°Alas¡­I can only take it as it is now.¡±


    Could only blame for their totally different values of life. Ling Jingxuan made a sigh. Meanwhile, the two little buns who went to answer the door went back with Chu Yan. Seeing money all over the floor, Chu Yan picked his eyebrows with confusement but didn¡¯t ask anything, instead, he said with respect, ¡°Uncle Sheng, Uncle Ling.¡±


    ¡°Yan¡¯er, save it. Sit down.¡±


    Yan Shengrui lightly nodded, Ling Jingxuan also withdrew his decadent feeling, stretched out his hand to point to the chair next to him, Chu Yan nodded gently, after saying thank, he walked over with the two little buns. After they sat down, Ling Jingxuan asked with a gentle smile, ¡°Yan¡¯er, what are you doing here?¡±


    Isn¡¯t he supposed to be reading at this time?


    ¡°Well, Uncle Sheng, Uncle Ling, I heard you are going to the county, so I am wondering if you can take with me.¡±


    After taking a ginger look at Yan Shengrui who had stayed silent, Chu Yan asked embarrassedly. Since he came to Datong town with his father, he had seldom gone out. So this time he was really happy after coming to Yuehua Manor. After hearing that they were going to the county, he also couldn¡¯t help wanting to go with them. And after this thought popped out of his mind, he already couldn¡¯t control it. After getting his father¡¯s approval, he instantly ran over.


    ¡°Of course. If you come with us, you can help me take care of the kids. I am very glad you can go. How can I say no?¡±


    Looking at his little face stained with all expectations though he was trying hard to conceal it, Ling Jingxuan agreed without even thinking. This kid is so sensible. Under what kind of environment had he grown up? And what pains had he gone through? Just nine years old, but he looked even more mature than a fifteen years old boy. If his little buns were like this, he could feel so sad.


    ¡°Really?! Thanks, Uncle Ling, I will keep an eye on them then.¡±


    As Chu Yan heard that, his little peach blossom eyes glistened with joyful light. He had thought it would cost him a lot of saliva trying to convince them to let him go, never expected¡­A bright smile crawled onto that little charming face that hadn¡¯t full grown. He was really happy that he could go to the county together with them.


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Looking at him with a gentle smile, Ling Jingxuan turned to throw a look at Yan Shengrui, as if to say, as his uncle, shouldn¡¯t you say something? How could just casting a faint look at him be enough?


    ¡°Daddy, you really lied to me. Brother Yan said the silver earrings are very cheap, not expensive at all.¡±


    All of a sudden, after some chattering with Chu Yan, Ling Wen pointed at his daddy and complained. He knew it! How could even ten taels of silver not be enough?


    ¡°Er¡­ are you sure you share the same values?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan only felt like having a headache, the corner of his mouth having a twitch. He swore that the so called ¡®not expensive¡¯ from Chu Yan¡¯s mouth should be totally different from ¡®not expensive¡¯ Ling Wen understood.


    ¡°What difference could it make? Daddy, you fooled us, Xiaowu, don¡¯t listen to daddy, let¡¯s take a ten-tael bank not, a silver ingot and some copper coins, and it would be enough. We¡¯ll save the rest¡­¡±


    Throwing a severe look at his daddy, Ling Wen grabbed the small bun¡¯s hand, squatted down to put those copper coins back into the saving pot. And the small bun who had always taken on his side unconditionally totally had no objection. Two brothers, together with Chu Yan, picked the money on the ground and stuffed them back into the saving pot. Ling Jingxuan who had been ¡®loathed¡¯ by his son again helplessly shook his head. Plan failed!

 Chapter 240

    Qingyang yamen was located in Qingshui town next door, the original county was actually quite a long way from Datong town. And since the late emperor offered Cang Zhou to Prince Sheng as the fief, for the management convenience, Yan Shengrui who had been out leading troops integrated the six prefectures into one hundred and twenty counties, either merged them or split them. And because of this reason, Qingyang yamen moved to Qingshui town and Lingjiang town, which merged into one.


    The next day, Ling Jingxuan and his family who had decided to go to the county got up really early, today, except Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan, the two little buns and their footboys, Chu Yan, Ling Jingpeng, Zhang Qing, and Zhao&Han couple and their kid, together with Tiewa¡¯s footboys Long Shan Dashan, a total of 13 people were all going, besides, they had to bring some handbags Wang Jinyu made, apparently one carriage was not big enough, so they decided to take water.


    ¡°Uncle Zhao, Uncle Han, Tiewa, Dashan¡­¡±


    After breakfast, the little buns that specially wore their new clothes specially frisked out of the house, the several adults that followed at the back found amused. Just going to the county. Do they have to feel so excited?


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, Brother Yan, you are all here.¡±


    Hearing his little fellows, Tiewa who was eating food threw away the bowl and chopsticks and rushed out happily to open the door. Today, he also wore a new suit of blue robes. Although it was not some first-class brocade, it was still some silk cloth that the countrymen could not afford to wear.


    ¡°Tiewa, where is Uncle Zhao and Uncle Han? We¡¯re going to go.¡±


    Ling Wu came forward, with his eyes looking around. Since he knew that they were going to the country, he had been expecting this today. Finally it came, and he only wished he could grow out a pair of wings to fly there.


    ¡°Daddy, father, are you prepared? Uncle Ling and others are all here.¡±


    Casting a glance at Ling Jingxuan and others not far behind, Tiewa turned around and rushed into the courtyard. The bundled hair got a bit scattered as he ran too fast. Han Fei, who was clearing the table, instantly dropped his job at hand and pulled him into the room to bundle it again, and when they came out, Long Dashan who was older around them already helped Zhao Dalong clean up the table, and then the family went out to meet Ling Jingxuan and others.


    ¡°Sorry to have kept you waiting. Tiewa was too excited to sleep last night. We stayed up with him and got up a little late this morning.¡±


    Han Fei said while turning back to lock the door, while Tiewa and Long Dashan had already run away.


    ¡°Hehe¡­It¡¯s OK. We are just arrived.¡±


    Smiling and nodding, the group of people made their way to the ferry near the village market.


    ¡°Jingxuan, can we just go to see Lord Magistrate directly? Will those yamen runners let us see him?¡±


    For this thing, Han Fei had been tense for a few days. On the first day of September when they split the money, Ling Jingxuan said they would go to buy land from the magistrate on the sixth day of September and let them prepare the money, and since then, he had been nervous till now, farmers like them would only go buy land from the guarantors. At ordinary times, they¡¯d stay nervous for a long time only seeing a constable, let alone they would go to see the magistrate and buy land from him.


    ¡°How will we know if we don¡¯t give it a try? It¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t consider asking Guarantor Liu to go with us. But it¡¯s just some half-saline land we are going to buy, so he doesn¡¯t want to take it. Besides, the amount we are going to buy is huge. If we directly go to talk to the magistrate, maybe we can get a discount.¡±


    Half-saline land was also land, unlike the homestead, its price may not be high, after all, nobody wanted to buy it, but once one bought it, that is, one had to pay tax year by year like the cropland. The main reason Ling Jingxuan insisted going to buy land from the magistrate was about the tax. As far as he knew, because of the wars all the year round, the taxes also grew higher every year, then nearly had to pay half of the harvest. Although the half-saline land might only be charged the tax under the standard of the poorest land, if the proportion was too much, it also wouldn¡¯t be a small sum. It was still not a sure thing if Ling Jinghan could get listed as a xiucai so they could get exempted from paying tax. So before that, he had to have two strings to the bow. At least he would beg the magistrate to excuse him from one or two years¡¯ taxes.


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t understand what you said, anyway, I will buy it together with you, now I only wish we could see Lord Magistrate smoothly.¡±


    Compared with his ease, Han Fei was still slightly heavy, feeling uneasy in the heart.


    ¡°Haha, Brother Han, rest assured. Among the one hundred and twenty counties of the six prefectures in Cangzhou, nearly half of the counties¡¯ land couldn¡¯t grow anything due to the tributaries of inner sea, almost wasted all the year around. If someone could make use of those lands, let alone the magistrate, even the prefect would receive us reverently. No official doesn¡¯t want to have some good merits during their term of office. Ordinary opening up of wasteland is nothing. But if we could make us of all the half-saline land of the whole Cangzhou, that¡¯d be different. It would be like heavenly huge merits. As long as we tell them what we come for, I best he magistrate will receive us.¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan walked while giving a soothing laugh. He had already thought it through. They¡¯d go to the yamen first requiring to see him. If failed, they¡¯d go to Xinyuan restaurant in town asking the shopkeeper to help. Last time, Zeng Shaoqing gave him a token, now finally it would come in handy. With Xinyuan¡¯s connections, it shouldn¡¯t be a difficult thing to see the magistrate. And after seeing him, he would have his way to convince him.

 Chapter 241

    ¡°Hmm, you¡¯re right, each county covers an area of more than ten thousand hectares, and those larger ones would cover twenty or thirty thousand hectares. Except the counties, towns, villages, mountains and fertile land, rivers and basin, the rest was at least three thousand hectares of half-saline land, and it was just in one county. Through the whole territory of Cangzhou, there were one hundred and twenty counties, over half of which couldn¡¯t grow things because of the inland sea tributaries, this number was large, and not just Cangzhou, other states near the sea also more or less faced the same problem. If you really can use those lands all, perhaps even His Majesty would reward you.¡±


    Yan Shengrui who was walking with Ling Jingxuan shoulder by shoulder, said deeply, with his tiger eyes unconsciously darkened. Perhaps, before he lost his memories, as the owner of this territory, should also have felt annoyed on this thing.


    ¡°His¡­His Majesty? No way!¡±


    Hearing that, Han Fei nearly popped his eyes out, and his footsteps also stopped. Except Ling Jingxuan, other people¡¯s reaction was no better. Now it was still a question whether they could have a chance to see the magistrate, while he directly dragged the noblest one of the whole Qing Kingdom into this? Trying to scare them to death, huh?


    ¡°Hehe¡­He is just making a metaphor. His Majesty attends to numerous affairs everyday. How could he notice such small figures like us?¡±


    Indignantly throwing someone his dagger eyes, Ling Jingxuan helplessly comforted them. Yeah. Why drag him into this? They are just some common farmers, OK?


    ¡°It¡¯s OK. It¡¯s OK. If even His Majesty notices us, I would definitely get scared to death.¡±


    Exaggeratedly patting on his chest, Han Fei was still a little shaken. His Majesty was too far away for them. If they knew the one standing before them speaking so eloquently was His Majesty¡¯s younger brother, how could they react? They¡¯d definitely get their sh*t scared out.


    ¡°Daddy, hurry up, the boat is about to sail, we are all waiting for you.¡±


    As they were chatting, they had passed through the village market, and those little buns who had already been at in the boat waved to them, because it wasn¡¯t market day today, and in this season, few people would go to town or county, so the two ferry boats were both empty. Ling Jingxuan and others took a look at each other and then paced their steps.


    ¡°Daddy, Uncle Boat said three copper coins per person, the cargo is extra charged.¡±


    Before they approached, Ling Wen, the only who hadn¡¯t boarded, ran to meet them, he grabbed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand and quietly complained, and the already delicate little face showed undisguised sorry feeling for money. It only cost a copper coin taking an ox cart to town. Why would it cost three copper coins to go to the county? That¡¯s apparently blackmailing.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK. Anyway, we don¡¯t go to the county often. Just take it as taking a parade on the river.¡±


    Hearing his son¡¯s quiet complaining, Ling Jingxuan reached out his hand to rub his head and then led him to walk again. Three copper coins were not expensive actually, but to those poor people and Ling Wen, it was expensive indeed.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Realizing that this money couldn¡¯t be saved, Ling Wen did not say anything more, except that he still did not look good. Although it was not his money, he still could not help feeling distressed at the thought that thirteen of them amounted to nearly forty coppers.


    ¡°Hey bro, about how long can we get there?¡±


    After paying and getting in, the boat that can hold 20 or 30 people left the ferry slowly. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t sit on the long stool inside with others, but stood side by side on the bow with Ling Jingxuan. Lingjing was the largest fresh-water river of Qing Kingdom, which almost ran through the whole kingdom, the tributaries extended in all directions, reaching many counties and towns, so, the water transport was relatively developed, but the agriculture was slightly insufficient due to the inner sea, and their national strength couldn¡¯t catch up with the rich Dong Kingdom and strong Xi Kingdom over the years.


    ¡°We are going against the current. It will take about an hour. So, Childe Ling, please go in and sit.¡±


    The boat owner was a skinny man in his 40s, although he had heard about Ling Jingxuan¡¯s things, he would never recognize him. Recently Ling Jingxuan had really made too much noise, like doing big businesses, buying land and building his manor and so on, so few people wouldn¡¯t know him now.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯d like to enjoy the breeze here. Just take us as air.¡±


    Smiling slightly, Ling Jingxuan held one hand behind while the other finger-crossed with Yan Shengrui¡¯s. They were just standing there together like a heavenly-made match. Hearing him, the boat owner also couldn¡¯t say anything more, so he just lowered his head and kept rowing.


    ¡°Brother Yan, look! Lingjiang River is getting bigger and bigger.¡±


    This was the first time those little buns took a boat, so they were extra excited, especially Ling Wu who was very lively and active at usual times. Like a little monkey, he jumped and screamed, which made Chu Yan, Ling Wen and his footboy Zhou Changsheng worried, only afraid that he might fall into the river. So they were all staring at him without even blinking now.


    ¡°This is just a tributary of the Lingjiang River, the real mainstream of the Lingjiang River stretches to the horizon. Xiaowu, if you like, you can go have a look after growing up. And the sea, it much bigger and wider than Lingjiang! It¡¯s said that no one has ever crossed it. So we don¡¯t know what it is like on the other end.¡±


    Holding his hand, Chu Yan gently explained, with naked yearning crawling into his eyes, if he can get real freedom, he really want to walk around and see, especially the other side of the sea.


    ¡°Really? I¡¯ll go, I¡¯ll go¡­¡±


    Hearing his words, Ling Wu looked up excitedly. He was very interested in any unknown things.


    ¡°Well, if you want to go, you have to wait until you grow up. Now let¡¯s go and sit down. It will be bad if we fall into the river.¡±


    Bending down and stretching out his hand to pet the little tip of his nose, Chu Yan held him with one hand, while the other holding Ling Wen, the three of them walked back side by side. And Zhou Changsheng and Song Xiaohu behind them quietly exhaled a long breath. Finally their little masters are safe!

 Chapter 242

    The wharf of Qingyang county was much bigger than that one near the market at the entrance of Ling Village, passenger ships, cargo ships, official ships and business ships so thickly dotted, and your eyes even couldn¡¯t reach the end. As they got off the boat, they followed people to walk inside the county. Those high walls were still kind of new, which should be mended after the two towns merged into a county, soldiers were patrolling on the walls, and the county gate was also heavily guarded. Seeing those, Ling Jingxuan finally had some sense of reality of the fact that he had really transmigrated into ancient times.


    ¡°Daddy, is that the county? A lot of officers and soldiers. What do they do?¡±


    In a strange place, a few little buns unavoidably were kind of adaptable. After getting off the boat, the small bun grabbed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand and never let loose. And the big bun and Tiewa also grabbed the hand of their own father, each of whom showed more or less of fear and curiosity. Ling Jingxuan always wore a faint smile. He looked over following the direction his son was pointing at, ¡°They are some soldiers guarding this place. Don¡¯t be afraid. As long as we don¡¯t do anything against the law, they wouldn¡¯t do anything to us.¡±


    Here was far from the battlefield, the people here were all at peace, plus, Magistrate Hu was an upright official. So all in all, Qingyang county was a comparatively prosperous place.


    The small bun nodded, the fear for strange things under those eyes also vanished. After entering the county, the horizons sprung wide and the streets were very wide, several carriages side by side could also pass, on both sides of the road were lined with all kinds of shops, red bricks and black tiles, tidy and clean, also unified. Teahouses, restaurants, pawn shops, it got all shops you could name of. Before those shops, it was those stalls. Although those peddlers got up early, it was a long way to here. Now the sun had already risen, and you couldn¡¯t hear their hawking everywhere. And people shuttled back and forth, not Datong town could compare.


    ¡°Jingxuan, are we directly going to the county yamen or first find a place to settle down?¡±


    Han Fei who was holding Tiewa in case he ran around paced up his steps and caught up with Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui ahead. Even they adults already got attracted by the flourishing county, let alone those kids. If possible, he really wanted to take his kid to walk around here to widen their eyes.


    ¡°We¡¯ll first go to Xinyuan Restaurant to book a few rooms. Let¡¯s go to the yamen later. I want to do some shopping first, and see if I can sell those handbags my aunt made.¡±


    Once they and the magistrate reached an agreement about the land thing, they must go to see the land and measure it together, by then, he¡¯d have no chance to sell his handbags. Of course, the premise was they could see Lord Magistrate first smoothly.


    ¡°Hmm, I also would like to show the kid around first. But, how about we find an inn to check in?¡±


    Xinyuan Restaurant was a bit too lofty and also too expensive for them farmers to live in.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Brother Han, I know what you are worried about, but we are an important supplier of Xinyuan, we don¡¯t have to spend money checking in there. Just come with me. Don¡¯t worry. You got me.¡±


    He turned to give them a faint smile, then while chatting, they had crossed the streets, and came to the most prosperous area, and the three-floor Xinyuan Restaurant here was at one time larger than that one in Datong Town was located at the junction of a few streets, luxuriant architectural style. With one glance, it could attract all people¡¯s attention. Ling Jingxuan smiled, and meanwhile thought of that coquettish man Zeng Shaoqing. This was his style. Just a restaurant in a county. Does he have to decorate it like a five-star hotel?


    Except that the Xinyuan Restaurant in here was larger and more luxuriant, there was no other difference. Maybe it was typical in this era. A group of people under Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui¡¯s lead went into the restaurant. Although they all special wore some new clothes, except that the few little buns were wearing robes made of silk, others¡¯ were all basically cotton cloth, so looking kind of shabby, especially in here.


    ¡°Sirs, what can I do for you?¡±


    It was still early morning, and the restaurant had just opened, there weren¡¯t many guests. So nearly everyone set their eyes on them. Each of them more or less showed some contempt in the eyes. The waiter who went forward to welcome them looked quite warm, but didn¡¯t take them to the seats at all, but only blocked their way. Ling Jingxuan cast a faint look at him and brushed him aside.


    ¡°Wait¡­sir¡­¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Apparently the waiter didn¡¯t expect he would do this, after a short blankness there, he tried to catch up and stop them, but only a severe look from Yan Shengrui, he already froze there and dare not move again.


    ¡°Sirs, have a snack or check in?¡±


    Everything happened too quickly. The shopkeeper who came from behind looked at them standing before the counter. Compared with the waiter¡¯s snobbish attitude, the thin shopkeeper, who was like in his forties, was much more sophisticated. He could tell, although the leading Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan were just wearing some cotton clothes, their temperament was not those common people could own, especially Yan Shengrui, who had that kind of inherent nobleness.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Wang?¡±

 Chapter 243

    Totally ignoring the waiter¡¯s rudeness, Ling Jingxuan asked with a smile. As early as when he made the decision to come to the county, he had inquired the situation here from Shopkeeper Zhang in advance.


    ¡°Yes, I am. You are?¡±


    It was not strange the other side knew who he is, but apparently it was a strange face, Shopkeeper Zhang couldn¡¯t help looking a bit confused. But soon Ling Jingxuan solved the puzzle for him, ¡°I have long heard that Shopkeeper Zhang is quite capable and manages the restaurant in the county very well. My name is Ling Jingxuan, from Ling village, Datong town.¡±


    ¡°So you are Childe Ling! Sorry I didn¡¯t recognize you. Come on. Childe Ling, come upstairs with me.¡±


    Sweeping away the previous social civility, Shopkeeper Wang came from behind the counter after hearing his name. Through the whole Cangzhou, no shopkeepers of Xinyuan Restaurant had never heard about him. He was their biggest supplier. The grape wine Lord Six took away with him, others may not know but not him, was also brewed by him! He even specially sent Zhang a jar, making him so jealous. Pity that Zhang was so stingy and wouldn¡¯t let him have a taste at all. Till now, he still hadn¡¯t had a chance to have a smell of it.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Wang, it¡¯s so kind of you. After you!¡±


    It seemed that he didn¡¯t have to use the token from Zeng Shaoqing this time. Ling Jingxuan turned to throw the others a smile and then under Shopkeeper Wang¡¯s lead, they went to the most luxurious third floor. Compared with he and Yan Shengrui¡¯s calmness, except Chu Yan who performed like a little old man, others all looked over cautious and uneasy. And that waiter who tried to stop them from going in now already got stoned there after Shopkeeper Zhang received them so warmly. Everyone was guessing who those seemingly poor people were. Why Shopkeeper Zhang would receive them in person? One should know, even when Lord Magistrate was here, he had never entertained him like this.


    ¡°Childe Ling, what brings you into the county? You should have sent someone to inform me, so I can arrange a carriage to pick you up.¡±


    Taking them into a spacious and luxuriant room on the third floor, Shopkeeper Zhang entertained them in person. Ling Jingxuan gave him a pretendingly shy smile, and then signaled Ling Jingpeng  with an eye. Then Ling Jingpeng took out a jar of grape wine out of the bamboo basket behind his back. Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s eyes instantly lit up. It was true he had never had a chance to smell it, he saw the external packing! Never thought he still had a jar in his hands! For this, he saw something more out of Ling Jingxuan. One hundred taels of silver a jar, he could save some for himself, which was enough to prove his is no ordinary farmer.


    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t prepare some decent present for the first meeting. This is some home-made grape wine. Hope you wouldn¡¯t mind.¡±


    In a twinkling of an eye, Ling Jingxuan took the wine from the hands of his younger brother and handed it to him, this time, he took two jars with him, one for Shopkeeper Wang, the other, obviously, for Lord Magistrate. Of course, he wouldn¡¯t send it to them for free. In the future, things they returned would far exceed a jar of grade wine.


    ¡°This¡­ this is too expensive¡­¡±


    Shopkeeper Wang stared in shock, and his hand trembled as he pointed at the jar. He never dreamed that the wine was actually for him.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ don¡¯t mention that. Our farmers have no other good stuff. I only hope you could accept it.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan stuffed the jar into his arms, like it was not a jar of grape wine worth one hundred taels of silver but just a pile of straw paper. Others, including Ling Jingpeng, were all not clear about its specific price, otherwise, they would never stay so poised.


    ¡°All right, all right, then I wouldn¡¯t stand on ceremony. Childe Ling, what brings you here this time?¡±


    Smiling and tightly holding his long-coveted grape wine, Shopkeeper Wang sat on their opposite side. The room was huge, the kids already went to other compartments for the ¡®adventure¡¯, leaving them adults only.


    ¡°I do have something to turn help from you, Shopkeeper Wang. I wonder if you know where the biggest embroidery shop is in here. To be honest, my aunt made some exquisite things, so I want to let the shopkeeper there to have a look, so I can exchange for some money to help out with the family expenses.¡±


    Since the other side had taken the initiative to ask, Ling Jingxuan also went straight to the point.


    ¡°Embroidery shop? Why don¡¯t you go to Baiyun Ge? They sell women¡¯s stuff there, which is also our Lord Six¡¯s industry. But they only sell exquisite and luxuriant things. If you have confidence in your stuff, maybe you can go try your luck.¡±


    Hearing this name, Ling Jingxuan was not the first to have reactions, but Yan Shengrui who was sitting aside. Ling Jingxuan cast a faint look at him. Is it possible this Baiyun Ge is his?


    ¡°Well, they have branches in almost each county and town throughout Cangzhou and Yunzhou. And in other regions, only prefectures have the branch. Although not as big as Xinyuan, their yearly profit is no less than Xinyuan. You know, it¡¯s comparatively easier to earn money from women.¡±


    Ignoring his strangeness, Shopkeeper Wang further explained. Anyhow, they shared the same boss, so more or less, they knew each other¡¯s business.


    ¡°If so, your Lord Six is really worthy to be the richest businessman of the whole kingdom.¡±


    Lips slightly hooked, Ling Jingxuan looked meaningful under the eyes, according to the time calculation, now Zeng Shaoqing should have received his letter asking to have a share of his Xinyuan Restaurant now..


    ¡°Yeah, sure. Oh, look at me. I was too occupied on introducing you it, and forgot to ask someone to get you some pastries and snacks. Childe Ling, wait a minute. I will be right back.¡±


    Finding himself too talkative, Shopkeeper Wang made an excuse and stood up. Ling Jingxuan was not stupid, so he said with a smile, ¡°Shopkeeper Wang, no need, we can entertain ourselves. You can go mind your business.¡±


    ¡°Do you need me to send someone to inform the shopkeeper of Baiyun Ge?¡±


    Before he left, the shopkeeper holding the wine in his arms asked him in a serious voice. He took the wine that was worth one hundred taels of silver from him, of course, he should do something in return.


    ¡°No, thanks, I can go by myself. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°You are welcome.¡±


    Speaking of which, Shopkeeper Wang turned to leave, not long after, the waiter brought them tea and a few plates of delicate snacks. Ling Jingxuan also wasn¡¯t being polite with them and accepted it.

 Chapter 244

    After a short rest in the restaurant, Ling Jingxuan carefully told several footboys to take good care of the little buns, and said hello to Shopkeeper Wang and asked him about the location of Baiyunge, he, Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingpeng and Zhang Qing parted with Zhao&Han couple who wanted to walk around here.


    ¡°Guys, come and see. What is this? So funny!¡±


    Zhao&Han couple shuttled in the crowd with a large group of children. Ling Wu who would stop whenever he saw anything that aroused his interest stopped before a stall that sold pinwheel this time. The pinwheels of different colors instantly attracted him. Ling Wen who had been closely following him also showed a slice of yearning for it under the eyes. But as long as he thought he had to pay for it, that little yearning also was nowhere to find, with his little hand quietly pinching the little pouch around the waist. The money he took with him was used to buy stuff for grandpa, grandma and others.


    ¡°Does you like it, Xiaowu? How about I buy you one?¡±


    Ling Wen wouldn¡¯t want to spend money, but it didn¡¯t mean Chu Yan also wouldn¡¯t. To him, nothing was more important than making his younger brothers happy.


    ¡°Hmm¡­forget about it. Daddy will scold me.¡±


    Giving the last look at the pinwheel, Ling Wu shook his head, decided to move on. That kind of colorful things were really good, but no practical use. Although he was not as stingy as his elder brother, he would never be that kind of person who would dip into his purse.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Uncle Ling would only blame you if you don¡¯t buy. All right, I can buy for you if you like. One for each of you! Just for fun!¡±


    With a smile, Chu Yan pulled him back and then turned to the peddler, ¡°How much is it?¡±


    Seeing that he not like a childe from a rich family, his silk clothes were also not some common family could afford, the peddler hurriedly put on a big smile, ¡°One copper coin each! How many do you want?¡±


    ¡°What? One copper coin for this? Why don¡¯t you be a robber?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    On hearing the price, Ling Wen subconsciously cried out, but instantly realized that they were in the streets, so his small face instantly reddened, the peddler blackened his face, standing there and not knowing how to respond. Having been doing business for so many years, this was the first time he met such kind of little customer.


    ¡°Ahem. Six, please. One for each.¡±


    Pretending to make a cough to try to press down his smile, Chu Yan took out six copper coins out of his pouch. He had long heard that Xiaowen was stingy, and only wished he could cut one copper coin into two to spend, and also often nagged Uncle Ling because of money, but never had a chance to see it with his own eyes. After he saw it today, he was so deadly amused.


    ¡°OK, no problem, wait a moment.¡±


    After coming to his sense, the peddler received the money. And Ling Wen who had just made a dram quietly pulled a corner of Chu Yan¡¯s robes. Only after Chu Yan bent down he said by his ear embarrassedly, ¡°Brother Yan, just buy each for them, not me.¡±


    That was too expensive! Even if it was not his money, he still couldn¡¯t afford it.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Never mind. It¡¯s rare that we can come to the county together. Except teaching you, I guess I have never sent you any gifts. So, take it as my gift for you. What? Don¡¯t you want my gift for you?¡±


    Squatting down to flatten his hair, Chu Yan said so gently. He liked those two younger brothers most. Compared with those brothers who only wanted his life, they were more like his blood brother. As long as he had the ability some day, he would definitely package all the best things in the world and offer it to them.


    ¡°All right, then.¡±


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Ling Wen finally nodded in agreement, Chu Yan dotingly touched him, then took the pinwheel from the peddler and handed it to him. Finally Ling Wen had a smile slowly spread on his face, ¡°Thank you, brother Yan.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, brother Yan.¡±


    Also receiving their own pinwheel, Ling Wu and Tiewa also smiled at him, the other three little footboys also respectfully bent down, ¡°Thank you, Childe Chu.¡±


    ¡°You are welcome. You can play with it, but what you steps. Don¡¯t get tripped.¡±


    Waving his hand, Chu Yan still didn¡¯t forget to nag them. After a OK in unison, the few little buns gathered together to study their pinwheels, apparently they didn¡¯t put his nag in the heart at all. Chu Yan smiled and followed behind them, in case of any accident.


    ¡°Sorry to cost you so much, Childe Chu.¡±


    Han Fei who was step slower to pay caught up with them with a reddened face. Just now, when he saw that those kids all wanted it, he meant to buy one for each of them. But the pouch got tied too tightly, when he took out the money, Chu Yan had already paid.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that, Uncle Han. They all call me elder brother, I should buy them some little things.¡±


    Chu Yan might be still young, he knew that except Yan Shengrui, the three Yan brothers and Zhang Yang who often went to consult him, others were still kind of estranged from him and his father. It was not that they couldn¡¯t accept them, but too respectful, or you could say too careful, so it gave him some kind of estranged feeling, even though he had always abided by the etiquette and never done anything to show he was superior to others.

 Chapter 245

    In fact, what he did not know was that it was just because he had too abided by the rules of etiquette that others did not dare to get too close to him. The rules of etiquette were indispensable among the rich and noble families, and even a slight mistake, it would be spread to be very bad. But in the countryside, it was undoubtedly a kind of bondage. Chu Yan was still young, so obviously he didn¡¯t think of that.


    Seeing this, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei shouldn¡¯t say anything more, so they both showed a smile and secretly warned themselves in the heart that if later the kids still wanted to buy something else, they should never let Chu Yan pay. Although he might find it not a thing, as two adults, they really felt ashamed.


    On the other side, according to the waiter¡¯s guidance, Ling Jingxuan and others really saw a row of carriages parked by the side of the road around the corner. Baiyunge was located in the west of the county, if by walk, it would take them at least an hour, so those carriages were prepared for those customers who wanted to save time, like bus or taxi in modern times. Even Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help admiring ancient people¡¯s wisdom.


    Five coppers each. Fortunately they didn¡¯t bring the little bun with them, or his little face would have pulled very long again.


    So rich! Xinyuan Restaurant and Baiyunge separately took the most prosperous section on the eat and west of the county. Compared with the luxuriant and huge Xinyuan Restaurant, Baiyunge was no worse. The front gate was grand and magnificent, two floors, and the red painted big gates with flowered carved on them looked so festive. After entering it, all kind of embroidery things, as little as the needles, as big as the embroidery screens, it had everything you could imagine, which really dazzled your eyes.


    ¡°What would you like, sirs?¡±


    Seeing them go in, the waiter instantly moved toward to greet them with a big smile. There were already a lot of customers in the shop, but most of them were women. Even if there were men, they came with those women. And male customers like them, they could only see like once in half a month.


    ¡°I want to talk to your shopkeeper about some business. I wonder if he¡¯s available?¡±


    Scanning an empty counter, Ling Jingxuan directly got to the point, since he still cared about the kids.¡±


    ¡°The shopkeeper is on the second floor. Please wait for a moment.¡±


    The waiter threw them a suspicious look, not having some kind of contemptuous feeling, and then turned to go to the second floor. Ling Jingxuan directly went forward to check each showcase. Except those embroidery things, there were also gold & silver jewelries and other stuff, like it had everything a woman might want. It even had the gold hairpins for men. The only thing he didn¡¯t see was clothes or cloth. And then he swept over at the direction where the stairs. Should be above? The showcases for clothes and cloth?


    ¡°Sir, what can I do for you?¡±


    After a while, a white, fat and Maitreya Buddha-like man came down from the upstairs, judging from his appearance, not more than forty years old.


    ¡°I have a few curiosities here to show you. I wonder if you are interested?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan carefully sized him up and down, then turned back to take a bundle from Zhang Qing, then opened it in front of those guests.¡±


    ¡°What a big pouch!¡±


    ¡°Good exquisite handicraft, the flower on it seems not to be embroidered nor stitched. How did you make it?¡±


    ¡°Not bad. New style. Just a little too big.¡±


    A few braver female guests instantly gathered around the moment they saw those handbags. They weighed them in the hands and checked them carefully. Before this, Ling Jingxuan and others had already thoughtfully made way for them. Those women¡¯s discussion was all praising. And the shopkeeper on the other side knew those things could be sold at a high price as he saw this scene, so his interest under the eyes grew denser.


    ¡°Miss, you are right. It¡¯s good that it is this big. When you women go out, it¡¯s avoidable that your makeup would fall. If you are in the middle of a party or what, wouldn¡¯t it be embarrassed? But, if you take this handbag with you, you can bring all things like rouge and pearl powder in it with you. Then, even if you meet hat kind of embarrassing situation, you could make it up instantly, right? Besides, take a look. This bag is not just a pouch, but a handbag, of you can call it shoulder bag. You can hold it in your hand or take it with your elbow. Instead of looking ugly or what, it would add some different feeling to your beautiful face.¡±


    Clearly noticing the expression change on the shopkeeper¡¯s face, Ling Jingxuan, with a smile, moved forward and made some demonstration for them.


    ¡°Oh, what you said is quite reasonable. This bag is really much prettier than the pouch. How much?¡±


    ¡°I also would like one. It should suit me quite well.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, really not bad. Childe, how much is it?¡±


    After his words, those women who were only curious before now all showed great desire of wanting it. Ling Jingxuan turned his eyes and made an apologetic smile, ¡°Sorry, misses. I plan to sell those handbags to Baiyunge, not retail. If you really want to buy, you can come some other day after I talk about the price with the boss here.¡±


    ¡°Oh, all right. Then, Shopkeeper Hong, nail it as soon as possible.¡±


    Those were all ladies from those rich families, of course they wouldn¡¯t bargain or what here like those village women. Hearing him, they reluctantly put down those handbags. And then, Shopkeeper Zhang who had seen the whole scene raised a smile, ¡°Madam Wang, you can count on me. Our Baiyunge would never let down our customers. This¡­Hmm¡­shoulder bag would soon hit the shelf.¡±


    Those words were like telling Ling Jingxuan they would cooperate for sure. For this, Ling Jingpeng and Zhang Qing who were standing behind couldn¡¯t help giving their thumbs-up in the heart for him. That was their big brother. It was just like a piece of cake for him.


    ¡°Come on in, please.¡±


    After seeing off those ladies, Shopkeeper Hong turned to entertain them with great enthusiasm, while his eyes swept over at Zhang Qing who was putting away those handbags now and then.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Hong, after you.¡±


    After all it was not like some old acquaintance like Shopkeeper Zhang, Ling Jingxuan wore a faint smiled and was very modest. Shopkeeper Hong was also very satisfied with his attitude. After nagging something to the waiter, he took them to the back.

 Chapter 246

    ¡°I wonder if I may ask your names?¡±


    There was a wide range of terrain in the back, except rooms for the accommodations for the shopkeeper and the waiters, and the warehouse for storing those goods, there was also a wing specially entertaining the guests. So the fat shopkeeper led them into that wing.


    Ling Jingxuan who had just sat down stood up again and made a bow with his hands cupped. Yan Shengrui and the other two also got up and slightly nodded at him as saying hello. Shopkeeper Hong¡¯s eyes nearly narrowed into a straight line to size them up and down. When his eyes fell on Yan Shengrui, he made a pause and moved away after quite a while. Although they were all wearing cotton-made clothes, their temperament was quite different, especially Ling Jingxuan who kept speaking as their reprehensive and Yan Shengrui who had kept silent all the way. It was not that he was bragging. As the shopkeeper of Baiyunge, common people already had their legs turning into jello on seeing him. And few people could stay poised before him. But those people were different, they completely took him as a common person, no compliment or suck up words, and all abided by the etiquettes very well, like they were of the same status as him.


    ¡°Make yourselves comfortable. Sit.¡±


    Withdrawing his eyes, Shopkeeper Hong beckoned to them to sit, ¡°Well, Childe Zhang, could I take a look at that handbag?¡±


    Avoiding Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui¡¯s eyes, Shopkeeper Hong fixed his eyes on the youngest one among them¡ªZhang Qing. Ling Jingxuan slightly picked his eyebrows and instantly understood what he meant. Then he secretly signaled Zhang Qing with an eye contact, the latter understood and nodded, then took out the one with sky blue flowers, white bottom and black edge cover from the package on the back and handed it to him.


    Seeing that, Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s glittered, and while he received it, his eyes swept over that package again. If he saw it clearly, there were at least six or seven handbags inside and each was different from others. Now they only took out one and let him appreciate, apparently they were guarding against him. It looks they are really not ordinary people. Thinking of this, Shopkeeper Zhang came more serious.


    ¡°The style, pattern and color are all good, although the material is the most rough linen, the silk fabrics of all colors perfectly made it up, enough to board the hall of elegance. I wonder at what price you are gonna sell these. If the price is reasonable, our Baiyunge will do the business with you.¡±


    Wearing a serious expression, he took it over and flipped it back and forth to check for quite a while, then he raised his head to look at them. He only said he would buy those handbags, but did not mention the future cooperation. Apparently, what Ling Jingxuan had thought before was right. In this era when there was no any legal copyright, if they didn¡¯t have any room for manoeuvre, this would be one-time business. Anyone who had some embroidery skills could make the exact same one after checking it carefully.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Shopkeeper Hong, we don¡¯t just want to sell those bags, but our style and design, so, we mean to have cooperation with you.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled faintly, picked up the teacup to take a sip. Shopkeeper Wang pretended to look surprised, ¡°You sell style and design? It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve heard that style and design can also be bought and sold. How does Mr. Ling want to sell it then?¡±


    He sedulously did not mention the possibility of cooperation, it was obvious that in his eyes, they were not qualified to talk about cooperation with Baiyunge.


    ¡°If it were you, how much would you like to pay for it?¡±


    Instead of answering his question, Ling Jingxuan meaningfully asked back. After keeping in silence for a while, Shopkeeper Hong squeezed those words through his teeth as if it was like cutting his flesh, ¡°Buy now price, ten taels of silver. After selling the style and design to us, you can no longer make them anymore. Even if you make one for your own use.¡±


    ¡°Ten? It seems that Shopkeeper Hong is not sincere. Forget about at what price you would sell those bags. My design should be unique throughout the whole kingdom. Baiyunge has branches through all prefectures. Once you mass make them, the money you could earn would be like thousands of times more than that? Only ten taels of silver and you want to buy my design. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s too low?¡±


    A slice of irony crawled onto Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face. Compared with this Shopkeeper Hong, Shopkeeper Zhang was much more honest, at least, he would take advantage that they didn¡¯t know about the market thing.


    ¡°Ten taels of silver is already a sky-high price. Is Childe Ling demanding an exorbitant price? As you said, our Baiyunge has branches throughout every prefecture, so we don¡¯t lack of your bags to sell, you know.¡±


    Shopkeeper Hong narrowed his eyes and gave a sneer. He had already stated his position clearly. Ten taels of silver had already been enough for them. Baiyunge wouldn¡¯t shut down if it didn¡¯t sell their handbags, so they had no chips for negotiation.


    ¡°Since so, I can only look for someone else for the cooperation. I only came to your Baiyunge for the sake of Lord Six. Never expected Shopkeeper Hong really has no taste. Farewell!¡±


    As Ling Jingxuan said so, he stood up and meant to leave, Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingpeng and Zhang Qing instantly followed behind. Before Zhang Qing left, he took back that hangbag left on the table. As they were about to leave, on hearing they mentioned Lord Six, Shopkeeper Hong got stunned and instantly put on a bright smile and tried to stop them, ¡°So we were partners long ago. Why didn¡¯t you say that earlier, Childe Ling? I wonder when was the last time you cooperated with Lord Six?¡±


    Being Lord Six¡¯s partner was no joke. Even if you borrowed him hundreds of balls, he dare not offend him!

 Chapter 247

    ¡°I guess it has nothing to do with you, right? If you don¡¯t believe me, I think this would explain everything.¡±


    Knowing that he was trying to see if they cooked it up, Ling Jingxuan did not mind it with him, so he felt out the jade token Zeng Shaoqing had given him and handed it over. Since he knew that Baiyunge might belong to Zeng Shaoqing, or maybe Yan Shengrui¡¯s personal properties, he had made up his mind to cooperate with them, but not now. His so-called cooperation, this Shopkeeper couldn¡¯t make the final decision. The reason he wasted so much time here was that he wanted him to bring some words to Zeng Shaoqing for him, meanwhile, help his aunt and her sons to earn some money.


    ¡°This is¡­Lord Six¡¯s jade token. Childe Ling, sorry I failed to recognize you! I hope you wouldn¡¯t put it on your mind.¡±


    The boss only gave his jade token to someone who is important to him. After realizing their important to their boss, Shopkeeper Zhang instantly changed his attitude, bowing and scraping.


    ¡°Never mind, the cooperation between me and Lord Six is confidential, so I hope you can keep it a secret.¡±


    After putting away the jade token, Ling Jingxuan quietly exchanged an eye contact with Yan Shengrui, under their leading, the four of them sat back again.


    ¡°Yeah, definitely, about the handbags¡­I wonder at what price Childe Ling would like to sell your style and design?¡±


    Quietly wiping off the cold sweat, Shopkeeper Zhang smiled apologetically. And this time, their stands got exchanged. Now it was they who he couldn¡¯t afford to offend.


    ¡°To be honest, this design is just used to explore the way. So, I don¡¯t mind much about the price. About the cooperation, I¡¯m afraid you can¡¯t make the final decision here. Later, we will also launch headdress flowers, jewelries, and other handbags specially for women. This time, those handbags basically share the same style, not with different colors. Maybe you can have a try. If they sell well, I hope you can pass on a message to Lord Six for me. Tell him that Ling Jingxuan is in Ling village waiting for him.¡±


    If he guessed it right, Zeng Shaoqing would be on his way from the capital to Cangzhou in two or three months tops.


    ¡°No problem, but only the few bags here may not be enough, right? I think you should have seen it. Those ladies and misses all like them very much. Once they are launched, they would definitely sell! Only a month¡¯s sales in this branch would be considerable.¡±


    Those who could climb to be a shopkeeper should all be sophisticates. From his words, one could tell, at first, he did have taken advantage that they knew nothing about the market thing and meant to buy their handbags, then mass produce them. Although now in and out of his words, it still indicated that he had that plan, he already had no balls to do that. If Ling Jingxuan accused of him before Lord Six, he¡¯d lose his position for sure.


    ¡°Hehe¡­I know what you mean. But the price is really too low. Given your Baiyunge¡¯s size, you¡¯d sell them at least ten taels of silver each, or maybe even higher. But you only wanted to buy out my design and style using only ten taels. I never did a losing bargain.¡±


    He dare not make it explicit, Ling Jingxuan did him a favor. Shopkeeper Zhang made a bitter smile, ¡°Childe Ling, don¡¯t make fun of me. Since you are Lord Six¡¯s partner, you should know our Baiyunge could afford any price. So just name one.¡±


    Already having known their close relationship with Lord Six and they even got Lord Six¡¯s jade token that he seldom offered anyone, he never had the balls to force the price down if you kill him.


    ¡°How about this. Just take it as my greeting gift for your Baiyunge. Buy now price, a hundred taels of silver, and those handbags we brought with us are all yours. And you can mass produce them, I promise we will never make bags of the same style or design. What do you think?¡±


    After a little meditation touching his chin, Ling Jingxuan said so pretending to be generous after having some eye communication with Zhang Qing and Ling Jingpeng. When he said the price, Ling Jingpeng and Zhang Qing nearly slipped off their chairs. The cost of each handbag was just twenty copper coins, and he directly asked for one hundred taels of silver? Seriously?


    In contrast, Yan Shengrui looked much more poised. He had seen scenes much worse than this. He just liked his Ling Jingxuan¡¯s confident appearance, so sexy! He even wouldn¡¯t want to move his eyes off him.


    ¡°One hundred? What about the cost of each, if I may ask?¡±


    One hundred taels of silver was not a small sum, so Shopkeeper Zhang also dare not make a hasty decision.


    ¡°You can rest assured, the cost is less than 20 copper coins each. Told you, what I sell if the style and design. When you promote sales, you can also stress this point. And, I suggest that you¡¯d better make an exclusive trademark of your Baiyunge in the inside, like your shop badge. So, even if others try to copy it, as long as people see the trademark, they¡¯d know which one is the genuine one. And another thing, a thing is valued when it is rare. So, you shouldn¡¯t mass produce too many. For example, you can grant specific supply of each branch. And you can raise the price befittingly. The harder to buy, the more people want it.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan business expertise was from the essence that Huaxia Kingdom had accumulated for thousands of year, no one was clearer than him about the temptation of hunger marketing. Storekeeper Hong already got stoned there. And Ling Jinghan and Zhang Qing aside quietly clenched their fists and kept each word of his in their mind.


    ¡°All right, a hundred taels it is.¡±


    After quite a while, Shopkeeper Hong finally made the decision, whether their handbags or Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words, to him, it was really irresistible.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Shopkeeper Hong, I promise you won¡¯t regret it.¡±


    After throwing Zhang Qing and others a ¡®nailed it¡¯ expression, Ling Jingxuan smiled, and suddenly his hand below the table got grasped by someone As he looked up, his man was staring at him, eyes beaming. Ling Jingxuan gave him a shallow smile, with all his affections inside.

 Chapter 248

    Qingyang county was merged by two counties, so one could imagine how big it was. And the little buns who had been wandering around in the streets for too long also felt kind of exhausted, during which time, the two little buns specially went into a seemingly big bookshop and bore the huge pains in the heart to spend three taels of silver to buy a book for both Ling Jinghan and Zhang Yan, and two taels of silver to buy an iron abacus for Ling Jingpeng and Zhang Qing each. Ling Wen¡¯s thought was very simple. Aren¡¯t books most important to scholars? And doing business, of course, the abacus should be most important, which could save them a lot of time calculating?


    As they walked and stopped, they saw a shop selling gold and silver stuff. After entrusting those things they had bought to the Zhao&Han couple, Ling Wen held his younger brother¡¯s hand and walked in. Ignoring others¡¯ strange eyes, the two little brothers went before the shelves, on which were placed with all kinds of gold and silver jewelries, earrings, necklaces and hairpins. It got everything that was related with jewelries. Bling, bling, indescribably beautiful.


    ¡°Boss, how much is this pair of earrings?¡±


    After checking for a long time, Ling Wen pointed at a pair of leaf-shape pendant silver earrings and asked with a loud voice. His local accent special to village people undoubtedly attracted a lot of people¡¯s attention. The shopkeeper took a look at Chu Yan, the Zhao&Han couple behind him and then said with a not so warm voice, ¡°Five taels of silver.¡±


    ¡°What? So expensive? How big is this? You want five taels of silver?¡±


    Hearing the price, Ling Wen gasped and gave a reflexive growl. It was obvious that the price was far beyond his imagination.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch it if you think it¡¯s too expensive. You can¡¯t afford it doesn¡¯t means others can¡¯t.¡±


    The shopkeeper here was not like those vendors outside, of course, wouldn¡¯t be as polite as those shopkeepers in Datong town. On hearing his local accent, he knew he was a total bumpkin, with undisguised impatience stained between his eyebrows. A bunch of bumpkins coming to the county to act as rich men? Take a look at this place first! Only five taels of silver and it¡¯s expensive? The earth in the countryside is free. Why not go mold one with the mud?


    A few words already made Ling Wen¡¯s face reddened. He said angrily, ¡°But it is expensive. Did I say something wrong? What? Can¡¯t I even chaffer?¡±


    ¡°But the premise is you can afford it. A bunch of village bumpkins come into the country pretending to be rich people? Even if I am a robber, I would never rob people like you little thing. If you think it¡¯s too expensive, you can go back to your village. Things are cheap there!¡±


    The shopkeeper looked down on them in and out of his words. And those customers in the shop all gathered around. Everyone pricked their ears watching for fun, totally not feeling it was not right that an adult was bullying a bunch of little kids. But, Chu Yan who was standing behind them darkened his face, with his eyes shooting at those people. Zhao&Han couple also blushed. How could they say that to some kids?


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with us in the countryside? Your pair of earring is still no heavier of my silver ingot! Apparently you oppidans are looking down our countrymen. Hum, your little lord I wouldn¡¯t want them now!¡±


    Ling Wu got so mad, he stood out and argued back in a loud voice, with his little face infected with undisguised anger.


    ¡°Go¡­go¡­go¡­Like we are begging you to buy it! You are so little but really have a stubborn mouth! You little wimpy kids, don¡¯t hold me up! I got a lot of businesses to do! Get out of here!¡±


    The shopkeeper and the waiters were furious, too. If they were not so small, they would have already beaten them up.


    ¡°I won¡¯t go out. Why? Why do you say we are bumpkins? You people from town are great? You have the same lump of flesh on your two shoulders. We are no different. You little lord I won¡¯t go until you apologize to me today.¡±


    Ling Wu also had stubborn temper, especially during this period of time, under Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui¡¯s teaching by personal example as well as verbal instruction, he had formed the characters of not feelings afraid of things. He argued back using those words his daddy used on him a few days ago.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to do business with us? Like we are begging you to sell things to us? Businesses are done through talking. If it¡¯s not appropriate, you can choose not to sell it to us. Why keep calling us village bumpkins? Today, if you don¡¯t apologize to me and my brother, don¡¯t expect to do your business today.¡±


    Ling Wen was not a pushover now. Although his roar at first made him lose his manner as a scholar, that was under the condition that he had no time to think. It was the outcome of conditioned reflex. As long as the other said was being polite, he could apologize. But their attitude was so bad, he really couldn¡¯t take it.


    ¡°Yes, you are just a businessman serving your customers, why look down on your customers?¡±


    Tiewa, who had always been timid and afraid of strangers, stood out with a reddened face. Seeing that the little masters got bullied, the three little footboys also stood out one after another, ¡°Apologize. You must apologize to the young little masters, or we will go to the yamen and let the county magistrate hold the justice for us. What kind of businessman are you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you are bullying your customers. Apologize!¡±


    ¡°Even our masters wouldn¡¯t say some harsh words to the little masters. What are you? How dare you say that to them?¡±


    The more they reasoned, the more overwhelmed they became. The extent of their eloquence could nearly drive one crazy. And Chu Yan and the Zhao&Han couple who meant to help decisively chose to stay silent, because they all remembered at the same time that Ling Jingxuan once said they shouldn¡¯t spoil the kids. They should let them handles things as long as it was within their capability. And when they couldn¡¯t handle it, it wasn¡¯t late for them to stand out.


    ¡°Wow! Where do you come from, little bumpkins? If you don¡¯t leave now, don¡¯t blame my rudeness!¡±

 Chapter 249

    The shopkeeper got so mad. He threw a hard stare around the six little buns standing in a row. And those who also looked down upon those bumpkins from the countryside also found them too wildly arrogant, so one of them said with disdain, ¡°How dare you little things behave atrociously here in the county? You really take us as air?¡±


    ¡°What do you workers do, huh? Already scared by some yokels? Throw them out! Damn! I already have no mood for shopping!¡±


    ¡°Let me see. Yo. It¡¯s really a bunch of yokels! Already so rude at such a young age? If it were me, I¡¯ve already thrown a slap in their face!¡±


    A little fatty looking around ten wearing jewelries all over elbowed to the front, with a few servant-looking men following behind. Apparently that was a spoiled little master from some rich family, and his tone was a bit nasty. The two little buns wide opened their eyes, and Ling Wu directly moved forward and said, ¡°Beat me! Beat me! If you don¡¯t beat me, you are a coward! Do you think I¡¯d be afraid of you meatball like thing?¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    As his words fell, be it the little fatty¡¯s own people or those onlookers in the shop, they all burst out laughter. And as they looked at the little fatty, of course he is a moving meatball!


    ¡°You¡­I¡¯ll kill you little bumpkin!¡±


    The little fatty got furious and threw his fat body over. Ling Wei was fast enough to pull his younger brother aside, while the other hand grabbed the fist from the other side, with that pair of round eyes stained with malevolence that didn¡¯t belong to someone at his age. And then, he gave him a hard suplex.


    ¡°Bam!¡±


    ¡°Ouch¡­ouch¡­ouch¡­It hurt! What are you waiting for! Beat them¡­¡±


    The little fatty cried on the ground, yelling at his servants. And those servants who already froze there suddenly came to their sense and were about to rush forward, but¡­Before everyone could see clearly, the next second, the Zhao&Han couple already held up the two little buns, and stood before the other kids, while Chu Yan, with a hand held behind, looked at them indifferently, ¡°Anyone who dare touch a hair of them, I promise you wouldn¡¯t get out of here breathing!¡±


    He already had some kind of astonishing momentum at such a young age, deep in his peach blossom eyes was freezing cold, which directly scared those people and no one dare to move anymore. Even the little fatty crying on the ground forgot how to cry, let alone those onlookers. No one expected that there was such a domineering one among those kids.


    ¡°Today if you don¡¯t do business with them, you will regret it. Xinyue Gold Shop. I remember your name! Uncle Zhao, Uncle Han, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Casting a cold glance at the shopkeeper and his waiters who got dumbfounded there, Chu Yan, with some kind of dreadful aura all over, turned to leave first. Then Zhao&Han couple also left after throwing those people a stare. When those little buns left, they made faces at them. Those people got super mad but could do nothing. Since they had already left, what could they do? Chasing out to beat them?


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, still angry?¡±


    Out of the shop, after taking some distance, Chu Yan who had already withdrawn that cold feeling looked down at them gently. If it hadn¡¯t been that his imperial uncle had lost his memories, how would the imperial legitimate sons be looked upon like that?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, they have gone too far. I am so mad at them.¡±


    Although Ling Wen on the other side did not say anything, it was obvious that he was also very angry. They had never been bullied like this since their father was awake. It had been a long time since the good times.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be angry, that kind of people don¡¯t need to pay attention to, Yan Ge buy osmanthus candy for them to eat okay?¡±


    Crouching in front of them, Chu Yan touched their faces separately.


    ¡°Good!¡±


    A listen to have candy to eat, Lingwu decisively forget that point not happy, happy straight nod, Lingwen is still a little depressed, he was saving face, let a person in public that said, decisively in his little heart left a shadow, if it is dad in, they dare not bully them?No, not just Dad. One day, he will be as strong as Dad and protect them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be angry, little master. Those people just acted like some snobs. We shouldn¡¯t lower ourselves down to their level.¡±


    Seeing that he was still not in the mood, Huzi came forward and comforted so. Although he was young, under his parents¡¯ teaching, he knew that Master Xuan was his savior. So he must take good care of the little masters.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, let¡¯s go buy some osmanthus candy.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Wen took the initiative to take out a few copper coins from his pouch and handed them. They were too angry, so they couldn¡¯t cool off in a short time.


    ¡°Xiaowen, let¡¯s go together. When you are in a bad mood, eating candy will make you a lot better.¡±


    Seeing this, Chu Yan took his hand and didn¡¯t want him to feel sad alone. Then, the Zhao&Han couple also moved forward and said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you just teach that little fatty a lesson? Just take it as getting it even. Anyhow, we don¡¯t live in town. So, don¡¯t put it in mind.¡±


    They really felt sorry for the kids. Such little kids got insulted by so many people! Fortunately Ling Jingxuan was their daddy, or they¡¯d have no face to live.


    ¡°Ge, don¡¯t be mad. Later after daddy and others come back, we¡¯ll ask daddy to help us.¡±


    Taking his elder brother¡¯s hand, Ling Wu also comforted him, Ling Wen then gave him a grin and then said to everyone apologetically, ¡°Sorry, Uncle Zhao, Uncle Han, sorry to make you worried. Brother Yan, let¡¯s go buy some candy.¡±


    Then Ling Wen held his younger brother and Chu Yan¡¯s hand and ran away. Seeing that, Tiewa and other kids also followed behind happily. Zhao&Han couple felt both sorry and helpless, and then caught up. This thing was just a brief interlude. But no one expected that at this time next year, there would be no linger Xinyue Gold Shop in the county any more. Of course, that was the after story.

 Chapter 250

    ¡°Well, although it¡¯s not much, it¡¯s still acceptable. When the one who has the final say comes, let¡¯s do something big!¡±


    Out of Baiyunge, Ling Jingxuan casually threw the bundle with the silver ingots to Zhang Qing. Next, they should visit Magistrate Hu, who was said to be clean-fingered and caring for the people.


    ¡°Is this¡­ really ours?¡±


    Steadily catching the bundle, Zhang Qing asked like a fool. So his big cousin just said something, and those handbags they made were sold at the price of one hundred taels of silver??? He couldn¡¯t even save that much even if he worked like a bull for ten years without eating and drinking! Why did it look so easy for his big cousin to make money?


    ¡°Hehe¡­ didn¡¯t you see it just now? We have signed the contract with them!¡±


    Knowing why he was shocked, Ling Jingpeng hugged his shoulders. He could understand his shock. Like when they earned the first one hundred taels selling the jam, he also performed the same way. And from then on, he understood what his big brother meant by saying having a flexible brain. And he worked hard helping his big brother making jam to support their family.


    ¡°I saw it, yeah, but¡­Cousin Jingpeng, isn¡¯t it too easy to make the money?¡±


    Zhang Qing still couldn¡¯t accept it. Ling Jingpeng laughed, ¡°Only a hundred taels and you think it¡¯s too easy? What if we do businesses of a thousand or even ten thousand? Would you get scared to death?¡±


    ¡°No¡­no way!¡±


    ¡°Why not! Didn¡¯t you see my big brother¡¯s confident eyes just now? I think when that Lord Six comes, we would make a huge fortune! Maybe it will not be only thousands of taels of silver thing!¡±


    Pouting his lips at the back the Ling Jingxuan, Ling Jingpeng had all admiration and firmness in the eyes. Some day, he would have his position in the business circle like his big brother!


    As Zhang Qing looked over following his line of sight, the great shock under his eyes slowly disappeared, replaced by the unexplained fever and worship, before today, he only felt his big cousin was quite capable, seen from now, it was far more than that! He was a god-like figure that could turn the foul and rotten into the rare and ethereal!


    ¡°Why do you have to see Zeng Shaoqing? Aren¡¯t you afraid he may take me away from you?¡±


    Yan Shengrui, who walked in front of him, can¡¯t hide his resentment in his tone, and he had a feeling that once he saw Zeng Shaoqing, those lost things would be picked up again, and he could no longer hide in the countryside and stayed with his sons and him whenever he wanted. So to him in person, he repulsed that possibility.


    ¡°If you are so easy to be taken away, I don¡¯t care. Shengrui, I want to marry you soon.¡±


    Stopped his steps to turn around to look at him, Ling Jingxuan looked rarely serious. It was true that he wanted to cooperate with Zeng Shaoqing, but he also wanted to use him to stimulate Yan Shengrui and try to help him regain his memories. That was a decision he made after thorough consideration, not a moment¡¯s thing.


    ¡°But¡­what if I have to leave you after I remember everything?¡±


    As Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan and their two sons were his everything. But as Yan Shengrui, the only general prince, he had compelling obligation on his shoulders. The boarders were unstable after his disappearance, and the aged Duke Zeng also had to go to the wars, let alone the soaring dark current below inside the imperial family. After regaining his memories, he could never selfishly stay by their side only while leaving people of the whole kingdom behind.


    ¡°Then leave.¡±


    Shrugging, Ling Jingxuan stepped forward again. Yan Shengrui grabbed his arm and pulled him back, ¡°Am I so dispensable to you?¡±


    His sword-shape brows furrowed into a ball¡­ How could he say it so easily?


    ¡°Haha¡­what are you thinking?¡±


    Noticing what he meant, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help laughing. Totally regardless that they were in the streets, he took the initiative to grab his hand, ten fingers crossed, saying while walking, ¡°Now we still don¡¯t know whether Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s appearance would help you regain all your memories. Even if you remember everything, Shengrui, as the prince, you have the responsibility to protect your people. Although I am not that broad-minded, I won¡¯t stop you. You can do things you should do. And I will wait for you in Ling village with the kids. After the boarders got stabilized and there are no more wars, we can get united then. And by then, you should take us to the imperial capital to widen our eyes, shouldn¡¯t you? I am quite interested in that place.¡±


    To be more exact, he was more interested in the pouches of those people there. As for those nasty things of the imperial family, if possible, he didn¡¯t want to meddle in. But he knew it was impossible. The little buns still had to go back to find their origin there. If they really got married, as his crown prince, he had to show his face, right?


    A farmer, a wicked farmer who can give birth to children. Wow, it would be very lively then, right?


    ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me. You don¡¯t like being involved into the fights over power of the imperial family, and I won¡¯t let them bother you.¡±


    After looking at him deeply for a while, Yan Shengrui said firmly.


    ¡°Hehe¡­I am looking forward to it then!¡±


    Naughtily throwing him a leer, he drew a closure to this topic, four people hopped onto the carriage. Having been out for long, he didn¡¯t know how the little buns were doing now.

 Chapter 251

    Meanwhile, the little buns who had been back to Xinyuan Restaurant, were obediently staying in the deluxe private room on the third floor. And Ling Wu, from time to time, ran to the handrails to see, and soon ran back with his little mouth pouted. After a few times back and forth like this, Han Fei couldn¡¯t help making fun of him, and others also joked on him.


    ¡°Ge, Tiewa, come here.¡±


    Ling Wu who came in from outside once again suddenly called Ling Wen, Tiewa and the few footboys out mysteriously. Thinking that this was Xinyuan Restaurant, and with Shopkeeper Wang keeping an eye, Chu Yan and Zhao&Han couple didn¡¯t take it to the heart.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Looking at his younger brother strangely, Ling Wen asked in doubt.


    ¡°Ge, look who it is over there.¡±


    The small bun pulled them to the handrails, pretendingly gingerly signaling them to hide themselves, he pointed at somewhere downstairs. And Ling Wen and others looked down following where he was pointing at. It was that little fatty in the gold shop! He was sitting downstairs with his servants standing by. At such a young, already acting like a little tyrant.


    ¡°You want revenge?¡±


    After all, they were twin. Ling Wen withdrew his eyes and looked at him. Ling Wu didn¡¯t say anything, only kept nodding with a bad smile. Maybe that was the so-called ¡®He who gets in contact with vermilion will become red.¡¯ Having seen too much about how Ling Jingxuan dealt with those unbelievable bullies, the pure and na?ve Ling Wu also formed the characters of an eye for an eye.


    ¡°And then?¡±


    Neither saying yes nor no, Ling Wen asked as he felt amused. Ling Wu waved his hand at them. And then a few little heads stretched out, ¡°Didn¡¯t daddy say the highest realm of using forces is win bloodlessly. Ge, let¡¯s use the laxatives daddy gave us to help the little fat guy have some crazy bowel movement. What do you think?¡±


    After saying that, the small bun looked at them, eyes beaming. Especially his big brother Ling Wen, this plan could only proceed only if he nodded to agree.


    ¡°Great, good idea¡­ well¡­ I think it¡¯s good. They bullied us first. Adoptive daddy said we shouldn¡¯t provoke others first, but we also shouldn¡¯t be afraid of anyone. Xiaowen, say yes.¡±


    Tiewa reflexively cried, and then realized that he was too loud. He covered his mouth and tried to lower his voice. It seemed that not only Ling Wu was ¡®polluted¡¯, but also the innocent Tiewa was deeply ¡®poisoned¡¯ by Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Little master Wen, let me go. I¡¯d put the laxative in his dishes and nobody would know.¡±


    Seeing that he didn¡¯t say anything after quite a while, Xong Xiaohu patted the chest and promised.


    ¡°Better I go. I¡¯m small and the chances of being found are small.¡±


    Zhou Changsheng was also not a coward. To revenge the little masters, he¡¯d go through thick and thin! Though young, they all knew they had already died without Ling Jingxuan. It was Ling Jingxuan who saved them. Then they could have a chance to learn books following the little masters.


    ¡°No, you are too small, or I go.¡±


    Long Dashan, the oldest, said anxiously, frowning. Although his little master was Tiewa, he also knew who made him live a good life with his mother.


    ¡°No, no, this is my idea, I have to go myself. No one can compete with me!¡±


    Waving his hand, the small bun denied all of them. As the few little footboys were about to argue, Ling Wen opened his mouth, ¡°Daddy often said we should do things of our own. You guys wait here. Xiaowu and I will go.¡±


    Since the other side offered them such a good opportunity, they¡¯d be cowards if they didn¡¯t grasp it!


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°No buts, I¡¯ve made up my mind.¡±


    Forcibly interrupting Song Xiaohu¡¯s persuasion, Ling Wen pulled up his younger brother and carefully went downstairs.


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, you be careful.¡±


    ¡°Little masters¡­¡±


    Behind, Tiewa and the three footboys who were worried about them called them at the same time. The two little buns waved their hands, signaling them not to expose them.


    ¡°Master Jin, your dishes are all here. The frozen desert you ordered will be served after a while. Please wait for a moment.¡±


    ¡°Hurry up. It¡¯s so damn hot!¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes¡­¡±


    When they finally went downstairs unnoticed, the two brothers held their breath and hid at the corner into the backyard. Hearing that he had ordered a frozen desert, the two brothers grinned and ran to the kitchen.


    ¡°Xiaowu, you wait for me outside, I go in to check it out first.¡±


    After going outside the kitchen and appeasing his younger brother, Ling Wen slipped in. The cook was making the frozen desert. Last time, he saw his daddy making it with his eyes. So, as the cook took the hot milk to one side, Ling Wen took out the laxative out of the little pouch and put some in. People came and went, and it was the meal time, but no one noticed his presence at all.


    ¡°How is it? Ge, did you make it?¡±


    Seeing him out, the small bun excitedly asked. Ling Wen quietly made a shush gesture, pulled him back upstairs, and when the waiter came out and put that frozen desert before the little fatty, the two brothers exhaled a long breath.


    ¡°He is eating it! Xiaowen, guys, looks! He is eating it!¡±


    When Tiewa who was holding his breath watching it saw the little fatty ate it, he excitedly grabbed Ling Wen¡¯s arm and shook it.


    ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s go. Daddy¡¯s medicine has great effect. Just wait for him to have loose bowels!¡±


    Totally having no idea they did some bad things, Ling Wen pulled them to leave the handrails. But the stubborn Ling Wu still wouldn¡¯t go. Not until the little fatty covered his stomach and changed his face did he try to hold his laugh and go back to their private box.


    ¡°Hahaha¡­¡±


    Not long after, the room sounded deafening laughter, and the little fatty unknowingly became the object the little buns did bad things to.

 Chapter 252

    ¡°Come on, come on, come on, send the little master back¡­¡±


    ¡°Go get a doctor¡­¡±


    ¡°Master Jin¡­¡±


    When Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui and others came back, they passed by a bunch of servants carrying a kid, with Shopkeeper Wang and those waiters from Xinyuan following behind. Everyone¡¯s face was more or less infected with anxiousness, while the onlooking crowd was gossiping in whispers in twos or threes. Judging from the situation, someone should have gotten food poisoning. But Jing Jingxuan just ignored it. Even if it was a kid, it had nothing to do with him. So he was not interested in lending a hand, but¡­


    ¡°Why are you standing here? Kids shouldn¡¯t be so gossipy!¡±


    Just as Ling Jingxuan walked on the third floor, he saw the little buns were looking down the stairs through the handrails. So he moved forward and knuckled their heads while blaming them, but using a doting tone.


    ¡°Daddy¡­will he die? We just wanted to teach him a little lesson. We don¡¯t want him to die. Daddy¡­What should we do? We killed people¡­¡±


    Seeing them, Ling Wen and Ling Wu hurriedly rushed to embrace his thigh, looking up at him pathetically. When the first saw that little fatty run to the toilet, they felt so thrilled since revenge had been taken. But, now things were kind of losing control. He got collapsed directly. And then they started to panic and felt regretted already. After all, they were kids and couldn¡¯t take so much pressure.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Who did you kill?¡±


    Seeing that they finally started to cry sadly, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui held up each of them. Ling Jingpeng also carried Tiewa up, and led the others kids into the room.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Why are you all crying? What happened?¡±


    Han Fei and others who were in the room having some rest all moved over as they saw that the kids were all crying, then he picked up Tiewa from Ling Jingpeng, soothing him.


    ¡°Crying won¡¯t solve the problem. So, tell me, what happened?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan also felt a headache. The kids¡¯ sad crying broke his heart. Yan Shengrui who sat aside put Ling Wu on his lap, pinched his little nose while saying teasingly, ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be a general? How would you cry? I have never seen a general would cry.¡±


    ¡°Boohoo¡­Father¡­¡±


    As he said that, the small bun threw himself into his arms and cried even harder. Yan Shengrui only felt total black before the eyes, trying to appease him by patting his back stiffly. He had never met such a situation before!


    ¡°Xiaowen, you tell me, what has happened?¡±


    After giving the small bun who was crying hard in Yan Shengrui¡¯s arms a heartbroken look, Ling Jingxuan looked down at Ling Wen with patience. Ling Wen whose eyes got drowned in tears told the whole story about how they took the revenge without telling the adults. Finally, he clenched his little fist and said stubbornly, ¡°Daddy, we really just meant to teach him a lesson. We never meant to kill him or what.¡±


    He knew the effect of daddy¡¯s medicine is very good, so he didn¡¯t use much, only a little bit, and he thought that the little fatty would only have a loose bowel at most, never expected¡­


    ¡°Xinyue Gold Shop?¡±


    Eyes sunk, Ling Jingxuan whispered to himself, no one knew what he was thinking, the only thing everyone knew was that someone was going to have some bad luck.


    ¡°All right, it¡¯s just some laxative, it won¡¯t kill anyone. Be good, Stop crying.¡±


    After making clear the whole story, Yan Shengrui who had always spoiled the kids coaxed them gently. The small bun raised his head, ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Sure. The worst scenario is he¡¯d have loose bowels for a long time. But he also did something wrong. He bullied you first. Be good, Xiaowu, since you have already done that, there is no need to regret.¡±


    Facing his son¡¯s eager eyes, Yan Shengrui nodded gently. Subconsciously, he always felt that his child must develop that kind of vengeful character.


    ¡°But he¡­¡±


    The small was still worried, since it had caused too much noise just now. He was really scared.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my medicine is not good enough to make someone collapse with such a little dose. In my opinion, that little fatty should have already eaten a lot of other food before that, which lowered the immunity of his bowels, so that little big laxative was like a blasting fuse. He¡¯ll be fine after taking some medicine¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan calmly took over the conversation, taking no blame on the kids at all, but¡­


    ¡°But Xiaowen, Xiaowu, and you little guys, I often taught you to learn to be strong, and shouldn¡¯t get bullied by others. To those who bully us, we would fight back even harder. Only about the little fat guy¡¯s thing, I don¡¯t think you did it wrong. It¡¯s not a problem teaching him a lesson. But you shouldn¡¯t have gotten those irrelevant people involved into it. Have you ever thought about it? The little fat guy had loose bowels in Xinyuan Restaurant, so they would also take the responsibility. People who sell food are most afraid of food poisoning. If someone does something in between, Xinyuan Restaurant would close because of this thing. Daddy is not scaring you or what. Before we do thing, we need to think about it thoroughly. Only take action when you are sure there¡¯d be no mistake. Adults¡¯ world is much darker than you thought. This time, you were really ill-considered.¡±


    Suddenly changing his tone, with slight sternness in his long and thin phoenix eyes, Ling Jingxuan reprimanded them for the first time since he had transmigrated in here. Whether they could understand him or not, he had to tell them the importance of joint responsibility.

 Chapter 253

    Ling Wen and Ling Wu looked at him with tears in their eyes. They did not fully understand, but at least they understood part of it. Because of their revenging behavior, Xinyuan Restaurant, which had been very good to them, was likely to close down. And for that, the two little buns felt even more awful, with all self-accusation and regret written on their little faces.


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to your daddy¡¯s bullshit. No one dares to touch Xinyuan Restaurant. Everything will be fine.¡±


    Yan Shengrui who cared about his sons so much hurriedly cut in to appease them. Just a little thing between the kids? Does he have to give them so much pressure?


    ¡°If you can¡¯t talk, don¡¯t talk. No one will take you as a mute.¡±


    Throwing him a white eye, Ling Jingxuan said coldly. Didn¡¯t he care about the kids? But sometimes, pressure maybe the motivation of one¡¯s growth. Maybe it wouldn¡¯t show now. Some day after they went back to the capital, if they still did things without considering the result it would bring, however capable he was, he still couldn¡¯t protect them. The experience in his previous life told him that the best protection of yourself was making yourself strong enough, not only physical, but also in the heart. Only having been thoroughly tempered could one become really strong and have the ability to protect oneself and his family. He was reprimanding the little buns for their doing, after all he himself was not a good one. If it had been him, maybe he would have done it more ruthlessly. His real purpose was to hope that they could think about the result before doing things. Once they took action, they must give a dead blow to the other side. But the premise was not to let the other side have a chance to fight back, or get others involved.


    The always domineering Yan ShengRui realized that he was really angry this time, so he instantly surrendered, and could only give the little buns a wink secretly. Under such condition, whether he was right or not, it would never be wrong to lower his head to throw in the white towel first.


    ¡°All right, big brother, you know kids, sometimes they¡¯d get naughty. It¡¯s enough. Don¡¯t be too strict with them.¡±


    The two nephews were already quite sensible, Ling Jingpeng couldn¡¯t help speaking for them aside.


    ¡°Right, big cousin, how can the kids think things so thoroughly like adults? Just tell them not to do such things in the future.¡±


    ¡°Look at you! You scared the kids. Jingxuan, although I don¡¯t support them doing bad things at such a young age, I can understand their feelings. You were not there. Those people have really gone too far.¡±


    Zhang Qing looked at two little brothers who had tears in their eyes but dare not cry out. Ling Jingxuan had always spoiled his kids, and gave them whatever they asked for. This was the first time he saw him rebuking the kids so sternly.


    ¡°Ling Shu, even a child, he has to be responsible for what he did. If it hadn¡¯t been that that little fat boy insulted them before so many people, they also wouldn¡¯t have done that to him. You also said, it is not that much related to the laxative and you often say we won¡¯t provoke people, but we also would never let anyone bully us, right? All in all, even if Xinyuan got involved, given Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s capability, who has the guts to twist the knife?¡±


    Chu Yan who cared about his two younger brothers most said with a firm tone. Compared with others, he hated those rich kids who bullied others more. Yeah, he hated them! Once, when he had just learned to walk, he got pushed into the pond by a few kids who were a bit bigger than him. And since he was old enough, he knew that born in the imperial family, he shouldn¡¯t even lower his guard on a child. Xiaowen and Xiaowu had to go acknowledge his origin. And his imperial uncle was a prince who had the right of succession. If they got scared out of their balls by Uncle Ling today, wouldn¡¯t they get schemed to death after going back to the palace?


    So he did not approve of him scolding his younger brothers this time from the bottom of his heart.


    Hearing him, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s line of sight turned to Chu Yan, under his eyes quickly flashed a trace of appreciation, so fast that it did not basically give people the opportunity to detect it. Worthy of the imperial family¡¯s son! For a nine-year-old child, the momentum was really good, if he also had this courage in other things, his future may be quite promising.


    ¡°Adoptive daddy, don¡¯t scold them, OK? I also got to take the blame. I prompted Xiaowen to do that. Adoptive daddy, we know we are wrong. Don¡¯t be angry¡­¡±


    When he was staring at Chu Yan in silence, Tiewa broke free from Han Fei¡¯s hands and ran over to him and pulled him by the corner of his robes piteously. The three little footboys looked at each other and knelt down together, saying, ¡°Master Xuan, we are also to blame. Please punish us. Don¡¯t blame the little masters.¡±


    For a while, everyone spoke for the two little buns, like Ling Jingxuan was the bad cop, which made him a bit awkward. When did he say the little buns shouldn¡¯t get it back? He just wanted to take this opportunity to teach them something, OK?


    ¡°Daddy, I know I was wrong, and I will think it over before I act.¡±


    Pathetically pulling his clothes, Ling Wen looked up at him and firmly assured him, but he did not admit that it was not a fault of drugging the little fat boy, but admit the fault that he didn¡¯t think things thoroughly and got those innocent involved into this.


    ¡°I know I was wrong, too. Daddy, don¡¯t be mad at us, OK? I promise I won¡¯t misuse the medicine you gave us in the future.¡±


    A man uses his fists to solve problems! This was something Ling Wu didn¡¯t say. And because of that, it indirectly formed his violence-against-violence characters, especially when he succeeded the potion from his father and became the terrifying general!


    ¡°Jingxuan¡­¡±


    Together with two sons, Yan Shengrui also shameless posed that pathetic expression. Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes helplessly, ¡°I didn¡¯t say you did it wrong, whether you are adults or children, you have to take the punishment when doing a wrong thing. The reason I criticized you is that you shouldn¡¯t get the innocent implicated. On this thing, you were ill-considered, so you must have a good reflection on yourselves. Later, you copy The Analects of Confucius for two times. Remember, before you do things, consider the result first. Don¡¯t only care for the moment¡¯s impulse.¡±


    If it had been him, he would absolutely have it done without being noticed, like Lady Jiang and her son¡¯s poisoning thing. He knew that he might be over-strict with two kids under the age of five, but considering their identities, he couldn¡¯t be soft-hearted.


    ¡°Yes, daddy!¡±


    Seeing that, the two little buns slid down, stood side by side and bent over. And till now, this thing was almost over. Others also showed a smile, especially Yan Shengrui, he knew his Jingxuan wouldn¡¯t force their kids to grow up.

 Chapter 254

    During the lunch time, Ling Jingxuan asked the waiter about the little fatty¡¯s situation. After he made sure he was fine, this incident finally drew to an end. After the meal, those who were used of a noon nap didn¡¯t go to rest, instead, they saw together communicating about the ¡®harvest¡¯ they got in the morning. And the little buns even brought out the pinwheels Chu Yan bought them to show off. But when speaking of Xinyue Gold Shop, the atmosphere suddenly went down again, and the few little buns all kept their heads down, looking sullen.


    ¡°Still unhappy about it?¡±


    Knowing that his baby sons felt a big blow this time, Ling Jingxuan held up Ling Wen and put him on his lap with a smile, while Ling Wu who was nesting on Yan Shengrui had never come down.


    ¡°Hmm. How could they look down upon us countrymen? It¡¯s not that we buy their things without paying.¡±


    With a nod, mouth pouted, Ling Wen said sullenly. Yeah, he is a country bumpkin, so what? What does it have anything to do with him? How could they say that? Aren¡¯t countrymen human beings?¡±


    ¡°When the woods are big enough, you could find all kinds of birds in it. Someone eat food but spit out sh*t, while some dogs eat sh*t but make nice barks. There are too many kinds of people in the world. So, just take those irrelevant people¡¯s remarks like a fart. Don¡¯t take it to your heart, otherwise, wouldn¡¯t you level them up?¡±


    Touching his face, Ling Jingxuan appeased him in the simplest and most direct way.


    ¡°Well, I see, but daddy, I still haven¡¯t bought anything for grandma yet.¡±


    Ling Wen was very obedient. After he said that, he nodded, but the next second as he remembered the silver earrings thing, his face sank again.


    ¡°Later I will take you to buy it. We will go to Xinyue Gold Shop again. I¡¯d like to see how butter-tonsiled they are.¡±


    As early as when he heard that his sons got bullied, he had already kept it in mind. Even the little fat boy learned his less, how could he let the adults who started all this get spared?


    ¡°Daddy, will you teach them a lesson?¡±


    Head tilted, Ling Wen asked curiously. Didn¡¯t Dad say they shouldn¡¯t put them in heart just now?


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Rubbing his head dotingly, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s smile was kind of freezing cold. How could he even let go of those who bullied his precious sons?


    ¡°Jingxuan, count me in, I can run some errands.¡±


    No one knew him better than Yan Shengrui, one could tell from the smile on his face. Someone would suffer soon! But they were also his sons, how could he stand by?


    ¡°OK. You don¡¯t need to go to the yamen with us later. You can go to Baiyunge and ask Shopkeeper Hong to come over, and bring everyone of us a suit of ready-made clothes.¡±


    Giving him a light glimpse, Ling Jingxuan picked up the teacup and took a sip, deliberately trying to send him away with an excuse, for no other reason but that all civilians had to kneel down on seeing the magistrate. Letting him a prince kowtow to a petty official? He highly doubted the magistrate would have his lifespan reduced.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re all right to go to the yamen on your own?¡±


    Picking his eyebrows, his peach blossom eyes look at him. Why did he feel something was not right?


    ¡°Of course. If the magistrate is really a good official, he should hear the civilians¡¯ voice and accept those visiting civilians. On the contrary, if not, he is just a hypocrite.¡±


    ¡°You think the yamen runs for you only? And he should hear the civilians¡¯ voice and accept any visiting civilian?¡±


    Hearing that, Yan Shengrui found it so funny, really couldn¡¯t understand how his bizarre remarks came out. Officials are officials, and civilians are civilians. If the officials are on an equal footing with the civilians, how could they govern their territories?


    ¡°Of course, it is impossible to receive everyone¡¯s visiting. What I mean is that on the premise of making sure that the people really need help, or that the suggestions are really good for the people, the officials should accept it. Only in this way can they be regarded as a real good official.¡±


    Obviously, there was a huge generation gap between them on this kind of thing. Yan Shengrui, who grew up under the imperial hegemony, and Ling Jingxuan, who grew up under the democratic education of the 21st century, fundamentally understood many things differently.


    ¡°Oh? How can you be sure if there is any benefit without seeing the visiting civilian in person? If everyone asks for a visit on the pretext of giving advice, won¡¯t the officials die of exhaustion?¡±


    Facing him sideways, Yan Shengrui suddenly became interested. He wanted to hear what he was thinking.


    ¡°You are quite astute usually. Why being stupid on this?¡±


    Throwing him a look of contempt, Ling Jingxuan took back his line of sight and continued, ¡°Mountains may not move, but we could build a road to climb up. Of course, not everyone has the chance to see the officials, but the yamen could put a complaint box at the gate or in the downtown area, and send a specially-assigned person to collect them. And those who make complaints or suggestions would sign their name or don¡¯t. Don¡¯t tell me most civilians are illiterate, or the officials don¡¯t have the time to read them. A solution for the former one, those who are illiterate could ask those poor scholars out at the elbows write for them, for the latter thing, as far as I know, the magistrate, his private advisor and other positions, they got nothing to do all day. Let them pick those useful ones first, and then hand them over. If there goes any problem in any link, ask the one who is responsible for that link to take the responsibility. Make the punishment heavy, and then no one dares overtly agree but covertly oppose. As for whether the official who has the final say would accept those suggestions or not or whether he would like to see the one who makes that suggestion, it depends on whether he loves the subjects as if they were his own children.¡±


    Doesn¡¯t the modern society also open the government informants¡¯ hot-line telephone? In this age without communication equipment, letter is undoubtedly the best communication tool.

 Chapter 255

    ¡°That¡¯s a good suggestion, not only the county, it¡¯s applicable to the yamen of each level, even the armies could adopt it. That¡¯s kind of similar to censor¡¯s job. But this method would be easier to accept. The civilians are the foundation of a kingdom. Whose words are more real and more reliable than theirs?


    It was just a bickering between husband and husband, but unconsciously evolved into a serious discussion, and Yan Shengrui subconsciously revealed a prince¡¯s side of worrying his people.


    ¡°The suggestion is good, but I am afraid that some officials will shield each other.¡±


    Others may not understand, but the nine-year-old Chu Yan seemed to understand everything, and timely put forward his own views. Born in the imperial family, he knew the darkness of officialdom better than anyone else.


    ¡°Hehe¡­the higher title, the more severe punishment. Isn¡¯t collective punishment very popular in any dynasty? As long as His Majesty personally issues an imperial decree to declare that those who shields each other or anyone who does illegal things using the complaint box, one would get his whole family beheaded. I don¡¯t believe that someone would risk his whole family¡¯s lives.¡±


    When saying these words, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s line of sight was deeply looking at Chu Yan, if one day he really planned to take that position, he hoped he can learn more things, at least he should have the ability to protect himself, don¡¯t let others pull him off halfway.


    Most people would be horrified to hear about the whole family beheading thing, but Chu Yan and Yan Shengrui just nodded approvingly, ¡°maybe we can really hear a lot of different voices in the future¡­¡±


    Halfway through the words, Yan Shengrui frowned. What¡¯s the future? Did he subconsciously want to regain his memories and return to the world where he belonged?


    Ling Jingxuan lightly caught a glimpse of him, took a small sip of his tea, some things, it was not that he was not clear, he just didn¡¯t want to say it clearly. Yan Shengrui¡¯s identity had already been very obvious, and sooner or later he would have to go back, the only thing that worried him was that whether he would still stick to their relationship, and the answer to this question would soon be revealed, and he was also expecting it.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost time. Jingpeng, you go with me this afternoon. Qingzi, you stay here to help me take care of the kids. Brother Zhao and Han, one of you two should go. Don¡¯t forget to bring the money with you. If we could see Lord Magistrate smoothly, it¡¯s quite possible we could go through the formalities in the afternoon.¡±


    It was almost two in the afternoon, and the county yamen should have started to work at this time. As early as lunch time, he had already asked the water to prepare the carriage for them. It should be just right to go over at this time.


    ¡°Hmm, Brother Long, you go, this is our money, a total of three thousand taels, I have kept the changes, in order to hire people in the future.¡±


    Han Fei nodded and felt out the money bag and handed it to him, inside of which was that three thousand taels of silver bank note he had already prepared long ago. When splitting the money for the first time, they received one thousand and nine hundred, and buying people and building walls cost them two hundred, the paddy field one hundred, and last time when Tiewa¡¯s grandparents came to make a scene, having no choice, they gave them a hundred taels and stated they were no longer related and told them not to harass them again, and plus some daily expenses, finally only one thousand and four hundred was left. And for the second time they split the money, they received two thousand, in total, it was just enough for the land buying this time. To Ling Jingxuan, he was really rooting for him with his doing, since he almost took out all their savings to buy the half-saline land that couldn¡¯t grow anything.


    So far, at least, none of them except Ling Jingxuan was sure they can actually grow crops on the half-saline land.


    ¡°Well, since we rarely have a chance to come to the county, I will buy you something when I come back.¡±


    Zhao Dalong took the money bag and carefully stuffed in the chest. A rough man, although not used to those sweet talks, still cared about his wife and kid.


    ¡°Don¡¯t. We don¡¯t lack of anything. Don¡¯t waste money. We still have to hire people to open up the wasteland with the few hundred taels left.¡±


    Han Fei couldn¡¯t help blushing while throwing him a stare. Zhao Dalong embarrassedly scratched his head, and felt so lucky that he had made the decision of marrying him from deep of his heart. The fact proved that he is indeed the best wife.


    ¡°Jingxuan, should I also buy you a hairpin or gold crown?¡±


    Seeing that they were showing affections before them, Yan Shengrui patted on the small bun¡¯s butt signaling him to get off, and then leaned over to whisper by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s ear. Every time when they split the money, he would receive one hundred taels as changes, and he still didn¡¯t know how to spend it.


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s appropriate for me to use those things? If you have too much money, give it to me. I don¡¯t mind.¡±


    Throwing him a stare, Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, he could use neither a hairpin or a gold crown, instead of buying those flashy things, he¡¯d rather him buy him two sheadlines or just buy a large sharp scissors and cut his hair short, then he didn¡¯t have to spend time on taking care of it. Although since that day, it was he who had been taking of it for him.


    ¡°Hehe¡­really not appropriate, then I¡¯ll buy something for our sons. When I come back in the evening, I will ¡®send¡¯ you something better.¡±


    Throwing him a bad smile, Yan Shengrui echoed. His Jingxuan was suitable for high ponytail, no other hair style suited him. However, he suddenly thought a better thing to send to him.


    ¡°Oh? I¡¯m looking forward to it.¡±


    Giving him a peep, Ling Jingxuan pushed his head that was leaning against his shoulder away, got up and nodded at Zhao Dalong and Ling Jingpeng. As Ling Jingpeng was about to take up the grade wine prepared for the magistrate, Ling Jingxuan suddenly said, ¡°No need. I thought about it. It¡¯s not appropriate to send a gift for the first time we meet. If he gives us a briber crime on our head, that¡¯d be bad. Forget about it this time. Next time we¡¯ll send him.¡±


    As a matter of fact, he had other uses for this jar of grade wine, so he could only say sorry to the magistrate.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    For what he said, Ling Jingpeng had always take it like the imperial decree, and Zhao Dalong was not a man of many words, before they left, Ling Jingxuan told Yan Shengrui he must invite the shopkeeper of Baiyunge to Xinyuan before he came back, and finally left a kiss on the three buns¡¯ faces.

 Chapter 256

    The yamen of Qingyang County was located in the northeast, not quite far from Xinyuan Restaurant actually. It¡¯d only cost one half an hour taking a carriage, under the condition that the carriage couldn¡¯t run fast in the downtown area. The waiter of Xinyuan Restaurant knew their noble identities, so he had prepared them the best carriage, even a few times more suitable than Ling Jingxuan¡¯s luxuriant one.


    ¡°Childe Ling, we are arrived.¡±


    The slowly driving carriage suddenly stopped, the carter¡¯s respectful voice came from outside, Ling Jingxuan, Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong exchanged a look, then got up and jumped off the carriage one by one.


    The yamen with blue bricks and black tiles looked quite new, should have been built in recent years. Right above the gate hang the two words QINGYANG YAMEN, and a huge drum for voicing grievances stood on the right side. The gate was wide open at this time, on both sides were standing the yamen runners wearing uniforms. Seeing them, they didn¡¯t move, still holding their potion like statues. Looking quite disciplined.


    ¡°Please wait for us for a while, Mr. Carter.¡±


    Withdrawing his eyes looking around, Ling Jingxuan felt out a few copper coins for the carter, and then moved his steps after nodding at Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong respectively.


    ¡°Stop! Irrelevant people are not allowed to enter the yamen. The complainant will show the paper first.¡±


    A yamen runner holding a knife stopped them. Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong who saw came to the yamen for the first time felt unavoidably frightened, while Ling Jingxuan looked quite calm, apparently totally not putting them in his eyes. With a hand held behind, he said with a neither humble nor pushy tone, ¡°I am not here to complain. Sir, please inform the Lord Magistrate that Doctor Ling Jingxuan who found and made the prescription against the plague in Datong Town a few months ago asks to see him.¡±


    He hadn¡¯t planned to reveal his doctor¡¯s identity, but they had wasted too much time today, and it was nearly three in the afternoon, if they wasted more time here, they couldn¡¯t make it home today.


    ¡°You found the plague?¡±


    The yamen runner who stopped them reflectively opened his eyes wide, and finally he looked at him with his head down, and the other three yamen runners also looked at him curiously. When the lord knew about the breakout of the plague, he went to Datong town in the first place. And from the mouth of the shopkeeper of Ping¡¯an Hall, they knew the prescription was from a young man. The lord was shocked and had been looking for him for the past few months. But he was like having vanished from this world. They just couldn¡¯t find him. Never expected that today he sent himself over.


    ¡°You wait here for a moment.¡±


    Really very young! If one said he was not suspicious at all, one must be lying. But, to them, they would think no one should have the balls to fool Lord Magistrate, right?


    ¡°Is that all right, brother? Isn¡¯t it that you don¡¯t want people to know you have medical skills?¡±


    The yamen runner who stopped them went in to inform the magistrate. Ling Jingpeng gingerly looked at the rest three yamen runners, then pulled Ling Jingxuan to his side and asked in whispers, only afraid someone could hear him.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK. Who says that someone who could make prescriptions must have medical skills?¡±


    Turning sideways to throw him an evil grin, he had already thought about it. He would use the same method how he dealt with the shopkeeper on Lord Magistrate today. As long as he denied he knew about nothing about medical skills, what? Would he eat him? He was just using this to see him as soon as possible. As for other things, not his concern.


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng was not stupid, and instantly understood his meaning. In an angle where the yamen runners couldn¡¯t see, he secretly gave him his thumbs up. He was right. Only by this way could he meet the magistrate in the shortest time smoothly.


    ¡°Who is Doctor Ling?¡±


    Soon, that yamen runner came out with a tall man wearing fine clothes who looked under thirty. That man had a square face, with his eyes anxiously sweeping over the three of them. And the yamen runner following behind paced forward and said respectively while pointing at Ling Jingxuan, ¡°My lord, this is Doctor Ling.¡±


    ¡°You are Doctor Ling?¡±


    Following the direction he was pointing at, he locked Ling Jingxuan. Magistrate Hu sized him up and down. He had already heard that he is very young, but never expected that¡­this young! He should be under twenty?


    Well, Ling Jingxuan was slender. Before, when he was dark-skinned and thin, he looked a bit old. But now, since his skin had been nourished well, so delicate and smooth now, he looked much younger than his actual age now.


    ¡°Greetings, my lord! Your student Ling Jingxuan.¡±


    Facing his inquiring eyes, Ling Jingxuan looked quite frank, took the initiative to make a bow. He was a tongsheng, so there was no problem he called himself his student. The most important thing is, if he could just bluff it out, he wasn¡¯t interested in kowtowing to someone else.


    ¡°Greetings, Lord Hu.¡±


    In contrast, Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong would not dare to act like him who only made a bow, they both obediently knelt down, but¡­


    ¡°Save it. Save it. You don¡¯t have to do this.¡±


    Hu Lizhi who came to his sense hurriedly opened his mouth before they really knelt down, and then came forward and grabbed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s arms with great excitement, ¡°Good, good, really a promising young man. Doctor Ling, if it hadn¡¯t been you that day, the plague should have broken out through the whole Datong town.¡±


    After knowing the outbreak of the plague in Datong town, he was scared and instantly rushed over, only afraid it would spread. One should know, in all dynasties, once the plague broke out, what followed behind was fields littered with corpses, empty towns. If this happened during his term of office, he could never keep his title, especially here was the fief of Prince Sheng. If he knew about this, maybe his whole family¡¯s lives would end there.

 Chapter 257

    ¡°Hehe¡­You really flattered me, my lord. In fact, I don¡¯t have any medical skills at all, nor am I a doctor. I just met a barefoot traveling doctor when I was a child. He taught me some pharmacology, and he happened to have told me the symptoms of the Big Head plague.¡±


    Simple a few words, Ling Jingxuan disassociated himself from it. If people knew he had superb medical skills, maybe it would bring him fortune and fame, but comparatively, he¡¯d lose more. In this era where there was no human right and the imperial power was all, the better his medical skills were, the closer he would stand next to death. He was not interested in getting involved into the messy harem internal power struggles, and became the cannon folder without himself knowing.


    ¡°Whether you have medical skills or not, you did m  e, even the civilians of the whole Qingyang country a big favor.¡±


    His words easily convinced Hu Lizhi, because he looked too young, really unlike someone with advanced medical skills. After realizing they were still standing at the gate, Hu Lizhi hurriedly moved his body, ¡°It¡¯s not convenient to talk here, Doctor Ling, come in please.¡±


    ¡°After you!¡±


    He was not so presumptuous as to walk ahead of the county magistrate.


    Seeing this, Hu Lizhi was very happy, with naked satisfaction on his face, then he said with a big smile, ¡°Doctor Ling, you are being too polite. I am a rough northerner, unlike the southerners who have so many formalities. Let¡¯s go inside.¡±


    Speaking of which, ignoring whether Ling Jingxuan would like it or not, Hu Lizhi grabbed his wrist and pulled him to walk in. Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong froze there, apparently they didn¡¯t expect that Lord Hu was such an easy-going person, so they instantly paced up to catch up. Before they came, no one expected that it would be this smooth.


    Hu Lizhi did not take them to the majestic court, but directly made a detour to go to the study in the backyard, a big man can be so careful, Ling Jingxuan was slightly amazed, but¡­


    ¡°Is that your servant, my Lord?¡±


    With the corner of his eyes, he saw servant turned into another yard, Ling Jingxuan stopped his steps. If he didn¡¯t see it wrong, that person should be one of those servants with the fat boy whom the little buns played tricks on. Is it possible the fat boy is Lord Hu¡¯s family?


    ¡°Huh? Oh, that is my nephew¡¯s attendant. Does Doctor Ling know him?¡±


    Following his line of sight, he saw half of the figure, which was enough to for him to recognize who that was. His nephew really gave him a headache. Today, he didn¡¯t know what he ate and had a running stomachache. When he was carried back, he nearly got prostrated. He kept crying that he was having a stomachache, and asked him to take some people to shut the Xinyuan Restaurant. Others may not know, but not him! The one behind Xinyuan Restaurant was not someone he a minor magistrate could afford to offend. But the old lady and his younger sister had too spoiled him, and they cried before him, in and out of their words, they wanted him to do as what his nephew said, which really gave him a big headache. When his nephew took some medicine and fell asleep till noon, it finally went quiet. And a yamen runner came to report that someone wanted to see him, and he used that excuse to run out.


    ¡°Oh, no, it¡¯s just t I happened to check in Xinyuan restaurant, and saw them leaving carrying a child. So I had am impression of him.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled. On the surface, he was trying to explain, but in fact, he was telling him that his nephew and the servants were taking advantage of his power to bully people, implying that he should discipline his nephew, and also indirectly exempted Xinyuan Restaurant out of it.


    ¡°Alas¡­Doctor Ling, sorry to make you laugh. My nephew¡¯s father died when he was little, so his mom and grandpa have spoiled him.¡±


    Hu Lizhi was also shrewd, almost instantly heard the deep meaning of his words, a simple explanation of the little fat boy¡¯s situation, by the way, he also told him that he was not that kind of person who would misbehave with women and kids.


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    With his lips slightly curved, Ling Jingxuan said no more, Hu Lizhi also didn¡¯t want to continue this topic, after all, domestic shame should not be made public, right?


    Hu Lizhi¡¯s study was very simple, the only adornment should be those books that occupied three sides of the walls, the annatto desk looked as if quite aged. After they sat down, the servant quickly brought some refreshment, Ling Jingxuan and others smiled to say thank you.


    ¡°Doctor Ling, I guess you come to see me for something, right?¡±


    Someone he had been looking for for months but failed now sent himself to him, apparently he should want something. Thinking that they might feel embarrassed to open their mouths first, Hu Lizhi started it for them. But, he also had his own rules. Although Ling Jingxuan had done him a huge favor, within his ability, he could do anything for them. On the contrary, he could only say sorry.


    ¡°Since Your Excellency has started it, I won¡¯t stand on ceremony with you. I must confess that I do have something to ask your assistance.¡±


    Since the other side was so frank, why should he hide it? Ling J ingxuan picked up his teacup and took a sip, organizing his words in his mind for a moment before continuing, ¡°Here is the thing, my lord. That barefoot doctor who taught me pharmacological things also taught me how to use herbs to raise fish, and how to grow out things on that barren land in that inland sea basin. About the fish-farming thing, I have fumbled out some experience, though the quantity is small now, I¡¯m sure I will be able to grow more and more, but farming must start from scratch. And without money, I also dare not act recklessly. You know, recently I sold some jam I made myself to Xinyuan Restaurant and earned some money, so I am thinking of buying some land to have a try. If I can grow out something on that barren land, it could greatly improve the shortcomings of under-development of Cangzhou or even the whole Qing Kingdom. But you know, my lord, that barren land is land anyhow, I have to pay taxes every year as the court¡¯s rules every year I buy it. And for a few more years, I would go down the drain. So my lord, I wonder, if I buy that barren in large quantity for experimental planting, could you please made the decision of exempting me of two or three years¡¯ taxes?¡±


    After a long list of true or false bedding, Ling Jingxuan finally told his true purpose. Originally he was wondering if he could exempt him for one year, so even if Jinghan fails the exam for xiucai next year, they could have one year¡¯s time at least. Given Jinghan¡¯s intelligence, there would be no problem. And by then, he could request the magistrate to exempt his taxes above the board. But, nothing is absolute. If he could win himself two more years, they¡¯d have more buffering time, right?


    Hearing him, Hu Lizhi went into silence, frowned and thought for a good and finally raised his head, ¡°you really can raise fish yourself?¡±


    Cangzhou¡¯s two biggest problems were¨Cimpossible to raise freshwater fish and that vast barren land. If he can raise fish, does it mean that he is really able to grow things on that wasteland? If so, it would be a great achievement to him. Perhaps even His Majesty would take it seriously. Agriculture was the weakest part of the Qing Dynasty.

 Chapter 258

    ¡°My lord, if you don¡¯t trust me, you can send someone to Xinyuan Restaurant in Datong town and ask about the actual situation from Shopkeeper Zhang. In recent months, the fish he sold were all from me. And I also said, the quantity for now isn¡¯t big, at most thirty a day. But I have already dug a five mu pond in the backyard of my house and started to raise medicinal fish. I believe that next spring, I can supply all the fish that all branches of Xinyuan through the whole Qingyang county.¡±


    When he mentioned it at the beginning, he knew he would ask, so he looked quite unruffled when answering him, with that pair of long and thin phoenix eyes glittering with confidence. Negotiation also needed chips, especially when with those officials. Although Hu Lizhi was that that kind of sly and venal official, he was not a fool. Without enough chips, he couldn¡¯t convince him that he could grow things out of the half-saline land. As long as he could convince him, or maybe he got swayed, he would have a chance to buy the land without paying taxes.


    ¡°No need, I am not that ignorant to have no judgment. But, Doctor Ling, are you sure that barren land can grow out things? Like you said, once you purchase that land, you¡¯d have to start paying the taxes. Even if I make the decision for exempt you for the first few years, you still have to pay then. Unlike other land, which could still be used as homestead. You know, every October, the sea water would flow backward, if you build a house there, it¡¯d get soaked. So, if you can¡¯t grow out of anything, it¡¯d be difficult to sell it.¡±


    Hu Lizhi¡¯s expression was quite serious. Of course he also wanted to make some big achievements by the end of his term. But, he was not that kind of venal official, he really didn¡¯t want to watch him lose everything, or might even have such a burden on his back for the rest of his life. Once he couldn¡¯t afford the taxes, he would go to jail, or even get beheaded. No one could owe the court money.


    ¡°Well, I can only say I want to have a try, before I can grow out anything, even if I say the most beautiful words, you wouldn¡¯t completely believe me. On the contrary, when some day I really grow out something, one word of explanation would be redundant.¡±


    There was no such absolute, and if there were, he couldn¡¯t really say it, for he still wanted him to exempt him from taxes for two years.


    ¡°How about this, Dr. Ling? I¡¯ll set aside a plot of land for you to experiment on. Even if you can¡¯t grow out anything, you won¡¯t have to bear the burden of taxes. And if you do, it¡¯s not late to buy it.¡±


    After pondering a moment, Hu Lizhi made the proposal with a deep tone, first, he was doing good for him, second, it was a gamble of him, in case he really grew out something, the land still belonged to the court, the credit would also have his share.


    ¡°I really appreciate that, my lord, but I am a man who has strong territory consciousness, for things that don¡¯t belong to me, I always feel insecure, and I also can¡¯t do my best. So, my lord, if you are really considering it for me, it would be better to exempt me for a few years¡¯ taxes. And if I really can¡¯t grow things, I will not put the blame on you, and pay the corresponding taxes as stipulated.¡±


    How could he hide his good intention and the selfishness hidden in the good intention from Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes? It was not that he wanted to steal his credit, but that if he really grew out something, he would definitely put all the credit on his own head, and he couldn¡¯t say what, on the contrary, he should perform happy. He never wanted to do conspicuous things. But if he accepted his suggestion, in the future, not only the land wouldn¡¯t be his, even things he grew out wouldn¡¯t be his. He didn¡¯t want to do it for nothing finally. Even if finally he could buy the land, the price would be doubled or tripled. He was not that stupid to dig a pit for himself.


    Hu Lizhi really didn¡¯t understand him. If he is really doing an experiment, why take such a big risk? Or is it possible he has already mastered the skills of growing out things on the barren land and doesn¡¯t want to pay taxes? But that¡¯s impossible! If he has really experimented it out, it¡¯s impossible I have never heard about it. If that barren land is really usable, even a beggar would generate some thoughts about it. So, it¡¯s impossible he could hide it from people. But why would he insist buying that land?


    Seeing that he didn¡¯t speak, Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t urge him, but just casually enjoyed his tea. Although Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong who had been worried didn¡¯t say anything all the way, they always performed quite poised. Having been with Ling Jingxuan for so long, they had also learnt something more or less, but just far away behind him.


    ¡°How much land do you want to buy?¡±


    No one knew how long it had passed, about a whole minute, or maybe half an hour? Hu Lizhi again raised his head seriously, and his firm eyes showed that he should have made the decision.


    ¡°It depends on how much for one mu you¡¯d like to sell at.¡±


    Graciously putting down the teacup, Ling Jingxuan calmly replied, according to the view of Yan Shengrui, the whole territory of Qingyang county should have at least 50 thousand mu or so of half-saline land, at present he had about 40 thousand taels of silver, plus Zhao&Han couple¡¯s three thousand and two hundred, it would be impossible to buy it all.


    ¡°Judging from you tone, you will buy a lot. Fine. If you want, and are not afraid of shouldering the responsibility, I will sell it to you at the price of homestead, official deeds, and three years free of any tax. Doctor Ling, I will remind you for the last time. Think carefully!¡±


    Seeing that he was so determined, Hu Lizhi took a deep breath. That was all he could do for him. But whether he could really grow out things, it was on his own.


    ¡°My lord, may I ask how much wasteland the whole county has?¡±


    Unexpectedly, he gave him three years, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help feeling thrilled, but he tried not to show it, the priority now was to buy the land first.


    ¡°Well, I remember last year my assistant reported 52,000 mu. It¡¯s really a pity. Many of the people have no land to plant, while this vast area of land is deserted. Doctor Ling, if you can really grow things out, you would make big merit. By then, I will definitely report it to His Majesty and claim the credit for you.¡±


    Speaking of those lands, Hu Lizhi looked quite low. He was not the kind of idle official who only stayed in the yamen doing nothing. He often went to the countryside to walk and see, and every time he saw those wasteland, he felt unspokenly awful. If those wasteland could be used, the civilians wouldn¡¯t have to starve.


    ¡°Lord Hu, if I want to buy all the wasteland in Qingyang county, can you give me a favorable price?¡±


    ¡°What? All of it?¡±


    One had to say, this time Hu Lizhi really got scared, eyes wide open like he couldn¡¯t believe his ears. He even had never dreamed that he would buy it all. That¡¯s over fifty thousand mu, which takes nearly one fifth of the area of Qingyang County! He really has the balls!


    Not only he, even Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong got severely scared, originally they thought he would at most buy about ten thousand mu, but expected that¡­he is really so confident? Fifty-two thousand mu! So scary even to think about!

 Chapter 259

    ¡°Yes, all of it. To be honest, since Your Excellency has exempted me of three years¡¯ taxes, it should have extra demands, but my money is only enough for fifty thousand mu. So, I am wondering, if Your Excellency could charge me fifty thousand taels for all the wasteland.¡±


    He had thought about it. If he had decided to do it, he would do it big. He had forty thousand taels in his hands as circulating fund now, and six thousand as changes, plus Zhao&Han couple¡¯s three thousand, and a thousand of Jingpeng, it should be enough. As for the money used to hire the workers, he could only make more jam and earn money after going back.


    ¡°Have you¡­ really thought this through? It¡¯s more than fifty thousand mu. When the time comes, taxes will kill you.¡±


    Swallowing some saliva with difficulty, Hu Lizhi still can¡¯t believe what his ears heard. Does he really have the balls or just try to hitch his wagon to a star?


    ¡°As the saying goes, encourage makes miracles and weakness brings poverty. How would I know if I don¡¯t give it a try? As long as you agree, I will immediately pay and sign the contract.¡±


    Compared with his shock, Ling Jingxuan still looked calm and confident. Since he had made a decision, he would not allow himself to waver.


    ¡°Encourage makes miracles and weakness brings poverty? All right, I will make you!¡±


    Then, Hu Lizhi patted on his thigh and got up, then walked before the desk and took up the brush, and wrote the title deed and the tax-exemption paper for him in person, and finally sealed them for him. And finally, he handed them before Ling Jingxuan, ¡°This is your last chance. After you sign your name and make your mark, the title deed and the statement would go into effect.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­Thank you my lord. Since I have decided, I won¡¯t regret it. Three years is enough for me to grow out things. However, I may have to trouble Your Honor to write the two contracts again. The five thousand mu of land should be under the names of Zhao Dalong and Han Fei, and the remaining forty-seven thousand mu is mine.¡±


    Standing up and glancing at the name on the contract, Ling Jingxuan said with a smile that the land was almost theirs at this point.


    ¡°Five thousand Mu? Jingxuan¡­¡±


    As soon as hearing that they could actually have five thousand mu, Zhao Dalong reflectively cried out. They had already taken enough advantage of him. How could they accept this?


    But Ling Jingxuan did not give him a chance to say that, ¡°Brother Zhao, I have decided.¡±


    The tone was unassailable strong, and his originally mild breath suddenly turned, not only Zhao Dalong was startled, even Hu Lizhi and others all got startled. They had talked for so long, he always thought he was a gentle man like water, unexpectedly¡­he had hidden himself so deep. What kind of person is he after all?


    ¡°Please, Lord Hu.¡±


    After making sure that Zhao Dalong would not speak, Ling Jingxuan instantly withdrew his overwhelming momentum, and resumed his moderate appearance, as if he had always been this gentle.


    ¡°Hmm¡­OK¡­¡±


    Hu Lizhi who totally couldn¡¯t catch up with what was happening nodded, turned back and in accordance with his requirements, to rewrite a few contracts, except the land lease, there was a tax exemption statement. Ling Jingxuan carefully checked them, after making sure there was no problem, he let Ling Jingpeng make a few copies, and then left his signature and fingerprint, and by then, those things came into effect.


    ¡°Here is the bank notes for fifty thousand taels of silver, my lord. Please count them.¡±


    Putting away the contracts, Ling Jingxuan felt out the bank note, received Zhao Dalong¡¯s, and let Ling Jingpeng take out his one thousand, then handed them all to Hu Lizhi.


    ¡°Well, the figure is right, Doctor Ling, now that the land is yours, can you tell me the truth now? Is it that you have already did the experiment and are a hundred percent sure that you can grow things out of that wasteland?¡±


    If not, how dare he buy so much land at a time? Though he could not believe it, it was the only possibility.


    ¡°Hehe¡­How is that even possible? I really don¡¯t know if I can grow anything out of it, Lord Hu. If there is nothing else, we¡¯ll leave first, the children are still waiting for us in Xinyuan.¡±


    Things done, there was no need for them to stay. As saying so, Ling Jingxuan stood up, but Hu Lizhi suddenly said, ¡°Where do you live? When you start farming, I must go to have a careful look.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m from Ling village, Datong town. Oh right, my lord, there is one more thing that needs your help, my aunt¡¯s husband¡¯s family is in Shangwan village, Datong town, but many years ago, her husband died because of illness, leaving her alone taking care of her two children. I guess you should know that the life for a widow is extra hard. They got bullied all the year around and nearly couldn¡¯t live. Before, my family was also quite poor and even if we wanted to help them, we couldn¡¯t. Now that we finally have some money, so I want to help them move to my village to live. I wonder if Your Excellency would issue an order to change their residence registration to Ling village?¡±


    Hearing that he asked about his address, Ling Jingxuan finally thought of the things he promised Wang Jinyu, while blaming himself in the heart, he briefed the whole thing to Hu Lizhi.


    ¡°If your uncle-in-law really has gone and they are also willing to, I can make the decision to move their household registration to your village, but it requires you aunt or cousins to the yamen for verification. When it¡¯s convenient for them, you can ask them to find me. Just let them say your name and I will know when they come.¡±


    For Hu Lizhi, this was a trivial matter, so he wouldn¡¯t mind selling him this face.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Excellency.¡±


    Having already anticipated that he would agree, Ling Jingxuan nodded to express his gratitude, turned around and left the study with Ling Jingpeng and Zhao Dalong. As Hu Lizhi watched their back, his eyes emerged a lot of complex feeling, then it finally turned into a deep sigh.


    ¡°This man is really something. He will make big achievements some day!¡±


    After quite some time, the study rang out the deep voice of Hu Lizhi.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, this is your land deed and tax exemption deed, keep them well.¡±


    Out of the yamen, after climbing onto the carriage, Ling Jingxuan gave the land deed and the tax exemption deed to the Zhao&Han couple.


    ¡°But¡­Jingxuan, how can we divide five thousand mu?¡±


    Not daring to take the deeds, Zhao Dalong looked tangled. With a light smile, Ling Jingxuan stuffed them into his hand, ¡°Why not? Anyway, the extra two thousand mu is for free. Just take them.¡±


    He still had 47,000 mu of it, heehee¡­Until this time next year, he really would be rich! But now, it looked like he got bankrupt. He had to figure out a way to make more money, or he¡¯d feel insecure.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, just accept it. You know my big brother. Besides, we can¡¯t go back to ask Excellency Hu to rewrite it now, right?¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingpeng smiled and relieved Zhao Dalong, and finally Zhao Dalong carefully put away the title deeds, secretly vowed in his heart that he must repay him in the future.

 Chapter 260

    After getting back to the restaurant, Yan Shengrui had already invited over the fat shopkeeper of Baiyunge as Ling Jingxuan told him, and after Shopkeeper Wang¡¯s detailed explication, the fat shopkeeper knew that Ling Jingxuan was the farmer who made the jam, came up with that frozen desert, and even brewed grape wine, therefore, the fat shopkeeper grew some more respect for them.


    After Ling Jingxuan came back, he asked Ling Jingpeng to give that remained jar of grape wine to him, and the fat shopkeeper adored him more, and his originally small eyes now nearly all got hidden in his fat because of that big smile, of course, it was only a natural thing that Ling Jingxuan asked him a favor.


    ¡°Childe Ling, where are we going?¡±


    Seeing that they were wearing the new silk and satin clothes they specially bought from Baiyunge, the fat shopkeeper and Shopkeeper Wang were both confused. They were not like people who would specially get dressed when going to a place. Otherwise, they could have come here wearing some cotton clothes this morning.


    ¡°We are going to Xinyue Gold Shop in front. My sons and I would like to buy my mother a pair of silver earrings. You know, we are farmer who don¡¯t understand those things. So I wonder if we could trouble you later.¡±


    Seeing that he was so faint-looking, the two shopkeepers both darkened their faces. Forget about whether Baiyunge special sold those things. If he went to buy anything there himself, they would never raise the price specially against him. But, they all got so formally dressed and went together, which was really weird. They¡¯d be nuts if they believed what he said.


    ¡°By the way, Shopkeeper Hong, I see that the east side also has a large stream of people. Why doesn¡¯t Baiyunge open another branch?


    Although Xinyue Gold Shop was not far from their Xinyuan Restaurant, it was not that close anyway. While walking, Ling Jingxuan suddenly asked so. Who wouldn¡¯t want to earn more money? Especially that coquettish man Zeng Shaoqing. Baiyunge¡¯s business volume is so big, why not scale up the operation? Two branches in a county weren¡¯t a problem, right?


    ¡°Hehe¡­Childe Ling, like I said this morning, a thing is valued if it is rare. Those who could afford things of our Baiyunge should all be kind of rich. Of course, distance isn¡¯t a problem. Even if there is only one branch in the west side of the county, those rich people would still come to our shop to buy stuff.¡±


    Waving off the doubt in the head, Shopkeeper Hong wore a smile with great confidence, strength decides everything, and their Baiyunge is the embodiment of the word strength.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. But if you make it easier for the guests, I think your business will be better, right?¡±


    Opening a shop is no big deal. A thing is valued if it¡¯s rare? Come on! Just a new branch! Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help shaking his head, totally had no idea where their confidence had come from. Or maybe just because Cangzhou is Yan Shengrui¡¯s fief so no one dare steal away their business? It looks like Zeng Shaoqing isn¡¯t that kind of self-opinionated person? Or maybe¡­his suspicious eyes turned to his man. Or, this was his decision?


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but it¡¯s all Lord Six¡¯s decision, and we only need to take care of our branch.¡±


    Shopkeeper Hong nodded approvingly, and then quietly pushed everything onto Ceng Shaoqing, trying to end this topic, since he was more interested in other things.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s wait for Lord Six to come then.¡±


    Giving a meaningful smiled, Ling Jingxuan no longer continued that topic, a line of people, big and small, were walking in the streets, which was quite eye-catching, especially they all had good appearance, and wore unified expensive clothes of Baiyunge, eight out of ten would stop and look at them. And those who passed them by would also stop and turn to look back at them, with more or less undisguised jealousy in the eyes.


    ¡°Daddy, I¡¯ll buy a silver hairpin for grandma, but what about grandpa?¡±


    The small bun raised his head, this problem actually had been bothering him for a long time, he had planned to something similar after he saw what Ling Wen would buy. But Ling Wen also hadn¡¯t decided yet. As they were drawing close to Xinyue Gold Shop, he became a little anxious. They rarely had a chance to come to the county, if he bought things for everyone except grandpa, grandpa would definitely feel sad. He didn¡¯t want to see him sad.


    ¡°Your grandpa likes farming best, he doesn¡¯t have any other hobbies. Why don¡¯t you go to Uncle Wang later and ask him if there is any kind of expensive food in the county that our Datong doesn¡¯t have? You can buy two packs for him.¡±


    Lowering his head to look at him, Ling Jingxuan said while walking. His father was a total busy bee, he knew whatever they bought him, he wouldn¡¯t use it. So, why not make it simple? Buy him some delicious food that he couldn¡¯t keep. At least, food could nourish his body, right?


    ¡°That¡¯s good. Let¡¯s do it.¡±


    As soon as he heard buying some food, the small bun instantly agreed. Almost immediately, he broke away from his daddy¡¯s hand and took the initiative to hold Shopkeeper Wang¡¯s, ¡°Uncle Wang, is there any kind of specially food our Datong town doesn¡¯t have? Very delicious kind!¡±


    After he said that, the voice of saliva swallowing was instantly heard. Those who all knew he was a little foodie all burst into laughter. Fortunately he was still small. If he was still piggish after growing up, it¡¯d be only strange if others didn¡¯t laugh at him.


    ¡°Smart boy! And also quite filial and sensible.¡±


    The small looked quite lovable. Saying that, Shopkeeper Wang stooped down to pick him up and said, ¡°If you want some food that you Datong doesn¡¯t have, that¡¯s really a lot. But, I still most recommend our Xinyuan¡¯s roast duck. When you leave later, you can take two packs with you, what do you say?¡±


    ¡°Hmm!¡±

 Chapter 261

    They had already had the roast duck at noon today, golden and crispy skin, the meat inside was so juicy. Thinking of its wonderful flavor, Ling Wu couldn¡¯t help keeping nodding, then like he thought of what, he deliberately pretended to a little old man and said with solemn tone, ¡°Uncle Wang, you must take the money, because that is a present for my grandpa, I have to buy it with my money.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­you kiddo, where did you get that false reasoning?¡±


    Hearing that, Shopkeeper Wang laughed even heartier, Ling Jingxuan and others all had undisguised affections under the eyes. The kids were their happy source. For this, however painstaking life is, it is worth it, isn¡¯t it?


    ¡°Daddy, we are arrived at Xinyue.¡±


    Talking and laughing, they had reached their destination. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui withdrew the smile on their faces, holding Ling Wen¡¯s hand on both sides while looking at the gold shop right in front. Xinyue which occupied two shop facades looked quite big, and the decorations outside were quite ordinary, the shop name Xinyue Gold Shop hanging above was also nothing special. Compared with the lubricious and magnificent Baiyunge, this was far behind. But compared with other shops around, it still looked quite tacky.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go in.¡±


    After a brief pause, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui exchanged the eyes, and then took the lead to go in holding Ling Wen¡¯s hands. Except the two shopkeepers who had question marks in their heads now, others all knew this was the shop that made the few little buns humiliated before everyone, so their smile was all gone, but replaced by resentment.


    It was about six in the afternoon. In summer, the sun set late, so people still went in and out of the gold shop. Judging from their clothing, should not be from those super rich families, maybe just from those substantial families. So, it was not hard to conclude that Xinyue Gold Shop was rendered among moderate consumption. Totally not that kind of upscale shop.


    ¡°Sirs¡­ it¡¯s you again, you yokels, what are you doing here¡­again¡­¡±


    As the waiter who had just seen off a bunch of guests was ready to bow to welcome Ling Jingxuan and others, he saw Ling Wen among them. While feeling shocked, he looked behind them and found quite a few of them were familiar to him, especially Shopkeeper Wang of Xinyuan and Shopkeeper Hong of Baiyunge, he nearly tumbled to the ground, totally had no idea how those yokels could get themselves related to the shopkeepers of the biggest restaurant and the biggest embroidery shop! And, it looks like they were quite close.


    ¡°What? People like us farmers are not welcomed?¡±


    Faintly throwing a peep at him, Ling Jingxuan deliberately asked with the local accent.


    ¡°Get out of my way.¡±


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    Yan Shengrui was more direct, he directly threw a kick at him. That waiter rolled far away, and passed out after a scream. Now almost everyone¡¯s eyes turned onto them, including the shopkeeper and those customers, and those passers-by outside. While Yan Shengrui who had been hiding his dominance now looked quite majestic, under that pair of peach blossom eyes glittering with some kind of killing light. Everyone, including Shopkeeper Wang, dare not look into his eyes, their hands sweating. They thought Ling Jingxuan was already so not like a farmer, now, this one was even fiercer. Are they really some common farmers?


    ¡°Sir, we can talk. Why get physical without a reason?¡±


    After a daze for a long time, the shopkeeper came before them in fear, and that waiter behind took the chance trying to slip away. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes glittered. When he passed him, he was fast enough to prick a silver needle into his body.


    Bang~


    The next moment, that waiter already fell to the ground and was having convulsion. Having no idea what had happened, the shopkeeper took a look at Yan Shengrui and then the kid he was holding, then led other waiters to check on the one lying on the ground. But, he was not a doctor, after checking it, he still didn¡¯t know what was going on.


    ¡°Is it epileptic? I have ever seen it in the country, and it makes one spasm all over, and froth at the mouth. Though he doesn¡¯t froth at the mouth, his spasms is rather like it.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng who hid far away held his hands before the chest and said that lightlt, but instantly attracted the onlookers¡¯ gossiping. The shopkeeper squatting on the ground threw a hard stare at him, then turned around to let another waiter to go get a doctor. If it was really like what he said, wasn¡¯t it too coincidental? As he was about to inform the yamen, he had it? He would never believe it. Besides, under the circumstances they happened to be here¡­


    ¡°Daddy, what is epilepsy? Will it be contagious? I¡¯m scared¡­¡±


    Seeing the onlookers discuss more and more heatedly, Ling Wen raised his head and asked innocently.


    ¡°What¡­¡±


    Hearing him, before Ling Jingxuan could answer it, others instantly took quite a few steps back, and the aisle instantly got emptied. Except the waiter having spasms on the ground, except the shopkeeper and the waiters of the gold shop, Ling Jingxuan was the only who still dare stand there, unmoved. Others might now know, but now him! Epilepsy? How could it be so coincidental? Of course it was Ling Jingxuan who had done some little trick.

 Chapter 262

    ¡°Why did he fall all of a sudden? It¡¯s not really contagious, is it?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? A while ago, I heard that the plague broke out in Datong Town. Fortunately, our Lord Hu found it in time and stopped it before the plague broke out. Otherwise, our Qingyang County have already turned into a dead place. So, we¡¯d better stay as far as we could.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Look! He is having terrible convulsions. It may be really deadly contagious.¡±


    ¡°Stop it. The more you said, the scarier¡­¡±


    Those onlookers all showed a disgusting face, gossiping on and on. Ling Jingxuan could not help sneering in his heart, so this is the so-called opidans? So ¡®noble¡¯! Compared with them, he would rather face those unbelievable people of the old Ling family every day. At least he could outwit them to kill some time.


    ¡°Epilepsy is a mental disorder that is not contagious.¡±


    Knowing that his son deliberately asked so, Ling Jingxuan still answered him quite cooperatively, then let go of his hand, moved a few steps forward to squat in front of that waiter. Taking the opportunity to check for him, he quietly withdrew the needle he had pricked in his body.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want him to bite off his tongue, you¡¯d better find something to gag him. Someone who is having epilepsy is most likely to kill himself in the unconscious state.¡±


    Finishing those words coldly, Ling Jingxuan got up and walked back, everything was done so naturally and also secretly. Except Yan Shengrui who had a pair of eagle eyes, basically no one saw what he did down the sleeves.


    Soon, the waiter lying on the ground gradually stopped twitching, when the doctor came, he also didn¡¯t also diagnose with any specific disease. So, the doctor could only let two guys working in the gold shop carry him to his place. As for the one who passed out under Yan Shengrui¡¯s kick, he woke up after the doctor gave him a few silver needles, but still looked terrible. The doctor said he might have a few of his ribs broken, so he also went back to the doctor. This was only the beginning, and the gold shop had lost two waiters. Next¡­


    ¡°Shopkeeper Wang, Shopkeeper Hong, what brings you here today?¡±


    After they saw off the doctor, the crowd gradually dispersed, except a few of them who still wanted to stay for more fun. After taking a deep look at Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan holding the children and standing side by side, the shopkeeper of the gold shop forced out a smile and said so while cupping his hands. Doing business in the same county, it was reasonable that they knew about each other. Especially that was the shopkeeper of Xinyuan and Baiyunge! Even Xinyue Gold Shop had the Gui family as their back, he dare not cross the line before them.


    ¡°We are accompanying Childe Ling and his two sons here to buy something. So, no need to stand on ceremony.¡±


    Shopkeeper Wang who was holding Ling Wu was so shrewd. He had already sensed something wrong from Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan¡¯s doing. So, it sounded like he was being polite, actually he was distancing himself from the other side. Others might not be able to offend Gui family, but not him. Since Ling Jingxuan invited them here to back them up, of course they should not let them down.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, yeah¡­¡±


    The shopkeeper only felt cold sweat oozing in the hands, the line of sight inevitably sweeping over to Ling Wu, while Ling Wu turned his face sideways and gave him a cold snort, Shopkeeper Gui lightly twitched his mouth, and finally realized that he had unintentionally offended someone he shouldn¡¯t have. He also felt frustrated now. Apparently those kids were some country bumpkins, holding a local accent, who knew that they were so close to Xinyuan and Baiyunge? If he had foreseen this, even you borrowed him ten balls, he wouldn¡¯t have the guts to insult them before so many people!


    ¡°Is this Childe Ling? Really extraordinarily charming. May I ask what you need?¡±


    Things had happened. Shopkeeper Gui could only toughen his scalp to walk before Yan Shengrui, but Yan Shengrui just threw a disdainful look at him like looking at an ant, that pair of sexy and thin lips coldly moving, ¡°You can¡¯t even tell who is who. I highly doubt how you climbed onto this position!¡±


    Hearing him, Shopkeeper Gui suffered another blow, the muscles on the face uncontrollably twitching, while Ling Jingpeng and others behind all couldn¡¯t help smiling. If you ask who is the most domineering, most unreasonable and most sharp-tongued, if their Brother Yan ranked the second place, no one dare say he topped the chart!


    ¡°Ahem¡­Ahem¡­sorry, sorry, I have the eyes but fail to see the Taishan Mountain. So this should be Childe Ling.¡±


    Clearing his throat, tightening his fist, Shopkeeper Zhang then turned to look at Ling Jingxuan, finally he found the right one, but¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s my sons who want to buy things, so you only need to entertain them.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan who had already treated people mildly impolitely made up the second stab. Shopkeeper Gui almost collapsed on spot and finally had to move his eyes onto the little things. Ling Wen very cooperatively held out his chest, looking quite posed. It seemed that the muscles on Shopkeeper Gui¡¯s face were twitching even harder. Meanwhile, Ling Wu slipped off Shopkeeper Wang, ran over to Yan Shengrui¡¯s side and said as he raised his head, ¡°Father, I don¡¯t like this shop. Can we change another one?¡±


    He knew daddy wanted to get it even for them, but on thinking that they still had to buy things here after being insulted like that and let them make money, he felt bad.


    ¡°Oh? Why not?¡±


    Letting go of Ling Wen¡¯s hand, Yan Shengrui bent down to hold him up. Ling Wu pouted his small mouth and threw a fierce stare at Shopkeeper Gui, ¡°in the morning I came here with my elder brother, he said we are yokels and refused to sell things to us, and said he doesn¡¯t want to earn our money at all.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    His tone suddenly turned cold, and his eyes, like ice blades, shot at him. Shopkeeper Gui only felt cold down the spine, the body couldn¡¯t help slightly shivering. After quite a while, he gathered some courage and said with a stiff smile, ¡°That was a mistake. A total mistake! I don¡¯t you won¡¯t put it in mind.¡±

 Chapter 263

    Although he had no idea of the background of Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan, he could tell they were never some minor roles judging from the fact that even Shopkeeper Wang and Shopkeeper Hong both took him as an honored guest. Other people may not know, but he was crystal clear that behind Xinyuan and Baiyunge is Lord Six from the number one duke¡¯s mansion, a famous devil king. Even the Gui family behind can¡¯t afford to offend him, let alone¡­Having been a shopkeeper her for years, he could say he could tell about what kind of people one was with an eyes. Apparently Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan were some kind of badas*es, especially Yan Shengrui, with that kind of nobility giving off from his bones. If having not been trained since he was young, he could never look so majesty. If the other side¡¯s background was no inferior to the number one duke¡¯s mansion, he may even die without himself knowing why.


    ¡°Hum. My son is giving you face to buy things here! You dog thing!¡±


    Throwing a cold hum, Yan Shengrui was nearly unreasonably unreasonable. Shopkeeper Gui flushed with humiliation. As he nearly couldn¡¯t hold it there, Ling Jingxuan suddenly smiled and said, ¡°Well, there is no other gold shop near here, and later we have to hurry back, so, I guess we can only buy stuff here. I see that the location is not back. After your Lord Zeng comes, let him open a new branch of Baiyunge here.¡±


    Seemingly mild tone, those words directly sentenced the death penalty of the Xinyue Gold Shop. If Baiyunge really opened a branch here, how could Xinyue live? Shopkeeper Gui was not stupid. He gnashed his teeth, but could do nothing. The kids back was that demon king Lord Zeng! What could he say? What dare he say?


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Two little bun took a look at each other. Although they also had no idea who the so-called Uncle Zeng is, they coincidentally nodded, because they both saw how awful that shopkeeper look when daddy mentioned him.


    ¡°Come on. Go in and see if there¡¯re things you like. Brother Zhao, aren¡¯t you also planning to buy some things for Brother Han? Pick some.¡±


    Then, a line of people finally entered the shop. When walking by Shopkeeper Gui, Shopkeeper Wang and Shopkeeper Hong both cast a sympathy eye at him. He could only blame himself for having a pair of blind holes and bully the countrymen. Even their Xinyuan and Baiyunge dare not bully any customer, let alone their Xinyue! He only deserved it!


    ¡°Daddy, do you think these earrings look good on grandma? Look, the leaves shake and shine. They will look very beautiful on grandma, I guess.¡±


    Ling Wen picked up a pair of leaf-shape earrings he had seen this morning and turned to Ling Jingxuan to ask. Others were fine, too, but this pair was particularly shiny. He wanted grandma sparkle.


    ¡°Well, yes, my son has really good taste. Then take them.¡±


    Squatting down to check the leaf-shape silver earrings, Ling Jingxuan touched his head while praising him.


    ¡°They are good, but would cost five taels of silver. Daddy, why are those things made of such little silver so expensive?¡±


    Ling Wen¡¯s eyes turned a little dark, immediately asked so. It was not that he wouldn¡¯t buy them, but just felt a little fleshing-cutting painful in the heart.


    ¡°Little childe, you heard it wrong in the morning, it costs you only one tael.¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan answered him, Shopkeeper Gui cut in. Now he didn¡¯t want anything, just wanted to send them away as soon as possible.


    ¡°Is that so? Then buy this pair. Wrap them for me.¡±


    Looking at the shopkeeper with his head tilted, after getting his daddy¡¯s approval, Ling Wen handed the earrings over, then fished out a one-tael ingot out.


    ¡°Daddy, how about I buy this silver hairpin? Look! The bird¡¯s mouth is still holding a bead. It¡¯d look good on grandma.¡±


    The next second, Ling Wu also took a hairpin with a firebird pattern and ran over, Ling Jingxuan took a look at it and knocked on his head since he felt so amused, ¡°A little bird? , this is a rosefinch. It¡¯s said that they are phoenixes that failed to ascend. And only the empress can wear the hairpins with phoenix patterns on them. But since the phoenix patterns are too beautiful, the folks have figured out a way¡ªusing the rosefinch as the replacement.¡±


    These messages were in the head of the original owner, Ling Jingxuan just added his own simple explanation.


    ¡°Heehee, I have not seen a rosefinch. How would I recognize it? Daddy, just say if it looks good.¡±


    Mischievouslt sticking out his tongue, Ling Wu shamelessly embraced his arm and acted cute while shaking it, Ling Jingxuan could only surrender and said with a smile, ¡°Yeah, yeah, it looks good. How could my little son have such good taste?¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll choose this, shopkeeper, how much is this?¡±


    Achieving the goal, the small bun took the hairpin and turned to the shopkeeper, his little face changed as fast as turning a page. A moment ago, he was still acting cute, the next second, he already put on a stern expression.


    ¡°Five¡­five taels of silver.¡±


    When saying this number, Shopkeeper Gui felt his heart fluttering. Hadn¡¯t he just offended those few little ancestors this morning? Now that number only gave him a huge headache.


    ¡°Five taels???¡±


    The small bun¡¯s eyes sank. He poured out all the silver ingots from his pouch and carefully counted. After making sure of the number, he said, ¡°Wrap it for me. Make it pretty!¡±


    Recieving the silver hairpin, Shopkeeper Gui exhaled a deep breath of relief. Then Zhao Dalong also spent fifteen taels of silver and bought a jade hairpin for Han Fei and an Avalokitesvara silver pendant for Tiewa. Judging from the workshop, Shopkeeper Gui apparently didn¡¯t overcharge them, may have even lost some money. But Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t think so. He asked for it! He had insulted his little buns. How could he let him go so easily?


    Before leaving, Ling Jingxuan looked back at the plaque, an evil smile climbed into his eyes. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Xinyue Gold Shop! He remembered it!


    And on the other side, Shopkeeper Gui took out a long breath after sending them away, and totally didn¡¯t notice Ling Jingxuan¡¯s expression.


    Then they went back to Xinyuan Restaurant and packed a few roast ducks for their family. And Shopkeeper Wang specially sent two carriages to send them to the ferry. But, before that, they first took a detour to send the fat shopkeeper back to Baiyunge first, and Ling Jingxuan asked Yan Shengrui to buy his parents and aunts a suit of clothes each by the way.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to go.¡±


    The two carriages which had stopped at the gate of Baiyunge drove off, but¡­


    ¡°His Highness? I think I saw His Highness just now¡­¡±


    As their carriages left, a few tall and strong men ran over. One of them wore a suspicious look, while others also scattered around trying to look for their lord. They even went to Baiyunge their lord had entrusted Lord Six to run on his behalf to ask, but the answer was Prince Sheng had never come here.


    ¡°Maybe my eyes. Let¡¯s keep looking for the lord.


    A few men, looking quite frustrated, quickly disappeared into the crowd. Yan Shengrui did not know all this. It was just an hour¡¯s mistiming, they missed each other.

 Chapter 264

    As a line of people arrived at the Ling Village, it was seven and already dark. After getting off the boat, over ten of them hurried back home. When they nearly arrived at Zhao Dalong¡¯s house, they saw that a few people were sitting by the gate. Zhao&Han couple¡¯s face instantly darkened down, apparently they had guessed who they were.


    Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui glanced at each other. Last time when the couple used money to send them away, they had known they would come again, but only didn¡¯t expect this fast. As the saying goes, a man whose heart is not content is like a snake which tries to swallow an elephant. A hundred taels of silver was enough to sustain a farmer¡¯s family¡¯s food for ten years at least. But now, only after a few days, they came again. Do they really think other¡¯s money is blown over by the big wind?


    ¡°Tiewa, let me hold you, OK?


    After receiving Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hint, Yan Shengrui stepped forward to block Han Fei¡¯s way, reached out his hands to grab Tiewa from him. The child seemed to have not found anything wrong, he just turned to take a look at Han Fei and then nodded.


    ¡°Let me. You take Xiaowen and Xiaowu.¡±


    Taking over the child, Ling Jingxuan deliberately slowed down the pace to let Zhao&Han couple to hold those people first. Kids are sensitive. No matter what happened between the adults, he didn¡¯t want the kids to suffer.


    ¡°Adoptive daddy, hurry up. We are far behind daddy and others.¡±


    Apparently Tiewa didn¡¯t know their good intention, only shouting to urge him there. Ling Jingxuan helplessly took a look at Yan Shengrui and could only pace up. And on the other hand, the Zhao&Han couple who had already walked by the gate looked coldly at those two men and woman before them. They were Tiewa¡¯s grandparents, big uncle and aunt. Last time it was also the four of them who came to make a scene. In order not to delay the jam business, they gave them a hundred taels of silver, never expected that¡­


    ¡°What are you doing here again? When we gave you money last time, you promised not to disturb us again.¡±


    Han Fei was mad however, red eyes ruthlessly staring at them. What is wrong with those people? That¡¯s a total hundred taels of silver! Still not enough to shut their mouths?


    ¡°Who the hell are you? Get out of here!¡±


    The old man, who seemed to be about forty or fifty years old, stared at him with disgust and then went directly over to Zhao Dalong, ¡°Dalong, where have you been? Your mom and I have been waiting for a whole day. Where¡¯s my grandson? Why didn¡¯t I see him?¡±


    The old man¡¯s eyes were cloudy and his face calculating, apparently that the last hundred taels had nourished their appetites.


    ¡°He is my wife, please show some respect. Chunlan has been away nearly five years, and I am also remarried. I hope you don¡¯t disturb our life.¡±


    Ignoring the old man¡¯s trying to be nice, Zhao Dalong walked over and embraced Han Fei¡¯s shoulder, and face his late wife¡¯s parents and brother. When he got married with his ex-wife, they had extorted a large sum of money out of him, which equaled that they sold their daughter to him. And after they got married, their days even couldn¡¯t maintain. Like they were afraid they might borrow money from them, before any festivals, they would have sent someone to inform them in advance that they didn¡¯t have to go. And his ex-wife also got grievances piled up because of that, which led to the metrorrhagia after giving birth. The most egregious thing is, from his ex-wife¡¯s death to her burial, whole three days, none of them came to take a look. And in the past five years, they had never had any contacts with him, until a few days ago¡­ At the time, he really wanted to drive them out. If it hadn¡¯t been that they threatened him that they could tell everyone that he didn¡¯t allow the kid to see his grandparents and he forgot about his ex-wife¡¯s parents after remarrying, how could he ever have agreed to give them the money? Seen from now, the one hundred taels of silver was really like being throwing into the toilet.


    ¡°What are you say? Chunlan is gone, but our big grandson is alive and kicking. Don¡¯t we even have the right to visit our grandson as his grandparents?¡±


    That mean-looking old woman came forward to point at his nose and shouted loudly, with her son and daughter-in-law behind wearing that cocky face. Last time Zhao Dalong took out one hundred taels of silver so readily, obviously, the rumors outside were true, he really made a lot of money. With such a big gold mine here, how could they not dig it?


    ¡°But last time you promised you would never show up again after taking the money! And only a few days, you already forgot about that?¡±


    Han Fei angrily retorted her back. Those people really have gone too far! Do they owe them or what?


    ¡°You¡­who heard that? Or did we sign a note or what? Surnamed Han, you are just a second wife, in front of my daughter, you still have to respectfully call her elder sister. I am talking with Dalong. You have no position to cut in!¡±


    The old woman stared at him insolently, her wrinkled old face showing her naked disdain. A man who married a man was despised by others no matter where he was. Even if they were a decent couple, it was still different from the marriage of a man and a woman.


    ¡°You are trying to calculate my family. Of course I have the position to say something! Why didn¡¯t you show up when she died five years ago? Where were you when Brother Long raised the kid alone in the past five years? What? Now you see that we get rich, then you come? Pooh! For your daughter¡¯s sake, I gave you the money last time. If I know this, I should have given the money to a beggar rather than you!¡±

 Chapter 265

    Getting so mad, Han Fei had already forgotten that Tiewa was behind them. He pushed Zhao Dalong aside and yelled back at them, hands holding around the waist. Having stayed by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s side for so long, he more or less had seen something through. The more timidly you showed, the further the other side would have gone. So, only fighting back in the front would the other side get scared and no longer come to make trouble again and again. Heaven knows how regretted he felt now!


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°Ignore him. We¡¯re here to see our grandson.¡±


    The old woman was furious. As she was about to argue back, the old man timely pulled her, at the same time, Ling Jingxuan and others also arrived. Seeing Tiewa in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s arms, the smile of those four was full of calculation, but not a slice of affection.


    ¡°Oh my big grandson, let grandma hold you¡­ Ouch¡­¡±


    With an exaggerating cry, the old woman threw herself at them, trying to snatch the kid from Ling Jingxuan. But with a dodge sideways of Ling Jingxuan, the old woman failed and nearly hit the ground with her face. Seeing that he looked not weak, and the few people behind him also wore silk clothes, looking quite noble, the old woman who held her feet tightly kind of flinched, and then shrank back behind the old man embarrassedly.


    ¡°Who are you? Give us our grandson.¡±


    The old man tried to straighten his stooped back, made a tiger face to bluff. Tiewa who got frightened by them last time reflectively held Ling Jingxuan¡¯s neck and buried his face in his shoulder. Ling Jingxuan raised a hand to pat on his back. After casting a cold glance at those people, he directly walked before Zhao Dalong and Han Fei, ¡°Brother Zhao, Brother Han, I will take the kid to my place. And you come to grab some food later. Having been busy a whole day, don¡¯t cook yourselves.¡±


    Being completely ignored, that whole family got so mad, but no one took any notice of them. Zhao Dalong nodded and touched Tiewa¡¯s head, ¡°Be good. Go to adoptive daddy¡¯s place. We¡¯ll go over soon.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The hands holding Ling Jingxuan¡¯s neck tightened a little, Tiewa did not look up, just replied an ¡®hmm¡¯ sullenly. Zhao Dalong and Han Fei felt so sorry on seeing that. This time, they would never make any concession!


    ¡°Oh right, this afternoon Lord Magistrate asked Qingzi and others to go the yamen. Brother Zhao, you are a friend of the lord, so, you take them over torrow.¡±


    After a few steps, Ling Jingxuan suddenly looked back and said so, out of the corner of his eyes caught a trace of horror flashing across those people¡¯s eyes. He couldn¡¯t help sneering in the heart. With such little huts, how dare they come to blackmail them again? It was the ultimate stupidity.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Although Zhao Dalong was not ineloquent, he was not stupid. As Ling Jingxuan opened his mouth, he knew he was trying to imply him that he should not forget to use all the advantage he could, in the face of the kind of pushy scoundrels, it was no use talking some sense with them. Only if he let them scared would they dare not come again.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Seeing that he seemed to understand, Ling Jing Xuan nodded to Yan Shengrui and led the others toward their Yuehua Manor not far away.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care whether you really miss the children, or think that you easily took a hundred taels from me last time, think that my money is easy to take, and plan to come more times, I don¡¯t care to know, if you want to make trouble, we can go to the county government tomorrow, I want to see if the county magistrate will help you or me.


    After watching them enter the manor, Zhao Dalong just pulled Han Fei and turned around to face them, the expression was indescribably distant, under the eyes was faintly showing the determination, which told them he was serious this time.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    The old couple pointed at him, shaking with anger, their son and daughter-in-law behind them w timely went forward to hold them. As early as when they heard the word magistrate, their legs already turned soft. Never expected that Zhao Dalong even got related to the magistrate now! For a moment, they didn¡¯t know how to respond.


    One had to say, compared with those unbelievable people of the old Ling family, these people were as timid as a hare. What made them think they could succeed blackmailing them?


    ¡°Please! You are not welcomed in our house. Don¡¯t let me see you again, or¡­¡±


    The next words, Zhao Dalong did not continue to say, just coldly cast a glance at them, then turned around and walked inside with Han Fei.


    ¡°Dad, just let them go like that?¡±


    Looking at their back, the middle-aged man said reluctantly, they still planned to ask for a few more hundred taels.


    ¡°What else can we do? You want to go to jail? I didn¡¯t expect he has anything to do with the magistrate. Let¡¯s go home first and come back after we get clear of the situation.¡±


    The old man mercilessly stared at him, took the lead to go out angrily, the old woman hurried to catch up, seeing that, the couple left looked at each other, then had to move. Before leaving, the couple both looked back at the Yuehua Manor not far away, under the eyes coincidently revealing the envious light.


    ¡°Brother Long, do you think they¡¯d come again?¡±


    After making sure they had left, Han Fei asked with a sob, eyes reddened. Tiewa was growing up day by day. If it hadn¡¯t been that they were afraid it might break Tiewa¡¯s heart, why would he be so worried?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s all my fault.¡±


    Stopping his steps to seize his hand, Zhao Dalong said apologetically, if possible, he really didn¡¯t want to see him sad.


    ¡°What are you talking about? It has nothing to do with you. It¡¯s them¡­Forget it. Enough of them. Brother Long, I guess we should let Tiewa and Dashan live in Jingxuan¡¯s place for some time. If they come again, we should figure out a solution for it, or I¡¯m really worried that they may hurt the kid¡¯s feelings some day.¡±


    In the end, tears eventually rolled out, it was not he was not afraid of them, but he was worried about the kid.


    ¡°Hmm you decide. Don¡¯t cry.¡±


    Pulling him into his arms, Zhao Dalong¡¯s face was as soft as water, with only determination and resolution in the eyes. He would never allow anyone bully his wife and son, never!

 Chapter 266

    Zhao Dalong¡¯s family had an issue, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family was no better. Although Lady Wang and others all performed like everything was fine, Ling Jingxuan still sensed the atmosphere was not quite right. Seeing that everything looked fine and showed a pleased appearance on receiving the gifts from the little buns except that Ling Jinghan looked a bit blue, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t ask about it, since he would know sooner or later.


    ¡°Those handbags were really sold a hundred taels of silver?¡±


    Everyone couldn¡¯t feel happier after receiving the gifts, and now on hearing that those handbags that they randomly made were sold at the price of one hundred taels, Wang Jinyu and others wide opened their eyes in disbelief, including Ling Chenglong and his wife. Although they knew that it seemed the jam was also worth a lot, they were not clear how much money they had earned. So on hearing that, they all dropped their jaws. A hundred! Even enough for a common family¡¯s ten years¡¯ food!


    ¡°Hmm, but in the future we can¡¯t any of the same styles, the one hundred taels of silver is equivalent to buying up all the use rights.¡±


    Zhang Qing nodded. At first he also felt that it was really a lot of money. But as he heard that  Baiyunge sold them at the price of ten taels of each one, he knew they sold them at a too low price, because they could mass produce them. And he gradually understood the value of the so-called originality and styles.


    ¡°That is still a lot. Jingxuan, why is it so easy to earn money from people in towns?¡±


    After Wang Jinyu was an ignorant women who only saw the immediate interests but not considered it in the long run, but this was normal. Any village family would be stunned for this. To them, this was not a small amount, like the little buns slipped off the chair when Ling Jinxuan fist earned two taels of silver.


    ¡°Hehe¡­just take it as they are rich and stupid. Today I have talked about your residence registration thing with the lord magistrate and he instantly agreed. But you, Qingzi or Yangzi need to go to the yamen to confirm it in person. With this one hundred taels of silver, you could build a big house here, right?¡±


    Things about doing business, there would be no end if one wanted to talk about it. Anyway, Zhang Qing should have understand the basic principles, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t want to waste time explaining to them in details, so he tried to change the subject.


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    Wang Jinyu reddened her eyes. It had been fourteen years! Since she had been married into the Zhang family at the age of fifteen, her husband¡¯s parents died one after another soon. And gradually rumor had it that she was a jinx from her brother-in-law and his wife and those villagers. Fortunately her husband was a good one and always took on her side, or her days would be much harder. But there would be an end of those good days. When her big son was eight years old, her husband died in an accident, leaving her and their two sons behind. And her brother-in-law and his wife said her husband died because of her, and tried every means to trick the two mu of land her parents-in-law left them out of her. The villagers all looked down upon them and often bullied them. In order to avoid those gossips, she seldom went out of the house, only stayed home doing some embroidering job to make some money to support her two sons. But the gossips never stopped. In order that one day they could straighten their backs, she and Qingzi tried their best to support Yangzi for his study. They nearly laid all their hope on him. They thought that after Yangzi got listed, they could hold their heads high, never expected that¡­


    During the past money living at her elder sister¡¯s place, she knew what is called a living, deep in the heart, she was also yearning for it. When Ling Jingxuan suggested that they should move out, she still hesitated. Even after discussing it with her sons, she still felt uneasy. But the strange thing was, after Jingxuan said those words, that kind of uneasy feeling was instantly gone, replaced by excitement. Over ten years¡¯ hardship would come to an end finally. After they took roots in Ling village, no one would ever bully them, right?


    ¡°Sure, from now on, Qingzi learns to do business from me, and all you do is enjoy life.¡±


    He knew how excited she was. In an age where men are like heaven, it was so hard for a widow like her to live, especially that she still had two kids.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ thank you, Jingxuan, thank you¡­¡±


    The moment she nodded, tears instantly followed to drop out of her eyes, she was finally free, and no longer had to face those groundless rumors, or worried some shameless scoundrel sneaking into her home at night.


    ¡°Mom, look at you! Why are you crying again? This is a good thing. From now on, we will be neighbors with big aunt, and you and big aunt could keep companies with each other. And I can also earn money then. Like what big cousin just said, we¡¯ll buy a graveyard for dad and moved his coffin here. By then, our whole family would unite again.¡±


    Embracing his crying mother, Zhang Qingchen consoled her, and Zhang Yang beside also kept nodding approvingly. Under such a situation, Ling Jingxuan and others should keep silent. Soon, after Zhao Dalong and Han Fei came, all of them sat around the table to enjoy the dinner. And it was totally dark outside now. Han Fei pulled lIng Jingxuan to one side and euphemistically asked if Tiewa and Long Dashan could stay here for some time. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t ask why, only nodded to agree.

 Chapter 267

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid that family isn¡¯t easy to get rid of. Won¡¯t lend them a hand?¡±


    From his back to embrace him, Yang Shengrui watched Zhao Dalong and Han Fei leave with him. When they were all very poor, days were peaceful, though a little hard. Now Zhao Dalong suddenly got rich, that family was like a cat smelling the fish, plus last time they gave them the money so readily, it was really difficult to let them give up.


    Turning to throw a light glance at him, Ling Jingxuan brushed away his hand and said as he walked, ¡°No need, last time they have suffered a loss, they should have learned the lesson, so, even without our help, they can solve those people.¡±


    He believed that Zhao Dalong and Han Fei were not stupid, if they kept giving them money, he might consider if he should continue the cooperation with them. It was nothing wrong to be a kind person. But they were businessmen. And they would have their own business someday. If they kept being honest with people everywhere, how could they make money? How to talk about the future?


    ¡°Oh? Then why did you tip him to use the magistrate? Jingxuan, in fact you are very worried about them, right?¡±


    Holding his hands before the hcest while giving an oblique leer at him, Yan Shengrui picked his eyebrow and said so. His Jingxuan is always like that, so adorable!


    ¡°It¡¯s one thing to remind them, it¡¯s another thing to help them out, and that leads to a different outcome.¡±


    Not feeling embarrassed or what after being exposed, Ling Jingxuan still smiled calmly, whether it were them or his parents, or his younger brothers and the little buns, he could never protect them for a lifetime. Some things, they must solve it on their own, the best protection was to let them grow strong enough.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Why can¡¯t you admit it you are worried? I won¡¯t laugh at you.¡±


    Randomly resting his hand around his shoulder, Yan Shengrui lazily leaned over his body. Ling Jingxuan shook his head grumpily. Seeing that the little buns were still telling Lady Wang and others what they saw in the county, he took a turn and found a chair nearby to sit down, watched them having fun from afar, and a relaxed smile gradually formed on the face. In his previous life, he had never thought of getting married, but it didn¡¯t represent he didn¡¯t crave for family bonds. Pity that before he died, he still hadn¡¯t fulfilled such a minor wish. But, heaven has eyes! In this world that even didn¡¯t exist in Chinese history, he finally fulfilled it and owned a warm family. Although everyone in this family was weak and had this or that kind of problems, there was one thing they had while others may not have¡ªa true heart, a true heart that only beat for the family. For this, however hard and tired, he was willing to protect them.


    Yan Shengrui sitting next to him looked at his side face, showing a caring expression. Maybe even he himself didn¡¯t know that every time when he saw his family in such harmony, he would always show such a warm smile. Deep in his heart, maybe he cared about this family and everyone in this family more than they could imagine, right? If it hadn¡¯t been that he r*ped him, he wouldn¡¯t have shown such expression that made his heart ache.


    No! As this idea just popped out, Yan Shengrui rejected it, although he still couldn¡¯t remember what had happened back then, he didn¡¯t regret it. If it hadn¡¯t been the encounter five years ago, how could they have re-encountered again and have two so lovely children?


    ¡°Big brother, today, not long after you left, grandma came, she said¡­ she said¡­¡±


    No one noticed when Ling Jinghan came in. He sat by the other side of Ling Jingxuan, looking a bit embarrassed, with undisguised anger infected under the eyes. Ling Jingxuan withdrew his eyes and cast a faint look at him, and opened his thin lips to continue it for him, ¡°She suggested about the connections through marriage thing, and asks you to marry Wang Yunya, otherwise, Wang Yunya would slander you for taking her virginity with her mother.¡±


    As early as when he got home, he had guessed that the only thing that could make his mother not in the mood was the Wang family. As for things of the old Ling family, he believed that his mother wouldn¡¯t choose to hide it from him. So it could only be the Wang family. During this period of time, the Wang family had earned a lot of money, and was still busy now. How could they have time for this? Unless, it was about someone¡¯s reputation. After the inference, things were obvious.


    Obviously not expecting that he guessed it so right, Ling Jingxuan looked surprised, but then hang his shoulders down and said feebly, ¡°At first, grandma only implicitly suggested that we should be doubly related, and then mom told her that cousins can¡¯t get married, and grandma said after Yunya went back, she refused to eat food or drink water. And not long after, our second aunt said she found my shoes in Yunya¡¯s room and cried, saying that I took her daughter¡¯s virginity. And grandma thinks that being doubly related isn¡¯t a bad thing, so she came to ask if we could nail the marriage thing before that thing reveals, in case of people¡¯s gossip, but¡­I have never sent her shoes or what. How can I marry her because of it? Mom even had a quarrel with grandma for it. I also went to tell grandma what Wang Yunya has done in the dark here. When grandma left, she looked quite angry. Mom and aunt are worried. Big brother, what should I do?¡±


    It was not that he really didn¡¯t know what to do, it was just that other side was their mom¡¯s family, and others from Wang family were all good. He couldn¡¯t make a rash thing to hurt both sides¡¯ feelings. So thinking back and forth, he thought he should go to his big brother for some suggestion. He wouldn¡¯t marry that kind of woman as his wife even if you kill him!

 Chapter 268

    This pair of mother and daughter was so funny. They just took out a pair of shoes and said they belonged to Ling Jinghan? Really take them as sh*theads? Would a calculated marriage happy? Even if some day she married into this family, wasn¡¯t she afraid that they would maltreat her for that? Besides, since she said those shoes belonged to Ling Jinghan, then they really belonged to him? Then they could also say they belonged to some beggar in the streets! To say the least, even if those shoes were really Ling Jinghan¡¯s, having lived here for over half a month, wouldn¡¯t it be an easy thing to steal a pair from Jinghan? Who would send a pair of shoes as a love token? So unbelievable!


    ¡°Don¡¯t do anything. Grandma is a reasonable person, after going back, she would make it clear.  On the contrary, if grandma also calculates us with them, then we don¡¯t have to bear with it. As a woman, she isn¡¯t afraid of ruining her reputation, as a woman, why should you be afraid?¡±


    That pair of mother and daughter knew they dare not put it above the table for Lady Wang¡¯s sake, something like women¡¯s virginity, it was really hard to say who is right and who is wrong. If they tried to slander Ling Jinghan, they couldn¡¯t never make him clear even if they got mouths all over. So the best solution was leave it there, of course, under the premise that the Wang family still had some reasonable people, otherwise, they would be another old Ling family!


    A woman like Wang Yunya wants to marry into their family? Not in this life!


    ¡°I am just worried our mom would be sad. Finally we live some comfortable days, I really don¡¯t want to see her shed years for us again.¡±


    Ling Jinghan was also helpless. To deal with Wang Yunya and her, he could at least figure out over 100 kinds of methods, the problem was his mother was in between, which made it kind of knotty.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about mom, after this matter, she should have seen the true face of that pair of mother and daughter. If grandma is also muddleheaded on this, she should stay alienated from those people. Jinghan, forget about those things. Stay focused on your study. I guarantee that your future wife will never be Wang Yunya.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan reached out a hand and patted him on the shoulder. Then he got up and walked over to the children. He was a big man, and didn¡¯t want to spend all day thinking about how to deal with those women. For the sake of his mom, as long as they didn¡¯t go too far, he really wanted to ignore them. This time, though, he needed to let them learn a lesson.


    ¡°Little buns, time to go to bed.¡±


    With only one child, a family would be quite lively. While now this family had six or seven children, one could imagine the scene. However, Ling Jingxuan happened to like children¡¯s noise most. That makes it more like family, right?


    ¡°Daddy, tonight I¡¯m sleeping with my elder brother and Tiewa.¡±


    Seeing his favorite daddy, Ling Wu decisively rushed at him. Ling Jingxuan bent down to pick him up, and pinched his little nose dotingly, ¡°OK, but you are not allowed to make crazy, you still have to read tomorrow morning.¡±


    Reading and playing were the children¡¯s part, although he often encouraged them to combine exertion and rest, but it didn¡¯t mean he didn¡¯t pay attention to their study.


    ¡°Hmm, I know. You see, daddy, grandma is already wearing the silver hairpin I bought for her. Isn¡¯t it very nice?¡±


    Ling Wu pointed at Lady Wang proudly. Ling Jingxuan turned his head to take a look and nodded, ¡°Hmm, it looks good on her. My son really has a good taste. Your grandma and aunt are the most beautiful women in our family. You are little tough men, so you¡¯ll also need to protect them with daddy after you grow up!¡±


    ¡°OK.¡±


    As obedient as the small bun was, no matter what daddy said, he would promised, so would Ling Wen on one side, although he often put on a little adult¡¯s posture, but each time Ling Jingxuan taught him something or requested him to do something, he would quietly remembered it and then put it into practice. As for Tiewa, sometimes he was a bit adorkable, so naive and innocent, also very obedient. In general, Ling Jingxuan liked all the three sons very much.


    ¡°Xiaowen, take them to sleep. I¡¯ll go check on you later.¡±


    Putting down the small bun, Ling Jingxuan looked over at the big bun.


    ¡°Hmm, good night, daddy.¡±


    Ling Wen nodded and took two steps forward to give him a kiss on the cheek. Seeing that, the small bun and Tiewa also kissed him one after the other and said good night to him, which seemed to have become a ritual between their daddy and son. Every night before going to bed, they offered to kiss him good night.


    ¡°Mom, I know what¡¯s happened. It¡¯s worth it feeling angry for people like that. As long as we don¡¯t agree, how will she marry into our family?¡±


    After watching them disappear in sight, Ling Jingxuan turned to look at Lady Wang. They were family, so no matter good or bad, he did not want them to hide it from him.


    ¡°I¡­Jingxuan, I didn¡¯t mean to hide it from you, I just don¡¯t know how to tell you. Lady Han has gone too far this time. If things go big, as a man, it wouldn¡¯t be a thing to Jinghan, but Yunya is still a single woman. Isn¡¯t she afraid it might destroy her daughter¡¯s reputation and no one would marry her then?¡±


    Lady Wang said so, with bitterness and embarrassment on her face. It was her family after all.


    ¡°All right, mom, we¡¯ve said everything we should. Grandma is a sensible person and knows what to do. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    It wouldn¡¯t be a thing to Jinghan? Did his mother forget that Jinghan is going to take the official career? But since his mother still spoke for her family, Ling Jingxuan shouldn¡¯t say more, but¡­Lady Han has so many bad thoughts everyday, isn¡¯t it because she is too idle? Then he had to find her something to do!

 Chapter 269

    ¡°Ah, I know, Jingxuan, about this thing, don¡¯t blame your grandma, she didn¡¯t know anything, only holds the same thought as me, thinking that it is not a bad thing of being doubly related by marriage, so she came to talk about it with me.¡±


    Even though they had a quarrel with Lady Wang during the day, that was her mother anyway. Lady Wang did not want her sons to be estranged from them.


    ¡°Hmm. Dad, mom, go to bed early. Just take it as nothing happened. Aunt, take care of the residence registration thing. Make it down while the lord magistrate still remembers. I¡¯ll go to the wolf den to take a look.¡±


    Trying not to continue this topic, Ling Jingxuan stood up and left together with Shengrui. Watching their backs, Lady Wang murmured, ¡°Is Jingxuan angry?¡±


    Before, when his son went to the town, he would have a little chat with her after going back to broaden her eyes. But today it seemed he didn¡¯t join them at all. Now, after a few words, he just left. How could she not feel sad?


    ¡°What are you talking about? Our Jingxuan is not so stingy! I guess he should be exhausted having been busy in the county for a whole day. As his mother, instead of showing understanding of what he has done for this family, what are you saying here? Go to rest!¡±


    Ling Chenglong who seldom talked now said so angrily, then also left.


    ¡°Elder sister, my brother-in-law said right, how could Jingxuan be angry for this matter? You see, he has bought you new clothes, hasn¡¯t he? But elder sister, there is some words, although not pleasant to hear, and I may not be appropriate for me to say, but I still think it is better I should tell you. Just now you really have gone too far. You were just speaking for your family, why couldn¡¯t you think it in Jingxuan and Jinghan¡¯s shoes? You are married and a member of Ling family now. Your sons are your future.¡±


    The onlookers see most clearly. Wang Jinyu obviously saw more clearly than Lady Wang, Lady Wang was also anxious after hearing this, secretly scolded herself, blindly thinking of her family and ignoring the feelings of her sons.


    However, they really overthought things. How would Ling Jingxuan care about such small things? He just simply didn¡¯t want to talk about that pair of mother and daughter, and he was not like his mother who always held a kind heart. As they had done this to them, she was still worried that no one would marry Wang Yunye in the future. If he accidentally said his heart, his mother would be sad again, and then he still had to coax her. What a trouble! So he¡¯d rather not meddle in.


    Today wolf daddy and his sons didn¡¯t go out tonight, probably because they weren¡¯t home during the day and the two cubs weren¡¯t in high spirits. When Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui opened the door of the hen, the three father and sons were lying on the tatami mat.


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    Seeing them come in, the two cubs instantly pounced at them happily, and wailed the tails. Not knowing when, maybe after wolf daddy came, they no longer showed their teeth at Ling Jingxuan anymore, instead, they were getter closer and closer.


    ¡°No pouncing!¡±


    Before they rushed up, Ling Jingxuan snapped to stop them pretendingly. Seeing that, the two little cubs growled with grievance. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, squatted down to grab each of their claws, ¡°Look! You haven¡¯t taken a bath, right? I told you! Before going to bed, you have to wash yourselves clean! Or you¡¯d grow louses, you know? Come on. Get into the little pool.¡±


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    The two cubs growled at him, and then ran into the little pool one after another. Ling Jingxuan found it so amused. He walked over to sit by wolf daddy¡¯s side, and put a hand on his back like an old friend, ¡°Dude, today I spent all the money I have earned. So I guess we¡¯ll live a hard life for some time. Next we still need to hire people to open up the wasteland. That¡¯s total fifty thousand mu! Although it¡¯s linked together, it¡¯s still a few li long, so it would be a big expense. Do you think I am too greedy? If I didn¡¯t buy this much, we wouldn¡¯t get in cart.¡±


    He better could answer you! Seeing all this, Yan Shengrui folded his arms and wondered what he was doing, until¡­


    Wolf daddy threw him a despising look, and then slowly got up. That giant body walked outside slowly. Meanwhile, the two cubs who were bathing also followed up. Soon they disappeared. Ling Jingxuan wore a bad smile on his face, and stood up with his hands held against the back of his head. Ling Jingxuan was stoned, ¡°Are they going into the mountain?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    When passing his side, Ling Jingxuan threw him a strange smile. Wolf daddy was so considerate. he just casually complained of being hard up, he immediately took the children to the mountain, well, tomorrow they¡¯d have a lot of meat to eat.


    ¡°You! How could you come up with such a thought?¡±


    Yan Shengrui who finally understood moved forward to hold his waist, with doting and helplessness filled in his smile. Ling Jingxuan leaned against him and said, ¡°I¡¯m serious, we are really poor now, even the little buns are richer than me, you know, the daily expense is not small, before we sell the jam next time, we can only trouble wolf daddy to go hunting for us a few more times.¡±


    Calculating a wolf? Except Ling Jingxuan, no one would think of such an idea! But he wore such a reasonable appearance. Yan Shengrui shook his head helplessly, ¡°How about I go into the mountain tomorrow? I have made the bow and arrows for two months and never used them.¡±


    ¡°Save it! tomorrow you will come to town with me, and the hunting thing to wolf daddy.¡±


    It was early September now, it was time they should hire someone to open up the land. Fifty thousand mu of land was not a small amount of work. They had to clear it out before October.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll go some other day. Jingxuan, sleep with me tonight.¡±


    As they were about to arrive at their sons¡¯ room, Yan Shengrui hurriedly made the proposal he had planned long ago. Meanwhile, the hand holding his waist pinched him. With a grin, Ling Jingxuan threw him a leer, then gently pushed him away and went into the kids¡¯ room. Knowing he agreed, Yan Shengrui smirked, and then followed up.

 Chapter 270

    True love is beyond the physical body and erotic desire, not just some intimacy or affections for each other, but that the two sides should hold each other¡¯s hand to weather the hard times. But no man doesn¡¯t need to vent his desire, right? Not just Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan also needed it. Although someone was a little ¡®pervert¡¯, every time they couldn¡¯t make it to the last step. But you know, men have a lot of ways to relieve his desire. And both of them were straightforward, so they were already familiar with each other¡¯s body.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Both naked, the two of them were lying in bed using 6-9 position. Only after the moaning reached to its peak and the depressive coarse panting rang at the same time, the two of them loosened each other and lay in bed powerlessly. Yan Shengrui felt a cloth towel and spat out the milk white stuff from the mouth. As he climbed up and meant to pass the towel to him, he found that he was already heavily panting there.


    ¡°You swallowed it?¡±


    Staring at his red little mouth, Yan Shengrui felt a rush of blood rushing to the area he had just ¡®liberated¡¯ again. So he swallowed his¡­Well, he couldn¡¯t think about it, or somewhere started to stand up again.Read More at skynovel.org


    ¡°Hmm, it tastes not bad, but a bit fishy.¡±


    Rolling over to lie on his stomach, Ling Jingxuan stretched out a hand and touched his own lips, with that pair of long and thin phoenix eyes rendering naked temptation, beautiful back line, warped hips, long and slender legs, all exposed before Yan Shengrui¡¯s eyes. Yan Shengrui swallowed some saliva with difficulty. After quite while, he nearly rigidly pulled the thin quilt aside and covered his hips. In such a short time, his little second brother seemed to have a tendency to rise again. If keeping staring at that body, he was afraid he really couldn¡¯t resist it. To him, every cun of his body was like the aphrodisiac. He who had always been proud of hs self-control now was facing the crisis of collapse.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re struggling with.¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head. Since he did not care, what is he wrestling with? Besides, except entering into his body, is there anything they didn¡¯t try? Isn¡¯t it like plugging one¡¯s ears whole stealing a bell?


    ¡°It¡¯s not a struggle, it¡¯s a commitment, my commitment to you.¡±


    He pulled him to lie in his chest, Yan Shengrui reached out a hand and dipped on the tip of his nose dotingly, with his tiger eyes looking up at the roof with satisfaction, he wanted to give him the best of everything, including the first night, so before he did not regain his memories, he wouldn¡¯t take it to the last step.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    Angrily rolling his eyes, Ling Jingxuan made circles on his strong chest casually with his long and slender fingers, deliberately trying to challenge his limit. Yan Shengrui grabbed his hand, offered a gentle kiss on his lips, ¡°You should feel tired today, be good, don¡¯t play with fire, we¡¯ll continue tomorrow night.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s been playing with fire with you?¡±


    Pulling his hand back, Ling Jingxuan made a roll to rest his head on his arm and said boringly, ¡°About that pair of mother and daughter, what do you say?¡±


    He meant to ignore Wang Yunya, but it didn¡¯t mean that he would let them get their way. All in all, Wang Yunya was only an ignorant girl. It was all Lady Han behind all this. So, as long as he could destroy her, problem solved. But, after all she had given birth to those kids for his second uncle. So, if he used a trick to let his second uncle repudiate her, he¡¯d become the object of public denunciation. Or maybe their two families got estranged. Not that serious. So he didn¡¯t want to do that for now.


    ¡°Are you planning to deal with Lady Han or Wang Yunye? As for the former, it is very simple. For a married woman, I think she is the most afraid of her man bringing women home. Whether those rich families or peasant households, a woman would never share her man with another woman, even if some people are generous enough and even help her husband marry a concubine, they are just doing it to show to others, including those motherly model empresses in histories. As for the latter, an unmarried girl, it¡¯s impossible she doesn¡¯t care about her reputation. Put it simply, they just dare play rough with us. She said Jinghan ruined her reputation? A woman¡¯s reputation is more important than her life! Wang Yunya would never dare do that even if you borrow her ten balls.¡±


    With one hand embracing him, Yan Shengrui analyzed it for him. Feeling like a woman seemed to be flickering over in the head, the sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he couldn¡¯t help twitching his mouth. Without thinking, he knew that woman must be his mother, because of this topic, it triggered his memories, right? Everyone was jealous of the empress and the concubines in the palace, but who knows, the world¡¯s most miserable women all gathered there. The back harem concubine¡¯s favor also indirectly affected those officials¡¯ favor in the front court. In order to balance the forces of all parties, the emperor was doomed to forget about what true love is, so, the concubines will never be able to get the true love of the emperor.


    ¡°Hehe¡­It seems that our prince is quite familiar with things in the harem. Is it possible you also hid a bunch of women in your backyard?¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan lifted his eyes and joked. Only after he entered into the prince mansion did he know there were countless women there, any type you could imagine. For this, he nearly skinned Yan Shengrui. Of course, that was the after story.

 Chapter 271

    ¡°Nonsense! I am still single. Even if there is any, it¡¯s sent from others. I guess I even had no chance to see what she looks like.¡±


    Rolling his eyes at him, Yan Shengrui helplessly smiled. He was clearer than anyone else whether he had a woman. If he is a goat, he is it possible he only has sexual interest of him only?


    ¡°Heihei..Who knows? You have lost your memories. How could you know if you have a wife, side concubines, little concubines and bed-serving maids? I think before I go back with you, I should prepare some more poison.¡±


    Giving him a nifty bad smile, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help teasing him. Harem fights? He was not interested. To deal with those people who tried to steal his man, using poison would be much simpler, and that was also his favorite way.


    ¡°No need, I¡¯ll help you then.¡±


    How could he let him do that himself? As his man, he alone is enough!


    ¡°Hehe, thank you then, my lord.¡±


    Giving him an ambiguous wink, Ling Jingxuan grabbed his hand and played with it. When two people who love each other stay together, even if it¡¯s just some nutritional topics, it¡¯d be fun, and he also learnt that after falling in love with Yan Shengrui. If someone told him that he would have such a stupid idea, he¡¯d use poison to make the other side turn dumb!


    ¡°And you have made up your mind about that mother and daughter?¡±


    Trying to change their topic on women, Yan Shengrui switched it back. Ling Jinghan would soon take part in the examination for tongsheng, it was not good to have some accident now.


    ¡°Hmm. Haven¡¯t you already given me the advice? Having been hard for his life, it¡¯s time my second uncle enjoy a happy life. Some other day, let¡¯s go find Guarantor Liu and see if he got any suitable one.¡±


    After his second uncle married a concubine, Lady Han should have no time focusing on them. As for Wang Yunya, he temporarily wouldn¡¯t touch her. But if she still tried to marry into his family without Lady Han¡¯s instigation, he wouldn¡¯t show mercy. For the sake of his mother, he had shown them enough face. Human¡¯s patience had its limit. He didn¡¯t hope that they took his patience as cowardliness.


    ¡°Fifty thousand mu of land? How many people are you going to employ? Will it be wasted to open it up now? Isn¡¯t it a waste of effort and money when the sea flows back in October?¡±


    No one knew about Ling Jingxuan more than him. Since he had made up his mind, it had almost been settled, so Yan Shengrui also didn¡¯t want to waste time on it. He rolled his long hair with a finger gently. Thinking a bit, he withdrew his arm he was resting on, turned his body sideways, pulled his loose hair behind and intertwined it with his clumsily.


    Looking at his outcome, though not very pretty, Yan Shengrui grinned.


    ¡°Just because of the water is going to flow backward, we have to hurry up. Half-saline land is also known as saline-alkali land, because of excessive salinity of sea water, after it flow backward into the land, salt precipitation would form in the soil, most plants are afraid of salt. So if we want to grow something out, we need to remove the salt first. How to say it? The salt comes with water and goes with water. As long as we are fully prepared, when the sea water flows away, I can let it bring away most of its salt. And then, we only need to grow some haloduric plants.


    Glancing at their tangled hair, Ling Jingxuan shook his head and said slowly. Actually the salinized land had been conquered in modern times, but in ancient times there was nothing he could do about it. It was a great opportunity for him to make his fortune.


    ¡°Oh? This is the first time I¡¯ve heard about that. Where in the world did you learn that?¡±


    Yan Shengrui picked his eyebrows, but his eyes never moved away from their tangled hair, with his finger gently rubbing on it, like rubbing Ling Jingxuan¡¯s body, indescribably sweet.


    ¡°The barefoot doctor told me.¡±


    Always the same excuse. He may fool others with it, but now him! He just didn¡¯t want to expose him.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    It was easy to tell from his indolent tone that he did not believe it at all, but he just asked no more. He knew he kept something from him, but he had no interest in knowing it as long as it would not jeopardize their relationship. Just take it as a little secret between them!


    ¡°Stop playing with it. Having had a busy day, time to sleep.¡±


    Noticing his inattention, Ling Jingxuan was also not interested in continuing the chitchat. Since having transmigrated here, he had almost developed a good habit of early to bed and early to rise. He was already sound asleep at this time before.


    ¡°Sleep like this, and untie it tomorrow.¡±


    Stubbornly not letting him untie the hair, Yan Shengrui overtly grasped his hand. Ling jingxuan rolled his eyes angrily, ¡°I want to take a bath.¡±


    Although they didn¡¯t really make it to the last step, that part that didn¡¯t belong to a man still secreted some turbid fluid, and he guessed he couldn¡¯t fall asleep before clearing it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you then.¡±


    Knowing that he paid attention to hygiene, Yan Shengrui turned over and sat up, one hand going through his armpit, the other going through his knees, with a little strength, he carried him up. Someone is willing to be his free labor. Why not? Ling Jingxuan then held his neck and let him carry him into the bathroom.


    When they went back to bed, it was already half an hour later, because someone just didn¡¯t agree to untie their hair. So it made it very difficult for the cleaning work. While Yan Shengrui just kept staring at their tangled hair until upper eyelid and lower eyelid began to fight each other. Finally he fell to sleep when he couldn¡¯t open them any more. Even in the dream, he was still wearing that silly smile at the corner of his mouth.

 Chapter 272

    The next day, as Ling Jingxuan had expected, wolf daddy brought a wild ox back for them. A big smile crawled onto his face as he looked at it. Even the two cubs hunted a spore and a wild goat nearly the size of them separately. In order to reward them, Ling Jingxuan went to their little hours to refill the spring water for them, and offered them the remained jerkies at home. From beginning to end, wolf daddy was wearing that disdainful look, while the two cubs were growling overjoyfully.


    ¡°Gengniu, save one leg of the wild ox for us to eat. Take all the rest to town and sell it. Then buy more corn flour and wheat flour.¡±


    Beef was very expensive, and this one was at least several hundred jin, selling it, it would be enough for the board wages for those workers who would open up the wasteland for them. Watching Old Song proficiently dissecting the wild ox, Ling Jingxuan wore a hearty smile. So, it was true that wolf daddy was the most reliable one except him.


    ¡°Got it!¡±


    Old Song, who had already been busy in the morning, wore a smile on that sweating face. His master had always been very generous and they usually had their share of what they ate. He had never eaten beef in his decades of life.


    ¡°Jingxuan, how to cook the beef?¡±


    Lady Wang and her younger sister were also full of smiles. Did Song Gengniy think they had ever had some? The yamen made it clear that slaughtering farm cattle is against the law, while a wild one was extra strong, so it was impossible for farmers like them to eat beef.


    ¡°Stir fry it with pepper and ginger, but the beef must be wrapped with some sweet potato powder, or it would taste not good, I¡¯ll personally cook for you later at noon.¡±


    ¡°Great! Daddy, I want to eat a huge piece!¡±


    Hearing that, the small bun excitedly clapped his hands, he liked what daddy cooked most, even the simplest dishes, he could cook it even more delicious than the restaurant, and Sister-in-law Song was also capable enough. As long as she saw daddy cook for once, she would learn how. So, every time, she¡¯d try different dishes for them, so in recent months, they had enjoyed a lot of delicious food.


    ¡°Hehe¡­you little foodie! It wouldn¡¯t taste good if the pieces are too big. Today I will make dish called stir-fried beef slices today. As for the rest, let Sister-in-law Song to make beef jerky for you as snacks.¡±


    Amused, knocking his head gently, Ling Jingxuan bent down to hold him up. Head tilted, the small bun thought a bit and then said obediently, ¡°OK, I like beaf jerky, daddy, are you going to town today?¡±


    ¡°Yes, what?¡±


    As things were done here, Ling Jingxuan took him to walk toward the room, while Yan Shengrui, holding the big bun, walked with them side by side, and others also went back. A new day had begun again. After breakfast, they should also go busy with the work.


    ¡°Xinyuan¡¯s roast duck is delicious. I want to eat it again. Daddy bring one back for me, OK?¡±


    The few roast ducks brought back yesterday were not enough at all for such a big family, so the small bun asked so while recalling the taste, swallowing some saliva. To him, who only had the eating behavior, Ling Jingxuan was thoroughly speechless. However delicious one thing is, if you eat it every day, you¡¯d have enough!


    ¡°Xiaowu, daddy is going to town to do something big, so stop pestering daddy to buy food for you. Besides, don¡¯t we have beef to eat today? How about eat the roast duck some other day?¡±


    Shaking off Yan Shengrui¡¯s hand, the big bun went forward to pull his younger brother. It was not that he was being stingy again, he just didn¡¯t want him to eat too much greasy food and become a fat bun. Daddy once said, being too thin or too fat were both not good. Finally they grew a little stronger, he couldn¡¯t let his younger brother to go to another extreme.


    ¡°Fine, but daddy, do bring it for me next time.¡±


    Tilting his head to take a look at his elder brother and then the smiling daddy and father, the small bun pouted his little mouth, a face of reluctance. Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan gave each other an eye, both read helplessness in each other¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Big cousin, I plan to go to the county to change my registered residence today, what do you think?¡±


    When the whole family was sitting around the table, Zhang Qing suddenly looked at Ling Jingxuan and asked so. Last night he had consulted with his younger brother, both thought their big cousin said it right. This thing should be done early, so they could save a lot of unnecessary trouble. As for the few mu of land and that shabby house in Shangwan village, they¡¯d leave it there for the time being, after all, that was things their father left them.


    ¡°Hmm, OK, you can quote my name directly. I have already talked with Lord Magistrate about it and he has agreed. Recently I¡¯ll hired workers to open up the wasteland, and I guess I¡¯ll need a lot. On the starting-up day, Guarantor Liu will also be there. Then you can ask him to find a homestead nearby for you by the way. For farmers like us, we¡¯ll only feel eased with a house and some land.¡±


    It was not that he didn¡¯t want them to stay here. Actually he was doing it for their good. Once they transferred their household registration here, if they still stayed at his place, people would start to gossip again. He personally wouldn¡¯t give it a sh*t, but his aunt would mind, wouldn¡¯t she? After all, all those years, she had suffered enough from it.


    ¡°Hmm, I know. Then I¡¯ll take a boat to the county later.¡±


    Nodding, Zhang Qing could not help speeding up eating his food. Wang Jinyu and her son Zhang both raised a smile, they were finally liberated.

 Chapter 273

    ¡°Jingpeng, you lead them to make jam today, yesterday I spent all the money to buy land, so we have to step up time to make money. I guess we can find enough workers the day after tomorrow the latest, and then, dad, I guess I need you and Old Song to supervise them. We have to finish all the fifty thousand mu of land before the end of the month.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan said so while eating, when he finished, he found that all the family were dumbfounded. Ling Jingxuan was confused, ¡°What?¡±


    Did he say something that he shouldn¡¯t have?


    ¡°Fifty¡­fifty thousand mu?!¡±


    Stuttering there for quite a while, Ling Chenglong finally asked sharply, eyes wide open. So he bought fifty thousand mu of land yesterday???


    Finally knowing where the problem was, Ling Jingxuan helplessly put down the bowl and chopsticks. After some careful thought, he seemed to have forgotten to tell them that, ¡°Right, fifty-two thousand mu, to be more exact. Five thousand mu belongs to Brother Zhao and his family, we only have forty-seven thousand mu, actually I have bought all the saline-alkali land through the whole Qingyang county.¡±


    ONLY 47,000 mu? Everyone had a variety of convulsions on their faces. That was nearly equal to the size of a small town, ok? Did he know how much land he had bought?


    ¡°Jingxuan, can you really grow something on it? If¡­that¡¯s tens of thousands of mu of land, I¡¯m afraid we even can¡¯t afford the taxes next year.¡±


    Ling Chenglong¡¯s face wrinkled into a ball. He knew yesterday his son went to the county to buy land, also knew it was some saline-alkali land, but he had never expected that he had once bought tens of thousands of mu. Everything would be OK if he could grow things out of it, but if he couldn¡¯t¡­ Ling Chenglong shook his head violently and dare not let himself keep thinking. By that time, only the taxes would drive them crazy.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Daddy, rest assured, the lord magistrate has exempted the first three years taxes for us, so, even if we can¡¯t grow out anything in the first, we still have two more years, we will grow out something. Besides, don¡¯t we have Jinghan? When he gets listed as a xiucai, we can get duty-free, or, dad, you don¡¯t believe in Jinghan¡¯s literary talent?¡±


    Compared with their worries, Ling Jingxuan was all kinds of relaxed, even used some kind of teasing tone. He would never do things he was uncertain of. Since he dare to buy all the 50 thousand mu of land, of course he had enough confidence to grow things out of it. And if he couldn¡¯t finally, he still had the almighty Crescent Spring.


    ¡°No, how could I ever have no faith in Jinghan? I¡¯m just worried. Nothing is absolute.¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Chenglong hurriedly turned to look at his second son. They were all his sons, how could he underestimate any?


    ¡°Come on, dad, just prepare to be a big landlord. There will be no bigger landlords than us in Qingyang County in the future.¡±


    After exchanging a look with his younger brother, Ling Jingxuan tried to appease him with a smile, and Ling Jinghan hurriedly echoed, ¡°Dad, I trust my big brother, you rest assured, next year, I promise I¡¯ll earn you a xiucai title!¡±


    With the title of xiucai, their family could get tax-free, and by then, even if they couldn¡¯t grow out anything, they¡¯d only lose some money of hiring workers to open up the wasteland, the land was still under their name. Besides, what if they succeeded? By then, maybe they would really become the biggest landlords in Qingyang County, like his brother said.


    ¡°All right, Jingxuan, make it steady, I know you have earned everything we have now, and I have no position to say what. But I still hope you can do things one step after another. Don¡¯t let all your previous efforts wasted.¡±


    Under the brothers¡¯ double appeasing, Ling Chenglong finally nodded to agree. He was a sincere rough man, except farming, he knew nothing. So, nothing was more important than a happy family, even money.


    ¡°What are you talking about, dad? You are the master of this family. How could you say I have earned everything. It belongs to us all. I don¡¯t accept what you said. So, never say that again, dad.¡±


    Seeing that he was taking him as an outsider, Ling Jingxuan darkened his face pretendingly. Seeing that, Ling Chenglong hurriedly explained, ¡°No, I didn¡¯t mean that. You know, I am not a good talker, Jingxuan, don¡¯t take it to your heart.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, dad, I¡¯m joking. How would I really be mad at you? About the land buying thing, I have considered it thoroughly. Since I dare to buy it, I have the confidence that I can grow things out of it. Even if we fail finally, we can earn those money we spent on this from other places. As long we work hard, I believe our days would only get better and better.¡±


    Bursting out laughing, Ling Jingxuan said those words earnestly. He could have earned thousands of taels of silver in three months, of course he could earn more in the future. So, he basically had no pressure at all.


    ¡°Ah, I know what you mean. Jingxuan, you guys eat quickly. Later we still have to go to town. Don¡¯t worry about the jam thing. You have me and Jingpeng.¡±


    Finally feeling relieved, Ling Chenglong picked up the bowl and chopsticks and ate a large mouthful of the porridge, his son just said that he had spent all the money, he had to seize the time to do more jam to sell.


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Giving a light smile, Ling Jingxuan said no more. After lunch, as he was about to go back to his own room to get changed, the big bun grabbed him quietly. Ling Jingxuan looked at him strangely, followed him to his room, then saw that he took out his saving pot again, poured all the money out, and stuffed all the silver ingots and bank notes to him.


    ¡°Daddy, you can use this money first. Fifty thousand mu of land needs many workers. How can you do without money?¡±


    Although his face looked sore, Ling Wen said it sensibly, turning back and stuffing the copper coins left into the saving pot.


    Looking at the bank notes and silver ingots in his hands, Ling Jingxuan felt so touched. He handed them to Yan Shengrui and then held Ling Wen from behind, ¡°Son, thank you!¡±


    Ling Wen blushed and stammered, ¡°You¡­you are welcome, but daddy, you still have to save money as much as you can. Don¡¯t waste any. Now we became poor again like before. You can¡¯t blow money like before. We¡­¡±


    For the first time, Ling Jingxuan sincerely felt that the big bun¡¯s nagging was so pleasant to the ears.

 Chapter 274

    ¡°Still in sentiment?¡±


    Inside the carriage on the way to Datong Town, Ling Jingxuan was smirking like a fool, Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help elbowing his waist. To be honest, he was also surprised. No one didn¡¯t know how stingy the big bun was. Sometimes, he even wouldn¡¯t spend one single copper coin. But this time, he generally contributed nearly all his belongs. The fact proved that all in all, their son was sensible and filial.


    ¡°Hmm, I really didn¡¯t expect Xiaowen to be so sensible, Shengrui, now I suddenly feel so happy as if it¡¯s not real.¡±


    Without melodramatically denying it, Ling Jingxuan said so leaning against his shoulder, when the big bun was giving them the money, the small bun happened to come back. After learning what was going on, he also contributed all his pocket money, both kids were so sensible, which let him moved from the bottom of the heart. Even if there¡¯d be more difficulties and obstacles in front, he seemed to have the motivation and perseverance to move on.


    ¡°Are you silly? That¡¯s our sons.¡±


    Look down at him with affection, Yan Shengrui stretched out a hand to hold his waist, on the face hung the same smile with him. As parents, was there anything else that made them more gratified than the kids being so sensible?


    ¡°Hehe¡­You¡¯re right!¡±


    The couple was so narcissistic, but that was their personal thing, none of anyone else¡¯s business, anyway, in the eyes of the parents, their children would always be the best.


    Today was the market day in the town. When the carriage drove into the town, the streets were crowded, they couldn¡¯t be slower. After quite some time, they finally stopped before Guarantor Liu¡¯s shop. And Old Zhou the carter respectfully gestured them to get down. Ling Jingxuan asked him to leave the carriage to the waiter here to take care of and let him go in with them.


    ¡°No wonder when I got up this morning, the swallows on the roof were chirping all the time. It turns out that I¡¯ll have some distinguished guests. Brother Ling, Brother Sheng, it¡¯s been a long time since you came last time.¡±


    Seeing them, Guarantor Liu left the guest he was talking with behind and hurriedly went forward to welcome them. To Ling Jingxuan, he only admired him more and more, and felt lucky that he had made that decision to cooperate with him. Don¡¯t see that they were still nesting in the village. Through the whole Datong Town, no one could compare with them now. And that was only the beginning. He could tell, soon, the two of them would grow into someone even out of his reach.


    ¡°Look at what you said. Is your place somewhere I dare come so casually? Last time, a large sum of money was gone here. I¡¯ll go bankrupt if I come a few more times.¡±


    Rarely in a good mood, Ling Jingxuan joked with him, which made Guarantor laugh. He hurriedly invited them to go in to sit, ¡°I heard than you grew late rice at the end of last month? Will it grow in here?¡±


    Many squires and rich families in Datong Town had heard about it, and most of them were watching in the dark. If they could really grow it this year, maybe next year, most of those landlords would plan on late rice thing. However, it was unknown whether they¡¯d succeed or not. Everyone only focused on them racing against time for the rice seedlings transplanting, but no one noticed their topdressing before that to nourish the land.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But there will be an answer in two months. Even if I fail, it¡¯s just a waste of some seedlings. But if I can really reap some grains, even if the output is not as much as the early season rice, at least, it¡¯s enough for our daily food, right?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan wouldn¡¯t be called Ling Jingxuan if someone could trick some secret out of him.


    ¡°So, you also have no idea whether you can really grow out things?¡±


    Surprised, Guarantor Liu stared. Hiding behind his surprising was the sharp perception. He barely missed no slight change of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s expression. Giving his understanding of them, they wouldn¡¯t do things they were uncertain of.


    ¡°Hehe¡­that¡¯s right, now you know how much my dad loves those fields. I saw that he stared at the fields blankly every day, and murmured things like ¡®pity the planting season has passed¡¯. You know, the Zhou family I bought last time happened to be southerners. They said in the south they basically grow two seasons of rice, so I want to let my dad have a try. Just do it to make him happy.¡±


    Wearing a calm shallow smile on that face which looked fairer and prettier than a few months ago, Ling Jingxuan said reasonably. Even an old fox like Guarantor Liu couldn¡¯t tell which word of him was true and which was false. So, excepting believing him, he had no other choice.


    ¡°Brother Ling is really a filial man. That¡¯s right. He has been working hard all his life, as his son, you should spend some money to make him happy.¡±


    Giving up nosing, Guarantor Liu nodded approvingly.


    ¡°Guarantor Liu, today I have something huge to ask for you help, but before that, I wonder if you have some better carriages. I¡¯d like to buy three or four.¡±


    Fifty thousand mu of land, it was at least several li¡¯s journey from one end to the other. It was already a huge problem to send the workers food everyday. But with carriages, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem. When they earned enough money in the future, he planned to build a manor every seven or eight li, which would make it easier for him to manage everything. But for the first year, he had to grow things himself. But the next year, he¡¯d change some other way. But that was the after story.

 Chapter 275

    ¡°Huh? Three or four? Why do you suddenly want to buy so many carriages?¡±


    Guarantor Liu gave him a strange look. Given their family situation, they shouldn¡¯t need so many carriages, right? Didn¡¯t Xinyuan in the town send their own carriages to go to their place to fetch the goods?


    ¡°Hehe¡­ to tell you the truth, yesterday I went to the county, I bought all the wasteland in the inland sea basin of Qingyang County. Guarantor Liu, don¡¯t say that I didn¡¯t buy it through you. The main thing is I want to see the lord magistrate in person and ask him to exempt me from a few years¡¯ taxes, you know, so, I hope you don¡¯t put it in heart.¡±


    Anyhow, he was a businessman in this circle, if not necessary, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t want to turn hostile with him.


    ¡°Look what you say. I know what you mean. It¡¯s just¡­why did you buy so much at a time? For so many years, I have never heard anyone could grow things out of it. Are you sure you can?¡±


    He was lying if he said he totally wouldn¡¯t mind, but as shrewd as Guarantor Liu was, he was crystal clear what was favorable to him and what was unfavorable to him. He could read the situation, so he could never offend Ling Jingxuan. Besides, behind him stood a Yan Shengrui who always looked so unfathomable. Every time he saw him, he felt blue fear.


    ¡°Not so sure. Before, my shifu who taught me some medical skills also taught me how to raise fish using medicinal herbs and how to improve the earth¡¯s conditions. As you see, I raised some fish, and I can say it¡¯s a success now. So, I am thinking maybe it¡¯d be workable about the earth-improving method. As the saying goes, encourage makes miracles and weakness brings poverty. If I don¡¯t take my chances when I am young, I¡¯d have no strength even if I want to struggle after I get old. Plus, the price the lord magistrate offered is within my budget, so, as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb, I bought it all.¡±


    Using the excuse to fool lord magistrate on him again! Actually he didn¡¯t have to say that. Anyhow, Guarantor Liu wasn¡¯t bad, although kind of too calculation like other businessmen, he never calculated him. Besides, in the future, there were a lot of places they¡¯d cooperate with each other.


    ¡°I see. Brother ling, if you can really grow things on those wastelands, maybe even His Majesty will issue a decree to award you, and Prince Sheng in our Cangzhou Prefecture. By then, you¡¯d be really famous. For the record, don¡¯t forget about me.¡±


    It was already not a secret that he could raise fish using medicinal herbs. So, Guarantor Liu totally didn¡¯t suspect his words. Ling Jingxuan gambled it right. The small Datong Town was no longer big enough for him.


    ¡°Haha¡­Guarantor Liu, what are you talking about? Whether I can grow things out of it all depends on whether you¡¯d lend me a land.¡±


    Smiling, having an eye contact with Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan found a chance to drag the topic back. Guarantor Liu pretended to look confused, ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Overs 50,000 mu of land needs a lot of people to open up, and I still plan to finish it all before the end of the month, so the number of workers needed is not small. I have to rely on you to support me in this aspect.¡±


    For his always narrow-minded behavior, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s OS was it doesn¡¯t matter, anyhow, he would say this sooner or later.


    ¡°Brother Ling, can you give me an accurate number?¡±


    Hearing that, Guarantor Liu, touching his chin, asked solemnly after a short meditation. He had guessed he came today for hiring people, but didn¡¯t expect that there was a fixed time limit for a project, fortunately, the busy season was almost over, many people were out looking for some odd jobs, as long as the number he needed was not too big, he could take this business.


    ¡°At least a thousand, besides, I want over fifty farm cattle, your normal price here, and those workers have to follow the rules. I¡¯ll take care of the lunch at noon, that kind of cheating and skulking ones, no. I want more than just finishing it within the time limit, I want them to do it well.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan became a little more serious. He hired people on a day-by-day basis, and he didn¡¯t want to hire the kind of people who were juggling their time. Although he had plenty of ways to deal with them, he¡¯d better avoid them if he could, because he didn¡¯t have time to watch them all the time.


    ¡°One thousand is no problem, now is the slack season, many come out looking for a job, and the wages are slightly cheaper, one person about 25 copper coins a day. As for the 50 heads of cattle, that¡¯s a little difficult. I can only rent them from those rich families in Qingyang County. As for the specific number, I also don¡¯t know. Brother Ling, I guess you should have a backup plan.¡±


    After pondering for a moment, Guarantor Liu raised his head and said so. Workers were not a problem. Giving his connections, even two thousand wasn¡¯t a problem. The real problem was the cattle thing.


    ¡°Hmm. If you can¡¯t enough, maybe you can buy some for me, at least buy fifty, fifty thousand mu of land is not small number, only relying on the workers is impossible, the cattle is a mist. Guarantor Liu, I¡¯ll count on you this time.¡±


    One farm cattle cost ten to twelve taesl of silver, fifty was about five to six hundred taels. After a simple assessment in the heart, Ling Jingxuan decisively made the decision. Anyway, sooner or later he had to buy them. What difference does it make to buy them now and in the future? He could only blame that in this ear, farmers could only reply on them. But if so, he had to prepare relevant tools, which would mean another sum of money.


    ¡°Buying them is also a problem, but the distance between 50,000 mu of land is too large. If you pull them back and forth every day, I¡¯m afraid it will waste time. I¡¯ll try to rent enough for you.¡±


    For someone else, Guarantor Liu wouldn¡¯t be so thoughtful, but this was Ling Jingxuan!

 Chapter 276

    ¡°Sorry to trouble you then. This thing is quite urgent, so I wish that you could make it quick. Better in two days.¡±


    It would soon be September, and the sea water would flow back in October, he would lose all his money and at least have to postpone his plans to next year if he couldn¡¯t open it up before that.


    ¡°OK, no problem. I can get you enough workers tomorrow the latest. And I will take them over then. But as for the cattle, it may take some time. But you can rest assured, I will try my best. Even if I lose my face, I will try my best to rent fifty for you.¡±


    Guarantor Liu seemed to feel his seriousness, so he patted his chest to guarantee hyim, Ling Jingxuan smiled, ¡°What about the carriages?¡±


    ¡°I have five ready here, and I will have them send them over at once.¡±


    There was a great demand for carriages in the town, so he always kept a supply on hand to meet the needs of those guests.


    ¡°Sorry to trouble you then. Besides, as for the workers, let them wait in the wasteland for me. I still want to buy some homestead. So, remember to bring some measuring tools.¡±


    The homestead on the left side from Yuehua Manor to Ling village, Zhao Dalong had bought it all, but there was still the right side, and Zhang Qing and his family may buy some, and as for the rest, he planned to buy it all. Anyway, it was only dozens of mu. He¡¯d like to buy it all in case of any changes in the future.


    ¡°You wanna buy more?¡±


    Still think he is not like a landlord??? Guarantor Liu rarely lost his manner, apparently having no idea what he was thinking. It was already terrifying enough that his Yuehua Manor had taken up over one hundred mu of land! Now he still planned to enlarge it?


    ¡°Hehe¡­ My aunt wants to buy it, but they may not buy much, and I shouldn¡¯t bother you for only two or three mu, right? So, since those homestead was vacant there, why not buy it all? Although I still have no idea what I would do with it, maybe I will make it a fruit ranch in the future. In a few years, it¡¯d produce a lot of fruit, right?¡±


    Of course he would never make it a fruit ranch, for there were enough fruit-trees in the yards at home. He had some other plans, it was just that he couldn¡¯t tell anyone else now.


    ¡°Oh I see. All right. Then I¡¯ll take all my tools tomorrow.¡±


    Thinking that what he said was reasonable, Guarantor Liu doubted no more. The preparing work was almost done, Ling Jingxuan asked Old Zhou to follow Guarantor Liu¡¯s worker to the backyard to pick the carriages. Since this time they were used to send food to the workers and carry things, he didn¡¯t choose those luxurious ones, but the cheapest carts, and asked for two sets of saddles, for him to go check the progress.


    ¡°Guarantor Liu, one more thing I need to trouble you. Do you have that kind of beautiful woman who is unwilling to be a maid? Better in her twenties and mature.¡±


    After sending Old Zhou away with an excuse, and the workers also went to be busy with their work, Ling Jingxuan took up his tea cup to take a sip, and finally spoke out his last purpose today.


    ¡°There are so many of that kind of woman, but Brother Ling, you¡­what for?¡±


    Hearing his request, Guarantor Liu couldn¡¯t help feeling surprised, and his eyes subconsciously swept over at Yan Shengrui sitting next to him. He wouldn¡¯t just see his wife buy that kind of woman home, would he?


    ¡°Of course I have my reason. Will you show me?¡±


    Some things shouldn¡¯t be put above the table. Ling Jingxuan got up. Although he meant to buy that kind of women who were content with their status quo, he had to check her personality first. It was Lady Han who had offended him. And his original intention was only to distract her, so she wouldn¡¯t have time eyeing him, but not to let that woman create problems for the Wang family, so this woman should be someone he could control.


    ¡°Hmm, come with me.¡±


    Seeing that he wouldn¡¯t tell and Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t say no, Guarantor Liu guessed that it should be a present. So he directly got up and led them into the backyard. After seven or eight turns, finally they came before a door in the innermost of the yard. As the two servants guarding there saw them, they instantly bowed to greet them. Ling Jingxuan was their big client, so almost everyone here knew him.


    ¡°Open the door.¡±


    Guarantor Liu signaled one of them to open the door. In case those good ones would be influenced, those bad women were locked alone.


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    The servant took out the key to open the big lock. Guarantor Liu made a please gesture to Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui. Then, three people walked in. The room was very shabby, a wide bed for a number of people, at the corner lay a wooden table. Seeing them, about ten women threw their eyes at then. Some bold ones sized them up and down. Some, relying on their pretty face, even leered at them. Of course, there were a few who looked quite nervous biting their finger. But it was negotiable whether they were really nervous or they were faking to win their sympathy.


    ¡°Brother Ling, look. They were all sold by the first wife of those big families. Some were concubines of those big families¡¯ lords, some crawled into the bed of the master, some were forced by the master but couldn¡¯t win favor from the first wife. What type would you like? Choose yourself.¡±


    Pointing to those women wearing the unified blue coarse clothes, Guarantor Liu simply said, in fact, these women were of no much use, ordinary people simply wouldn¡¯t buy them, so they¡¯d usually end up in those brothels.

 Chapter 277

    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui exchanged an eye contact, then walked to and fro in front of those women. After a few rounds, Ling Jingxuan stopped in front of a woman about the same height as him, head down and trembling, ¡°Raise your head.¡±


    She attracted his attention because she did not have the odors that other women had, and it was not like she was faking her trembling.


    The woman subconsciously made a shake, a drop of crystal ear dropped on the back of her hand, after quite a while, she made a sniffle and lifted her head, a dirty oval face, not so pretty, at least, Ling Jingxuan thought she was even not as pretty as Ling Yun. But this woman had the lingering beauty. The longer you looked at her, the pretty you thought she was. And her long and slim figure added extra points to her. The most important thing was her teary eyes were not that coquettish like other women, but he only read horror and fear in them.


    ¡°What is your name? How old are you?¡±


    Looking at her eyes, Ling Jingxuan asked with a deep voice. It should be this woman.


    ¡°My¡­my name is Liu Chunyu. I am twenty-four years old.¡±


    A slice of naked humiliation flashed across her eyes, but soon she pressed it down, and persuaded herself to answer him.


    ¡°Well, Guarantor Liu, can you find me a separate room, I want to talk with her alone.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan turned back to Guarantor Liu, for some things, he must tell her clearly alone, although women with slave registration in this society basically had no right of choice, he still felt that he should get her approval first. Nothing forcibly done is going to be agreeable So he was no interested of buying someone who wouldn¡¯t listen to his order.


    ¡°No problem, come with me.¡±


    Guarantor Liu was a straightforward person. After throwing Liu Chunyu a meaningful look, Ling Jingxuan turned to leave with Yan Shengrui. Gritting her teeth, Liu Chunyu hesitated for a bit and finally, under others¡¯ jealous eyes, she followed them out, even if she¡¯d suffer humiliation, she was also clear that she¡¯d end up even worse if she kept staying here.


    ¡°Liu Chunyu, right? Sit. I have a few private questions to ask you.¡±


    After going into the arranged room, Ling Jingxuan who was sitting at the table pouted his lips, signaling her to sit on his opposite side. Liu Chunyu timidly looked at them, and did not really sit down, instead, she moved before them and said respectfully, ¡°I dare not. My lords, just tell me what you want from me.¡±


    Sensible, obedient¡­Ling Jingxuan was quite satisfied. After exchanging an eye contact with Yan Shengrui, he continued, ¡°Next I may ask you something awkward, but I must confirm if you are the one I need. So I hope you wouldn¡¯t mind. Meanwhile, I can guarantee you that if you make me satisfied, even if you can¡¯t live that kind of extravagant life, you will live an abundant and peaceful life in the future. Of course, on the premise that you behave.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    Liu Chunyu obediently replied. It looked like she had accepted her fate, her hands hanging on both sides were quietly clenched, and she kept telling herself that she had to endure with it for she was a slave.


    ¡°Why were you sold here?¡±


    It was not that he was not aware of her unwillingness and feeling humiliated. Ling Jingxuan just asked quietly. That was the big background thing, and he didn¡¯t want to change anything. Besides, even in the 21st century when everyone was equal, the rich people always had a higher position, didn¡¯t they? Although many people did not want to admit it, it didn¡¯t mean it wasn¡¯t a fact, let alone in such a hierarchical system. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Of course, the most important reason was that the other side was not worth him to change it. Today, if it were him or his little buns were for sale, even if it had to sacrifice his wife, he would try to change the big environment, and climb to the top. Don¡¯t say that he was indifferent or what. No one would risk his life to someone irrelevant, including him.


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    This came finally. As Liu Chun opened her mouth, tears were about to fall again. She desperately held them back and tried to stay calm, ¡°I was a maid of Lord Sun in the next door town. Last year, after Lord Sun got drunk, he rap¡­and since then, Lord Sun kept harassing me secretly. I couldn¡¯t take it and meant to ask the madam to hold justice for me. But, Lord Sun who is afraid of his wife said he meant to marry me as his concubine. The madam who is jealous sold me while the lord went out to collect the rents.¡±


    That was why women with slavery registration was so sad. They basically had no ability to fight. With a little resistance, they¡¯d only sink deeper. If she had a bigger heart and firmly grasped the heart of the master and then went to talk with the madam, perhaps she was already bedecked and firmly held her position as a concubine.


    ¡°So you didn¡¯t want to be a concubine?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan slightly picked his eyebrow. A concubine of Lord Sun and his second uncle¡¯s concubine, apparently the former was better. So it seemed not easy to convince her.


    ¡°Although I am a maid, I never dreamed of being a concubine of the lord , I only want to live a peaceful and quiet life.¡±


    Lowering her eyes, Liu Chunyu said as calmly as she could. She¡¯d rather be the wife of a poor family than a concubine of a rich family. As a maid in those big families since she was little, she had witnessed too many tragedies of those mistresses.


    ¡°Really? If I ask you to seduce a man and make him marry you as a concubine, surely you wouldn¡¯t agree?¡±


    When he said those words, his long and narrow phoenix eyes stared at her without even blinking, and wouldn¡¯t let go of any trace of subtle expression change on her face.


    Liu Chunyu felt a big shock, her face instantly was full of despair. So she still couldn¡¯t escape from it?

 Chapter 278

    ¡°Yes, I will.¡±


    But if he couldn¡¯t leave here, her final destination would be some brothel. After weighing it, she could only choose the former, serving a man is always better than serving so many men, right?


    ¡°Hehe¡­I like a clever woman, you won¡¯t regret it. The one I want you to seduce is not some landlord or a duke of those big families, but a solid farmer. You only have to attract his attention, and get into bed with him and let him marry you. As for whether you could be a concubine or a wife, it depends on your own ability. My only requirement is that after you marry him, stimulate his first wife as possible as you can, don¡¯t let her have time to make trouble elsewhere. You are a clever woman, I believe you should know what I am saying.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled, but his smile did not extend to the deep of his eyes. He¡¯d like to see what Lady Han would do.


    ¡°Ah?¡±


    Liu Chunyu looked up with puzzlement, but was startled by the smile on his face, so she hurriedly hurriedly lowered her head again, feeling swayed in the heart. What a terrible man, clearly he was smiling, but looking so gloomy.


    ¡°His name is Wang Jingui, my second uncle. Today he should help me at the stall in the market. Later I will go to say hello to him. And you can see his appearances clearly in the carriage. Then find a chance to get close to him. Better do something with him today.¡±


    Ignoring her shock and horror, Ling Jingxuan said that.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t know him, how can we¡­¡±


    Liu Chunyu gave him an embarrassed look. She knew how to seduce a man, but she really didn¡¯t know how to start it.


    ¡°Hehe¡­That¡¯s simple. As long as you remember his face clearly, I will send you to him on his way home. When you see him, you find an opportunity to put on a show of the hero rescued a beauty, as for what to do next, I guess I don¡¯t have to tell you then.¡±


    If she still didn¡¯t know what to do by then, then he had to think about changing someone else, because she may be more stupid than Lady Han, how could she possibly beat her?


    ¡°Yes, I understand.¡±


    Gritting her teeth, Liu Chunyu agreed with her head down, feeling desolate in her heart, for he couldn¡¯t see the future. However, she would feel grateful to Ling Jingxuan in the future. If it hadn¡¯t been him, she who had had her reputation ruined could never find a husband who was truly good to her. Of course, that was the after story.


    ¡°Finally, I want to remind you that your only task is to put Lady Han down If she says something to her daughter about my family, you may have to let me know in advance. My second uncle and my grandma are all honest and well-behaved people, you¡¯d better not generate some other evil idea. As long as you behave yourself, I promise I won¡¯t disturb your life. And if you can give birth to a son or a daughter for my second uncle and would like to stay at the Wang family forever, I will consider removing your slave registration. But, on the contrary, since I can let you marry into the Wang family, I can also throw you out quietly. You should know what you do.¡±


    Two eyes narrowed dangerously, Ling Jingxuan used a carrot-stick tone. Now he only want to deal with Lady Han, but didn¡¯t hope that she would make the whole Wang family in turmoil.


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Liu Chunyu felt both surprised and overjoyed in the heart, and quickly showed her loyalty. The thing Ling Jingxuan said that he would consider removing her slave registration made her reassuring. Any slave who doesn¡¯t want to remove it?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go then.¡±


    He had explained everything. Next it depended on how she performed it. Ling Jingxuan wouldn¡¯t step in. The three of them then left the room. As Guarantor Liu saw that woman walked away with them, he instantly understand Ling Jingxuan had decided to buy her, so he didn¡¯t ask anything, but only led them into the hall in the front.


    ¡°Guarantor Liu, how much?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was straightforward. As he saw down, he immediately got to the point. Guarantor Liu nodded, ¡°Old Zhou chose a total of five horses, twenty taels each as always, it¡¯s one hundred, and five carters, a total of ten taels of silver, two sets of saddles, I won¡¯t charge you then. A woman is six taels of silver. Then it¡¯s 116 taels in total. As for the workers and farm cattle thing, we¡¯ll settle it tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°No need, here is one thousand one hundred and sixteen taels of silver. Take the remaining one thousand as the deposit. Try to find as many workers and cattle as possible. If it¡¯s not enough, just let me know.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan said crisply as he felt out the silver and bank note and pushed it to his front. This was not their first cooperation, so he had some credibility.


    ¡°OK. Don¡¯t worry, Brother Ling. I promise at least 1,000 people tomorrow.¡±


    Knowing his temper, Guarantor Liu promised him while patting on his own chest.


    ¡°Well, let them all take their tools, we don¡¯t have that many at home. As for the depletion expenses, I will pay them one more day¡¯s wage.¡±


    Before leaving, Ling Jingxuan suddenly said so. In fact, a day¡¯s wage for so many workers was enough for him to go to buy enough farm tools, but as long as they worked hard, he didn¡¯t mind paying them more.


    ¡°No problem, I will explain it to them clearly. Watch your steps.¡±


    Guarantor Liu personally sent them to the door. Since Old Zhou had already gone back driving those newly bought carriages with Guarantor Liu¡¯s workers, the task of driving their carriage fell on Yan Shengrui. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t want to stay with a woman alone inside, so he let her in while he himself sat outside together with Yan Shengrui. The two of them smiled at each other, then with a save of the whip in Yan Shengrui¡¯s hand, the carriage slowly moved away.

 Chapter 279

    ¡°Boss, a bowl of hot and sour rice noodles, and half jin of stewed lotus root.¡±


    ¡°OK, right away!¡±


    ¡°Boss, two bowls of¡­¡±


    ¡°Got it¡­¡±


    On the crowded dock, a lot of food stalls set up in twos and threes, one of them was crowded with people. Some were even queuing behind, while other stalls, only one or two customers. By comparison, one could tell how good Wang family¡¯s business was. From afar, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan saw the hot scene, then they drove over slowly.


    The booth of the Wang family was very big, eight tables, and since it was the market day, many people came to help, but still couldn¡¯t cover all customers. One wave of customers after another, which kept them busy, they even didn¡¯t notice that Ling Jingxuan came over. Yan Shengrui pulled the carriage up behind the stall. Ling Jingxuan turned back to brush open the curtain, after signaling Liu Chunyu with an eye, he walked over with Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Big uncle, bit aunt-in-law, second uncle, your business is doing very well.¡±


    By the stall, except Wang Jingui, Wang Jinfu and Lady Mu, it was all his cousins, so Ling Jingxuan went directly to the three elders, and said hello to each of them. As the three of them turned back after hearing it and saw it was Ling Jingxuan, a trace of embarrassment flashed across their eyes, then they quickly pressed it down. Ling Jingxuan gave a faint smile. It should be that the old lady had said something to them after going back.


    ¡°Jingxuan? You come at the right time. I was going to visit you.¡±


    Lady Mu who was the first to come to her sense threw him a warm smile. She meant to pull him to sit down, but all seats were taken, so she simply pulled him aside. Before walking to one side, Ling Jingxuan sharply grasped a little shame in the two brothers¡¯ eyes. And for that, he was a little relieved, at least the Wang family still had some sensible people. If they took Lady Han¡¯s side, he was afraid he¡¯d put them down together.


    ¡°Jingxuan, I will be straightforward with you. We all knew that your grandma went to your place yesterday. To be honest, at first, I also think it¡¯s not a bad thing by being doubly related. But since you said close relatives can¡¯t get married, and I dropped that thought. As for what Yunya did, we have also asked it clear. It was her own wishful thinking, which has nothing to do with Jinghan. Your grandma was so mad at it. For this, Jingui even beat her and nearly repudiated Lady Han. We have decided to let Yunya marry a man far away. Jingxuan, we know you are good to us. But, we can¡¯t get estranged because of this.¡±


    One had to say, Lady Mu was really a smart woman, as she said so, Ling Jingxuan could say nothing even if she was mad.


    ¡°Look what you said, big aunt-in-law, am I that kind of narrow-minded person? But, you should also be clear, Jinghan will take the exams soon, and he would take the official career. If there is any scandal about him, it will have a bad influence on him. If possible, please tell grandpa and grandma to regulate my second aunt-in-law and Yunya. Don¡¯t let them say bad words about him. They may not care about their reputation, but we do. If they keep making trouble, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have to take some measures. By then, I hope grandpa and grandma wouldn¡¯t blame me.¡±


    Since she put things above the table, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t have to hide anything from her. He explained everything to her and also told them that he also had his breaking point.


    ¡°Sure. Jingxuan, you rest assured, we will certainly watch them, if¡­no matter what you do, I can guarantee that we won¡¯t hate you.¡±


    Slightly hesitating a little, for the sake of the whole Wang family, Lady Mu had to make the choice. To be honest, she also felt annoyed. Finally they lived a little better, Lady Han and her daughter did such kind of shameful thing. If it hadn¡¯t been for the sake of Jingui¡¯s kids, she only wished that Jingui could repudiate her.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Since you said so, that¡¯s it then. None of us should mention it again. But about Yunya¡¯s marriage thing, I hope you can make it quick. You are a woman. You should be clearer how stubborn a woman could be. Just in case. I also don¡¯t want us to meet like strangers next time.¡±


    Don¡¯t blame him for being so cruel to a girl. If she hadn¡¯t set her mind on his family, he wouldn¡¯t have forced the Wang family to marry her off as soon as possible.


    ¡°Rest assured, in fact, early in the morning today, your grandmother has sent someone to ask the matchmaker in the village to pick one for her, I believe there will be news very soon.¡±


    ¡°Sorry to trouble you on this then. Your business is doing well. I guess I shouldn¡¯t disturb you long.¡±


    Since they had talked it openly, Ling Jingxuan quietly switched the topic. Lady Mu also turned to look at the stall with a smile, ¡°How could you say that? If it weren¡¯t for you, how would we have this chance to earn money here?¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Then Ling Jingxuan went over to have some small talk with Wang Jinfu and Wang Jingui. Seeing that they got busier, Ling Jingxuan found a random excuse and left. The carriage drove to the way the Wangs must pass. Seeing that there was no one around, Ling Jingxuan let Liu Chunyu down. After making sure that she had known who to seduce, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui drove away. While for Liu Chunyu, she had already been not that repulsive when she saw Wang Jingui was so tall and strong and handsome. One could only blame the good genes of Wang Family. Everyone of the family was good-looking.

 Chapter 280

    Even it was not a market day, their business was also very good. They¡¯d usually have to send people to go home to fetch the freshly made rice noodles one or two times a day. Let alone on a market day like today. Soon two carts of rice noodles were sold out before noon. And Wang Jingui had to go back home to fetch some more. The few brothers were quite diligent. The big and second brother were busy in town at the stall, while the third and fourth brother were busy making rice noodles home. Except that pair of unreasonably Lady Han and her daughter, for this business, one could say the whole family got devoted into it. Though tired, when they saw the dazzling silver, they felt so contented, like it was all worth it.


    As the oxcart left the town, the road became wider, and Wang Jingui could not help but wave his whip to speed up. Although there were two big barrels of rice noodles at the stall, which was enough to last them until he went back, hardly they got such a profitable business, how could he drag his feet and delay on the road?


    ¡°Whoa~¡±


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    Suddenly, was the oxcart was about to drive into Wang village, at a turn, in the middle of the road lay a woman. Wang Jingui was surprised, hurriedly bridled the rope. The woman got scared and kept screaming, and the oxcart stopped marginally less than a chi of distance from her. After a short daze, Wang Jingui hurriedly threw the rope aside, jumped off and ran over at her.


    ¡°Miss, are you all right?¡±


    After all, they were a man and a woman, and there was no passers-by around. The over thirty years old Wang Jingui looked quite embarrassed.


    ¡°Ouch¡­ I¡¯m fine¡­¡±


    The woman¡¯s eyes are tearful, looking quite delicate, her simple clothes couldn¡¯t diminish her beauty. Wang Jingui was a little lost in her appearance. Although he would immediately have that kind of nasty thought, but men always like weak and beautiful women, especially for those men who had no selves before their wives or on bad terms with their wives.


    ¡°Miss, are you hurt? Can you stand up by yourself?¡±


    Wavering those messy thoughts in his head, Wang Jingui asked with a worried tone. He would like to help her up, but considering that he might ruin her reputation, he felt a bit stuck there.


    ¡°I guess I got my foot sprained, can you lend me a hand?¡±


    It was no one else but Liu Chunyu who had been waiting here long before. With a closer look, she found that he looked more handsome and honest. Liu Chunyu told herself it was him! Every word and move of her showed her unique gracefulness and coquettishness. Deliberately feeling her foot, Liu Chunyu looked up at him with pity.


    ¡°Well¡­fine.¡±


    Wang Jingui hesitated a little, finally couldn¡¯t resist the inner remorse and yearning, stretched out his hand to hold her up. And with his support, Liu Chunyu finally got up from the ground, but she couldn¡¯t use any strength of the right foot, the whole body leaned on him. The two of them couldn¡¯t help blushing. In such an era a man had to be responsible for a woman after touching her, even if Liu Chunyu demanded him to be responsible for her, Wang Jingui couldn¡¯t say no.


    ¡°Go take a seat on the oxcart first.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Liu Chunyu was not short, but standing next to the tall and strong Wang Jingui, she was still like a little woman. Both felt a little embarrassed. Seeing that he seemed to have no that kind of feelings for her, though feeling shy, she felt a bit anxious already. So when walking to the oxcart, her left hand quietly loosened her belts.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    As Wang Jingui was about to help her sit down, Liu Chunyu made up her mind and pretended to get tripped, the whole body pressed on him. No one knew whether it was luck or what, the oxcarts scraped her already loosened, the thin cotton couldn¡¯t bear the pulling and got pulled off, so now Liu Chunyu was wearing a bellyband now. Since she had made up her mind, she¡¯d have no face to care about what. Her big and plump boobs ¡®happened¡¯ to press on Wang Jingui¡¯s face.


    ¡°Miss¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Wang Jingui was also obviously frightened. But as he opened his mouth, the teat of her boobs was actually sent into his mouth across the thin cloth. Liu Chunyu reflexively made a grown.  This big man¡¯s face instantly turned as red as the monkey¡¯s butt. Both already forgot to move, only maintaining that gesture like dull.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    No one knew how long it had passed. Liu Chunyu suddenly screamed and pulled away, randomly grabbed the scattered clothes to cover her chest. Wang Jingui who came to his sense said hurriedly, ¡°Sorry, miss, I didn¡¯t mean it, I¡­I am willing to be responsible for you, as long as you don¡¯t mind, I am willing to marry you as my wife.¡±


    The matter had come to this point, it left him no choice. Wang Jingui gritted his teeth, and promised her a wife¡¯s position. Such a honest man would never have thought all this had been designed well.


    ¡°I¡­ But I am an orphan girl without father and mother, won¡¯t¡­won¡¯t you mind?¡±


    Obviously not expecting this man was so honest, Liu Chunyu could not help feeling so lucky, and grew more affections about him. She was slave registration, so she dare not ask much. Removing her slave registration and finding a husband who loved her¡­And since now as long as she could marry him and live a peaceful life with him, those things would all come true.


    ¡°No, of course not. Well¡­my name is Wang Jingui, a villager of Wang village not far ahead. I already have a wife and a few kids. And I have my parents, an elder brother and two younger brothers. My elder sister and younger sister have been married. So we can only fill our belly now, not that rich. Do you mind?¡±

 Chapter 281

    Hurriedly waving his hand, Wang Jingui briefed his family condition to her. Liu Chunyu who had heard about it from Ling Jingxuan was amazed by his honesty. She lowered her head. After quite a while, he nodded shyly. Seeing that, Wang Jingui looked overjoyed. After a bit hesitation, he moved forward and helped her straighten her clothes, and then supported her to sit.


    ¡°Where is your home? I¡¯ll send you back first. After I explain things to my parents, I will go to your place to propose.¡±


    Marrying a wife in his thirties? Wang Jingui felt a bit embarrassed. But looking at such a delicate woman, and thinking of his wife who only made trouble for him here and there at home, Wang Jingui couldn¡¯t help feeling thrilled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a family. Before l lived in the next town. After my parents died, I went to my uncle¡¯s place for sheltering, who knows he sold me. I just escaped out of there¡­¡±


    Lowering her head, Liu Chunyu slowly told him her background she had already conceived, only in this way could she explain why she a woman was lying on the road under such broad daylight, and Wang Jingui did not think much, but felt more sorry for her. He pulled her to his side, ¡°then go home with me first.¡±


    A flat wife was still different from the first wife. They couldn¡¯t really hold a big wedding. Now Liu Chunyu had no family, naturally it wouldn¡¯t need those etiquette.


    ¡°Hmm, but¡­ won¡¯t your family¡­¡±


    Nodding, Liu Chunyu asked.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t worry, I will explain to my parents.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, brother Gui!¡±


    Her calling him Brother Gui nearly made his heart melt. Wang Jingui wore a silly smile. The more he looked at her, the more satisfied. That little big guilt for Lady Han already disappeared without a trace. A man having three wives and four concubines was a common thing. Lady Han was not virtuous, even if he married another wife, he guessed she wouldn¡¯t dare say anything.


    However, that was only Wang Jingui¡¯s wishful thinking, If Lady Han really was that timid, these years she wouldn¡¯t have caused trouble here and there.


    ¡°Do you think she will marry my second uncle smoothly?¡±


    After they left, Yan Shengrui, who was hiding not far away, walked out with his hand holding Ling Jingxuan, and the two watched the oxcart as it moved away.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we go check it out?¡±


    Withdrawing his eyes to throw a peep at him, Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrow. To be honest, he really felt it was really a dog blood scene just now. Presumably his second uncle had already dreamed of such a honey trap long ago since he was unsatisfied with his second aunt-in-law. If so, no one could stop him marrying Liu Chunyu.


    ¡°OK. Anyway, we have nothing to do. Maybe we can lend our second uncle a hand.¡±


    With a shrug, Yan Shengrui got into the grass by the roadside to pull out the carriage hidden inside. Both of them didn¡¯t get onto it, but walked side by side slowly.


    ¡°You just want to join the fun, right?¡±


    Throwing him a grumpy look, Ling Jingxuan crossed his hands before the back of his head, looking not that interested. As things came to this step, he could imagine where things would go. And as the chief plotter, he should have hidden in the dark. If he really went there to watch the fun, maybe he¡¯d get himself exposed. And then everything would go for nothing.


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Yan Shengrui threw him a frank smile, neither said yes nor said no. Since it was getting late, after walking for a while, the two of them crawled onto the carriage and sped up.


    In Yuehua Manor, seeing that Ling Jingxuan bought five carriages at a time, Lady Wang and others felt so distressed, but they also knew this money couldn¡¯t be saved. So after a sigh, they drove all the carriages to the next door of number one warehouse. That was a shed Ling Chenglong led the workers to build. Since wolf daddy came, the shed next to wolf daddy¡¯s den almost turned into a decoration.


    As Ling Jingxuan had spent all the money buying land, the whole family started to be busy making jam. Except a few scholars, others were all devoted into their tight work. When Ling Jingxuan and others came back, it was nearly noon. There was no one in the front yard, one could only hear the kids¡¯ reading.


    ¡°You take care of the carriage. I¡¯ll go over to take a look.¡±


    When passing the kitchen, seeing that Ling Yun and Sister-in-law Song were busy inside, Ling Jingxuan jumped out of the carriage and walked in.


    ¡°Master Xuan, you are back. Check it out. Do I shred the beef like this?¡±


    Seeing him, Sister-in-law Song who was shredding the beef asked so. And Ling Yun who was cooking aside got up and called Master Xuan with respect. Actually she had been here for some time. As she had anticipated, everyone of this family was nice. As long as they worked hard, Master Xuan and others wouldn¡¯t be hard on any of them, they even seldom took them as servants and maids. And they had everything they had. For this, Ling Yun had the sense of belonging and liked here more.


    ¡°Hmm, but make it a little thinner. Let me do it. You go cook the food. Ling Yun, go check things out at the factory. Tell my mom and others to have lunch.¡±


    Rolling up his sleeves to wash his hands, Ling Jingxuan decisively took over the work of cooking dishes. In the ancient times, they said noble people should stay away the kitchen. But it didn¡¯t make sense at his side.


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    The two of them agreed. Usually, when it was about noon, in case they¡¯d miss the meal time, he¡¯d send someone to call them back from the mountain. And those who were picking fruit there would stay in the factory to help wash those fruit after carrying those fruit the picked. And after a noon nap, they¡¯d go back to the mountains and carry those wild fruit they picked the whole afternoon back till around six in the afternoon.

 Chapter 282

    Tomorrow they would go open up the wasteland. After dinner, seeing it was still early, Ling Jingxuan invited Chu Ci, his son and the Zhao&Han couple to take a walk around the wasteland. While helping to digest, they could check out the land¡¯s condition. As the few little buns heard that, they all cried asking to go with them. Even the two cubs who were eating the braised beef aside ran over and kept making circles around them while wagging the tails. Finally, a bunch of adults went out with a bunch of kids and two little wolf cubs.


    ¡°You guys be careful. Although on the wasteland doesn¡¯t grow anything, there are things like venomous bugs and snakes, and rats, don¡¯t get bitten!¡±


    Walking through the road they built themselves, it was nearly the scope of the wasteland. Seeing that the kids were running like crazy with Dahei and Xiaohei, Han Fei couldn¡¯t help nagging.


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    The little buns responded, then ran back with the little cubs. They kept jumping and yelling, like some little beasts who had just been released out of the cage. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, and signaled Zhou Er to go watch them. Then he and Yan Shengrui and others walked into the wasteland. It was not flat, since it was full of bumps and hollows everywhere, and they would see big or small caves, which should belong to snakes or rats or something like that.


    ¡°It must be more than ten mu¡¯s distance from here to the inland tributaries, right? Was it this wide before?¡±


    Looking at the vast and barren land, Chu Ci could not help but slightly frowned. He only knew that the agriculture of the Qing Kingdom was not developed enough was because that the land was small but got too many people, but never expected that¡­even the fertile land of Cangzhou was like this, other prefectures should be a lot worse, right? No wonder all civilians were complaining about the high taxes. If it were him, he would also complain.


    ¡°No, I heard that it wasn¡¯t as wide as this before, and the land on the edge could still grow something. But as the sea has flooded larger and larger area, more and more land couldn¡¯t grow things.¡±


    Although Zhao Dalong was not a native of Ling Village, he grew up there, plus, he often helped forge iron in the blacksmith shop in the town before, so he had more contact with the outside world and knew comparatively more.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Chu Ci was silent. Seawater back flowing was the natural law, and it can¡¯t be improved by human forces alone.


    ¡°That¡¯s because none of those local officials has ever tried to stop the erosion.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan had a twitch of his mouth. He broke free from Yan Shengrui¡¯s hand holding him and walked forward, closed his eyes and gently breathed in a mouthful of the slightly cold breeze. The smell of sea water mixed in the air was not strong, that is to say, actually the inland tributaries were not that tremendous, and the saltness was not that high. If the local officials really cared about the civilians and could endure the hardship to go to the mountainous areas and the countryside to get to know the actual situation, plus some water control experience, it wouldn¡¯t be some big problem to solve.


    ¡°Do you have some method?¡±


    Yan Shengrui and Chu Ci both moved forward, looking excited, could he make the inland tributaries disappear or what?


    Yes, but no, don¡¯t ask me, the kingdom is not mine, I have no obligation to act as a free labor.¡±


    Making a shrug, Ling Jingxuan said so. To thoroughly repair the damage the inland tributaries brought to the land would be a time-consuming and money-wasting huge project. He had no such compassion of the people, he was not that selfless.


    ¡°What if it¡¯s not free?¡±


    Chu Ci still couldn¡¯t give up, and his sword-shape brows furrowed. Maybe even he himself didn¡¯t notice that even if he had given up his status, whenever meeting such situations, he still cared about it. Maybe, he was born to take that road.


    ¡°I am not in that position, so it¡¯s not something I should consider. Chu Ci, come to me when you think thoroughly what you want.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan cast a faint look at him. No one knew that actually today he asked him and Chu Yan out on purpose, only trying to get him enlightened, no, to be more exact, to pave the way for his future, also to train his future ally. It was just a matter of time before Yan Shengrui regained his memories. If he guessed it right, it wouldn¡¯t take long before Zeng Shaoqing knew Yan Shengrui was with him. Two months tops, he¡¯d show up before them. By then, whether Yan Shengrui could regain his memories, Chu Ci and Chu Yan would have to go back, but, the thing was they escaped out. So after going back, they¡¯d suffer even if they could survive. If Chu Ci could offer some useful advice to the one in the throne, it proved that he was still useful, which might keep him alive and completely turn the tides. After all, it was only that person¡¯s moment¡¯s saying whether they were guilty or not, right?


    His sword-shaped eyebrows knitted tighter. Chu Ci was not stupid, he felt that what Ling Jingxuan said was quite reasonable, but just couldn¡¯t get what he was trying to say. While on the other side, Yan Shengrui held his chin and moved his eyes between them, finally showed a ¡®I see¡¯ look, then changed his mind. Since Ling Jingxuan thought Chu Ci and his son were promising, he¡¯d take his side.


    ¡°It looks like this wasteland not only does not look desolate, but also it gives people a soothing feeling. Big brother, if it could grow things out next year, it should be another scene full of vitality, right?¡±


    Zhao&Han couple had no idea what they were saying, and they were used to staying silent if they didn¡¯t understand. But Ling Jinghan obviously felt something. And he was also suspicious of Chu Ci¡¯s identity. It was just he still couldn¡¯t guess out who he really was.


    ¡°Yeah, but only one season a year, what a pity.¡±


    Looking back at him, Ling Jingxuan revealed a firm light under his eyes, he must grow out something on this saline-alkali land! Definitely!


    ¡°That¡¯s already good enough, big brother, what are you going to plant?¡±


    Walking over to stand side by side with him, Ling Jinghan was curiously. No one knew what he would exactly do.

 Chapter 283

    ¡°Salt-tolerant plants, at present we can only choose cassava, sorghum and cotton, if we can improve the condition, we can also plant some mulberries to raise silkworms, which has high economic value and could drive other civilians more. But it should be impossible in recent years. And, sorghum, cassava and cotton are all one-season plants. We grow and reap them in the same years. But mulberries are perennial trees. Once the sea water flows back, even if they are salt-tolerant, they¡¯d be drowned.¡±


    That was his final conclusion after some thorough considerations. Compared with cassava and cotton, he preferred sorghum, which could be taken as food and also be used to make alcohol.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t cassava poisonous? And the sorghum, that thing is used to make brooms. Why grow so much? Shall we plant cotton next year?¡±


    When Han Fei heard what they said, he asked curiously. He was not optimistic about cotton. He heard that its output was not high and hard to manage.


    ¡°Hehe, forget about cotton. Too troublesome. Every June and July, we still have to hire people for the topping pinching. Fifty thousand mu of land! That would be a huge project. Besides, the picking would also be a big problem. But cassavas are different. We could bundle them up and throw them into the river. After soaking for half a month, they¡¯d get poisonless. And I heard it tastes not bad, especially suitable for stuffing the belly when people suffer from famine. As for the sorghums. Who said we can only make brooms with them? There are a lot of other uses. I plan to grow sorghums all. Then next year, we would earn a mountain of gold and silver with them!¡±


    Finally, Ling Jingxuan even got a little excited. Now, in Qing Kingdom, it was usually rice wine or flower wine. The cost was high and its degree was low, so it wasn¡¯t strong enough. And the grape wine he made was only suitable for women, besides, due to the problem of raw materials, the yearly capacity wouldn¡¯t be high. But sorghum wine was different. Next year, he even planned to build a sorghum wine factory in the village next year. By then¡­heihei, would it still be a problem to get rich?


    ¡°Oh? You look like you¡¯ve got all your plans for the next few years?¡±


    Yan Shengrui walked over and hugged him around the shoulder, he liked his confident appearance, especially attractive.


    ¡°Of course. Or why would I have bought so much land?¡±


    The curvature of the lip increased a little because of the good mood, and the unabashedly confidence was stained between the eyebrows. He believed that after they succeeded planting things next year, a lot of landlords and squires would follow them to buy the salt-alkali land in the nearby counties, right? At that time, because of the pressure, the county magistrate would come consult with him how to grow things, not only he wouldn¡¯t be hiding anything, but also he  would teach them in details, in the year after¡­heihei¡­those people would only grow things but didn¡¯t know how to use them. And they could only sell their sorghums to him. And he could purchase them at the lowest price, and then set a branch in each county of Cangzhou. Then, within three years, he could become the biggest wine dealer of Qing Kingdom!


    The more he thought about it, the more thrilled. Ling Jingxuan seemed to have seen that the silver was like having legs and running toward him, wearing that ostentatious smile.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Only judging by his looks we know we did the right thing to buy land with him.¡±


    Others looked at him, amused, and didn¡¯t ask the specific things. And Han Fei even said that jokingly. Although they didn¡¯t know much about Ling Jingxuan, they knew that every time he revealed that kind of smile, he would be 100% sure. Of course he also felt thrilled. He¡¯d definitely have big money to make following him.


    ¡°Second elder brother, don¡¯t you think that our eldest brother has the potentiality of being some kind of profiteer?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng flexed his elbow lazily on Ling Jinghan¡¯s shoulder, looking at their big brother.


    ¡°You only know now?¡±


    Throwing him a lazy look, Ling Jinghan unceremoniously patted off his hand. If not, how would they big brother have made such a huge fortune in only a few months?


    ¡°Uncle Ling is more than a profiteer, he is also a rare talent of running a kingdom. If he participates in the examination, he¡¯d certainly top the list!¡±


    Chu Yan said that like a little old man, but the way he looked at Ling Jingxuan was full of admiration. He liked learning things by Uncle Ling¡¯s side most. Every time he saw him talking with others, or directly communicated with him, he would learn a lot of different things. If possible, he really wanted to stay by his side forever.


    ¡°So you should learn more from him.¡±


    Don¡¯t get bullied by others like before, that was what Chu Ci did not say out. In the two lives, he only felt he owed Chu Yan big. If it hadn¡¯t been him, he would have been¡­at such a young age¡­


    ¡°Hey, are you taking me as a dead one since I don¡¯t speak? You say this and he says that. Why do I feel like you are being sarcastic of me?¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Seeing that they had gone further and further, Ling Jingxuan found it amused and held his hands around the waist. Others all burst into laughter, and left their laughing on this wasteland. Maybe except Yan Shengrui, no one had ever expected that at this time next year, everyone here was no longer what they looked like today. And when they recalled this, it would have already been the most precious memories in their lives.

 Chapter 284

    ¡°Daddy, daddy, what are you laughing at?¡±


    As those little buns who were running wild in the street heard their laughter, they ran over and asked. Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan bent over and respectively picked them up, ¡°Look at you, covered with sweat. You smell!¡±


    Dotingly tipping Ling Wu¡¯s nose, Ling Jingxuan pretended to complain.


    ¡°Hee hee, because it¡¯s fun. Usually we can play in the yard after supper. Finally we have a chance to go out, of course we got to play to the heart¡¯s content!¡±


    Ignoring their daddy¡¯s complaining, the small bun grinned. And his words made Ling Jingxuan think if he had regulated the kids too strictly.


    Well, if his semi-laissez-faire approach could be called being too strict, then you couldn¡¯t find another family less strict with their kids than him.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll go out for a walk after dinner every day. After daddy makes more money, we¡¯ll build the road all the way to the next county. Then we¡¯ll plant shady trees on both sides of the road.¡±


    After some self-reflection, Ling Jingxuan decisively made a promise. He would not let his child become that kind of nerds. Children need their parents to accompany their growth, no matter how busy he was, he would never forget about it.


    ¡°Really? Then we can go to the county, or the county next door, as long as we take a carriage on the road built by ourselves?¡±


    The small bun was overjoyed, as cheerful as a lark. Since they went to the county last time, he¡¯d want to go to more places to hang out.


    ¡°Hmm, and the speed will be faster, because our road will be built along in a straight line, no longer so winding like before, so the time will be greatly shortened, you can go to the county whenever you like in the future!¡±


    If you want to get rich, build a road first. This rule works everywhere. Next year, when the crops really growed, he would have the capital to negotiate with the county magistrate.


    ¡°Ge, did you hear that? It will be more convenient for us to go to the county in the future.¡±


    Hearing that, the small bun turned to look at his elder brother. Rarely, the stingy Ling Wen didn¡¯t complain or what, instead, he nodded approvingly, ¡°Hmm, I heard it.¡±


    After last time about the road building thing, and it would save them a lot of time going to shool in town, Ling Wen had already tasted the benefits. How could he say no?


    ¡°Heehee, then I can go to the county restaurant to eat roast duck every day. The roast duck in Uncle Wang¡¯s restaurant is the most delicious.¡±


    The next second, when hearing his wish, everyone felt so funny, so he was happy because of food?


    ¡°You little foodie, you may become as fat as a little pig, and no one will marry you.¡±


    Gently patting on his buttocks, Ling Jingxuan said grumpily. Finally his little Wen didn¡¯t nag him this time, while this little thing revealed his true nature!


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to marry anyone else. I only want to marry Brother Yan as my wife.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The small bun had a twitch of his mouth, then announced the candidate of his future wife. Not only Ling Jingxuan, everyone on spot, including Chu Yan, were dumbfounded. Marry Chu Yan as his wife? Does he know what he is talking about? When did that idea pop out of his head?


    ¡°Little bastard, didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d marry someone like your daddy as your wife? When it changed into your Brother Yan?¡±


    The first reaction of Yan Shengrui was being betrayed, he threw his dagger eyes at his little on. Isn¡¯t his Jingxuan no better than that little ¡®old man¡¯?


    ¡°Because daddy is already your wife. Uncle Chu and others said that there can never be two people who look exactly the same. So I changed my mind. Brother Yan is good to me, and he is not someone else¡¯s wife. So I will marry him as my wife when I grow up.¡±


    The small bun said reasonably, Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui and Chu Ci all felt so speechless. They were cousins, all right? Besides, how can Chu Yan marry him as his wife? It¡¯d be only reasonable if Chu Yan married him as his wife.


    ¡°Ahem¡­Wu, I can¡¯t be your wife.¡±


    Finally getting himself back from the small bun¡¯s ¡®affectionate confession¡¯, Chu Yan came forward and said as he grabbed his hand. He was his cousin, how could he be his wife? Besides, he was a lot older. If¡­if they were not cousins, but only a common child like Tiewa, maybe he¡¯d really be willing to wait till he grew up.


    Of course, those were based on the ifs, in fact, don¡¯t say they were Cousins, even if not, with his current awkward status, he couldn¡¯t even see a future, how can he let the lovely him stick to it? Not knowing why, an unyielding feeling rose in his heart. He really wished that they could become a real family without estrangement.


    ¡°Why? You are not other people¡¯s wife, why can¡¯t you be my wife then?¡±


    The small bun did not understand, his little face wrinkled into a ball and his small mouth couldn¡¯t help pouting. Seeing that, Chu Yan felt bitter in the heart, and didn¡¯t know how to answer him, so he could only stand there like wood. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes moved between them, finally he stretched out a hand and flipped on the small bun¡¯s forehead, ¡°How old are you, huh? Already want to marry a wife now? Focus on your study! Or, you wanna your Brother Yan to live a bitter life with you?¡±

 Chapter 285

    ¡°No, I just said I want to marry him as my wife, but I didn¡¯t mean to marry him now. When I became a general in the future, I would certainly hold a big wedding for him like in the novels.¡±


    Grumpily furrowing his brows, the small bun raised his voice to defend himself. He just wanted to marry Brother Yan!


    ¡°OK, if fifteen years later, you still hold this thought, I will let you get married, but small bun, when the time comes, no matter what happens, you can¡¯t flinch!¡±


    Everyone just took his words as a joke, so, after the shock, they all wore a drama-watching expression, only Ling Jingxuan answered him seriously. He didn¡¯t know whether it was just some kids¡¯ words or he would really hold that thought when he grew up. If it was the latter, even if they were cousins, so what? Anyhow, they wouldn¡¯t have their kids, so as long as his son really loved him, he would remove all difficulties for him!


    ¡°OK.¡±


    The small bun answered quite seriously, then he said to Chu Yan with a smile, ¡°Brother Yan, wait for me to grow up!¡±


    ¡°Ah? Hmm.¡±


    Chu Yan, who obviously didn¡¯t expect that Ling Jingxuan would follow the heckling, was a bit out his mind, so his answer was quite perfunctory. Others all took it as a joke and didn¡¯t put it in the heart. Only until the brave general did something that shocked the world after many years did they know that not only Ling Wen, the small bun also inherited their daddy¡¯s stubbornness.


    ¡°By the way, Jingxuan, how do we do with the land tomorrow? Just turn the soil over like growing ordinary crops?¡±


    Seeing that the topic about the small bun was almost over, Han Fei who was carrying Tiewa timely switched the topic, once again to pull everyone¡¯s attention back to the land.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s different, as for the concrete operation, I will tell the workers tomorrow, but Brother Zhao and Brother Han, you know, in order to buy the land, I have almost spent all my money, so I guess we can¡¯t split the money for selling the jam temporarily. Part of it will be used on the wasteland, and part of it will be used to purchase sorghum seeds, if there¡¯s still some left, I plan to use it to hire workers to plant next year. Because you have less land, so I guess you¡¯d suffer losses on this.¡±


    He had wanted to tell them about it long before, but he never found a chance. The money the little buns gave him, he had used up half today. It was no problem to support them till the reclamation, but it would never be enough to buy seeds, for the seeds needed for 50,000 mu of land were not small.


    ¡°Come on, what are you talking about? We suffer losses? Haven¡¯t we taken advantage of you all the time? Anyway, we have saved some money. So even if we don¡¯t do jam business from next month, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem to sustain our living.¡±


    Hearing him, Han Fei instantly retorted it without thinking. Even if they didn¡¯t have that few thousands of mu of land, they¡¯d agree, for Ling Jingxuan had helped them too much. Before, he had never thought they could earn thousands of taels of silver in a month, even in the dream!


    ¡°Hehe¡­you can rest assured, even if we don¡¯t make jam, we can do something else, I¡¯m sure we can make as much money as the jam, and it¡¯s just right for winter to next spring.¡±


    Knowing they wouldn¡¯t care, Ling Jingxuan said so. In fact, he had already been preparing for it, and it had already paid off. As soon as the jam business was over, they can move on to the next business instantly.


    ¡°Oh? What is it? Why we never heard about it from you?¡±


    Not only Han Fei, all people couldn¡¯t throwing inquiring eyes at him. With that pair of long and thin phoenix eyes sweeping over at them, Ling Jingxuan said with his cherry lips curved, ¡°It¡¯s a secret!¡±


    Leaving those words that couldn¡¯t even be called an answer, Ling Jingxuan turned to go holding his son, and a group of people who were ready to listen to the answer all almost stumbled to the ground, the corners of their mouths happened to have convulsions at the same time, face sunk.


    ¡°I guess it must have something to do with things he has been working on in number one factory. We can go in and check it out.¡±


    After quite a while, Ling Jingpeng looked at the back of his big brother and said that while walking, he remembered that they seemed to have talked about this topic last time, and it seemed that his big brother had admitted it at that time, but they did not ask more about it.


    ¡°You can go if you have the balls, anyway I dare not break into his territory.¡±


    Ling Jinghan threw a peep at him. Their big brother was an expert of using poison. He didn¡¯t want to get poisoned some day without himself knowing. If he was lucky that his big brother was home, he¡¯d be saved. But if he was not lucky enough, maybe he¡¯d die instantly. He hadn¡¯t been listed yet. He didn¡¯t want to die due to that little bit curiosity.


    ¡°Er¡­If I have the balls, do I have to say that?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng felt sullen, he also had no balls, OK?


    ¡°Hehe¡­look at the two of you, is Jingxuan that horrible like you said?¡±


    Han Fei who was walking aside found it amused. To Ling Jingxuan, he knew not that much as the two brothers.


    ¡°He¡¯s not horrible. But when he turns horrible, he would eat people alive!¡±


    The two brothers were worthy of being twins, they looked at each other and said in unison, although their big brother certainly would not do that to them, but accidental injure would be inevitable. No one knew where their big brother would use his poison on. So for the sake of their own lives, they¡¯d better behave.


    ¡°Ah¡­really?¡±


    Han Fei froze there, apparently totally not buying it.


    ¡°You¡¯ll know by next month the latest. Why hurry?¡±


    Yan Shengrui who had been listening to their conversation cast a faint glance at them, and then paced up carrying his son. As for the others, they looked at each other and showed a smile. Yeah. Didn¡¯t Jingxuan just say it? They¡¯d start a new business as long as they stopped making jam. By then, they¡¯d all know!

 Chapter 286

    The next day, they all got up early. Rarely, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t do morning exercise, instead, he asked Old Zhou, his son, and Old Song to take eolite they bought yesterday to the wasteland, in case that those workers might get bitten by some poisonous bugs, snakes or rats. Some necessary measures had to be done. This money couldn¡¯t be saved.


    On the other side, without needing Ling Jingxuan to command, Sister-in-law Song already threw those ox bones into the cauldron and cooked them, and had already kneaded the dough and leavened it with Ling Yun and Liu XIaosui. Today, they¡¯d have to make enough food for over a thousand people. In case they had not enough time, or spilled things everywhere, according to the former experience, she only made those convenient food like stuffed buns or steamed buns.


    ¡°Lady Zhang, Lady Wu, go to the kitchen to help, be sure to prepare enough food for at least a thousand people before noon, mom, aunt, you wash the fruit.¡±


    After breakfast, Ling Jingxuan nagged again in case they were not clear of everything. Today, they got a lot of workers. Guarantor Liu hadn¡¯t come with people. But they still had to make everything prepared in advance. Those workers were all farmers. He couldn¡¯t let them suffer. As for the jam thing, with Jingpeng, Brother Zhao and others taking care of it, he wouldn¡¯t have to worry.


    ¡°Yes, Master Xuan!¡±


    Hearing that, Lady Zhang and Lady Wu bowed respectfully and backed out. Lady Wang was a little worried, ¡°Jingxuan, are you sure of it? Five people preparing food for over a thousand people? Isn¡¯t it a little difficult?¡±


    ¡°Just making some steamed buns and stuffed buns. It wouldn¡¯t be that hard. We¡¯ll make this decision today. If they really can¡¯t, we¡¯ll go hire some women at the market to specially cook food for us.¡±


    That was also what Ling Jingxuan was worried about, the few maids at home were quite capable, but they really got too many workers this time. Besides, this project would last long. So hiring people was quite necessary.


    ¡°It would be best. And we also can¡¯t delay our jam business. Why don¡¯t you ask your father to go hire some people later? Let Sister-in-law Song lead them to do it tomorrow. Ling Yun and others still follow us to wash the fruit. We can¡¯t let others do it, in case they may steal our skills, then our jam can¡¯t sell.¡±


    Lady Wang finally grew smarter, Ling Jingxuan found it amused, ¡°How can it be so easy to learn? Even if someone really learns from us, I dare say the jam he makes would never taste better than ours. So, mom, no worries.¡±


    In fact, making jam really had not much technical content, anyone with some basic cooking skills could learn it easily. But, the thing is, from the washing, to the soaking, till boiling, it all used the spring water. Even if someone learned it from them, how could it ever taste better than theirs? Some knockoff tops. Xinyuan Restaurant stressed the taste most. So they would never ditch them for someone else.


    ¡°That¡¯s good, that¡¯s good.¡±


    Hearing him, Lady Wang felt much relieved. Chu Ci who had already had breakfast still hadn¡¯t taken the children to read, Ling Jingxuan gave him a strange look, while Chu Ci said blandly, ¡°I want to see how you are gonna open up the wasteland, so, the kids can have a day off.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan darkened his face. Is reading a child¡¯s play?


    ¡°Master Xuan, Guarantor Liu is here.¡±


    Speaking of which, Guarantor Liu finally came. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui gave each other a look, both got up and went out. Chu Ci turned back to say something to Chu Yan and followed up, as for others, they went to be busy with their own things. Opening up the wasteland was important, but making money was also very important!


    ¡°One thousand and two hundred, all the people who¡¯ve been out looking for work all the year round all heard that they could get a free lunch and you never fail to pay, so they all compete to work for you.¡±


    Speaking of which, Guarantor Liu wore a face of joy, at first he thought to raise more than one thousand people in one day would be quite difficulty, unexpectedly, once he let out the news, countless people came to sign up, and he had already gotten enough people till yesterday afternoon, in the evening there were still a lot of people who came to ask about it. So he planned to ask Ling Jingxuan to make the decision today.


    ¡°Really? Great! Are they already there?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrow and made a please gesture, a few people talked while walking.


    ¡°Well, your father and two servants are handing out the eolite for them. I guess you are anxious, so I came here to see you first.¡±


    ¡°What about the cattle? How many have you borrowed?¡±


    ¡°That is a little trouble, today I only brought 20 heads, I borrowed them from those big families overnight. You know, those big families basically don¡¯t lack of such little money, so most wouldn¡¯t want to lend them out. But you can count on me. These days, I will definitely get you fifty enough!¡±


    ¡°Sorry to trouble you then.¡±


    While speaking, they had already gone out on the road. From afra, Ling Jingxuan saw a swarm of heads queuing up to receive the eolite. The villagers who heard the news also crowded over and watched for fun. When they heard that Ling Jingxuan bought all the saline-alkali land, many people were being nosy, mocking him, it was just that everyone totally ignored them¡­.

 Chapter 287

    ¡°Be quiet, everyone. This is Childe Ling, the landlord you are working for.¡±


    Guarantor Liu took a few strides forward. Under his introduction, all the people¡¯s line of sight fell on Ling Jingxuan who just arrived. Being stared at by over a thousand people, others might have already had his legs turning into jello. But Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui and Chu Ci just walked over like they had been used to it.


    ¡°Master!¡±


    More than one thousand people called him at the same time, even making one¡¯s eardrum ache, Ling Jingxuan waved his hand to signal them to be quiet, ¡°Everyone, you are here to work, so I won¡¯t talk much crap. As long as you work hard, I will treat you fairly. But, if anyone tries to fish in troubled waters, don¡¯t blame my rudeness then!¡±


    The easy-going atmosphere suddenly changed. Those who thought he was weak and might be a pushover all made a shudder, with fear crawling onto their face. They are just some farmers. However they performed at home, they still had no clout when outside. So when facing someone overwhelming, it was impossible they were not scared.


    ¡°In order to improve the efficiency of your work, I have decided to divide all of you into 24 groups, 50 people of each group, and each group has a head of cattle. For the group that does the most work, in addition to the fixed wages, I will reward each one in that group extra five copper coins. And for the group that does the least work won¡¯t be punished, but if you are too far behind, then I can only say sorry and ask you all to leave, now, you can find your own acquaintance to form a team, later, each group elects your team leader. As for the details about how to do your job, I¡¯ll explain to your team leaders alone.


    With rewards and punishment, one would have the motivation to work. And group work can effectively avoid lazy individual. On the way here, he had made the calculations, one thousand and two hundred people, if one could reclaim two my of land per day, they could finish all the land in 20 days or more, but the premise is, no one loafed on his job.


    As those words fell, those people began to chat about their work, but most of them were with a smile. If they would do their work well enough, they could get extra five copper coins! Besides, they had long heard that this family was pretty good to their workers. They never underpaid and also provided free lunch. And they also heard it was all warm stuffed buns, steamed bun and bone soup!


    A few crafty people complained in the heart. Originally, they thought that there were so many people of them, the landlord couldn¡¯t watch each of them, so they might have a chance to be lady and also get their pay easily. Never expected that Ling Jingxuan made such a move to cut off their back road.


    ¡°What is Ling Jingxuan thinking? Got his head cracked by the door? It¡¯s find that he¡¯d like to spend so much money for the wasteland. Now he even provides such high pay for the workers? Doesn¡¯t he know that everything will be in vain when the sea water flows back?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? Maybe he has too much money and doesn¡¯t know how to waste it.¡±


    ¡°Haha..anyway, the offer is so good that even I want to work for him.¡±


    ¡°Save it. Now Ling Jingxuan is rich and he has already born the grudge against us. How would he ever hire us?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t say that. As long as we work hard, he shouldn¡¯t turn us down. After all, we are from the same village¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. Why don¡¯t we go and ask about it? If we can make some money at home, it¡¯s not a bad thing.¡±


    Those onlooking villagers could also hear what Ling Jingxuan said, their gossiping sound nearly outdid that of those workers, including sarcasm, envy, and admiration, all kinds of reactions, but only there was no sincerity. While thinking about how to earn some money from him, their faces showed naked contempt. As long as Ling Jingxuan was not a dumbass, he would never hire any of them.


    ¡°Why did you suddenly think of such an idea? I didn¡¯t hear it from you last night.¡±


    It also needed some time for those workers to form groups. So, taking the time, Yan Shengrui complained, apparently he had a problem that his Jingxuan hid it from him.


    ¡°Come on.¡±


    Noticing what he was thinking with a glance, Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes, saying while shaking his head, ¡°I also came up with it just now, when Guarantor Liu said he only borrowed twenty cattle for us. We have three, Brother Zhao has one, it¡¯s twenty four, and those people can be divided into twenty four groups. And after we get more cattle, I¡¯ll divide them into small groups, so they¡¯d also improve their productivity. It¡¯d be better as long as we could finish it earlier.¡±


    It was said that the sea water would flow back in October, but who can guarantee that it wouldn¡¯t flow back ahead of time? The natural world was like a mystery, hard to explain, and in order to make sure that next year¡¯s winemaking project could be launched in time, he had to get all this land reclaimed, no matter how much he spent this year.


    ¡°Heihei¡­I just feel it¡¯s unfair. I am your man, how can you treat me like others? Do you know how frustrated I feel when I know I am the last to know?¡±


    Making a fake laugh, Yan Shengrui was thick-skinned enough to move over. Guarantor Liu aside got dumbfounded there, even doubted that if he had blurred vision, while Chu Ci looked poised, ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. Although we¡¯d have to pay extra few hundreds of copper coins a day, it could avoid those who try to loaf on their job.¡±


    Though Chu Ci still wore that cold and indifferent appearance, only he himself knew how he admired Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Hehe¡­that¡¯s what I want. I am not bragging. I don¡¯t care about the money, but I really don¡¯t want to hire those gaggers. Anyway, it¡¯s slack season now. There are enough workers out there. Why should I spend money to disgust myself?¡±


    With one hand held behind, Ling Jingxuan ignored that one playing shamelessly beside, with a confident smile on the face, mixed with some kind of overwhelming feeling. Chu Ci turned to throw him a look, and no longer said anything. The reason he came was completely out of curiosity. If possible, he really wanted to know how he could grow things out of this wasteland.

 Chapter 288

    Almost after half an hour, the one thousand two hundred people were divided into 24 groups, at the same time, in accordance with the requirements of Ling Jingxuan, the twenty-four group leaders were elected out and got in place. After asking Ling Chenglong and Old Zhou to hand out the eolite to people and taught them how to use it, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui took those group leaders before an ox cart.


    ¡°I guess you should all live near here, so you should know about the condition of this wasteland. So I won¡¯t explain more. Look at this. Unlike common wasteland reclaiming which may only require weeding and turning over the soil, here I also need you to dig ditches and do channeling job. First, each groups sends two workers to plow the field with the cattle. And for the rest, make ridges each chi like what is on this drawing. And the size of each ridge shouldn¡¯t be over five millimeter¡¯s difference. And you are farmers, I guess you know what I am saying. Besides, the depths of the ditches should be the same as the spacing distance of them. Made the ridges solid enough. Just like this. See if you have a problem.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan felt our the drawing he had long prepared, on which were lands with ridges, a bit like the floor plan of corns, but he required a larger distance and a deeper depth, in case that the force would be too strong when the sea water flowed back, and the ditches were to precipitate salt, salt was heavier than the quality of water, so when the sea water came in, salt would precipitate downwards, so most would sink into the ditches below the soil surface, and the remaining part would flow back into the inland sea with the fall of tides, so, the job of removing the salt would be almost done. After the sea water faded and before the farming season started next year, he would let people flattened those ridges and bury the ditches, then, in the soils more than a chi above the surface was almost salt-free, and when ploughed and planted with salt-tolerant plants, they wouldn¡¯t die easily.


    ¡°No problem, but what¡¯s the use, master?¡±


    Farmers might not know how to appreciate a drawing, but they were experienced farmers who knew what to do by looking at his drawing, much like how they planted corns, except that the ditches were deeper and the ridges were wider apart.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what you should concern. Just do as what I told you. Again, as long as you do a good work for me, I absolutely will treat you fairly, in addition to the wages and bonuses, every day you got a free lunch, it¡¯s all stuffed buns and steamed buns, plus the bone soup, and tea. On the contrary, as long as I see any of you being lazy, it would not be just simply letting you go.¡±


    After putting away the drawing, Ling Jingxuan stressed again solemnly, the reason for that was to let them remember it in mind. Do not come to complain or what after being spotted. He had no strength and time to reason with them.


    ¡°Did you hear what Master Ling said? If any of you gives a backward kick, don¡¯t expect me to introduce you work again!¡±


    Seeing they had no reaction, Guarantor Liu who had been listening said fiercely.


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes.¡±


    Coming to their sense, a group of over twenty people hurriedly nodded to agree. They were all wussy farmers, they dare not really offend those landlords and squires, especially Guarantor Liu, although he¡¯d have his commission for introducing them jobs, it was truth he had introduced them most jobs. Letting him take one or two copper coins from them a day was better than having no job to do. Besides, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s pay was really higher than other places. They should feel lucky enough. How would they loaf on their job?


    ¡°Of course, I also know that when there are too many people, it is hard to avoid that some would try to fish in troubled waters. So, as the group leaders, you should also pay attention to your team members at any time and warn them if they are lazy. If they wouldn¡¯t change after repeated warnings, do tell me and I will deal with them.¡±


    After saying that to them, Ling Jingxuan thought a bit and turned to Guarantor Liu, ¡°Please record their names, each day they¡¯d get two more copper coins.¡±


    ¡°No problem, Brother Ling. Did you hear that? Look how good Brother Ling is to you. You must work hard.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, thank you, thank you. Thank you, my lord.¡±


    As they heard they could get two more copper coins a day, those group leaders looked overjoyed and kept nodding at Ling Jingxuan to express their appreciation. Ling Jingxuan waved his hand and signaled that they could go to work. After they left, Guarantor Liu couldn¡¯t help teasing him, ¡°It¡¯s so good to work you. Even I want to be your worker.¡±


    Having been a guarantor all his life, he had never seen a master who treated the workers so well as Ling Jingxuan did.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ I can¡¯t afford to pay you to work.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled, Guarantor Liu also echoed. Although Yan Shengrui aside was full of doubt, he knew now was not the time to ask. About another half an hour later, the workers had smeared the eolite all over their body as they were told, 24 teams also had gotten their cattle respectively, under the guidance of group leaders, they all lined up, buried their faces in the wasteland and started to work.


    ¡°So you can get rid of salt this way?¡±


    Standing next to Ling Jingxuan and watching the workers, Yan Shengrui crossed his arms before the chest. Even though Ling Jingxuan had explained it to him, he was a little confused about what was going on.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan explained his idea simply. This was the most primitive way, but also the most suitable way for this era. As long as there was no tsunami, the planting should be successful next year.


    ¡°It¡¯s simple. Although the preparation work before planting is a little complicated, as long as you can grow things out, the farmers would get one more harvest, which could make up for the lack of agriculture of the kingdom.¡±


    Chu Ci on the other side could not help nodding approvingly. Out of the trust of Ling Jingxuan, he had almost completely believed that next year here would not be so desolate again.


    ¡°It¡¯s just to cure the symptoms, not the disease. If we want to permanently solve the problem of excessive salt content on the earth¡¯s surface, we still have to start from fixing the problem of the inland sea. The court has to allocate special personnel and funds to do this. It would be good for minor civilians like us to figure out a way to treat the symptoms and make a little money.¡±


    Holding the back of his head with the hands, Ling Jingxuan curved his lips. Fixing the problem of sea was the same as fixing the problem of floods. It was just that the ancient people even dare not think about it. In modern society, there was even project of marine reclamation land. If they heard about that, they¡¯d scare the sh*t out of them!


    Yan Shengrui and Chu Ci both turned to look at him. This was not the first time he said the topic of foxing the problems of the inland sea. If he said he had no solution, they would never believe it. But Yan Shengrui knew he had other plans, so he didn¡¯t put it in his mind, but Chu Ci took it to his heart. Thinking about what he had said last night, his eyes were glistening. Was it possible he had guessed out his identity and implied that he should go back? But¡­As long as he thought that his whole family had been killed and the horrible death of his kid, he cowered. He admitted that he dare not bet on so many people¡¯s lives. He dare not watch his son being sliced into pieces for another time!

 Chapter 289

    ¡°Brother Ling, it¡¯s almost done here. Let¡¯s go and measure the land.¡±


    Guarantor Liu who gave those workers one last warning came over with a big smile. Ling Jingxuan glanced his dad who was standing by the road, who seemingly wanted to help, helplessly shook his head. As he was ready to leave, he saw that the village head was walking their way with a large group of people behind. So he stopped his steps. After he had an eye contact with Yan Shengrui, the radian at the corner of his mouth grew wider.


    ¡°Jingxuan, I heard that you bought all those wasteland for reclamation? You can¡¯t grow out of anything there. You kid, why didn¡¯t you make some inquiries before buying it?¡±


    Ling Qicai came up and showed a worried appearance as a senior of his, and those onlooking villagers slowly approached them. It would be a total like if they said they were not jealous. Seeing those workers already started to work, how could they not covet of the pay? Some self-righteous people even thought, wouldn¡¯t it be better to hire them the familiar faces in the same village than those outsiders?


    However, they seemed to forget that, although acquaintances make things easier, acquaintances would also be ones who would ensnare you! Ling Jingxuan was not stupid. Finally he had shaken them off, how would he ever give them the chance to stick onto him again? Unless he got his head cracked by the door!


    ¡°You can¡¯t, but it doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t. Do you bring so many people here only to say such nonsense to me?¡±


    His long and thin phoenix eyes showed undisguised irony, Ling Jingxuan meaningfully swept over a dozen of people behind him. And Yan Shengrui and Chu Ci on both sides, one was proud and dominant, while the other was indifferent and aloof, like two guarding angels protecting him.


    ¡°How are you going to plant it?¡±


    Hearing that, casting embarrassment behind, Ling Qicai asked with a nearly exciting tone. If he could get a method from him, maybe they would also buy some wasteland and try it. But they would never expect that all the wasteland of Qingyang County belonged to Ling Jingxuan now. Even if Ling Jingxuan could forgive them and tell them, they could only buy wasteland from the next door county. Besides, he was not that kind of people who could forget about the pain when the scare was healed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel obliged to tell you, do I?¡±


    Casting a glance at them with a grin, Ling Jingxuan totally showed him no face. All people under Ling Qicai¡¯s lead looked quite embarrassed, and now finally remembered what they had done to him. But most of them had their eyes infected with total resentment. Apparently they thought Ling Jingxuan was too vindictive and still kept those things in his mind. Totally not like a big man!


    But they seemed to forget that, in those years, they only tried to force him to die. Ling Jingxuan already showed them enough face that he didn¡¯t take the initiative for the retaliation. Anyone with a little conscience should feel faulty. Besides, if he really grew out something out of the wasteland, that would be some fortune-making thing. Who would tell it to others?


    ¡°I was just asking. If you don¡¯t want to tell, forget about that. Jingxuan, I see that you hired a lot of people. How much land on earth?¡±


    Ling Qicai was embarrassed. With a dry smile, he forced himself to turn his eyes elsewhere. On the wasteland, the workers were hard at work, no matter whether they could plant something or not, only this scene could already make people jealous.


    ¡°What does it have anything to do with you? Brother Ling, is the head of your village getting too old and it¡¯s time for someone else to take up the position?¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan opened his mouth, Guarantor Liu cut in. He was not someone of Ling village, of course he wouldn¡¯t show anyone face. Besides, giving his connections, he didn¡¯t need to put a minor village head in his eyes. Although he had long heard that all people of the village were not so friendly to Ling Jingxuan, after all, he had never seen it with his own eyes. Today, after seeing it himself, he found it was true. Forget about how Brother Ling used to be. Now even the magistrate had to show him some respect. As long as those people had brain, they should show some respect at least. What was their attitude now? Questioning him? So stupid!


    ¡°Hehe¡­ This is not in my jurisdiction, if you have a problem with it, why don¡¯t you suggest to Excellency Hu?¡±


    Knowing that he was helping him, Ling Jingxuan also did not brush his kindness, while sweeping over at Ling Qicai whose face greatly changed. These people were tough like cockroaches. No matter how he taught them a lesson, they would come to stimulate him every now and then. Did they want him to see some blood before giving up? To be honest, facing those farmers, he really didn¡¯t want that.


    ¡°As long as you nod, I will definitely take care of it for you.¡±


    Guarantor Liu was not a kind person, seized the opportunity to suck up to Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°If there is nothing else, I gotta go.¡±


    Throwing him a light sweep, Ling Jingxuan turned to Ling Qicai. He asked for it!


    ¡°No, no, oh right, your aunt¡¯s household registration thing was done yesterday. Does she need homestead to build a house?¡±


    The village head stammered, apparently, still trying to cotton up to him. Usually, the homestead wasn¡¯t big, so guarantors wouldn¡¯t accept such cases, usually it would be the village head who took care of it. But¡­he seemed to have forgotten, Guarantor Liu was here. Given his relationship with Ling Jingxuan, he¡¯d take care of it even if he only wanted to buy one mu of homestead, right?


    ¡°No need to trouble you, Guarantor Liu will take care of it for me. Excuse me!¡±


    After saying that, Ling Jingxuan turned and walked away. He did not want them to get related to him again using this thing. It had really bothered him a lot.


    ¡°Don¡¯t annoy us if you want to live a peaceful life. If you don¡¯t, let me know. I don¡¯t mind making you restless!¡±


    Before he left, Yan Shengrui threw them a warning look, Ling Qicai almost spit out blood hearing him. Although Chu Ci said nothing, his indifference nearly made one freeze to death, it is people like ice. Guarantor Liu was more straight, with undisguised disdain on the face. Those people were so mad but none dare make a complain, since that scene how Ling Jingxuan taught the old Ling family the lesson was still visible before the eyes.


    ¡°Dad, now what? The villagers want to help Ling Jingxuan and earn some money, but we haven¡¯t had time to say that.¡±


    After quite a while, Ling Qicai¡¯s big son Ling Chengyu said so. As the village head, if he could not do something for the villagers, then his position was not necessary anymore. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s attitude was hateful, but he couldn¡¯t ignore the opinions of the villagers.


    ¡°What can I do? We¡­ wait, is that Chenglong? Come on! Let¡¯s go have a look.¡±


    Indignantly throwing a stare at his son, as Ling Qicai was about to turn to leave, his eyes inadvertently swept over and saw that Ling Chenglong who was supervising those workers, a trick quickly flashed across his eyes, and then he walked over leading the villagers.


    ¡°Chenghu, it seems that Ling Jingxuan has really made a lot of money. I see he has bought a lot of land. Haven¡¯t you hit it off with Ling Chenghua recently? How about let her get some money from him for us?¡±


    Among the onlookers in the distance, several men who looked like as*holes got together. And  one of them, a man with a sharp beak, looked at the bearded man as strong as a bear in the middle with a smirk.


    That beard man was called Zhang Hu, a local ruffian, who often brought a bunch of chairwarmers to rob people everywhere, because he was tall, a lot of people were all afraid of him. Not long ago, he inadvertently hooked up with Ling Chenghua and made love to her secretly many times. Although people of the old Ling family didn¡¯t know, those buddies of Zhang Hu knew it clearly, who were all jealous of her for hooking up with a xiucai¡¯s unmarried daughter.


    ¡°Get lost. Is that something what we could think?¡±


    Waving his hand, Zhang Hu turned to leave, in an angle no one could see, he was calculating. Such a great opportunity to make some easy money, how could he miss it?

 Chapter 290

    The land measuring thing later didn¡¯t require Ling Jingxuan to be present in person. Wang Jinyu and her two sons bought ten mu of homestead on the right side of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s place. For the rest over forty mu, from their place to the village, Ling Jingxuan bought it all. When Guarantor Liu left, Ling Jingxuan specially asked him to hire two of the construction teams he had used last time. Since he had bought the land, he should build something, anyhow, it was only a matter of time.


    ¡°What are you going to build on that land?¡±


    After seeing Guarantor Liu off, on the way back, Yan Shengrui asked him casually.


    ¡°Factories, this time we should build higher walls, at least three meters high, all the space inside, I plan to build it into a row of factories, and livestock sheds on both sides respectively.¡±


    Of course, including those basic things like toilets. He¡¯d explain it to the construction teams by then, that would be the sorghum distilleries, and according to the need, he¡¯d hire the workers in the villages nearby. Those who would like to sign a long-term contract with him and cooperate unconditionally were all welcomed, whether they were from his village or other villages.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ it seems that I don¡¯t have to worry about your planting plan.¡±


    Looking at his confident appearance, Yan Shengrui sincerely thought that he was asking for self-punishment for having been worried about him. So he¡¯d better just wait and see his accomplishments. By this time next year at the latest, right?


    ¡°So you were worried?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan turned his head in astonishment and walked backwards with a rare look of mischief on his face. Only in front of him could he show such a childish side.


    ¡°I was afraid you would cry when you lost everything.¡±


    Reaching a hand to poke his forehead dotingly, Yan Shengrui also joked with him cooperatively. Ling Jingxuan wore his bright and confident smile, knife-shaped eyebrows slightly curved, ¡°Keep exaggerating it! Come on! Even if I lose everything, I will never cry. While you, my dear Prince Sheng, if I really lose everything, you are the one that suffers.¡±


    He didn¡¯t mind having his man support him at all.


    ¡°My pleasure!¡±


    Taking his hand and leaving a kiss, Yan Shengrui understood his meaning almost instantly. Now his memories had not been fully recovered. But after he regained them all, he really didn¡¯t mind handing over all his properties to him. It seemed that it was not a bad idea to let him make money and support him in the future.


    ¡°Hehe¡­OK. If you go back on your words some day, see how I deal with you!¡±


    Crossing his ten fingers with his, Ling Jingxuan curved his lips, in a quite good mood. While walking, he mumbled, ¡°People all say men will go bad after getting rich. I can not confiscate your power, but after we get married, I will confiscate all your properties, you only need to carry one or two hundred taels of silver for daily use.¡±


    A prince could only carry one or two hundred taels of silver at most? Isn¡¯t that a bit¡­but¡­


    ¡°All right, it¡¯s up to you.¡±


    Yan Shengrui nodded without even thinking. Didn¡¯t he carry one hundred taels of silver on him now? He would have no problem even if he didn¡¯t give him a single copper coin.


    ¡°Haha¡­I was kidding, I have no balls to make you so poor, otherwise, your emperor elder brother would silence me!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan burst out laughing, before they entered the yard, people inside had heard their laughter.


    ¡°I dare him!¡±


    Tiger eyes wide open, a slice of maliciousness hidden inside, the hand holding Ling Jingxuan tightened, maybe Yan Shengrui himself didn¡¯t notice that the present he had already his previous wife-con appearance, but wearing that natural dominance. Ling Jingxuan turned to look at him, saying with great interest, ¡°Why? Will you kill him or what?¡±


    Emperorslayer, in the ancient times people adored hierarchy, was a more serious crime than being unfilial. He did not think that Yan Shengrui really dare to do this for him, however


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    Yet Yan Shengrui cruelly hooked his lips slightly, with his tiger eyes showing a murderous look,. In the imperial family, there was no such things like kinship, he and the emperor were brothers but also enemies. What¡¯s more, he who had lost his memories only acknowledged Jingxuan and his kids as his family. No one could get above them. If anyone who dare touch them, he absolutely wouldn¡¯t show mercy, even if that person was the emperor!


    He was totally lying if he said he was not touched. Ling Jingxuan really did not expect he would even do that for him, but, thinking that he had lost his memories now, he still felt a bit disappointed. Would things be different after he regained all his memories?


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s go and help them make jam, too. If we don¡¯t earn more money, we can¡¯t even pay the workers.¡±


    Loosening his hand, Ling Jingxuan turned his heels and went to the factory. It was not that he didn¡¯t trust him, after all, he was still in amnesia, inside of which had too much uncertainty.


    Watching at his back, Yan Shengrui pursed his thin lips, then looked down at his hand that had been released disappointedly. The determination kept growing in his peach blossom eyes. He would let him believe that day was not too far away.


    Five people made food for more than one thousand people, even if it was only some steamed buns and stuffed buns and bone soup, it was still quite heavy workload. Not until fifteen to one in the afternoon did they finish it all. Sister-in-law Song and others even didn¡¯t have time to prepare food for Ling Jingxuan and others. So the whole family could only stuff their belly with the stuffed buns. On the table, Ling Jingxuan decided not to ask Ling Jingpeng to go up the mountains in the afternoon, but asked him to the market at the village entrance to hire ten women or so to help them with the lunch.

 Chapter 291

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how they doing with their work, I will go take a look with Dalong later.¡±


    After the meal, Han Fei was so excited that he didn¡¯t even take a nap. He pulled Zhao Dalong to the wasteland directly. Others were also in high spirits, but it was too hot at noon, so they didn¡¯t go with them, all planned to go after dinner.


    ¡°Jingxuan, there is something I want to tell you.¡±


    Seeing that Ling Jingxuan was about to go take a nap with Yan Shengrui, Ling Chenglong who had hesitated for quite a while finally opened his mouth. Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng who were about to leave also stopped their steps. Their father was solid honest, but not that kind of indecisive person. So, needless to say, it should be something about the Old Ling family or the village.


    ¡°Dad, if it¡¯s about the old Ling family or the village head, save it.¡±


    Looking down to flatten his sleeves, Ling Jingxuan said casually.


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    Ling Chenglong reflectively looked at him, then found something wrong, and hurriedly said, ¡°It¡¯s not like that, Jingxuan, dad is speaking for them, it¡¯s just that¡­your second uncle came to me today, saying that it¡¯s slack season now and most villagers stay home and have nothing to do, and we happen to be short of hands, I am wondering, anyway, we will hire more people, why not them? Right, Jingxuan?¡±


    When the village head came to him, he had also thought it over. Then he realized that it was only the villagers who had come to help and had nothing to do with old Ling family, so he promised him to ask about it.


    ¡°No, dad, your thinking may be right. We all belong to the same village, and it¡¯s nothing that they said they would like to help us. But have you heard what those people said today, and seen the way they looked at us? What else but disdain? I don¡¯t deny it that there should be some kind ones, after all, as farmers, how bad could they be? But under such circumstances, I won¡¯t use them, so dad, say no more, if you feel baffled, I¡¯ll let Old Zhou and Old Song to supervise the workers. You can go up the mountains to pick up wild fruit with Jingpeng.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan denied his proposal directly. He could let go of things in the past. But look at their appearances like watching a drama. Some people even chatted loudly only afraid he couldn¡¯t hear them. Under such conditions, he¡¯d be nuts if he still decided to use them! Everything would be fine if they did their job well. If not, they may spread more rumors about him. Although he didn¡¯t give it a sh*t about those rumors, it was better to have none, right? Besides, soon, Jinghan would take the examinations, so the less trouble the better.


    ¡°You are right, dad didn¡¯t consider it thoroughly.¡±


    After he said that, Ling Chenglong also found it reasonable, so he decisively gave up the previous idea. That was also his merits, he always humbly listened to his sons¡¯ words, never acted on his own, therefore, whenever he became soft-hearted about those people, Ling Jingxuan did not show any intolerance or disgust.


    ¡°It¡¯s not you didn¡¯t consider it thoroughly, it¡¯s just you are too kind, and that¡¯s why they already try to look for a breakthrough on you.¡±


    When he left this morning, he had expected that the village head would definitely go to his dad, after all, in their eyes, Ling Chenglong was the master of this family. And no one didn¡¯t know Ling Chenglong was a soft-hearted person. So their success rate would be much higher if they worked on him. But what they didn¡¯t expect was that although their dad was kind and soft-hearted, he cared about his wife and sons more and would never act on his own. If anyone of them objected, he wouldn¡¯t say yes.


    ¡°Well, dad knows, and I will never promise them anything anymore.¡±


    Ling Chenglong nodded woodenly, even Lady Wang on the side poked him with blame. Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan smiled. After exchanging an eye contact with his two younger brothers, he said helplessly, ¡°How about this? Dad, mom, after all, you grew up in that village. Don¡¯t we happen to be short of hands cooking food? See if you can find some honest woman in the village, it doesn¡¯t matter even if they have bad names among the villagers, as long as you think they are good. Name a list and give it to Jingpeng, and let him go to the village head with the list. We can hire them to cook for us. Then you have an explanation to those people, and we could show them some face.¡±


    Still having no heart to embarrass his dad, Ling Jingxuan made concession, just cooking some food, there should not be no problem with Sister-in-law Song there.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s do that, and let your mom do it. As a rough man, I don¡¯t know which women are good and which are not.¡±


    Ling Chenglong nodded happily, and though he wasn¡¯t upset or what when his son dismissed his proposal, he was really happy if he could help someone who really needed help.


    ¡°Just like a fool!¡±


    Lady Wang couldn¡¯t help poking him in the waist with a finger again, but judging by the smile on her face, she agreed.


    ¡°Heehee¡­¡±


    Ling Chenglong scratched his head with an embarrassed smile, Ling Jingxuan, his brothers and other people also could not help laughing. Their parents in such a good relationship, as their sons, they also felt happy for them, right?¡±


    ¡°The master and ma¡¯am are really affectionate with each other.¡±


    As others drove a carriage to send food to the workers, Liu Xiaosui who stayed to serve them covered her mouth and giggled, on the other side, Ling Yun pretended to be serious and pulled her, but seeing that the master¡¯s family didn¡¯t show any unpleasant appearance, and even laughed, her beautiful starry eyes were also stained with a smile. This family is so warm and harmonious, really good!

 Chapter 292

    On that very afternoon, Ling Jingpeng went to the village taking the list Lady Wang had written, and hired fifteen women from the village. They only needed to make one meal¡ªthe lunch, but they had to finish it before 11, and it was well paid, twenty copper coins each. So, comparatively, the demands were high. First, they had to report before eight. Second, before they went into the kitchen, they had to put on the aprons, sleevelets and hats first. And they had to wash their hands carefully. Whoever couldn¡¯t meet those demands shouldn¡¯t go. Those women were kind of honest, but a little too talkative.


    Busy days always go fast. Soon, it was late September, and more than fifty thousand mu of land had almost been opened up. During this period of time, Shopkeeper Zhang came twice, to urge the jam, because they had already made it clear that they only made jam till the end of September, but, even if the weather had turned cold gradually, the jam sales were still very substantial, so Shopkeeper Zhang planned to store more, so he could earn another big one before early October. While others were busy outside, inside the house was also heatedly busy making jam. In order to save time and make more jam, Ling Jingxuan raised another ten copper coins for those fifteen women to let them help with washing the wild fruit in the afternoon.


    There would be some unnecessary trouble, of course. The carriages would pull a lot of gunny bags back every day, inside of which was all humus soil, but Ling Jingxuan declared it was all wild fruit inside. Those women also washed the fruit in the front yard, and then Old Song and others moved them into the factory. Now Zhou Er had also learned how to boil the jam. Ling Jingpeng no longer went into the mountain. So picking wild fruit thing was all left to Yan Shengrui. So, it meant that they three of them would boil jam at home, and the daily output was quite considerable. Every day, a few carriages would come fetch the goods.


    At the same time, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s aunt¡¯s house and his own factories were under construction. Their house was a common house with two yards, and the kitchen, livestock sheds, warehouse etc., the backyard was temporarily empty, maybe they¡¯d build some other practical things. On the side of the factories was simpler. Except the three-meter-high walls outside, it was whole three rows of factories, each had ten rooms. On both sides were livestock sheds and toilets. Both in the front and back was built two rooms, used for the future gatekeepers. Between the rows was a very broad aisle, enough for three or four carriages to go through side by side. The gate was still a barred one, making it majestic.


    During this half a month happened two others things that had something to do with Ling Jingxuan and his family. First, Wang Jingui married a second wife. Lady Wang and Wang Jinyu even made time to make a visit. It was said that on the wedding day, Lady Han nearly cried her heart out. But, she not only didn¡¯t successfully stopped her husband, but also made her parents-in-law who didn¡¯t approve of it accepted their new daughter-in-law heartily. Such a result was within Ling Jingxuan¡¯s expectations. Of the four brothers of the Wang family, three wives were not bad, at least unlike Lady Han who had no brains and was quite greedy. So the old couple should feel guilty for their second son. So if he insisted, the old couple wouldn¡¯t oppose so dramatically. And Lady Han shouldn¡¯t make such a scene if she was smart enough. After such a scene, she had pushed everyone in the family¡¯s heart to her opposite side.


    For the new second aunt-in-law, Ling Jingxuan was quite generous. He specifically asked someone to buy a set of silver headwear and sent it for her as their wedding gift. And the whole Wang family was glad about that, Lady Wang who went there on behalf of her family also felt dignified, it was just that someone would feel mad.


    And the other thing was also a wedding, but not Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family, but the old Ling family. It was said that Ling Chenghua married the famous ruffian Zhang Hu. At first, the old man wouldn¡¯t agree no matter what. And Ling Chenghua cried all day and even threatened them that she would kill herself. Recently, he heard that they agreed. Ling Jingxuan also had no idea of the details. All in way, Ling Chenghua was getting married.


    ¡°What? Such little dowry? Your old man is a xiucai! And your family is so wealthy, your second elder brother even has bought all the wasteland of our Qingyang county. That¡¯s tens of thousands of mu! They are doing such a big business. As his only younger sister, should he offer some?¡±


    At night when it was getting dark, behind booth of Old Wang, Zhang Hu and Ling Chenghua who were getting married were pulling and pushing each other. On hearing that Ling Chenghua only had ten taels of silver and some silly headwear, Zhang Hu instantly pulled his face long. Without even thinking, he pushed Ling Chenghua who was in his arms aside. At least, he only wanted to play with her. Who would want to marry a woman everyone could ride? If it hadn¡¯t been that he saw that Ling Chenglong had been so rich, he¡¯d rather stay single for the rest of his life than marrying such a slut.


    ¡°What do you mean? Will you marry me or my dowry? What they have is theirs. What does it have anything to do with me? You know they have long moved out and isolated themselves from my family!¡±


    Ling Chenghua who was scantily dressed held her hands around the waist, totally unlike a single woman. And her face with heavy makeup was like a monkey¡¯s butt. When talking about Ling Chenglong¡¯s family, that face was infected with resentment. If it hadn¡¯t been that her father had forbidden them from provoking them again, she had already gone to declare war! Hum! If she lived miserably, she would never let them live so peacefully!


    ¡°I want both. Don¡¯t you want more dowries for yourself? Look at Ling Chenglong¡¯s family. Even those landlords in nearby villages couldn¡¯t compare with them! And their business. I heard that they even supply goods for the biggest Xinyuan restaurant in the town! You may not know. Xinyuan is the biggest restaurant through our whole kingdom. They have branches everywhere. You can imagine how rich they are. Even things that slip down through their fingers are enough to sustain us for a whole life! Now is the best timing for you! Even if they moved out, could they not acknowledge their parents? Isn¡¯t it quite reasonable to ask your mom to go ask for some dowries for you?¡±

 Chapter 293

    Now she was like his God of Wealth, so Zhang Hu dared not really fall out with her. He pulled her back into his arms and slowly made the analysis for her. She who had no intention to have any connections with those people had her eyes beaming. Of course what he said was reasonable! Ling Chenglong was so rich, and she was his only younger sister, shouldn¡¯t he offer some dowries?


    ¡°Sweetheart, don¡¯t you know what I am like? You also don¡¯t want to share my hardship after we get married, do you? If you don¡¯t take this opportunity to ask your second brother for more money, you will have to follow me to live a hard life¡­¡±


    ¡°Well¡­Let me see¡­ um¡­¡±


    ¡°Be good. That is my good wife.¡±


    Zhang Hu knew she had agreed by saying let me see, and that tall and strong body abruptly pressed her against the mud wall. And then, under the broad daylight, the two of them did that kind of nasty thing behind the booth. And when Old Wang who forgot something came back, he happened to hear their conversation. He didn¡¯t make any sound to alert them, instead, he ran home and asked his big son Zhao Shan to go tell Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Why is your little disciple doing here? What¡¯s happened?¡±


    The dinner of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family was always quite early. When Zhao Shan arrived, they had already finished the dinner and were resting in the yard. That young men was smart, he did not say that in front of the whole family, but quietly pulled Ling Jingxuan aside. The shifu and disciple were cooing there for a long time, then Zhao Shan left, without saying hello to others.


    ¡°Hum! A good thing!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan gave a light snort, wearing a murderous look. Really didn¡¯t expect that Ling Chenghua actually still dare to calculate on them, and that Zhang Hu, he was really sick of living! Do they really think that he would be afraid of minor local ruffian?


    Judging by his appearance, Yan Shengrui knew it was something huge. Eyes turning, he should have guessed something. With a glance at the family not far away, he pulled him to go out.


    After half a month¡¯s reclaiming, the wasteland had already changed its appearance. Rows of ridges were before their eyes. Holding Ling Jingxuan with hand, Yan Shengrui just walked on that big road they had built silently with him. The gradually darkening sky hid Ling Jingxuan¡¯s bloodthirsty expression. Seen from afar, it was like a couple taking a walk after dinner.


    ¡°You should have guessed it, right?¡±


    No one knew how long it had passed, Ling Jingxuan whispered to break the silence, because this month they had been very busy, relatively, Old Wang who was responsible for the supply was also very busy, so Zhao Shan had not formally taken him as his shifu. Just now when he suddenly came, he thought he was here talking about that thing, but¡­


    ¡°Well, maybe. There¡¯s no one else who can make you show that expression except the old Ling family. Who is jumping around this time? Ling Chengcai? Ling Chenghu? Or Ling Chenghua who is about to get married?¡±


    Stopping his steps, Yan Shengrui slightly curved his lips at him. It had been long that his Jingxuan hadn¡¯t shown that murderous look. To be honest, he kind of missed it already.¡±


    ¡°Ling Chenghua!¡±


    Squeezing out that name through his teeth, Ling Jingxuan slowly briefed the whole thing. Having transmigrated here for a few months, except Ling Jingwei who had kidnapped his little buns, the only one who made him want to kill people was Ling Chenghua. After setting a trap to destroy her dignity, she had been quite behaved recently. And he had been too busy and ignored her. Now she planned to calculate him again, this time, he could get it all even, otherwise, she¡¯d think he was so afraid of her.


    ¡°Hehe¡­why don¡¯t we give her this chance?¡±


    After a moment¡¯s silence, Yan Shengrui touched his chin made an evil grin. Now Ling Chenghua and that Zhang Hu were only planning to calculate them. Ling Jingxuan had his bad name out there. After last time¡¯s thing, the old Ling family should be afraid of him for real. So when Jingxuan was home, the old woman wouldn¡¯t dare come. Compared with guarding against them all the time, why not create a chance for her?


    ¡°Hmm, I also think so, people all know my parents are soft-hearted. So, as long as we three brothers are not home, they would certainly come.¡±


    This time, no matter what, Ling Chenghua must be punished.


    ¡°How about the last day of the month? By then, the wasteland will all be reclaimed, and the jam will also be done, we can take the children to the town to have some fun. We can ask Jinghan and Jingpeng with us. It¡¯s almost time to buy winter clothes and quilts for the whole family.¡±


    Seeing that he agreed, Yan Shengrui took the opportunity to suggest, he would never say he just wanted to take some fresh air with him.


    ¡°You want to hang out yourself, I suppose?¡±


    Throwing him a hard stare, Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, holding his hand, they walked back, the previous anger had dissipated. Since they had decided to counterplot, they only needed to wait for the arrival of that day.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to? We have been busy for over half a month, and there are still several days to go. After that, we should be exhausted.¡±


    Leaning over and embracing him from behind, Yan Shengrui rested all his strength on him shamelessly, and his hot breaths were all sprayed onto the sensitive skin of his neck. Ling Jingxuan said no more, only gave a slight smile. Their overlapped shadows stretched long enough under the moonlight. Fortunately they were on their own road, and it was late. If in some other place, people would point at them and badmouth them again, saying Ling Jingxuan was slut or something like that.

 Chapter 294

    Since it had been decided, Ling Jingxuan found a chance to secretly tell his two younger brothers, and they also approved it. The three brothers had had a problem with Ling Chenghua for that it was because of her that their mother had a miscarriage and could no longer get pregnant. Now she offered herself to them, how would they ever show mercy?


    On the day of September 27, fifty thousand mu of wasteland reclamation was finally finished. After the noon, the workers all went back to the town to find Guarantor Liu for their wages. Ling Chenglong who walked back from the furthest piece of land looked high-spirited. Looking at the endless field ridges, dreaming that next year it may turn all into green, even the prawy Ling Chenglong unavoidably felt floated up.


    ¡°Master, is that the old xiucai¡¯s¡­child?¡±


    As they were getting home, Old Zhou who was driving saw Ling Jingxiao standing along the road from afar. Though the two families were related by blood, they also held deep hatred against each other. As a servant of Yuehua Manor, of course Old Zhou knew that. But, after all, their master was the son of that family, as a servant, he should show it too obviously.


    ¡°Huh? It¡¯s Jingxiao. Zhou, pull over.¡±


    Seeing that it was the youngest son of his third brother, Ling Chenglong hurriedly asked Old Zhou to stop. Although those people were bad, this child was good. When they built their house, this kid often went to hang out with them. But recently they didn¡¯t see it. It should be that Lady Jiang¡¯s thing was too big a blow to him. After all he was only twelve years old. It was reasonable he couldn¡¯t accept the fact that his mother died.


    ¡°Second uncle.¡±


    Ling Jingxiao also had seen them already, as the carriage stopped, Ling Jingxiao called, and in the eyes had some kind of complicated feelings that should not belong to his age. Grandma said it was brother Jingxuan who got his mother and elder sister ended up like that, and she kept saying that by his ears all day, over time, though as pure as he was, he believed it was true.


    However, compared to his disacquaintance, Ling Chongcong grabbed his hands up with all smiles, then nagged while pulling up his sleeves to help him wipe the sweat, ¡°Look at you. Why are you standing here? Though it is not that hot like dog days, it¡¯s still quite hot since there is no shelter here.¡±


    After his mother got repudiated, his father looked sullen all day, and his big sister-in-law also went back her own home, no one had cared about him like that long ago. And the former anger instantly disappeared, Ling Jingxiao got his eyes reddened, but his little hands hanging on both sides clenched into fists tightly. The little he was trying hard to restrain his anger. The favored little son now was getting mature little by little after that big change in the family.


    ¡°Grandma told me to wait for you here. She asked you to go to see her.¡±


    Finally pressing down his surging emotions, Ling Jingxiao said with chokes. Ling Chenglong had a skip of his heart, and the hand wiping the sweat for him also froze there. After quite a while, he murmured woodenly, ¡°Really? Then I will go with you.¡±


    Ling Chenglong was not silly. It couldn¡¯t be something good. But if he didn¡¯t go, maybe Jingxiao would get punished or what.


    ¡°My lord, how about we go back to inform Master Xuan first?¡±


    Seeing that, Old Zhou quickly came forward and suggested. He was in his fifties, and had seen a lot of things in life through. Apparently that family didn¡¯t hold any good intention. And the lord was too honest. He¡¯d definitely suffer if he went there.


    ¡°No, no need, don¡¯t trouble Jingxuan on such small things. Old Zhou, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Ling Chenglong waved a hand to turn down his good intention. How would he not know? But¡­moving his eyes onto Jingxiao. This kid was so pathetic. The old lady should have known that he had connections with them, so she asked him to come. If he told Jingxuan, Jingxuan would never let him go, at least wouldn¡¯t let him go alone? Whichever possibility, this kid would be punished. As his second uncle, how would he have the heart?


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Say no more, Jingxiao, let¡¯s get in.¡±


    Old Zhou was still worried, but Ling Chenglong became rarely dominant, he already pulled Jingxuan to climb onto the carriage. It had been so hard to finally move out of that family. Today, no matter what his mother would say, he wouldn¡¯t get soft-hearted.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Seeing that he insisted, Old Zhou couldn¡¯t say anything more, he directly turned around and went straight to old Ling family.


    ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t it Chenglong? You still have the heart to come back? Let me. Does the sun rise from the west today?¡±


    As Ling Chenglong just stepped into the door, he met Ling Chengcai who dressed bright and was ready to go out, and said sarcastically. Ling Chenglong wore a long face, and Old Zhou following behind frowned. Were they even human being? Why was everyone behaving like an animal?


    ¡°Big uncle, grandma asked him back.¡±


    Moving his eyes between them, Ling Jingxiao stood out and said so. Ling Chengcai said with a strange tone, ¡°No wonder the rich one of our family would come back. So it¡¯s the old lady¡¯s credit. What? When moving out, you didn¡¯t even acknowledge your ancestors? Why come back in such a hurry to show your filialty?¡±


    In and out his words was undisguised sarcasm. The longer Ling Chenglong¡¯s face pulled, the more thrilled he felt. His son was sent for the military service, all because of them! And if it hadn¡¯t been that Ling Jingxuan revealed that his son was infertile, if it hadn¡¯t been that they insisted moving out, how would his son Jingwei have been chosen by the old man? It was all their fault! Now his days had been bitter, he¡¯d let them pay!

 Chapter 295

    ¡°Since I¡¯m not welcomed here, I¡¯ll go back.¡±


    Originally he did not want to come. Ling Chenglong clenched his fists, turned and meant to leave with Old Zhou, but¡­


    ¡°Second brother, mother is waiting for you inside. Where are you going?¡±


    Ling Chenghua¡¯s voice sounded at this time. Even Ling Chenglong instantly guessed that she might have been waiting on the side and wanted to see him humiliated by their big brother. If he didn¡¯t say he¡¯d leave, she wouldn¡¯t come out!


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡±


    Ling Chenglong who said nothing back when Ling Chengcai was being so hard on him mercilessly threw a hard stare at her, then walked passed them with his fists clenched tightly. Ling Chenghua was so mad that even her make was about to fall. She had never expected that her pushover second brother would talk back.


    ¡°Serves you right, b*tch!¡±


    Ling Chengcai turned to give her a bah, maliciously saing, ¡°I guess this is your idea? You want him to offer you another portion of your dowries?¡±


    One had to say people who had dark hearts had common dark thinking. Ling Chenglong guessed it damn right!


    ¡°Hum, don¡¯t think you can swagger around by relying on your son-in-law¡¯s family. Now Jinghong is not close to you and won¡¯t even let you take care of his child. And no one knows if Jingwei is still alive. What? You want your son-in-law to bury you?¡±


    Ling Chenghua was also a tough one, every word of hers was like pricking in the other side¡¯s heart. Ling Chengcai suddenly burst into a rage, ¡°B*tch, if it weren¡¯t for you, how is it possible that I even can¡¯t pay to exempt my son from the military service? A bi*ch like you who has been ridden by numerous men still wants to get married in a big way? Pah! Shameless thing! Is your man better or what? I¡¯d like to see what kind of good life you would enjoy!¡±


    Others might not know. But not him! Ling Chenghua had already had intercourse with that man called Zhang Hu like many times. If it weren¡¯t for their dad¡¯s xiucai title, would that man marry her such a slut?


    ¡°Definitely better than you who have no sons now!¡±


    Ling Chenghua tossed her head and turned to walk away. Ling Chengcai was so mad, only wishing to rush forward and tear her mouth. Not far away, Lady Li who saw the whole scene wore a darkened face. Since her son left, she no longer had to pretend to be so virtuous. To everyone in this family, including the old man, she hated them to the bones, only wishing this family would collapse.


    ¡°I think they want Ling Chenglong to offer some money. It would be strange for them not to be jealous.¡±


    She walked over and stood beside her husband. She tightened her hands and said bitterly. At the time, Ling Jingwei had just got divorced, how could he have the mood to hook up with his own aunt by blood? Apparently it should be that Ling Chenghua seduced him. But the old man still put all the blame on their son, while Ling Chenghua stayed unharmed under the old woman¡¯s defense. Now she even dreamed of getting married? Hum! How would be there such an easy thing under the sun?


    ¡°I¡¯ll go and see¡­¡±


    Ling Chengcai meant to go, but Lady Li stopped him. Looking around and making sure there was no one around, she whispered, ¡°Are you stupid? Do you forget what Ling Jingxuan is capable of? Instead of approaching it, we must keep as far away from it as possible.¡±


    As far as she knew, it was the three brothers who were in charge of that family. The old couple was simply a decoration. The old woman and Ling Chenghua would never expect that instead of getting what they wanted for asking Ling Chenglong here secretly, they might even suffer from Ling Jingxuan¡¯s desperate counterattack.


    ¡°What then? We can¡¯t really watch that bitch get married, can we? Our son was sent to the frontline because of her and we even don¡¯t know if he is still alive. How can I take this?¡±


    The more he said, the angrier. He had three kids. His biggest son grew up with his father, and after he got married, he had lived in the upper room, and not close to him, especially in recent months, Jinghong even let his wife to take their kid to live at her family, apparently they planned to let her parents take care of their kid. And his daughter had been married. Though she often came home and gave them money, anyhow, she was already someone else¡¯s wife. In their heart, Jingwei was their most thoughtful child and their future. But because of Ling Chenghua, they lost their only hope! He couldn¡¯t even close his eyes after he died if he couldn¡¯t get it even.


    ¡°She wants to get married? Hum, not possible even in the next life. Did you forget about Ling Jingxuan?¡±


    Lady Li gave a cold snort. Her hatred was no less than him!


    ¡°You mean¡­¡±


    Ling Chengcai instantly understood what she meant. Lady Li said darkly, ¡°Yes, borrow a knife to kill her. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s notoriety could be our sharpest knife. Chengcai, you go find a child and ask him to go tell Ling Jingxuan that Ling Chenglong was called here. He¡¯d know what it means. I¡¯ll go get packed. Later, we¡¯ll go to my parents¡¯ place. Whatever big scene they make, it has nothing to do with us. You know what I mean?¡±


    The most poisonous thing was a woman¡¯s heart. Lady Li was smart, but she used it in the place she shouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Hmm. I¡¯ll go now.¡±


    The couple immediately hit it off and turned to carry out their own plan.

 Chapter 296

    In the inner room, the old lady was sitting on the bed, her eyes, as usual, just like being soaked in poison, stared at Ling Chenglong since he came in. Ling Chenglong thought that he had already been accustomed to her maliciousness, but he didn¡¯t know until now, he would never get used to it, because that was his mother.


    ¡°Mom.¡±


    Standing in front of her, fists tightly clenched, Ling Chenglong bowed his head, and called her with such a reluctant tone. If forgetting about the blood relationship, only the paper, he was not her son now, so it was reasonable even if he didn¡¯t call her mom. But after all, he was not that kind of unfilial son, and he was not so heartless.


    ¡°Hmm, sit.¡±


    The old lady¡¯s face brightened a little as she saw that his son still performed like a pushover, and her fear vanished. As long as he remained her son, she had plenty of ways to let him give the money.


    Ling Chenglong sat down on one side silently, and Old Zhou who had been serving behind him looked up at the arrogant old woman, and then moved behind Ling Chenglong without saying anything, the old lady seemed to be brewing something and did not speak, a pair of malicious eyes sizing Ling Chenglong up and down. Seeing that he was wearing silks and brocades, and looked much stronger than before, she felt quite imbalanced in the heart again. It was like, the better he lived after moving out, the harder he slapped her in the face, and the angrier she felt.


    But as parents, who wouldn¡¯t wish their kids could live a good life? This old lady was a limited edition of those incredibly unbelievable people.


    ¡°Mom.¡±


    At this time, Ling Chenghua came in with a bright smile and hugged the old lady, then the old lady instantly beamed with smiles, eyes glowing with affection. Her attitude towards the brother and sister was like up in heaven and down on earth. Even Old Zhou couldn¡¯t take it. But Ling Chenglong still stayed poised, keeping silent.


    ¡°I heard you bought all the wasteland in Qingyang County at one go? And even paid to build a house for your wife¡¯s younger sister?¡±


    Pulling her daughter to sit by her side, the old lady eyes suddenly shot at Ling Chenglong fiercely.


    ¡°Jingxuan bought the land for her, and they built it with their own money.¡±


    Ling Chenglong, like a machine, answered her question mechanically. As long as the old lady opened her mouth, he knew their purpose¨Cmoney.


    ¡°Who are you trying to fool? She is a widow whose man has died long ago and has two sons to raise. Where did she get the money to build the house? And the wasteland. You also grew up in this village. Before moving out, you could be called a quite experienced farmer, don¡¯t you know you can never grow out things on those wasteland? That¡¯s over fifty thousand mu! Even if you bought it at the price of the homestead, that¡¯s at least fifty thousand taels of silver! How could you waste money like that?¡±


    That¡¯s fifty thousand taels! Holy sh*t! Why not offer it to her? She is his mother! Why waste on those barren land? The more she thought about it, the angrier. Since Lady Jiang and her daughter¡¯s thing last time, their whole family lived in horror. And only until they made sure that Ling Jingxuan was just threatening then, they felt relieved. Meanwhile, they hated Ling Jingxuan more. Heaven knows how she hated this son when she heard that Ling Jingxuan had spent thousands of taels of silver to buy those wasteland! So, when her daughter came to talk about asking Ling Chenglong to offer some money for her dowries, she had made up her mind. After quite a few days, they finally got to know his daily routines. And today, taking advantage that the old man went to visit a friend, she asked Ling Jingxiao to call him over.


    Hearing what she said, Old Zhou could not help feeling full of contempt. Even if they wasted money, they didn¡¯t waste yours! Why now? Besides, their Master Xuan would never do a losing business!


    ¡°It¡¯s Jingxuan who earned the money, and it¡¯s also he who bought the land, he said he can grow something out of it.¡±


    Ling Chenglong seemed to answer her, in fact, deep in the heart he had already been thoroughly desperate about those people, so he pushed all things onto his son. Yeah, he was honest, but not stupid. He knew they were all afraid of Jingxuan.


    ¡°So you bought it since that son of a b*tch said it? You believe him when he says he can grow things out of it? Are you a man or not? Figure it out. You¡¯re the master of the house. When is it that son of a b*tch¡¯s turn to call the shots? Useless thing! Before you moved out, you went against your parents for your wife. And after you moved, you even let that bastard climb over your head! What is wrong with you?¡±


    His words instantly lit the old woman up. Ling Jingxuan! The most regretful thing for her whole life was that she hadn¡¯t insisted killing him five years ago!


    ¡°If my Jingxuan is son of a b*tch, what are you? Mom, while I still call you that, can you accumulate some merits for yourself? Jingxuan has earned the money with his hard work, so that¡¯s his own thing whatever he¡¯d like to spend on. Now Shengrui is back. You know what, actually Jinhua and I, and Jingpeng and Jinghan, we are all just lodging with him now. Some day, if he is unhappy, he could throw all us out. So don¡¯t call me master of that house, because I am not!¡±


    Hearing that she kept calling his precious son son of a b*tch, Ling Chenglong finally broke out. Jingxuan has paid the price for his wrong doing that year. Why couldn¡¯t they still let it go? Besides, however slutty his Jingxuan was, he would never have intercourse with someone under the broad daylight! What right did they have to say that about his son? And who was the real b*tch?¡­

 Chapter 297

    ¡°You¡­you, oh my good heaven. Is that the son I have been carried for ten months? Why am I so unlucky to have given birth to such an unfilial bastard thing? Where is the knowledge you have learned? All fed to the dogs? If I knew you¡¯d be so unfilial, I should have drowned you in the manure bucket! Boohoo¡­You unfilial thing¡­¡±


    The old lady was stunned and immediately clapped her thigh and started to complain while crying.


    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t be like that. Or you¡¯d get ill.¡±


    Ling Chenghua quickly came forward to appease her, and then angrily yelled at Ling Chenglong, ¡°Second brother, how can you say that to make mom angry? What if she get ill or what? Mom is all for your good. Everyone knows you can¡¯t grow out anything on those wastelands. Wouldn¡¯t all those silver go wasted? Since you don¡¯t know how to hold a family, why not ask mom to keep it for you? Do you think mom will do hard to you or what?¡±


    She said it with so righteously. If not having known what kind of people they were, even Ling Chenglong would have believed it. But at this moment here, he only had anger and rage. All in all, they felt uncomfortable seeing that they were getting rich day by day and were all eyeing their money in the pocket, right?


    Thinking of this, Ling Chenglong abruptly stood up. And the old woman and Ling Chengh who were crying got stoned there at the same time. Having done some labor work all the year round, plus well nourished with good wine and meat, Ling Chenglong was quite strong now. His suddenly standing up was really kind of intimidating. Ling Chenghua held the old woman¡¯s arm while saying stammeringly, ¡°You¡­what do you want?¡±


    He would really hit them, right?


    ¡°You shut up! It¡¯s your position to stick your nose into my family affairs, an old single woman! Ling Chenghua, don¡¯t think I had no idea why Jinhua had the miscarriage! Do you know? You not only killed my unborn child, but also made Jinhua unable to get pregnant again for the rest of her life! I will never have a daughter! Anyone in this family, as long as he or she says something pleasant to my ears, I will lend a hand, but never you! Even if I give all my money to a beggar, I will never give it to you! So drop that thought!¡±


    Staring at her with reddened eyes, Ling Chenglong pressed on step by step, like he was gonna eat them alive. This pair of mother and daughter¡¯s double reed finally activated all his resentment buried deep in the heart. After losing the child, not only Lady Wang, he was also mad, especially when he heard that his wife could no longer get pregnant again. In countless nights, he cried silently. Now they even meant to ask money out of him, obviously for Ling Chenghua¡¯s dowries. How would he ever agree?


    The mother and daughter had never seen such a Ling Chenglong, for a time they forgot to react. Those bloodshot eyes were like the trapped beast¡¯s, so scary!


    ¡°You, you unfilial son, they all said it¡¯s an accident. What else do you want? Lady Wang is a b*tch who can only produce monsters. How can you put the blame on Chenghua? You bastard, do you want to hit us or what?¡±


    The old woman was a little frightened, but she squared her shoulders, since she was his mother, she could never let this pushover son get her.


    ¡°I dare not. Aunt Ling, you are old, of course I should never get physical with you. But about that thing, Ling Chenghua knows it clearly in her heart. If my unborn child knows this, it¡¯d go to her to demand its life. Ling Chenghua, if you hear a baby¡¯s crying sound, it should be my child who comes to demand its life from you. Just wait and see. That day will come!¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Chenglong turned and strode away, and Ling Chenghua already got soft and fell on the bed, the confusion in the eyes showed that she may have really gotten frightened by his last words.


    ¡°You bastard, how dare you call me aunt? Come back! You as*hole¡­¡±


    The old woman was really mad this time. She had never expected that her always honest and well-behaved son would call her aunt.


    Until Ling Chenglong walked out of the house carrying with anger, the swearing didn¡¯t stop. No one noticed that, on the roof, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan were standing there side by side, after receiving the kid¡¯s notification, Yan Shengrui immediately flew over taking Ling Jingxuan using his lightness skills. When they arrived, they happened to hear Ling Chenglong¡¯s talking back. They exchanged an eye contact. Then Yan Shengrui, holding Ling Jingxuan, flew back onto the roof and secretly overhearing their conversation. When Ling Chenglong said the last words, a smile crawled onto Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face. Finally, his dad stood up!


    ¡°Shall we go back?¡±


    Ears still echoed the old woman¡¯s fierce swear words, Yan Shengrui turned to look at him, today they really paid a vain visit.


    ¡°Go back? How can it be so easy?¡±


    Picking his eyebrow, Ling Jingxuan felt out a porcelain vase the size of a thumb and handed it to him, ¡°Help me sprinkle it on Ling Chenghua¡¯s pillow.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    Yan Shengrui took it over and asked, but he did not open it. He knew better than anyone else about Jingxuan¡¯s poison. He didn¡¯t want to pass out without knowing what had happened.


    ¡°A hallucinogenic drug. Didn¡¯t my father want my unborn sister to demand Ling Chenghua¡¯s life? I, as his son, shall grant him his wish.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan hooked up his lip coldly, with a cruel light flashing across that pair of long and thin phoenix eyes, that was just the interest.


    ¡°Hehe¡­that¡¯s some good stuff. Give me some some other day.¡±


    Speaking of which, Yan Shengrui quietly sneaked into Ling Chenghua¡¯s room. When he flew back onto the roof, only a few minutes had passed. They gave each other a faint smile and then flew away without anyone noticing.

 Chapter 298

    ¡°Old Zhou, don¡¯t let anyone know about this, especially Jingxuan and my wife.¡±


    Before going in, Ling Chenglong wiped his face with some strength, trying hard to erase his anger, while nagging Old Zhou behind. It was not that he was trying to hide it for the old lady, but he just didn¡¯t want the whole family to feel sorry for him. Now their days were getting better and better, and his wife and sons were growing stronger and stronger. So it¡¯d be better if they knew less about such sad things.


    ¡°But my lord, what if Master Xuan asks¡­¡±


    On the first day they came, Old Song had stressed with them that their master was Ling Jingxuan. Although the old lord and others were also the masters, when several masters had conflicts, they had only one master¡ªLing Jingxuan.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell as long as no one asks.¡±


    With his action freezing for a second, Ling Chenglong said that and then strode in. Watching his back, Old Zhou gave a helpless sigh. He was also a son, a husband and also a father, how would he not understand the old lord¡¯s good intention?


    Now, the whole family just woke up from the noon nap. When Ling Chenglong got in, Lady Wang was changing her coarse linen clothes and ready to go to the warehouse to help wash the wild fruit, and after the last three days, they would no longer make jam, so even if it was quite tiring these days, they still tried to hold in there, only wishing to have some good rest after it.


    ¡°Are you all right? You look pale.¡±


    Inadvertently noticing her husband¡¯s pale face, Lady Wang hurriedly moved over concernedly, with the right hand unconsciously feeling his forehead, for fear that he might get sick or what. Perhaps it was some habit formed during those poor days. Now, even if they no longer needed to worry about food or clothing, and their sons would give them some pocket money periodically, she still subconsciously thought that they couldn¡¯t get ill, because illness was not something they poor people could afford to catch.


    ¡°I¡¯m good, maybe I just got a little tired. I¡¯ll feel well after taking some rest.¡±


    Smiling while waving away his wife¡¯s hand, Ling Chenglong walked past her toward the big wooden bed, then lay down without even taking off his clothes, which made Lady Wang worried more. Having been more than 20 years¡¯ husband and wife, how could she not understand him? He would never have slept alone in his room when everyone else was busy out if he didn¡¯t have something bothering him.


    ¡°Look at you, sleep without taking off your shoes? Now it gradually turns cold, you¡¯d better tuck up, have a good rest if you are tired. The kids and I will take care of things at home.¡±


    But Lady Wang also knew that it was for their good that he didn¡¯t say anything, so she didn¡¯t ask. She just walked over to help him take off his shoes and clothes, and then pulled the quilt to cover his body. He loved her dearly, vice versa.


    ¡°Jinhua, these years have been hard for you, I will never let others bully you and the children anymore.¡±


    Holding his wife¡¯s hand, Ling Chenglong had his eyes closed slightly wetted. The injury which he thought had been healed once again got cut open by those people, but countless times more painful. They were his family by blood!


    ¡°What are you talking about? Ours days are getting so well, who dare bully us? Long, don¡¯t overthink things. Now Jingxuan is so capable, and Jinghan has almost recovered, even Jingpeng who always gives us a headache grows up now. And we have no worries. Now, I only wish that Shengrui could give our Jingxuan a decent title and Jinghan and Jingpeng could marry good wives and give birth to a bunch of grandsons and granddaughters. Then, even if I die, I can die peacefully.¡±


    Kneeling down on the bed and holding his hand, Lady Wang was yearning for their future, the past is all over, now she only wanted a better future.


    ¡°Hmm, then we will help them take care of the children, so they can rest assured to go out to struggle.¡±


    Pulling her into his arms, Ling Chenglong finally smoothed the pain in the heart a bit, now he only had his wife and children.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Lady Wang, who was in her late thirties, could not help blushing. Leaning against her husband, she nodded shyly. After having gone through the most difficult years, their relationship grew stronger and stronger.


    ¡°So they are so desperate wanting us to get married?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui who were worried about their dad accidentally heard their conversation. For the first time, Ling Jingxuan seriously thought about the marriage thing, they never said it before, so he thought they didn¡¯t care, never expected that¡­perhaps only he thought the paper marriage certificate was useless.


    ¡°You only know it now? That¡¯s also what I have been wishing for. Only you look like you don¡¯t give it a sh*t. To be honest, is it possible you don¡¯t like me at all? Why you act like you are not anxious at all? Our sons are nearly five. We haven¡¯t even been engaged, let alone get married. Do you think it¡¯s appropriate?¡±


    Embracing him shamelessly, Yan Shengrui seized the opportunity to complain, in the eyes was all resentment. Although it was true he had promised that they¡¯d only get married after he regained his memories, shouldn¡¯t they at least get engaged before that? And then, they could live together rightfully.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t been engaged?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan turned to look at him surprisingly, he thought that their vow that time was like an engagement. So it didn¡¯t count?


    ¡°Well¡­Jingxuan, you don¡¯t even know that a formal engagement also needs to go to the yamen for registration?¡±

 Chapter 299

    Yan Shengrui felt so speechless, the corner of the mouth had a slight twitch. Isn¡¯t that some common sense? Be it men or women, reputation is the most important. In case that one side went back on his/her words after getting engaged and maliciously damaged the reputation of the other party, a couple needed to go to the yamen to register, and then they could receive their marriage paper after getting married. Before that, if one party meant to cancel the engagement, he/she had to get the other party¡¯s approval, and offer some amount of silver as compensation. Of course, it wasn¡¯t so troublesome in the countryside. Engagement done after the two parties exchanged their love tokens. And that was also why people often heard someone canceled the engagement in countries.


    ¡°Really? But even if two people get married, they still could divorce. So what¡¯s the point of the marriage paper? You? Don¡¯t even think of it. Once the magistrate hears the name Yan Shengrui, he¡¯d be so scared and may wet his pants.¡±


    After listening to what he said, Ling Jingxuan shook his head as he felt amused, then got up to go to the workshop. As for the marriage thing, at least when he had time in the evening to think about it, although he personally felt it didn¡¯t matter whether he got married or not.


    ¡°What do I care if he pees in his pants or not? Jingxuan, how about we go to the yamen to register when we have time a few days¡¯ later?¡±


    Catching up and embracing him, Yan Shengrui began to act ¡®shamelessly¡¯ again, rarely they talked about this topic, absolutely he would never allow him to fob him off like this.


    ¡°If you feel bored, you can go up the mountain to pick wild fruit, recently we are quite short of it.¡±


    Throwing him his white eye, instead of pushing him away, Ling Jingxuan directly dragged him towards the factory, Yan Shengrui pouted, ¡°It¡¯s already autumn, and we have already picked all the wild fruit in there. Don¡¯t try to switch the topic! You haven¡¯t answered me yet.¡±


    ¡°Can you be a little more bothering? What¡¯s the use of getting engaged? How about this? We¡¯ll directly get married. What do you say?¡±


    Unable to stand his being thick-skinned, Ling Jingxuan abruptly stopped his steps and said to him bitterly. Yan Shengrui instantly replied, ¡°OK, we¡¯ll hold the wedding now.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t wait, anyway, now he had regained most of his memories, only a key piece of jigsaw puzzle los. Instead of waiting endlessly, he¡¯d rather get married as soon as possible, anyway, he only wanted him for the rest of his life.


    ¡°All right.¡±


    This time Ling Jingxuan was quite straightforward, after saying that, he turned around and walked away. Yan Shengrui, who obviously didn¡¯t expect him to agree so quickly, froze there like a fool, after quite a while, he came to his sense and catch up.


    ¡°You said it! Don¡¯t regret! We¡¯ll get married on October 1.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t just say it. You got to get prepared.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know, you have the final say, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it¡­¡±


    They talked as they were walking, and finally made such a hasty decision for their whole life thing, but they didn¡¯t notice that, shortly after they left, the door of Chu Ci¡¯s room suddenly opened, two little buns¡¯ heads stuck out. After making sure they had gone far, the small bun turned around to embrace his elder brother, ¡°Ge, did you hear that? Daddy and father are getting married.¡±


    That little face was stained with a bright smile, even he knew what marriage represented.


    ¡°Hmm, I heard it too, then no one will gossip behind daddy.¡±


    Ling Wen also showed a rare naive smile, about how hurtful those gossips were, he knew better than his little brother and even his daddy. Although they had never said that, actually they had been expected that daddy and father could get married as soon as possible.


    ¡°Yey, that¡¯s wonderful, Tiewa, Uncle Chu, Brother Yan, our daddy is finally getting married, in the future no one will call me bastard, great¡­¡±


    The small bun excitedly made turns in the whole room, but his words made Chu Ci and Chu Yan so sorry. Prince Sheng¡¯s legitimate sons grew up under people¡¯s swear words. Who would believe that? Some day, when they strike back, those people would be so dead!


    ¡°Congratulations, Wu, then should I call Uncle Sheng father?¡±


    Tiewa rushed up to hold his hand and spun around with him. His little face was also full of smiles. He liked his adoptive daddy and also Uncle Sheng.


    ¡°On right, Uncle Chu, how should Tiewa call our father then?¡±


    Ling Wu also did not understand and could only ask Chu Ci.


    ¡°Adopted father, so that you won¡¯t get mixed. But Wu and Wen, if Shengrui and Jingxuan really get married, you should also change your names!¡±


    Bending over to embrace Tiewa, Chu Ci¡¯s eyes were looking at the two brothers. Descendants of the Yan imperial family should change their surname to Yan.


    ¡°Why? I like my name Ling Wu, and I also like to be daddy¡¯s small bun.¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Wu asked, head tilted. Before Chu Ci opened his mouth, Ling Wen took his little brother¡¯s hand and said earnestly, ¡°Are you silly? Daddy is getting married with father, and we should follow father¡¯s surname then. Tiewa also follows Uncle Zhao¡¯s surname, see?¡±


    ¡°Is that so? So I have to change it to Sheng Wu? But that sounds awful. Or you change it to Sheng Wen, and I am still called Ling Wu?¡±


    The small bun pouted up high and held his elder brother¡¯s hand in his arms. It seemed that after changing his name, he was no longer his daddy¡¯s son.


    ¡°Well, you should go ask father and daddy, Wu, how about we ask about it before sleeping at night?¡±


    Ling Wen touched his little face dotingly. Clearly he himself was also a five years old kid, he behaved like a little adult.


    ¡°OK, father loves me most, he will certainly agree.¡±


    Ling Wu finally felt thrilled, and a smile was blooming again on his small face. Chu Ci shook his head as he found it so amused, ¡°It¡¯s not surnamed Sheng, but Yan. Shengrui is your father¡¯s name, and Yan is his surname. So your names would be Yan Wen and Yan Wu!¡±


    ¡°Not good either, I still prefer Ling Wu.¡±


    Without even thinking, the small bun reflectively denied the new surname, while Ling Wen gave Chu Ci a strange look, but said nothing, just secretly wondering how father had a surname, even he had never heard it from daddy, how did Uncle Chu know???


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Chu Ci and his son smiled each other, wondering how Yan Shengrui would react if he found out that his sons hated his surname.

 Chapter 300

    ¡°What? You¡¯re getting married?¡±¡­


    After dinner, Yan Shengrui had been smiling like a fool the whole afternoon announced this good news before the whole family. Ling Wen and Ling Wu who had already known it covered their mouths snickering, feeling both excited and happy. The most shocked ones should be Ling Chenglong and his wife. At noon they were still talking about their marriage thing, and now he directly declared they were getting married? But Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng didn¡¯t look much shocked. In their eyes, their big brother and Brother Shengrui never played cards by the rules. So even if they announced that they were having a new baby, they wouldn¡¯t feel that surprised, but would only send their best wishes.


    ¡°Hmm, on the first day of next month. Dad, mom, you can make the arrangements. Shengrui said I only need to be present in person.¡±


    Not knowing if it was because they had lived together already, and except that last step, they had done everything intimate, so for the wedding, Ling Jingxuan felt not so excited at all, as least compared with Yan Shengrui, he was not so active.


    ¡°The first day of next month? How can you be in such a hurry? No, no, no, I can listen to you on anything, but not this one!¡±


    On hearing they were getting married on the first of next month, Lady Wang directly denied it. It was 27th today, and night already, which meant they only had three days to make preparations, and except 28th and 29th, two days that had to make the last batch of jam, they only had one day¡¯s time. Their son had been through so much these years and finally found his Mr. Right, how could they hold the wedding so hastily?


    ¡°Yeah, Jingxuan, dad knows you don¡¯t want to be too eye-catching, and want it to be simple, but it¡¯s your wedding. How could you take it so lightly?¡±


    Ling Chenglong on the side also hurriedly echoed his wife, like the big blow at noon had been smoothed out.


    ¡°Don¡¯t we just need to go to the yamen to get our marriage paper and then invite some relatives and friends to have a meal together? What¡¯s there to prepare?¡±


    To go to the yamen, they had horses. He could ride one horse with Yan Shengrui. Two hours would be enough. They¡¯d leave early in the morning, and come back early for lunch. As for entertaining the guests, that was even simpler. It would be enough to invite people of Wang family, Shopkeeper Zhang, Old Wang and others. He really didn¡¯t think there were a lot of things to prepare.


    ¡°What are you talking about, you kid? How can a wedding be so simple? First, you have to prepare your wedding clothes slowly, and we have to decorate the whole manor jubilantly, a lot of minor things. Before, you have never showed any sign you are getting married, plus we have been busy these two months, nothing is prepared. And it¡¯s impossible to prepare all things needed in such a short time. Jingxuan, I won¡¯t listen to you on this. You got to listen to me. Postpone the wedding at least for one month!¡±


    Throwing him her white eye, Lady Wang rarely insisted on her own opinion. This was the first she was going to prepare the child¡¯s wedding, how could it be so hasty? Although their children were five years old already and it was impossible to make it big, all necessary steps shouldn¡¯t be missing.


    ¡°Er¡­what do you say?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan felt speechless, he already felt a headache hearing her. Could he regret now?


    ¡°No need mom. The first day of next month it is. Both Jingxuan and I don¡¯t like too much trouble. As for the wedding clothes, we¡¯ll buy some ready-made ones when we go to the yamen to get our marriage paper. Those ready-made clothes from Baiyunge are no worse than those we make ourselves. As for the decorations, won¡¯t we have a day off on the 30th? Jinghan and Jingpeng are responsible for the purchasing, the servants and maids are responsible for the decorations. It won¡¯t take long. As for things like invitations, let Jinghan get them prepared tomorrow. And then ask Old Zhou and Old Song to send them out. Jingxuan and I only want our relationship to be legal, so no need for those unnecessary things.¡±


    Holding Ling Jingxuan who could not help feeling regretted, Yan Shengrui raised his head to look at Lady Wang, he already felt satisfied if he could marry Jingxuan, other things didn¡¯t matter at all, however, as for the betrothal gifts, he had his own idea.


    ¡°Well¡­Chenglong, say something.¡±


    Anything was good with her son, but she dare not contradict Yan Shengrui directly. Not knowing why, although he never deliberately alienated them in this family, and always called mom this and mom that, she always had some kind of untold fear of him.


    ¡°Since Shengrui has said so, let¡¯s do it, as long as the kids are happy. There¡¯s no need to make the whole family in turmoil.¡±


    Throwing Yan Shengrui a deep look, Ling Chenglong patted his wife¡¯s hand while trying to comfort her.


    ¡°All right. Shengrui, from now on, we¡¯ll hand our Jingxuan into your hands. Before¡­No matter why you had abandoned them five years ago, he has been waiting for you for five years with the children. I hope you will never let him down again. Make him always happy like now.¡±


    As she spoke, Lady Wang¡¯s eyes turned red. She had not thought of those bad things in the past for a long time. She just felt a little sentimental seeing that his big son was getting married. Although after they got married, they should still be living here. But, no parents would feel happy when their kids stepped into another family. And Jingxuan had ever told her that Shengrui¡¯s background wouldn¡¯t be simple, and it was still hard to say if they could stay in here. Thinking of here, she felt even sadder.


    ¡°Mom, you can rest assured that I will cherish them as I cherish my own life.¡±


    In front of the whole family, Yan Shengrui pulled up Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand and kissed on it. He saw those words to Lady Wang, but his eyes had fixed on Ling Jingxuan all the time. Actually he also made the promise to him. Their three lives were as important as his. Whatever happened in the future, he¡¯d never let him down.

 Chapter 301

    Ling Jingxuan was not a fool, how could he not understand what he was implying? Rarely, that pair of always indifferent long and thin phoenixes was infected with a slice of lingering charm, after staring at each other affectionately for quite some time, Ling Jingxuan turned to the whole family and said imperiously, ¡°Mom, what are you worrying about? If he dare bully me, I¡¯ll make his whole family restless, and finally torture him with slow poison, until he dies.¡±


    The person who can use poison was dope, although Yan Shengrui had never thought of bullying him, on hearing him, he still couldn¡¯t help shrinking his neck. On the other side, Chu Ci and his son who had never spoken looked at each other with a smile. Isn¡¯t making Yan Shengrui¡¯s whole family restless like making the whole Qing Kingdom restless? Except him, no one would have the guts to say that. But not knowing why, they expected more and more about how he clashed with those noble officials in the capital. That scene would be¡­wow¡­hard to imagine!


    ¡°Bah bah bah, what are you saying? You are getting married. Don¡¯t say such ominous words! No, not only before you get married, you can¡¯t say that even after you get married.¡±


    Finally coming back to her sense, looking at her dominant son, Lady Wang showed a face of disdain. The wedding would be the most important thing in one¡¯s life. And she had agreed to make it simply as they demanded. She would never allow them to mess other things up.


    ¡°Hehe¡­I was just saying it. Mom, don¡¯t take it so serious with me, besides, Shengrui will never bully me.¡±


    Whether he was only saying it, heaven knows, earth knows, and he himself knew, maybe Yan Shengrui also knew, so his hand holding his couldn¡¯t help tightening. He was not afraid of his threat, but only afraid he would be sad.


    ¡°No, still not allow to say that. Marriage is such an auspicious thing. How could you say something like that? Besides, Jingxuan, I¡¯m warning you. Don¡¯t you bully Shengrui!¡±


    Throwing a stare at his frivolous son, Lady Wang said grumpily. His son was good in everything, but only too dominant. Thanks to Shengrui¡¯s good temper, otherwise, they¡¯d have a big quarrel every three days, and a small one every two days!


    ¡°Yes, yes, I am so good to him like he is another son of me, OK?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? You are a daddy now. Aren¡¯t you afraid the kids may laugh at you?¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t, right, little buns?¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan turned to smile at Ling Wu who was close to them, the small bun was not a fool, he only kept nodding seriously, ¡°Yes, whatever daddy said is always right.¡±


    He was a huge fan of Ling Jingxuan, even if Ling Jingxuan said poops smelled good, he would reckon, the whole family got amused by this pair of daddy and son. Finally, even Lady Wang couldn¡¯t hold it and laughed out. That was a family, no any calculation. For a big family, be it the elders or the kids, they played some jokes sometimes to have some fun, and days passed by.


    ¡°But daddy, Uncle Chu said after you get married, we have to follow father¡¯s surname, is that true?¡±


    In the heated atmosphere, Ling Wu suddenly pouted his lips and asked. He didn¡¯t want to use the surname Sheng or Yan. Can¡¯t he just keep using surname Ling?


    ¡°Huh? Seems so, then I should call my small bun Yan Wu.¡±


    After he said that, Ling Jingxuan remembered that he would be married to Yan Shengrui, so the children must follow his surname, but this kind of thing was not his concerns. Wouldn¡¯t they be his kids after changing their surname?


    ¡°Yan Wu?¡±


    Ling Jinghan who hadn¡¯t said a word blinked. Brother Rui is surnamed Yan? Yan Shengrui? Eyes contracted, Ling Jinghan looked over at the man who fixed his eyes on his big brother and the kids in disbelief. Is it possible he is that invincible Prince Sheng? No way!


    In contrast, other people did not think so much, let along link Yan Shengrui with that Prince Sheng, because the identity gap between the two was really huge, only the smart and black-bellied Ling Jinghan would notice it.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t like to be called Yan Wu, maybe you can even change your name together.¡±


    Apparently he didn¡¯t expect that his favorite small son would dislike his surname. Although he didn¡¯t care much about this kind of thing either, he couldn¡¯t help but want to tease the small bun on seeing his appearance like that.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t want it, I¡¯ll call myself Ling Wu, I will be daddy¡¯s small bun forever!¡±


    Who knows that Ling Wu quite overreacted. He rushed into Ling Jingxuan¡¯s arms and tightly hold his neck, and his voice seemed to be rendered with a little sobbing. Yan Shengrui kind of panicked, and Ling Wen moved over, and Ling Jingxuan embraced him tightly, ¡°All right, you won¡¯t change your surname. You are Ling Wu, already Ling Wu!¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Loosening the small hands while taking a step, Ling Wu suspected with tears turning in his eyes..


    ¡°Sure, but my small bun, why you so insist being called Ling Wu. It shouldn¡¯t be only because it sounds nice, right?¡±


    The two buns were both sensible, they shouldn¡¯t lose temper on this.


    ¡°Of course it¡¯s because it sounds nice, but¡­ but¡­¡±


    During half of his words, the small bun lost his confidence in his tone, he lowered his head and twisted his fingers. After quite some time, he murmured, red-faced, ¡°because I want to follow daddy¡¯s surname. If I change it to Yan Wu, what if father is missing and daddy changes back like before? Yan Wu will be not so nice like Ling Wu. I don¡¯t want daddy to forget about me¡­¡±


    So that was the main reason. Ling Jingxuan raised his head to take a look at Ling Wen standing aside. Seeing that his eyes were also flickering, he could tell he obviously held the same thought as his younger brother. It was just that he wouldn¡¯t make a scene like Wu. All in all, still a problem left by the original owner. Even if things had passed for a few months, the fear deep in the kids¡¯ heart was still there.

 Chapter 302

    All the people in the room fell into silence because of Ling Wu¡¯s heads-up. They seemed to have forgotten what had happened to them for a long time. It was only a few months, but now thinking it back, it felt like things of another life.


    ¡°Hehe, silly bun, daddy will never change back like before. The past is past. We need to look things ahead. Be it glories or bitterness, it has already been the past. We can use it to beat ourselves up about it. We can¡¯t always live in the past. Like even if you change your name, you are still daddy¡¯s small bun, which will never change, you know?¡±


    Holding the small bun up, Ling Jingxuan, as usual, no matter they could understand or not, explained his ideas to them. People say that children are the most forgetful, but he felt, just because they were young, they were particularly persistent, and had a profound memory of special things for a lifetime, like him in his last life, when was only a few years old, his family got all killed, and he was trained into a killer by his enemies. But he had never forgotten about the deaths of his family. When he accumulated enough abilities, he overturned those people and took the revenge for his family with his own hands. Before those people died, they still couldn¡¯t believe that they would have been killed by a killer they trained themselves.


    ¡°Is that so? But I just like to be called Ling Wu.¡±


    Looking quite confused, the small bun clearly couldn¡¯t fully comprehend his words, but he was still very persistent of the name thing. Ling Jingxuan found it amused, and turned to look at Ling Wen before him, while the latter unblinkingly looked at him with those dark eyes, and nodded very cooperatively. And the smile under Ling Jingxuan spread wilder, then he turned to the Yan Shengrui, ¡°What do you say?¡±


    After all, he didn¡¯t have a problem about whose surname the kids would follow, as long as he was also fine with it.


    ¡°Their names must be changed, after all, they will be listed in the ancestral hall in the future, but their pet names could still be Ling Wen and Ling Wu, son, is that OK, sons?¡±


    Yan Shengrui had a short meditation while touching his chin, he fixed his eyes on the two little buns. Even if he had lost his memories, he knew that he couldn¡¯t forget about the ancestors. So the children must follow his surname, and they also had to change their names according to the family tree. But for now he couldn¡¯t remember which character they should follow now. They could talk about it later after they went back to the capital after he regained his memories.


    On hearing him, the two little buns looked at each other, not until the sensible Ling Wen nodded did the small bun resumed his smile. ¡°OK. Father, don¡¯t lie to us!¡±


    The little guy was afraid that Yan Shengrui would go back on his words.


    Mr Yan smirked angrily and tapped him on the head, ¡°When have I ever lied to you? You heartless little thing, I really love you for nothing.¡±


    ¡°Hee hee, just in case, I love father most.¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Wu gave a bad smile and then clumsily crawled over, with his two little short hands holding his head and left a hard kiss on his face, everyone was amused and laughed. That was the small bun¡¯s little trick. Every time he¡¯d use it! But, the thing is none of them couldn¡¯t resist it.


    ¡°Next time if you dare doubt me again, I¡¯ll spank your little butt.¡±


    Since his son asked for ¡®peace¡¯, Yan Shengrui wouldn¡¯t say anything more, just symbolically patted on his small buttocks gently for two times, and the small bun kept giggling holding his neck, and the previous displeasure was already nowhere to find.


    ¡°Congratulations, old lord and old lady, congratulations, Master Sheng and Master Xuan. May you love and devote yourselves to each other forever!¡±


    Seeing the whole family¡¯s ¡®debate¡¯ was almost over, under the lead of Old Song and his wife, all the servants and maids stood in two rows in front of them to send their blessings.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­Save it, Jinghan, later give each of them one tael of silver as a gift.¡±


    These people had all passed his test, but he didn¡¯t mind being generous to them. But this time, Liu Xiaosui and people of Zhou family who were sold for the first looked hesitant. How could they take money from the master? But Old Song¡¯s family, Ling Yun and others all faintly bent down again, ¡°Thank you, Master Xuan!¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the reward, Master Xuan.¡±


    With their leading, Liu Xiaosui and other people showed their gratitude. As Yan Shengrui waved his hand, they all filed out of the room. Lady Wang exclaimed like she had suddenly thought of something, and then turned to look back at the two of them, ¡°What about your wedding room? Other places are OK, but the wedding room must be properly decorated.¡±


    Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan looked at each other, ¡°Shengrui¡¯s room then, you¡¯d better not go to my room much. Shenrui will live with me these days. Mom, sorry to trouble you and my aunt make the decorations.¡±


    One of his rooms was his workroom, in which were all sorts of poisons. If someone accidentally touched it, a wedding would turn into a funeral.


    ¡°OK, it¡¯s decided then, about the invitations, you name a list and let Jingpeng be responsible for writing, and things like buying stuff, Jingpeng will run the errands, as for other things, your dad and I will take care of it all. And you only need to wait for your big day!¡±


    Finally her son was getting married and he could right his name, Lady Wang was explicitly happy, and Ling Chenglong on her side also smiled fatuously. Until this moment, Ling Jingxuan felt that he had made the right decision, although he personally still didn¡¯t think a marriage paper could guarantee anything, even for them, he had to try to believe it, right?


    ¡°Uncle Ling, I want to sleep with Wen and others tonight, ok?¡±


    The whole family then talked for more time, mainly on the wedding arrangements. Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan had no interest in it, so they didn¡¯t join in. They only wanted to be the new couple. As it was getting dark and people all got up and planned to go back to their own room, Chu Yan stopped them.

 Chapter 303

    ¡°Yay! I want to sleep with Brother Yan.¡±


    The other side was someone he had vowed to marry home as his wife! The small bun decisively echoed an old saying, a son would forget about his dad after having a wife. He ran over and held Chu Yan¡¯s waist excitedly, Ling Wen hesitated for a moment and also walked over to stand in front of him, ¡°I also want to sleep with Brother Yan, father and daddy, you go to bed early, you don¡¯t need to coax us to sleep tonight.¡±


    Then, Ling Wen respectively took the hand of Chu Yan and the small bun, and the three people swaggered into their own room and gently closed the door in their face.


    ¡°So conscienceless small bun.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan suddenly had a feeling of no knowing whether he should cry or laugh. He knew that Chu Yan only meant to let him have some privacy with Yan Shengrui, so he deliberately shouldered the task of taking care of the little buns, the big bun may also have considered it this way, but¡­he swore that the small bun should have put hoes before him!


    ¡°As the saying goes, before getting married, they are our sons. But after they married, they become our daughter-in-law¡¯s son. Now I know understand what this old saying means thoroughly.¡±


    Holding Ling Jingxuan with one hand, Yan Shengrui smiled in spite of himself whole shaking his head. The thing is, his son was only five years old. Isn¡¯t it too early? What if Wen also¡­would he lose his sons before he had enjoyed enough of being a father? No, he got to find a way to separate them, at least let him enjoy a few more years, otherwise¡­


    Out of the corner of his eyes couldn¡¯t sweeping over at his Jingxuan¡¯s abdomen, maybe they could have another one?


    ¡°What are you staring at? Look at your bad smile! So creepy!¡±


    Acutely aware of his line of sight, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help pushing him, with his hand subconsciously flattening his clothes. SO he was staring at his stomach, right? Then he¡­with his eyes blinking, almost instantly, Ling Jingxuan guessed out what he was thinking, a touch of chagrin mixed with a slice of rare bashfulness flashed across his eyes. Son of a b*tch! Why wouldn¡¯t have an even better daydream?


    ¡°Heihei, nothing, Jingxuan, let¡¯s go sleep early.¡±


    Putting his hand around his waist, Yan Shengrui leaned his head on his shoulder with a bad smile. Needless to say, he better put it into practice directly. On their wedding night, heihei¡­by this time next year, maybe he would have one more little son, no, better be a daughter, sons would all give their heart to their other half, only a daughter would be his lifetime considerate ¡®cotton-padded jacket¡¯.


    ¡°Ahem¡­¡±


    Chu Ci who was ignored on one side couldn¡¯t help clearing his throat to remind them of his existence, otherwise he really doubted if they would really perform a ¡®live show¡¯ in front of him. Why hadn¡¯t he ever found Yan Shengrui was so shameless? Was it possible that after one had the amnesia, even his temperament would also change?


    ¡°You haven¡¯t gone to sleep yet?¡±


    Then noticing his existence, Yan Shengrui slightly loosened his hand holding Ling Jingxuan a bit, wearing a total disdainful appearance. Though Chu Ci still stayed poised, the corner of his mouth had a nearly unnoticeable twitch, ¡°Congratulations! Finally you are getting married, Shengrui, he is also coming soon, right?¡±


    He had all known about Ling Jingxuan¡¯s cooperation thing with Xinyuan and Baiyunge. According to Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s personality, he should have been on his way here already. By then, whether Yan Shengrui had regained his memories or not, he could only go back with his son.


    ¡°He?¡±


    Picking his eyebrow, Yan Shengrui straightened his body, the former villain-like appearance had already disappeared neatly. After staring at his way too handsome face for a moment, he said deeply, ¡°You mean Zeng Shaoqing? Yeah, I guess. Taking a carriage here with a carriage should spend him half a month at most. If riding a fast horse day and night, seven days at most. He should have long received the news.¡±


    He did not know what he was being afraid of and had already forgotten the dark internal power struggle inside the imperial family, but he was not stupid. He could guess out many things, but still like he had ever said, being afraid would never solve the problem. Facing with the problem could one solve it. Avoiding was never his style of doing things.


    ¡°Hmm, I see.¡±


    Eyes fast rolling, Chu Ci directly walked past them toward the backmost room. Watching his long and slim back, Ling jIngxuan darkened his eyes, ¡°Chu Ci, I am asking one last time. Are you still afraid and trying to avoid it?¡±


    If it was a positive answer, he would not bother to help him straighten those things. On the contrary, whether it was for himself, or the buns, or Chu Yan, he would not mind lending them a hand.


    The hand that was reaching to open the door froze there, then Chu Ci said with a little self-mockery, ¡°Is there any use avoiding it? Like you said, we can¡¯t always live in the past. Me trying to avoid not only couldn¡¯t save the situation, but also may accelerate the progress of some things. Jingxuan, Shengrui, I will no longer escape from it. After Shaoqing comes, I will take the kid to go back with him. Even the chance it slim, I will try one last time, whether I¡¯ll succeed or lose! Shengrui, don¡¯t forget about the thing you promised me. When we face death, you got to save my child¡¯s life, at least let him grow up and see more of this kingdom that belongs to the imperial Yan family!¡±


    His always cold eyes looked into Yan Shengru¡¯s sharp black eyes. Having lived with them for so long, he finally knew what those words Ling Jingxian had said to him the first time they met meant. He who had ever resigned himself to destiny had experienced a crushing defeat once. This time, he¡¯d like to make a gamble, anyhow, he would fight for a better future for his child, whatever the cost would be!


    ¡°I will never break my promise.¡±


    Finally willing to let go Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui held a hand behind the back, revealing some kind of domineering aura. Now he was no longer that little villain acting shamelessly before Ling Jingxuan, but the only noble prince who had the military power of the whole Qing Kingdom!


    ¡°Thank you then.¡±


    Speaking of which, Chu Ci pushed the door open. Ling Jingxuan opened his mouth, but finally still did not say anything more. Rather than saying some unimportant words, he¡¯d rather give them a surprise when they left, anyhow, that day wouldn¡¯t be too far away.


    ¡°What are you thinking about?¡±


    The moment Chu Ci disappeared in their line of sight, Yan Shengrui¡¯s aura changed again. In front of him, he would always be his only Shengrui.


    ¡°Nothing, I just think the imperial family is too complicated and I don¡¯t want outs to get involved so quickly.¡±


    Shaking his head, Ling Jingxuan went back to his room with him. If possible, he wanted to wait two more years before taking the children back with him. He didn¡¯t want the children to be exposed to those dirty and disgusting things too early.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Why think so much? I even haven¡¯t regained my memories yet, and if I do, if don¡¯t want to go back, we can settle down in here forever.¡±


    On the matter of doting his wife and sons, Yan Shengrui would never admit secondary to anyone. Don¡¯t see that he seldom talked much, everything he did and every word he said, it was all centered on Ling Jingxuan, be it now or in the future!

 Chapter 304

    ¡°Where are you going at such late night?¡±


    At night, after taking a bath and washing his head, Yan Shengrui suddenly ran out, Ling Jingxuan felt so strange. Before, when they went back into the room, hadn¡¯t he always behaved like a hungry ¡®wolf¡¯? Thinking of this, as Ling Jingxuan was about to go take a look, Yan Shengrui already came back with his hair disheveled. So his buttocks that had just moved off the stool sat back. Ling Jingxuan leaned against the dresser and looked at his with his eyebrows picked, ¡°Where did you go?¡±


    ¡°I went to fetch something.¡±


    Speaking of which, Yan Shengrui walked over and squatted in front of him. Facing his enquiring eyes, he took out a blue green and transparent jade pendant with one side carved with a four-claw dragon and the other side engraved the word êÉ(Sheng) and strung it with a red thin rope, then leaned over to hang it around Ling Jingxua¡¯s neck. The length of the rope was just OK, with the jade pendant on his chest.


    Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes to take a look. This jade pendant was no strange to him. When he saved Yan Shengrui, this jade pendant and a tiger-shape jade sculpture were all his belongings. And it was also because of those things that he guessed his identity in the first place.


    ¡°For me?¡±


    Raising his hand to touch the jade pendant, Ling Jingxuan said in a low voice. Something that was put together with his tiger token should mean a lot to him. Was it appropriate to give him such an important thing?


    ¡°Hmm, the betrothal gift for you, though I can¡¯t remember it yet, my intuition told me it is something very important to me, and the most important thing belongs to the most important person.¡±


    Taking his hand and leaving a gentle kiss, with his chest on his legs, Yan Shengrui looked up at him. Actually last time when they went to the county, he had planned to send it to him. But they got too many things to see to, so he forgot. Today when they talked about making preparations for the wedding, he suddenly remembered it.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Isn¡¯t there a tiger token? Why not send it to me together?¡±


    The jade pendant and the jade token were the only things to Him, right? Now he gave one of them to him, a smile spread on his face. The price of the gift couldn¡¯t explain anything, but the heart in it was the most important.


    ¡°That thing is a troublemaker. You wouldn¡¯t want it.¡±


    With a knee-jerk frown, Yan Shengrui got up and touched his hair. When felt this was almost done, he pulled him into bed. The two of them lay side by side on the bed with a thin quilt covering their bodies.


    ¡°Is that your intuition, too?¡±


    So he took his intuition like food? Of course things like the tiger token would only incur disaster! Although so many people were fighting for it.


    ¡°Hmm, that should be the token I command the armies. Whoever takes it will have bad luck. If possible, I also don¡¯t want it.¡±


    With one hand resting on the back of his head, the other playing with his hair, Yan Shengrui looked into the ceiling dully. He had remembered almost everything, but not the details. To the ambitious people, the tiger token might really be a good thing. But to his Jingxuan, it even couldn¡¯t compare with a stone. Besides, deep in his heart, he felt like he also didn¡¯t like it that much.


    ¡°Even if you don¡¯t want it, you can¡¯t throw it away. The only prince who owns the general title and the military power of the whole Qing Kingdom. Wow! That¡¯s cool! But it¡¯s also accompanied by dangers. I guess it was both because of it that you ended up in Ling village. There¡¯s never kinship in the imperial family. Although the emperor is your elder brother, I guess he is also afraid of the tiger token in your hands. With it, you are the prince. Without it, he could kill like crushing an ant, and you even have no chance to struggle. Now his sons have grown up. I guess soon the fight for the throne will float above the surface. The prince who owns heirship and the military power will undoubtedly become everyone¡¯s target. Including the emperor, his younger brothers and sons, they all know what choice to make.¡±


    Rolling over to lie on his chest, Ling Jingxuan he talked about the dispute of imperial power for the first time. In the five thousand years¡¯ history, no succession to the throne was peaceful in any kingdom. And no one could tell how many lives had lost during the severest Nine Princes Fighting for the Throne. If Yan Shengrui wanted, he would try his best to get it for him, but, he had some other thought.

 Chapter 305

    ¡°Hehe¡­I knew it. So Jingxuan, do whatever you want. Things you don¡¯t want, I am also not interested.¡±


    Hearing that, Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help showing a smile. The reason why he didn¡¯t talk to him earlier was that first, he couldn¡¯t remember whether he had the ambition while he was still in his amnesia, and more importantly, he didn¡¯t want him to get involved into this. The life he wanted was what he wanted, and if he didn¡¯t want it, he was also not interested.


    ¡°Is that so? What if I want to support Yan¡¯er?¡±


    Peeping at him, Ling Jingxuan smiled, with some kind of evil feeling flashing across his eyes. Yan Shengrui said without even thinking, ¡°Then support him. That kid is good-natured. Although a little cowardly sometimes, he has become more and more outgoing recently and also reveals a leader¡¯s momentum. If he could succeed the throne, even if we are gone, thinking of the old days he spent here and how you helped him, he wouldn¡¯t hurt our kids.¡±


    As the saying goes, one can be seen how his adulthood could be when he is still 3 years old. Chu Yan grew up in the palace, it was absolutely impossible that he was too na?ve or pure, but one can tell, he was a stubborn kid and knew how to cherish, and it wouldn¡¯t change even after he grew up. It was just that it wouldn¡¯t be easy to go into his heart. But those were not important. Now he cared about their little buns even more than them!


    ¡°Well, Yan¡¯er is a good boy, and Chu Ci is not bad. You should have known that he is the empress who was abolished five years ago, right¡±


    Although they changed their names, he was pretty sure who they were after that first meeting.


    ¡°Yeah, when I went to the town to inquire about things about Prince Sheng, I also asked about things in the imperial family by the way. Although the folks wouldn¡¯t know it so clearly, it shouldn¡¯t be baseless. Together with Chu Ci and Chu Yan¡¯s attitude towards me, it¡¯s not difficult to know who they are. It¡¯s just I still have no idea how an abolished empress and an abandoned prince had escaped out of the palace.¡±


    Thinking with the knees, one could imagine how heavily guarded the palace was. It would never be easy for Chu Ci to run out, on the premise that he couldn¡¯t let those families who supported him know. For this, to be honest, he was also quite curious. As for why he would escape out of there, of course it should be that he was disappointed with the palace, no, to be more accurate, with someone in the palace.


    ¡°When a person has something he wants to protect, he will become very strong. Chu Ci is definitely not so weak as he appears. In his heart hides many secrets, and those secrets are all soaked in pain for years. It¡¯s hard to imagine how he had tried to escape.¡±


    No one knew better than him how hard it was to bear the bitterness and resentment hidden in the heart. The difference was that Chu Ci chose to escape, while in his previous life he chose to take the revenge.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Curving his lips slightly, a pair of peach blossom eyes turning deep, Ling Jingxuan cast a faint look at him, ¡°I have prepared a big gist for him. If he is smart enough, he should know how to use it. On the contrary, I¡¯m afraid I also can¡¯t help. If he fails in the future, we¡¯ll take Chu Yan out of the capital city.¡±


    He only mentioned Chu Yan, but not Chu Ci, that is to say, he had no intention of saving his life.


    ¡°About the inland seas taming?¡±


    Yan Shengrui raised his eyebrows. Ling Jingxuan nodded, ¡°Hmm, and some things in agriculture. At present, agriculture is the weakest part of the Qing Kingdom. If he can work hard in this area and win the trust of the emperor, it should not be difficult for him to resume his position as the empress. By the way, will the Qing Kingdom allow the harem to butt in affairs in the court?¡±


    He remembered that many dynasties did not allow the harem to interfere in government affairs.


    ¡°Do you think I might know?¡±


    Shrugging, Yan Shengrui asked back in exasperation. If he knew, he wouldn¡¯t be in memory loss now!


    ¡°Heihei¡­Sorry I forgot. Whether they could or not, having been married with the emperor for so many years, Chu Ci should have his own way. All I can do is assist him. And then he has only himself to rely on. After you regain your memories, whether you¡¯d support him or not, it¡¯s up to you. If it weren¡¯t for the kids, I really don¡¯t want to get involved in the fight for the throne!¡±


    Giving a naughty chuckling, Ling Jingxuan crept into his arms. The kids he just mentioned were not only the little buns, but also Chu Yan, maybe because he really liked kids. He really cared about the nine years old Chu Yan.


    ¡°Hmm, we¡¯ll go to the county yamen on the 30th to get our marriage certificate, OK?¡±


    This topic should come to an end over here, and Yan Shengrui switched his attention to their wedding again. Although it was a little hasty, he really wanted to own him legally as soon as possible, even only one day.


    ¡°OK, let¡¯s go on horseback. We¡¯ll go early and come back early. Today dad made a scene at the old woman¡¯s place, and I think they won¡¯t give up easily. They will certainly come make trouble while we are away. On the 30th, Jinghan and Jingpeng are supposed to purchase things in town. I¡¯m worried to leave dad, mom and the kids home alone.¡±


    Nodding, this time, Ling Jingxuan was not so repulsive of it, since having made the decision, he would not regret, this was his principle of life, including their marriage.


    ¡°Hmm, I asked Old Zhou this afternoon, and he said that he didn¡¯t send someone to inform us, but it is true that a child came running to inform us, so I guess there must be someone behind all this.¡±


    ¡°Hum, thinking with the buttocks, I know it should be someone from Ling Chengcai¡¯s family!  That couple is shrewd. I have gotten it investigated. Not long after we left, they went to his parents-in-law¡¯s place. If someone tells me there is nothing fishy in it, I would never believe it.¡±


    Their only favored son was sent to the frontline, and it was all because of Ling Chenghua, now Ling Chenghua was fine and even getting married soon, how could they just take with it? They had a nice plan to borrow his hand to set her up? Really taking him as a fool?


    ¡°Hehe¡­Shouldn¡¯t we send them a big gift?¡±


    Even having the balls to take advantage of them, they should have been prepared for their counterattack, right?


    ¡°Oh? You¡¯re going to do it yourself?¡±


    Looking at him sideways, Ling Jingxuan curved his lips and his eyes formed a bad smile. Yan Shengrui knocked on his head dotingly, ¡°Now their biggest dependence is their son-in-law, right? Let¡¯s pull the rug out from under them. I¡¯ll take care of it. You just wait to watch a good show.¡±


    Play tricks with them? If they didn¡¯t teach them a lesson, they might think they were scared of them.


    ¡°Hehe¡­I am already looking forward to it!¡±


    Turn over on his lips to kiss, Ling Jingxuan is in a good mood, someone to help solve those people, why not?


    ¡°So naughty, it¡¯s getting late. We got work to do tomorrow morning. Let¡¯s sleep early.¡±


    Knowing that he was deliberately teasing him, Yan Shengrui felt helpless, then lay down holding him, then tuckered them up. In the past, as long as they slet together, he surely could hold the impulse, but today, he had no that kind of desire, presumably because in two days he could do the last step, so he felt relieved, and his body was trying to store energy, right?


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Nesting in his arms, Ling Jingxuan closed his eyes, hands and feet automatically wrapping around his body, not until his breathing became stable did Yan Rui relax his body and fall asleep slowly.

 Chapter 306

    ¡°Ah¡­no, it was not me, I didn¡¯t kill you, ah¡­no¡­¡±


    In the middle of the night, in one of the main rooms of the old Ling family, sharp and painful groans sounded off and on. Ling Qiyun and his wife who had much less sleep at night due to the age problem heard it in the first place. They put on their clothes, crossed the central room and came before Ling Chenghua¡¯s room.


    ¡°Knock knock¡­¡±


    ¡°Chenghua? Chenghua, what¡¯s wrong with you? Open the door! Chenghua¡­¡±


    The old couple looked at each other, the old lady knocked on the door, at the same time, Ling Jinghong also got up, then candles in the big son and third son¡¯s room got lit up.


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s not me, I didn¡¯t kill you¡­Get off me¡­Stop crying¡­Why would reincarnate in that bi*tch Lady Wang¡¯s womb? You asked for it! Go away¡­¡±


    In the room, Ling Chenghua, wearing her underclothes, lying in bed, eyes closed, was constantly waving her arms in the air, murmuring that vicious secret only she knew, like the calling outside couldn¡¯t reach her ears at all. But, no one was stupid. Outside the room, Ling Qiyun and others gradually understood from her broken words. Almost in an instant, everyone remembered Lady Wang¡¯s miscarried kid, also her direction with this, and those words Ling Jingxuan said the other day at outside the gate of Yuehua Manor. Seeing that the old man¡¯s face got distorted, the old woman became anxious, only wishing that she could storm in and cover her daughter¡¯s mouth. And the big son and his wife showed some kind of insidious smile. They did nothing. Ling Chenghua confessed it herself! Heaven has eyes!


    Ling Jinghong, by contrast, frowned, with undisguised disgust under his eyes, and, the third son Ling Chenghu who had lost his wife and one of his sons because of Ling Jingxuan showed no big mood fluctuations. All his family kept their heads down, no mood swing. If possible, they would no longer interfere in anything about the second son¡¯s family!


    ¡°Chenghua, open the door¡­¡±


    The old woman was so anxious that her knocking on the door became louder and louder, Ling pushed her away and shouted angrily at his two sons and grandchildren, ¡°Bump it open for me!¡±


    At this moment, Ling Qiyun was so angry that he had already lost his head. He had never expected that it was true that her daughter knocked Lady Wang over on purpose. If it hadn¡¯t been for her¡­how could his second family have divided up the family with them? For heaven sake! Lady Wang was her sister-in-law! The kid in her belly was her nephew/niece! How could she have the heart?


    The old man seemed to grow a lot older in an instant, his hand holding the old woman¡¯s hand unconsciously pinched more tightly, while the other hand tightly pressed on the chest, the belated truth completely hit him. At this moment, he also finally remembered the second son and his wife¡¯s filial piety, and a few grandchildren¡¯s good. Deep regret was gnawing his heart.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t! My lord! Chenghua is still unmarried. My lord¡­¡±


    The old woman was like being possessed, until now she was still trying to defend her daughter. Ling Chenghu and Ling Jinghong both didn¡¯t move, but Ling Chengcai rushed forward, ¡°Yes, dad.¡±


    ¡°Duang!¡±


    ¡°Ah! Ling Chengcai, what are you doing?¡±


    After all, his was a big man. With a kick, the door opened. At the same time, Ling Chenghua who got woken up by her mother¡¯s yelling got up and came to open the door. Seeing it was Ling Chengcai outside, Ling Chenghua snapped reflectively. Ling Chengcai gave a meaningful smile, slowly moved his body aside, then the super mad Ling Chenghua noticed others¡¯ presence. After seeing the old man¡¯s long face and receiving the old woman¡¯s wink, Ling Chenghua subconsciously shrank her neck, wondering what was going on.


    ¡°Dad, mom, what are you doing here at such late night¡­¡±


    Forcing out a smile, Ling Chenghua put on her usual mild appearance, saying while leaning over toward the old man.


    ¡°Pia!¡±


    A huge slap rang suddenly. Ling Chenghua who was talking got a slap in the face, even her head turned sideways due to the big strength, the atmosphere was like frozen. The old man who still maintained his slap gesture had his chest going up and down rapidly. The old woman already forgot to struggle, all eyes fell on her. Ling Chenghua mechanically raised a hand to touch her face, tears kept dropping like a string of beads.


    ¡°Why hit me? Dad, what did I do wrong?¡±


    Raising his head, Ling Chenghua sharply asked, no longer that obedient appearance. Until now, she still pretended she knew nothing, totally an injured lamb.


    ¡°Why? I even want to strangle you. I thought I am a cut above others since I have read some books. But I even couldn¡¯t tell I got such a vicious daughter! What was wrong with me to believe you didn¡¯t do it on purpose? Lady Wang is your sister-in-law! How could you?¡±


    Pointing at her with his trembling finger, the old man wept bitterly, with only heartache and regret in his eyes. For this devil-like daughter, he threw her best son out of the family! What had he done to deserve this?


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Ling Chenghua still didn¡¯t understand what he meant, until the old woman gestured her did she realize what was happening, she tried to quibble stammeringly, ¡°Dad, didn¡¯t you know it? I didn¡¯t do it on purpose. She only has herself to blame for hiding it from all of us. If she told us in advance, how would have ever knocked her over?¡±


    Even now she still did not think she was wrong, but what she didn¡¯t know was in her sleep she had confessed everything.

 Chapter 307

    ¡°You¡­you¡­you¡­you b*tch! I must have been blind to have defended you! Jinghong, as your second uncle over. I will throw her out of the family!¡±


    Seeing that she still tried to deny it, Ling Qiyun got so mad that he nearly couldn¡¯t breathe, then made the decision without thinking.


    ¡°Dad?!¡±


    Ling Chenghua couldn¡¯t believe her ears, eyes wide open. She couldn¡¯t imagine that her father who had always spoiled her would throw her out. But the first thing that popped out of her head was not regretting, but her dowries. If she was really thrown out, she could never have a decent wedding. And her reputation would be totally ruined. Maybe Zhang Hu would even refuse to marry her!


    ¡°No, my lord, you can¡¯t do that. Chenghua is our only daughter, and now she¡¯s about to get married, how can you have the heart to throw her out at such a time?¡±


    The old woman couldn¡¯t keep silent any longer. Wearing a head of messy hair, she rushed forward and grabbed Ling Qiyun¡¯s arm. She could never see her daughter being driven out.


    ¡°You can go with her if you can¡¯t stand it.¡±


    Ling Qiyun was determined this time, with that pair of dark eyes staring at the old woman. Until now, he finally realized that why people all said the first thing a man should consider when marrying a wife was considering whether she was virtuous. Before, it was true he had no idea of his wife¡¯s doings at home, because he had no heart for that, thinking that a husband shouldn¡¯t always eye on things inside the house. So be it big things or small things at home, he basically left them all to her. Seen from now, he was wrong, totally wrong. His negative act not only harmed his wife, but also made his sons alienate from him, now this home already couldn¡¯t be called a home.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    The old woman stared in disbelief. Having been a couple for decades, she could almost tell at a glance whether he was serious or bluffing.


    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t throw me out. I didn¡¯t do it on purpose, I swear. How can dad throw me out for that? Mom, persuade dad for me, mom¡­¡±


    Seeing that she looked hesitated, Ling Chenghua moved forward to hold her hand, crying. The old woman moved her eyes between her husband and her daughter. If she really got repudiated at this age, it was impossible for her family to accept her, even she herself had no ability to survive. But¡­if she stayed out of it, her beloved daughter would¡­


    ¡°Shut up! Why can¡¯t you admit it! Know your mistake and correct it, that¡¯s a good thing. Your dad is not a fool. As long as you admit your mistake, he will forgive you.¡±


    Stuck in a dilemma, the old woman¡¯s head having been rusty for so many years finally worked, on the surface, she was scolding her daughter, actually she was telling her what to do. The crying and yelling Ling Chenghua looked confused, soon she reacted, bang, knelt before the old man, ¡°Dad, I know I am wrong. Please give me a chance. I am getting married. You can¡¯t throw me out now. Dad, if you still don¡¯t want this daughter, can you wait after I marry out? Dad, are you trying to force your daughter to die?¡±


    Ling Chenghua was like weeping blood, only wishing to impress the old man, this was her only chance, if¡­she even dare not imagine what would happen.


    ¡°You can¡¯t say it like that. Chenghua, there is something you don¡¯t know. Lady Wang may never get pregnant again because of this thing. You know, Chenglong and his wife have always wanted a considerate daughter. But you completely break their dream. What¡¯s more, they moved out because of that thing. It¡¯s all because of you. Shouldn¡¯t you take the responsibility? Dad, you can¡¯t lose your head on this. You know, Chenglong is a filial son. Him moving out is only a moment¡¯s impulse. If you still side with Chenghua, you¡¯d lose your second son for good. There is another thing you may not know. Today mom called Chenglong over. You should know what it is for, right?¡±


    But¡­how could Ling Chengcai let her get what she wanted? He had hated her to the bones. Finally he got a chance to remove her once for all, how could he miss it?


    The old man who actually already softened his heart got more determined on hearing that. Ling Chenghua gnashed her teeth, but she also knew that now was not the time to quarrel with him. She threw her eyes at the old woman. Her mom was the one she could count on now. She could never get driven out of the house at such a time.


    ¡°Shut up, Chengcai!¡±


    The old woman trembled and turned to stare at his son, those mean eyes were like being quenched with poison. Ling Chengcai twitched his mouth embarrassedly, but seeing that his dad¡¯s gloomier face, he directly shrank back. He¡¯d like to see how Ling Chenghua could solve it!


    ¡°My lord¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up! If you say one more word, leave immediately, I Ling Qicai can¡¯t afford such kind of wife like you!¡±


    The old woman who was about to speak for Ling Chenghua again shrank back under the old man¡¯s yelling. Throwing a merciless stare at her, the old man coldly turned to Ling Jinghong, ¡°Go call your second grandpa now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, grandpa.¡±


    Ling Jinghong turned around and walked out.


    ¡°No, dad, you can¡¯t do this to me¡­dad¡­¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Chenghua got frightened and her face turned pale. She crawled over at him, while Ling Qiyun kicked her away, ¡°Never call me dad again. I don¡¯t have a daughter like you. Ling Chenghua, from now on, you have no connections with my Ling family. For the sake you were once my daughter, you can take the prepared dowries with you. In the future, better behave yourself!¡±


    Looking at her coldly, Ling Qicai said word by word, but in his heart, he was thinking his second son and his family who had moved out. As a father, he felt so sorry for them.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    With a scream, Ling Chenghua passed out. And the old woman hurriedly ran to embrace her, tears falling off. Ling Qiyun was unavoidably worried, after all, that was his favored daughter for over twenty years. But, soon, after knowing she had already been pregnant under Doctor Zhou¡¯s diagnosis, that last sorry feeling deep in the heart was gone. On that very night, he threw Ling Chenghua out of the family.

 Chapter 308

    Early the next morning, news that Ling Chenghua was thrown out of her family spread through the whole Ling village. At first, people were still wondering if the old xiucai was crazy. Why did he drive his daughter who was going to get married soon out of the house. Soon, they knew why, they even knew that she got a premarital pregnancy. For that, no villager didn¡¯t hurl all kinds of abuse, even her fianc¨¦ couldn¡¯t escape from it. Ling Chenghua¡¯s reputation had been totally ruined, even heaven couldn¡¯t save her this time.


    It was already noon when Ling Jingxuan and others heard about it. But no one said a word. Apparently it had been confirmed that she knocked Lady Wang over on purpose, none of them looked happy or what. A nearly forgotten scar got torn open again suddenly, the only feeling they had was heartache. Let alone Ling Chenghua only got her reputation ruined and ended up the same as Ling Jingxuan that year, even if she died, it still couldn¡¯t make up for the damage she had brought to them!


    It took the three brothers and a few little buns quite a long time to coax the frustrated Lady Wang. After taking a nap in the afternoon, the family began to get busy again. In the last two days, they had to seize every minute.


    In the morning on the 30th, Shopkeeper Zhang came to fetch the goods in person. After knowing that Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan were getting married tomorrow, he sent his best wishes and said he would definitely attend their wedding. This month, they had made over twenty thousand jin of jam. Except that three thousand taels for opening up the wasteland, there was still nearly twenty thousand at hands. So they were rich again and Ling Jingxuan felt much relieved. But he still hadn¡¯t paid back the money he had borrowed from the two little buns, because he had already made it clear beforehand that however much the jam they made this moth was sold, they wouldn¡¯t split the money, but keep it for the expense for the seeds and other things in the field. So actually, it wasn¡¯t that much.


    ¡°Be good at home, don¡¯t run around, dad will be back soon after getting the marriage paper in the county.¡±


    After delivering the jam and settling the accounts with Ling Jinghan, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan were about to go to the county as planned. Only if they received the marriage paper today would they have time to entertain the guests tomorrow. Before they left, Ling Jingxuan went to Chu Ci¡¯s place, told him his worries and asked him to take care of the kids, though at such a time, he didn¡¯t think Ling Chenghua and the old woman still had the strength to make a scene here.


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, father, watch your steps.¡±


    Ling Wen nodded obediently with a big smile. After today, they would also have a decent name.


    ¡°Daddy, don¡¯t forget to bring me Xinyuan¡¯s roast duck. The one at Uncle Zhang¡¯s place is not as good as Uncle Wang¡¯s.¡±


    After almost a month, Ling Wu still remembered the roast duck, Ling Jingxuan tapped his head, ¡°You little foodie, what else do you know except eating?¡±


    ¡°I know a lot, Uncle Chu taught us a lot of things, and I have kept them all in my head. If you don¡¯t believe it, you can test me. I can answer them all!¡±


    Raising his chin, Ling Wu looked quite confident. Ling Jingxuan slightly picked his eyebrows, ¡°Really? Then let me ask you a simplest question, a chicken is hatched from an egg, but an egg is laid by a hen, little bun, can you tell me which came first, the chicken or the egg?¡±


    Hum! Trying to parade in front of him? Still too early!


    ¡°Well, the chicken came first. No, no, no, the egg came first. Which came first?¡±


    This question really daunted the small bun, who wore a face of confusion. Meanwhile, not only him, even Chu Ci and Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help thinking it hard in the heart. But even if they cracked their head, they couldn¡¯t give the correct answer. What they didn¡¯t know was Ling Jingxuan who set the question also didn¡¯t know the answer. Even those so-called experts in the 21th century couldn¡¯t tell.


    ¡°Then think slowly, come tell me when you have the answer.¡±


    Rubbing his nose smilingly, Ling Jingxuan stood up and nodded at Chu Ci, then turned to go out with Yan Shengrui. Poor small bun! He got tricked by their daddy and still didn¡¯t know. There was no answer to this question at all. However hard he tried, he could never get the right answer.


    Out of the gate, Old Zhou and Old Song were already waiting there holding a fine saddled horse in their hand respectively. When Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan went out, the two of them respectively handed the ropes into their hands. At first, they were still worried that they couldn¡¯t ride a horse. To their surprise, they mounted the horse swiftly and with a whip, the two fine horses disappeared in the dust.


    ¡°Jingxuan, so what is the answer?¡±


    On the official road to the county, two fine horses were galloping. Yan Shengrui who had racked his brain but still couldn¡¯t get the answer finally couldn¡¯t hold it and asked. Ling Jingxuan threw a whip at the butt of the horse, the horse instantly sped up, meanwhile, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s naughty voice also sounded, ¡°The answer is there is no answer!¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­you are bad, our boy is going to suffer this time.¡±


    Hearing that, Yan Shengrui also sped up, leaving their laughter along the way. Like racing, one was faster than the other. Within an hour, they had arrived in the county. But they didn¡¯t go to the yamen immediately, but went to Baiyunge in the west of the county first, since before they went out, Lady Wang kept nagging that they should buy the suitable wedding costumes here, and Ling Jingxuan also had something to ask the fat shopkeeper to make for him.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    Compared with the carriage, the horse was much faster, the two of them stopped before Baiyunge. The waiters in the shop still remembered them, so they hurriedly ran out to pick the reins in their hands. The husband-and-husband-to-be gave each other a look and then walked in side by side.

 Chapter 309

    ¡°Jingxuan, finally you are here, if you don¡¯t come, I even want to go to Datong Town to look for you.¡±


    The fat shopkeeper had come out from the counter earlier, with that round big face wearing a huge smile. Ling Jingxuan felt strange, ¡°Why is that?¡±


    Seemed like they had nothing to contact, right?


    ¡°Jingxuan, there is something you don¡¯t know. Of those handbags you sold to us, hot sale! Those ma¡¯am and misses like them very much. Some ask if we get some other designs. So I am thinking of asking you for some more designs, so we could make more.¡±


    After taking them to that room they checked in last time, the fat shopkeeper said excitedly, For this thing, the general shopkeeper of the prefecture specially praised he him, in only 20 days, they had already earned so many times of that one hundred taels of silver they had spent.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Playing with the small cup in front of him casually, Ling Jingxuan curved his lips evilly, ¡°I told you last time that if you still want my designs, you got to cooperate with me. If you can have the final say, I can give you a few more new designs now.¡±


    They eat meat, at least he should eat some soup, right? A losing bargain? One time was already enough.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    The fat shopkeeper couldn¡¯t help having a twitch at the corner of his mouth and then said helplessly, ¡°Aren¡¯t you talking nonsense. I also wish I could have the final say. But Jingxuan, I heard that Lord Six has been on the way to Cangzhou. I guess he¡¯d arrive soon. If you really want to cooperate with Lord Six, my personal advice, you¡¯d better prepare a few special designs. Lord Six has high taste. Ordinary things couldn¡¯t reach his eyes at all.¡±


    He took his whole jar of wine last time, so he would offer him some hearty advice.


    ¡°Hehe¡­You can rest assured. I can promise all the designs are unique. Today I am here for two things. First, I am getting married tomorrow, so I plan to choose two sets of suitable wedding dresses. So hope you can ask them to get me some to choose. I will give the detailed size. As for the second thing¡­¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s coming was already within his expectation, so Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t feel surprised or what. While speaking, he felt out a drawing from the chest and offered it before him, ¡°This is the ring I designed. Can you ask your craftsman to forge it for me? I want it to today.¡±


    On the drawing was a pair of rings with a simple design, materials, jade. The rings themselves had no excellent places. Shopkeeper Zhang asked strangely, ¡°What is this? So strange symbol. Would you like it engraved of the inner side?¡±


    The fat finger pointed at the abbreviation YL inside the ring, in the middle was an arrow in through. The fat shopkeeper thought he was well-informed, but this was the first time he saw such strange symbol. Not only him, even Yan Shengrui had question marks all over the face, wondering what his Jingxuan was trying to do.


    ¡°Y is the first letter of his surname (Here should be the language thing, Imagine Y here represents¡¯ÑÏ¡¯in Chinese and you¡¯d understand.), and L is the first letter of my surname. The arrow in the middle represents that our love. In brief, he loves me and I love him. It¡¯s just a pair of common jade rings, but they represent our love for each other, so they also have an auspicious name¡ªwedding ring.¡±


    Rarely in a good mood, Ling Jingxuan patiently explained it to them briefly.


    ¡°What are letters?¡±


    The fast shopkeeper asked like an ignorant but studious kid, while Yan Shengrui on the side was quietly waiting for his answer. But this time Ling Jingxuan explained no more but only said weakly, ¡°You won¡¯t understand even if I explain it. Anyway, it¡¯s a language from a far place. Shopkeeper Hong, I wonder if you can make them for me today.¡±


    Just because he was in a hurry that he didn¡¯t make it too complicated. If he had time, he would prefer a ring with gold inlaid with jade. After all, it was a wedding ring, something to wear for a lifetime, everyone wanted the best.


    ¡°No problem, we have ready-made ones like this, as long as the symbol is engraved on it. Anyway, the implied meaning of the ring is quite good. Aren¡¯t you afraid I may sell the same style in my shop?¡±


    They did business with those rich people, and the last thing those people lacked of was money. So as long as it got a good implied meaning, however much it cost, they wouldn¡¯t even make a single frown.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Shopkeeper Hong, you forgot one thing. Everyone¡¯s surname is different, so the letters they need are also different. Except me, I guess no one knows all the letters. I have no objection if you want to launch the same style, as long as you have the ability.¡±


    For this, Ling Jingxuan was quite confident, for he was the only who had transmigrated from a modern world! Using cyber language, it should be I am a transmigrator so I am the boss!


    ¡°Haha¡­I was kidding, this is the unique symbol of your love. By the way, forgot to congratulate you guys. Wish you stay together forever and love for all seasons!¡±


    The fat shopkeeper gave a big laugh while sending his best wishes. To be honest, he kind of quite liked Ling Jingxuan. Although sometimes he was quite aggravating, at least, he wasn¡¯t so hypocritical like others.


    ¡°Thank you, Shopkeeper Hong, there is the size of the rings on the drawing, sorry to trouble you then. We still have to go to the county yemen to get the marriage certificate, and then come to try on clothes later.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan stood up with Yan Shengrui, the most important thing was waiting for them to do.


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    Shopkeeper Hong personally sent them to the door, until watching them disappear did he go back in with the workers.

 Chapter 310

    Getting their marriage paper didn¡¯t need the approval of the magistrate. They only needed to go to his assistant who was responsible for regulating the paperwork. The assistant of Qingyang County was a man in his fifties, but already looked quite aged, with very long goatees. When Yan Shengrui said his name, he even had no response at all. They both felt strange. But after thinking it carefully, they knew what was happening. Who was Prince Sheng? Someone who could shoulder with heaven and earth in Qing Kingdom! Under normal circumstances, no one would connect him with a farmer, like Ling Chenglong and others also had no specially feelings after knowing that his surname was Yan. Maybe except someone like Ling Jinghan who always considered things thoroughly, others wouldn¡¯t take it to the heart at all.


    ¡°Just sign your names here separately.¡±


    The old assistant soon wrote the marriage paper. After handling them a copy each, he pointed at a spot at the bottom. A marriage paper usually had three copies, almost the same like in the 1980s in modern times. Just a piece of paper. And the new couple and undertaker all had to sign their names on it. Then the couple kept one each, and one for the yamen to save. Then their marriage relationship would be legalized.


    ¡°Do you need to be so excited?¡±


    As Ling Jingxuan who was taking out his specially made charcoal pencil inadvertently swept over at Yan Shengrui whose hand holding the marriage paper was actually trembling, a helpless but kind of sweet smile climbed at the corner of his mouth. Come on! Aren¡¯t you the general and the prince? Do you need to behave like that?


    ¡°Shut up! Sign it now!¡±


    Being exposed on spot, Yan Shengrui felt kind of awkward, so, after throwing him a star, he took up the pen and signed his name on it. Then, he still didn¡¯t forget to leave his fingerprint. Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head. With a wave of his charcoal pencil, he also wrote his name on it. Then the two of them exchanged the paper and signed their names on the three copies.


    ¡°It¡¯s done. Congratulations!¡±


    After the old assistant carefully confirmed it, he took the official seal and stamped on each of them, thus their marriage was finally settled.


    ¡°Thank you so much, my lord.¡±


    In a rarely good mood, the two of them cupped their hands, and then carefully stuffed the copies that belonged to them into the pouch.


    ¡°Childe Ling, right? Our Lord asks to see you.¡±


    As they were about to leave, a yamen runner ran over. The two of them who didn¡¯t mean to bother the magistrate gave each other a look. Now they had no choice but to pay a visit to Magistrate Hu who had helped them a lot.


    ¡°Hahe¡­Jingxuan, finally I got you! Look at you! Why didn¡¯t you come to me?¡±


    Still in the study last time, seeing Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui come in, Hu Lizhi hurriedly went forward to welcome them. Since Ling Jingxuan had bought the wasteland from him, he had asked people to keep an eye on him. And just because of that, he basically knew every move of him. So, he also knew that under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s work, the wasteland had greatly changed. Even though it was still unknown whether he could really grow things out of it, only by looking at those straight ridges in the field, he already felt blissfully happy.


    ¡°Greetings, Lord Hu. Lord Hu is so busy, how can I both you with such a trivial thing?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan raised a smile while cupped his hands. To this magistrate, he held a pretty good impression.


    ¡°Getting married is never a trivial thing. Jingxuan¡­who is this?¡±


    As Magistrate Hu said, his eyes inevitably saw Yan Shengrui standing by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s side. Having been in the official circles for so long, almost in an instant, Hu Lizhi felt that kind of overwhelming aura on him. Suspicion was filled in his eyes. Since when their Qingyang County had such an uncommon man? Besides, not knowing whether it was his illusion or what, he felt that he should have seen him somewhere before.


    ¡°Hehe¡­He is my man Shengrui. He doesn¡¯t talk much. Hope you wouldn¡¯t¡¯ mind.¡±


    With a glance at Yan Shengrui, Hu Lizhi saw that he held one hand behind, thin lips slightly pursed, a pair of tiger eyes looking so majestic, the whole body suffused with that kind of dominant feeling. Ling Jingxuan helplessly held his forehead, and introduced him as simply as he could. Why is this as*hole trying to impress? If Magistrate Hu became suspected, they¡¯d get into more trouble!


    ¡°Shengrui?¡±


    Magistrate Hu, though unlike his assistant, only by a name, would never doubt his identity. He was only shocked by his overwhelming aura and couldn¡¯t help throwing a few more glances. Then he turned to smile at Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Good for you. When are you gonna hold the wedding? I wonder if I have the honor to be present?¡±


    Speaking of which, under his leadership, the three of them had sat down on the chair in the study. Ling Jingxuan smiled faintly, ¡°We¡¯ll hold it tomorrow. If you don¡¯t mind, it¡¯s really our honor if you can come.¡±


    Although a magistrate was only a minor official, it wasn¡¯t a bad thing to get related with him.


    ¡°It¡¯s settled then. Of course I will come. Jingxuan, I heard that you have already had the wasteland sorted out. I guess you should know the sea water will flow back by the middle of October. Then what you have done will go for nothing. So don¡¯t keep me blinded. What are you planning? What are you going to plant next year?¡±

 Chapter 311

    ¡°Hehe¡­Of course I can¡¯t let it go for nothing. The reason the wasteland can¡¯t grow anything was because when the sea water flows back, most salt would subside into the soil. And days and months multiplying, the wasteland turns into saline-alkali land and no plants could grow on it. So I asked the workers to make the ridges in the field, and dug ditches bigger and deeper than ordinary ones, only in case of the flowing back. Salt is heavier than water. So when the salt flows in together with the sea water, it will subside into the ditches and then slowly invade into the earth¡¯s surface. When the sea water flows away, the residual salt will also flow away. By then, I will ask the workers to re-plow the field, and overturned those ridges and fill up those ditches, and then the saltness about one chi of the soil on the surface would greatly decrease. And then I will grow some salt-tolerant plants. Theoretically speaking, there should be no problem.¡±


    Unlike last time, Ling Jingxuan explained it to him explicitly. He still had a lot of favors to ask from him, besides, he didn¡¯t plan to keep it hiding from him.


    ¡°That sounds reasonable, but it does require practice. No wonder you were reluctant to explain it.¡±


    After touching his chin and pondering for a moment, Hu Lizhi murmured, decisively beautifying the reason why Ling Jingxuan hid it from him. Ling Jingxuan did not explain much, and exchanging a strange eye contact with Yan Shengrui, he continued, ¡°My lord, if you don¡¯t mind, I do have a favor to ask.¡±


    He had originally planned to ask Shopkeeper Zhang for this favor, or even asked Zeng Shaoqing for this favor after he came, but since Magistrate Hu was so concerned about it, why should he go round the sun to meet the moon?¡±


    ¡°What is it? Tell me about it.¡±


    Hearing that, Magistrate Hu took a sip of his tea, but didn¡¯t agree at once. Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t mind. He said with a faint smile, ¡°Here is the thing, my lord. You know, there aren¡¯t many salt tolerant plants. And in the first year, I won¡¯t grow some kind of expensive ones. So, after talking with my whole family, we decided to grow sorghum. But you know, seeds for fifty thousand mu isn¡¯t a small number. So if I personally purchase the seeds, heaven knows when I could collect enough seeds. So I am wondering if you can help. Purchase sorghum seeds through the whole county under the name of the yamen. The market price is three to four cooper coins for one jin. I can offer five. And for those yamen runners who help me, I will also pay them extra money. I won¡¯t let them work for me for nothing. What do you say, my lord?¡±


    Ordinary families seldom grew sorghum, since they knew that it could only be used to make grooms. So even if Lord Hu agreed to do this favor, it was still hard to collect enough he wanted. So, next year, he still had to let Ling Jingpeng to take people to purchase more from the neighboring counties.


    ¡°Yeah, I can do you this favor. But, wouldn¡¯t it be a waste if you all grow sorghum?¡±


    Hu Lizhi felt a bit reluctant. If he could really grow things on it, it was like breaking a fly on the wheel if he only grew sorghum.


    ¡°Hehe¡­As you know, my lord, the first year is only for some experience. No one can guarantee that it could grow things out. As far as I know, among the salt tolerant plants, sorghum is the cheapest. Even if it may be a waste of the land, I only want to grow it. And if I succeed, it won¡¯t be late if we grow some other things the year after. We have to take one step a time.¡±


    He could tell him about the saline-alkali soil, but he would only be stupid he told him the real value of sorghum. If someone leaked the news, the price of sorghum seeds would get doubled or tripled, or ever more. By then, he would be the one that suffered.


    ¡°Well, you are right, I am too hasty. I am not worried you may laugh at me. Actually I am more anxious than you about it. Those wastelands, no, I mean, saline-alkali lands, if you can really turn it into wealth, it¡¯d be a big blessing to the court and its people. You know, our civilians have lived too bitterly.¡±


    After all, he was a good official who had his name out there, always considering things for the mass. Ling Jingxuan really admired that, and also let Yan Shengrui keep his name in mind secretly.


    ¡°Sorry to trouble you then, Lord Hu.¡±


    Having said what he should say, since they still had to go to Xinyuan to buy roast duck for his small bun, and go to Baiyunge to try the wedding dresses and the rings, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t plan to keep wasting time here.


    ¡°No problem. Tomorrow I will ask them to post a notice. Jingxuan, I will send my best wishes for your wedding first.¡±


    Hu Lizhi was not stupid, of course he noticed that he meant to leave, so he took the initiative to stand up and sent his best wishes. Ling Jingxuan cupped his hands, ¡°Thank you, my lord. If there is nothing else, we are leaving. Tomorrow, we will wait for your arrival.¡±


    ¡°I will definitely be there.¡±


    After saying goodbye to Magistrate Hu and walked out of the yamen, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan exhaled a long sigh of relief at the same time.


    ¡°This Hu Lizhi seems to be a good official.¡±


    Looking back at yamen behind, Yan Shengrui held him with one hand, the other pulling the horse. Ling Jingxuan turned to look at him, smiled and said, ¡°Seen from now, he is indeed a good one. Pity that it¡¯s said he has no connections above, so he has been nestling in the small Qingyang County for five years. Next year, I guess he¡¯ll still stay here.¡±


    No connections above, even if he had a lot of big achievements, he had done those things for those people above, unless he would do something big enough to shock the one in the imperial palace.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Yan Shengrui raised his eyebrow to squint at him, but did not say anything. After leaving the yamen, the two men climbed onto their horses and went straight to Xinyuan Restaurant.

 Chapter 312

    Tomorrow would be their wedding day. The whole family, who had just made some time, ran round in circles under Lady Wang¡¯s lead. It was too noisy outside, so the kids couldn¡¯t learn. So Chu Ci directly gave then a day off. Knowing that they were a little inhibited when staying with him, Chu Ci went to take a walk in the backyard after telling Chu Yan to take care of the kids.


    ¡°Wolf daddy, daddy is getting married tomorrow, I am so happy. No one could call him a slut in the future. But daddy once said father¡¯s background isn¡¯t simple. Do you think we should leave with father after he regains his memories? But I can¡¯t afford to part with my grandparents, Tiewa, Uncle Zhao and others. What if I would never see them again?¡±


    While Ling Wu and others were busy decorating the wedding room under the lead of Chu Yan, Ling Wen slipped into the wolf kennel, just a cub, lying in wolf daddy¡¯s belly, while Dahei and Xiaohei big obediently lying on both of his sides, like a guardian angel guarding him. At this moment, Ling Wen¡¯s little face was written with full sorrow.


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    Wolf daddy gave two soft howls and rubbed his neck using his head. Ling Wen giggled and put his arms around him. ¡°Are you trying to comfort me? I know I think too much. After daddy marries father, he is bound to leave with father in the future, but I don¡¯t want to leave, and I am a little worried, wolf daddy, you go with us, ok? I swear I won¡¯t let anyone bully you.¡±


    ¡°Howl!¡±


    Before wolf daddy could react, the two little cubs already howled at him. Under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s care and wolf daddy¡¯s training, they had shown an adult black wolf¡¯s image. Maybe in the eyes of those beasts in the mountain, they were quite threatening, but before Ling Wen, they were still so cute and lively as before.


    ¡°All right, I promise I will take you with me. Daddy said you are also our family. Wherever we go, I will take you with me.¡±


    Turning back to fondle their heads, Ling Wen withdrew his precious worries and giggled. Except the busy Ling Lingxuan and other family, Dahei and Xiaohei had accompanied him most. So in his heart, he had already taken them as family.


    ¡°Howl!¡±


    Hearing him, the two little cubs stuck out their tongues to lick his face. While dodging, Ling Wen laughed in all directions. Thinking he was playing with them, the two cubs got more excited and started to jump up and down the big tatami. Seeing that, wolf daddy showed some fatherly light in his green eyes.


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    After quite some time, wolf daddy howled softly. The two cubs turned to give him a look and then moved aside with their tails down. Ling Wen already sweating all over the face looked at wolf daddy who had always gotten up, panting, ¡°Wolf daddy, are you going up into the mountains?¡±


    When at home, wolf daddy usually slept in the kennel, only Dahei and Xiaohei would go to hang out with them. Only when they went to sleep at night would they go into the mountains. So almost every morning, he¡¯d bring back some food for them. So now they were basically not lack of meat now. And jerky had become their pocket snacks.


    Wolf daddy understood his words, nodded to him, then turned around and went out with two cubs, suddenly screams ring number, outside the Wolf the father figure soon disappear in the yard, then he heard their howls and soon three shadows disappeared in the yard. Ling Wen who came out after them threw a stare at Liu Xiaosui, Lady Zhang and others who looked scared, pouting. Wolf daddy and the two cubs are so nice, what¡¯s there to be scared of?


    ¡°Is the little¡­little master mad at us?¡±


    Liu Xiaosui who got herself together after a long time looked at Lady Zhang and Lady Wu together with her. Having been in here for so long, she still couldn¡¯t distinguish the two little masters. In case she made a mistake, she only called them little master, unless they were together.


    ¡°Hmm. He really takes them as family. Of course he would feel unhappy since every time we look so terrified on seeing wolf daddy. We can only learn to get used to wolf daddy in the future.¡±


    Lady Wu nodded, exchanging an eye contact with Lady Zhang. The thing was wolf daddy seldom came out, so they didn¡¯t have the chance to get used to him. And over time, they would forget about his presence. And now seeing him again, it was inevitable that they had jump scare. One should know wolf daddy was much bigger that Dahei and Xiaohei.


    ¡°Say no more. Let¡¯s send over those things. The madam is still waiting.¡±


    Under Lady Zhang¡¯s urging, the three of them hurriedly waked towards the central room. Tomorrow was the two masters¡¯ big day. They got tons of work to do.


    At the junction of the few villages outside the Ling Village, in a shabby tile-roofed house, Ling Chenghua who was thrown out of the family was hiding in the room, sobbing. The delicate eye make-up was already gone, two swollen eyes. Till now, she still couldn¡¯t accept the fact that she ended up like this like Ling Jingxuan that year.


    Besides, when she went to Zhang Hu¡¯s place bringing her dowries, he had completely changed his attitude and seized any chance to be sarcastic of her. If it hadn¡¯t been that she was pregnant, he may even get physical. Ordinary people would feel so regretted now, but she thought it was all Ling Jingxuan and his mother¡¯s fault! If it hadn¡¯t been them, how would she have ended up like this?

 Chapter 313

    ¡°Duang!¡±


    The unlatched door was suddenly kicked open from the outside, the tall and strong Zhang Hu menacingly walked in, Ling Chenghua¡¯s weak body reflexively had a shrink. Zhang Hu¡¯s eyes were stained with undisguised intolerance, ¡°Cry, cry, cry, what can you do except crying? I asked you to ask more dowries from Ling Chenglong, but what did you do, huh? Instead of getting any money, you got yourself calculated. I have never seen a woman more stupid than you!¡±


    Every time talking about this, he was so mad. That day after they called Ling Chenglong over, he thought that they could have gotten a large sum of money, but never expected¡­Soon came the news that Ling Chenglong left in great anger and the old woman shouted abuse. At the time, he could vaguely tell that this thing would be screwed up. As anticipated, when Ling Chenghua came to him that night, she kept complaining. After asking her about the whole thing, he couldn¡¯t help cursing her a pig head in the heart. Apparently she tried to ask money out of him, but still held her head so high. Only an idiot would give her the money. So, he had already given it up and planned to cut off her connections with her. But, what made him madder was, at that very night, she ran to his place. And no matter what he asked, she just wouldn¡¯t say anything, only crying there, which made him quite upset. Until the second did he know that this woman was even more vicious than he had imagined. If it hadn¡¯t been that she was pregnant with his child, he had already thrown her out of the house.


    ¡°Dowries, dowries, what else do you know but dowries? Zhang Hu, did you marry me for my dowries?¡±


    How could Ling Chenghua who had been spoiled since she was little take his abuse again and again? That little fear in the heart instantly disappeared, and Ling Chenghua abruptly got up, pointing at him with a trembling finger, and her plump breasts were also going up and down due to the great anger.


    ¡°Or what makes you think I will marry you such a slut who even had intercourse with your own nephew before so many people?¡±


    Lazily sweeping over at her, Zhang Hu totally didn¡¯t take her anger in his eyes at all. Then he added viciously, ¡°You both got your reputation ruined, I¡¯d rather choose Ling Jingxuan than you! At least, he is prettier, and not so slutty like you, and so many times smarter. Oh, one more thing, he is a tongsheng. And look at you. What do you have except that hole that could entertain men?¡±


    Knowing the one she hated most was Ling Jingxuan, he just deliberately touched her soft spot. Ling Chenghua nearly choked to death by his words, eyes wide open, she snarled like having already lost her sense, ¡°Since he is so good, then go marry him. You even want a man. I was blink to be with you!¡±


    ¡°I really want to, pity that it¡¯s too late. He is getting married tomorrow. This morning, I saw that Ling Jinghan bought back a lot of things for a wedding. Compared with you who was thrown out, he is getting married decently!¡±


    The more angrier she was, the more thrilled Zhang Hu felt, and that stuffy feeling in the chest was also gone with it.


    ¡°He is getting married?¡±


    Unexpectedly, hearing that Ling Jingxuan was getting married, instead of getting madder, Ling Chenghua slumped onto the ground disappointedly. Zhang Hu threw her a strange look, maybe she still needed some time to digest it.


    Ling Jingxuan is getting married? After letting her end up like this, he is going to get married? And with that outstanding man? No! She would never allow that to happen! Apparently she was the most favored one of the Ling family! What the hell was Ling Jingxuan? How could he ever live better than her! If it hadn¡¯t been him, how would her fianc¨¦ cancel their engagement? Even if she died, she couldn¡¯t let him get what he wanted!


    Her good-looking face was distorted by the eroding hate, her hands hanging on both sides were clenched into fists, her long fingernails sank deep into her flesh, but she felt nothing. The pain was nothing compared to her resentment.


    ¡°Brother Hu¡­¡±


    The next second, after burying all her hatred in the deepest place of the heart, Ling Chenghua got up and leaned over at Zhang Hu, while the latter gave her a suspicious look. Before he could figure out what she was up to, Ling Chenghua had already held his neck and rode over his thigh, with her huge breasts pressing against his side face. Only with a turn, his mouth could suck them.


    No men isn¡¯t lascivious. Especially someone like Zhang Hu. Ling Chenghua¡¯s body was still extremely seductive to him. As his giant palm covered her breasts, Ling Chenghua moaned, saying with a shy smile while trying to suppress the hatred in the heart, ¡°I hate you! Brother Hu always likes bullying me.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you like it when I bully you like this?¡±


    At the bottom of Zhang Hu¡¯s eyes were the leaping flames of desire, while saying those nasty words, his hands already started to ¡®work¡¯. Ling Chenghua moaned while saying pantingly, ¡°Brother Hu, don¡¯t you want money? I can help you get a lot of it. Are you interested?¡±


    ¡°Really? Tell me about it.¡±


    Zhang Hu replied carelessly, now he only wanted to sleep her, nothing else could arouse his interest.


    ¡°We could do like this¡­after getting the money, we will get out of here. Even if Ling Jingxuan could overturn the heaven, he won¡¯t find us. What do you think?¡±


    Brushing off his hand, Ling Chenghua murmured in his ear, and the desire in Zhang Hu¡¯s eyes of slowly disappeared. After throwing her a weird look, he mercilessly pushed her aside and then got up, ¡°What a vicious woman! But, I will do it. You just wait for my good news at home!¡±


    Speaking of which, Zhang Hu strode away. And the light smile on Ling Chenghua¡¯s face was instantly replaced by anger and resentment, a distorted face was even scarier than a ghost¡¯s. Ling Jingxuan, I will never let you get what you want! I swear!

 Chapter 314

    ¡°Master Six(Master Liu, Liu is the pinyin of six in Chinese), we¡¯ll arrive at Cangzhou Prefecture in the evening the latest. It¡¯s nearly noon. How about have some rest?¡±


    On to the way to Cangzhou, a few fine horses sped by. The leading man in red was particularly striking, even more beautiful than a woman, but now had long moustache and whiskers, so no one would suspect his gender. He was no one else by Zeng Shaoqing who received the news saying that Yan Shengrui was at the place of Ling Jingxuan who he had ever seen once and threw everything aside and made it all the way to Cangzhou.


    ¡°No, we should get to Cangzhou as soon as possible.¡±


    Withdrawing his usual dominant and scheming side, Zeng Shaoqing said while gritting his teeth, and swayed his whip even more frequently. When he saw him, he¡¯d definitely ¡®blackmail¡¯ him. In order to make it to Cangzhou in the shortest time, not only he had given up the comfortable and extravagant carriage, but also he had maxed out quite a few fine horses. If he couldn¡¯t give him a reasonable explanation, he¡¯d skin him for sure!


    ¡°Yes, everyone faster!¡±


    Seeing that, his subordinate aside hurriedly ordered others to speed up, a few steeds, like arrows, shot out, and in a blink of an eye, already disappeared without a trace.


    While on the other side, after knowing that Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan were getting married, Shopkeeper Wang also congratulated them, and tried pull them into Xinyuan for a big meal. By the time they left, it was past noon. Holding the few packed roast ducks, the new couple rode their horses and headed to the west for Baiyunge. Yan Shengrui who felt so happy would never know that someone had put himself out of the way and went all the way for him at top speed.


    ¡°The wedding ring may take a while to be sent over. Jingxuan, how about take a look at those suits of clothes first? I guess you wouldn¡¯t like too complicated styles, so I chose some elegant and simple ones.¡±


    Leading them to the second floor, the fat shopkeeper said, pointing at several sets of clothes on the counter flatly. For them, he really had racked his mind and turned over nearly all the wedding clothes they had and finally found a few sets that basically met his demand. What could he do? Their customers were all rich people. Who wouldn¡¯t want to wear those clothes as luxuriant and radiant as they could on their wedding? So there were really few simple styles.


    ¡°Well, not bad, but only the color red?¡±


    Stretching out his hand to touch those clothes, slippery fabric, of course it was something good, but the red color was so dazzling that it made Ling Jingxuan frown. He was like Zeng Shaoqing. Red color was too¡­you know¡­


    ¡°Is there any other color except red for wedding clothes?¡±


    The fat shopkeeper was speechless. Were they planning to wear white ones?


    You know what, Ling Jingxuan really had that plan, after all, he was not a pure ancient, in modern times, white was the main color of wedding dresses!


    ¡°Ahem¡­ Red color it is then. Is this Shengrui¡¯s?¡±


    Unable to explain it clearly with him, Ling Jingxuan made a cough, then his eyes fell on that bigger set of clothes, in addition to clothes, there were the golden crown, the jade belt and shoes, all red, really hard on the eyes, of course, also quite festive.


    ¡°Huh? Hmm, right, generally, when a man gets married, he wouldn¡¯t wear a hat, but a golden crown. Would you like to try it on now?¡±


    His thinking was too jumpy and apparently the fat shopkeeper couldn¡¯t catch up. So after quite a while, he went forward to explain it to him. Ling Jingxuan nodded, after a glanced, he picked up one set that looked simple and only had some auspicious patterns on the lappets and cuffs, ¡°How about this suit?¡±


    ¡°I believe in your taste.¡±


    Giving him his thumbs up, Yan Shengrui was never stingy of his praise about him, the joy overflowed in his words. Ling Jingxuan threw him a star grumpily, randomly stuffed the clothes into his arms, ¡°Cut the crap! Go change it!¡±


    How could he compliment his wife in front of so many people? Wouldn¡¯t he feel awkward?


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Seemingly having seen through what he was thinking, holding the clothes, Yan Shengrui turned into the fitting room. Why couldn¡¯t he compliment his own wife?


    ¡°Jingxuan has good taste, he is a good man, he¡¯d be good to you in the future.¡±


    Taking everything in his eyes, the fat shopkeeper also learned to give his thumbs-up. Having worked here for several decades, he could say he knew how to read people. With an eye, he knew that man wouldn¡¯t be a simple character. Besides, maybe even they themselves didn¡¯t notice it, the way he looked at other was already kind of cold and also supercilious. But when he looked at Ling Jingxuan, those eyes were only filled with affection. Anyone who grew a pair of eyes could tell how deeply he loved Jingxuan.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Sorry to make you laugh at us. He really doesn¡¯t know to hide his feelings.¡±


    Though saying so, Ling Jingxuan had undisguised sweetness in his smiling eyes. He didn¡¯t know how other lovers got along with each other. For him personally, he liked this kind of direct and pure communication. They were not women, so they really didn¡¯t need to feel shy or what, or, he would be the first one who couldn¡¯t bear with it.


    ¡°That¡¯s good, better than hiding your feelings. Come on. Pick one for yourself and get changed. If there is any place that doesn¡¯t fit, I will ask them to modify.¡±


    The fat shopkeeper was an experienced hand, how would he not know what those young men were thinking?


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll take this one. It seems to match the one Shengrui took.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan picked up a bright red wedding dress, the same style as Yan Shengrui¡¯s, but only one size smaller, and with a different pattern color at the lappets and cuffs.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the golden crown!¡±

 Chapter 315

    Seeing that he was about to leave only after taking the clothes and shoes, the fat shopkeeper hurriedly took the forgotten golden crown and put in over his wedding dress. Ling Jingxuan said frankly, ¡°I¡¯m not used to this thing. Can I not wear it?¡±


    Long hair was already hard to do every day. If he had to bound it up every day, he¡¯d rather died. And he was not a woman. How would he have time to do the hair everyday?


    ¡°What are you talking about? It¡¯s your big day, of course it¡¯s different from usual. Anyhow, it¡¯s only one day. Not that hard.¡±


    The fat shopkeeper threw him a glance, using a tone an elder lessoning a junior. Having no choice, Ling Jingxuan could only hold that pile of things and left with the waiter. The moment he stepped into the fitting room, Yan Shengrui who got changed walked out. He who was tall and strong looked more charming wearing those bright red wedding dress, and his long hair usually bounded up with a wood hairpin now was wearing a glistening golden crown, making his facial features more three-dimensional. A suit of bright red wedding dress, plus the jade belt and shoes of the same color, he looked so charming, and together with his unique temperament, making him so dominant.


    The fat shopkeeper and the waiters all dropped their jaws. And when his eyes swept over, they reflectively moved their eyes away. This man was too overwhelming, making them feel like it was kind of blasphemy only by looking at him.


    Totally having no idea he had become the object everyone felt awe of, Yan Shengrui swept around and didn¡¯t see Ling Jingxuan, thinking that he should have gone to change his clothes, he directly leaned against the pillar beside with his hands before his chest, his slightly narrowed eyes looked a bit lazy, but rays of shrewdness was giving off. Anyone with eyes wouldn¡¯t dare underestimate him.


    ¡°Jingxuan, you¡­¡±


    Soon, Ling Jingxuan who was also wearing his wedding dress walked out. The fat shopkeeper who saw him first couldn¡¯t help opening his eyes wide. Unlike Yan Shengrui¡¯s condescending dominance, Ling Jingxuan whose body was comparatively smaller presented some totally differently feeling, but you couldn¡¯t never neglect him. The fit red clothes wrapped his long figure, making his delicate skin more delicate, those slightly upward long and thin phoenix eyes had some kind of deadly seducing feeling, those pitch black sword-shape eyebrows were not quite dense, but still served as a foil to his beautiful eyes, pointy nose tip, those cherry lips, plus his hair randomly hanging down, the current Ling Jingxuan, it was a huge mistake if one still said he is a farmer. His beauty was delicate and attractive, like a secluded succubus, but the light under those eyes made one dare not desecrate him. Distance and seduction, two totally different traits got integrated together on him.


    Let alone the fat shopkeeper and others, even Yan Shengrui who couldn¡¯t be more familiar about him got dumbfounded there. After quite a while, he walked over at him, rasied a hand to touch his face while saying with obsession, ¡°You are amazing!¡±


    Only three simple words, already enough to explain how attractive Ling Jingxuan was at this time, as the prince, even if having lost his memories, his taste would never be bad.


    ¡°Hehe¡­you are not bad. Bring your handsomeness to a new height!¡±


    Under such a scene, others would feel shy or what, but Ling Jingxuan just looked at him openly like that. And when he smiled, his long and thin phoenix eyes nearly curved into two crescent moons.


    ¡°Should I feel honored? It looks like you¡¯re complimenting me for the first time.¡±


    ¡°Really? I thought I often compliment you, after all, you are quite handsome, right?¡±


    ¡°Of course I should be handsome, or how could I be good enough for you?¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­not bad, you still have some self-knowledge.¡±


    Ignoring the shopkeeper and those guests, the two of them incredibly stuffed them with dog food. And their innutritious conversation really ruined their unique and overwhelming temperament. But it seemed that they themselves didn¡¯t care at all. In the eyes of two people who loved each other, only the other side was the most important in each other¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Ahem¡­¡±


    Seeing that the two of them were still showing affection to each other, the fat shopkeeper who took the exquisite box from the waiter could only pretend to make a cough to interrupt them. If they kept doing that, they¡¯d do it until dark.


    ¡°The clothes seem to fit me very well. I don¡¯t know how to tie my hair, so forget about the golden crown. You can just do my hair for me tomorrow.¡±


    Casting a faint look at the fat shopkeeper on the other side, Ling JIngxuan said with a light smile. His man was too handsome, and he kind of got obsessed just now and even forgot others¡¯ existence¡­


    ¡°Hmm, I will get you dressed up tomorrow.¡±


    And then take them off one by one, Yan Shengrui had no problem with that. But under his eyes showed that kind of feeling. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help picking his eyebrows, like he was saying ¡®I will wait for you¡¯, totally not shy at all, which made Yan Shengrui so itchy in the heart, and also start to expect their wedding night.


    ¡°Jingxuan, those are the wedding rings, see if it¡¯s what you want.¡±


    Seeing that they finally turned around, the fat shopkeeper moved forward holding that exquisite wooden box. Leaving Yan Shengrui aside, Ling Jingxuan took it and gently opened it. Two azure green delicate rings were quietly lying on a piece of lint. From their appearance, they could only be called some common first-class ones, but the pattern engraved inside represented their love, which was priceless to them.


    ¡°Well, better than I expected, worthy of being the special engraver of Baiyunge. Thank you so much, Shopkeeper Hong.¡±


    The pattern showed his superb carving skills, so many times better than those machine carving ones in his memories. Ling Jingxuan took out the smaller one and put it on his ring finger, the size was just right, the curving of the lip angle expanded.


    ¡°Some people say that the fourth finger of the left hand has a vein directly connected to the heart, so it is the most suitable for a wedding ring, to connect with the heart of the lover.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan took the other ring, and put it on for Yan Shengrui, the two rings probably were not a pair, but now they were. Yan Shengrui lowered his eyes to look at their rings. Then he grabbed his hand and crossed his fingers with his, ¡°From now on, whenever and whatever, we can never take it off.¡±


    It was a symbol of their love, and of their marriage.


    ¡°Hehe¡­I¡¯ll try not to, if we meet occasions that we have to take it off, we can hang it around the neck using a red string.


    It was absolutely impossible not to take it off. He couldn¡¯t wear it when he was making poison, and Shengrui had to protect it from being stained by the enemy¡¯s blood when he went into battle to kill the enemies in the future.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Nodding, two people smiled at each other.

 Chapter 316

    ¡°Ge, have daddy and others come back?¡±


    After waking up from a noon nap, the small bun hurriedly asked. Someone who had no idea what was happening would think he was quite sticky to his daddy. But anyone who had a basic knowledge of him knew he was only caring about whether Ling Jingxuan had brought back the roast duck for him. Ling Wen, who woke up about fifteen minutes earlier and was practicing his calligraphy in the room said with a hearty smile, ¡°Not yet. They have to get their marriage paper, and buy their wedding dresses. I guess they¡¯ll come back a little later. Go wash your face. Maybe daddy will be back later.¡±


    ¡°Oh, OK.¡±


    Still in a daze, the small bun nodded obediently and climbed off the bed, then ran to the bathroom. Although they had their own room already, when taking a nap at noon, Ling Wen would generally take the initiative to come and sleep together with his younger brother, and sometimes Ling Wu would also go to his room to sleep. Their brotherhood didn¡¯t hit the rocks or what due to the fact they were getting richer and richer. Ling Wen still took good care of his younger brother, and Ling Wu was still that obedient younger brother.


    ¡°Knock, knock~¡±


    Suddenly someone knocked at the door, as Ling Wen turned his head, Ling Yun¡¯s voice sounded outside, ¡°Little masters, are you awake? The old lord and ma¡¯am ask you to try your new clothes!¡±


    The wedding came in haste, and it was such a big family, so it was only normal if there was some little mistakes. After decorating the room in the morning, when the two little buns were rolling on the wedding bed, Lady Wang noticed that she hadn¡¯t prepared them the new clothes. Others were fine, but the new couple and the kids must wear new clothes. See? After lunch, even without the time to take a nap, Ling Jingpeng drove a carriage to town to buy them the new clothes.


    ¡°OK, we¡¯ll be right over.¡±


    As Ling Wen was about to go to the bathroom to check on his younger brother, he already came out high spirits, the two little brothers smiled at each other, then, hand in hand, went to open the door. As Ling Yun saw them, she also showed a faint smile, then, like a big sister, she grabbed their hands and went towards the central room.


    In the central room, the whole family got up, Zhao&Han couple also came, and Tie, who was one step ahead of them, had already changed into a bright red brocade robe, making him even cuter.


    ¡°Wen, Wu, come on! Change those new clothes your third uncle has bought you. Red color! Looks quite good!¡±


    Seeing them come in, Tiewa ran over happily, because he was Ling Jingxuan¡¯s adoptive son, so he also had to wear new clothes.


    ¡°Tiewa, you are cute!¡±


    Looking at his new clothes, the small bun couldn¡¯t help complimenting, even pretended to be an adult to stretch out a hand to pinch his little face lightly. What was that saying like? Try to draw a tiger, but turn out to be like a dog. When he did that, instead of looking like an adult fondling a kid dotingly, it felt like a little villain molesting a good little man.


    ¡°Who said he will marry his Brother Yan as his wife last time? Why not taking advantage of your own brother?¡±


    The whole family wouldn¡¯t help laughing. And Ling Jingpeng who liked teasing them said that on purpose. The small bun instantly blushed, then peeped at Chu Yan who got involved into this for no reason, after making sure he was fine with it, he snapped, ¡°Little uncle, don¡¯t talk nonsense! Since when did I take advantage of Tiewa? I just said he is good-looking. What¡¯s wrong with that?¡±


    The small bun stuck out his tongue at him and made a face to express his dissatisfaction strongly.


    ¡°Oh, there is nothing wrong with that. As long as your brother Yan does not misunderstand.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng smiled even harder, nothing was funnier than teasing the small bun!


    ¡°Brother Yan, you wouldn¡¯t misunderstand, right?¡±


    Rushing before Chu Yan, the small bun grabbed his hand and asked eagerly, eyes rendering naked injustice. Bad uncle! He had just pinched Tiewa¡¯s face like how daddy did. Why said that?


    ¡°Yeah, Wu is a good elder brother who cares about his younger brother. I am happy for that.¡±


    Sweeping away the previous embarrassment, Chu Yan touched his face and gently said, he could not bear to let his younger brother get wronged, not even it was a joke.


    ¡°Hmm, Brother Yan is the best.¡±


    Smiling, the small bun happily pounced over and embraced him, but still didn¡¯t forget to grin at Ling Jingxuan, making Ling Jingpeng laugh again. Ling Wen, who hadn¡¯t spoken all along, cale before Lady Wang and took up the clothes on her laps, ¡°Grandma, are these for us?¡±


    As they had said in the morning, daddy was getting married, as his sons, they would also wear new clothes. Therefore, he did not have any objection to buying such splendid new clothes, instead, he was quite happy. Money was never as important as the happiness of the whole family.


    ¡°Hmm, come, try if they fit. If not, I can ask Shuiling to refit them for you. Look at your daddy! He just made the decision in such a hurry. We even have no time to prepare everything. What if we forget about something very important tomorrow?¡±


    Speaking of this thing, Lady Wang couldn¡¯t help complaining. Such a huge thing! But Jingxuan and Shengrui totally took it like a child¡¯s play!


    ¡°Because daddy knows that you and grandpa will figure it out. Grandma, don¡¯t think too much. It¡¯s a good thing. We should all be happy.¡±

 Chapter 317

    Yeah, that was Ling Jingxuan¡¯s son by blood. In and out of his words, Ling Wen was speaking for him. As he eased Lady Wang¡¯s anger, she also praised him for being so consecrate.


    ¡°Wu, let¡¯s get changed.¡±


    Picking up the clothes and shoes that belonged to them, Ling Wen walked over and took her younger brother¡¯s hand. Chu Yan also stood up and said, ¡°I¡¯ll help you. You seldom bound up your hear. I can help you with the golden crown.¡±


    ¡°OK.¡±


    The two little buns agreed with one voice. Chu Yan turned around and nodded to the others, then led them away. Watching their back, Lady Wang smiled, ¡°It¡¯s really not a bad thing if Wu can really marry Chu Yan. See? Yan really cares about them.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you¡¯re right. Nothing is as important as the children¡¯s happiness.¡±


    Ling Chenglong also nodded to agree. On the other side, Ling Jinghan¡¯s eyes glittered, he slowly put down the book in his hand, ¡°How old is Wu? Dad, mom, you think too much.¡±


    If guessed it right, Chu Yan and Ling Wu should be related by blood. Chu Ci and Chu Yan would never be common people judging from their knowledge, their style of conversation and their temperament, plus Chu Yan¡¯s awe towards Brother Rui, and his suspicion of Brother Rui¡¯s identity, maybe they were all from the imperial family. Giving his knowing about his big brother, his big brother should also know. The reason he didn¡¯t tell them was that he didn¡¯t want them to be scared. After all, they were just farmers. In usual days, they¡¯d already brag if before others for a long time if they had a chance to see the magistrate. If they knew they got some few imperial members at home, they¡¯d directly wet their pants!


    ¡°Look at me! I am too happy and already forgot that our Wu only reaches five next month.¡±


    After saying this, Lady Wang sighed with emotion. Yeah, it was five years already. Now having lived some good days, they had nearly forgot about those bitter old days.


    ¡°Yes, elder sister, elder brother-in-law, you are too anxious.¡±


    On the side, Wang Jinyu also agreed. The two sisters gave each other a smile. Maybe they had been too idle, and always thought of things toward the good direction, and even ignored the kid¡¯s age problem.


    ¡°Well, why haven¡¯t they come back yet? It¡¯s almost three in the afternoon.¡±


    For fear that their mother would think of those things in the past, Ling Jingpeng calmly transferred the topic, then the family could not help but turn their eyes to the gate, unfortunately, still quiet there, not any trace of those two.


    ¡°Maybe something delayed them. Mom, think if we forgot to send anyone the invitation. Although my big brother said make it as simple as possible, we still shouldn¡¯t miss any necessary guest. At least, we should throw them a happy wedding.¡±


    Ling Jinghan picked up the conversation. He and Jingpeng sent Shopkeeper Zhang and Guarantor Liu the invitations in person. And Old Zhou and Old Song sent the Wang family and old Wang family the invitations. That was all their relatives and friends by now.


    ¡°It¡¯s not there¡¯s no other ones. After Jingxuan comes back, you can ask him if we should invite the headmen of those workers who built the house for us. If it weren¡¯t them, how could we move into the new house so quickly?¡±


    She was not worried on this, because calculating back and forth, it was those people only. What worried her was those auspicious things.


    ¡°Hmm, Sister-in-law Song, sorry to trouble you for the feast tomorrow. Try to make it as good as possible.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jinghan turned the topic onto Sister-in-law Song. About his big brother¡¯s wedding, they had talked with Brother Zhao and others. They¡¯d hold it using the money made from the jam. Just take it as their cash gift for him. They wouldn¡¯t care how much it would cost, as long as the wedding could proceed smoothly.


    ¡°Hmm, young master, you can count on me.¡±


    Having stayed in here for long enough, Sister-in-law Song also became confident. As long as they didn¡¯t cross the line, the masters would turn a blind eye. So, in most times, they were like family, not servants or maids.


    ¡°Grandma, what do you say? Looks good?¡±


    While they were talking, the small bun flashed in like a red tornado. And his usual high-bounded ponytail like his daddy wore a golden crown for the first time, the hair was neatly tied together. That delicate little face couldn¡¯t be cuter. And those red clothes made him more shining, though he kept running here and there like a rough man and the lower hem of his robes had already been kind of wrinkled.


    ¡°Wow, looks great, our Wu looks good in anything!¡±


    Lady Wang¡¯s eyes were beaming, and she kept nodding happily. Then Ling Wen who followed behind also came before her. Lady Wang touched one and then the other, couldn¡¯t be happier. Usually, it was already hard to tell who is whom. Now they were totally like coming out of the same model. If it hadn¡¯t been that one was lively and active, while the other was mild and sensible, even Lady Wang would make a mistake.


    ¡°Wow! Who are those moving red envelops? Looks so festive!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s voice suddenly rang from the gate. Everyone looked out and then saw that he and Yan Shengrui were walking in side by side, holding a large package in a hand of each of them. Seeing that, the two little buns turned to run out and grabbed his thighs, ¡°Daddy, finally! I¡¯m so worried!¡±


    Lifting up the head, the small bun habitually ¡®complained¡¯, while the big bun added, ¡°Actually he is only worried whether you brought back the roast duck or not!¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    ¡°I hate you! You are bullying me!¡±


    Ling Wen ¡®exposed¡¯ his ¡®true¡¯ face. And the whole family already laughed in spite of themselves. And Ling Wu, pouting, stamped on his feet, looking quite mad. Ling Wen dotingly touched his head, and the smile on his face grew bigger.


    ¡°All right. How dare I forget about that? See? We¡¯ll eat it at dinner.¡±


    Swinging the package in his hands, Ling Jingxuan handed it to Ling Yun who came forward, then held their hands and walked in, while Yan Shengrui turned to go to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s room to put down their clothes.

 Chapter 318

    Early the next day, Ling Jingxuan already got pulled out of bed who had stayed excited the whole night. He who hadn¡¯t woken up by his biological clock even couldn¡¯t open his eyes, only letting Yan Shengrui work on him in a daze, washing face, changing his clothes, putting on the shoes, tying up his hair, after such a series of things, even a head person would come back to life!


    Looking at his own vague shadow in the bronze mirror, Ling Jingxuan curved his lips. His usual ponytail was braided into a chignon, then got clapped by the golden crown, nearly there was no single hair swinging on his face, all rolled into the golden crown, the bright red wedding dress made his delicate skin more smooth and shining. Now Ling Jingxuan only had one saying in his head, clothes make a man just as a saddle makes a horse.


    ¡°You are up so early? Aren¡¯t you afraid you¡¯d have not enough strength tonight?¡±


    Looking up at the sky outside, it was only daybreak. Ling Jingxuan held a hand against the dresser with his head resting on it, looking at the man who was doing his hair for him with his head sideways. One had to say, it looked like Yan Shengrui was born for those gorgeous dresses. Apparently he was only wearing some underclothes, but after changing the wooden hairpin into a golden crown, his whole temperament had complete change. And his dominance he deliberately tried to hide now couldn¡¯t hide anymore. No one who saw him like this wouldn¡¯t be shocked, and could never connect the old him to the current him like now.


    ¡°I won¡¯t feel exhausted even staying up for three whole days. So you are worrying for nothing.¡±


    Throwing him a flirty eye, Yan Shengrui who had already bundled up the hair for him turned to take off his underclothes, and his strong chest muscles and his abdomen instantly fell into Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes, making a whistle, Ling Jingxuan said with a bad smile, ¡°Nice body, your figure is getting better and better.¡±


    While he said that, his eyes already swept over all his upper body. One could say, this man looked slim when wearing clothes, and when he took them off, he got so many muscles. Superb good body! No one wouldn¡¯t have a bleeding nose on seeing it. So for others¡¯ noses, he¡¯d better keep an eye on him.


    ¡°It is my greatest pleasure that you are satisfied.¡±


    With a smile on his thin lips, Yan Shengrui picked up those new red underclothes and got changed before him, and then his new wedding dress the jade belt, finally put on the chiffon with embroidered flower seaming, then done with all the clothes.


    ¡°How do I look?¡±


    He turned back and opened his arms, with undisguised swaggering feeling on his firm and handsome face. Ling Jingxuan nodded cooperatively, ¡°Yeah, super handsome, although red doesn¡¯t fit you, the gorgeous clothes are enough to make up for the defects of the color.¡±


    He said right. Yan Shengrui¡¯s skin was that kind of healthy wheat-colored, and red really didn¡¯t go with him. But compared with those grey cotton clothes, that instantly improved his temperament a lot. Like he had said yesterday, it brought his handsomeness to a new height.


    ¡°Knock, knock¡­¡±


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    Strange door knocking sound was heard, the couple gave each other a loo, After Yan Shengrui opened the door, the two cubs rushed in first. Really they didn¡¯t jump onto him, but put the things in their mouths on his knees. Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes. It was two ganoderma lucidums even bigger than an adult¡¯s palm, one red while the other green. His phoenix eyes widened. Then he stretched out a hand to take them up. After some careful sniffing, he looked at the two cubs with a smile, ¡°Are those the wedding gifts for daddy?¡±


    ¡°Howl~¡±


    As if understanding his more words, the two cubs made circles while growling twice, wagging their tails like they were saying ¡®praise me, praise me.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­You two wolf goblins, thank you. Daddy Ling likes your gifts very much!¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help but smile more brilliantly, for him who liked developing poison, nothing was more attractive than medicinal materials. Although those two were different from those he had ever seen before, judging from its smell, he could tell they should be some extremely rare species. Maybe they could even bring someone dying back to life.


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    The two cubs howled joyfully. Soon, wolf daddy¡¯s big figure swaggered in. He also had something in his mouth. Seeing it, Ling Jingxuan even brightened his eyes. That was a baby-size ginseng! After putting the ganoderma lucidums on the dresser, Ling Jingxuan took it out of wolf daddy¡¯s mouth, carefully observed. Giving his profession judging, it should be at least a thousand year¡¯s old, the only regret was¡­


    ¡°Nice stuff, but the roots are mostly destroyed.¡±


    Ginseng roots were also very useful, especially this kind of millennium ginseng, Ling Jingxuan felt so sorry, while wolf daddy threw him a hard stare, as if to say ¡°I am a beast but not a human! How can I get it without damaging it? Learn to be satisfied¡¯.


    ¡°Thank you for the gift, old pal, I like it very much.¡±


    Just a moment¡¯s entangling, Ling Jingxuan held the ginseng with both hands, raised his head and said sincerely. He had never expected that the wolf family would also prepare wedding gifts for him. So it turned out that even beasts had feelings. At least better than some ungrateful human beings!


    This time wolf dad didn¡¯t despise him again, unexpectedly slightly nodded at him, then turned and took his two sons back to their w, who was never that kind of sentimental person, was touched, feeling lucky that he made the right decision to bring the two cubs back home.


    ¡°Daddy, father¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy, father¡­¡±


    ¡°Adoptive daddy, adoptive father¡­¡±

 Chapter 319

    Not long after, after Ling Jingxuan went to the workshop, released the Crescent Spring to scoop out some water and soaked those three gifts in it, the three moving ¡®red envelops¡¯ ran over, those joyful voices, even he was inside the workshop, Ling Jingxuan could hear it clearly.


    ¡°Father, where is daddy?¡±


    Not seeing Ling Jingxuan, the few little buns asked. As Yan Shengrui was about to answer them, the door of the workshop opened. Ling Jingxuan who was also wearing red wedding dress walked out. The three little buns ran over, ¡°Daddy (Adoptive daddy).¡±


    ¡°Morning, little buns, come to daddy, wow, my little buns are so handsome today!¡±


    Touching them respectively, Ling Jingxuan pulled them into the living room. All the servants and maids got up already and were already busy outside. They only invited five tables of guests, two in the backyard, for the servants and maids, three in the front yard. Lady Wang meant to put them in the central room, but Ling Jingxuan said the air was not good inside. And now the weather was neither too hot nor too cold, so they finally decided to eat outside.


    ¡°Daddy, come sit here, with father.¡±


    Seeing that Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan occupied a couch, the small bun grabbed his hand and pulled him to sit by Yan Shengrui¡¯s side. The new couple picked their eyebrows, and decided to see what they were up to. Then they saw the three little buns stand in a line before them, Ling Wen in the middle, while Ling Wu and Tiewa on both sides. Under Ling Wen¡¯s lead, they knelt down and kowtowed to them, and then said with their hands cupped, ¡°Wish father and daddy a happy marriage and love each other forever!¡±


    ¡°Wish father and daddy a happy marriage and love each other forever!¡±


    ¡°Wish adoptive father and daddy a happy marriage and love each other forever!¡±


    The three little buns sent their own blessing. Ling Jingxuan suddenly felt so touched, Yan Shengrui stretched out a hand to hold his shoulder, the eyes looking at those little buns with all tenderness. Whether they came up such an idea themselves or someone else taught them, they had received their blessings.


    ¡°Good boys, thank you so much.¡±


    After calming their excitement a little, Ling Jingxuan reached out to pull them up and then kissed each of them on their forehead, while Yan Shengrui also learned from him and did the same thing. To them, nothing would be better than the little buns¡¯ blessings.


    ¡°Knock knock¡­¡±


    ¡°Uncle Sheng, Uncle Ling, father has asked me to send you the gift.¡±


    The next second, holding a wooden box, Chu Yan stretched out his hand to knock on the open door, then already walked in before they invited him in. Ling Jingxuan pulled the little buns to sit around them then raised his head with a smile, ¡°Yan, come and sit. Don¡¯t stand on ceremony. I am already very happy that you can come. No need for the gift.¡±


    He really liked Chu Yan from the bottom of his heart, not only because he cared about his little buns more than him, but also because he felt sorry for his being premature which didn¡¯t belong to his age.


    Compared with him, the way Yan Shengrui looked at Chu Yan was a lot more serious, mixed with a little bit satisfaction and inspection. If it were before, Chu Yan would have already shuddered. But now, he no longer showed scare, even if he still felt scared and respectful of him. And just because of that, Yan Shengrui would show some kind of emotion called satisfaction.


    ¡°Yan¡¯er, what are you doing? There is gold under a man¡¯s knees, you are already a big man, how can you get on your knees so easily?¡±


    Seeing him actually holding the wooden box and getting on his knees, Ling Jingxuan quickly let go of the little buns and tried to hold him up. He was a prince, how could he knee down to a farmer? Although he personally didn¡¯t think it was a thing, but¡­anyhow, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. He had to consider things he should.


    ¡°No, Uncle Ling, between heaven and earth, except my parents, only you and Uncle Sheng are worthy to accept my kowtow.¡±


    But Chu Yan who had always listened to him now brushed his hands trying to hold him up. Seeing the firmness under his eyes, Ling Jingxuan could only withdraw his stiff hands. At this time, Yan Shengrui grabbed his hands, Ling Jingxuan turned around and saw that he slightly nodded at him. For this, he could only raise a smile and accept.


    ¡°Uncle Ling, Uncle Sheng, thank you for your care and teaching of me, these two months are the happiest time in my life, no matter where I¡¯ll go in the future, I will firmly remember you. Today is your big day, this is a box of pearls from my father. Wish you a happy marriage!¡±


    Seeing that they accepted, Chu Yan raised his head to look at them. While speaking, he slowly opened that wooden box, inside of which lay five egg-size and moonlight-white pearls. Only by looking at the size, one would know they were priceless. But instead of feeling joyful, Ling Jingxuan felt kind of sorry. Only a nine years old boy said things like the happiest time in his life? So he had already prepared that every day might be his last day. A prince, the legitimate son of the empress, even if it was an abolished one, he was still a decent legitimate son, but now lived in horror everyday. No one wouldn¡¯t feel sorry for him.


    ¡°Yan¡¯er, what are you talking about? As long as Uncle Ling is alive, I promise you¡¯d live this as always. Thank you for your blessing. And the gift is accepted. Thank your father for us.¡±


    Taking the wooden box from his hands, Ling Jingxuan made him his promise. Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help picking his eyebrows, but Chu Yan didn¡¯t get the meaning in his words, then got up under his support. No one had ever expected that the future young emperor would be made through today¡¯s bless sending. Some day in the future, when Chu Yan climbed over the throne under Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan¡¯s full support, he finally understood how heavy Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words were today.

 Chapter 320

    After it was broad daylight outside, the whole family got busied up. Sister-in-law Song was responsible for things in the kitchen, and Lady Zhang, Lady Wu and Liu Xiaosui working as her assistants. Although it was a banquet of five tables, each dish was carefully chosen by Lady Wang and her younger sister. In case of any mistake, after the dishes were settled, after asking Yan Shengrui to go through with it, Lady Wang made the final decision.


    Work in the yards inevitably included things like carrying heavy things, so Lady Wang asked Old Song and those rough men to take care of it. Ling Chenglong meant to lead them in person but got yelled at by his wife. Today, they were the hosts, who should be responsible for entertaining the guests, besides, they were wearing some expensive satin clothes. It¡¯d be a trouble if they got it stained or what. After all, they had been used of living that kind of frugal life. So they only had one or two of those good-quality clothes.


    For ling Yun had stayed in a family, under such circumstances, she was responsible for things in the central room, Shuiling as her assistant, things like serving tea for the guests and the decorations of the central room. As for Lady Wang and her younger sister, using Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words, he totally didn¡¯t know what they were being busy with. It was just that they just ran to the wedding room every few minutes, only afraid they might miss what. After people of the Wang family came, they even pulled Lady Sun and Lady Mu to check things out there, like they were the ones who were getting married. Compared with them, the real new couple was nearly bored to death.


    ¡°Mom, stop going here to check it out. Even if something was missed, just make it up later. No need to be so tense. If you really have nothing to do, go tell Sister-in-law Song to prepare an extra table of dishes and place it in the central room. I forgot yesterday. Magistrate Hu will also come today.¡±


    As Ling Jingxuan saw that his mother was getting up again, he hurriedly stopped her. And while speaking, his eyes swept over at Lady Han and Wang Yunya standing behind her meaningfully. Since they came here, their eyes always peeped around here and there. Although Wang Yunya had been engaged with a scholar in their village and Liu Chunyu was keeping an eye on Lady Han, in case that anything went wrong, he¡¯d better give them a warning in advance.


    Hearing that, Lady Han and her daughter both had a shudder. Lady Wang snapped with her eyes wide open, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say that yesterday? Lord Magistrate is coming? What do to? What if we fail to entertain Magistrate Hu and he gets mad at us? Oh my head! You silly kid, how could you forget about this? How could you even forget about such an important guest?¡±


    Scolding him while touching her own head, Lady Wang was so nervous that she almost fainted. She had never dreamed that the magistrate would come to their place. It was a great honor for such a farmer¡¯s family, and it was also a tremendous and terrible pressure. Could they who even trembled when meeting the yamen runners really entertain the magistrate well?


    Everyone of the Wang Family who arrived early also looked both excited and scared. It was such a great honor to have a meal with the lord. And it was absolutely worth it for a day off! The whole family were here today! To Ling Jingxuan, every one of the Wang family now thought highly of Ling Jingxuan, and told themselves in the heart they should never get alienated with him. Meanwhile, Wang Jingui secretly pinched Lady Han and threw his daughter a warning look. And Liu Chun on the side also took it to the heart. After casting a glance at Ling Jingxuan, she lifted her spirits and focused all on Lady Han and her daughter. The master was good enough with Lord Magistrate that he even specially came for their wedding. She should never let that pair of mother and daughter embarrass the master!


    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t be so nervous. Lord Hu is a good official, and he cares about his people. That¡¯s what he asks for to share his happiness with us. How could he ever get mad at us? You only need to remember. You are the host of this family. Anyone who steps into this house is our guests. So just entertain him like a common one.¡±


    Having received the expected effect, Ling Jingxuan said so. Of course it was not that he really forgot. The reason he didn¡¯t tell them was not wanting them to feel so tense. The reason he picked such a time to speak it was that he noticed Lady Han and her daughter were up to something. To be honest, he thought that this time the Wang Family was kind of ill-considered this time. They knew that Lady Han was not welcomed and Wang Yunya tried every mean to marry Ling Jinghan, they still took them over, although he could understand their good intention, he really didn¡¯t approve of it.


    Lady Wang also felt so helpless. The civilians were born to be afraid of the officials. As a woman, how could she not get nervous at all?


    ¡°Hehe¡­Mom, if you can¡¯t get used to it today, how about in the future? What if our Jinghan gets listed as a juren (lit. ¡°recommended man¡±, a qualified graduate who passed the triennial provincial exam)? He would be half an official then. And those who had contacts with us would all be those official families. What then? As the hostess, will you hide yourself and not see anyone?¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan smiled. Only a magistrate had scared them so like that. If they knew they got someone who once to be the empress, and the emperor¡¯s son and younger brother at home, would they directly pass out?


    ¡°That¡¯s things in the future. I¡¯m worried about what¡¯s happening now. No, I have to go to the kitchen to take a look. Jinyu, give me a hand. My legs.¡±


    Throwing her dagger eyes at her son, Lady Wang stretched a trembling hand to Wang Jinyu aside, but¡­


    ¡°Sister, my legs are weak too.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Compared with Lady Wang, Wang Jinyu was no better, Ling Jingxuan and his brothers couldn¡¯t help laughing out. Only a magistrate! Come on! Besides, he hadn¡¯t arrived yet. What were they gonna do when he really came in person?

 Chapter 321

    ¡°Grandma, let me help you. Wu, you go support grandma¡¯s sister?¡±


    It was the two little buns. Seeing that, they rushed forward one after the other. And Tiewa held the other hand of Lady Wang behind Ling Wen. Before leaving, Lady Wang threw a white eye at her sons. Hum! Still laughing at her? See how she was gonna teach them a lesson later?


    ¡°Oh no, our mother holds the grudge this time. Big brother, you got to save us.¡±


    Watching them leave, Ling Jinghan said teasingly. Ling Jingpeng also echoed, ¡°Yeah, you started all this, you got to be responsible. Mom looks scary when she gets mad.¡±


    ¡°Look at you two! Do we even need to worry about it? Your Brother Rui would handle properly.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Hearing his former part of the words, others thought he would have some great plan, but in the last sentence, he totally pushed it onto someone else. Yan Shengrui who was drinking tea nearly spat it out, and threw him a pretendingly angry look. And the brothers started to laugh again, and others also got amused and laughed. And the former tense and scary feeling was totally nowhere to find.


    ¡°Jingxuan, the old Wangs are here.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was the groom, although he himself didn¡¯t care, everyone thought he should stand out of the gate receiving the guests like last time. And Ling Chenglong and his sons had to entertain the guests, so the task of receiving the guests fell on the Zhao&Han couple and Zhang Qing and Zhang Yang. Now, seeing that the Wang Family¡¯s ox cart was approaching, Han Fei came in and informed him.


    ¡°Hmm, shall we go have a look?¡±


    Turning his head toward Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan asked tentatively. Now only people of the Wang family were here. And back and forth, they only chatted about those things. So he also felt kind of bored.


    ¡°OK, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Yan Shengrui never followed the rules, so he was the first to rise.


    ¡°Wait a minute.¡±


    Ling Chenglong who had been accompanying his father-in-law quickly said, ¡°No, you are the new couple. How can you go out like that?¡±


    According to the rules, Ling Jingxuan should stay in the room, it was already good enough to let him out!


    ¡°Where are there so many rules? I¡¯m not a little woman, I don¡¯t have to obey all that.¡±


    Standing up with Yan Shengrui side by side to look at his father, Ling Jingxuan said ruffian-like.


    As for reasoning, how could Ling Chenglong be his match?


    ¡°But it¡¯s against the rules.¡±


    Except saying so, he didn¡¯t know how to argue back. And Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows, ¡°In this family, we are the rules.¡±


    Speaking of which, no matter how others reacted, Ling Jingxuan got up and walked out with Yan Shengrui. He even didn¡¯t care about any bullsh*t auspicious day and hour, how would he ever care about those formalist rules? If obeying the rules could really make him happy, he didn¡¯t mind obeying them. But the thing is, those were total bullsh*t. How could he wrong himself for that?


    ¡°Since today Lord Magistrate is coming, Lady Han, you bring those female members to take a walk in the backyard. Don¡¯t let the lord see you.¡±


    After watching them disappear in his sight, Old Master Wang who was sitting in the main seat suddenly said that, with his eyes sweeping over at Lady Han and her daughter. Having lived for so long, of course he could clearly tell that Ling Jingxuan was not that warm like last time.


    ¡°Hmm. Mom, you also come with us. Let dad and others take care of things here.¡±


    As shrewd as Lady Mu, how could she not know what her father-in-law was implying? Speaking of which, she took the initiative to stand up. And the third son¡¯s wife also moved forward to support Lady Sun up. As for Liu Chunyu, she walked to Lady Han¡¯s side and said humbly, ¡°Sister, let¡¯s go to the backyard, shall we?¡±


    ¡°Go away, you impudent doxy, bah!¡±


    Regardless of the time and occasion, Lady Han ruthlessly waved her hand away, Liu Chunyu looked quite embarrassed but had to bite it.


    ¡°What are you doing? I¡¯m warning you, remember why we brought you here. If you keep yelling here, don¡¯t blame me!¡±


    Seeing that, Wang Jingui stood up and said fiercely while staring at her. The reason they brought them here today was trying to tell Ling Jingxuan and Jinghan that they already had no such thought, so they wouldn¡¯t have to put that thing in the heart. Never expected¡­After making a scene at home, she even dared to make a scene at Jingxuan¡¯s wedding. If he had known this, he would never bring them over!


    ¡°What? You so care about her since I just called her doxy? Surname Wang, when you married her, I already have no face to lose. How are you gonna show me some face? Repudiate me if you have the balls!¡±


    Holding her hands around the waist, Lady Han straightened her chest. All people of Wang family had their faces turning green. And Ling Chenglong and his sons were so mad. Although the wedding hadn¡¯t started officially, today was a big day to their family. Lady Han had really gone too far!


    ¡°All right, all right. I¡¯ll immediately repudiate you when I get back home!¡±


    Wang Jingui got so mad and totally forgot about what big day it was today. Seeing that, Liu Chunyu on the side hurriedly grabbed him, ¡°Jingui, don¡¯t be mad. It¡¯s all my fault today. Sister, calm down. I apologize. Stop making a scene here. Today is Jingxuan¡¯s big day. And Lord Magistrate will be here late. If we make him mad, our whole family will suffer. I¡¯m begging you¡­¡±


    Liu Chunyu nearly cried. It was not that she was afraid of Lady Han but was afraid that if they made Ling Jingxuan mad, her good days would be over.


    ¡°Hum! Doxy!¡±


    On hearing the magistrate, Lady Wang also got scared. So after a bluffing snort, she held her son up and walked out. Seeing that, everyone of the Wang family shook their head while sighing, regretting for the decision of taking them over. On the contrary, they grew some better impression about this Liu Chunyu. Forget about how she entered this family, at least she had a bigger picture, right?

 Chapter 322

    ¡°Brother Sheng, Brother Ling, congratulations!¡±


    When Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan went out with Han Fei, Old Wang happened to arrive at the gate. Seeing them, Old Wang hurriedly went forward to congratulate them while cupping his hands, with his wife and big son Zhao Shan followed behind. Ling Jingxuan stopped the business, so he also took the opportunity to have some rest. Having been doing business in this circle, he had earned the most this year. Now he had sent his sons to a private school in town and their days were getting better and better, all thanks to Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Welcome, Brother Wang!¡±


    They also cupped their hands and welcomed him. Then Lady Zhao walked forward and offered their gift in a red envelop, ¡°Congratulations. This is our little gift. Hope you wouldn¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? We are already very happy that you¡¯d come. How you feeling recently? Any symptoms?¡±


    Zhang Qing then received the gift from her, and Ling Jingxuan asked so with a faint smile, with his eyes sweeping over at his little disciple. After getting dressed up, that young man was like a total childe from some rich family.


    ¡°No, thank you for that. If it weren¡¯t for you, my little son and I would have been¡­¡±


    Even now, when she talked about the baby delivering thing, Lady Zhao still felt scared. Ling Jingxuan waved his hand, ¡°Don¡¯t say that. Your big son is my disciple-to-be. Later he will be my real disciple. Is such a little help a must?¡±


    ¡°Shifu, congratulations, wish you and Uncle Sheng a happy marriage!¡±


    As Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words fell, Zhao Shan who always knew how to butter people up hurriedly moved forward and bang, knelt before them. The old Wang couple nodded satisfactorily. And Ling Jingxuan held him up with a smile, ¡°You are a big man now. How can you kneel down to others so easily? Remember. After becoming my disciple, you only kneel down to heaven and earth, your parents and the emperor, not anyone else.¡±


    Soft, even a little indulgent, his tone was mixed with an unmistakable domineering feeling.


    ¡°Yes, I will keep that in mind, shifu.¡±


    Zhao Shan had read a few years of books, so he could talk decently, the most important thing is, feeling Ling Jingxuan¡¯s dominance, he was slightly yearning for the future.


    ¡°The rite would be held three days later. Elder brother Wang and sister-in-law, if you have no problem, you can send Shanzi to me three days later. He may live with me for a long time in the future. I will let him go back home at a regular time every month. If you got anything important, you can ask someone to inform me in advance.¡±


    From his eyes, he saw a strong desire and yearning for knowledge, Ling Jingxuan was very satisfied with it, too honest kids did not meet his requirements, what he wanted was his desire.


    ¡°Oh, no problem, sorry to make you laugh, but Brother Ling, this boy has been urging us all day long. Today, when he heard that you are getting married, he even quit school and asked us to bring him over. I guess that¡¯s what he is wishing for. When the kid grows big enough, he¡¯d fly away. In future, sorry to trouble you to regulate him.¡±


    How could Old Wang ever disagree? Though it looked like he was complaining about his son, in his eyes were undisguised affection, pure love of a loving father to his son.


    ¡°Haha¡­Don¡¯t say that. Brother Wang, sister-in-law, come on in please. Yangzi, bring them in.¡±


    As his eyes swept into the distance and saw two carriages driving their way, Ling Jingxuan slightly turned his body sideways and made a ¡®please¡¯ gesture. Zhang Yang then led the way. The Old Wang family knew they were very busy, so they just followed Zhang Yang in.


    In the distance, the dust settled, two carriages were galloping all the way here, neither of which was strange to him. The former one belonged to Shopkeeper Zhang, the extravagant one behind, he had seen it before, it belonged to that Lord Six (Lord Liu). Slightly peeping at Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan meant to say something, but on a second thought, he didn¡¯t open his mouth.


    And sure enough, the two carriages stopped in front of them. Shopkeeper Zhang got down first. But he didn¡¯t greet Ling Jingxuan like before, but only threw him a meaningful look, then turned back to stand behind the carriage behind. After two women in green brushed open the curtains, Zeng Shaoqing wearing totally red clothes stepped out. Except Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui, everyone on spot dropped their jaws. Pity that he was stunningly beautiful, but wearing a sulking face.


    ¡°Damn Yan Shengrui, it¡¯s really you. Since you¡¯re ok, why didn¡¯t you contact me?¡±


    The next second, under everyone¡¯s gaze, like a red whirlwind, Zeng Shaoqing rushed before Yan Shengrui. Heaven knows how shocked he was when he received the news, and blamed himself for not letting people get Ling Jingxuan investigated in the heart, otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have missed it. Now seeing him standing in front of him in a whole piece, and even wearing a groom¡¯s dress, he really had the impulse of throwing a punch in his face.


    ¡°Six, long time no see, we¡¯ll talk later if there¡¯s anything. Today is my big day!¡±


    Yan Shengrui¡¯s face changed and his aura also changed. That pair of lazy eyes mixed with a little bit dominance cast a glance at the other side¡¯s hand grasping his collar. And at the very moment he saw him, he had regained all his lost memories. It was just that under such a condition, he had no time to organize his memories little by little. Now he only had one thought in the head¡ªhe must throw his wife a smooth wedding!


    ¡°Screw your wedding! Shengrui, do you know what you¡¯re doing?¡±

 Chapter 323

    With a light glance at Ling Jingxuan, who was also wearing the wedding dress, Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s eyes flashed and he looked kind of mad. It was not that he looked down on Ling Jingxuan. On the contrary, he actually valued his talent very much. But, they were from the imperial family! If he dragged a farmer into it, would it be like committing suicide? If he insisted, he would only do harm to him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll say it again! Let go!¡±


    Those peach blossom eyes suddenly turned fierce, all around Yan Shengrui was infected with the taste of outrageous feeling, Zeng Shaoqing deeply looked at him for a long time before angrily letting go of his hand.


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    When everyone was quietly relieved, Zeng Shaoqing suddenly threw a punch in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s stomach, not only Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t react, even Yan Shengrui had no time to react, others were stoned by this sudden move. Yan Shengrui who reacted first hurriedly held him, ¡°Jingxuan, are you OK?¡±


    That kind of overbearing feeling instantly disappeared. Now, he was only an ordinary man who was super worried about his wife.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Enduring the huge pain, Ling Jingxuan lifted his hand to wip[e his mouth, a touch of blood appeared on the back of the hand, the long and thin phoenix eyes sank, like a wounded beast, and soon that ferocious feeling was nowhere to find.


    ¡°Daddy, daddy, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Adoptive daddy¡­¡±


    As the little buns who happened to go out looking for them saw this scene, they instantly hurtled toward them. When they saw the residual blood at the corner of his mouth, the little buns were all frightened as their faces turned all pale. Ling Wu directly threw himself at Zeng Shaoqing, cuffing and kicking him, ¡°Get out of here! How dare you beat my daddy? Get lost! You are not welcomed here. Get out¡­¡±


    After all he was only five years old, even if he used all his strength, he could never really hurt him or what. Zeng Shaoqing was amazed by his looks. Having grown up with Yan Shengrui, no one was clearer of how Yan Shengrui looked like when he was little! Apparently this kid was his flesh! And even his bull-like character! Why didn¡¯t they mention it in the report?


    Ceng Shaoqing seemed to forget he himself had already gotten flurried when he saw that the man in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s home seemed to be Yan Shengrui and he didn¡¯t read the following part at all, and already came all the way here.


    ¡°Small bun, that¡¯s enough.¡±


    Calling back the small bun, Ling Jingxuan threw them an appeasing eye, ¡°Be good. Go to Uncle Zhao¡¯s side. I can take care of things here.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, let him go. We don¡¯t like him.¡¯


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Ling Wen pointed coldly at Zeng Shaoqing, he did not like anyone who was unkind to his daddy.


    ¡°Just go.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan did not promise them anything, because, he noticed Yan Shengrui¡¯s reaction. So at that moment, he should have resumed all his memories? People¡¯s memories were really something magical. Sometimes one may not regain it for a lifetime, but sometimes one only needed a chance to remember them all immediately. Yan Shengrui should belong to the latter.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, with your intelligence, you should have already guessed who he is. Why didn¡¯t you tell me last time?¡±


    Without any sense of guilt, Zeng Shaoqing come forward and questioned him. Yan Shengrui¡¯s murderous eyes instantly shot at him, and his muscles were jumping with his anger. Ling Jingxuan stretched out a hand to grab him, then with one hand rubbing his stomach, while the other wiping off the residual blood at the corner of his mouth. Ignoring Yan Shengrui¡¯s inquiring eyes, he stepped forward and looked into Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s furious eyes, ¡°Even if I guessed it out, so what? Do I have the obligations to tell you? Lord Six, if you are here to congratulate us, you are very welcomed. If not, please leave. About that punch, I will get it back some day!¡±


    Standing in the middle of the two imperial family members, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s momentum was not weak at all, even kind of surpassed them. Having been here for four months, that was the first he suffered. If it hadn¡¯t been that he was thinking about Yan Shengrui¡¯s thing, he wouldn¡¯t have taken that punch. For the sake that he was Yan Shengrui¡¯s best friend, he could let it go for now. But in the future, he¡¯d find a chance to get it back!


    ¡°Hum, what a joke! Ling Jingxuan, you haven¡¯t married him yet, so you are still not his wife, what qualifications do you have to threaten me?¡±


    He would be lying if he said he was not shocked. But Zeng Shaoqing wasn¡¯t a common man, not showing his emotions on the face was the basic requirement for him. Even if he had already felt stunningly surprised, he still maintained his superior momentum as Lord Six.


    ¡°You can try again if you don¡¯t believe me.¡±


    With one hand carried behind, Ling Jingxuan said so leisurely. How could Zeng Shaoqing allow someone to keep challenging his authority? So he really acted like he was gonna hit him again.


    ¡°Stop it!¡±


    Two different voices sounded almost at the same time, then, Yan Shengrui pulled Ling Jingxuan into his arms, he had already shown the signs of going rampant. On the other side, Chu Ci, dressed in a blue brocade robes, walked over. Zeng Shaoqing widened his eyes with disbelief. Totally ignoring Ling Jingxuan, he only greedily stared at the fairy-like Chu Ci who was even more beautiful than him!


    ¡°Shaoqing, we haven¡¯t met for three years. How you been?¡±


    Standing in front of him, no one knew whether it was a coincidence or what, Chu Ci¡¯s slender figure just blocked Ling Jingxuan behind. Everyone thought that facing Zeng Shaoqing, Ling Jingxuan would lose for sure. But, Ling Jingxuan who had always kept his silver needles on him already nipped them in his hands. If Zeng Shaoqing really beat him again, no one knew who would be the one that suffered. He was not that kind of pushover whom anyone could bully!

 Chapter 324

    ¡°Yun¡­Yunhan¡­and Seven, why are you also here?¡±


    Moving his eyes in between Chu Ci and Chu Yan, Zeng Shaoqing wide opened his eyes which were infected with undisguised shock. He had never expected that the former empress Chu Yunhan and the seventh prince Yan Xiaoming who had run out of the capital three years ago were also here! Three years ago, the seventh prince¡¯s mother/Chu Yunhan¡¯s half-blooded sister suddenly died of no reason, and Chu Yunhan who had been imprisoned in his own palace rushed over like crazy, but only got reproached by the emperor Yan Shengzhi. Later, he had gotten a high fever. But not long after, he received the news saying that the former empress and the seventh prince just vanished in the thin air at the same time. All the three years, the emperor¡¯s secret scouts, his shadow guards, Yan Shengrui¡¯s personal guards and those shadow guards of Chu family and other princes had all been looking for them. But none had gotten any clue. They all vaguely thought that they either had died or got sent to the East or West Kingdom. If it hadn¡¯t been that Yan Shengrui also suddenly disappeared, maybe the imperial family had already issued the news that they had both passed away. Never expected that¡­so was this the reason Yan Shengrui also disappeared? So he only hid in here for having found both of them?


    ¡°Uncle!¡±


    Chu Yan, no, should be called Yan Xiangming now, bent down coldly, which equaled to have greeted him. From those peach blossom eyes special to the Yan family, one could only see indifference and coldness. Except his father and the deceased mother, he was not familiar with anyone from that imperial palace, even including the Chu family who only took them as a chess piece. But three years before, he was still too little, and too soft-boned. Even if his mother had ever been favored, and his she-father was the empress, and he got the number one relative of the imperial family-Chu family as his back, under the condition he got disfavored by his he-father-the emperor, he still dare not watch other¡¯s face before doing things. But now he was totally different. Three years¡¯ experience plus months of Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan¡¯s teaching, to someone he didn¡¯t like, he dared say no. And now, his attitude already explained everything. He didn¡¯t like this man who hit his Uncle Ling.


    ¡°What is going on? Yunhan, Nine, explain it to me.¡±


    Ceng Shaoqing became more and more confused, feeling like a little clown. Chu Yunhan smiled faintly, ¡°You should call me imperial sister-in-law or Brother Han. Six, you are still so cubbish.¡±


    Then, ignoring what reaction he would have, Chu Yunhan turned to Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui. The moment he looked into Yan Shengrui¡¯s eyes, his body went stiff. He was so familiar with those eyes, which only belonged to Prince Sheng. If it had been before, he might even have no idea how to open his mouth. But after a few months¡¯ preparation, when facing it now, soon, he already could calm down soon like a miracle.


    ¡°Jingxuan, it¡¯s still early, can you let us deal with some private problems?¡±


    Eyes falling upon Ling Jingxuan¡¯s body, Chu Yunhan wore a pair of requesting eyes. He would soon leave, so he felt kind of reluctant. Not only Seven, those few months were also the happiest days in his life. After today, he would take Seven back to that extravagant golden cage, and never have this kind of easy and comfortable life, right?


    ¡°What do you say?¡±


    Deeply looking into his eyes for a while, Ling Jingxuan looked up at Yan Shengrui. Before the outsiders, he¡¯d give him full face. Later, when they were alone, he¡¯d have tons of questions to ask him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to your room.¡±


    With a faint but supercilious glance, Yan Shengrui, holding Ling Jingxuan, got up and turned to walk away, but Ling Jingxuan broke free from him and walked towards Zhao&Han couple and the little buns.


    ¡°Daddy, who is he? Why didn¡¯t father teach him a lesson?¡±


    Little mouth pouting, the small bun pointed at Zeng Shaoqing. Ling Jingxuan, trying to hold the dull pain in his stomach and squatted down, ¡°He is your father¡¯s buddy, like your and Tiewa. Be good. He is just silly and beat daddy before making things clear. He won¡¯t do that again.¡±


    While appeasing his son, Ling Jingxuan still did not forget to humiliate someone in words, and that someone was paying all his attention on Chu Yunhan, totally ignoring what he was saying, otherwise, he¡¯d have already gotten pissed off again?


    ¡°Really? Daddy, don¡¯t lie to us.¡±


    Ling Wen moved forward worriedly. The first impression made him feel that guy was so annoying. How would his brave and mighty father be friends of that kind of people?


    ¡°Hehe¡­When has daddy ever lied to you? Trust me. Some other day, about that punch, I will get it back a hundred times more! Daddy will never let anyone bully me.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Thinking and his usual behaviors, the two little buns bought his words, and Tiewa on one side also squeezed over with his eyes already turning red, ¡°Adoptive daddy, is it still painful?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you, Tiewa.¡±


    Stretching out a hand to touch his head and throwing the two little buns an eye, Ling Jingxuan stood up and looked at Zhao&Han couple, who came to their senses after a long time as they saw he was walking towards them. Han Fei said stammeringly, ¡°Jing¡­Jingxuan¡­he said you are¡­the crown princess?¡±


    If possible, he really wished he had heard it wrong. But that guy still called Shengrui Yan Shengrui. So wasn¡¯t it the name of the most famous Prince Sheng? Only the name Yan Shengrui, maybe they still thought they made a mistake, but once they heard the title crown princess, they could no longer deceived themselves.

 Chapter 325

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about that later. Brother Zhao and Han, however our identities change, I am still me, which will never change.¡±


    Yes, whether he was the crown princess or an ordinary farmer, he was him, the identity change was just additional things attached to him, inside, he was still that Ling Jingxuan fraternized with them, as for Yan Shengrui, he was never close with them, so he¡¯d only get more alienated with them in the future, but it didn¡¯t matter, he had his social circles, while he also had people and things he wanted to stay with for a whole life.


    ¡°Well, I know, Jingxuan, just be busy with your own stuff. You got me, Brother Long and Zhang Qing here. And we¡¯ll also take care of the kids.¡±


    As he saw the sincerity of his eyes, Han Fei¡¯s heart calmed down. Ling Jingxuan nodded and turned to Zhang Qing who was also frozen there, ¡°Qingzi, you go call Jinghan out to welcome the guests. Later, Lord Magistrate will be here. We shouldn¡¯t slight him. Besides, don¡¯t let my parents know about this temporarily.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­yes¡­¡±


    Zhang Qing promised with his tongue tied, turned to Yan Shengrui and others, then stumblingly ran in. Since everyone was busy, and there was a distance from the big gate to the main room. The noise hadn¡¯t raised any attention from those inside. Ling Jingxuan turned to throw another glance at those onlooking villagers. They shouldn¡¯t have heard anything, otherwise, they had already been scared away.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    After telling them what needed to pay extra attention, Ling Jingxuan went straight into the yard alone. Yan Shengrui slightly frowned. After throwing a stare at Zeng Shaoqing who caused the big trouble, he strode in to catch up with his wife. Chu Yunhan and his son gave each other a look, then followed up. Only Zeng Shaoqing wore a darkened face. Usually, wherever he went, people would all surround him like all the stars twinkled around the bright moon. Even those princes and concubines had to greet him! Never expected that in such countryside, the host ignored him and his buddy hated him. Even the ever most beautiful and mildest Yunhan refused to talk to him, let alone the two little Shengrui who showed their teeth only wishing to pounce over and bite him. What had he done? Making all the way here from the imperial capital, he had done something wrong?


    ¡°You stay and help welcome the guests.¡±


    The more he felt, the more upset. With a fling of his sleeves, Zeng Shaoqiang made leaps on his tiptoes and almost in an instant, already caught up with them who had walked far away. Then, Shopkeeper Zhang and a few shadow guards and some maids quietly stood in two rows to stand outside the gate. And Zhao&Han couple who hadn¡¯t calmed down went even stiffer. Standing together with those people, how were they supposed to welcome the guests?


    ¡°Ge, I¡¯m going in first.¡±


    Rolling his eyes, after saying that, the small bun also ran in. Ling Wen threw him a strange look, then turned to say something to the Zhao&Han couple, and grabbed Tiewa¡¯s hand and followed up. As for their payboys, since it was too busy today, so they didn¡¯t serve them aside.


    In the past, no matter who came, Ling Jingxuan would at least serve tea. But today, having sat in Chu Yunhan¡¯s room for quite a while, let alone serving tea, he even didn¡¯t say a word. Five of them sat on three sides, each side a long chair. Yan Shengrui put all his focus on Ling Jingxuan, while Ling Jingxuan only looked steadily forward. After feeling his own impulse, he felt out a pill and threw it in his mouth. And Chu Yunhan and his son only felt relieved on seeing that. Zeng Shaoqing who took everything under his eyes gradually calmed down. He didn¡¯t mean to beat him, it was just¡­His buddy went missing at the boarder, while his aged father and elder brother had to guard at the boarder for him. No news from him for the past few months. When he suddenly saw him standing before him in a whole piece and even was about to get married, of course he¡¯d feel mad. Since he couldn¡¯t vent his anger on Yan Shengrui, he could only vent it on Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Nine, what the hell is going on? Since you are so well, why didn¡¯t you contact us? Do you have any idea how many people are worried about your safety? If word gets out that you¡¯re missing, next year the armies of East and West Kingdom will definitely press on the borders again! What to do then? And Yunhan and Seven, why are you also here? Do you know how many shadow guards are looking for you in the land of the Qing Kingdom? If they find you first, you¡­is there anything that is unsolvable? Why did you run away?¡±


    Looking back and forth at them, Zeng Shaoqing took the lead to break the silence, then complained them for this and that like an old woman. Chu Yunhan and his son cast a faint look at him but said nothing, while Yan Shengrui frowned while talking back, ¡°Six, your patience decreases a lot. You need to marry a wife.¡±


    ¡°You¡­Yan Shengrui, be serious! Do you think everyone only has his wife in the head like you?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing got so pissed off again. When saying the word wife, his eyes swept over at Chu Yunhan. When he was little, almost everyone in the mansion took him as a huge headache, and all said he wasn¡¯t like his father at all. Only he, Chu Yunhan, the only legitimate son of Chu family, already tried to comfort him. And since then, he started to like him, not that kind of like between brothers, but between lovers. But, before he could grow up, he put on the phoenix robes and married into the imperial family. And since then, every time he wanted to see him, he had to hand over the token for application. And since then, that pure hidden love had been deeply buried in his heart. When he heard that he had run away from the palace three years ago, his first reaction was happy, and he instantly sent people to secretly look for him. Meanwhile, he also went into the palace to yell at his cousin emperor, so he missed the best time of looking for his whereabouts. As a result, he hadn¡¯t found any clue¡­

 Chapter 326

    In the big living room about dozens of square meters, the top figures in the imperial capital were all present. Except Ling Jingxuan, all the other four were someone who could make the imperial capital shake by stamping their feet. Yan Shengrui, the first prince that held the heavy military forces, had already been a famous bully through the whole capital. And reasonably, after growing up, he had become the commanding general, who even the emperor was afraid of.


    Zeng Shaoqing, the youngest son that Duke Zeng and the big princess favored most, Lord Six everyone in the mansion liked, one of the two big bullies in the capital. Although owning no official title, he was the number one businessman of the Qing Kingdom, even richer the emperor. When being short of military expenses, even the emperor had to borrow money from him sometimes.


    Chu Yunhan, the only legitimate son of the number one big family Chu Family in the capital, who married the emperor when he was still only a prince at the age of 12. After the prince had been enthroned, he became the first male empress of the Qing Kingdom, in charge of the whole harem. Although because of some reason, he had been deposed as the empress, the emperor didn¡¯t instantly throw him into the cold palace, but only grounded him in his own palace. Though being abolished, he still occupied the palace belonging to the empress. A lot of people knew he had a special place in the emperor¡¯s heart. More importantly, he had the big Chu family behind his back.


    Finally, it was the youngest Yan Xiaogming, the blood son of the emperor, whose mother consort was Chu Yunhan¡¯s half-blooded sister. At year, in order to consolidate his position, not long after the Chu family let Chu Yunhan marry Yan Shengzhi, they offered his half-blooded sister Chu Yunying to the crown prince, the only purpose was to let her give birth to a son, so Chu Yunhan would raise the kid as his legitimate son. But Chu family had underestimated Chu Yunhan¡¯s bond with his younger sister. After Chu Yunying gave birth, he saved her life at the cost of his. But, finally, Chu Yunying still died. And till now, except Chu Yunhan, no one knew who killed her. Chu Yunying¡¯s whole life was a tragedy. At first, the emperor didn¡¯t like her at all, nor her son. Not until Chu Yunhan had been abolished had she enjoyed how it felt being a favor concubine. Pity that¡­under such circumstances, Yan Xiaoming was adopted by the empress, which meant that he was the only imperial legitimate son of the Qing Kingdom. So since he was little, countless dangers had accompanied him, which also indirectly led to his timid personality. The Chu family still expected him to take the throne. So no one could afford offending him.


    ¡°I heard that General Qin¡¯s daughter has not been married yet. Later, I will send him a letter asking him to agree this marriage.¡±


    As if he didn¡¯t notice him being mad, Yan Shengrui leisurely leaned backwards, pulled over Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand and played with it, but one couldn¡¯t read any joking content through his face.


    ¡°Poof¡­¡±


    ¡°Yan Shengrui!¡±


    Chu Yunhan couldn¡¯t help laughing out. Zeng Shaoqing who had sank in those memories got so mad. General Qin¡¯s daughter? Could that be called a girl? Forget about she was already in her twenties, she was so big and tall, at least 200 jin, even one size bigger than him! He¡¯d rather marry a beggar than marry her!


    ¡°Fine. If you are not satisfied, change another one. I think the miss from the Shui family is also not bad, though a little hot-tempered, and not that pretty, you should know, you are almost thirty. Anyhow, the other side is a virgin, good enough for you.¡±


    Ignoring his murderous gaze, Yan Shengrui kept proceeding. He could only blame himself for touching his wife! He himself even had never said any harsh words to him, while the first time they met, he directly punched his wife! If he couldn¡¯t let him pay, he¡¯d change his name to Rui Shengyan!


    ¡°Good enough for me? You call that not that pretty? Yan Shengrui, stop avoiding i! Tell me, what¡¯s the relationship between you two?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing was so mad, aside from the crush in his heart, principally speaking, appearance was not the priority. Anyway, few people could be prettier than him. The problem is, whether it was the Shui family or Qin family, their daughters were so ugly, besides, they also had bad tempers. He didn¡¯t want to marry a tigress! Besides, who was concerned about his marriage thing now? Now he only cared about their thing!


    ¡°Tut, tut, Liu, your patience has weakened a lot, and your self-cultivation. Don¡¯t forget about your identity, Lord Six of the number one duke¡¯s mansion! Every move of your represents your family. Of course I have no problem of you losing your own face. But if you lose the fame of my aunt and uncle-in-law and the entire imperial family, I can¡¯t just stand aside!¡±


    The more anxious he was, the more he did not want to make him feel better. About who was more black-bellied, Zeng Shaoqing who had already taken the down hand apparently was not his rival.


    ¡°Stop! I¡¯m wrong, OK? Lord Nine, please show mercy, OK?¡±


    Uncle to take it, Zeng Shaoqing had to surrender. Otherwise, giving his knowledge of Yan Shengrui, he¡¯d definitely reason with him the whole day, and would never tell a word about the thing he wanted to know.


    His lazy eyes suddenly got concentrated, Yan Shengrui suddenly withdrew that faint smile, then locked him with his dagger-like tiger eyes, ¡°You got the wrong person. Zeng Shaoqing, since I have married Jingxuan, whatever what kind of status he owned before, he¡¯ll only own one identity in the future, my only crown princess! You showing no respect to him is showing no respect to me!¡±


    From the beginning to the end, he only had one purpose, to support Ling Jingxuan! Even the other side was his good buddy, he couldn¡¯t touch his wife!

 Chapter 327

    How many years? Zeng Shaoqing already couldn¡¯t remember how many years he didn¡¯t call his name directly, now for a Ling Jingxuan, he even called his full name! He couldn¡¯t find any trace of joking from that pair of cold eyes, which meant that he was serious. His fox eyes couldn¡¯t help turning onto Ling Jingxuan¡¯s body. What did he have to deserve such a man who had ever sworn that he would never get married?


    Not only him, even Chu Yunhan and his son who had been used to this were shocked. Before, Yan Shengrui was in the state of having lost his memories, so however immoral he was, they could accept it. But now, apparently he had regained his memories, his attitude towards Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t change a bit, instead, it became even more dense!


    Under such a condition, the only one who could smile was Ling Jingxuan. Before, he had been worried Yan Shengrui might deny their relationship after he remembered everything, or even erased those memories in here. In medical history, there was such cases. But seen from now, he had been worried for nothing. He was still him and hadn¡¯t changed a bit.


    ¡°Fine, I apologize, OK?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing had to straighten his neck and turned to Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Sorry, sister-in-law, I was too impulsive, if you have a problem, maybe you can beat me back?¡±


    Never get married? Yan Shengrui was a total wife-con! If he didn¡¯t see it with his eyes, he would never believe it even if you kill him!


    ¡°Forget about it. Just remember you owe me one.¡±


    Unexpectedly, instead of feeling grateful, Ling Jingxuan took the opportunity to checkmate him, one should know a promise from Lord Six was much worthier than a mere punch. Now that he punched Ling Jingxuan, how could Ling Jingxuan ever let him go so easily?


    ¡°Yes, sister-in-law, you decide.¡±


    Ceng Shaoqing gashed his teeth while staring at him, no wonder Yan Shengrui would have fallen for him, those two people are birds of a feather!


    ¡°That day, I received news from the boarders and knew that my imperial sister-in-law and Qi were quite possible to be in Cangzhou. In cause others found them first, I rushed back quietly. And on the way, I met quite a few groups of assassins. During the right, I got into the Yuehua Mountain, and went through the place and came here, and happened to bump into a she-wolf who had just laid birth and was looking for food. After badly wounding it, I also fell down the cliff. Fortunately Jingxuan saved me. After I woke up, I forgot everything, so o decided to stay in here. During this period of time, I often occasionally remembered some things, but always couldn¡¯t remember those crucial things. Until just now, the last piece of memory jigsaw is completed, and I also regained all my memories in an instant.¡±


    After getting the result he wanted, Yan Shengrui stopped wasting time and simply told him what had happened before and after he lost his memory.


    ¡°Assassins? From those little kids?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing swept away his precious ass-pain expression and looked over at him, frowning. Through the whole Qing Kingdom, except the emperor, only those little kids wanted and had the balls to kill him, right?


    ¡°I guess so.¡±


    But perhaps there was more to it than that. Through the whole world today, there were very few people who can match him in martial arts, while those people can hurt him, it was clear that the people who hired them must have a bigger background.


    ¡°I heard the one in the palace is in poor health. At the boarders has my father and big brother. Since you have regained your memories, you should go back to the capital. It¡¯s not something good that you have been away for so long. What if one of those little things grab the throne? The first one he wants to eliminate should be you.¡±


    Of course Zeng Shaoqing could expect what Yan Shengrui could, in and out of his words was dense concerns. But Yan Shengrui still played with Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand, making a confident and domineering smile, ¡°No rush. Everything is in my control. Even if one of them really takes that position, he will never oppose me openly.¡±


    That pair of black eyes was like carrying the universe, so deep as if they had no bottom, his confidence came from his power, calm, domineering and poised, who can easily put anything under control at any time, as long as he didn¡¯t nod, no one could be seated in the throne.


    Seeing such an arbitrary and careless him, Zeng Shaoqing silently sighed, ¡°As long as you know what you are doing. Oh right, what about those two kids just now? I guess they are about four or five years old, right? When did you give birth to them?¡±


    He wouldn¡¯t believe it if someone told him they were not Yan Shengrui¡¯s ¡®seeds¡¯. They were so much alike!


    ¡°Do you still remember that thing more than five years ago?¡±


    Speaking of that thing, Yan Shengrui¡¯s eyes darkened, his eyes swept over at Ling Jingxuan. He had never expected that accident five years ago could get him pregnant. And he even had raised them up! Damn it! As long as he recalled those five years, he felt so sorry for him. If he had brought him back ignoring the dangerous situation at the time, he wouldn¡¯t have lived so miserably, right?¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­¡±


    Hearing him, Zeng Shaoqing also remembered it. Five years ago, the position of the empress suddenly got vacant. So those families who had offered their daughters into the palace did everything they could for the title. Like the number duke¡¯s mansion, Yan Shengrui who had hurried back from the boarders also supported the abolished empress to restore the position. So those big families united together to target at him. At the time, someone from Yan Shengrui¡¯s personal guards betrayed him. And he got drugged with some kind of strong aphrodisiac, meanwhile, those people were hunting him down behind. When they found him, the ¡®antidote¡¯ was lying aside, no one could tell whether he was still living. Before leaving, he ordered his subordinate to feed him the contraception soup. Then, no one would mention that thing, so they also no longer put it in the heart. Could it be¡­Ling Jingxuan was that ¡®antidote¡¯? But it was true that he had fed him the contraception soup! Why would he still have given birth to two children?

 Chapter 328

    ¡°What on earth has happened five years ago?¡±


    Looking at the bitter appearance of the two of them, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help asking. They were talking about things of the imperial family, so he planned to keep silent. But now, apparently they were talking about his part now. He also wanted to know what had happened that year. Where did the two little buns come from? Given Yan Shengrui¡¯s personality, he would never believe that he would rape a fourteen years old boy.


    ¡°Well¡­Liu, you tell him.¡±


    For the first time, Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t open his mouth before him. It was not that he didn¡¯t know how to say it, but he felt too ashamed and had no balls to tell him, after all, he was the real victim, although he already felt so sorry for him.


    ¡°Me? Save it! That¡¯s your thing. You should handle it yourself. Isn¡¯t it your big day today? It¡¯s most suitable to solve such kind of problem in bed!¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s anger was instantly nowhere to find, but replaced by absolute ¡®expectations¡¯. Would they allow them to tease them on their wedding night?


    ¡°I think I¡¯d better hand over a memorial to that you-know-who.¡±


    With a cold sweep from Yan Shengrui, Zeng Shaoqing had a shudder, then hurriedly said, ¡°Don¡¯t do that, Nine. This thing involves your private domain, I am in no position to say that. You know how Jingxuan looked like at the time. Do you wish me to say it before Yunhan and Seven?¡±


    Lord Zeng who was afraid of nothing between heaven and earth should be most afraid of this childhood friend.


    Thinking that what he said made some sense, Yan Shengrui peeped at Ling Jingxuan whose face was as quiet as the water surface, then made up his mind and leaned by his ear, saying in whispers, ¡°How about we talk about it some other time? I promise I was not on purpose. Trust me.¡±


    When he spoke, Zeng Shaoqing could not help stretching his neck, ears pricking high, in contrast, Chu Yunhan and his son knew what was happening. Not everyone could see the joke of those two, or one would be so dead.


    Ling Jingxuan cast a faint glance at Yan Shengrui who had regained his memories but still acted shamelessly in front of him, a warm feeling rose in his eyes, which then inexplicitly glanced over at Zeng Shaoqing, slightly curving his lips, ¡°Well, it means that you had been chased after because of Chu Ci and Yan¡¯er?¡±


    Of course he shouldn¡¯t let the outsiders see their joke, in cause his man would look shorter before his best buddy, Ling Jingxuan switched the topic unnoticeably.


    ¡°Hmm. Imperial sister-in-law, Seven, in a few days, my guards will arrive. I will ask them to escort you back. That promise I made you is still effective. But if you choose to keep escaping and something happens some day, I will take Seven away from the center of the storm. As for yourself, trying to escape is giving up on yourself. If you don¡¯t even cherish yourself, I¡¯m afraid I also can¡¯t help.¡±


    Letting go of Ling Jingxuan and turning to Chu Yunhan and his son, Yan Shengrui said deeply. On the surface, he sounded kind of cold-blooded, as least those words should come out of the mouth of him. Anyway, they were family, right? But, in fact, he was forced him to face it and get back what belonged to him, because, he still clearly remembered that his crown princess had chosen to assist Seven. With him on the back, the road to the throne for Seven would be much smoother.


    ¡°I know, sorry, Jingxuan, my name is not Chu Ci, but Chu Yunhan, Shengrui¡¯s imperial sister-in-law. And My son is not called Chu Yan, he is the seventh prince Yan Xiaoming.¡±


    Rarely, Chu Yunhan withdrew his usual coldness and looked over at Ling Jingxuan apologetically. It had taken him so much to get out of the palace. In order not to be found, also to say goodbye to the past, he gave himself the name Chu Ci (Pinyin Ci in Chinese is ´Ç£¬implying that he wanted to forget about the past.), but never expected that in only three years, he had to pick up what he had given up before. If possible, he really wanted to be called Chu Ci for his whole life, a common boss of a book shop in Datong Town.


    ¡°Uncle Ling, I¡¯m sorry, I lied to you, but, I like you calling me Yan¡¯er, I mean it!¡±


    Yan Xiaoming on one side also explained anxiously, in just less than an hour, his happiness had disappeared, he was really afraid that Uncle Ling and his two younger brothers would alienate him because of this.


    ¡°Hehe¡­are you silly or what? Why should you apologize? Whether you are Chu Ci or Chu Yunhan, Chu Yan or Yan Xiaoming, you are still that father and son I know. Other things are not important. Maybe not today. But before you leave, I need to talk to you alone.¡±


    They would have died long ago if they hadn¡¯t changed their names after having escaped from the palace, and he was not bored enough to be annoyed by such a thing.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s also something I¡¯d like to talk to you about. So, let¡¯s say tomorrow.¡±


    Nodding, Chu Yunhan restored his cold appearance again, in his mind, Ling Jingxuan was more than Yan Shengrui¡¯s crown princess, the most important thing was that he was his only friend, only he would talk his heart with him, only he would encourage him with his own way, only he would care about his Seven from the bottom of his heart.


    ¡°Knock knock!¡±


    Suddenly, the knock on the door sound up, all people turned around, at the same time Ling Yun urged outside, ¡°Master Sheng, Master Xuan, Magistrate and other guests are also arrived, so it¡¯s time to go over.¡±


    ¡°Tell Jinghan we¡¯ll be right over.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Outside the door again sounded the footsteps which were walking away. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes swept over at everyone on spot and finally landed on Yan Shengrui, picking his eyebrows while curving his lips slightly, ¡°It¡¯s not late to regret now. Like someone said, we haven¡¯t gotten married.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Face darkened, Yan Shengrui threw his dagger eyes at that ¡®someone¡¯, then grabbed his hand and stood up. He would never regret even if he did. Finally he could marry him. He¡¯d have his head squeezed by the iron gate if he¡¯d let him slip away now!


    Zeng Shaoqing who once again became the cannon folder shrank his neck. Seeing that Chu Yunhan and his son also got up, he dropped those messy thoughts and also hurriedly stood up. He had a lot of things to talk to Yunhan. Going back to the palace? If possible, he¡¯d rather take them to a place no one could find them!


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

 Chapter 329

    Things happened in a flash. As the small bun¡¯s words fell, two shadows fiercely rushed out of the corner, directly aiming at Zeng Shaoqing who was at backmost, with the sharp fangs aiming at his body. Zeng Shaoqing instantly jumped up in the air and dodged the two beasts¡¯ attack. But the two cubs¡¯ response was not slow. With a sudden turn, they instantly started the second round attack, pouncing at him while howling.


    ¡°Haha¡­Xiaohei, good job, come on, bite his ass, he bullied daddy! Bite him¡­¡±


    ¡°Dahei, cooperated with Xiaohei, one left, one right, yeah, that¡¯s it.¡±


    ¡°Dahei, Xiaohei, come on, bite him, bite him¡­¡±


    Soon the three little buns ran out of the corner, clapping the hands while commanding the two cubs. Zeng Shaoqing had noticed their existence long ago. But they were Prince Sheng¡¯s sons, so even their pets were noble now. In case that his two nephews might get madder at him, he dare not fight back, which indirectly led to the scene that he got chased after by the two cubs.


    ¡°Damn it, Nine, make¡¯em stop.¡±


    The courtyard was this big. Zeng Shaoqing who was wearing all in red looked so embarrassed. Who had he offended?


    ¡°I saw that you haven¡¯t exercised for a long time, so you can take this chance to stretch your muscles and bones, but be careful not to knock down the fruit tree in my house.¡±


    However, Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t mean to save him at all. With a stumble, Zeng Shaoqing nearly sent himself into the mouth of the cubs, ¡°You as*hole! Little buddies, I am your Uncle Zeng! It was a mistake just now. Make them stop!¡±


    After failing to get help from the father, he could only turn to the little ones, but¡­


    ¡°Little buddies? I am daddy¡¯s small bun, my name is Ling Wu! Why did you bully daddy? Xiaohei, bite him!¡±


    Hands held around the waist, his local accent matched with his action now, the small bun looked so cute. On the other side, Ling Wen added, ¡°We are not your little buddies! I¡¯m Ling Wen! Anyone who bullies our daddy is our enemy! Dahei, bite him!¡±


    ¡°Right, no one should bully daddy! You are a bad guy! Dahei, Xiaohei, bite him!¡±


    Tiewa, who had always been afraid of trouble, also looked super angry, which showed that this time Zeng Shaoqing had really aroused public indignation!


    ¡°Howl!¡±


    With the little master¡¯s command, the two cubs fiercely pounced over. Zeng Shaoqing nearly got bitten for real! Who could tell him why Nine¡¯s sons were two little devils? Otherwise, why would they keep two such good-breed wolves as their pets?


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Jingxuan, what happened? Wen, Wu, let them stop! How could you let them assault people?¡±


    The commotion soon attracted the attention of others. As Lady Wang came out of the central room, she saw that the two cubs were attacking people, she was so frightened that she nearly passed out, then hurriedly moved forward to try to stop it. But, Ling Jingxuan only leaned against Yan Shengrui but said nothing with a grin. And even Ling Wen who had always been well-behaved replied with turning his head back, ¡°Grandma, stay out of this. He bullied daddy! I got to get it back!¡±


    ¡°Yes, grandma, he is a bad guy. Go back in the room. You have us here. Yes, Xiaohei, just like that, bite his legs¡­¡±


    While answering to his grandma, Ling Wu still didn¡¯t forget to command Xiaohei. A lot of people were gathering around, including Magistrate Hu who had just arrived. Giving his experience, he recognized that they were not dogs but wolves, then as he remembered the scene by the gate, Hu Lizhi suddenly changed his eyes, as his eyes also tried to look over at that red shadow. Red clothes, coquettish, stunningly beautiful, always bringing a lot of maids wearing in green, could it be possible that he was Lord Six of the number one duke¡¯s mansion? What kind of character was Ling Jingxuan? Why was he even related to the number duke in the capital far away?


    ¡°Damn it! Get lost!¡±


    A bit irritated¡­Just as he shook off one, the other threw itself at him. With a sweeping leg, though he only used one tenth of his strength, one wolf still got thrown into the air.


    ¡°Howl~¡±


    ¡°Dahei¡­¡±


    Ling Wen¡¯s heart tightened and he instantly rushed over at Dahei. Ling Wu and Tiewa also followed. But it seemed Dahei was not injured or what, soon, he got up again. With a shaking of his body, his green eyes locked that red shadow, revealing that kind of dreadful beast¡¯s breath.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯d be fine, I didn¡¯t use much strength¡­¡±


    ¡°Howl!¡±


    Seeing that his two nephews were so sad, Zeng Shaoqing hurriedly explained. But before he could finish his words, a giant shadow came out of nowhere, like a little hill falling in front of him, with a pair of bloodthirsty green eyes. Zeng Shao blackened his face, ¡°No way! You got to be kidding me¡­¡±


    It was actually a bigger adult wolf. Zeng Shaoqing suddenly had a feeling of wanting to cry but having no tears, his eyes frequently blinking at Yan Shengrui for help.


    ¡°Wolf daddy, he bullied daddy and beat Dahei, you take the revenge for us, OK?¡±


    Ignoring his convulsions and the shock of the others, Ling Wu stepped forward and hugged his front leg. Many of them could not help feeling cold sweating for him. The next second, Ling Wen also ran over and hugged his other leg, saying, ¡°Daddy wolf, he bullied us¡­¡±


    With those little lips pursed, that pair of brothers looked so pitiful.


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    Facing everyone surprised eyes, withdrawing his previous dominance when he made his debut, wolf daddy lowered his head to lick them, like saying, don¡¯t be afraid, I will take the revenge for you. Seeing here, Zeng Shaoqing said, ¡°Wait. Little buddy, you got to be kidding me! This one is too huge! I apologize, OK? I accept any punishment! But, enough of it today, OK?¡±


    Lord Zeng perfectly explained an old saying, a great man knows when to yield and when not. He who was such a big bully before those outsiders now was like a fart before the two little devils!


    ¡°Who is kidding with you? Wolf daddy, bite him!¡±


    Ling Wu said so while holding his hands on his waist, saying dominantly, while Ling Wen also threw a hard stare at him, and Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan on the side laughed so hard and they nearly got out of breath. That was the first time they saw their little buns playing a bully. How to say! Not bad! Worthy to be their ¡®seeds¡¯!


    ¡°No, no, no, Nine, Ling Jingxuan, say something.¡±


    Seeing that they giant wolf looked over again, Zeng Shaoqing couldn¡¯t help turning help from that couple. Ling Jingxuan shrugged. His sons were taking revenge for him. How could he ever try to stop them? And Yan Shengrui curved his lips playfully, ¡°Don¡¯t blame me, buddy, one of my sons likes silver like you do, while the other likes eating.¡±


    ¡°Bastard, it¡¯s not the time to talk about that, OK?¡±


    Silver and food? He could give them as much as they wanted. Now Zeng Shaoqing only wished he could throw a slap in Yan Shengrui¡¯s face. After quite a while, he suddenly said, ¡°Oh right, my nephews, the auspicious hour is coming! Your parents should hold the ceremony! If you keep doing this here, you¡¯d miss the right time!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Hearing him, the two little buns decisively hesitated, both looked back at Ling Jingxuan, seeing that he nodded, they said some small talk and then Ling Wen, as the representative, said, ¡°We will let you go this time. Hum! After daddy and father hold the ceremony, we¡¯ll get it even with you! Wolf, daddy, Dahei, Xiaohei, let¡¯s go!¡±


    Then the few little buns swaggered away with the three wolves. Zeng Shaoqing made a sigh of relief. He nearly passed out. Fortunately the two little things had their weak points, otherwise¡­holy crap, why had he done to deserve this? Or today was not his day!

 Chapter 330

    The previous farce was soon forgotten, Zeng Shaoqing who got himself together followed Chu Yunhan and others into the guest room, even if he had deliberately converged himself, the powerful aura and seductive appearance still attracted people¡¯s sidelong glance now and then. Ling Chenglong and his wife even dare not sit on the main seats that belonged to them. The couple separately asked Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng to ask Zeng Shaoqing and the magistrate to take the main seats. Others might not know, but Zeng Shaoqing was crystal clear that it was Prince Sheng who was getting married later. If he sat on the main seat, that whole family of big and small devils would torture him to death! So whatever others said, he still stuck with Chu Yunhan and his son.


    And Hu Lizhi who had guessed who Zeng Shaoqing was dare not take the main seat either. He was merely a minor magistrate anyhow.


    ¡°It will soon be noon, dad, mom, sit. Today we are the masters, no one else is. Even my grandpa and grandma can¡¯t surpass you.¡±


    Both Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan were not that kind of picky person. So they didn¡¯t pick some auspicious hour or what. The scheduled wedding time was fifteen past twelve. It was nearly time. So Ling Jingpeng pulled his mom up without asking her permission, while Ling Jinghan pushed his dad forward, ¡°Dad, you know my big brother¡¯s temperament. This is his wedding, and if you and mom are not the ones that preside the wedding for him, don¡¯t regret if he gets mad and leaves now.¡±


    You know what, this was really something Ling Jingxuan would do. On hearing his son, Ling Chenglong and his wife dare not hesitate anymore. They both sat on the main seats. Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng exchanged an eye contact, turned to tell Ling Yun to wait on aside, then the two of them went out of the room. The wedding was starting. The whole guest room was hung with red strips. The new couple Yan&Sheng was waiting in the wedding room. As early as last night, those little buns who acted as the bed-rolling kids rolled on their bed under Lady Wang¡¯s arrangement, and now they would be acting as their flower boys under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s whim.


    ¡°Be quick, Master Sheng and Master Xuan! Everything is prepared and the guests are all arrived. This is the wedding ball. Each of you grabs one side. Oh, my Master Xuan! Why you haven¡¯t put on your corsage? Lady Zhang, tie it for Master Xuan! And Master Sheng. My masters, please be cooperative!¡±


    The wedding room now was already in a mess, all because of Yan and Sheng. They were the new couple, but they were tying the corsage for the little buns. Looking at those red silk flowers before the little buns¡¯ chest, Ling Jingxuan felt pretty satisfied, and Yan Shengrui also indulged him doing so. Lady Yang and others were like ants on a hot pan, hurriedly taking up those silk flowers and trying to tie them for the new couple.


    ¡°We¡¯ll do it ourselves.¡±


    Grabbing the silk flowers from Lady Zhang¡¯s hands, Yan Shengrui directly tied it up for Ling Jingxuan, and then stuffed his to him. Because they were both men, so they were both grooms, and Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t need a head cover or what. He only needed to wear a red corsage that symbolized blessing.


    ¡°All right, all right, hurry on, no, masters, and this¡­¡±


    Seeing them finished, as Lady Yang urged them to leave, she immediately saw the red wedding ball was on the side, so she quickly grabbed it and stuffed each side to their hands. In case of missing anything, Lady Yang looked at those little buns, ¡°Little masters, did you bring the wedding rings?¡±


    According to their rules, after holding the wedding ceremony and the couple was sent to the wedding room, things would be over. But Ling Jingxuan added one thing¡ªexchanging the wedding rings. That was kind of combination of the ancient times and modern times.


    ¡°Sure, Aunt Song, easy. We¡¯ll take care of daddy.¡±


    Ling Wen took out the wooden box with the rings in and shook it, saying confidently. Hearing his son¡¯s words, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help complaining in the heart. Why did he think he and the big bun¡¯s identity got exchanged? Like he was his daddy!


    ¡°You are so considerate, little master. Now is noon. Please, masters.¡±


    Using all good words they could think of on him, Lady Yang and others went out of the room and stood in two lines. The moment Yan and Ling walked out of the room, all the servants shouted, ¡°Congratulations, masters!¡±


    ¡°Here comes the new couple!¡±


    Accompanied by the officiate Old Song¡¯s notification sound, the whole room quieted down. Everyone¡¯s eyes looked out. Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan who were both wearing wedding red robes came out holding the wedding ball, both of whom were wearing a faint smile, with the little buns who were also wearing red flowered before their chest following behind. They were all sensible. Except Ling Wen who was walking in the middle holding a wooden box, Ling Wu and Tiewa on both sides cupped their hands to show gratitude to those guests on both sides. One could imagine how cute they were! Almost all guests got their hearts melted, only wishing to rush forward to give them some big kisses.


    Watching their son and half-son walking closer and closer, Ling Chenglong and his wife couldn¡¯t help getting their eyes wet. If it were half a year ago, they could never believe that some day they would live in such a big house and enjoy such a comfortable and rich life, or their big son who was a monster in people¡¯s mouths would get married. And the one he was married to was so outstanding. At this moment, they felt it was already worth it for this life deep from their hearts.


    Kind-hearted people are always easy to satisfy, like Ling Chenglong, etc., while wicked people, even if you give him the whole world, he will feel inadequate.


    ¡°The wedding begins, the couple kneels!¡±


    Ling Jinghan played as the host inside, with Ling Jingpeng acting as his assistant. The two brothers also changed new silk robes, looking quite handsome and in good spirits.

 Chapter 331

    Old Song, Zhou Er and others hurriedly put the cushion under them. Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan gave each other a look and then knelt down before their parents. The little buns who acted as their flower boys also knelt down after them.


    ¡°First bow to heaven!¡±


    With the words of Ling Jinghan, the newlywed husband and husband turned around to bow to heaven. When they turned back, Ling Jinghan shouted, ¡°Second bow to the main hall!¡±


    ¡°Great..¡±


    Looking at their son bowing to them, Ling Chenglong and his wife wetted their eyes. From this moment on, Jingxuan and Shengrui were a real couple.


    ¡°Husband and husband bow to each other!¡±


    Standing apart a little big, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan cupped their hands at each other, then they¡¯d be sent to their wedding room. But the words Ling Jinghan shouted out were, ¡°Ceremony done! The new couple exchanges the vows!¡±


    Everyone was confused. So the ceremony is finished? What the hell is exchanging vows?


    Confronting everyone¡¯s doubtful eyes, Ling Wen solemnly held a wooden box and moved forward, while Ling Wu and Tiewa stood on both sides like his bodyguards. After Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan got up, withdrawing his usual liveliness, Ling Wu stretched out his hands to open the box as Ling Jingxuan had taught him, then took out an emerald green ring and handed it to Yan Shengrui, ¡°Father, please!¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    With a nod of satisfaction, Yan Shengrui took the ring from his hand and turned to Ling Jingxuan, his bright and deep peach eyes were full of love, ¡°Be it rich or poor, live or die, you¡¯ll always be my only wife!¡±


    While speaking, Yan Shengrui pulled up his hand and gently put a green ring on his ring finger of his left hand, ignoring all the people present, then, he took his hand and kissed on it, like he made a seal of the promise he had just made. Men there were all touched, and women all blushed but just couldn¡¯t move their eyes off it. So affectionate! Who wouldn¡¯t want such a relationship?


    When everyone thought it was over, Ling Wu retreated, and Tiewa stepped forward. With a reddened face, he carefully took out another green ring from the wooden box, turned around and handed it to Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Adoptive daddy, please!¡±


    ¡°Good kid!¡±


    Taking over the ring, Ling Jingxuan pulled Yan Shengrui¡¯s left hand, ¡°Since you promise, I will stay with you for the rest of my life. If you don¡¯t leave me, I will never leave you.¡±


    Then, the two of them held each other¡¯s hand tightly, gave each other a smile. Hold your hand and grow old together with you!


    Pia~Pia~Pia~


    Under Ling Jinghan¡¯s leading, the applause started, Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng took the lead to walk in front of them, ¡°Congratulations to brother Rui and big brother, wish you a long life together!¡±


    ¡°Congratulations to daddy and father!¡±


    Seeing this, three little buns coincidentally learned from them and squeezed in and cupped their hands at them.


    ¡°Congratulations¡­¡±


    The next moment, the whole hall was ringing with people¡¯s congratulating words. Everyone who was sitting there got up. Among them, the happiest should be Chu Yunhan and his son. You could say they had witnessed their love from the beginning. From two empty hands to now, they had gone through too much. At this moment, finally they got married. And they were also happy for them from deep their heart.


    Zeng Shaoqing standing aside still didn¡¯t approve of their marriage at first. Though he knew Ling Jingxuan was not a common farmer, and he had given birth to two kids for Yan Shengrui, this position of Princess Sheng should belong to him. But¡­the internal fight in the imperial family was becoming fiercer and fiercer, and the contradiction between the old forces and new forces were becoming more and more obvious. There was domestic strife and foreign aggression at the same time. So Prince Sheng was not merely a noble title. It represented supreme power. While Yan Shengrui was away, he would be the spokesman of the whole mansion. Even if he was not a common farmer, could he really have the ability to deal with all kinds of perishing schemes?


    But, when he saw the tenderness under Yan Shengrui¡¯s eyes, he hesitated. His buddy really loved this man! Who knew clearer than him about loving someone but not being able to own him? How would he have the heart to let him face such pains like him?


    ¡°Don¡¯t look down upon Jingxuan. He is tougher than we thought. Shaoqing, I think he is the only one who deserves to stand together with Shengrui.¡±


    Chu Yunhan who had noticed his strange expression whispered to him. The way he looked the new couple was all blessing and trust. Today¡¯s wedding might be simple, but it carried everyone¡¯s blessing and their unfailing love. In his eyes, this was the perfect wedding. By contrast, his wedding was so magnificent, but¡­if possible, he¡¯d rather wear simple red wedding robes to get married like they did, but not wore the phoenix coronet and robes of rank that represented power and ascended to the seat under everyone¡¯s staring.


    ¡°Whether he is like what you all said, I will witness it with my own eyes.¡±


    Even if he was not qualified, he would make him the real Princess Sheng. Of course those words were only in Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s heart. The one Yan Shengrui approved of was also someone he would approve of. Since his good buddy chose him, the only thing he could do was do all his best to assist him.


    ¡°You will see it.¡±


    Casting a faint glance at him, Chu Yunhan said with confidence. Zeng Shaoqing gave him an evil smile and said no more, because he also believed it!

 Chapter 332

    ¡°Thank you all for coming to our wedding, the banquet is ready, please move to the courtyard!¡±


    Finally the wedding ceremony was done successfully, Yan Shengrui supported Ling Jingxuan to turn back and made a ¡®please¡¯ gesture to the guests. The servants all came in one by one and then brought the guests to their seats. Under the leading of Zhang Qing and his brother, soon all dishes were served in the central room. The old man of Wang family, Wang Jinfu, Ling Chenglong and Ling Jinghan, the magistrate, Chu Ci and Zeng Shaoqing, and the new couple. Ten of them shared one table. And others were all arranged to sit outside. The female guests, male guests and the kids sat separately. Lady Wang and her sister served those female guests, anyhow, they were also people from Wang family. And Zhao&Han couple was responsible for the male guests. Of course, serves those kids was the two little bun¡¯s job.


    About who sat on the main seat, inevitably there¡¯d be different opinions. With the magistrate here, who else would dare to sit there? But Hu Lizhi also scrupled of Zeng Shaoqing, and now Zeng Shaoqing was under someone¡¯s concern now. Finally Chu Yunhan solved this tough problem. He pushed the new couple to sit on the main seat. Today was their big day. Who was bigger than them?


    Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t stand on ceremony, they directly sat down.


    The variety of exquisite dishes were served on the table, many of which even Zeng Shaoqing didn¡¯t know their names. After tasting it, he finally knew why Ling Jingxuan had the confidence to come to cooperate with him and even asked for commission from his Xinyuan. Forget about other dishes, only that mandarin fish, its shape was already pretty enough, the green vegetables around added the finishing touch to it, making one have great appetite on seeing it. And the sour and sweet taste was also awesome, and there seemed to be some kind of fruit¡¯s flavor in it. Zeng Shaoqing could say he had tried almost all the delicious food in the world, but he still couldn¡¯t tell what it was in it.


    ¡°Shengrui, Jingxuan, I wish you a happy wedding again! May you harmonious and happy!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Magistrate Hu. Sorry, my grandpa and parents never saw and official before. Now on seeing you, they are still not adapted to it. If there¡¯s anything they don¡¯t to properly, hope you wouldn¡¯t mind!¡±


    Hu Lizhi was a respectable official. Today he specially came to give him face, of course he would show him enough respect. While speaking so, he secretly threw a kick at Yan Shengrui. Outside he was the prince, but in this house, he was only his man. So he¡¯d better drop his high-holding manner.


    ¡°Magistrate Hu, please!¡±


    Receiving his wife¡¯s hint, Yan Shengrui who didn¡¯t mean to talk to him helplessly took up a wine glass.


    ¡°Jingxuan, you are being too polite. Everyone, don¡¯t stick to those formalities. I¡¯d like to have fun together with you! So, just take me as a common person.¡±


    Speaking of which, Hu Lizhi raised his head and drank it all, but¡­


    ¡°What kind of wine is this? How does it taste so different from what we usually drink?¡±


    It was not until this time that he found that the taste of the wine actually had a little sour feeling. Hu Lizhe quickly poured a cup for himself and carefully observed that the white wine mixed with a hint of red color. If you don¡¯t look carefully, you can¡¯t see it at all.


    After he said that, Zeng Shaoqing and Chu Yunhan also took up the wine cup and took a small sip, spicy taste mixed with a slice of acerb feeling, quite well improved the taste of it, a bit milder than common alcohol, but a bit stronger than wine. Chu Yunhan had been here for a few months and he drank wine as much as he wanted and Ling Jingxuan never said no or what. But this kind of alcohol was the first time to try. If wine was only suitable for women, this was suitable for men.


    ¡°Hehe¡­this is waxberry wine. When I started to make jam, I accidentally found a waxberry tree in the mountain forest. Unfortunately, the picking season had passed, so I only picked some of them and soaked them in two jars of alcohol. I was so busy with my work recently that I almost forgot about them.¡±


    He picked it when he went to mountains to pick wild fruit with Ling Jingpeng for the first time. At the time this home was still¡­Thinking of those awful things, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes flashed, then he used those jars for grape wine to soak them.


    ¡°Waxberry?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing picked his eyebrows, why didn¡¯t he know there is a kind of fruit called waxberry?


    ¡°It¡¯s a kind of sour and a little bite bitter fruit, can be used to make dried fruit, and the waxberry alcohol can help relieve summer heat and cleanse the palate, also has significant efficacy on digestion, dehumidification, promoting the secretion of saliva, relieving a cough, keeping out the old, relieving diarrhea, diuretic, and preventing cholera and other things. I specially planted waxberry woods in my backyard. If you like, when they bear fruit the next year, I will make more waxberry alcohol.¡±


    Actually he made it with rice wine, so it tasted not as good as what was made with sorghum alcohol. Seeing that they were all so interested, Ling Jingxuan took the opportunity to advertise for himself.


    ¡°Taste is not bad, next year I help you purchase bayberries, you are responsible for making it, you can name the price then.¡±


    With his professional vision, the waxberry wine would absolutely sell. Zeng Shaoqing was worthy of a businessman, talk shop all the time, but¡­


    ¡°No, I already have some other plan next year. If you are interested, I will come talk to you about our cooperation thing.¡±

 Chapter 333

    No matter how good the waxberry alcohol was, it can¡¯t be the main product; kaoliang wine was his main goal.


    ¡°OK, then you sell me the recipe.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­Lord Liu, talk about business right now?¡±


    He¡¯d only have brain cramp to sell the recipe. Even if it couldn¡¯t be taken as the main product, it could be the accessory. How could he do such ¡®kill the goose that lays the golden eggs¡¯ thing?


    ¡°Tomorrow, then.¡±


    The corner of his mouth slightly twitched, Zeng Shaoqing carefully glanced at Yan Shengrui, only felt relieved as he made sure his face didn¡¯t change. This bastard! He only knew to use the granting a marriage thing to threaten him.


    If Yan Shengrui knew what he was thinking, he¡¯d instantly answer him! Since that was really useful? Why not?


    ¡°Big brother, who is this?¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Jinghan timely cut in, the others all couldn¡¯t help pricking up their ears. They had long been curious about this coquettish man.


    ¡°He is the owner of Xinyuan. You can call him Lord Liu.¡±


    As for his background, Ling Jingxuan decisively omitted it. A magistrate already let the whole family nearly unable to stand still. Now the first son of the number one duke? Wouldn¡¯t they all pass out? On such a big day for him, he¡¯d better be cautious.


    ¡°Nice meeting you, Lord Liu. Thank you for attending my big brother¡¯s wedding. We will use water as alcohol to make a toast.¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng picked up the cups and stood up, after all, they were Ling Jingxuan¡¯s younger brothers, it was not appropriate for Zeng Shaoqing to turn them down, so he took up his cup and drank it off, no word.


    Then, Hu Lizhi also made a toast to him. Under the drive of alcohol, the tense suffocating atmosphere gradually disappeared, and Ling Chenglong and others started to be active. People just chatted while eating and drinking. To coordinate the new couple, Hu Lizhi dropped his identity as the magistrate and talked about things in the cropland with Old Wang and others. And Zeng Shaoqing also talked with Chu Yunhan in whispers now and then. Two beautiful men sat together, you couldn¡¯t imagine how harmonious the beautiful that scene was. Pity that one was interested while the other wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°Shengrui, how is the martial arts of Lord Liu? Can he hear us when we talk like this?¡±


    Everyone became conversational, plus with Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng adjusting the atmosphere, of course Ling Jingxuan no longer needed to mediate. When eating, Ling Jingxuan quietly leaned close to Yan Shengrui¡¯s ear, while the latter gave him a strange look, and then looked at Zeng Shaoqing who had put all his concentration on Chu Yunhan, instantly knowing what was happening, sexy and thin lips slightly curved, ¡°Under normal circumstances, he could definitely hear us. But now¡­¡±


    Without him saying more, only by following his vision, one would know. How would he who had put all his thoughts on Chu Yunhan ever have time for other things?


    ¡°So, you also know Lord Liu likes Yunhan?¡±


    It¡¯s not how sharp his eyes were, it was just too obvious. As long as one was not blind, he could tell.


    ¡°Hmm, I knew it since I was little. For Xiaoliu, my sister-in-law is the most beautiful thing in the world. If it hadn¡¯t been that he had married with my imperial elder brother, I¡¯m afraid he had already been his wife.¡±


    As he picked up a chopstick of food and put it into his mouth, Yan Shengrui said in whispers. He grew up together with Xiaoliu. How could he not know what he was thinking? When young, he even had the thoughts of asking his imperial elder brother for him, after all, it seemed that his imperial brother already had no feelings for him. But, his imperial aunt¡¯s words reminded him. The emperor is the emperor! Even if it is something he no longer wanted, how could he sent it to someone else? Besides, that is his empress. So it came to nothing at the end.


    ¡°Anyhow, His Majesty is your big brother, but why do I feel like Lord Liu is your real brother?¡±


    Turning to give him a teasing smile, with that pair of thin and long phoenix eyes stained with total ridicule. In others¡¯ eyes, they were like flirting. But no one would ever expect actually they were gossiping about someone else.


    ¡°There is not family affection for the imperial family.¡±


    Picking up the wine cup to cover the coldness at the corner of his mouth, Yan Shengrui sounded so cold, so indifferent. The smile under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes instantly faded. A slice of caring flashed across his eyes. Born in the imperial family, he should be the one everyone was jealous of. But, who knows that the imperial family was the most filthy and saddest place! Including him and Xiaoqi.


    ¡°Daddy, daddy, bad news, daddy¡­ ah¡­¡±


    Suddenly, in the atmosphere of joy, two buns ran into the room in a flurry, the original beaming face now was as white as a sheet. Ling Wen who ran in the front accidentally fell down. Seeing that, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan hurriedly got up. After being held up by his younger brother, Ling Wen had no time to care about the pains and ran before Ling Jingxuan and said with a sobbing tone while holding his leg, ¡°Daddy, bad news, Brother Yan was taken away¡­¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    Chu Yunhan suddenly rushed to their front, the eye filled full of fear, is it possible to be those people?


    ¡°Xiaowen, you calm down, slowly say it, what has happened?¡±


    Throwing Zeng Shaoqing an eye signaling him to pacify Chu Yunhan first, Ling Jingxuan tried his best to stay calm and squatted down. Meanwhile, Ling Jingpeng and Ling Jinghan also quietly steadied Ling Chenglong and others who were also worried. Hu Lizhi¡¯s face instantly turned gloomy. Whoever they took away, as the magistrate here, isn¡¯t it like slapping in his face?

 Chapter 334

    The sudden thing let everyone panic. Although most of the people didn¡¯t know who Yan Xiaoming was, after all he was Chu Ci¡¯s son, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s honored guest. Someone had the balls to kidnap Ling Jingxuan¡¯s guests under his eyes. Given his widely-spread bad name, he would definitely let the other side pay. But now, they needed to make clear what had happened.


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    Looking into his daddy¡¯s deep eyes, the flurried and terrified Ling Wen miraculously calmed down and quietly grabbed the hand of his younger brother, who was trembling as he was. Ling Wen tried to take a few deep breaths and then turned to look for someone in the crowd. The focus of his eyes instantly locked on Lady Han, who was hiding in the crowd with her son in her arms, ¡°It¡¯s her, daddy, she said her little brother who just learnt to walk went outside the yard and asked us to bring him back, so Xiaowu and I went together. But there was no one outside. When we wanted to come back, some men rushed out trying to catch us. We used the medicine daddy gave us but only got one of them. As they were about to catch us all, Brother Yan ran out and fought them. He told us to come call you. I saw it. When we ran back, they already knocked him out and took him away.¡±


    Pointing at Lady Han, Ling Wen said while gritting his teeth. Hearing his words, everyone on spot changed their face, especially people from Wang family and Liu Chunyu. Apparently they were aiming at the little buns. Chu Yan was only a pinch hitter. They didn¡¯t expect that Lady Han would be so bold who colluded with the outsiders to plot against her relatives, who let her and her whole family live a good life.


    Hearing that, Chu Yunhan, Zeng Shaoqing and Yan Shengrui looked a bit better. Compared with those who had been looking for them secretly, this kind of kidnapping was already lucky enough. But they were only slightly relieved. Chu Yunhan who had taken Yan Xiaoming as his own life still looked pale, holding hatred in his eyes.


    Following the direction where his son was pointing at, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes turned gloomy, and the momentum on his whole body instantly became horrified. Lady Han who he nailed his eyes on subconsciously shrank back. Wang Yunya who stood next to her was also trembling. That was not the Ling Jingxuan they knew. Why his eyes look so horrible?


    ¡°Lady Han, get out, tell me, what happened?¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan got flipped out, Old Lord Wang pounded the table, and his overwhelming voice rang in the whole central room. Other people from Wang family who gathered around also knew something big had happened. Wang Jingui grabbed Lady Han¡¯s collar from behind and pulled her before the old man. Lady Han was so scared that she cried. But no one pitied her. Liu Chunyu bent over to grab the kid from her arms and took him out of the room.


    ¡°Wang Jingui, what are you doing? Let go of me¡­Boohoo¡­¡±


    ¡°Dad, don¡¯t do this to me, there must be some misunderstanding. How would mom let someone kidnap Xiaowen and Xiaowu? Dad¡­¡±


    Lady Han¡¯s several sons were too ashamed to raise their faces. Only Wang Yunya threw herself to her mom. The mother and daughter cried so hard there. But they also responded to the saying¡ªA pathetic person should have the hateful place.


    Bang~


    ¡°Yunya, go away, or do you also have something to do with this?¡±


    Roughly throwing Lady Han before the old lord, Wang Jingui looked at his own daughter with suspicion. Since the thing last time, he dare not trust her so easily any more. Meanwhile, deep in his heart he also blamed himself. In his memories, his daughter had ever been so pure and na?ve. Since when had she become like her mom? All in all, as her father, he also had his responsibility!


    Hearing that, Wang Yunya reflexively shrank her neck, after giving her mother an embarrassing look, she stood up. A lot of people frowned at this. If she was really a filial daughter, how could she leave her mother behind after begging mercy for her? Now her doing so made Ling Jingxuan more suspicious of her. Without anyone noticing, Ling Jingxuan quietly signaled Ling Yun to his side and whispered something by her ear. Ling Yun nodded and turned to walk away.


    ¡°Dad, it¡¯s not me! I really saw the kid was gone, so it asked them to go look for him. How would I ever know some people happened to come to kidnap them? Maybe Ling Jingxuan has offended too many people, so they came here to mess with his wedding. Someone so vicious like him who broke up other¡¯s marriage, it¡¯s not impossible that someone came to take the revenge. Dad, you got to trust me!¡±


    Lady Han crawled to the old lord on her knees, and ¡®accused of¡¯ Ling Jingxuan¡¯s villainous doings while sobbing, totally showing no slice of regret at all. The old lord was trembling all over due to the great anger. As he saw Yan Shengrui and others look more and more terrible, the old lord knocked her onto the ground with a kick, ¡°Shut up! You vicious woman! Just tell us. Who has kidnapped Childe Chu? If something happens to him, you can¡¯t make it up even if you die a hundred times!¡±


    That was the son of Mr. Chu Ci! Now even the magistrate was here. If this thing was really related to his daughter-in-law, they couldn¡¯t afford to let her stay in the family anymore.


    ¡°How should I know? Was it wrong of me to let those two brats help me look for my son?¡±


    The always stupid Lady Han became quite smart this time and insisted that she had nothing to do with this thing, otherwise¡­casting a glance at those people around¡­if she admitted it, maybe Wang Family would really repudiate her. A women at this age, if she really got repudiated, her whole life would be screwed.


    ¡°How dare you? That is your son. Why asked Xiaowen and Xiaowu to go look for him? They are still kids. Lady Han, if you still wouldn¡¯t tell the truth, if something happens to Childe Chu, no one can save you!¡±


    Old Lord Wang popped out his eyes like two copper bells. At last, there was some kind of begging tone in it. After all, she was his daughter-in-law. She had been married to this family for nearly twenty years. He really didn¡¯t have the heart to let the magistrate to take her to the yamen.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t know. It¡¯s not me. What happened to Childe Chu has nothing to do with me.¡±


    ¡°You f*cking bitch¡­¡±


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±

 Chapter 335

    Lady Han still refused to admit it. Wang Jingui was so mad and threw a punch in her face. The old lord made a deep sigh and then closed his eyes. He couldn¡¯t help her now. Meanwhile, the men in black who came with Zeng Shaoqing walked in holding a man in comma who was still having convulsion all over. That should be the one who the little bun used poison to knock out.


    Ignoring Lady Han who got beaten, Ling Jingxuan strode over at the man thrown onto the ground. When passing by Wang Yunya, his sharp eyes faintly peeped at her, Wang Yunya instantly trembled all over. If someone said she wasn¡¯t feeling guilty, he wouldn¡¯t believe it! But¡­Those red lips curved¡­Now the main thing was to save Xiaoming. In the future, he had all kinds of means to deal with them. This time, don¡¯t blame him for being heartless and setting aside the old time¡¯s sake.


    ¡°Shifu, is there anything I can help with?¡±


    Seeing Ling Jingxuan squat down to check that man, Zhao Shan quickly moved forward and said so. Although he had no contact with Chu Yan, he also knew that the seriousness of the matter.


    ¡°Feed him this using warm water. We¡¯ll talk about it after he wakes up.¡±


    Feeling out a pill from the pouch in his waist, Ling Jingxuan walked back. Song Shuisheng was smart enough to hand over a cup of hot tea to Zhao Shan. The two of them cooperated and pried open that man¡¯s mouth and fed the pill in.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the ruffian Zhang San who runs amuck in the nearby villages?¡±


    Old Wang who did businesses in the market all the year round went forward and immediately recognized him. Speaking of ruffians, Ling Jingxuan instantly remembered another big troublemaker. Isn¡¯t Ling Chenghua¡¯s husband the head of those ruffians? Is it possible she is also related to this?


    ¡°Enough! Lady Han, I¡¯ll give you one last chance, will you say it or not?¡±


    Interrupting Wang Jingui, Ling Jingxuan moved forward wearing a cold face. He already called her Lady Han instead of second aunt-in-law, through which one could tell he already did not take her as family. Everyone of Wang family felt embarrassed but could do nothing. She could only blame herself for offending someone she shouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Say what? I don¡¯t know anything. Magistrate Hu, you got to hold justice for me! They are accusing me falsely!¡±


    Lady Han who got a bloody nose and a swollen face crawled to Hu Lizhi, while the two yamen runners who dressed like civilians suddenly moved forward to stand in her way. Hu Lizhi frowned, ¡°The truth lies ahead. If it hadn¡¯t been that you asked the two kids to look for you son, how would they meet such a thing coincidentally? Lady Han, you better tell the truth, otherwise, I can only put you to torture.¡±


    Be it a bean-size official or what, his momentum was quite intimidating. Lady Han was so scared that she even forgot to cry. Seeing that she still wouldn¡¯t say a word, Lady Wang snapped while crying, ¡°Lady Han, I can say I treat you not badly. How could you return me with this? Take it as I am begging you! Tell us the whereabouts of those people. Yan¡¯er is only a child! If something happens to him, won¡¯t your conscience stir?¡±


    This time her family really hurt her feelings. Since she got to know this accident, Lady Wang never stopped crying. Except worrying about Chu Yan, she also cared about her son. Having worked so hard for so many years, finally Jingxuan had his day, but such a thing happened on his big day. As ¡°Lady Han, say it, or it¡¯d bring you no good.¡±


    Supporting her sister, Wang Jinyu was also mad at her. Why did her second elder brother marry such a malicious woman?


    ¡°Something I didn¡¯t do, why should I¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡±


    Before Lady Han finished her words, another roar rang. But this time it was not Ling Jingxuan, but Chu Yunhan who had always stayed indifferent to everything. He cast a cold glance at Lady Han who just refused to admit her crime. Under people¡¯s confusing eyes, Chu Yunhan took out a palm-size token and threw it before the magistrate, ¡°Inform the yamen runners to come to Ling Village right now. Chu Yan who got kidnapped is actually called Yan Xiaoming, the seventh prince of His Majesty!¡±


    ¡°What..¡±


    ¡°Bam~¡±


    Before his words fell, many people had the things in their hands dropped. Everyone gasped. The seventh prince? His Majesty¡¯s son??? Such a noble figure? Hu Lizhi had a twitch of his eyes. He took the token with a trembling hand. When he saw the words Fuqing Palace and the big ·ï on it, he nearly collapsed onto the ground.


    ¡°Greetings, My Empress! Long live My Empress!¡±


    Having such a token, plus his appearances and momentum, apparently everyone knew who he was. Hu Lizhi no longer dared to sit. He brushed the lower hem of his robes behind and went down on his knees before him, only cursing himself for being so careless! How could someone who was so acquainted with Lord Liu be a common figure? He should have noticed it earlier¡­


    ¡°Her Empress?! Oh heaven¡­¡±


    On hearing that, people on spot all felt their legs turning into jello. They had never expected that Ling Wen and Ling Wu¡¯s tutor would be the empress and that nine-year-old boy who always doted the two little buns was His Majesty¡¯s son! They were only common villagers who even seldom had a chance to see yamen runners, let alone the empress and the prince???


    ¡°Stand up! I am no longer the empress. But the seventh prince is still His Majesty¡¯s only legitimate son. Send troops to surround Ling Village. If something happens to the prince, none of you can live!¡±


    With a swing of his sleeves, Chu Yunhan finally picked up something he had abandoned, because, he was worried about his son, and he didn¡¯t want to see Ling Jingxuan embarrassed, or let him break with the Wang family, since except Lady Han and her daughter, most people of Wang Family were unsophisticated and kind-hearted.


    ¡°My Empress¡­¡±


    On hearing that, those who froze there instantly knelt down. Lady Han and Wang Yunya also scared the shit out of them, with their body trembling. So is that the imperial family? They¡¯d end people¡¯s lives with an order?


    ¡°Yes, your humble servant will do it right now!¡±


    The one that got kidnapped was the seventh prince! Hu Lizhi dared not waste one more minute. He instantly ordered one of the subordinates behind him to go to town immediately, also did not forget to tell him for inform other officials in town that His Empress and the prince were here. They got to send reinforcements, in case anything happened in his territory¡­Or he¡¯d lose his head for sure!

 Chapter 336

    ¡°Master Xuan, I have made it clear. The little childe of Wang family said Wang Yunya took the little childe from her mom, and Lady Zhang also saw that she carried the little childe into the backyard, but since everyone was eating food, Lady Zhang didn¡¯t feel strange. But soon she came back holding the child. And then about ten minutes later, the little masters rushed back in.¡±


    After knowing who Chu Yunhan was, the whole family collapsed onto the ground, and Chu Yunhan did not let them get up, apparently trying to psych them out first. And Lin Yun whom Ling Jingxuan sent out secretly also came in now and told everyone about what she had found. The old couple of Wang Family nearly passed out on spot. Who would expect that this thing not only got Lady Han involved, even Wang Yunya was part of this. What did they do to deserve this? Why they had such a bad granddaughter? The one she kidnapped was the prince! Judging from the empress¡¯ attitude, anyone who got related to this matter couldn¡¯t exempt from death!


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t know, not me, it¡¯s not me¡­¡±


    Wang Yunya on the ground suddenly sharply shouted, tears full of her face, she was scared, she was really scared this time¡­


    But now, no one showed her sympathy again, before, thinking that she was still young, they thought that it was Lady Han who taught her to do those bad things. But now, she even committed kidnapping crime. So only being young wasn¡¯t an excuse for her now. Only fourteen years old, and she could do such a thing! What if after she became an adult?


    Since everyone turned a blind eye, even Wang Jingui and his two sons lowered their heads like suffering a big blow. And after taking a look at her trembling daughter there, Lady Han crawled ahead crying, ¡°My Empress, please show mercy! This has nothing to do with my daughter! It¡¯s all me! Yunya only assisted me without knowing the whole thing. My Empress, please give her a chance. I¡¯m begging you¡­¡±


    With her crying, it was her kowtowing. Soon, Lady Han who had already gotten a bloody nose and a swollen face already got blood all over her face. But Chu Yunhan only wore an ice-cold face. A bloody scene of this degree was no use to him at all. Even her death couldn¡¯t make up to the crime she had committed. Kidnapping the prince! If he claimed responsibility to the end, let alone her, even all her family within three generations couldn¡¯t survive!


    ¡°Too late, Lady Han. If you told the truth from beginning, maybe I would consider giving you a chance for the sake of Old Lord Wang, but now¡­¡±


    Sitting on the stool, Chu Yunhan gracefully took up a teacup, and cast a glance at her. He didn¡¯t finish his words, but that was even scarier than finishing them. Lady Han who got blood all over the face fell to the ground. Even Wang Yunya was scared enough that she even forgot to pled for her mother. Maybe afraid that they were not scared enough, Zeng Shaoqing beside said blandly, ¡°According to the laws, anyone who insults the imperial family, the lightest penalty is being beheaded, the severest penalty is beheading the whole family. And for the severest case, the lawbringer would ask for instructions to implicate the nine generations of the criminal. Am I right, Lord Hu?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes, what Lord Liu said is absolutely right.¡±


    Since you already said so, how dare I say no? Hu Lizhi nodded tremblingly. And people of Wang family all got their shit scared out of their pants. Everyone turned to throw their dagger eyes at that pair of mother and daughter. She committed a crime herself but got all of them involved.


    ¡°My Empress, please¡­¡±


    Old Lord Wang turned to look at Chu Yunhan but soon lowered his head with fear. The current Chu Yunhan was already looking unlike his usual cold appearance. That dreadful feeling all over his body made one hard to breathe. And Ling Jingxuan, the only one Chu Yunhan would listen to, just showed an ¡®it has nothing to do with me¡¯ look. And Lady Wang and her sister already got stoned there as early as when they knew who they were, and still hadn¡¯t come back to their senses till now.


    Casting a faint glance at Ling Jingxuan, after exchanging an eye contact with him, Chu Yunhan put down the cup slowly and said, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, Old Lord Wang. As long as Qi is all right, I promise I won¡¯t hold you for responsibility. But if something happens to him, things wouldn¡¯t be in my control. After all Lady Han is the daughter-in-law of your family and Wang Yunya is your granddaughter. I hope you¡¯d understand what I am trying to say.¡±


    Anyone with a brain could tell. Chu Yunhan was offering to a solution to them. After all, Old Lord Wang had lived for so long, how could he not get it?


    Closing his eyes and giving a light sigh, Old Lord Wang abruptly opened his eyes, ¡°Jingui, repudiate her and throw Wang Yunya out of the family!¡±


    For the lives of the whole Wang family, he had no choice but to make such a decision. Otherwise¡­he was old, he couldn¡¯t afford it.


    ¡°Dad?¡±


    Wang Jingui frowned, but then instantly lowered his eyes and said feebly, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Repudiating his wife wasn¡¯t a thing, but Wang Yunya was his daughter after all! Looking at his father¡¯s face that nearly turned ten years¡¯ older like in an instant, Wang Jingui decisively accepted it. This time, they had made such a huge mistake. It was not something he could control.


    ¡°No, grandpa, dad, I don¡¯t want to die, grandma, save me, I know I was wrong, I¡¯m begging you, don¡¯t give up on me, grandpa¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Wang Yunya threw herself at them, crying. But however hard she begged, the old lord and others just looked indifferent and dare not say a word for her. They were all scared. All in all, they were only a common village family, while the other side was the noble imperial family! They could only blame their stupidness to have offended someone they shouldn¡¯t!


    ¡°You can¡¯t be so cruel, Jingui, Jingui, it doesn¡¯t matter if you repudiate me, but Yunya is your daughter, Jingui¡­¡±


    Crying, Lady Han pulled her husband¡¯s trouser legs. Wang Jingui, who had always been displeased with her, did not show a trace of disgust, but said bitterly, ¡°But the other three are also our sons. If I don¡¯t do this, the whole Wang family would all get killed!¡±


    Yes, it was his only choice.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    Lady Han passed out on spot. Wang Yunya took a looked her family who had made up their mind to give up on her, his fear disappeared miraculously, then replaced by hatred. That pair of vicious eyes slowly turned to look at Ling Jingxuan, while she pointed at him and sulked, ¡°It¡¯s all because of you, Ling Jingxuan! If you didn¡¯t ruin my marriage with my second cousin Jinghan, if you didn¡¯t badmouth me before my aunt, how would they ditch me? It¡¯s all your fault! Ling Jingxuan, I¡¯ll kill you!¡±


    Speaking of which, before everyone could react, Wang Yunye already rushed at him like crazy!


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±

 Chapter 337

    Before she could get close to Ling Jingxuan, she already got kicked aside by Yan Shenggrui. Her slender body flew all the way to the ground with a banging sound. A lot of blood got spat from her mouth and at least two ribs were broken. An adult man¡¯s strength was big enough, let alone Yan Shengrui was a martial arts practitioner and fought on the battlefield all the year around!


    ¡°Ouch¡­Ling Jingxuan, I will not let you go even if I become a ghost¡­¡±


    Trying to get up, Wang Yunya swallowed the pains and snapped viciously. Yan Shengrui frowned. Ling Jingxuan grabbed him, and strode over and looked down at her, ¡°I am not afraid of you even when you are alive. Let alone after you become a ghost! Wang Yunya, forget about that relatives by blood can¡¯t get married, you will never deserve to be Jinghan¡¯s wife, and you don¡¯t deserve to be a daughter-in-law of our family!¡±


    What made her think she could put the blame on him? Even if he really let her marry Jinghan, she¡¯d get repudiated sooner or later. She would never be filial to her parents-in-law and be good to her brothers-in-law and help Jinghan support his small family.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°Wang Yunya, I have never thought to marry you, so don¡¯t blame my big brother for ruining it. Some women like you who would slander others at the cost of your own dignity, I would rather stay single for the rest of my than marrying you!¡±


    Ling Jinghan picked the right time to add the finishing stroke. Wang Yunya who had wanted to say more vicious words now only looked at him dully. From his eyes, she saw only indifference, there was not her shadow at all. Wang Yunya was stoned there, her body fell to the ground, wearing a pair of empty eyes. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words became the last straw that crushed her. Now she had already lost her hope for life.


    ¡°Hmm¡­This is¡­Jingxuan!¡°


    Soon, ruffian Zheng San who got fed the antidote woke up. Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s two shadow guards moved forward to press him. After seeing clear of the situation, Zhang San was shivering with fear. Chu Yunhan threw him a sharp eye, ¡°Where is my son? Say it!¡±


    There was some kind of overwhelming strength of his concise words. Zhang San subconsciously shrank his neck, thinking that his companions might have succeeded, he held back his fear and held out his chest, ¡°You better let me go, otherwise, I can not guarantee that you people will have a chance to live!¡±


    ¡°Impudent!¡±


    Seeing that, Hu Lizhi pounded the table before Chu Yunhan could say a word, giving him a hard stare, ¡°You unruly rascal! The one sitting before you is His Empress! The one you kidnapped is the seventh prince! You¡¯d better behave!¡±


    In his term of office, this kind of thing actually happened! If possible, Hu Lizhi would have already used penalty on him! Those unruly civilians had really no laws in their eyes!


    ¡°His Empress? The seventh prince¡­Oh no, My Empress, this has nothing to do with me! It¡¯s Zhang Hu and Ling Chenghua! They asked me to do it. My Empress, please show mercy¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Zhang San no longer dared to play a rascal, only lying on the ground shivering, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°How did they make the plan? And how did they collude with Lady Han and her daughter?¡±


    ¡°Back to My Empress. It¡¯s Ling Chenghua! She said that as long as she¡¯d kidnap Ling Jingxuan¡¯s two sons, Ling Jingxuan would redeem them at any cost. Then we can take the money and ran away. Qing Kingdom is so big. He couldn¡¯t find us. Lady Han¡­Ling Chenghua came to talk with her and her daughter in person. So we also don¡¯t know the details about it. We only know¡­that she asked us to wait outside after noon and the two kids would appear then.¡±


    Zhang San who had his mind unhinged already couldn¡¯t tell who was asking her, only poured out everything he knew like spilling beans. Everyone on spot changed their face. First, it was because of Ling Chenghua. And second, his words confirmed Lady Han and her daughter¡¯s crime. They had no chance now.


    ¡°And where would you take them to after you kidnap them?¡±


    ¡°Ling Chenghua said, you will never expect that we would kidnap the kids. So it¡¯d be safe even if we hide them at Zhang Hu¡¯s place. So¡­so¡­My Empress, please show mercy¡­¡±


    Zhang San was so scared that he couldn¡¯t continue, only kept kowtowing there, with his pants already wetted between the two legs. Chu Yunhan picked his words coldly, ¡°Magistrate Hu, I will leave everything to you. Remember, only those in this room could know who I am. Whoever leaks it would be so dead!¡±


    As soon as the last few words came out, everyone reflexively shrank their necks and clamped their ¡®chrysanthemum¡¯. The imperial family was so horrible!


    ¡°Yes, I will sincerely comply with Your Empress¡¯ order!¡±


    Hu Lizhi knelt down, shivering. One of those who were pressing Zhang San raised his knife and the sound of begging for mercy was gone. After kidnapping the prince, how would he ever have a chance to live?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    After knowing where they imprisoned his son, Chu Yunhan delayed no more. But Ling Jingxuan stretched out a hand to pull him, ¡°Just in case, we¡¯d bring one more thing with us.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan squatted down and whispered something into his two sons¡¯ ears, then got up and went to Chu Yunhan¡¯s room. After he came out holding a pair of shoes Yan Xiaoming had ever worn, the two little buns also brought out Dahei and Xiaohei. Under people¡¯s suspicious eyes, Ling Jingxuan rubbed their heads, ¡°Dahei, Xiaohei, these are Yan¡¯er shoes. They got kidnapped by bad people. Remember this smell. You¡¯d be responsible for finding them!¡±


    He actually took the wolves as dogs, which was really luxurious, however, a wolf¡¯s nose was much more sensitive than a dog¡¯s. In theory, his doing was not wrong.


    ¡°Howl~¡±


    The cubs roared, like they understood him, then moved forward to smell those shoes, and then made another few howls, like saying they already remembered it.


    ¡°Hmm! Xiaowen, Xiaowu, you stay home. Jinghan, Jingpeng, next it¡¯s your job. Remember. Never expose their identities!¡±


    He knew Chu Chi exposed himself for him, so he also knew only in this way could they go back to the imperial palace under the light. Thinking that Xiaoqi got kinapped in here, His Majesty would get his heart softened anyhow. So it¡¯d be enough as long as those related to this knew it. As for others, no need at all!


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng nodded. The two little buns held Ling Jingxuan¡¯s lower hem of his robs and said with one voice, ¡°daddy, please save brother Yan!¡±


    ¡°OK. Let¡¯s OK.¡±


    Throwing them an affirmative eye, Ling Jingxuan turned to look at Yan Shengrui and others, then rushed out leading the two cubs.

 Chapter 338

    In Zhang Hu¡¯s broken house outside the village, a line of people, led by Zhang Hu, threw Yan Xiaoming in a corner angrily. On hearing that they came back, Ling Chenghua who quietly went back home to say goodbye to the old lady ran all the way to them overjoyedly. After she got a large sum of money, she¡¯d leave Ling Village where even birds wouldn¡¯t poop and went to town and live as a wealthy miss. See who dared to look down on her again!


    ¡°What? Why not those two little rats?¡±


    Pushing the door open and seeing Yan Mingxiao who was still in coma in a corner, the smile on Ling Chenghua¡¯s face froze. She meant to kill those two little rats after getting the ransom money and let Ling Jingxuan live in pain for the rest of his life! But now¡­How was it possible they kidnapped the wrong one?


    ¡°Shut up, you have no position to yell at us!¡±


    Zhang Hu who was also quite mad now threw her a hard stare. Did he want to kidnap the wrong one? Sh*t! If it hadn¡¯t been that this kid suddenly rushed out, who knew some martial arts, how would they have just watched the two kids run away? Now they had alarmed Ling Jingxuan. Whether they could get the ransom money or not already became a problem. Now his only hope was Lady Han and her daughter wouldn¡¯t get exposed too soon.


    ¡°Brother Hu, don¡¯t worry, this boy is the same. I heard that he is son of the tutor Ling Jingxuan has specially hired for his two kids. Ling Jingxuan wouldn¡¯t stay out of it. As long as Lady Han and her daughter don¡¯t reveal themselves, we can still get the money and ran away. However capable Ling Jingxuan is, he is only a rough farmer. Does he have the ability to look for us all through the whole kingdom?¡±


    Five people sitting beside a square table, it was six including Zhang Hu. The one who was talking was a man whose mouth stuck out and chin like an ape¡¯s. With one look, one could tell he was a bad person. That pair of bean-size eyes were filled with naked calculating. They made a perfect plan, but underestimated Ling Jingxuan and others¡¯ ability. Now even if the mother and daughter hadn¡¯t been exposed, Ling Jingxuan would never let them run away taking the money, let alone the mother and daughter had already exposed themselves before everyone. To deal with them, Ling Jingxuan had plenty of ways. He even didn¡¯t have to do it with his own hands.


    ¡°Come on! Lanniu! Are you finished or not? Send it to Ling Jingxuan if you are done! Then we¡¯d get the money as soon as possible!¡±


    Zhang Hu nodded and looked at a man biting the pen. He was the only one of them who could read, but he only knew a few words, so it was quite a big task to write a blackmail letter.


    ¡°Soon, soon, wait a second.¡±


    That man who was called Lanniu looked fidgeted as he scratched his head, repeatedly picked up his brush and put it down, but only couldn¡¯t write a single word. Zhang Hu got mad and grabbed Ling Chenghua and threw her over, ¡°You write it! Ask Ling Jingxuan to send ten thousand taels of silver before dark!¡±


    A xiucai¡¯s daughter, no one was more suitable than her to write this letter. Others all nodded with agreement. Lanniu directly pushed the brush and the inkstone to her side. Ling Chenghua gritted her teeth, swallowing down the reluctance in his heart, since they had already kidnapped the wrong kid, now they could only try to get the money they wanted. But¡­Suddenly, a slice of viciousness flashed across that pair of calculating eyes. Then she took up the brush and spread the paper.


    A neatly written blackmailing letter soon was finished. Zhang Hu was still worried, ¡°You read us what you wrote!¡±


    He was afraid she might make any mistake.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, your sons¡¯ tutor¡¯s son is in our hands. If you want him to live, prepare 10,000 taels of silver and put it at the pottery shop at the entrance of the village before dark.¡±


    Ling Chenghua picked up the still wet paper and read so, while others nodded approvingly, amazed in the heart ¡°really worthy to be a xiucai¡¯s daughter¡¯. But what they did not know was the content was right, but the spot she asked them to put the money was different from what she wrote. Actually she had made up her mind from the very beginning. Zhang Hu didn¡¯t like her at all, he was only interested in her body. She meant to run away with this man after getting the money. But now they let her write the letter, such a great chance, how would she ever miss it?


    At this time, Ling Chenghua would never expect that it was this letter that confirmed her crime and made her perish.


    ¡°You deliver the letter. Don¡¯t get exposed.¡±


    Pointing at a random guy, Zhang Hu ordered darkly. The one who received the order nodded. As he stood up, he suddenly asked, ¡°What about Zhang San? He should have gotten captured. Do you think he¡¯d turn us all out?¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe. How about this? We go to Lanniu¡¯s place first, then we¡¯d run away right after we get the money. Then even if they know it¡¯s us, they¡¯d have nowhere to look for us.¡±


    The previous man who had his mouth stuck out and a chin like an ape¡¯s suggested. Zhang Hu and others all nodded approvingly. If Zhang San sold them out and Ling Jingxuan took people here, that¡¯d be bad.


    ¡°You go straight to Lanniu¡¯s place later. We¡¯ll also¡­¡±


    ¡°Bang, bang, bang¡­¡±

 Chapter 339

    Before Zhang hu could finish his words, a sudden door-kicking sound was heard. Everyone inside was shocked. Zhang Hu who was the first that reacted pulled Yan Xiaoming in coma up and threw him to the other two companies, ¡°You take him to leave first. If it¡¯s Ling Jingxuan, he could do nothing with us if he can¡¯t find the kid.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The two men turned and went to the backyard with the boy in their arms.


    Bam~


    The next second, the closed gate got knocked down, two black shadows rushed in. Zhang Hu and others tried their best to stay calm. The two black wolves did not attack them but directly ran to the backyard. Zhang Hu and others were anxious and none dared to stop them.


    ¡°Lord Six (Lord Liu), they should have run away from the back door with the kid. You chase after them! I will take care of things here.¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan showed a horrible killing feeling across his bloodthirsty eyes. Chu Ci and Zeng Shaoqing nodded. Then two of them brought the shadow guards to chase, leaving Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui who were still wearing their wedding gowns in the yard.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, what do you want?¡±


    Zhang Hu rolled up his sleeves and rushed forward leading the left three men and Ling Chenghua, with a teasing twitch of his mouth. Ling Jingxuan was giving off some kind of ice-cold killing feeling all over. No one saw where he felt out a sharp dagger. Without even wasting one more word with them, after he threw a ¡®you stay here¡¯ to Yan Shengrui, that slim and long body threw at them like a ghost.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    That red figure was fast enough to the extreme. Before Zhang Hu and others could react, that red figure already jumped into the air and swayed his sharp dagger which was reflecting the cold light under the sun. The next second, screams were heard. Then the few of them saw that the dagger held in Ling Jingxuan hand had already pricked deeply into one man¡¯s spealbone.


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    Confronting their shocking eyes of disbelief, Ling Jingxuan suddenly pulled out the dagger, blood gushing out, like a small fountain. His red gown looked kind of creepy now since it was stained with blood. What was more dreadful was Ling Jingxuan was still wearing a smile. It was true they were a gang of ruffians who often bullied those villagers in nearby villages. But when had they ever seen such a scene? The other three including Zhang Hu got their legs softened. And the one who got hurt lay on the ground, crying like slaughtering a pig.


    Ling Chenghua standing behind was stoned there for a long time. She had never seen such a Ling Jingxuan, like king of hell!


    ¡°Ah~¡±


    A scream suddenly rended the air. Ling Chenghua who finally came to her sense ran behind Zhang Hu and others, shivering. Yan Shengrui who received an order from his wife and didn¡¯t take any action slightly frowned. As he was about to end her, Ling Jingxuan made a move again. He took advantage of the impulsive force of running forward to throw a kick at the tall and strong Zhang Hu. Ling Chenghua who was holding him from behind also fell to the ground. Ling Jingxuan then squatted down and looked at her belly. A cold light flashed across his eyes. He suddenly stretched out a hand to pinch her chin to force her to open her mouth, then felt out a black pill with the left hand and threw it in, and then made her close her mouth. After making sure she had swallowed it, Ling Jingxuan threw her aside, and then kicked in her belly.


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    Ling Chenghua was oozing cold sweat all over due to the huge pains, holding her belly curling up on the ground. Soon, a blood smell came from between her legs. Apparently that kick already let her lose her child, also, Ling Chenghua who had sensed it looked at him with hatred, ¡°My child¡­Ling Jingxuan, you are so heartless!¡±


    Though she didn¡¯t want this kid and even planned to have an abortion, losing it with a kick from Ling Jingxuan was still different.


    ¡°Ling Jingxuan¡­ouch¡­¡±


    Hearing that his kid was gone, Zhang Hu was so mad and tried to crawl up, but with a kick of Yan Shengrui, he fell to the ground again. With a big foot stepping on his chest, Zhang Hu was screaming hard. With a good ear, one could hear the bone cracking sound. With only a light stepping, the other side¡¯s bones got broken. This man was so horrible!


    ¡°I am heartless? Ling Chenghua, this is just the interest you owed my mom. Do you think this is over? Hum! You kept provoking me again and again, you should have been prepared for bearing the result. Today, even if you a princess up there, I will pull you off the altar at any cost since you even dare to touch the one I care about most!¡±


    Standing in front of her, Ling Jingxuan was looking down at her like looking at an aunt. Again and again, he let go of her. But instead of being impenitent, her means became more and malicious. If he guessed right, if the ones they kidnapped today were really his little buns, she wouldn¡¯t let them go back in a whole piece. If so, why would show mercy? An eye for an eye was already a mercy for her!


    ¡°You¡­if it weren¡¯t for you, how would I have been abandoned? Everything is your fault, that b*tch Lady Wang got misbirth all because of you, haha¡­Ling Jingxuan, kill me if you have the balls, as long as I still have a breath in, I will never let you go.¡±


    That original delicate little face now got distorted because of hatred. Ling Chenghua with blood all over was still clamoring like crazy at the edge of her death. She hated him! Only wishing to grind his bones. Heaven is unfair! They were both thrown out of the family due to ruining the reputation of the family. Why Ling Jingxuan met such a good man while she could only be with a man like Zhang Hu? She couldn¡¯t accept it! Never!


    ¡°Kill you? I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll get my hands dirty, and it¡¯d be too easy for you and your mother. Ling Chenghua, do you know what I just fed you?¡±


    Picking his eyebrows while squatting down, Ling Jingxuan showed undisguised coldness on his delicate face. Ling Chenghua then realized it should be poison! Just now, only feeling the huge pains from the belly, she already forgot he forced her to swallow a pill. With a slice of fear flashing across her eyes, Ling Chenghua stuttered, ¡°What¡­what is it?¡±


    Somehow, her intuition told her that Ling Jingxuan¡¯s so-called medicine was definitely not something good.

 Chapter 340

    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, that kind of poison won¡¯t kill you, it will only make you mute and become a slut. Then you can go to the prison and serve the prisoners who are thirsty all the year round. I¡¯m sure they will satisfy you to your heart¡¯s content.¡±


    Clapping his hands while standing up, Ling Jingxuan announced the answer cruelly, the poison was just developed by him not long ago, just in case, but did not expect he could use it so soon. An hour later, except groaning, she couldn¡¯t make any other sound. He wanted her to feel that to live is no better than to die!


    ¡°No, Ling Jingxuan, you can¡¯t do this. No¡­Ew¡­ew¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Chenghua was scared. She stretched out a hand to stick into her throat to stir, trying to promote emesis to vomit out the poison, but¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s no use. The poison melts as long as it meets water, so I guess it has been absorbed  already.¡±


    Coldly sweeping her an eye, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s bloodthirsty cold eyes suddenly shot to the rest of those two people, who had already frozen there, scared. And the man who got his spealbone pricked through had already passed out due to the huge pains. Zhang Hu who got stepped under Yan Shengrui¡¯s foot nearly had no breath, and would die at any minute.


    ¡°It¡¯s your turn, how do you want to die?¡±


    Holding the dagger while approaching them step by step, Ling Jingxuan deliberately created a horrible feeling, like the hell messenger who was enjoying death, who was appreciating their breaking down and scare and finally devoured all of them.


    ¡°No¡­ you¡¯re devils¡­ no¡­¡±


    The two of them really wanted to turn to run, but pathetically, they felt their legs were filled with lead and they couldn¡¯t move at all. Before this, no one had ever expected that Ling Jingxuan would so horrible. And his man. With only a light stamp, he broke Zhang Hu¡¯s ribs. If it had been them, they¡­Water-like thing was dripping down from between the two men¡¯s legs.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Two sounds suddenly were heard, the next second, the two of them freezing there both fell down holding their legs, Ling Jingxuan turned back with doubts but directly got held by Yan Shengrui into his arms, ¡°Don¡¯t make your hands dirty for this kind of people.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan relaxed his body and leaned against his chest, but also until this moment, deep in his eyes just slightly showed a trace of fatigue, heaven bless that the children were all right, if something happened to them, he¡¯d slap himself to death. If he had killed Ling Chenghua earlier, nothing would have happened.


    ¡°Howl!¡±


    Not long after, the two cubs ran before them wagging their tails like asking for their credit. Ling Jingxuan opened his eyes, Chu Yunhan who was holding his son and others also came over, ¡°so, is Yan¡¯er all right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he is just in coma.¡±


    Chu Yunhan still looked worried. Looking at his son, he couldn¡¯t help thinking of his past. Before, when in his palace, he always kept calling him dad this and dad that, but once out of his palace, he no longer talked. Even when he saw His Majesty, he wouldn¡¯t open his mouth to call him father, let alone acting like a child before him. Maybe that was also one of the reasons why His Majesty didn¡¯t like him. And the reason he acted this way was because he often got hurt or poisoned now and then. If it hadn¡¯t been that he protected him in the dark, heaven knows how many times he had died.


    ¡°Let me see.¡±


    Pushing Yan Shengrui aside, Ling Jingxuan moved forward to seize Yan Xiaoming¡¯s hand to feel his pulse, then draw out a silver needle and gently pricked under his nose.


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    Yan Xiaoming who was still in coma slightly made a groan. He slowly opened his eyes. As he saw their faces clearly, the memories before he passed out also came back into his head. Yan Xiaoming struggled to get off the bed. He grabbed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s arms and said anxiously, ¡°Uncle Ling, bad news. Someone kidnapped Xiaowen and Xiaowu! You¡­You have saved them already?¡±


    ¡°Hehe. Don¡¯t worry, everything is all right, Yan¡¯er, thank you for helping me protect the little buns.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled, sincerely said thank you, if it were the little buns that got kidnapped, no one knew how hard Ling Chenghua would torture them. He really felt grateful.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. They are also my younger brothers. I should protect them.¡±


    Facing his appreciation, Yan Xiaoming blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed. Ling Jingxuan, Chu Yunhan and others smiled at each other. This kid behaved so shy before them.


    ¡°My¡­Lord Chu, Childe Seven (Childe Qi), Lord Six(Lord Liu), are you all right?¡±


    As they were talking, Hu Lizhi brought a lot of yamen runners. Seeing that they were all right, he felt much relieved. Heaven knows how worried he had been. If something really happened to the seventh prince in his place, let alone those kidnappers, even he would lose his head!


    ¡°Yeah, we are fine. We solved three of them there. The remaining two main plotters will be left to you. This is a letter we got from the two that ran away. Judging from the handwriting, it should be written by a woman. Magistrate Hu, you know what to do, right?¡±


    Throwing Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s shadow guards an eye, the latters pulled out their swords and pierced through those three people¡¯s hearts before Hu Lizhi. Ignoring those screams, Chu Yunhan felt out that letter those people didn¡¯t have time to send out and handed it to Hu Lizhi. As they dared to kidnap his son, they should have prepared to bear his anger. For those two main plotters, he wouldn¡¯t let them die so easily!

 Chapter 341

    ¡°Yes, your humble subordinate knows¡­¡±


    Taking over the letter with a trembling hand, Hu Lizhi spread it open, and his face looked even more awful. He raised his hand, ¡°Someone! Lock them up and bring them to yamen!¡±


    Neat and quick, the yamen runners tied the badly injured Zhang Hu and Ling Chenghua who had just had a miscarriage up.


    ¡°Ah¡­Abaaba¡­¡±


    Ling Chenghua¡¯s tongue had gradually turned numb, she couldn¡¯t pronounce a complete word already, but those eyes were still full of maliciousness. Ling Jingxuan slightly frowned while approaching her, signaling the two yamen runners to stand aside, then he said by her ears viciously in whispers, ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯d never have a chance to come out. So, I¡¯m gonna tell you two things. First, when you had an intercourse with Ling Jingwei under the public, it was not that he forced you, but I let you two take some strong aphrodisiac. Second, the reason you were thrown out of the family was that I sprinkled some medicine that could make one have illusion on your pillow, so you¡¯d tell people those bad things you have ever done. Finally, this time the one you kidnapped is the seventh prince!¡±


    With what he said, Ling Chenghua¡¯s eyes widened bigger and bigger, with only hatred in them. When he said the last thing, Ling Chenghua¡¯s pupils shrank, like a losing rooster, totally losing the momentum, in her brain ringing the two words seventh prince. At this moment, she finally knew she could never beat Ling Jingxuan, never!


    ¡°Magistrate Hu, sorry to trouble you then. And Lady Han and her daughter. Don¡¯t care about our feelings. Just hold the justice!¡±


    After making her totally break down, Ling Jingxuan turned to walk to Yan Shengrui¡¯s side. He had never been a kind man who would return good for evil. If one showed him respect, he¡¯d pay back more. But if one wouldn¡¯t let him have an easy time, he would let the other side suffer more! Be it Ling Chenghua or that pair of mother and daughter, for the sake of their parents, he had given them like countless times. They just hadn¡¯t cherished it. Then don¡¯t blame him for being heartless.


    ¡°Of course, My¡­Lord Chu, Childe Seven, do you need me to leave some guards to protect you?¡±


    Hu Lizhi only knew Chu Yunhan and his son¡¯s background wasn¡¯t simple, but never knew they were from the imperial family and put all his focus on Chu Yunhan and his son, he never knew Ling Jingxuan was also a figure he couldn¡¯t reach. But, Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t mind. Actually it wasn¡¯t a bad thing that he had no idea of it, which may save him a lot of trouble in the future.


    ¡°No need, go back and get prepared. I will return to the imperial capital in three days. You are responsible for escorting us.¡±


    With one hand held behind, Chu Yunhan showed some sense of alienation and unreachable nobility. On hearing him, Hu Lizhi hurriedly nodded, ¡°Yes, My Lord. Then I will take them back to the yamen.¡±


    Making a swing of his sleeves, Hu Lizhi also knew how to behave. He nodded at Ling Jingxuan and then left. The three bodies on the ground were already gone, so did the shadow guards of Zeng Shaoqing. And like the two cubs knew they got things to deal with, they both stood behind Ling Jingxuan obediently. After they left, the shadow guards burned Zhang Hu¡¯s house into ashes after processing those bodies.


    Because Hu Lizhi had to send people to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s place to detain Lady Han and her daughter, so the team that detained Zhang Hu and Ling Chenghua waited at the market at the entrance of the village. A lot of people recognized them. In ordinary days, a lot of villagers had been bullied by Zhang Hu. Now seeing that he was arrested, they all hurled things at them. And Ling Chenghua, after knowing the truth, she suffered a big blow. And when staying at the market, the poison attacked her again. And the locked hands started to tear open her own clothes without her own control. Soon, she already got nude of her upper body. Seeing this scene, all men even didn¡¯t have time to blink, while women all blushed, cursing. Ling Chenghua was clear in the heart what was happening, but she could only groan there, with tears in her eyes.


    ¡°Ah, my Chenghua, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    As the old lady who hurried over saw her daughter¡¯s appearance, she immediately burst into tears, but as she was about to rush forward, she got stopped by the two yamen runners. The old lady shrank back and stuffed them some silver while sobbing, ¡°Officers, she is my daughter. Can I go talk a few words with her?¡±


    In front of these people, the old lady could only behave.


    ¡°No, they have committed a felony of decollation.¡±


    The yamen runners, who were always greedy for money, pushed her money back without thinking. Although they did not know exactly what crime it was, they knew they could never survive.


    ¡°Ah? Officers, are you mistaken? My daughter is well-educated since she was young. What decollation crime has she committed? Officers, you can¡¯t wrong the good person!¡±


    Hearing that, the old lady froze there, and immediately exclaimed with disbelief. When her daughter went to see her at noon, everything was fine. Why her daughter had committed such a heavy crime in such a short time?¡±


    ¡°Well-educated?¡±


    The yamen runner threw her a sarcasm look and then Ling Chenghua who was feeling herself under the public. You call that well-educated?


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Knowing what that look meant, the old lady felt so ashamed that she even couldn¡¯t raise her head. People all burst into laughter. Ling Chengcai and his wife who followed her hid themselves among the crowed. They heard that Ling Chenghua was arrested, so they wanted to see her down look, but didn¡¯t mean to suffer shame with her. Today the market was extra lively. Even those villagers from nearby villages came. And the old xiucai¡¯s family again was pushed in the teeth of the storm. And their old Ling family suffered a disastrous decline.

 Chapter 342

    A wedding got into a mess by a few ¡®mouse droppings¡¯. After solving them, people of the Wang family had no face to stay, so after saying goodbye, they hurried home. Lady Wang who had been close to her family didn¡¯t open her mouth to keep them stay for the first time. Although it served Lady Han and her daughter right, it had generated some gap between them now and this gap needed time to remove.


    Then Old Wang and his son, Guarantor Liu and Shopkeeper Zhang and others also bid farewell and left. Inside Yuehua Manor hid the emperor and a prince. While feeling frightened, they also knew next should be their personal time. Things about the imperial family, the less they knew, the better for them.


    Lady Wang had already gone to her own room to take some rest under Wang Jinyu¡¯s support, leaving Ling Chenglong alone standing in the central room embarrassedly. Before, since Chu Ci was quite learned, plus he was the two buns¡¯ tutor, and his temperament was cold and arrogant, they seldom showed intimacy to him. Now after knowing that he was the noble empress, he even didn¡¯t know how to get along with him now, so nervous that he even didn¡¯t know where to put his hands.


    ¡°Uncle Ling, don¡¯t stand on ceremony. There¡¯s no empress here, but only the little buns¡¯ tutor. Jinghan, Jingpeng, take your dad to take a noon nap. Having been busy for a whole day, he should be tired.¡±


    Rarely, Chu Yunhan wore a smile, trying his best to look gentle to make him eased. Whatsoever, he didn¡¯t want them to distant themselves from him because of this. This time, it wasn¡¯t because of Yan Shengrui, but merely he really liked the atmosphere of this family. Before leaving, he didn¡¯t want his identity change to spoil the harmoniousness in this family.


    ¡°Dad, my big brother and Rui are here. Let¡¯s go down to take some rest.¡±


    Already having guessed who Yan Shengrui was, compared with others, after knowing who Chu Ci and his son were, Ling Jinghan behaved much calmer and accepted it faster than others. As for Ling Jingpeng, he had already been used to any strange things that happened on his big brother. At first, it was true he was also shocked. But over time, he had been used to it. What¡¯s more, he was not a dumbass. He had already sensed that Chu Ci and his son were no ordinary people. It was just that he didn¡¯t expect their background would be so terribly noble.


    In a word, people in this family accepted the change of identity of Chu Ci and his son very well, especially the younger generation.


    ¡°Ah, ah¡­Well, Shengrui, Jingxuan, you two entertain His Em¡­His Empress and the seventh prince. But don¡¯t stay up too late. It¡¯s your wedding night today.¡±


    Nodding repeatedly, after some nagging, Ling Chenglong also left under Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng¡¯s support. Seeing that, the Zhao&Han couple gave each other a look, ¡°Jingpeng, we¡¯re also going home with the kid.¡±


    After that farce, the day was getting dark outside. Even if they got tons of confusion, they couldn¡¯t get an answer today. So instead of staying here, why not give them some space? Anyhow, they met everyday.


    ¡°Hmm. Brother Zhao, Brother Han, you¡¯ve had a long day today. We¡¯ll talk some other day. By the way, if you have no other arrangements these days, you can take the workers to build that row of workshops in the backyard. And after some time, we¡¯ll give you the seeds for the business we¡¯d be doing in winter. Our few workshops could operate in turns, so we can earn some more before the New Year.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan stood up and walked toward them. He had never taken them as outsiders. They earned money together. Of course, that couple also had never taken him as an outsider.


    ¡°Hey, Tiewa, say good night to your adoptive daddy and father.¡±


    Han Fei took Tiewa¡¯s hand. Everyone didn¡¯t take a nap this noon. So the kid was already kind of sleepy. But still he pounced over and kissed on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face, ¡°Good night, adoptive daddy, good night, adoptive father. Good night, Uncle Chu and Brother Yan.¡±


    The little guy said good night to everyone, but only ignored Zeng Shaoqing who was sitting next to Chu Yunhan. For this, Zeng Shaoqing showed a gloomy face. So it was hard to remove his bad name from him.


    ¡°Be good, sleep early.¡±


    Leaning down to kiss on his forehead, Ling Jingxuan touched his little face affectionately. He liked Tiewa¡¯s loveliness most. Before, he was shy with strangers and was timid. But under their intentional teaching and guiding, he had already been much braver, but still hadn¡¯t met his expectations. In the future, he planned to take him to the imperial capital with him. If too timid and cowardly, he¡¯d get bullied. He hoped that he could also grow stronger and more dominant like Ling Wen and Ling Wu. He could even bully others sometimes. Anyhow, he wouldn¡¯t allow his kids to be bullied. You could say he was selfish. But compared with letting his kids lose their lives due to some carelessness, or being bullied wherever they went, he¡¯d rather they become someone others feared of.


    After seeing off the three of them, Ling Jingxuan turned to look at the few little ¡®ancestors¡¯, and then Yan Xiaoming who the two buns were grabbing tightly said helplessly, ¡°Yan¡¯er, it seems your little brothers have something to say to you. You help me take them to sleep, OK?¡±


    The two buns were no fools. From their conversation, he believed that they should have already known who the so-called empress and prince were, they could even tell they were going to leave soon. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t stick by Yan Xiaoming¡¯s side and wouldn¡¯t let him go. So, as their daddy, he could only try to create a chance for them to stay alone.


    ¡°Hmm, good night, Uncle Ling. Father, uncle, good night.¡±


    Subconsciously ignoring ¡®someone¡¯ again, Yan Xiaoming held Ling Wen in one hand while Ling Wu in the other. Apparently the two little brothers were having something on their mind, because they even forgot to say good night to Ling Jingxuan and others. The three shadows soon disappeared from the room. Then, without Ling Jingxuan¡¯s order, Ling Yun who was waiting on in the room also left after changing some fresh tea for them.


    ¡°So, do you want to talk tonight or tomorrow?¡±

 Chapter 343

    Walking back and sitting by Yan Shengrui¡¯s side, he swept over the three little ¡®ancestors¡¯ with his long and thin phoenix eyes. The empress and prince going back to the palace wasn¡¯t a simple thing. It should have a series of careful arrangements. Since Chu Yunhan had told the magistrate he¡¯d go back to the palace three days later, which meant they¡¯d go to town the day after tomorrow the latest. That was to say, they could only stay in this house for at most one day.


    ¡°Tomorrow.¡±


    Yan Shengrui made the decision without thinking. Today was their wedding night. Even if the sky fell, it couldn¡¯t stop him sleeping with his sweetheart. Besides, now Chu Yunhan and his son were safe.


    ¡°Hehe¡­It seems that our new bridegroom can¡¯t wait. Jingxuan, tomorrow, give me one hour. I got something to talk to you alone.¡±


    Chu Yunhan wasn¡¯t dull. He smiled as he turned to Ling Jingxuan. Before leaving, he wanted to tell him something, and also asked his opinions by the way.


    ¡°Hmm, I also have something for you. We¡¯ll talk about it tomorrow.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan turned to ¡®someone¡¯ who had been ignored the whole night, ¡°Lord Six, if you don¡¯t mind, tonight you¡¯ll sleep in Yunhan¡¯s place. There happens to be an empty room.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing, who had not planned to leave at all, nodded immediately, ¡°Ok, I can stay since you beg me.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t force yourself.¡±


    Yan Shengrui picked up the teacup and took a sip elegantly, while casting a glance at him with disdain. Apparently that guy was wild with joy in the heart, why still hang in there?


    ¡°It¡¯s my pleasure. None of your business. Yunhan, come on, let¡¯s go to sleep.¡±


    Throwing him a malicious stare, Zeng Shaoqing hid his superiority complex and looked over at Chu Yunhan. Nearly twenty years later, they finally had a chance to stay alone. It¡¯d only be strange if he let such a great chance slip away.


    ¡°Not Yunhan, I¡¯m your imperial sister-in-law.¡±


    Trying to correct him grumpily, Chu Yunhan slowly stood up. Since young, he had never called him brother or what, and now still the same. He really didn¡¯t know what he was thinking.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll call you Yunhan.¡±


    Getting up together with him, Zeng Shaoqing mumbled. If it hadn¡¯t been he was a few years older, he should have already belonged to him. Imperial sister-in-law? Bullshit!


    Given Yan Shengrui and Chu Yunhan¡¯s martial arts, how could they not be able to hear what he was mumbling. The former was kind of worried. After all, after going back this time, Chu Yunhan would be aiming at the title of the empress. They were hopeless in this life. And the latter felt helpless, totally taking his stubbornness as childishness, and didn¡¯t think it deeply.


    The night was getting darker, and inside the well-decorated new house, the red wedding candles had already been lit, kindling the room. As Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan went into their wedding room, Lady Yang and Lady Zhang who were waiting inside knelt down to greet them.


    ¡°Master Sheng, Master Xuan!¡±


    ¡°Go down, you are no longer wanted here.¡±


    With a wave of his hand, Yan Shengrui ordered. Lady Yang and lady Zhang froze there, but instantly said, ¡°Master Sheng, we still need to serve you to take the cross-cup wine.¡±


    According to the rules, only after having the cross-cup wine could they be a real couple.


    ¡°We¡¯ll drink it ourselves. Make the bed. And get out!¡±


    Face sunk, Yan Shengrui¡¯s voice was stained with a bit dominance. The bed was carpeted with peanuts, dried longans and other things that represented auspiciousness. Fortunately Ling Jingxuan was capable of bearing children. Otherwise, weren¡¯t those things that symbolize ¡®may you have a baby soon¡¯ like slapping right in their faces?


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Daring not to challenge his patience again, Lady Yang and Lady Zhang got up tremblingly. But they didn¡¯t take those things on the bed away, but only brushed them into the innermost of the bed. The masters didn¡¯t believe in those things, but they dared not, otherwise, the old lady would punish them the next morning.


    ¡°Ok, get down.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, then pulled Yan Shengrui to sit before the little table in the center of the room. And then the two maids turned to leave, and also considerably closed the door for them.


    ¡°Have our maids offended you or what? Why be so hard on them?¡±


    Pouring two cups of grape wine for both of them, Ling Jingxuan said so as he found it so amused. Yan Shengrui abruptly grabbed his hand, with a little strength, pulled him to sit on his thigh. Now it were only the two of them, Yan Shengrui rested his head over his shoulder, ¡°I don¡¯t like others disturbing us. Tonight is our wedding night.¡±


    After looking forward to it for so long, he had finally become his own man. Even though he had regained all his memories, Yan Shengrui did not intend to change the way they got along with each other. He enjoyed the feeling when Ling Jingxuan was ¡®angry¡¯ with him but could do nothing.


    ¡°Hehe¡­are you going to finish the last step tonight?¡±


    Things like feeling shy would never happen on him. Ling Jingxuan withdrew his helplessness just now, took the initiative to hold his neck, between his eyebrows stained with undisguised temptation.


    Deep in that pair of tiger eyes was catching fire, his breath also started to become heavy, but still Yan Shengrui pretended to stay calm, saying while picking his eyebrows, ¡°It¡¯s too late even if you want to escape. I told you, when I regain my memories, it¡¯d be the day I will let you become mine! Jingxuan, after today, you¡¯d be my only wife!¡±


    Yes, the only one! After regaining his memories, he had also remembered a lot of things, like why he hadn¡¯t been married, why the imperial family dare not force him, and so on. He remembered them all!

 Chapter 344

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Why you all look so mad?¡±


    After the two little buns took a bath and Yan Xiaoming came out of the shower room after cleaning himself, he saw them lying in bed with puffy cheeks, then a doting smile climbed at the corner of his lips. Whenever staying with them, he¡¯d only feel quite happy. Xiaowen was premature and sensible, though a bit stingy, which wasn¡¯t a thing, while Xiaowu was smart and cute, who liked covering his mistakes, a total little foodie. But he wasn¡¯t selfish. He¡¯d share anything good with others. Although he often yelled of marrying him as his wife, it didn¡¯t make him disgusted or what, since he liked them from the bottom of his heart.


    ¡°Brother Yan, they said you are the seventh prince, Uncle Chu is the empress. So you¡¯d no longer stay with us here?¡±


    The two brothers rolled over and picked themselves up at the same time. The small bun couldn¡¯t hold it and asked. It was true they were still young, but they knew what the words empress and prince meant. From the mouth of those storytellers, the empress and the prince would live in a big and beautiful house. If Uncle Chu and Brother Yan were the empress and prince, they could no longer live with them.


    Ling Wen did not speak, only staring at him with that pair of round big eyes, small thin lips tightly pursing into a straight line, and the hands hanging on both sides were clenched into fists, apparently trying to endure something.


    Yan Xiaoming couldn¡¯t help freezing there, but soon heaved a light sigh, walked over to sit at the bedside, pulled them to sit on each of his thighs, with his hands resting on their shoulders, ¡°Yeah, my original name is Yan Xiaoming, the seventh son of the emperor, his only legitimate son. Three years ago, my mother consort got murdered by Noble Consort Xiao, and my dad empress brought me to run out of the imperial palace. At first, we hid here and there, until two years ago, I came to Datong town with my dad empress. In the past three years, we concealed our identities only wishing not to be found. But¡­Xiaowen, Xiaowu, I may leave in two days. You got to listen to Uncle Ling. If there is a chance we¡¯ll meet again, I will never leave you.¡±


    Those words coming out of a nine-year-old boy really sounded so sad. Sooner or later, Ling Wen and Ling Wu would go back to the imperial city to find their origin. But he didn¡¯t know whether he could live till that day. The impression the imperial palace left him was his life was always hanging on a thread. It had been three years, he still couldn¡¯t forget about his mother consort¡¯s appearance before he died.


    ¡°Brother Yan, don¡¯t be sad. If you don¡¯t want to leave, I¡¯ll go talk to daddy and father and ask them to let you stay, OK? Daddy loves me most. He will agree.¡±


    A little chubby hand unexpectedly touched his face, kneeling on the bed, Ling Wu looked so sad. Only a five years old boy, only by instinct he already could feel his fear and unwillingness deep in the heart.


    ¡°Hehe¡­little fool, I must go back, this time I won¡¯t escape, if they want to fight, I will fight with them to the end.¡±


    Yan Xiaoming got stoned there, but then immediately grabbed his hand, with that pair of peach eyes reflecting firm light. And the former sentiment was already gone. He wouldn¡¯t lose, and he couldn¡¯t lose. He would set up a new world for his two younger brothers and wouldn¡¯t let anyone bully them.


    ¡°Bother Yan, I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Totally not getting what he was fighting for, Ling Wen grabbed his hand, with that little face stained with matureness and firmness no less than him. Daddy ever said, as long as you set your goal, whether it is right or wrong, you got to hold on straight to the end, even the whole world is denouncing you. At this moment, to him, what Brother Yan firmly believed in was what he firmly believed in. Whatever he did, he¡¯d help him.


    ¡°And me, Brother Yan, wait till I grow up, after I grow up, I will go to your home to look for you.¡±


    The small bun said, with his eyes rolling between his two elder brothers. Then he grabbed his other hand and promised so. Yan Xiaoming couldn¡¯t help wetting his eyes. After quite a while, he opened his arms and held them tightly, ¡°OK. I will wait for you in the capital.¡±


    He said with a sobbing tone. After saying that, crystal clear tears rolled down. Who would be sadder than him? He had ten half-blooded brothers and six half-blooded sisters. But above and below the table, they just wanted to frame him or even kill him. But only those two cousins, their appearance finally made him feel what brotherhood meant like.


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    The two brothers nodded hard at the same time, and stretched out their hands to give him a hug. Maybe there were a lot of things they still couldn¡¯t understand, but what they only knew was Chu Yan was their elder brother forever and that¡¯s enough.


    The three brothers were shedding tears here, while on the other side, in the wedding room, the new couple was also chatting intimately, sometimes laughed pleasantly and deeply, and sometimes Ling Jingxuan would take the initiative to kiss on Yan Shengrui¡¯s face to get him turned on. And every time, Yan Shengrui only wished he could sleep him right away. Pity the other side was as sly as a fox, and wouldn¡¯t let him get him so easily, like he was tricking him on purpose.


    ¡°Well, what on earth has happened that year?¡±


    Holding his neck, Ling Jingxuan pretended to ask casually. Actually, after Yan Shengrui regained his memories, he had kept this thing in mind. He¡¯d just take it as a condition he¡¯d occupy this body. He wanted to make clear the whole story for the original owner. Although, whatever the reason was, he wouldn¡¯t give up the original owner for his misery. The deceased had gone to another world, but the living ones still needed to carry on. Since he had prolonged his lifespan for him, the only thing he could do was live better and take care of the family.


    ¡°Five years ago, no, it should be almost six years ago, my imperial sister-in-law got deposed before of Chu Family¡¯s arrogance and bossy doing and Consort Xiao¡¯s frame-up. The closest outer family of Chu family also got disorganized a lot. In order to fight for the position of the empress, those families who sent their daughters into the palace all swelled themselves up for it. At the time, except my imperial aunt, no other people pleaded for my imperial sister-in-law. They all wished to step Chu family under their feet. But they shouldn¡¯t be blamed, because Chu Family had really been too arrogant those years, they even encroached the territory of the imperial mausoleum. No wonder my imperial elder brother would have used of abolishing him to crack down the Chu family. At that time, I was leading troops outside. After I received the news, I immediately went back at top speed from the boarder. And I saw the ugly side of those people, plus my imperial sister-in-law was really a good empress, at least he seldom collaborated with his family, or even tried to persuade his family to stay low. So I made the same decision as my imperial aunt¨Ctrying to persuade my imperial elder brother to reinstate his position, after all, at that time, Chu Family had already learned the lesson, and their forces had weakened a lot. There was no need to spare none and raise another more arrogant outer family. And because of that, I became everyone¡¯s target. All big families and those little princes united together trying to kill me. Because I went back in a hurry, so those guards I brought back were not all my own men of sacrifice. Someone couldn¡¯t resist the temptation of interest. On the day back to Cangzhou, they poisoned with me deadly aphrodisiac. At the time, I happened to arrive near Yuehua Mountain. I thought I could press it down, but those killers kept chasing after, so I had to keep consuming my qi, finally the aphrodisiac got into my meridians. Actually I also had no idea what had happened at the time. When I woke up, you already¡­Sorry, Jingxuan, I was totally unconscious. I didn¡¯t know what I did at all.¡±

 Chapter 345

    Embracing him, Yan Shengrui took a deep breath and slowly told him the whole story a few years ago. That thing was a huge insult to the almighty him. Before meeting Ling Jingxuan again, he even wouldn¡¯t want to touch that part of his memories. But nothing is absolute. He also didn¡¯t expect that an unexpected accident let them meet again. Maybe, that was fate. They were destined to belong to each other.


    ¡°I vaguely thought I heard you say something about handling me. What was that?¡±


    Shaking his head, Ling Jingxuan asked the doubts out from the bottom of his heart, he personally, did not think what Yan SHengrui did was wrong, after all, he also didn¡¯t do it on purpose. If possible, as a prince, how would he rape a fourteen-year-old boy? If someone had to take the blame, it should be those big families who tried to kill him. But, he tried to kill him after raping him. That was way across the line. To be honest, he kind of couldn¡¯t accept it.


    ¡°You think I asked them to kill you, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Pupils constricted, Yan Shengrui wide opened his eyes. Seeing his expression of ¡®yeah, that is what I was thinking¡¯, he couldn¡¯t help knocking his head with his knuckle, ¡°What did you take your man as? Huh? Everyone noticed your body conditions. I ordered them to handle you, meaning to ask them to feed you contraception soup. Liu can prove that! Besides, they really fed you the contraception soup. As for how you got pregnant, I am really not quite clear.¡±


    Perhaps the dose was not enough, and perhaps the vitality of the two buns was too tenacious, at least now, he was sincerely glad, he gave birth to two lovely buns for him.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Really? Then I got it wrong.¡±


    Heart knot untied, Ling Jingxuan leaned over and pecked his lips lightly, this topic completely came to an end till now.


    ¡°Damn it, don¡¯t move up and down.¡±


    Unable to bear him rubbing on his legs, Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help cursing in whispers, while the hands holding him moved to his hips uncontrollably and spread his fingers to squeeze them.


    Looking at his desperately thirsty look, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help giggling, ¡°Hehe¡­I won¡¯t tease you anymore. We haven¡¯t drunk the cross-cupped wine yet. Let¡¯s do that first.¡±


    And then do some other thing! Of course, Ling Jingxuan did not speak those words out, but after finishing his words, he threw him a wink, which was enough to explain everything.


    ¡°Just wait!¡±


    Patting his butts, Yan Shengrui pretended to be angry and gave him a hard stare. On the table was engraved with double¡®‡Ö¡¯. The little silver pot and cups engraved with a dragon and a phoenix were all tied with the red threads that symbolized auspiciousness. One leg of the three-legged cup was also tied to the other two. For their wedding, Lady Wang had really put too much thought into it. This set of wine cups wouldn¡¯t be cheap!


    His tiger eyes reluctant to move away from him one more second, Yan Shengrui took up the pot and poured two cups of wine for them, held up one while handing the other to him, and took the chance to cross his hand with his, ¡°My consort, please!¡±


    ¡°My prince, please!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan winked at him mischievously, then the two, almost at the same time, raised their head to drink off their own cup of wine. With the slight bitter and sweet wine going through the throat, a dense fragrance of wild fruit pervaded in the mouth.


    ¡°Pia¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Before Yan Shengrui could react, Ling Jingxuan suddenly dropped the cup, held his face and pressed down on his lips. The wine in the mouth flew into his through the lips that were sticking together. Meanwhile, he stuck out his tongue and stirred in his mouth. Yan Shengrui went stiff. As he was about to take over the dominant right, he suddenly withdrew.


    ¡°Oh¡­ this is the real cross-cupped wine.¡±


    The spilled wine wetted his chin. Under the candle light, the slightly red wine seemed to turn into aphrodisiac. Looking at his bright smile, Yan Shengrui swallowed, with flames burning under his eyes. And his little brother between the legs also stood up without his control.


    ¡°Now that we¡¯ve drunk the cross-cupped wine, should we go to bed already?¡±


    The slender and beautiful fingers were rubbing against his smooth cheeks, and the voice of Yan Shengrui was more hoarse and lower because of desire. The temperature in the room seemed to rise a lot in an instant. Ling Jingxuan smiled, without any sense of shyness, but threw him a leer, ¡°Then what are you waiting for?¡±


    ¡°Damn¡­¡±


    As if the spell had been lifted, Yan Shengrui growled and lifted his hips, ¡°Hold tight my waist.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was never an easy one. Spreading his legs to hold his waist tight, he deliberately sank his body to ¡®accidentally¡¯ touch his sensitive spot. Yan Shengrui¡¯s face instantly turned as black as the charcoal. He turned to stride over to the bed, and threw him on it. Ling Jingxuan laughed out. But before he could take a breath in, Yan Shengrui¡¯s tall and tough body had already pressed on him.


    ¡°Jingxuan¡­¡±


    Opening his mouth to contain his, Yan Shengrui used his practical action to prove his love. His wet, hot and big tongue pried open his slightly opened mouth, and inserted into the deepest place in his throat, sometimes his tongues even imitated the action of having sex to pull and push. Ling Jingxuan opened his arms, and allowed him to lead this kiss, and his butt also danced to cooperate with him.


    ¡°Ripping sound¡­¡±


    Atmosphere had been adjusted to the top, a kiss can¡¯t satisfy Yan Shengrui who had already been burning all over. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s pomposo wedding gown was torn off, and the jade belt that was used to fix the clothes was also thrown onto the ground. Accompanying the higher and higher temperature in the air, their clothes also became less and less, finally when Ling Jingxuan only had the last underwear on his body, Yan Shengrui¡¯s lips also left his mouth. Like beast that had been thirsty for too long, he moved from his slim and sensitive neck all the way down, and left one mark after another that proved their passion on his delicate skin.


    ¡°Groan¡­¡±


    The golden crown that tied the hair got taken off, and the waist-long black hair scattered behind the back, making sharp contrast to the bright red wedding bed. A touching groan was made from the deepest place of the throat, and the wild and passionate wedding night officially kicked off.

 Chapter 346

    After enjoying the wedding night, even the emperor wouldn¡¯t want to go to the court!


    No idiom was more suitable to describe Yan Shengrui who had had such a passionate night. Opening his eyes in the morning, holding a warm body in his arms, he felt that even his breath was mixed with that kind of salubrious herb fragrance special to Ling Jingxuan. One of his arms Ling Jingxuan had been sleeping on already turned totally numb. But he didn¡¯t mean to pull it back, lowering his eyes to look at that pretty face. Maybe he had asked too much last night. Even when in sound sleep, his thin and long sword-shape eyebrows slightly wrinkled, and his black and dense long eyelashes were like little brushes covering his eyelids, and that cherry red lips were still swelling now, which were like accusing how hard he ¡®ravaged¡¯ him last night. A few locks of hair were gently pasting on his face like feathers, in the tranquility was mixed with some kind of sexiness, making him have the urge to ¡®ravage¡¯ him for another time.


    Looking at his sound sleeping wife, Yan Shengrui showed a silly smile, fingers unconsciously caressing his cheek, and the tenderness under the eyes becoming gentler like water, sexy cherry red lips slightly open. Then, hard to resist that temptation, Yan Shengrui bent to kiss on his face, eyelids, forehead, tip of the nose, and finally contained those tempting lips.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    A man who finally got the seal lifted was like a beast that would never be satisfied. Ling Jingxuan who was in his sleep made a deep frown, then his wet and hot tongue took the chance to pry into his mouth, and the fire of desire that had just been put out long ago now got lit up again. Facing such an undefended wife, how could he resist it? His eyes grew deeper, breaths becoming a bit heavy. When he kissed him, his left hand also reached into the quilt and touched his naked and smooth skin.


    Like he had felt that someone was kissing and touching him, he slowly frowned. Having been exhausted last night, Ling Jingxuan who still wouldn¡¯t want to wake up subconsciously tried to brush off his hand that was doing some nasty things on him, and his head was also trying to break free from his kiss. But Yan Shengrui was on fire, how could the sleeping he push him away? But¡­


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    All of a sudden, Yan Shengrui covered his down part and kept himself away from him, with cold sweat instantly oozing out of his forehead. Passion? Desire? All gone completely! It turned out that Ling Jingxuan who was still in his sleep felt annoyed by his doing, so he raised his knee to hit his down part between the legs. While Yan Shengrui was too concentrated, and¡­the result¡­was really serious¡­


    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s wrong with you? Did I¡­¡±


    Opening his sleepy eyes, Ling Jingxuan turned to look at him weirdly, fragmentary pictures just now flashed across his eyes, and then looked at his antic posture covering his important down part, he couldn¡¯t help twitching the corner of his mouth. Hell no! Did he really hit his ¡®little brother¡¯ just now?


    ¡°Were you trying to murder your husband?¡±


    To endure the terrible pain of that part, cold sweat all over his forehead, Yan Shengrui complained. He nearly broke it! Damn¡­He should never try to turn him on while he was sleeping. A few more times, even if he got ten ¡®little brothers¡¯, it was not enough for him to break.


    ¡°Urgh¡­Well, are you all right?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan wanted to laugh but dare not, with his right hand stretching out trying to check it.


    ¡°Pia!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch it, it still hurts.¡±


    Gently patting off his hand, Yan Shengrui threw him his dagger eyes, like he was saying ¡®You have a try and see if it hurts! It¡¯s like killing me!¡¯


    His naked resentment dismissed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s smile, and he also got tensed up, pulled off his hand and checked that rather big ¡®one¡¯. After quite a while, Ling Jingxuan exhaled a long breath, ¡°Fortunately it¡¯s OK. I guess I didn¡¯t use too much strength, but you were caught off guard, so I got the bull¡¯s eye.¡±


    ¡°Not much strength? If you used more strength, it¡¯d break right away!¡±


    Wide opened tiger eyes were rendered with naked hatred. What had he done to deserve this? It was just early this morning, seeing his wife¡¯s sleeping gesture was too seductive, he just couldn¡¯t help getting turned on. Why he deserved to nearly get his thing broken?


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan could no longer hold it, and started to laugh hard while lying down again. Seeing that, Yan Shengrui glared at him. You little ungrateful bastard! You nearly broke my little brother and still laughed? That pair of tiger eyes flashed a bad smile. Now it seemed between his legs didn¡¯t hurt that much. Yan Shengrui threw himself on him again, and ¡®attacked¡¯ at his armpits.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    ¡°You wanna laugh? I¡¯ll make you laugh enough¡­¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­no, it¡¯s itchy¡­ Ha ha¡­¡±


    On the red silk quilt cover embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks, two naked bodies got intertwined together. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s body was shivering due to his hard laughing, trying his best to avoid the ¡®attack¡¯ of his nasty hands. But Yan Shengrui¡¯s hands were like shadow. Wherever he hid, they could accurately anticipate it and itched him just right. Two adults were frolicking in bed like two three-year-old children.


    ¡°Haha¡­ no, stop it¡­ haha¡­¡±


    ¡°Say ¡®husband, I am wrong¡¯, or I won¡¯t stop!¡±


    Laughing so hard that he even had a cramp in the bed, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help begging for mercy frequently. Yan Shengrui eyes sank, and he made a more excessive request. Ling Jingxuan who was trying to stop the itching didn¡¯t think much, only begging fitfully, ¡°Husband, I am wrong. Please spare me. Haha¡­¡±

 Chapter 347

    Calling him husband was even better than offering him a mountain of gold and silver. Yan Shengrui was finally satisfied, and withdrew his claws. Ling Jingxuan who had been laughing for too long couldn¡¯t help twitching. After quite a while, he still couldn¡¯t stop it. Now, it was Yan Shengrui¡¯s turn to feel worried. He hurriedly held him into his arms, with his big hand gently rubbing his flat underbelly, trying to ease his twitching.


    ¡°I nearly laughed to death. Don¡¯t do this next time.¡±


    After quite a while, Ling Jingxuan who finally felt better threw him a hard stare, then relaxed his body and lay in his chest, the exposed skin was not delicate as before, but covered with countless purple hickeys. All over his body, you could barely find one cun of good skin, which proved how tough someone was last night.


    ¡°You have the final say, my sweetheart. I will all listen to you.¡±


    Pulling him to his ear, even if Yan Shengrui regained his memories, he was still a bit villain. He had been too sick for him, no cure already.


    ¡°Really? I remember what we said before, after we get married, all properties would be under my name. Since you have regained your memories, report all your properties to me. I¡¯ll take them over.¡±


    Raising his eyebrows, Ling Jingxuan made a smirk on his face, and Yan Shengrui pinched his nose dotingly, ¡°I got too many properties. My personal properties in the imperial city are regulated by Qin Yu. She is my nanny¡¯s daughter. While I was away, she¡¯d take care of everything in the mansion. My mansion in the fief is built in Cangzhou. When I was away, my housekeeper Long Hanqing would take care of everything, including all restaurants and manors and other properties. As for those businesses outside, like Baiyunge, Wanli Money House, all under my name, I take seventy percent of the share, Six (Liu) takes thirty percent. He regulates them usually. I am only responsible for collecting money. It¡¯s all my belongings. As for the specific number, I¡¯ll only know after asking some heads. If you are interested, we can go to the capital with my imperial sister-in-law.¡±


    After he reported a series of the properties under his name, Ling Jingxuan was stunned. Forget about Baiyunge and Xinyuan Restaurant, since they had cooperated too much. How much they could earn, even a blind person could tell. Let alone Wanli Money House. It was said that was the biggest money house through the whole Qing Kingdom. And those were merely his active assets. If those immovable properties counted¡­Ling Jingxuan even felt embarrassed to go on calculating. It seemed that he really found a moneybag as his husband.


    ¡°Why do I think you are the richest man through the whole kingdom?¡±


    Trying to endure the convulsions at the corner of the mouth, Ling Jingxuan leered at him, so he should even be much wealthier than Lord Six (Lord Liu), right?


    ¡°Hehe¡­ You think money is that important to me? In the palace, it got so many priceless treasures, all spoils of war during those years. If you like, after going back to the capital, they are all yours.¡±


    So he is a real bigwig?


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about that later. Just give me Baiyunge. I don¡¯t want to waste time discussing the cooperation thing with Zeng Shaoqing. As for Xinyuan restaurant, isn¡¯t it too little that we only own thirty percent¡¯s share? At least fifty, I think. As for going back to the capital, forget it. Before His Majesty trusted you, the most important reason should be that you hadn¡¯t been married and gotten no offspring, without offspring, even if you tried to seize the throne, not all relatives of the imperial family would support you. Now if we go back taking the two buns, I guess His Majesty would be the first to calculate you. The kids are still small, I don¡¯t want to put them in such danger too early.¡±


    This was what he had long considered. Before he could be 100 percent sure to secure his two buns, he wouldn¡¯t go back to the capital with him.


    ¡°Well, I also think so, this time after my imperial sister-in-law goes back, there¡¯d be turmoil. So it¡¯s not the best time for us to go back now. Maybe next year. I guess the fight over the position of the empress should be over by then.¡±


    Yan Shengrui nodded, looking into the front deeply. He who had grown up in the imperial palace was clearer than anyone about the imperial family¡¯s heartlessness. At least before there was no result of the position of the empress, he wouldn¡¯t let them go back, because, he who supported the empress to restore his position was still their target.


    ¡°Hmm, by the way, it is said that the nomads from the north would invade the borders in early spring every year. Will it really do if you don¡¯t go back to the battlefield? Although Duke Zeng is brave and invincible, he is too old after all. I¡¯m afraid some things may be too much for him.¡±


    Suddenly thinking of that thing, Ling Jingxuan rolled over and rested on his chest. If he went to war, those things he had prepared for him could be used. But pity that he had been too busy recently and hadn¡¯t trained the kid doctor, after all the improvement of the medical skills wasn¡¯t a moment¡¯s thing. Maybe at least two years? So he had to find people he needed as soon as possible.


    ¡°You also said it¡¯d be next spring. After spending the Spring Festival with you, I¡¯ll go to the boarders then. Don¡¯t worry. I will inform my imperial uncle-in-law in advance. Next year, I plan to give those nomads in the north a dead blow. At least, I would let them have no balls to step on the land of our Qing Kingdom for one whole year.¡±


    Speaking of things on the battlefield, Yan Shengrui¡¯s momentum became much stronger, before, he was not so malicious, mainly because he didn¡¯t want to go back to the capital, he would rather stay in the boarders with the soldiers to brave the wind and dew rather than go back to watch those people intriguing against each other. But, it didn¡¯t mean he knew nothing about things in the capital, since every once in a while Yanyu Cabinet would report everything in the capital and the whole Qing Kingdom to him. You could say he nearly knew every big move in the whole kingdom and it was all under his control.


    ¡°That¡¯s great. Oh, can you find some trustworthy blacksmiths? Better quite skilled. There¡¯s one thing I didn¡¯t tell you. As early as a few months ago, Brother Zhao and I have worked out the forging method of quality steel knives.¡±


    There were still two months before the New Year. If with enough hands, they could be able to rush up a batch of quality steel knives.


    ¡°Sure enough! Jingxuan, thank you!¡±


    Hugging him tightly, Yan Shengrui said so with excitement. If he said he hadn¡¯t noticed a bit, he was lying. Actually he had been waiting, waiting for him to tell him himself. As expected, Jingxuan really did it for him.


    ¡°You fool, we are husband and wife!¡±


    Yes, yesterday they made eternal vows to each other in front of their friends and family, and since then, they¡¯d prosper together and also suffer together! Together forever!

 Chapter 348

    The whole family got up very early. After a night¡¯s adjusting, Lady Wang looked much better. Early in the morning, she already led Lady Song and others to do some cleaning job and cooking breakfast. After washing their faces and putting on their clothes, the two little buns habitually went to knock on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s door. But as they were about to knock, Yan Xiaoming stopped them. Anyhow, a nearly ten years old boy kind of knew a bit about that thing, for that little face slightly blushed. Finally it was Zeng Shaoqing and Chu Yunhan who ¡®rescued¡¯ him, they coaxed and fooled the two stubborn little brothers to let them go away.


    October was actually already in early winter, but it was not too cold, today it was sunny and the warm sun rising from the east was shining on the earth, and the family started their habitual morning exercise. No one knew if it was because of Zeng Shaoqing, wherever the two little buns went, they¡¯d bring Dahei and Xiaohei. As long as Zeng Shaoqing opened his mouth, without the two little buns¡¯ order, they¡¯d instantly showed their teeth at him. He only felt his stomach ached, his heart ached and his liver also ached, so aggrieved.


    ¡°The sun is high up enough to burn the buttocks, why father and daddy still haven¡¯t gotten up? Uncle Chu, is it possible they are sick?¡±


    After breakfast, looking at the rising sun outside, Ling Wu who rarely didn¡¯t have to read books but rested next to Chu Yunhan¡¯s side now pouted, with undisguised worries on that little face. Usually at this time, daddy and father had already been up. Though Uncle Chu and others told him that maybe because daddy was too tired yesterday and needed some more sleep, he had slept really too long.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Your daddy is making a little brother for you.¡±


    Before Chu Yunhan could say something, Zeng Shaoqing cut in and teased him, totally didn¡¯t take the two little buns as kids. Ling Wen and Ling Wu were both confused. Only by sleeping, daddy can make us a little brother? But daddy sleeps every day. But he has never made us one single little brother?


    ¡°Watch what you say before the kids!¡±


    Throwing him a hard stare, Chu Yunhan pulled the two brothers to his side and explained gently, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you before? They are quite exhausted and need some rest. Think about it. When you play late into the night, you would also get up quite late, right? Yesterday so many things happened, of course your father and daddy would sleep pretty late, plus they were so busy making jam in the last over twenty days. Before they had time to rest, they got to prepare for the wedding. So they would get up quite late. So, Xiaowen, Xiaowu, don¡¯t disturb them and let them have some good rest, OK?¡±


    ¡°OK.¡±


    Hearing those words, the two still obediently nodded after a bit struggling in the heart. You shouldn¡¯t blame them for being too clinging to their daddy. It was just they had already been used to seeing them when they opened their eyes every day. And now suddenly they couldn¡¯t, they¡¯d feel unadapted.


    In the new wedding room, the new couple who made the two little buns worried couldn¡¯t help having another round after some little talk, and then Yan Shengrui finally carried him to the shower room with satisfaction.


    ¡°Tired? Wanna sleep a little longer?¡±


    After putting on some clean underclothes for him, Yan Shengrui touched his face and asked with a worried face. When he got turned on, he would never get enough. Now after quieting down, he then noticed his wife¡¯s tiredness under those eyes, feeling sorry for him and cursing himself in the heart, and warned himself that he shouldn¡¯t be so indulgent in the future. But as for whether he could really stick to it, only heaven knows!


    ¡°No, Yunhan and his son are leaving tomorrow at the latest, and I still want to talk to him before that.¡±


    Shaking his head, Ling Jingxuan went for the clothes on the bed, seeing that, Yan Shengrui hurriedly snatched them from him and carefully put them on for him. Now as the crown princess, Ling Jingxuan still had no such silk luxurious gowns. Those cotton clothes may look low in other¡¯s eyes, to him, but they were quite comfortable.


    When the two of them opened the door, it was already nearly ten. Ling Jingxuan, who still wore the gold corona tying up his hair, again made a high ponytail, the light grey cotton cloth couldn¡¯t hide his noble temperament like it had already been branded in his soul. As those two appeared in Chu Yunhan¡¯s room, they instantly became the focus.


    ¡°Daddy, father¡­¡±


    Seeing them, Ling Wen and Ling Wu who had been so worried about them the whole morning rushed over, the new couple also cooperatively bent down to hold them up, ¡°Xiaowen, didn¡¯t you practice calligraphy this morning?¡±


    Usually at this time, even not reading, Ling Wen was supposed to be practicing calligraphy in that pavilion, with Ling Jinghan sitting beside and sometimes correcting him or what, so did the few pageboys.


    ¡°No, brother Yan said he and Uncle Chu are leaving soon, so we¡¯d like to spend more time with them.¡±


    When saying this, Ling Wen inevitably looked a bit down, while Ling Wu on the other side also pouted his little mouth, ¡°Father, do they really have to go?¡±


    He didn¡¯t want them to leave, even though they had made a deal with Yan Xiaoming last night, he still wanted them to stay.


    Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui exchanged an eye contact, held one each in their arms and went over to Chu Yunhan and others, while the latter also nodded back at them, kind of saying hello.


    ¡°Sometimes, parting is for a longer time being together. Xiaowen, Xiaowu, they have their own home. Having been out for so long, their family should be worried. Think about it. You also don¡¯t want so many people worried only because you don¡¯t want them to leave, right? After handling everything at home, they can come back and stay with us for some time, or we can go to look for them.¡±


    After thinking about it, Ling Jingxuan decided to persuade them in the simplest and most straightforward way.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    The two buns obviously held a skeptical attitude, so far they still couldn¡¯t forget about the sentiment Brother Yan showed last night, if they really could see each other soon, why would he be so sad?


    ¡°Hehe¡­Of course. When has daddy ever lied to you?¡±

 Chapter 349

    In the face of his son¡¯s suspicious eyes, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help but feel kind of guilty. Before they could say more, he patted on Ling Wen¡¯s little butt and urged, ¡°All right. Take Ling Wu to practice calligraphy. I got something to talk to your Uncle Chu and others.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Although discontent, Ling Wen still obediently slipped down his lap, turned to pull Ling Wu who was still sitting on Yan Shengrui¡¯s lap who wouldn¡¯t leave and went out. After quite some struggling in the heart, the two brothers finally left with turning their heads back every three steps. The two pageboys who were waiting outside hurriedly came forward and went to the pavilion with them. Tiewa didn¡¯t come today. It should be that his parents knew that they¡¯d get up late today, so they didn¡¯t let the kid come to disturb them.


    ¡°OK, you two talk. Yunhan, Yan¡¯er, come with me, I have something for you.¡±


    Throwing Yan Shengrui an eye, Ling Jingxuan got up and said to Chu Yunhan and his son. But before giving things to them, he needed to confirm something with them.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Obviously they also had words to say to him. They stood up at the same time. Then three of them left the room together. Zeng Shaoqing who was leaning on that wood recliner peeped at Yan Shengrui faintly and curved up his lips, ¡°You¡¯ve really married a capable wife. But I¡¯m afraid those old things wouldn¡¯t accept his identity as a farmer.¡±


    Let alone the imperial family, even those official families and noble families valued family background very much. However capable Ling Jingxuan was, they would never approve of his background. Besides, he occupied the position of the first wife. If those people knew, they¡¯d all object, especially that old woman in the palace.


    ¡°What does it have anything to do with me whether they accept it or not?¡±


    Raising his eyebrows, Yan Shengrui leaned forward to take up that cup of hot tea, apparently didn¡¯t take them into his eyes at all. Relatives of the imperial family, so what? If anyone stood out to question his crown princess, he didn¡¯t mind going against him.


    ¡°Hehe¡­You are still so overbearing like before. Well, I don¡¯t want to nose into your business. Ling Jingxuan is good enough for you. As smart as he is, I guess he wouldn¡¯t be bullied after going back to the capital. Don¡¯t you plan to take them back this time?¡±


    Last night, Chu Yunhan had explained to him in details about Ling Jingxuan¡¯s thing, so that last little worry in his heart was gone. On the contrary, he was kind of expecting to take him to the capital, since days were too boring recently. And those patricians should have lived a cozy life for too long. It was time to add some ¡®seasoning¡¯ to their lives.


    Well, he would never admit that he was too scheming. He¡¯d like to see how Ling Jingxuan left them no peace, while he enjoyed this show aside, and sometimes fanned the fire.


    ¡°No, as soon as my shadow guards arrive, you shall escort them back. Remember, this time he is going back to fight for the title, and you shall help her in due course.¡±


    Raising his eyes to look at him, Yan Shengrui was almost using an ordering tone. Given his affection to his imperial sister-in-law, he was really kind of worried that he¡¯d take him and run away. Such a thing would quite possibly happen on Lord Six(Lord Liu) who always wouldn¡¯t follow the common rules. So he got to give him a warning in advance.


    ¡°Why go back? Anyhow, no one knows. And my cousin doesn¡¯t like them that much. I suggest they don¡¯t go back.¡±


    Reflexively frowning, Zeng Shaoqing said those words he had meant to say last night. But others were there, he could only hold it in. But now there was only the two of them, so he wouldn¡¯t care so much.


    ¡°Even if he doesn¡¯t go back, he¡¯d never marry you. Six (Liu), don¡¯t forget. He is the empress. Even if he has been abolished, he is still my imperial elder brother¡¯s only empress. Why do you think my imperial elder brother didn¡¯t let him move out of Fuqing Palace even after he has abolished him for five years? My imperial elder brother is the emperor, so the harem is also like the court to him. Balancing the harem is to steady the court. If my imperial sister-in-law and Seven just disappear like that, even if Noble Consort Xiao can¡¯t be conferred as the new empress, he will lead the whole harem. You know, Xiao family has accumulated more and more power. Now without the abolished empress and the legitimate son in the palace, they would be more unscrupulous. You should know how to play hard-to-get game. If you want to own him, you got to learn to let go of him first. Actually, you don¡¯t have to worry too much. My imperial elder brother has been in poor health. Even if my imperial sister-in-law goes back, he would never sleep with him again. And after he demises, Seven will take the throne and he will be the empress dowager. By then, if you still have feelings for him and so does he, you two can let Seven make an announcement saying you and the empress dowager also demise, and then you two could stay together forever.¡±


    As his good buddy, how could he not know what he was thinking? It was just the present situation didn¡¯t allow him to be too willful. Seven (Qi) had to go back to the palace, and, his dad also had to go back to assist him. If they could seize the position as the empress, as the legitimate son, Seven would have a greater chance to succeed to the throne. Whatsoever, he would never let other princes take it, otherwise, he might be able to keep himself safe, but others¡­As the numen of the whole Qing Kingdom, he couldn¡¯t see the whole imperial capital shed blood like water. He had the responsibility and obligation to secure the safety of the whole capital.

 Chapter 350

    ¡°How could I not understand what you¡¯re saying?¡±


    Shoulders collapsed, Zeng Shaoqing lowered his eyelids and continued to say in a muffled voice, ¡± 20 years ago when I was five years old, I accidentally broke into Chu family. The moment I saw him, I said to myself, I would marry him as my wife. Anyhow, I got five elder brothers to. The job of carrying on the family line would never fall over my head. So as long as I could marry him, I swore that I would be a good kid of my parents. I was really thinking it that way at the time. If It hadn¡¯t been that you brought me to make trouble everywhere and let me be the scapegoat, my fame wouldn¡¯t have become so bad. But before I grew up, he put on the wedding gown and married my cousin the crown prince. But I still remembered clearly, I was eight years old that year. No one knew, for that, I went before my cousin to protest, but my cousin only took my words as some kid¡¯s babble. And then, my cousin succeeded the throne, and he became the empress. I needed to ask my mother to ask for the permission when I wanted to see him. One time, two times, and it was still OK. But gradually, my mother also no longer helped me. So I could only bust a gut to make myself strong and have the ability to enter the imperial palace freely. The sarcastic thing was, six years ago, he got abolished. The one I love but couldn¡¯t get, my cousin abandoned him like a pair of worn shoes. How could he do that to him? If it hadn¡¯t been the Chu family, how could he have claimed the throne? After knowing that he had run out of the palace, I felt both lucky and worried. As long as there was a slice of hope, given his gentle personality, how would he have run away? So, at the time I was thinking that if I could find him some day, I would hide him, so no one could find him forever, especially my cousin. But now I have to send him back myself. Shengrui, do you know how I feel in my heart? It feels like someone cutting my heart with a knife. It¡¯s killing me!¡±


    In the end, the almighty Zeng Shaoqing even dropped tears. If the heart could bleed, his heart should have already flown like a river.


    If he said he was not touched at all, that was definitely lying. After staring him for quite a while, Yan Shengrui put down the cup, sat over and pinched his shoulder, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I promise you. My imperial elder brother would never have a chance to touch him. Some day, I will let you get what you want.¡±


    Definitely! He swore in his name that some day he would help him get his love back under the daylight!


    Zeng Shaoqing nodded silently, closed his eyes heartbrokenly. How would he not know the only way out for Yunhan and Seven(Qi) was going back. Not only for the Qing Kingdom, but also for themselves. Only if Seven or Shengrui seized the throne would they survive. Otherwise, they¡¯d be found sooner or later. And death would be their only end.


    The abolished empress and the imperial legitimate son, only the two titles were enough to send them to hell.


    On the other side, Ling Jingxuan brought Chu Yunhan and his son into his work room. Of course, before that, he had already specially warned them what they shouldn¡¯t touch. Any unimpressive little item in it might be deadly poisonous. Chu Yunhan and his son who came here for the first time started to look around out of curiosity. Except that wood chair in the innermost, it was all long tables made of stones. Each table was placed with all kinds of herbs and china bottles, and even a lot of jars and pots with water in, in inside of which were soaked with all kinds of medicinal herbs. The only things they could recognize were that giant ginseng and a pair of odd Ganoderma lucidum, one was red while the other was green.


    ¡°Yan¡¯er, I¡¯m afraid this trip would be dangerous. Although your imperial uncle could arrange people to protect you in the dark, I always think the best way to protect yourself is to make yourself strong. Those are all kinds of poison and antidote I worked out. Each bottle is pasted with the application method and its use, etc.. Both of you can choose two of them and take them with you. If meeting some bad people, don¡¯t show mercy, and directly kill them. No one isn¡¯t selfish. Don¡¯t feel guilty or what by killing them. If they don¡¯t take the initiative to try to kill you, you also wouldn¡¯t fight back. And this red china bottle, I call it antidote pills for now. As long as it¡¯s not some kind of long-lost poison, they could detoxify it. You can also keep it with you, just in case. I only have one bottle. So, remember to spare some for your father.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Uncle Ling. No, I should call you imperial aunt-in-law. Thank you, imperial aunt-in-law.¡±


    Holding those things, Yan Xiaoming couldn¡¯t help having his eyes filled with tears. He had never expected that instead of blaming them for hiding it from him, he actually prepared those things for him. And with those things, he would be safe.


    ¡°Silly child, why say thank you? You can only use those things on those who bully you or those you plan to deal with. Facing others¡¯ craftiness and all kinds of setups and schemes, or even your imperial father¡¯s blame, you can only solve it on your own. This is all I can do for you. Oh right, I nearly forgot this.¡±


    In the middle of his words, Ling Jingxuan thought of something and turned back to the back of the specially-made stone table to take out a few bulging leather bags, ¡°The water inside is specially made. Every time, add a little in the water you drink, it¡¯d help building your body, and when practicing martial arts, you¡¯d get twofold results with half the effort. This is all I got. You take it. Later, I will let someone send you more after you go back.¡±

 Chapter 351

    In fact, it was the crescent spring water inside. In case of causing people¡¯s suspicion, he could only make it up, and he believed that that would do great help to his body.


    Till now, Ling Jingxuan had provided all he could, only to keep him safe.


    ¡°Hmm, imperial aunt-in-law, I will try my best. And you can also bring my younger brothers back to the capital as soon as possible. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll miss them too much. They are naughty, and please don¡¯t blame them for that. If they can¡¯t form a strong personality, they couldn¡¯t adapt themselves in a place like the palace. Imperial aunt-in-law, I already missed you now.¡±


    Speaking of which, Yan Xiaoming couldn¡¯t help having tears in his eyes already. He really couldn¡¯t afford to leave them, only having spent two month¡¯s happy time with them, now he got to leave again.


    However premature he was, he was only nine years old. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help opening his arms and holding him tightly. He patted on his shoulder and comforted him in whispers, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. At this time next year the latest, I promise you¡¯ll see us. And we may live in the capital for some time, until¡­¡±


    I help you seize the throne! But Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t say it out. But his glistening eyes already explained everything. Shengrui had not heart for the throne, while he was also not interested in the position of the empress. Plus, they both loved Yan¡¯er so much, of course he¡¯d assist him seize the throne, for him, and also for his own kids¡¯ future.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll be waiting for you there, sorry, aunt-in-law, I¡­¡±


    Shyly shrinking his body, Yan Shengrui who finally calmed himself down felt a bit embarrassed. He was a big kid now and still shed tears before him, if his younger brothers knew this, they¡¯d definitely laugh at him!


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that, just call me Uncle Ling. That makes me feel closer. Yan¡¯er, after going back, you must be extremely careful.¡±


    Stretching out a hand to smoothen his fuzzy hair, Ling Jingxuan nagged again. In his heart, he had already taken him as his other kid.


    ¡°Hmm, Uncle Ling, I know.¡±


    Yan Xiaoming prudently nodded, he not only wanted him to stay alive, but also wished that he could grasp enough power to protect them after they went to the capital.


    ¡°All right. I got some words to say to your father. You go play with your younger brothers. Spend more time with them before you go.¡±


    Although he had prepared many things for him, some things were just not suitable for him to know.


    ¡°Hmm, Uncle Ling, father, I¡¯ll go out first.¡±


    Yan Xiaoming was sensible, after making a bow to them respectively, he left with those things in his arms. After watching him disappear before his eyes, Ling Jingxuan brought Chu Yunhan to his table, gestured him to sit, then he walked to the other side and sat down, ¡°before I start, I want to make sure if you plan to seize the position as the empress or keep being grounded.¡±


    With that pair of sharp long and thin phoenix eyes fixing on his pretty face, if he still thought of avoiding to face it, there was no need to help him. Even he himself didn¡¯t care about it, why should he help him? He would never do such stupid things.


    ¡°Seize the position!¡±


    Looking into his eyes for quite a while, Chu Yunhan closed his eyes and said out those three words. Never expected that after all this, he still went on the way of seizing the title as the empress!


    Judging from that delicate face, you could never tell he was already in his thirties. But the pains flashing across that face still couldn¡¯t escape from his eyes. Ling Jingxuan slightly frowned. What is he afraid of? Losing the position as the empress, his family being suppressed, and his younger sister¡¯s death, those things shouldn¡¯t be what he was afraid of. Then what¡¯s there to be afraid of?


    ¡°You feel strange, don¡¯t you? I am the only legitimate son of Chu family, but had to marry into the imperial family. Actually it was Emperor Gaozu who appointed this marriage. Chu family is a meritorious family. My grandfather has ever ridden on the horseback to seize political power with Emperor Gaozu. After the foundation of the kingdom, Chu family was conferred on as Zhenguo Duke. And Emperor Gaozu personally rewarded Chu family a death exemption gold token. At that time, a lot of people who had ever helped Emperor Gaozu claim the throne all got conferred with a title and the token. So no one was special, and everyone was trying his best to help running the kingdom. But that also brought endless trouble for the subsequent emperors. When the late emperor¡¯s father succeeded the throne, all those meritorious families had already rotten from inside. But with the death exemption gold token in hand, the ruling emperor also dare not touch any of them. It had taken the late emperor whole ten years to finally decide to choose Chu family and let them agree to get their power cut and turn in their death exemption gold token. And since then, a lot of meritorious nobilities had lost their title, and the death exemption tokens all got confiscated. But not long after that, the late emperor¡¯s father passed away, and then the late emperor succeeded the throne. And at that time, let alone a legitimate daughter, there was even no daughter of a concubine. When the late emperor nominated the crown prince, my father only had me as his legitimate son. Having no choice, my father could only take out the late emperor¡¯s decree and asked the late emperor to confer me as the crown princess and chose an auspicious day to marry me to the crown prince Yan Shengzhi. And at that time, I was only twelve years old.¡±


    Lowering his eyes, Chu Yunhan said so with no emotion fluctuation, like he was not telling things about himself, but someone else¡¯s, at least Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t tell a little bit sentiment from them, and his sword-shape eyebrows were frowning tighter. Having become the crown princess at the age of twelve? Before that, he should have never thought of that!

 Chapter 352

    Since ancient times, it was the generals who pacified the world, but the generals never had the chance to enjoy the peace. In the early days, in order to conciliate those meritorious officials, it was reasonable to reward them with the death-exemption tokens. But here one could tell Emperor Gaozu was quite smart, and had treated those meritorious officials quite appropriately. But that also left a lot of trouble for the later generations.


    After generations of inheritance, many of the descendants of those meritorious officials had average abilities, but they could still swagger around replying on their background, some were even bold enough to violate the national laws. Anyway, they had the death-exemption tokens in their hand, they wouldn¡¯t lose their heads. Over time, their ambitions grew bigger and bigger and some day they¡¯d only breed great disaster.


    Emperor Gaozu was taken as an emperor that would only appear every thousand of years. Now thinking back, it should be that they had also foreseen this, so they¡¯d exchange it with the title of empress. He thought he made a good plan, and Chu family was stupid enough. Even if their legitimate son or daughter became the empress, so what? Emperor Gaozu had already dug a trap for them. Pity that Chu Yunhan became the direct victim.


    ¡°Jingxuan, do you believe in immortals with divine force?¡±


    Raising his eyes, Chu Yunhan looked at him and once again broke the silence. Ling Jingxuan faintly picked his eyebrows, ¡°That none of us has ever seen it doesn¡¯t mean it doesn¡¯t exist. In principle, I am an atheist. I only believe that men can conquer nature, but never beg heaven to open his eyes. But if one doesn¡¯t have his belief, he would be like a walking dead. So I¡¯d rather believe in the existence of ghosts and immortals.¡±


    He might not believe it before, but after having transmigrated in here and mastered that magic crescent spring the transmigration immortal had bestowed him, he could only believe it.


    ¡°So you would believe me if I said I had transmigrated back to three years ago after I have been dead for a year?¡±


    Rebirth?


    Hearing here, if Ling Jingxuan still had no clue what he was talking, he had lived those two lives for nothing. But this was kind of beyond his expectations. He really hadn¡¯t anticipated that Chu Yunhan had come back this world after rebirth. That was to say, everything now, he had experienced it once already? No, if so, he shouldn¡¯t have performed so scared, or run away three years ago.


    ¡°So you¡¯re going to die in a year?¡±


    Squinting, maybe even Ling Jingxuan himself didn¡¯t notice that he didn¡¯t like this assumption, very much!


    ¡°If history does not change, not only I, even Seven and the whole Chu family would be rooted out. And¡­¡±


    Thinking of those bloody scenes, Chu Yunhan still couldn¡¯t help shuddering, like he would break down at any moment. Ling Jingxuan abruptly stood up, walked over and pressed his head against his chest, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Everything will be all right. Since heaven gives you a chance to start all over again, he wouldn¡¯t let the same tragedy happen again. Yunhan, human¡¯s strength might be weak, but sometimes it could move the mountains and reclaim the sea. It depends on how we make the choice.¡±


    Chu Yunhan was absolutely not a coward. He had become the crown princess at the age of 12, and become the empress in his twenties. If he was so stupid, he should have already been killed like a hundred times. He would never have chance to make it till he could be a motherly model of the whole kingdom. All along, he had no idea what he was being afraid of. But now, at this moment, more or less, he knew a bit. According to his saying, Chu family getting rooted out, the kid¡¯s death, those should all get setups, tricks and blood involved.


    ¡°In Chu family, my father is in charge. That year when he asked me to marry the crown prince, I said no. I had really never expected that as the only legitimate son of the family, I would marry out. But for the future of the family, I had to put on the wedding gown. Then they even offered my half-sister to the crown princes. That was the first time my parents made me disappointed. Then they planned to dump my half-sister after she gave birth to a son. For their male offspring and that little bit ambition, they didn¡¯t care about my half-sister¡¯s life at all. From that moment on, I suddenly felt that if some day something happened to me, would they also give up on me for interest?


    So, no matter what my half-sister thought, after Seven was born, I kept her alive at the cost of my life, I even suggested the crown prince to confer her as a concubine. But it seemed that the crown prince didn¡¯t like my half-sister who resembled me a lot, and didn¡¯t give her any title. Only after he ascended the throne did he confer her a minor Lady of Bright Deportment title. And everything started there.


    After the new emperor took power, naturally I became the empress, but right at the time, Chu family¡¯s all emperor-deceiving doings were exposed. Six years ago, only two years after the emperor had ascended the throne, Noble Consort Xiao framed me up for making her having a miscarriage, the emperor removed my title under great anger. On the surface, Chu family got involved because of me, actually it¡¯s just that the emperor wanted to take the chance to weaken their force. But the strange thing is, when Chu family had the last breath, the emperor gave us hope again. Instead of ordering me to move into the cold palace, he suddenly issued a decree of conferring my half-sister as one of the four noble consorts. And he at least spent five days in a month in her palace. Not only me, even the whole Chu family saw some hope, thinking that the emperor still had some affection for us.


    I was thinking that as long as my half-sister and the kid were fine, it was nothing that Chu family suffered a bit. In the future, I could ask for a minor title for Seven and go to a fief far from the capital, and that¡¯d be enough. But¡­but¡­¡±


    Speaking here, Chu Yunhan suddenly started sobbing and couldn¡¯t continue, with his two hands tightly holding Ling Jingxuan¡¯s waist. After quite a while, he continued, ¡°but, three years ago, my half-sister Noble Consort De suddenly died. Instead of asking people to investigate the cause of her death, the emperor even didn¡¯t say some words like ¡®what a pity¡¯ to my family. And my families all thought on the surface, the emperor was trying to appease them, actually in the dark, he was planning to wipe them all out step by step. And for this, my father had been more active trying to resume my position and seize the title of crown prince for Seven. At the time, Seven and I who were imprisoned in Fuqing Palace had no idea of that. But when we knew, it was already too late.


    A year later, in front of all officials in the court, Noble Consort Xiao¡¯s father and brother revealed those crimes Chu family had committed. For power, they even colluded with the ambitious East Kingdom, which brought endless wars at the boarders, and even pushed Prince Sheng and Duke Weiyuan who had always been supportive of me to a desperate position. And the emperor flew into a rage and issued the decree of implicating the nine generations of Chu family.


    And in the deep harem, at the same time, Noble Consort Xiao brought people to break into Fuqing Palace and sliced Seven¡¯s body little by little in my face. He was only ten! Even now I could still remember his screams. Jingxuan, I¡¯m scared. I am scared that I would go through that scene one more time. I am scared to see Seven get killed in that kind of brutal way again¡­¡±

 Chapter 353

    His slim body trembled like sifting chaff. What made him desperate was that after the emperor arrived, he was only watching it by the side, and then strode away holding Noble Consort Xiao, though the emperor didn¡¯t issue the order to put him to death, or send him to the cold palace. That night, he was just holding the kid¡¯s flesh and set fire to the whole Fuqing Palace.


    When he opened his eyes again, he found that he had transmigrated back to four years ago, back to the scene his half-sister was killed. Looking at Seven(Qi) who suffered such a big blow but was still alive, he didn¡¯t think much. The only thing in his head was taking the kid away from the imperial palace. So, he pretended he had been mad due to his half-sister¡¯s thing, and wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to get close to Fuqing Palace. And then, under the covering of some of his trusted men, he ran away taking the kid. What he had never expected was after having been hiding for three years, he could have met Yan Shengrui in such a minor Datong town, and gotten acquainted with Ling Jingxuan who he had never seen in his previous life. Now, he had to pick up everything he had given up and brought Seven back to fight for the title!


    ¡°That being the case, you shouldn¡¯t have run away more.¡±


    As for things that had happened after that, even if he didn¡¯t tell him, Ling Jingxuan should have guessed it out. After pushing him a little bit away from him, he pressed his thin arms on his shoulders heavily. Facing his eyes filled with tears, Ling Jingxuan said deeply, ¡°If what you said is all true, in your previous life, you should have never thought of fighting for the title, right? Everything was resulted in the exposure of those doings of Chu family. Yunhan, though I haven¡¯t seen that Noble Consort Xiao before, I can be sure her wits should be above you. Since she even dared to slice Yan¡¯er into pieces in your face, in this life, she still can. Your escaping could only make the tragedy perform again. I can tell, even without the Chu family¡¯s plot treason, her family could still fake evidence against you and get you and Yan¡¯er killed. Because you have occupied the thing she wants most. As long as you are alive, she and her child would always be second to you. Since the emperor was unwilling to confer her as the empress, she could only root you out first. You can escape for some time, but you can¡¯t escape forever. Some day, you¡¯d become the meat on their chopping board.¡±


    Having also been reborn after dying, Ling Jingxuan who had transmigrated here from the twenty-first century faced all kinds of negative factors. But he still chose to counterattack and cleared away those unbelievable people who tried to bully him and his sons using the most bullying way. While Chu Yunhan, after his rebirth, he chose to hide. Maybe he thought that as long as they were out of the palace, Chu family wouldn¡¯t have the next plan, and the kid wouldn¡¯t have been killed that way. But he really forgot how cruel a woman could be. For some purpose, a woman was much more heartless than a man. That Noble Consort Xiao would never allow them to live outside for too long.


    Chu Yunhan¡¯s wide opened eyes suddenly contracted. He had never thought Jingxuan, as an outsider, could see it even clearer than him. No, to be more exact, it was not that he couldn¡¯t see it clearly, it was just he didn¡¯t want to see it clearly. Not long after his rebirth, he also had ever thought of taking revenge and saving his family. But when he saw that kid¡¯s little face filled with fear, he flinched. Chu Family deserved it for being rooted out. Now his half-sister had died already, only the kid that had worried him was still alive. If he chose to fight for power again, it was quite possible the kid would face more brutal result. Under that kind of circumstances, no one could be 100% sure that the tragedy wouldn¡¯t repeat. So, holding the thought that at least he should keep the kid safe, he ran away, leaving everything in the palace behind.


    ¡°I know that I can¡¯t escape, and I have never thought of escaping for the whole life. I was only thinking, at least, I should wait till the kid grows up safely and let him see this kingdom that should have belonged to him. If it had been two months ago, whatever you said, I wouldn¡¯t have chosen to go back. But now everything is different. Yan¡¯er has gotten everything I wished he could get during the past two months. So, I should no longer hide. I¡¯ll take him back to seize back what belongs to us!¡±


    At the end, those beautiful phoenix eyes bloomed out some firm light. Things he had been pressing in the heart now were finally spoken out. And he felt much relieved, and also had the strength of fighting over the power. This time, he wouldn¡¯t lose, and he couldn¡¯t lose!

 Chapter 354

    Seeing that he almost resumed his calmness, Ling Jingxuan slowly walked back behind the desk slowly. From his narration just now, it wasn¡¯t hard to sum up a few key points, firstly, Chu family was untrustworthy. They only cared about their own interest. Once Yunhan went back with the kid, it was quite possible that they¡¯d plan to seize the power again. If controlled well, maybe they¡¯d boost Yunhan¡¯s motive. On the contrary, they¡¯d become his obstacle. If it were him, he¡¯d definitely stay as far away as he could from them, like how he let his parents divide up with the old Ling family. But Yunhan was different from him. He wasn¡¯t that coldblooded like him. So his only choice was to firmly take them under control while using them. But for the degree, only Yunhan himself could control it. As an outside, he could do nothing.


    Secondly, it was Noble Consort Xiao and her family behind her, from their ability to bring down the empress and his family, one could see that those people were not simple roles, especially Noble Consort Xiao, a woman, how much hatred did she hold to have the heart to kill the emperor¡¯s son by slicing him? After Yunhan lost the title, she should have topped the whole harem. Was it merely for a title? No, there should be some other reason. It was just they hadn¡¯t known know. This woman should be a lunatic. To deal with her, one had to beware of all possible schemes and plots and then strike back cleverly. But under the condition that his family was so unreliable, it was hard for Yunhan to press her down.


    Thirdly, also the most important one¨Cthe emperor¡¯s attitude. He had abolished his first wife. It should be like what Yunhan said-to suppress the Chu family. As for why he favored his whole family after that, maybe only to balance the harem. In and out of Yunhan¡¯s words, he only mentioned Noble Consort Xiao. So the emperor should also be afraid that her and her family would grab too much power, so his intentionally reusing the Chu family was to give her a warning. Or maybe, it was mixed with some of his personal affections for Yunhan. But compared with the whole kingdom, that was merely nothing. What he couldn¡¯t understand was his last words. Even if the emperor did not favor Yan¡¯er, that was his own son anyhow. Even if Chu family had committed some high treason, seeing his son being cut into slices by that woman, he had no reaction at all. Judging from any angle, he thought it didn¡¯t make sense. If that was because he loved Noble Consort Xiao too much, he personally couldn¡¯t agree. If he really loved her, he should have already conferred her as the new empress, but instead, he used some other family to weaken her.


    ¡°How much do you know about the emperor? What attitude does he hold towards you and Noble Consort Xiao?¡±


    Summing up the above, he felt that the first thing to figure out was the emperor¡¯s thought, if he did not give a sh*t to the affection of husband and wife or father and son, they should make plan B, because if so, whatever Yunhan did, he wouldn¡¯t take it in his heart at all, or give him corresponding affirmation. It was no use to go back.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Chu Yunhan raised his head curiously, and then lowered his eyes and said as calmly as possible, ¡°He is not worthy to be called a wise emperor, nor a fatuous one, but a diligent and moderate one. He wanted to govern the kingdom well, but not competent enough. Shengrui was always better than him by one tally.


    ¡°There¡¯s one thing Shengrui might not tell you. Actually, before the late emperor deceased, his last words were to let him succeed to the throne. I heard the late emperor even issued the decree. But it¡¯s just no one has ever seen that decree. After the late emperor deceased, under the condition that there was no decree, the crown prince took the throne, which was like a bomb that would explode any time for him. He dare not relax his vigilance a little bit, because he knew clearer than anyone, the only reason that decree didn¡¯t appear is because Shengrui has no heart for the throne at all. If he couldn¡¯t become a good emperor and bring peace to the civilians, or instead, make them suffer, it¡¯s quite possible that decree would come to light. So he has been trying very hard. Any suggestion useful for the kingdom, he¡¯d accept it.


    As to his attitude toward me and Noble Consort Xiao, I think it¡¯s a bit not so accurate if those words come out of my mouth. Before having been through that thing, I always thought, since I married him at twelve, he was like a big brother to me. So many years together in the crown prince¡¯s mansion, and two years¡¯ as the emperor and empress, we have never done anything to make the other side disgusted or what. We were like brothers. Sometime we may also talk about some national affairs, and read over and give remarks of the memorials, until¡­


    Until I got framed up without any sign. I lost my title. The way he looked at me was complicated. I knew he knew everything in his heart, and I also believed that he could never do harm to his own child. The reason I got abolished is all because my Chu family had been behaving too rampant out there. So I didn¡¯t complain. As a member of Chu family, the reason they behaved like that is all because of my position. So, I should also be held responsible for it. During the few years grounded in Fuqing Palace, I had always believed that he still had feelings for me, but¡­


    Before I died, I started to doubt my persistence. Until now, I am still not clear since when he had become so cold-blooded. As for Noble Consort Xiao, before I married the emperor when he was still the crown prince, she had already been his side concubine and gave birth to two little princes and a princess. So the emperor quite favored her. As she got a bit older, Xiao family successfully selected some women and sent them into the palace. First, to use young and beautiful woman to keep the emperor¡¯s heart. Second, to assist Noble Consort Xiao. As for other things, I am not quite clear. You know, I am a person indifferent to anything, and I seldom gossiped about others¡¯ personal stuff. Even after being grounded, I didn¡¯t mean to struggle or what, only stayed there quietly. So except my own things, I don¡¯t know anything else.¡±

 Chapter 355

    In fact, before marrying the emperor, he was not like this. Only after having been conferred as the crown princess had he become so cold, remaining aloof from the world.


    ¡°Hmm. It seems that as*hole emperor has his redeeming feature.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan said some approving words, but had a slight twitch with sarcasm at the corner of his mouth. Only the thing he coldly watched his own son Yan¡¯er get sliced but did nothing, he already couldn¡¯t generate any good feeling about him.


    And also for this matter, after he saw the emperor, he had never shown him a good face, and he avoided any chance to see him, which also gave the emperor a big headache. One should know, he was the genuine Crown Princess Sheng!


    ¡°Hehe¡­only you would call him as*hole. Honestly speaking, you and Shengrui really match. In and out the court, Shengrui should be the only one who dares to say no before him and he could do nothing.¡±


    The words as*hole emperor undoubtedly amused Chu Yunhan, which was also why he would choose to tell him his biggest secret, because he trusted him from the bottom of his heart.


    ¡°You only know it now?¡±


    Saying he and Yan Shengrui match, he wouldn¡¯t say no. He bent over and pulled open the drawer, took out a thick pile of papers and pushed it before him, ¡°This is the drawings and annotation about the inner sea control, and some relevant knowledge about agricultural transformation I have summarized myself. On the way back, you need to memorize them all and then burn them. Don¡¯t let them fall into other¡¯s hands. Agriculture is the weakest spot of Qing Kingdom. As long as you can make some useful suggestions on it, you should be able to win the emperor¡¯s trust. If he doesn¡¯t buy it, you can say that the saline-alkaline land planting I am experimenting on is your idea and I only pay for it. And with Shengrui and Lord Six¡¯s side lobby, I¡¯m afraid he¡¯d have no reason to doubt it. But, don¡¯t tell him who I am first. Just say you accidentally met a widower whose wife has just died. I don¡¯t want to expose Xiaowen and Xiaowu so early.¡±


    Since he had felt his change, Ling Jingxuan had started to prepare those things. If he planned to assist Seven (Qi) to seize the throne, the first thing was to help Yunhan resume his title. Those things could become the sharpest weapon. As for how to carry it out, that was Chu Yunhan¡¯s thing. Those were all he could do.


    ¡°Fish in the rice fields? Is that going to work? Won¡¯t the fish eat the seedlings?¡±


    Thumbing through those papers, Chu Yunhan became more and more excited, after all, he was the empress, who put the whole world in his heart. If he could do something for the civilians and take the chance to resume his title, of course he¡¯d be 100% willing to do that.


    ¡°You can pick out some trial spots in a few villages outside the capital. If it works, you can popularize it in large areas the next year. If so, the farmers can also gain some extra income. Even if the taxes are a bit heavy, it wouldn¡¯t arouse the public complaints. Of course, you can¡¯t collect taxes for fish raising. Just take it as some welfare the court gives them. Yunhan, you got to do it properly, and also intelligently. You should let people know those are your ideas, and let all the civilians feel grateful to you. And in this way, he¡¯d have no choice but to resume your position as the empress. Be it the emperor or the empress, or even the princes, the popular support is the foundation. You must always keep that in mind.¡±


    Leafing through the keys points about the diversified utilization of the rice field he was pointing at, Ling Jingxuan said deeply. No one was clearer than him about it. This method should be workable. Raising fish in the rice field. Not only the fish wouldn¡¯t chew the seedlings, but also their faeces could supply nutrients for the seedlings, which would indirectly help increase production. When the rice was ripe, the fish also grew up. Apparently it was a win-win thing.


    ¡°Hmm, thank you, Jingxuan. I will make good use of those things.¡±


    Nodding, Chu Yunhan withdrew his eyes from those papers reluctantly. He raised his head and looked into his eyes with gratitude. This big gift was enough to help him grab the position back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me, whether it¡¯d succeed or not depends on how you do it. I can¡¯t help with the following things. Chu Ci, this is the last time I call you this. Whatever happens in the future, don¡¯t hold back. I hope the first thing I¡¯d do after going to the capital is not to attend your or Yan¡¯er¡¯s funeral.¡±


    Fixing his eyes on his, Ling Jingxuan was extremely serious. In his heart, Chu Ci was already his bosom friend. And Yan¡¯er was his other kid. He didn¡¯t want either of them to have any accident and he had to take the revenge right after he went to the capital. He was never afraid of losing blood, but it didn¡¯t mean he liked blood. If possible, he¡¯d rather that he could stay in this place and be a super-rich landlord forever.


    ¡°I promise you, when you take the children back to the capital, I will welcome you as the empress with Seven.¡±


    Chu Yunhan didn¡¯t avoid it, only stared at him firmly. If he still couldn¡¯t protect himself safe under the condition that Jingxuan had made so many preparations for him and grab back things that belonged to him, then he¡¯d really deserve to die.


    ¡°OK. Deal!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan stood up and held out his hand to him. Chu Yunhan strangely looked at his hand, and tentatively stretched out his to hold it. The moment those two hands held together, something called friendship took root firmly. Chu Yunhan who still hadn¡¯t understood what shaking hands meant slowly wore a smile. Ling Jingxuan suddenly felt that that was the most beautiful smile in his two lives.

 Chapter 356

    ¡°When I passed the prince¡¯s mansion in Cangzhou on my way back, I asked Long Hanqing to gather a group of skilled blacksmiths for me. I wanna see them by the end of this month at the latest. As for the safety of my imperial sister-in-law and Seven(Qi), I think it doesn¡¯t need me to make the arrangement. Six (Liu), it¡¯s time for your Men of Sacrifice to move their muscles.¡±


    Not knowing when, Yan Shengrui and Zeng Shaoqing who had been staying in Chu Yunhan¡¯s room already moved to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s room. And behind Yan Shengrui stood two young men looking like dark-faced gods. When Ling Jingxuan and Chu Yunhan went out, they happened to hear what they were talking about. They gave each other a look and then walked to Yan Shengrui and Zeng Shaoqing respectively.


    ¡°Still not done yet? Who are they?¡±


    Casting a light glance at the two people behind Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan sat next to him. Yan Shengrui waved his hand, almost in an instant, those two men already came before them, ¡°This is my wife. You should call him Master Xuan from now on.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The two of them were a bit hesitating, but soon got down on one knee, ¡°Master Xuan!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows. Of course he didn¡¯t miss that instant¡¯s hesitation. That was the performance of refusing to admit him. But he just ignored them, only said to Yan Shengrui, ¡°Your Shadow Guards?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, two of them, called Yan Yi (here uses homophonic to give them names. Yi means one. Er means two, Shan means three and Si means four) and Yan Shan. Yan Yi is good at collecting information, the world¡¯s affairs, those vassals¡¯ thoughts, the imperial family secrets, basically all in his grasp, and Yan Shan is responsible for assassinating, his lightness skill could top the world, I plan to let them stay to protect Xiaowen and Xiaowu, and teach them knowledge and martial arts by the way.¡±


    His Shadow Guards were not many, only four of them, each of them with special skills, with a lot of people under their command, several major commanders of Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°So are there also Yan Er and Yan Si?¡±


    He could ell from their names that he was too lazy so he just named them with numbers.


    Throwing him a ¡®how do you know¡¯ look, Yan Shengrui curved his lips, ¡°Not Yan Er(¶þ) and Yan Si(ËÄ) but Yan Er(·¡) and Yan Si(˾). Yan Si was good at using poison, almost all kinds of poisons. So you would like him. Yan Si is good at tracking down without exposing himself, his unique breath-holding skills, even I can hardly sense it. I asked them to go to town to make preparations for my imperial sister-in-law. I¡¯ll let them to pay respects to you some other day.¡±


    At the end, his tiger eyes suddenly swept over Yan Yi and Yan Shan kneeling on the ground, two of whom couldn¡¯t help making a shiver, head down, not knowing what they had done wrong.


    What they didn¡¯t know was even Yan Shengrui dared not give his wife his attitude, but they directly showed his wife their face the first time they met. Yan Shengrui was not blind, he already showed mercy not to teach them a lesson.


    ¡°Forget about that. It¡¯s too much for me. That¡¯s your things about how to make the arrangements. I just don¡¯t want to see them again.¡±


    Apparently they didn¡¯t like him. He wasn¡¯t so bored as to put his hot face against their cold butts. They could serve whoever they liked, which had nothing to do with him, as long as they didn¡¯t bother him.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Yan Shan and Yan Yi got dumbfounded there, looking up at him with disbelief. So he was detesting them?


    ¡°Hehe¡­Yan Yi, your crown princess is pissed!¡±


    On the other side, Zeng Shaoqing who had been enjoying the scene directly pointed it out for them. Yan Yi and Yan Shan couldn¡¯t help feeling more embarrassed. And Yan Shengrui¡¯s face turned even gloomier. But only Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t show any mood swing. He didn¡¯t care whether they liked him or not.


    ¡°Go and kneel down before the gate now. You can only get up when the crown princess says yes.¡±


    ¡°Master?¡±


    Wearing a white and bloodless complexion, Yan Yi and Yan Shan already had the heart to die, secretly cursing themselves for being so stupid to embarrass the crown princess before the prince. Even if the other side was a farmer who wasn¡¯t good enough for the prince, what did it have anything to do with them? Now what? They received the punishment. Judging from the appearance, the crown princess shouldn¡¯t be a pushover. So did they have to kneel there till the end of the day?


    ¡°Or, do you want me to do it for you?¡±


    With a dangerous squinting, Yan Shengrui leaned back lazily with one hand on the back of the chair. Yan Shan and Yan Si¡¯s strong and tall bodies suddenly trembled, ¡°No, we dare not!¡±


    The two figures already disappeared with those words, and soon there were two more statues kneeling there to guard the gate, one on the left and the other on the right.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to punish them. They¡¯re your Shadow Guards. It¡¯s enough as long as they are loyal to you. It¡¯s all right to me.¡±


    It was not that Ling Jingxuan was speaking for them, but only stating a fact. It he wanted some personal guards, he could train some himself. Even if it was Ling Jingxuan¡¯s people, he still felt insecure. Besides, now he still didn¡¯t need such upscale things like Shadow Guards.


    But Yan Shengrui obviously held different opinion. Rarely he opposed him using a serious tone. Ling Jingxuan helplessly held his forehead and no longer wanted to argue with him on this, so he directly turned his eyes to Zeng Shaoqing, ¡°About the grape wine last time, do you like it, Lord Six?¡±


    ¡°Not bad. I heard you want to cooperate with me?¡±


    The drama was over, Zeng Shaoqing had to withdraw his thoughts for fun. From the beginning when he asked people to get him investigated, he already had the heart to work with him. After tasting the dishes they cooked, he was surer of it now.


    ¡°Well, every month I¡¯ll provide three menus and send someone to teach Xinyuan¡¯s chefs. I want 20 percent of Xinyuan¡¯s turnover.¡±


    Cutting the crap, Ling Jingxuan held out two of his fingers. At first, he only wanted to ask for twenty percent of the turnover of the dishes on his menus. As for the extra money he charged, only took it as the interest for that punch he gave him yesterday.

 Chapter 357

    ¡°Really not modest. All right, deal, as long as you tell me where you get the vinegar you use. Why does it taste so different? And the seasoning for the braised food. You got to contribute all these things.¡±


    He was a businessman, who would never get up early without profit. How could he let him take the advantage while he got nothing?


    ¡°All right. For the seasoning, pay me ten thousand taels of silver and it¡¯s yours. As for the vinegar, I made it myself, it¡¯s fruit vinegar. There are only thirty jars of it, fifty jin each. If you want, one hundred taels of silver each.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was also not a fuel-efficient lamp. How could he give out things for free?


    ¡°Ten thousand? Are you robbing me?¡±


    Hearing the price, even Zeng Shaoqing who was already rich enough couldn¡¯t help blowing up. Just a seasoning prescription. Seriously?


    Throwing him a ¡®yeah, I am robbing you, what?¡¯ look, Ling Jingxuan shrugged his shoulders villainously, totally an ¡®it¡¯s your choice whether to buy it or not¡¯ appearance. Zeng Shaoqing was so mad that he could barely breathe, only staring at him with that pair of fox eyes. He swore in the name of his head he was revenging him! Definitely! Heaven knows now how regretted he felt that he had failed to restrain himself and give him that punch! He could let it go that his two little cute nephews didn¡¯t like him, now even Seven and Ling Jingxuan hated him! Holy shit! If given a second chance, he¡¯d rather take the risk of being beaten into a pig head by Nine (Jiu: Yan Shengrui¡ªthe ninth prince) than giving Ling Jingxuan that punch. The price was really too huge!


    ¡°Fine, ten thousand taels of silver, all right? I¡¯ll buy it.¡±


    Seeing that both Yan Shengrui and Chu Yunhan were standing there, totally an onlooker¡¯s appearance, Zeng Shaoqing could only suck on it.


    ¡°As for the prescription, I¡¯ll let Jinghan write it for you later, and the fruit vinegar, you can ask Shopkeeper Zhang come fetch it anytime. My twenty percent profit is together with Shengrui¡¯s thirty percent. You can all give it to me. Oh right, I got new items to launch in Baiyunge. As for the promotion, I still need to trouble you to inform those branch shopkeepers. Besides, I decide to open a branch on the opposite side of Xinyue Gold Shop in Qingyang Town. You take care of it for me. I want to open it in the shortest time. I want Xinyue Gold Shop to go out of business within the year.¡±


    Since they were a cooperative relationship, Ling Jingxuan was no longer polite with him, Xinyue Gold Shop, He had been keeping ¡®thinking about¡¯ them all the time!


    ¡°Xinyue? A shop of Gui family in Cangzhou?¡±


    Such things were as easy as a piece of cake to him. So Zeng Shaoqing didn¡¯t put it to heart. What he felt strange was what Gui family had done to offend him. Apparently this was an ¡®overkill¡¯ approach.


    ¡°Gui family?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan raised his eyebrows to look at Yan Shengrui. That sounded like a big family?


    ¡°The Gui family in Cangzhou belongs to a collateral branch. Their head now is the prefect of Cangzhou. Their main family is in the capital. They sent two daughters into the palace. At first, they didn¡¯t win my imperial elder brother¡¯s favor. Only under Noble Consort Xiao¡¯s help, one became a Lady of Bright Deportment, while the other became a Beauty. And since then, they had become an appendage to Xiao family. Since Noble Consort Xiao receives favor from the emperor, apparently they could also be rendered as one of those influential families in the capital.¡±


    This kind of trifles, for any others to ask, Yan Shengrui wouldn¡¯t answer at all. But that was his precious wife. Besides, he had been keeping it in mind that how Xinyue had humiliated his precious sons!


    ¡°Really? Then we have another reason to do it. Lord Six(Liu), how many industries do Gui family get involved in? What are they? And where?¡±


    They were Noble Consort Xiao¡¯s accomplice! And he was looking for a place to vent his anger! They even cut his Yan¡¯er into pieces alive! Be it the previous life or this life, he¡¯d let her pay! The first job was to cut off her tentacles!


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    With an evil smile stained between his eyebrows, Zeng Shaoqing asked with great interest. Is it possible the fun would be starting from here?


    ¡°What else could it be? Destroy them, of course.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan wore a reasonable face. The only thing his man left was money! Why not waste it?


    ¡°Yeah, just leave it to me. But as for things of the yamen, leave it to Nine (Shengrui).¡±


    As a businessman, he could only crush them from a commercial point of view. As for the rest, Yan Shengrui had a clear advantage over him.


    ¡°Within a month, the memorial about the bribe-taking of all officials of Gui family serving the court will be presented to the emperor. What do you say?¡±


    As domineering as Yan Shengrui was, he made the decision without thinking. Ling Jingxuan originally didn¡¯t think so much. Hearing him, he could only nod in agreement. He was the prince and his man. Of course he had the final say about things outside. And he also didn¡¯t want to put too much thought on that. But on the other side, Chu Yunhan said, ¡°I¡¯m afraid Xiao family wouldn¡¯t give up easily. They have spent so many years on fostering the Gui family. How would they allow you to destroy them as you want?¡±


    Training one or two trusted subordinates might be easy, but to train a whole family as the subordinates was quite difficult. If something happened to Gui family but Xiao family did nothing, what others minor families who leeched on to them would think? A slight move in one part may affect the situation as a whole. He didn¡¯t believe that Xiao family wouldn¡¯t understand this.


    ¡°It¡¯s not up to them.¡±


    His deep tone wasn¡¯t deliberately emphasized. Yan Shengrui leaned over to take up a cup on the tea table, first sent it by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s lips. After he drank a mouthful, Yan Shengrui took a sip gracefully himself, like he didn¡¯t put Gui family, or even the whole Xiao family in his eyes. But it was quite reasonable as you thought it. As a meritorious general prince, how would he think that much? If he wanted to kill someone, wasn¡¯t it as easy as crushing an ant?


    ¡°Let them take care of that. You just have to figure out how to resume your position as the empress. I hear the emperor is not quite well these days. He hasn¡¯t reached his forty yet, right? What do the imperial doctors say?¡±


    Throwing Chu Yunhan an eye, Ling Jingxuan asked strangely. A man in his forties is still in full blossom. Besides, the emperor had the imperial doctors around. How could he be in such bad condition at such a young again? Maybe too indulging in sensual pleasures? But he remembered that all emperors in history didn¡¯t live quite long, and it seemed it was all due to that reason.

 Chapter 358

    ¡°It should be something in the past year. His condition is getting worse and worse. The imperial doctor¡¯s diagnosis was that he was too worried about then national affairs and some chronic disease caused by cold. A few months ago, when he heard that Shengrui went missing, it was said he even vomited blood. But he hid it, so few people knew. We found it not right and let my mother to submit the token asking to see that hag, and knew it from her mouth. During the past few months, be it male or female concubines in both the East and West Palace, no one has had a chance to see him. The head of the imperial hospital was serving by his side in Yongfu Palace. So I guess his condition isn¡¯t optimistic.¡±


    About the emperor¡¯s physical condition, both Yan Shengrui, who had been missing for several months, and Chu Yunhan, who had been on the run for three years, were in no position to say anything, so only Zeng Shaoqing could answer this question.


    ¡°Vomiting blood?¡±


    To hear those sensitive words, Ling Jingxuan subconsciously thought of other possibilities. If it was commonly ulcer or respiratory disease, one would be likely to vomiting blood, or he had been beyond remedy now, but he thought those were all not quite possible, for the former one, if it was something like stomach ulcer or respiratory disease, it was impossible that the imperial doctor couldn¡¯t find it. As for the latter, it had been a few months ago of him vomiting blood, if he had been beyond remedy, he should have died already now, how could he still hang in there? But as long as he was some kind of serious disease, he could never have survived for three months after vomiting blood. Of course, that was under the premise of general circumstances. Before seeing him in person, he dared not jump to conclusions.


    ¡°What are his pathological signs?¡±


    Another possibility was that he got poisoned. Those who could have the chance to poison the emperor, except those few of them, he really didn¡¯t know who else. At least, before Chu Yunhan resumed his position and Seven (Qi) was conferred as the crown prince, he couldn¡¯t die.


    ¡°Are you suspecting that someone poisoned him?¡±


    Yan Shengrui turned to look at him. Under the eyes of Zeng Shaoqing and Chu Yunhan were stained with a little bit of shocking feeling. It was not that they had never thought of such possibilities. But, who was so bold to have poisoned the emperor? If this was confirmed true, it should be kind of slow poison. And¡­that¡¯d be sad. Maybe he was not a good husband, or a good father, but at least, to the civilians, he was a good emperor.


    ¡°It¡¯s possible. Yunhan, if you can win his trust after going back, you let Seven take a detoxifying pill from me and feed him using some warm water. And observe it the next day if his symptoms decrease. He should have been poisoned. If not, maybe I overthink things. But remember, you can only feed him one, enough to alleviate it, but do not cure him, and you can¡¯t tell him about it, in case someone may sink or swim and kill him.¡±


    Curing him would be more troublesome. The main reason was he didn¡¯t think that the present Yunhan would like to sleep with him. If that was the case, he¡¯d only let him hang in there. And he only deserved to live sickly.


    ¡°Well, I will try to find a way, but, in case that it¡¯s really some chronic poisoning, the one who poisoned him should be someone by his side. If we don¡¯t tell him, I¡¯m afraid¡­¡±


    Chu Yunhan slightly frowned. He personally thought that he should tell him, so as to win more of his trust, which would be more convenient for him, wouldn¡¯t it?


    ¡°Are you nuts? If you tell him everything, he¡¯d definitely investigate it thoroughly. The one who is behind it should either be a concubine or a prince. And he would definitely put that person even his/her family to death. After he grows old, it is possible that he¡¯d think that you played them off against each other on purpose. All emperors are incredulous. So we have to be careful. Besides, if you tell him the truth, he¡¯d gather all doctors in the imperial hospital to cure him. By then, he¡¯d get fully recovered. Do you want to share him with all those people in the harem? No emperor has a true heart for anyone. Yunhan, whether you ever loved him or not, don¡¯t beg for a true heart from him. Or you¡¯d be the only one who gets your heart hurt. You are still young. Why waste your good days on that kind of person?¡±


    Maybe only the spectator sees things most clearly, or maybe Ling Jingxuan was too smart. He would always think things in a very long run, and also see things more deeply than others. Of course, those words were only some advice as a friend. Whether he liked hearing it or not, he had already said it. He was that kind of person. If he loved the emperor, then don¡¯t take those words to his heart. And he shouldn¡¯t cry and complain before him some day in the future. He hated people who had no brains and refused to listen to others¡¯ advice most.


    Chu Yunhan fell in silence. If you asked him whether he loved the emperor, no! Be it in his previous life or this life! In his heart, the emperor was like his elder brother. They could always be courteous to each other like guests and treat each other with courtesy, but they could never be so sweet like Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Yunhan, I think what he said makes sense. You should listen to him.¡±


    For fear that he might say things like he had feelings for the emperor, Zeng Shaoqing quickly echoed Ling Jingxuan, that pair of coquettish fox eyes were like hiding thousands of words. Even a blind person could tell. Pity that the one who was supposed to see it chose to turn a blind eye.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ll see what I can do.¡±


    Silence was just a moment. As he looked up, Chu Yunhan already formed a smile at the corner of his mouth. Zeng Shaoqing was already drowned in it. Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help throwing him a scornful glance. But Ling Jingxuan showed great interest. Yunhan was like dull in relationships. It seemed that it¡¯d be a long road to go for their Lord Six¡¯s relationship thing.


    ¡°Ahem¡­¡±


    The intent coughs called back someone¡¯s attention. Yan Shengrui gave him a filthy look, ¡°Lose no time for the blacksmith thing. After the New Year, I¡¯ll send those weapons to the boarders in person.¡±


    ¡°So what do you want for privately forging weapons?¡±


    Coming back to his sense, that pair of fox eyes already resumed the consistent shrewdness. As long as they went into this subject, Ling Jingxuan and Chu Yunhan came out. He nearly had forgotten about it.


    ¡°Not privately, just doing some experiment, Jingxuan has worked out the forging method of quality steels. So I plan to forge a batch of knives first and then take them to the boarders to try. If workable, I will report it to my imperial elder brother and ask him to allocate funds to purchase the forging method.¡±

 Chapter 359

    Yan Shengrui never forgot his precious sons were money slaves. Such a big chance to make money, of course he¡¯d win it for his wife and kids. As long as it could exchange a smile of them, he¡¯d feel satisfied.


    ¡°What? Quality steels?¡±


    On hearing that, Zeng Shaoqing sprung up, even Chu Yunhan couldn¡¯t help popping out his eyes. Is the quality steel that thing they knew? The invincible sharp weapons of West(Xi) Kingdom?


    ¡°Hmm. It¡¯s just like what you thought. Get it done as soon as possible. With the quality steel knives, next time when we fight West (Xi) Kingdom, we won¡¯t take a beating.¡±


    He could understand their shock. Last time when he heard about that while he still hadn¡¯t regained his memories, he also had big reaction on hearing it. The gap between them and West Kingdom on military forces was weapons.


    ¡°Wait, I need to calm down.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing slowly sat back and spoke incoherently. As a legitimate son of the first duke¡¯s mansion, how could he not know the importance of quality steel knives to them? But wasn¡¯t the forging method of quality steels the top secret of West(Xi) Kingdom? Ling Jingxuan could actually work it out? Is he human being? If quality steel was so easy to forge, they would have already equipped the whole armies with them, wouldn¡¯t they? Heaven knows during the past dynasties, be it Qing Kingdom or East(Dong) Kingdom, they had sent a number of Men of Sacrifice to West(Xi) Kingdom as spies, trying to steal the forging method of quality steels, but the results were without exception, all failed¡­That pair of fox eyes suspiciously sized Ling Jingxuan up and down. What was in that head? Why did he have some kind of feeling that he isn¡¯t a human being at all?


    ¡°Have you seen enough? Just shoot if you got words to say. Don¡¯t stare me like that.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t lose his five senses, of course he noticed it. But being stared at like that, no one wouldn¡¯t feel a bit creepy. Just some quality steels. Did he need to look at him like he was a monster?


    ¡°No, sister-in-law, I¡¯m just curious. What on earth you got in your head? You can even forge quality steel, is there anything you can¡¯t do?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing simply sat down on his other side, with one hand pressing on his shoulder, but got brushed off by Lord Yan, he was not discouraged, and still asked the doubt out of the bottom of the heart. He can¡¯t understand, at first, the cold dishes, the jam, the grape wine, and then to grow things in the saline-alkali land, all kinds of dishes he had even never heard before. Oh right, his medical skills and poison skills. How could a farmer know so many outlandish things?


    ¡°Of course different from you, for your brain is full of straws, how dare I compare with you?¡±


    ¡°Screw you! Who are you despising?¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s joke instantly amused a few of them, even Zeng Shaoqing who got teased could not help but laugh out, but he also noticed that Ling Jingxuan did not want to say more. Seeing that his good brother Yan Shengrui also didn¡¯t mean to ask more, he could only give it up. Even a couple would hide little secrets between each other, let alone them. If it hadn¡¯t been Nine(Shengrui), maybe he even had no chance to step into this house.


    ¡°All right, enough of the jokes. Shengrui, after Yunhan and Yan¡¯er go back this time, you should send a few martial arts masters to protect them, and find Yan¡¯er a shifu with superb martial arts. I don¡¯t want anything happen to them.¡±


    After the joke, Ling Jingxuan turned to Yan Shengrui to get back to business, after they left, they even couldn¡¯t write each other a letter before they could meet next time. The situation in the capital was ever-changing. He¡¯d only afraid that if something happened to them, distant water can¡¯t put out a nearby fire.


    When they received the news, it might have been too late.


    ¡°Six(Liu) will make the arrangements. His Men of Sacrifice are no worse than my personal guards. Did you give all those things?¡±


    Yan Shengrui smoothly brushed his hair on his cheek behind his ears, with that pair of peach blossom eyes filled with affection. Ling Jingxuan took a look at Zeng Shaoqing and then nodded, ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ve done everything I can. It¡¯s up to them if they can take back what belongs to them.¡±


    That was all he could do, and he believed that neither Yunhan nor Yan¡¯er was stupid. Even if they could not get everything back, it would not be difficult to keep themselves alive.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will take care of everything at my imperial elder brother¡¯s side.¡±


    Throwing him a comforting look, Yan Shengrui turned to Chu Yunhan, and the affection in those eyes were completely gone, ¡°Imperial sister-in-law, as for how to explain after going back, I guess I don¡¯t need to teach you. My imperial elder brother isn¡¯t a heartless one. He¡¯d definitely welcome you in person. Don¡¯t be anxious even if you can¡¯t seize any opportunity at first. I will help you create more opportunities. You only need to maintain your proud gesture and stay in Fuqing palace quietly with Seven. Remember, don¡¯t try to contact Chu family secretly. You should be clearer than me that Chu family is like a knot between you and my imperial elder brother. So don¡¯t increase his suspicion. He is the emperor who wouldn¡¯t allow a sand in the eyes.¡±


    He wouldn¡¯t say those to him if it hadn¡¯t been for the sake of Ling Jingxuan and his kids. All along, as for anything about the emperor¡¯s ¡®family affairs¡¯, he would rather mostly choose to show no interest.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Chu Yunhan nodded firmly. Even for himself and his son, he¡¯d try his best, and wouldn¡¯t try to avoid it like before.


    ¡°Well, sister-in-law, there is something I want to speak to you alone.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing suddenly squeezed in. Others all gave him a strange look. What was stranger, he who had always been a big man now was avoiding their eyes. The other three all had question marks all over their faces. Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows. After exchanging glances with Yan


    ¡°All right, go ahead.¡±


    After entering the room, Ling Jingxuan turned to face him and went straight to the point, Zeng Shaoqing withdrew the usual proud attitude and moved over while saying with a flattering tone, ¡°Sister-in-law, is there some kind of medicine that could make a man impotent without hurting him?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan got dumbfounded. What does he want? If a man becomes impotent, could he still be called a man?


    ¡°You know, Yunhan is going back. I don¡¯t want him to sleep with that you-know-who in the palace again. Although it¡¯s said that man hasn¡¯t slept with any concubine for a long time, I don¡¯t want to take any risk. I want to spare all later trouble.¡±


    In the end, some kind of malevolence flashed across Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s eyes. He was also half of a member of the imperial family. Yan Shengrui said right. There was no family bond thing in the imperial family. Anyway, the emperor already had a bunch of offspring, so there¡¯d be someone who could inherit everything from him. He¡¯d only feel safe only if that man got impotent.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give it to you tomorrow.¡±


    After staring at him for a while, Ling Jingxuan spat those words and passed him to go out. In an angle Zeng Shaoqing couldn¡¯t see, he curved up his lips and formed a bright smile.

 Chapter 360

    The identity shift of Chu Yunhan and his son came too suddenly. Except Ling Jingxuan, his two brothers and the two little buns, the others all still were hard to accept it, plus, such a seductively charming man who came from nowhere, the whole family didn¡¯t know how to respond. When it was nearly lunch time, everyone gathered in the central room successively. But once Chu Yunhan and his son showed up, everyone couldn¡¯t help going stiff all over, making Chu Yunhan not know whether he should walk in or walk away. Yan Xiaoming showed a slice of hurt feeling in his eyes. Before they were all respectful to them, but not like strangers like now. To him who had too much attachment to this family, it was really a big blow.


    ¡°Brother Yan, why did you stop? Come here, Sister-in-law Song made pickled cabbage fish today, fresh and tender, very delicious.¡±


    The small bun was still little after all. Even though he also felt the strange atmosphere, it wouldn¡¯t bother him much. Smelling the fish hard, he dragged him in. Yan Shengrui felt a warm stream in the heart and subconsciously raised his foot to step in.


    ¡°My¡­prince¡­¡±


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    Stiff all over, Lady Wang stammered while suddenly kneeling down, others all knelt down after her. Yan Xiaoming slightly frowned, and Ling Wen hurriedly moved forward trying to hold her up, ¡°Grandma, what are you doing? Get up!¡±


    ¡°I¡­I dare not!¡±


    Giving her big grandson an eye and then Chu Yunhan and Yan Xiaoming, Lady Wang lowered her head deeply. No warned, no fault. She hadn¡¯t known before, but now since she knew, how would she dare to sit on one table together with them? They are the empress and the prince¨Cthe owner of the whole kingdom!


    ¡°Mom, there is no empress or prince here, you are the master here, get up quickly.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan helplessly held his forehead. He could feel their scare. If it were some other village family, they would have already peed in the pants on seeing such two unreachable figures. But anyhow, they had lived together them for so long, didn¡¯t they know what kind of people they were? Were they that kind of people who liked putting on airs? Her behavior didn¡¯t show them respect, on the contrary, it¡¯d only make them more embarrassed.


    ¡°But I¡­¡±


    ¡®But I can¡¯t stand up. My legs!¡¯ Of course Lady Wang didn¡¯t say those words out. She was only a common village woman who even would bow as low as she could when seeing the magistrate, let alone it was the empress and prince now.


    ¡°Forget it. Jingxuan, I¡¯ll eat in Shengrui¡¯s room with Yan¡¯er.¡±


    Stopping Ling Jingxuan who was still trying to say something, Chu Yunhan nodded at Yan Shengrui embarrassedly, and then turned to walk out with Yan Xiaoming. Zeng Shaoqing threw Lady Wang a meaningful look, then Yan Shengrui a strange look, and also walked out.


    ¡°Uncle Chu, wait for us.¡±


    Seeing that, the two little buns decisively followed out, leaving Lady Wang there. Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan exchanged glances and saw helplessness in each other¡¯s eyes. Strictly speaking, Lady Wang did nothing wrong, although what she did was a bit hurting their feelings. But she was only a village woman. She had already performed well enough that she didn¡¯t pass out.


    ¡°What is going on? Didn¡¯t you say it¡¯s time to eat some food?¡±


    Ling Chenglong who hurried back with Old Zhou looked at his wife kneeling there, suddenly turned to Ling Jingxuan and asked, ¡°Jingxuan, why are they kneeling outside the gate?¡±


    He got startled when he came in, and when he told them to get up, they did not move as if they hadn¡¯t heard him, which made him confused.


    ¡°Huh? Almost forget about them. As the master, aren¡¯t you afraid they might break their legs for having knelt for too long?¡±


    After he said so, Ling Jingxuan also remembered the existence of those two people, who had almost knelt out there for an hour?


    ¡°They deserve it. Or you think it¡¯s enough?¡±


    Withdrawing that kind of superior feeling when facing the outsiders, Yan Shengrui seemed to have a flirtatious spirit all over his body now, always trying to please his precious wife.


    ¡°It¡¯s none of my business.¡±


    It was none of his business even if they broke their knees. Ling Jingxuan turned around and walked to Lady Wang and supported her up, ¡°Mom, Yunhan and Yan¡¯er are going back to the palace where people eat people without even spitting out the bones. However reverent you are, you shouldn¡¯t have shown it. It¡¯s not easy for them. You were embarrassing them just now.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Hearing that, Lady Wang was startled and seemed to realize that her behavior was improper. She hurriedly and nervously grabbed his hand, ¡°What should I do? When I saw them coming in, I just thought about their identities, I¡­I didn¡¯t think that much. Jingxuan, should I go invite them over to eat food together?¡±


    ¡°No need, mom, just don¡¯t do this again. Yunhan and Yan¡¯er only crave for some warmth of a common family, which is also the least we lack of. As least before they leave, we should let them feel some warmth.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was also helpless, he didn¡¯t mean to blame his mother and also knew his mother was not holding some bad intention or what, it was just¡­Alas, some things were ingrained, some other day he had to go to Guarantor Liu to buy several mammies teaching formalities who had ever worked in those big families. As the only hostess in the house, she had to receive those ladies from the official families sooner or later. And this wouldn¡¯t do.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll try my best. Jingxuan, you know I am just a village woman, who sees no big scenes. So, on seeing people from the imperial palace, I feel a bit unadaptable. You help me explain to Lord Chu and Yan¡¯er, OK?¡±


    Taking her son¡¯s hand, Lady Wang looked quite regretted. Mr. Chu and Yan¡¯er were good people. It¡¯s just, you know, sometimes people are strange. What you think is completely different from what you do. As long as she thought of their true identity, she just couldn¡¯t help shivering all over.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s all right. Let¡¯s get ready for dinner.¡±


    After convincing his mother, Ling Jingxuan helped her sit down at the table and still didn¡¯t not forget to say, ¡°Ling Yun, let Sister-in-law Song send some food for them, you go serve them. Do remember. There¡¯s no empress and prince here. You¡¯d better forget about that.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master Xuan!¡±


    After all Ling Yun had ever served in big families, so her manners were quite normative. Ling Jingxuan nodded with satisfaction, thinking whether he should ask Ling Yun to train Liu Xiaohui and Song Shuiling who were younger than her. In the future, one of them had to go to the capital with him. What to do if they knew nothing?


    ¡°Well, Shengrui, since they are your subordinates, let them get up. Two big men kneeling outside has a bad influence. And it¡¯d hurt if they kneel for too long.¡±


    On the other side, from the conversation of his son and half son, Ling Chenglong could also tell what was happening, naturally he¡¯d say some words for them, after all he was only a honest farmer, and always had a soft heart.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Looking at his wife and then his father-in-law, Yan Shengrui nodded. Seeing that, Ling Chenglong also grinned, ¡°All right, let¡¯s get ready for dinner. Shengrui, our Jingxuan is really capable. He said we can grow late rice and we really did it. Now the rice has grown this tall, and in quite good condition. Next month the latest, we can harvest. And this year, we¡¯ll have our own rice to eat.¡±


    Speaking of things in the field, Ling Chenglong¡¯s eyes were beaming. Yan Shengrui then told Old Zhou to let Yan Yi and Yan Shan get up, who also smiled following him. But, his focus was still on Ling Jingxuan, with only pride written on the face. His father-in-law was saying some nice words of his precious wife!


    Chu Yunhan and his son were leaving. After Ling Jingxuan¡¯s preaching, Lady Wang and others¡¯ attitude had changed a lot. Though they couldn¡¯t face it as calmly as Ling Jingxuan and his two younger brothers in such a short time, at least they wouldn¡¯t get their legs softened on seeing them. For this, Chu Yunhan and his son also felt appreciated, and quite cherished the last time with them.

 Chapter 361

    Early the next morning, Chu Yunhan and his son were going. The whole family sent them outside the gate. Lady Wang, Wang Jinyu and other women couldn¡¯t help having tears in their eyes. Until now, they knew they also didn¡¯t want them to leave. The sensible Ling Wen and Ling Wu stood by their side and held their necks tightly, and those little eyes already got swelled up.


    Tiewa who came following the Zhao&Han couple ran toward them crying, one hand holding Chu Yunhan¡¯s thigh, while the other holding Yan Xiaoming, raising his little face and saying with a sobbing tone, ¡°Uncle Chu, don¡¯t go. I don¡¯t want you to leave. Stay, OK? I will try hard to recite and practice my writing. I promise I won¡¯t let Brother Yan teach me again and again. Just don¡¯t go! Boohoo¡­¡±


    ¡°Boohoo¡­Uncle Chu¡­¡±


    ¡°Brother Yan¡­¡±


    The little guy got sadder as he said more, finally directly held Chu Yunhan¡¯s thigh and cried as hard as he could. With him taking the lead, Ling Wen and Ling Wu who were down enough now also cried hard burying their heads in their necks. They all didn¡¯t want them to leave.


    ¡°Be good, don¡¯t cry. Uncle Chu will definitely bring your Brother Yan back some other day. If you miss us, you can also ask your daddy and father to bring you to the capital to find us. Be good.¡±


    Chu Yunhan also got his eyes wetted. Although when he taught them at first, he indeed held the idea of letting Yan Shengrui owe him a big one, after a few months staying together, he had already taken them as his own sons. Now seeing that they were crying so hard because of their departure, he also felt indescribable guilty in the heart.


    ¡°Xiaowu, be good, don¡¯t cry. Brother Yan doesn¡¯t want to leave either. I promise you, we¡¯ll meet again next year the latest.¡±


    Tightly embracing Ling Wu, Yan Xiaoming felt so sad. He liked those little brothers most, and even never said some harsh words to them. Now he made them cry like that, if possible, he really didn¡¯t want to leave. But, they had to, not only for himself and his father, also for those little brothers. So he had to go back to the capital, making preparations to let them all go there.


    ¡°But, but¡­I still don¡¯t want you to leave.¡±


    Ling Wu raised his small face full of tears, pouting. He was not sure how long it was till next year. He only knew that they were leaving him now.


    ¡°I also don¡¯t wanna go. But Xiaowu, you are going to be a general. You can¡¯t cry like now. Be good. Next year, Uncle Sheng and Uncle Ling will bring you to see us in the capital. So stop crying, OK?¡±


    Trying his best to force a smile, Yan Xiaoming whispered to comfort him, the hands holding his arms slightly trembling, but he did not mean to let go of him at all, after this departure, they can¡¯t see each other at least in a year. Even if his hands would break, he still wanted to hold him a little longer.


    ¡°Really, father?¡±


    With tearful eyes staring at his father, Ling Wu sobbed while asking. Yan Shengrui touched his head heartbrokenly, ¡°Hmm, even if I take you to the capital next year, I will try to ask your Brother Yan to come back to see you, is that OK?¡±


    It was not that they hadn¡¯t expected this scene, which was also why they did not send them to the town directly, but, seeing his sons crying so sadly, he still felt heartbroken.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t want Brother Yan to come back to see us. I¡¯m going to the capital to see him, or he will leave again after seeing us.¡±


    ¡°OK, OK, next year I take you to the capital.¡±


    ¡°Father, don¡¯t lie to us!¡±


    Ling Wu was still a little suspicious, he quietly asked Brother Yan before, the capital was far away from here. So he was afraid they wouldn¡¯t agree.


    ¡°You silly child, when have we ever lied to you? All right, stop crying, they are going to leave.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan knocked on his head gently, stretched out his hands to take him from Yan Xiaoming, Ling Wen looked at them back and forth, and finally obediently slid down from Chu Yunhan¡¯s arms, ¡°Uncle Chu, Brother Yan, promise me you¡¯ll wait for us.¡±


    ¡°OK.¡±


    Seeing that, Chu Yunhan and his son also nodded with tearful eyes. Tiewa suddenly rushed before Ling Jingxuan, pulled the hem of his robes with his little hands, ¡°Adoptive daddy, bring with me, OK?¡±


    ¡°Of course, how can I forget about my Tiewa? Be good, stop crying, the separation is only temporary, wait until next spring blossoms, I will take you to the capital.¡±


    Sparing a hand to touch him dotingly, Ling Jingxuan promised seriously and finally the three kids felt relieved. Seeing that, Lady Wang hurriedly took two huge bundles and moved forward, ¡°Lord Chu, Yan¡¯er, it¡¯d be a long journey. I don¡¯t have anything good for you. These are some dried meat slices, and small pot of jam. You can eat it on the way. Next year when Jingxuan and others go to the capital, I will let them send you the rice we grow ourselves. I am a village woman who is ignorant. Jingxuan said it¡¯d be dangerous after you go back, so Lord Chu, Yan¡¯er, take care!¡±


    The sadness of departure covered her awe, and Ling Wang resumed her usual chatterbox image and didn¡¯t forget to stuff the two bundles into them. Jinghan also taught her a lot about things of the imperial family. As an elder, she really cared about them.


    ¡°Hmm, thank you, Aunt Ling.¡±


    Chu Yunhan was touched, nodding, and then handed the bundles to Zeng Shaoqing. Raising his head and looking around at everyone there, finally he set his eyes on Ling Jinghan, ¡°Jinghan, I¡¯m expecting for the day you get listed!¡±


    In the past few months, they were often together talking about knowledge. No one knew better than him about how talented Ling Jinghan was. Next year, the spring examination and autumn examination would be held in succession, which would only be held three years a time. If he could get listed as a xiucai, he could join the spring examination for juren (recommended man, a qualified graduate who passed the triennial provincial exam) and autumn examination for jinshi (advanced scholar, a graduate who passed the triennial court exam) . Zhuangyuan (top thesis author, the jinshi who ranked first overall nationwide.) might be a bit too difficult. But a jinshi wouldn¡¯t be a problem.


    ¡°Hmm, I will.¡±


    Ling Jinghan firmly and confidently nodded. He could tell his brother and Shengrui wouldn¡¯t stay in Ling village for the whole life. They might leave in a very short time. But before that, he also planned to take a position in the capital relying on his own and become his big brother¡¯s solid back. He believed that Jingpeng should also think it this way.


    ¡°Uncle, aunt, you take care. Shengrui, Jingxuan, we are leaving.¡±


    He even didn¡¯t dare to look at the little buns. After saying goodbye to others, Chu Yunhan directly climbed onto the carriage. If he kept staying, he was afraid he would stay.


    ¡°Uncle Ling!¡±


    Before leaving, Yan Xiaoming rushed back to hold Ling Jingxuan tightly, he could not bear to leave them.


    ¡°All right, hit the road early, and if you miss us, let the Men of Sacrifice who are responsible for protecting you send us a message. Be careful!¡±


    Putting down the child, Ling Jingxuan patted on his back, with affection under his eyes.


    ¡°Hmm, Uncle Ling, take care!¡±


    Nodding, Yan Xiaoming let go of him like making a big decision, then climbed onto the carriage while wiping off his tears. Zeng Shaoqing nodded at them and then also climbed in. In the morning, he had gotten the medicine from Ling Jingxuan, so now he didn¡¯t feel so heartbroken since he could send them back himself.


    ¡°Yah~¡±


    ¡°Uncle Chu, Brother Yan!¡±


    ¡°Uncle Chu¡­¡±


    ¡°Brother Yan¡­¡±


    The moment the carriage drove away, the little buns all broke away from their dads and chased after them crying. Yan Xiaoming also stuck his head out of the window to wave at them, tears dripping. Although the few pageboys didn¡¯t cry hard like the little buns, they also had tears in the eyes. To them, Chu Yunhan and Yan Xiaoming were not merely their masters, but also their tutors. Because, when they taught the little masters, they also didn¡¯t take them as servants and taught them carefully too.


    ¡°Uncle Chu!¡±


    ¡°Brother Yan!¡±


    After chasing out a long way, the few little buns had to stop, shouting at the carriage at the top of their lungs, with Ling Jingxuan following behind feeling his heart broken. He buried himself in Yan Shengrui¡¯s arms, ¡°They¡¯ll be all right, right?¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Without saying anything more, Yan Shengrui raised his hand and gently hugged him. The carriage gradually disappeared in their sight, but the sadness of departure hovered in the air for a long time!

 Chapter 362

    After they left, the whole family had been in sentiment for quite a few days. Even when Old Wang took Zhao Shan here to take Ling Jingxuan as his shifu, the whole family couldn¡¯t lift their spirits, and only held a simple ritual. Zhao Shan, in face of everyone of Ling family and his father, kowtowed to Ling Jingxuan and offered him a cup of tea and it was over. Then Ling Jingxuan arranged him to live in his room, convenient for him to teach him, while he himself temporarily moved to the new room. Only when he got to work on those medicinal herbs would he go to the work room.


    Soon, ten days had passed. After Chu Yunhan left, the few buns all felt sad. So Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui also dare not tell them that Yan Yi would take Chu Yunhan¡¯s to teach them thing. So their lessons were temporarily taught by Ling Jinghan. But not long, Ling Jinghan would take the examination for tongsheng. So this day, Ling Jingxuan could only call them all over.


    ¡°Daddy, father.¡±


    ¡°Adoptive daddy, adoptive father!¡±


    Since Chun Yunhan and Yan¡¯er left, the room they had been living in before was locked up, saying that since no one lived in there, they should lock it in case it got dirty. But actually everyone knew that that place was especially kept for that pair of father and son. And their studying place was moved to Ling Wen¡¯s study. Hearing that their daddy was looking for them, the three little buns came to their room hand in hand after getting Ling Jinghan¡¯s permission.


    ¡°Xiaowen, Xiaowu, Tiewa, come and sit, your father wants to talk to you.¡±


    Seeing his sons, Ling Jingxuan decisively put down the account book, it was this year¡¯s account book sent from Baiyunge from the town. Recently he was free, so when he felt bored or what, he¡¯d take it out to check. As for his little disciple Zhao Shan. He draw a human body structural drawing and acupoints painting, and sorted out some basic medical knowledge for him. So everyday, he¡¯d stay in his room memorizing those things. When he met some words he didn¡¯t know or places he couldn¡¯t understand, he¡¯d write them down in a booklet. When he saw Ling Jingxuan, he¡¯d consult him one by one. Don¡¯t see that he was young, he was quite steady. So Ling Jingxuan was quite satisfied with this diligent and hardworking little disciple.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    The little buns obediently sat next to him, and Ling Wen asked curiously.


    ¡°Here is the thing, I have hired a new tutor for you. It¡¯s him, Yan Yi. From now on, he will teach you.¡±


    Yan Shengrui picked up his question as he pointed at Yan Yi who was standing aside, while the latter had already been hiding in the dark seeing them. After the thing last time, he never had the guts to embarrass anyone of this family before the prince. Seeing that the little masters looked over, Yan Yi hurriedly bent down at them with respect. But the two little buns showed no mercy, frowning, ¡°I don¡¯t want any other tutor.¡±


    Ling Wen was the first to protest. In his mind, only Chu Yan was their tutor.


    ¡°Me neither. Father, let him go, I only want Uncle Chu to teach me.¡±


    The small bun was even more direct, his small nose wrinkled into a mass, with his words filled with intolerance. Yan Yi finally knew the feeling disdained by someone in the face. His whole person felt uncomfortable. But they were the little masters. Before the masters, he dare not oppose, but could only swallow it.


    ¡°Adoptive father, can¡¯t you let Uncle Jinghan teach us?¡±


    Tiewa pressed his lips pitifully. He didn¡¯t want to forget about Uncle Chu. In his little heart he thought that if someone else taught him, Uncle Chu¡¯s place would be replaced, and he might even forget about him.


    The omnipotent Yan Shengrui only didn¡¯t know how to convince his sons. Seeing that the three little buns looked so wronged, he could only turn to look over at Ling Jingxuan signaling for help, while the latter helplessly shrugged, indicating that ¡°I can¡¯t help¡±. He arranged all this, so he could only solve it himself.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Decoding what he meant, Yan Shengrui darkened his face, then looked at those little buns who took a tough stance, he cleared his throat and said tentatively, ¡°Silly sons, your Uncle Jinghan is going to take the examination soon. How will he have time for you? Besides, it¡¯s not possible you¡¯d have no tutor forever, right? Yan Yi is no worse that Uncle Jinghan. He is good enough for you. Besides, he also has superb marital arts. He can teach you. Xiaowu, don¡¯t you always want to be a general?¡±


    ¡°Still no! Maybe you can send us to a private school in town. Brother Shanzi said we don¡¯t have to take someone as our personal tutor there. We all learn from one tutor. And then Uncle Chu will be our only personal tutor forever.¡±


    Ling Wen frowned and retorted back without hesitation. Ling Wen then echoed, ¡°Yeah. Besides, even he has good martial arts, even better than you? I want to learn the best martial arts. I don¡¯t want him.¡±


    The two little buns were so straightforward, totally having learnt the attitude of doing things from their daddy. But this only embarrassed Yan Yi. Being disdained on and on, the area of psychological shadow in the heart was also enlarged on and on. He really regretted staying to protect them. Ling Jingxuan aside felt rolling in the aisles, especially when sensed that his man nearly had no move to use, the smile on his face grew brighter. It was such a rare thing to see him suffer.


    If it were some other time, the two buns wouldn¡¯t be so unreasonable. The thing was that Chu Yunhan and his son hadn¡¯t left for long, and their father was already in a hurry to find them a new personal tutor, which was really hard for them accept. Yan Shengrui also knew it, so he would have been so cautious. But finally, the only sufferer became Yan Yi.

 Chapter 363

    ¡°Stop grinning. Help me. Don¡¯t you worry that this may affect Jinghan?¡±


    Throwing his dagger eyes at Ling Jingxuan who was grinning there like this had nothing to do with him, Yan Shengrui sat over squeezing his precious sons away, but didn¡¯t forget to hold them up and put them on his thighs, since he didn¡¯t want his sons to diss him again.


    ¡°Since they don¡¯t want a new personal tutor, then let it go. Why it should be Yan Yi?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows, saying with a casual tone, then stretched out a hand to pinch the small bun¡¯s face. Hmm, a bit fatter, it didn¡¯t waste his time feeding them meat and fish and all kinds of delicious food everyday. Now in some extent, they could be called meat stuffed buns, but still some distance to go.


    ¡°Then you mean to send them to the private school in town?¡±


    Confused, Yan Shengrui asked so. He wasn¡¯t supposed to be a daddy who didn¡¯t care about his kids¡¯ education, right? Why he performed like this now?


    ¡°No. Since the old xiucai¡¯s private school was closed, the study of those kids in nearby villages become a problem. Those comparatively wealthy families could buy a carriage or an ox cart to send their kids to town for school. But those from the poor families can¡¯t. They could only let the kids learn to help with the farm work, and maybe they¡¯ll spend the rest of their lives in the field. So I am wondering if we could buy the land near Zhang Hu¡¯s house that has been burnt and build a school. We can name it Hanling School. Han is the last word of Chu Yunhan. And Ling is my surname. Firstly, we can accumulate some prestige for you and Yunhan, secondly, we can also rebuild our family name. In the future, if Jinghan will serve in the court, it will also help with his career. Thirdly, the problem of our kids¡¯ studying is also solved. One stone with three birds. Isn¡¯t it perfect?¡±


    Finally having been amused enough, Ling Jingxuan also no longer hid it from him. Actually he had been considering this a long time ago. Not only Datong town, in the future, he planned to open a branch in each town throughout the whole kingdom, and recruit students open to all places, which imitated the nine-year compulsory education in modern times. They¡¯d only charge some fee for books and food, to truly realize the goal that every kid could go to school to study. Of course, him doing so didn¡¯t mean he was concerned about people in the whole world. He also had his own purpose. Except what he had just said, the most important was, he hoped that the whole kingdom could be prosperous and its people could be strong and powerful. Only by this could he be a rich landlord comfortably.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. Aren¡¯t you afraid my imperial elder brother will send someone to investigate?¡±


    Stroking his chin and pondering for a moment, Yan Shengrui raised his eyebrows and asked so. Why he felt he was more familiar with the imperial family¡¯s way of doing things than he was?


    ¡°Nonsense, he¡¯ll send someone definitely, all right?¡±


    Throwing him a filthy look, Ling Jingxuan continued, ¡°Our school is different from any common private school. Our school will divide the students into different classes according to the kids¡¯ qualifications. We will not only teach them knowledge, but also teach them some basic self-defense skills. Those with super good qualifications, we could teach them some martial arts and art of war, and train them into some young generals. Every year, we could list the students with best grades in both martial arts and literary. And the school will offer them rewards. In general, students of the school have to learn both knowledge and martial arts and pursue both professional excellence and moral integrity. As for the tuition, since we want fame, forget about that. They only need to pay for the food and books. We will cover the regulating fee and tutors. Now we can use Ling village as a trial place. If it works well, we will expand then.¡±


    As his words fell, not only Yan Shengrui was stoned there, even Yan Yi who hadn¡¯t accepted him couldn¡¯t help dropping his jaws. How broad was his mind to have such a grand plan? Was he really only a farmer?


    ¡°So, actually, you had this planned long time ago?¡±


    No one knew how long it had passed. Yan Shengrui asked bitterly. Such a big plan, he had never heard it from him!


    ¡°Not really. Before, it was just a rough idea and we haven¡¯t had enough money to put in into practice. Now, you are so rich. Anyway, money couldn¡¯t give birth to money if you put it there. Why not take it out to do something beneficial to us? Kids are the future of the kingdom. Now the basic national policy of the kingdom only means to cultivate the minority of the kids. Most talented kids got their talent buried. So I wonder if we could promote the development of the future of Qing Kingdom.¡±


    He knew it was impossible to achieve human equality in this era, but by doing so, at least the children of poor families could be given more opportunities. Although his starting point was for himself, if this thing succeeded, it would be absolutely a good thing for the benefit of the kingdom and the people, and the court should also support it.


    ¡°All right. But in the future, remember to tell me if there was such big things. I don¡¯t like the feeling of being the last one to know. That¡¯d make me feel that I am not the most special one in your heart.¡±


    Not caring the time and occasion, Yan Shengrui held him while complaining. Yan Yi who saw such a scene for the first time couldn¡¯t help popping out his eyes, only doubted that if he had blurred vision. How could their domineering prince have this side?


    ¡°I¡­I also want to be the most special person in daddy¡¯s heart.¡±


    ¡°So do we.¡±


    By contrast, the three little buns performed much calmer. Being used to their father¡¯s acting shamelessly before daddy, they didn¡¯t find it strange at all, but only felt it was quite reasonable. Occasionally, they even joined them. Such kind of unbelievable way of getting along, to the outsiders, it might be beneath Prince Sheng¡¯s dignity. But to themselves, that was what a sweet family would do.


    ¡°All right, all right. You are all the most special in daddy¡¯s heart.¡±


    Unable to stand the cute appearance of the three little buns, Ling Jingxuan rubbed their heads one by one, and said to Yan Shengrui smilingly, ¡°So this is decided?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you are the boss. I¡¯ll all listen to you.¡±


    Since it was such a win-win-win good thing, as his husband, of course he¡¯d support him. Anyhow, it was only a finger-lifting thing for him. Besides, he was doing it for them.

 Chapter 364

    In mid-October, it was gradually getting cold. Now they got both money and hands, soon Zhao family¡¯s factories were built. The new school Ling Jingxuan personally planned and designed started building. At first, he only planned to buy the land Zhang Hu¡¯s family had burnt and build a row of blue brick tile-roofed house as the classrooms. But when he asked Guarantor Liu to handle the official title deed thing, he quietly let the magistrate know, so before Magistrate Hu escorted Chu Yunhan and Yan¡¯er back to the capital, he ordered that as long as it was things about Ling Jingxuan, they got to offer him anything as much as they could. So, he directly transferred all the idle homestead under his name, for free, saying to assist him doing something for the folks. Actually, everyone could tell the magistrate was selling face to Ling Jingxuan. So Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t refuse. The next day he found those foremen he had long cooperated with to build the school for him.


    As to the problem of tutors, because the little buns all didn¡¯t like Yan Yi, and he was like some decoration in Yuehua Manor. So Yan Shengrui decisively sent him to find a tutor above the title of xiucai at a high price. Before he left, Ling Jingxuan also made his request, no old school, not too flatulent, no incompetent one who was only capable of bragging, or ignorant, narrow-minded and wooden people. Meanwhile, he also asked him to find a few martial arts tutors and bookkeepers. Of course the martial arts tutors were supposed to teach the kids martial arts, while the bookkeepers, he planned to train them himself. Ling Jinghan was going to take the examination, and Song Shuisheng had to stay with him, so he planned to leave the accounting things to the bookkeeprs. Of course, he¡¯d also teach them some simple and easy-to-learn modern statistical methods.


    On the other side, before Magistrate Hu left, he had sentenced Ling Jinghua and others to be beheaded before the busy streets. As long as the paper from the prefecture was issued, the four of them would be executed. For this, the old xiucai and his wife both fell ill, only lying in bed all day. Now the old xiucai¡¯s family nearly got completely fallen apart. The big son Ling Chengcai and his wife were the happiest. To Ling Chenghua, they only had hate, wishing she could die instantly. While the third son Ling Chenghu and his wife seemed as if they got totally realized the truth after Lady Jiang and her daughter¡¯s thing. Except serving some food for the old couple in bed, they seldom went out.


    As for things in the town, Zeng Shaoqing ordered Shopkeeper Zhang and Shopkeeper Hong to handle the purchasing thing of the shop on the opposite side of Xinyue Gold Shop before he left. A few days ago, there already came good news¨Cthe shop was purchased successfully. Shopkeeper Zhang who was closer to that place already led the workers to do decorations. For this, Ling Jingxuan also took advantage of some free time to design some new style handbags, headdress flowers, clothes and other things and let Wang Jinyu to make some samples with Song Shuiling and others. If the made-up articles sold well, he¡¯d hire people for mass-produce, so they could be launched as the featured products when the new branch of Baiyunge was opened next month.


    With the experience accumulated from last time, Wang Jinyu and others could do a familiar job with ease. They already started before Ling Jingxuan explained more. On the other side, to let Zhang Qing quickly learn how to do business, a few days ago, Ling Jingxuan let him to report to Shopkeeper Zhang. When Shopkeeper Zhang was too busy, he¡¯d act as the supervisor.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, Brother Han, you are here. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    One day, the Zhao&Han couple came very early, only because yesterday Ling Jingxuan said today he was going to tell them what business to do in winter. The curious Ling Jinghan also went to the No. one factory with them after assigning some reading as homework for the little buns. When having time recently, those servants continuously planted different fruit trees in those planned areas. Though now they were still some little branches, the big yard was no longer that empty.


    ¡°Old Song, Zhou Er, open the gate!¡±


    Standing at the gate of Warehouse No. 1, Ling Jingxuan beckoned, and Old Song and Zhou Er came forward.


    ¡°Creak¡­¡±


    Two heavy gates were slowly pulled to both sides, and a thousands-of-square-meters warehouse came into view. Everyone craned their necks to see what was hidden inside.


    ¡°Are those¡­mushrooms?¡±


    ¡°Big brother, you can grow mushrooms yourself?¡±


    ¡°No wonder you said we could make more money for the Spring Festival.¡±


    When the gate of the warehouse completely opened, they all wide opened their eyes, inside were densely packed with a lot of cotton-twined, adult arm-thick ground substances, at both ends of the place were filled with all kinds of mushrooms. Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng who had ever eaten them before couldn¡¯t help smiling, and admired their big brother more. Few people could think of planting mushrooms themselves, right?


    ¡°Brother Zhao, Brother Han, come with me.¡±


    Ignoring the two younger brothers¡¯ words, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui gave each other a look and went inside first. The mushroom ground substance was in rows like the ridges in the field, and each row had a few layers, in the middle of those low ridges was wide enough for two adults to pass through. The deeper they went, the more they admired Ling Jingxuan¡¯s operational ability. In only two or three months, he could have done so many ground substances. At least ten thousand of them?


    ¡°These two rows are for you. Brother Zhao, you can move them home. Now the mushrooms are almost growing big enough. So in a few days, I¡¯m going to find Shopkeeper Zhang and talk about the purchase thing. After picking them the first time, don¡¯t throw them away. With ample moist and temperature, they would grow again. I guess you can harvest twice a month, until March or April next year. If you can¡¯t handle it, you can buy some servants from Guarantor Liu. To be honest, now is already the growing period of those mushrooms, so I plan to leave them to my dad and Old Zhou to take care of.¡±

 Chapter 365

    Pointing to the last two rows, Ling Jingxuan turned back and said to them, in fact, this was basically given to them for free, since they were already big enough.


    ¡°Hmm, we¡¯ll move them back with the ox cart. Zhou Er, sorry to trouble you again.¡±


    Knowing that Ling Jingxuan had his way to shut their mouth even if they refused, so Han Fei directly accepted them, like last time when they got six hundred taels of silver for selling the fruit vinegar.


    ¡°What are you talking about, Master Han? That¡¯s our job. Dad, you go get the ox cart with Uncle Song. I¡¯ll move some out first.¡±


    Zhou Er dare not accept Han Fei¡¯s thank you. So after finishing those words, he rolled up his sleeves and was about to work. Zhao Dalong and Han Fei also joined without saying anything. Soon they all started to be busy. Two rows of ground substances were a lot. So it took them a few times using the ox cart.


    ¡°Big brother, so those black things are the black fungus you used to cook with the meat?¡±


    After those ground substances were all moved out, those woods lying below were exposed, on the woods already grew full of little black fungus. Ling Jingpeng ate some that time, so he still remembered what it tasted like.


    ¡°Well, the black fungus is also divided toxic and no-toxic. This kind is non-toxic, but better to dry them first. Eating too much fresh ones isn¡¯t good for health. I don¡¯t grow a lot this year, the main reason is the fostering thing in the beginning wasn¡¯t smooth. But we can grow more in the future¡­¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan squatted down and had looked at the tiny sized black fungus, it had taken him a lot of effort to cultivate them, and in each ground substance he added some crescent spring water, otherwise it wouldn¡¯t be so smooth. After all, before this, he only knew a rough process and had never really done it before.


    ¡°How much can it get when it dries? Big brother, how about we keep them to ourselves to eat? It would take a long time to dry them, right?


    Thinking of that taste, Ling Jingpeng was like having infected with the foodie genes from the small bun, slobbering, which even made Ling Jinghan and others who had never had a taste of it were all wondering how delicious it was. Ling Jingxuan only cooked once, that time when they went to the market to buy meat for the first time and Lady Jiang and her daughter came to make a scene. And since then, he had never cooked it again.


    ¡°Haha¡­I also think so, after they are ripe, I plan to dry them all and store them in the basement. Then when Spring Festival comes, I¡¯ll ask someone to take some into the capital.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled, in a twinkling of an eye, Chu Yunhan and Yan¡¯er had left for half a month, so they should have arrived in the capital now.


    ¡°Hmm, big brother, I really did not expect that you have breeded so many ground substances all by yourself, why didn¡¯t you ask me to help?¡±


    Speaking of here, Ling Jingpeng inevitably felt a little sad and distressed. His big brother was carrying too many things on his fragile shoulders, and he really wanted to share some of them.


    ¡°Do you think you can escape from it?¡±


    Shaking his head while throwing him a stare, Ling Jingxuan said while walking, ¡°From now on, you will follow me not only to familiarize with the fungi knowledge, but also learn to cultivate new spores, make ground substances, then transplant those germinated spores into the ground substances. After talking about the relevant matters of the purchasing thing with Shopkeeper Zhang, I will quit. Then be it picking, sending goods, discussing business outside, you all have to do it on your own. Jingpeng, I will leave the business of fungi and jam all to you. After the sorghums grow next year, it¡¯s also all yours. The business of our family will all fall on your shoulders.¡±


    As for the business of Baiyunge, of course all left to Zhang Qing. The school thing was written under his and Jinghan¡¯s name temporarily. And it depended on the actual situation to decide whether he¡¯d leave it all to Ling Jinghan to run himself or not. When this family was super rich, it was almost time for him to go to the capital. Except worrying about Yunhan and Yan¡¯er, he had more important things to do.


    ¡°Well, big brother, I won¡¯t let you down.¡±


    Stopping his steps, Ling Jingpeng clenched his fists and wore a face of firmness. His big brother and second elder brother were both very capable, he would never fall behind.


    ¡°Hehe¡­don¡¯t give yourself too much pressure, before that, I will first help you train a few right hands for you, delegate the authority when you have to, you just give orders.¡±


    For his younger brothers, he had never felt disappointed, even if Ling Jinghan hadn¡¯t taken the exam and he didn¡¯t know whether he could get listed, while Ling Jingpeng was only like his assistant now, he still believed that they¡¯d definitely succeed since they were both not fools. Both of them who would work harder than anyone else would definitely succeed some day!


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng nodded, in the mind he was more determined to share the burden for his big brother. Although Ling Jinghan aside didn¡¯t say anything, one could tell from his beaming eyes that he had also made up his mind in the heart quietly. His big brother and younger brother were both so capable, as a scholar of this family, he would study harder. Only if he got listed would his family win other¡¯s respect!


    One had to say they were really a family. That kind of emulative spirit was the same! Yan Shengrui who was standing aside keeping silent couldn¡¯t help throwing them his appreciative eyes. A man should have such moral integrity! He was sure that some day, there would be a place for them in Qing Kingdom!

 Chapter 366

    ¡°So Shan, you still don¡¯t approve of Jingxuan?¡±


    Leaning over the chair, legs crossed, Yan Shengrui looked at the kids running in the yard and Ling Jingxuan who was ordering his younger brothers something, showing a doting smile on the face. He liked the ambitious and hard-working Jingxuan. In his eyes you could always see some aggressive and confident feeling, like he would tell people anytime that ¡®as long as I like him, I will get him for sure and no one can stop me¡¯. But the most precious thing was his by hook or by crook had never been built on other¡¯s pains, unless the other side provoked him first. Yan Shengrui knew that giving him an opportunity and letting him grow himself, even without his glory, some day he would have his say in the whole Qing Kingdom. He ever thought even the one sitting on the dragon chair offended him, he wouldn¡¯t end up well, he would definitely have the balls to throw a kick in his face. But now the only way he loved him was provide him any convenience he could provide and grow with him. He wanted to witness him growing stronger and stronger with his own eyes.


    ¡°Your humble subordinate dare not.¡±


    Yan Shan no one saw where he came out of stood in the dark hurriedly bent over while cupping his hands. Recently, when protecting them in the dark, he also saw Ling Jingxuan¡¯s true capability. Even as a farmer, he was also too outstanding and worthy to stand by the master¡¯s side. But after all, he was merely a farmer, while his master was the noblest prince of the kingdom. How could his wife be a farmer? A side concubine¡¯s title was already too good to him.


    The smile on his face gradually raked away, Yan Shengrui turned his head and glanced lightly at him, ¡°Noble identity, so much wealth, even the good appearance and figure, I have all these, Yan Shan, do you think I still need to find a mirror for myself? What is wrong with that even if he is a farmer? As long as I said OK, he is the one. Through the whole kingdom, he is only one who can make me forget about the shadow in my heart. So, I have to keep him by my side. Only by this, he is enough to be my only crown princess!¡±


    What¡¯s more, he also gave birth to two lovely and clever sons for him, who were the only ones who could influence his heart.


    The unsmiling Yan Shengrui always gave others a sense of unattainable ascetic charm, which was absolutely fatal to his admirers, but was extremely dangerous to his subordinates like Yan Shan, because no one knew if he would change his face and kill people the next second.


    ¡°I swear I will protect him as if he were another master.¡±


    Yan Shan knelt down on one knee, this moment, he was sincere. A person who can let the master forget the shadow in his heart, even if it was a beggar, he also deserved to become their crown princess.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want that scene when you met for the first time to happen again.¡±


    Slowly turning his eyes outside the window, Yan Shengrui said with some kind of unspeakably gentle but unarguable tone. They were not like that kind of shadow guards who followed him since they were little. They were from a killers¡¯ organization he had wiped out during his first mission. Though they abided by superior and inferior relationship on the surface, personally they were also friends. He wouldn¡¯t wish that some day he had to kill them all himself for Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Yes, master.¡±


    After making the promise, Yan Shan disappeared instantly like he had never come. Meanwhile, Ling Jingxuan came over holding the two sons in his hands. These days, he had been busy teaching Han Fei, Ling Jingpeng and others about the cultivating, temperature and humidity control of the fundi thing. Except that he went to check it out himself when the sea water flowed backward into their reclaimed land, he seldom had time to go out. Now as it was getting colder and colder, and it was almost time for the first fungi harvest, he decided to drop all work at hands and take the kids to hang out in town, and talk about the purchasing thing with Shopkeeper Zhang by the way.


    ¡°All instructed well with things at home?¡±


    Yan Shengrui got up to meet him, with his hand habitually trying to climb up his waist, but was stopped by Ling Wu halfway. The little guy totally had no idea he had spoiled his father¡¯s good thing, only looked up giggling, which made Yan Shengrui feel both amused and angry, and could only hold his hand finally.


    ¡°Hmm. Let¡¯s go then.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan heeled a turn, a family of four walked out, Ling Jingpeng and Song Gengniu had already been waiting outside. And Yan Shan also came from nowhere, riding a total black horse. The two buns¡¯ eyes were beaming and they both let go of their daddy and father¡¯s hands and rushed over.


    ¡°Wow! What a nice big horse! Much better-looking than ours. Uncle, is this your horse?¡±


    They didn¡¯t know about horses, but it didn¡¯t mean they didn¡¯t know to tell beautiful things from ugly things. Yan Shan¡¯s horse looked way much better than those of his family. The small bun stretched out his hand at the horse smilingly.


    ¡°PSST~¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    The horse made a long hissing sound, which frightened Ling Wu back and he hurriedly held his elder brother. Seeing that, Ling Wen threw that horse a hard stare, like blaming it. While Ling Jingxuan on the other side also rolled his eyes. Like the master, like his mount! What¡¯s the big deal touching you? Do you really think you are a holy beast since you look a bit beautiful?

 Chapter 367

    ¡°Little master, Wind Chasing can run a thousand li a day, but his temper is a little wild, hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    Ignoring Ling Jingxuan¡¯s obvious complaining face, Yan Shan swiftly flew off. Yeah, that was really flying! The two little buns instantly forgot about the former complaining, and undisguised admiration instantly spread on their faces again. Although their father and others were also capable, this uncle looked a bit tougher! He could even fly like a bird!


    ¡°Uncle, can you fly?¡±


    ¡°You flew off the horse, didn¡¯t you? We saw it.¡±


    The two little buns came forward to look up at him with admiration. Yan Shan subconsciously nodded, ¡°Hmm, that was lightness skills. If you want to learn, I can teach you.¡±


    Originally one of his tasks was teaching them, as long as they didn¡¯t detest him like Yan Yi. Until now he still remembered Yan Yi¡¯s face like having suffered a huge blow. He never wanted to be like that.


    ¡°OK, great, but uncle, I want to fly now, can you fly me to town?¡±


    Ling Wu was so excited that he clapped his hands. Ling Wen also nodded with glitter in his eyes. They had tried everything, but only never tried to fly in the sky.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Yan Shan got dumbfounded. Flying them to town? Are you kidding me?


    ¡°Can¡¯t you?¡±


    The two little buns already knew how to read people¡¯s face. Seeing that, they both pressed their lips into a line, eyes wetted, like they were about to cry, while Yan Shengrui on one side nearly laughed his tears out, and the hand holding Ling Jingxuan tightened. Even if his lightness skills could top the whole martial arts world, carrying two kids to fly to town? He would exhaust himself, wouldn¡¯t he?


    ¡°No, urgh, no problem.¡±


    Unable to bear their identical faces with Yan Shengrui that were nearly crying, Yan Shan could not help waving his hand repeatedly and had to grit his teeth to agree.


    ¡°Yay! Daddy, did you hear that? Uncle is flying us to town. I can fly now¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy, we can fly in the sky, too.¡±


    On hearing that, the two little buns instantly turned cloudy into sunny, and jumped high, making circles around Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan. Finally Yan Shengrui who realized he got ¡®set up¡¯ couldn¡¯t help twitching his mouth. Besides that face, they also inherited the personality from the master! How would they survive in the future? He already felt hopeless now.


    ¡°Hehe, sorry to trouble you then.¡±


    Seeing here, Ling Jingxuan gave Yan Shan a good face for the first time. But, why does his smile look so creepy? At least Yan Shan thought so.


    Then, on the official road to the town, everyone saw an unbelievable scene, a man who looked charming with a child in each hand flying in the air, and below, a strong horse was burly chasing, and behind that horse, a very splendid carriage was following. And people in the carriage made pleasant laughing sound now and then, which echoed the silvery laughters in the sky, which made a symphony enough to drive someone crazy.


    After arriving at the Xinyuan restaurant, Yan Shan thought he was finally liberated, but never expected that the little buns were addicted to it, and kept asking him to continue flying over the town. Yan Shan nearly spat out blood on spot, but didn¡¯t have the heart to refuse them, so he could only take them to fly over and over¡­


    ¡°Where are they?¡±


    The carriage stopped steadily at the gate of Xinyuan, Ling Jingxuan hopped off and looked at the big bun who was holding one hand behind the back. Why was he here alone?


    ¡°Ling Wu still wants to fly. So Uncle Shan took him to the market.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    As his words fell, Ling Jingxuan could no longer hold it and laugh out loud, so hard that he even fell on Yan Shengrui¡¯s body, giving his thumbs-up to the small bun in the heart. That was his son! Good job! That was the highest realm of maltreating people, wasn¡¯t it?


    ¡°Jingxuan, you are all here. Why not go in?¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang who was busy with something outside saw them as he came back. He hurriedly ditched others and moved forward to welcome them. Ling Jingxuan who was laughing hard could only withdraw his laughing and turned to him, ¡°We are just arrived. What did you go out so early for?¡±


    It was cold now, and the morning was also late. Even though it was already eight in the morning and the streets were full of people already, to those who were used to waking up late, it was still too early.


    ¡°Last time, you asked someone to send a drawing, asking me to find an ironsmith and a wood carpenter to make corresponding pot and table according to it. Yesterday, they sent the table. I knew you¡¯d come fetch it, so I went to get it for you early this morning. Oh, Jingxuan, what did you ask us to make those strange-looking things for?¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang took the specially-made pot from the hands of the worker and handed it to him. This was just a sample. The rest were carried in through the back door.


    ¡°Well, not bad. It would be perfect if it matches the table.¡±


    Taking the nine-grid pot and checking it, Ling Jingxuan nodded with satisfaction, winter was coming, and what could be better than eating hot pot? He specifically asked them to make the pots and tables in order to launch his hot pot.


    ¡°Only this kind? I remember I also drew a two-flavor pot, right?¡±


    A two-flavor pot couldn¡¯t use nine-grid. In order to meet all people¡¯s flavor, he specially asked them to make those two kinds.


    ¡°It¡¯s inside, according to what you said, we have made 30 sets of this kind of pots and tables, and only 15 sets of the two-flavor pots. Just now I brought them back together, and the tables arrived yesterday. Let¡¯s go in and have a look.¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang made a please gesture, a line of people turned to enter the restaurant, before going in, Ling Wu looked back at Ling Wu who was still flying out there, worried.

 Chapter 368

    In the backyard, Shopkeeper Zhang asked people to move out all those tables in the warehouse and lay them outside, and then asked someone to bring a specially-made charcoaling cooking range and put it inside the hollow part in the middle of a table, and finally put the pot on it. After everything was done, Ling Jingxuan nodded after making a few rounds around it while touching his chin, it was almost the same as he had imagined.


    ¡°The pot must use smokeless charcoal, so the smoke wouldn¡¯t go into the pot or smoke the customers¡¯ eyes. As for the hotpot seasoning, I will go to the kitchen to make it myself. Brother Zhang, you go prepare some pig brain, some meat slices, pig offal, some seafood and fish slices and other things, one plate of each kind of vegetables, and ask someone to go to the hot and sour rice noodles stall my uncle runs to buy some fresh starch noodles. That¡¯s all. Oh right, don¡¯t forget the sesame oil. Place a big table in the central hall at noon. I¡¯m gonna invite everyone here to eat hot pot.¡±


    Xinyuan¡¯s guests were very receptive, the smell of hot pot and the unique way of eating would certainly attract their attention, as long as they tried it at noon, tomorrow, no, maybe tonight the hot pot would sell.


    ¡°Well¡­all raw?¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang got confused. Why suddenly thinking of treating everyone? And how to eat some raw things? Cook them on spot?


    ¡°Hmm, I want them raw. It¡¯s in a hurry today, so the ingredients I could find may not be enough. Oh right, I brought a lot of mushrooms. Best thing for hot pot.¡±


    Knowing what he was confused about, Ling Jingxuan did not intend to explain in details, and so they¡¯d only know after seeing it themselves, in fact, hot pot was the most convenient food, as long as the soup base was cooked well, of course the hot pot would be delicious.


    ¡°Mushrooms?¡±


    As he still hadn¡¯t gotten clear what was happening, something more exciting popped out of his mouth. Mushrooms were good stuff. Those mushrooms he got from Ling Jingxuan a few months ago, he still had no heart to eat any. He dried them and every time he wanted to eat them, he¡¯d soak some in water to satisfy his craving for good food. Seeing that full basket of white mushrooms Ling Jingpeng handed over, Shopkeeper Zhang nearly popped out his eyes, took it over with his trembling hand. Smelling that kind of unique faint scent of those mushrooms, he felt that he would be drooling. Where did he find so many mushrooms?


    ¡°Hehe¡­Brother Zhang, I came to the town this time to talk with you about the mushroom purchasing thing. How about we go to a box?¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan found it kind of funny, Yan Shengrui and others behind him also revealed a faint smile. If he knew that they had already grown mushrooms successfully, he would be frightened, wouldn¡¯t he? The cultured mushrooms were different from those picked in the mountains. They were totally poisonless. Plus the crescent spring water Ling Jingxuan used on them, the taste was no worse than those wild ones. What¡¯s more, according to the body nutrition efficacy of the crescent spring water, maybe one could build his body after taking them for a long term.


    ¡°Huh? Hmm, OK, you go to the box on the third floor first, I¡¯m coming right after.¡±


    Coming back to his sense blandly, Shopkeeper Zhang reluctantly handed that bamboo basket of mushrooms back to Ling Jingpeng.


    ¡°Oh. Shengrui, you take the kids to the box first. I¡¯m going to the kitchen to tell the cooks how to decoct the soup base. Jingpeng, you come with me.¡±


    After a little meditation, Ling Jingxuan decisively made the decision. The longer the soup base was boiled, the more fragrant the taste of the hot pot, anyway, the pig bones were cheap, boiling them long enough would also be good. Fortunately the formula of the pot-stewed seasoning he sold to Zeng Shaoqing last time already got promoted in those branches. So the ingredients should be all off the rack, and it wouldn¡¯t cost much time.


    ¡°Daddy, I want to go with you too.¡±


    Ling Wen suddenly got rid of his father¡¯s hand, instead, held his. Ling Jingxuan lowered his head to look at him, then rubbed his nose affectionately, smiling, ¡°What? You want to learn it secretly?¡±


    Although he was not that kind of masculist men who would stay away from the kitchen, his big bun was still too young. Even if he wanted to learn cooking, it should be at least after he was ten.. Ling Jingxuan should have forgotten that before he had transmigrated here, only four-year-old big bun could already make fire and cook for them.


    ¡°No, I just want to help daddy, okay? Let me in.¡±


    Shaking his hand, Ling Wen said in a nearly begging way, which was really a rare thing that amused Ling Jingxuan. So he hurriedly said, ¡°OK, OK, OK, let¡¯s go now.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, daddy.¡±


    Getting his agreement, Ling Wen showed a sweet smile. Ling Jingxuan bent his finger and knocked on his head dotingly, then raised his head and said to Yan Shengrui, ¡°You go to the box first. Later when the small bun comes and can¡¯t find any of us, he¡¯d definitely cry. We are going over soon.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, don¡¯t exhaust yourself. Let them prepare everything.¡±


    Nodding, Yan Shengrui touched his face and then all of them left the backyard.


    Each branch of Xinyuan saved a private box for their boss. Since Zeng Shaoqing announced that Ling Jingxuan became the second boss, he also owned his personal box now. As Yan Shengrui pulled open the door of the box and went in, he saw that the small bun was already lying in bed shaking his feet happily. While in a corner, Yan Shan who had nearly exhausted himself was curving there, nearly having no strength to hide himself in the dark.

 Chapter 369

    ¡°Father, where have you been? I¡¯ve been looking for you everywhere, father, let me tell you, Uncle Shan is very powerful, he took me to fly all over Datong town, but his physical strength doesn¡¯t seem to be very good, I have asked them to make some noodles for him, so after he has enough strength and we¡¯d continue flying.¡±


    ¡°Duang!¡±


    Before his words fell, a sound of something heavy dropping was heard in the corner. Yan Shengrui tried to restrain his smile while picking up the small bun, ¡°Hmm, how about you do morning exercise with Uncle Shan from now on? Your daddy said, morning exercise could strengthen our body. You, your big brother and your second uncle, you all got stronger and stronger due to the morning exercise. After Uncle Shan builds his body well enough, he could fly you everywhere, maybe he could even fly you to town to eat roast duck every day.¡±


    Trying to scare the sh*t out of him, Yan Shengrui kept added oil to the fire on purpose, while Yan Shan in the corner only wished to give himself a slap and pass out. Are those father and son even human? Are they trying to wear him out?


    ¡°That¡¯s great. Uncle Shan, you should do morning exercise with us from tomorrow on. I¡¯ll ask daddy wolf as your company. He¡¯d definitely be able to catch your speed.¡±


    Hearing that, the small bun decisively nodded and even found a super dope training partner for him. Yan Shan instantly had the heart to kill himself, and then had to hold up his body and refused, ¡°No need, thanks, little master, I know how to build my body. I won¡¯t bother daddy wolf then.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t bother. Uncle Shan. Don¡¯t be polite to us.¡±


    No one knew whether the small bun was really cute or faking foolish, he just waved his hand happily, like he had no idea what he was trying to say at all, while Yan Shan wore a bitter face, ¡°I am not being polite. Little master, really no need.¡±


    Please show me a bit courtesy, that was the true thinking in Yan Shan¡¯s heart. And he also finally understood why Yan Yi would get so frustrated. The little master might be acting adorkable, actually the impact was much bigger, because they couldn¡¯t say no, or reason with him.


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s a pity. I still want to introduce you to daddy wolf.¡±


    The small bun finally gave up, Yan Shan could not help letting out a mouthful of heavy breath. He would never want to get to know some daddy wolf or wolf daddy.


    Seeing his subordinate getting abused by his little son, Yan Shengrui was so amused. Anyone of them four was kind of big fugure in the capital, and a lot of women were dreaming to marry them. But now they got reduced as his son¡¯s toys. Is it that him and Ling Jingxuan¡¯s education is too successful or their anti-pressure ability is too weak?


    ¡°By the way, why didn¡¯t I see daddy and my big brother? Where have they gone?¡±


    Now he seemed to remember them. The small bun asked, blinking his eyes.


    ¡°Your daddy went to the kitchen to help, Xiaowen and your third uncle also went with him, they may come later, we¡¯ll wait for them here.¡±


    Yan Shengrui poured him a cup of tea while answering him. The small bun took a sip of the tea still held in his father¡¯s hand, asking with interest, ¡°Is daddy going to make some new food? I really want to have a try. Father, take me to the kitchen, OK?¡±


    When it came to food, he had no resistance at all. Yan Shengrui found it so funny, ¡°It¡¯s a new food, called hot pot, I guess. Don¡¯t go there. We¡¯ll eat it at noon.¡±


    To be honest, he was also interested in the hot pot, wondering how it¡¯d taste like.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Unavoidably kind of disappointed, the small bun lowered his head. Yan Shengrui looked down at him. As he was about to say something, the knocking sound was heard. Someone sent noodles for Yan Shan. Shopkeeper Zhang who had arranged everything well also followed in. The small bun raised the corner of his mouth and called Yan Shan, ¡°Uncle Shan, the noodles are here. Eat it quickly. Look at your pale face. You must be hungry.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Looking at those noodles in that washbasin-size bowl, Yan Shan felt speechless, then turned to look at Yan Shengrui signaling for help. He was internal force exhaustion, not hungry, OK? That big bowl of noodles would only break his stomach!


    ¡°The small bun is concerned about you. Eat it. If you become thin due to eating too less, I can¡¯t explain to Yan Yi, right?¡±


    Yan Shengrui pretended to wear a dark face. Instead of helping him, he tried to push him into the fire. Shopkeeper Zhang who had no idea what was happening looked at them silently. His intuition told him he shouldn¡¯t open his mouth now, otherwise he¡¯d be the next one that would suffer.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to explain to him.¡±


    After squeezing out those words through his teeth, facing the small bun¡¯s eyes, Yan Shan could only stride over, held up that big bowl of noodles and went out of the box. He must be a heinous infamous robber in his previous life, or how could he be so unlucky to meet such a bad master and a na?ve and pure but black-bellied little master?


    ¡°Father, doesn¡¯t uncle Shan like eating noodles?¡±


    Looking at his decadent back, the small bun frowned while asking. He was only afraid he might be too hungry, so he specially told them to add more noodles for him.


    ¡°No, he likes it very much, it¡¯s just he is afraid he has no table manners, so he feels embarrassed to eat it before us. So Xiaowu, you should also watch your table manners. Don¡¯t be like your uncle Yan after you grow up. Or you¡¯d also feel embarrassed to eat with us.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know, father. I¡¯ll certainly take more care of it from now on.¡±


    Nodding, dumbfounded, the small bun slid off his thigh and went to chase him. But as he pulled open the door, he bumped into Ling Jingxuan and the other two. The little thing instantly forgot why he was running out, instead, he grabbed his daddy¡¯s leg and said, ¡°Daddy, I heard you are making new food again. I want to have a taste.¡±


    ¡°You little foodie, what else do you know except food?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan rubbed his nose, pretending to look angry, then pulled him into the box, with Ling Jingpeng behind chuckling.


    ¡°Hee hee, I like the new food daddy works out. Big brother, you also like it, right?¡±


    The small bun made a bad smile and did not forget to drag his alliance into this. Ling Wen who had always taken on his side nodded without thinking, ¡°Hmm, those food daddy makes is the most delicious, even better that what Aunt Song cooks.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­ you two really have a sweet mouth.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled, the way he looked at them was like wrapped with a lay of honey. For his two little buns, it was worth it however tired he was.

 Chapter 370

    ¡°You are done so soon?¡±


    After they sat down, Yan Shengrui poured a cup of tea and handed it Ling Jingxuan, and Ling Jingxuan received it and drank it off, and only said after making a long sigh with relief, ¡°Hmm, the ingredients are all prepared, and the bone soup is ready-made, so I only need to stir-fry those ingredients and add some water, the thing left is decoct it slowly until the taste of those ingredients is all boiled into the soup, and then when we eat the hot pot at noon, we can add some soup into it.¡±


    As for the clear soup seasoning was much simpler¨Cdirectly use the thick bone soup, the stir-fried ingredients and the required proportion and things that needed to paid attention to, he had all told the chefs. As for the real taste, they¡¯d only know after noon.


    ¡°Hehe¡­you can always come up with some strange food.¡±


    And because of this, they also glutted their mouths. Every time there was new food, they¡¯d be the first to have a taste of it, and then it¡¯d be launched in Xinyuan restaurant. So one could say they were earlier than any customer to taste the delicious food.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that the food I come up with is weird or strange, it¡¯s just you lack of imagination and creation.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan made a grin. He dare not take the credit to himself, those dishes were the representative dishes of all provinces of Huaxia Kingdom, any transmigrator knew that he just took advantage of his transmigration from the future and did some ¡®plagiarizing¡¯ job.


    ¡°Really? Brother Zhang, then you should work harder.¡±


    Yan Shengrui raised his eyebrows and looked at Shopkeeper Zhang meaningfully.


    Shopkeeper Zhang who was named by him trembled, ¡°Yes, sure¡­¡±


    Since he knew that was the famous Prince Sheng, Shopkeeper Zhang had never had the guts even to talk to him, he even dare not look at him. Now Yan Shengrui called him Brother Zhang, which made his heart skip a beat. But the strange thing was apparently Jingxuan was the Crown Princess Sheng, he didn¡¯t have that kind of scared feeling of him at all.


    Sensing his awe, Ling Jingxuan threw a hard stare at Yan Shengrui, like he was saying ¡®See? This is the embarrassing place after revealing who you are!¡¯ The latter innocently touched his own nose. He had never meant to reveal his identity. It was all Six(Liu)¡¯s fault! Next time, he¡¯d definitely lesson him!


    ¡°Aachoo!¡±


    In the distant imperial capital, Zeng Shaoqing who was sitting in the carriage with Chu Yunhan and his son heading to the imperial palace suddenly had a tremendous sneeze, which frightened that pair of father and son. Since they entered the scope of the capital, they had lifted their heart to the throat. Any tiny sound would alert them. Apparently no one knew about the abolished empress missing thing, but all the way, they heard people say that the seventh prince lost his mother, the abolished empress pitied him and begged the emperor to allow them to go to Cangzhou for self-examination. And the emperor was benevolent enough and approved of it. So, this time, instead of sneaking back quietly, even the personal eunuch of His Majesty came to greet them. Soon they¡¯d see the emperor. Live or die all depended on this time¡­


    ¡°Sorry, don¡¯t be nervous. Shengrui has made all the arrangements. Since that man in the palace has sent Eunuch Zhao to pick you up, he must have tacitly accepted this matter. Yunhan, don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let them touch you.¡±


    Keenly sensing their strangeness, Zeng Shaoqing hurriedly comforted him. In fact, not just the rumors he had asked his people to spread all the way, he even had already planted his eyes and his shadow guards in the empress¡¯ Fuqing Palace. They¡¯d not only protect them, but also watch others¡¯ movements closely, and secretly killed those eyes planted in Fuqing palace by Noble Consort Xiao and other concubines, and completely took Fuqing Palace under their control.


    ¡°Hmm, I know, it¡¯s just¡­¡±


    Lifting the curtain to look at the palace getting nearer and nearer, Chu Yunhan looked a bit gloomy, in those eyes were untold bitterness and sadness. That was the place he didn¡¯t want to stay most, but also the place he had to stay in, be it for Seven, or Jingxuan and others, or even himself. He had to end everything himself.


    Looking at his sad side face, Zeng Shaoqing unconsciously revealed a sorry expression, and Yan Xiaoming on the side took everything in the eyes and in the heart. Whatever plan he had, before seizing that position every prince was drooling of, everything was but an empty talk. Having stayed in Yuehua Manor for two months, he had already learned to hide his feelings, totally unlike before.


    ¡°My lady, my prince, Lord Six, the mama in charge from the Noble Consort Xiao¡¯s place is here.¡±


    As the carriage drove to the palace gate, outside came the shrill and sissy voice of Eunuch Zhao, Chu Yunhan slightly frowned. As he was ready to get up, Zeng Shaoqing pressed on his shoulder, passed over him to brush open the curtain, ¡°Where does that old witch come from? How dare she stand in my way?¡±


    That evil but handsome face was stained with frost-like thing. And those few maids who came with the mama all subconsciously shrank their necks. Heaven knows they were most afraid of him and Prince Sheng, not only because one of them had power while the other was extremely wealthy, but more of those big and small ¡®legends¡¯ they had left in the capital since they were little. Someone with no balls even dare not adore them.


    ¡°My greetings, Lord Six. My lady sent me here to greet ¡®Her Empress¡¯, it¡¯s not that I am here standing in your way. Hope you could understand.¡±


    The deliberately stressed ¡®Her Empress¡¯ was filled with undisguised sarcasm. Although the mama looked with great respect, actually her tone didn¡¯t show the slightest content of respect.


    Playing tricks with him at this level?


    Zeng Shaoqing raised his eyebrows, and his lips evoked an unscrupulous smile, ¡°Which lady? I was ordered to escort Her Empress and the seventh prince back. Anyone stand in the way, die!¡±


    Even the old mama, who had always had a good opinion of herself, could not help making a shudder, then hurriedly knelt down and said, ¡°Lord Six, please show mercy! I¡¯m the mama in charge from Noble Consort Xiao¡¯s palace.¡±


    Thinking that after saying the big name of Noble Consort Xiao who was the most promising to become the new empress, Zeng Shaoqing wouldn¡¯t dare act like now, but¡­


    ¡°Someone! Give each of them fifty heavy spanks! If anyone dies, the blame is on me!¡±


    She obviously underestimated Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s unscrupulousness. As the most favored son of first duke, how could he allow an old maid to affront him?


    ¡°Yes.¡±

 Chapter 371

    The guards and Eunuch Zhao all dare not move, after all, Noble Consort Xiao was the deputy empress and governed the six harems, whom they could never afford to offend. But, two men in black on both sides of the carriage flew off their horses and strode over.


    ¡°Lord Six, please show mercy! Lord Six, please show mercy¡­¡±


    Really scared this time, the old mama kept kowtowing there. Giving her body, let alone fifty spanks, only thirty would end her life.


    ¡°It¡¯s late. Pull her down.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Lord Six, please show mercy!¡±


    Following Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s command, the forty or fifty years old mama was pulled away. And thos maids who came with her were all trembling on the ground. Lord Six¡¯s big name was known in and out the capital. Although they also had ever heard of him, no one had ever seen him. Now, finally seeing him in person, they felt he was really horrible, even didn¡¯t give others a chance to explain. And that was mama from Noble Consort Xiao¡¯s palace. Apparently that was like slapping the face of her!


    ¡°Old Zhao, aren¡¯t you leaving? Do you want me to punish you together?¡±


    With his evil foxy eyes sweeping over, Zeng Shaoqing was suffused with some kind of both good and evil atmosphere. And Eunuch Zhao stoned there couldn¡¯t help making a shudder. Then the young eunuch brandished the whip in his hand and the carriage pulled by two snow-white fine horses drove into the place, only leaving those maids kneeling there and those soldiers like statues while astonished in the heart.


    ¡°Yunhan, if you want to survive the palace, you have to be more ruthless than those people. Apparently Noble Consort Xiao sent them to display her strength. Since I punished her mama, she wouldn¡¯t let it go so easily. Do remember. Later when you see that one, play weak. If possible, try to squeeze out a few drops of tear. He is suggestible. If you pick a right time to offer your brilliant suggestions, then I guess he would no longer blame you.¡±


    Heaven knows how hard it was for him to say those words. But for Chu Yunhan¡¯s safety, he still said it out. But on thinking that his beloved was going to kiss up to some other man, even if that one was his cousin, the superior emperor, he still had the impulse of strangling of him.


    ¡°Hmm, I know. Thank you, Shaoqing. You¡¯ve really grown up and are no longer that little boy who was always making trouble.¡±


    Actually behind his muddling up hid a lot of calculation. Chu Yunhan gave him a grateful smile in return. He knew, he was saying it for his own good, to pump him up.


    ¡°I have long grown up, OK? You just didn¡¯t see it.¡±


    Hearing the words little boy, Zeng Shaoqing complained in whispers sullenly. Little? He was big in every part of his body, OK?


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    It was not that he didn¡¯t hear his whining, Chu Yunhan stretched out a hand to hold Yan Xiaoming¡¯s, ¡°Seven, you scared?¡±


    He was only afraid of the kid. Having been a couple for Yan Shengzhi for so many years, how to win his sympathy and arouse their bond as husband and wife ever, he was clearer than anyone, he didn¡¯t feel disdained to do that.


    Facing his worried eyes, Yan Xiaoming shook his head, ¡°No, Uncle Ling said, as long as you have someone you want to protect, you¡¯d become strong, and no longer fear of anyone. Now I only want to protect you and myself. So I will never allow myself to be scared.¡±


    Even after they left, every word Ling Jingxuan once said was deeply imprinted in his mind, and he intended to carry out his teachings thoroughly, strive to be strong, and protect all of them in the future.


    ¡°Well, your emperor father is also a human being, the main reason he didn¡¯t like you was that you never called him father and performed timid in front of him, and he thought you are not like a prince at all. Seven, let¡¯s work together to conquer him!¡±


    Touching his head affectionately, Chu Yun held him in his arms. If possible, how would he ever want to teach a boy who was only nine those things? He also wanted him to have a happy childhood like Ling Wen and Ling Wu. Pity that they had no choice. That had to fight it, and they must win!


    ¡°Empress father, please rest assured. I will never let emperor father down.¡±


    Stubbornly expelling his embrace, Yan Xiaoming showed solid firmness on that immature handsome small face. Looking at this pair of father and son, Zeng Shaoqing felt indiscernible sorry for them. But he knew now was not the time for him to say anything. The only thing he could do was to offer them back to that one.


    ¡°My lady, my prince, we are arrived at Fuan Palace.¡±


    The carriage stopped again, Chu Ci brushed open the curtain to look at the familiar and unfamiliar scenery outside, then closed his eyes and took a deep breath before holding Yan Xiaoming¡¯s hand, ¡°Yan¡¯er, our battle began.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Holding his hand backhand, Yan Xiaoming pursed his lips tightly. Zeng Shaoqing moved his eyes back and forth between them, took the lead to jump off, then stretched a hand into the carriage. Under his support, Chu Yunhan also jumped off, and finally, Yan Xiaomign was held down. Starting from here, they¡¯d say goodbye to their other identity as Chu Ci and Chu Yan and become the original selves.

 Chapter 372

    Fuan Palace was where the emperor rested and handled his word, so it was heavily guarded. Every corner of it manifested luxuriousness and majesty. From the palace entrance, every certain distance there¡¯d be two mighty-looking soldiers on guard. And once in a while, there was a patrolling team. One could say the safety precautions were watertight. Without the emperor¡¯s personal permission, even empress dowager¡¯s chariot was not allowed in. Chu Yunhan and his son who got off the carriage outside the gate walked over shoulder in shoulder indifferently, with Zeng Shaoqing following behind. And behind them were those eunuchs the emperor sent to welcome them. And those shadow guards already got stopped outside. When they walked past those guarding soldiers, they¡¯d raise their weapons to salute. The pair of father and son just looked steadily forward and walked past them.


    ¡°Wait a moment, my lady, my prince. Allow me to inform His Majesty first.¡±


    When they arrived at the imperial study where the emperor was, Eunuch Zhao trotted forward to stop them. Chu Yunhan, who was slim and slender, lowered his eyes and did not say anything, but Eunuch Zhao already trembled out of fear and bowed to him before entering the imperial study. When he came out, it was almost several minutes later.


    ¡°My lady, my seventh prince, His Majesty asks you in. Lord Six, His Majesty said he wouldn¡¯t see any outsider today. So please go back. Maybe you can come some other day to pay respects to His Majesty.¡±


    Eunuch Zhao dutifully conveyed the emperor¡¯s message, but¡­


    ¡°I am not an outsider today, I am here to visit my big cousin.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing picked his eyebrows, walked forward to stand with Chu Yunhan side by side. In an angle no one could see, he threw him a wink. The nervous feelings of the pair of father and son like vanished instantly, even waiting to laugh. Maybe only he dare pick holes in the emperor¡¯s words throughout the whole Qing Kingdom.


    ¡°But Lord Six, His Majesty¡­¡±


    Seeing that, Eunuch Zhao hurriedly moved forward nervously. But that pair of bloodthirsty eyes instantly shushed him, meanwhile, he also held his head down. Zeng Shaoqing then said badly, ¡°But what? After having been out for so long, can¡¯t I even visit my own big cousin? Or, you are deliberately trying to stop me from bonding with my big cousin?¡±


    ¡°Your humble servant dare not!¡±


    To prevent him from bonding with His Majesty? This charge can be big. Eunuch Zhao hurriedly knelt down. Thinking of that scene that happened outside the palace, he felt so scared, and his slim body was shaking like sifting chaff.


    ¡°Hum! I guess you don¡¯t have the balls!¡±


    Swinging his sleeves, Zeng Shaoqing instantly changed his face. Eunuch Zhao was nearly lying prone on the ground. Seeing that, Chu Yunhan said faintly, ¡°All right, Shaoqing, Eunuch Zhao is only conveying His Majesty¡¯s meaning. Don¡¯t be hard on him.¡±


    In the palace, if one wanted to live long, to live comfortably, to live like a human being, one not only had to be smart enough and knew how to suck up to the emperor, one still had to learn how to lay someone under an obligation, especially someone by the emperor¡¯s side. Though Eunuch Zhao was only a not some experienced eunuch by the emperor¡¯s side and not so promising seen from now, sometimes, only people like him would do some things that would surprise everyone. When he was in big trouble, if he could say some words for him, maybe he¡¯d be saved and gain unexpected payback.


    ¡°For the sake of my imperial sister-in-law, I will spare your dog life! Get lost!¡±


    How could Zeng Shaoqing not know Chu Yunhan¡¯s intention. So they made a perfect cooperation.


    ¡°Thank you, my lady, thank you, Lord Six¡­¡±


    Eunuch Zhao was trembling and kept kowtowing to the two of them. Zeng Shaoqing threw him a fake stare, then instantly put on a smile as he turned back, ¡°Imperial sister-in-law, let¡¯s go.¡±¡°Hmm.¡±


    Nodding, Chu Yunhan led them to step up the stairs. Seeing they really went in, Eunuch Zhao exhaled an exaggerating breath out, raised his hand to wipe off his cold sweat on the forehead. So scary! He thought that demon-like Lord Six would kill him like that old mama from Noble Consort Xiao¡¯s palace.


    Inside the study, the emperor who had been so thin under the torture of the illness was sitting decently behind the table covering with golden silk fabrics examining those memorials, while his most trusted Eunuch Zhang was standing by the side. When the three of them stepped in, Eunuch Zhang bent over and whispered something by his ear. And the hand of the emperor froze there. After quite a while, he raised his head stiffly.


    A man under forty looked as old as already in his fifties. Even with a head of dark hair, his face looked so old. His golden dragon robes still couldn¡¯t manifest his dominance as the emperor, instead, it only made his skin look darker. Except that pair of glistening peach blossom eyes, you couldn¡¯t tell a bit that he was an emperor, totally like an ordinary old man.


    For others, perhaps it was just a short span of three years, for Chu Yunhan, the last time they met was before his own death. Till now, he still remembered his cold eyes. Originally, he really didn¡¯t mean to shed some tears to win his sympathy, but tears just dropped themselves, that was tears of pain. When he reacted, it was already late. So he had to hide his hate of this man and change a pitiful look.


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡±

 Chapter 373

    Saying those two words using a sobbing tone, Chu Yunhan got on his knees. No words were needed here. Only a beauty¡¯s tears were enough to seize the heart of everyone on spot. The already-prepared blame just couldn¡¯t get out of his mouth. Yan Shengzhi only looked at him faintly, with those scenes of those first few years after they got married. At the time, he was still the crown prince. There were so many princes under him, except Prince Nine(Jiu/Yan Shengrui) who got the favor of the emperor first but had no heart for the position but only acting wildly outside and then becoming a general, all the others only wished they could kill him and seize his position. During those hard and tense days, the only one who stayed by his side was his crown princess.


    He was very beautiful, also very proud. And he¡¯d only show that gentle smile before him. Every time he saw him, even doing nothing, he felt quite satisfied. Before, he even quietly swore to himself that he¡¯d be good to him forever, but¡­after he took the throne, the Chu family gradually revealed their ambition, and their relationship also gradually broke down. After the Chu family tried to drug Noble Consort Xiao to get rid of the kid in her womb, and even asked his personal maid to take him to the place where Noble Consort Xiao was taking a walk and then used some dirty trick to let him knock her over, even though he knew all these had nothing to do with him, as the emperor, he still had to abolish him as a warning to the Chu family.


    He knew his grievance and didn¡¯t have the heart to let him suffer in the cold palace, so he got softhearted. While the Chu family still had the last breath, he stopped. If the Chu family was wise enough, they should learn to keep their nose clean and stay low, and then the position of the empress was still Yunhan¡¯s. But instead of repenting their ways, they even tried to use the Virtuous Consort to help him regain his title, even tried to use Virtuous Consort under their control to take his place. And they also didn¡¯t stay low at all for those things outside. When the Virtuous Consort kept having those pillow talks with him, he finally realized that he had to get rid of Virtuous Consort if he wanted Yunhan to draw a clear line with them.


    In order to preserve Yunhan, once again, he did something an emperor shouldn¡¯t do¡ªasking someone to end Virtuous Consort¡¯s life. But unexpectedly, what he received was his repulsion. He even gave up everything and brought Seven to run out of the palace. The moment he received the news, he nearly got mad. He withstood all the pressure from the court and people¡¯s gossip only to protect him from getting his name stained by his family, so he would have a chance to resume his position, but¡­never expected¡­he who always knew about him didn¡¯t see his true heart¡­


    At that time he was so heartbroken, only wishing to catch him back. But due to his ¡®good¡¯ cousin, he missed the best time. Then he had left for three whole years. Three whole years! Over a thousand days and nights! Every time he remembered he was no longer in the palace, he felt so bad that he even had no mood for eating. He often slipped into Fuqing Palace at a quiet night, trying to feel his presence, but¡­as time went by, his smell also gradually turned thinner and thinner.


    Now looking at him standing in front of him, heaven knows how much effort he had tried to restrain himself from rushing over. When seeing him again, he actually cried, which made him more heartbroken. Even when he abolished him, he still didn¡¯t cry but only quietly accepted everything. But now¡­he should have suffered a lot during the past three years, right? In the memorial Nine(Ling Jingxuan) handed over said not long ago, little Seven got kidnapped. And he could only reveal who he is to save the kid and only by then did Nine find him. Otherwise, he still wouldn¡¯t bow his head and come back, right?


    About his first wife, Yan Shengzhi really ran out of his mind. But it seemed that he had forgotten that everything in this world couldn¡¯t be calculated, only not including people¡¯s heart. He thought that he had made everything arranged well for him, got rid of all those who might tarnish his reputation or even attempt to take his place, but only didn¡¯t know that between a couple, the least needed thing was calculation. As the emperor, he could gamble with everything, but only not his wife.


    ¡°As long as you are back, as long as you are back¡­¡±


    How could he blame him under such circumstances? Yan Shengzhi slowly stood up, walking to his side while muttering to himself, as he was about stretch out a hand trying to support him up, Yan Xiaoming suddenly rushed forward and embraced him, crying, ¡°Imperial father, imperial father¡­¡±


    Burying his head in his arms, Yan Xiaoming cried at the top of his lungs. So sad that even Yan Shengzhi who never favored him felt sorry for him. He patted him on the back while soothing him, ¡°All right, all right, as long as you are back. I know you must have suffered a lot out there. I will make it up for you.¡±


    At the same time, Zeng Shaoqing quietly supported Chu Yunhan up, giving his thumbs-up in his heart.


    ¡°Hmm, father emperor, my mother empress has suffered a lot taking care of me all these years, could you please not blame him? We even brought gifts for you. I bet you¡¯d like it.¡±


    Tears filled in the years, Yan Xiaoming looked up at him, pretending to look quite pitiful, that little hand grabbing his clothes before the chest.


    His son, who only avoided him or just lowered his head whenever he saw him, got so dramatically changed. Yan Shengzhi was shocked. And his complain in the heart also diminished a lot, he touched his face with that skinny hand, ¡°But I have to, I am the emperor, I have to treat everyone equally. But if your gifts can make me happy, maybe I¡¯ll take it as you went to Nine¡¯s place in Cangzhou for self-reflection under my permission.¡±


    As soon as he said this, everyone in the room knew that they had passed the first pass, although no one could understand how he could be so friendly except the emperor himself. Wait, they had not spoken yet, and he could easily forgive them for having escaped from the palace for three years. Isn¡¯t it too abnormal?

 Chapter 374

    ¡°Really? You are the emperor, a man of your word. You can¡¯t go back on your words. Uncle Six, you be our witness.¡±


    Wiping his tears at random, Yan Xiaoming withdrew his usual mature and steady side and grabbed Zeng Shaoqing on the side. He¡¯d let him have no place to regret.


    ¡°You little thing, where did you learn to be so witty?¡±


    Hearing him, instead of blaming him, Yan Shengzhi laughed instead. Finally in his eyes there was the affection of a father to his son. That was his son, the prince of the Qing Kingdom!


    ¡°Cousin, little Seven is quite smart. Not long before, I heard that he even went to work in the field. According to the time, the rice he grows would be ripe in the middle of next month.¡±


    ¡°Really? Then I have to let Nine to get me some to have a taste.¡±


    Upon hearing that, Yan Shengzhi was even happier. Zeng Shaoqing secretly gave Chu Yunhan an eye, then the latter moved forward smilingly, ¡°Your Majesty, what we grow is late rice. You should know that in Cangzhou it can only grow on season. When I worked as a tutor in the village, I met a tongsheng called Ling Jingxuan. He is also a man of misfortune, people in the village all don¡¯t like him and threw him at the foot of the mountain. When he has time, he¡¯d study all kinds of agricultural knowledge. It is he who brought up growing late rice. When we left, the seedlings had grown quite tall. The harvest isn¡¯t a thing. Whether more or less, at least it could alleviate the civilians¡¯ poverty, right? If he really succeeds, Your Majesty has to reward him, and the issues the decree to encourage the civilians to grow two seasons. Besides, these years, I have been following him to study the inner sea wasteland. Not long ago, he borrowed money to buy a lot of wasteland others don¡¯t want and plan to expand the planting. If he succeeds, it¡¯d be a huge contribution to the agriculture to our kingdom. But Your Majesty, it¡¯s just a test. Although the magistrate of Qingyang County has exempted him of three years¡¯ taxes, no one knows what¡¯d happen after that. The thing is he has the heart. Your Majesty can¡¯t maltreat him.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan had helped him so much, he would repay him. Although he couldn¡¯t expose his identity, he would fight for a glory for him. In the countryside, with the imperial decree, no matter whether with or without a reward, no one would ever have the balls to bully them again, including those unbelievable relatives.


    ¡°That is a good thing, a tongsheng can have this courage, I will certainly reward him. Oh right, is the Qingyang County you said that Qingyang County where a plague nearly broke out?¡±


    As long as it was something about the kingdom, Yan Shengzhi showed strong interest. Maybe even he himself didn¡¯t notice he already called his name like before. Chu Yunhan¡¯s eyes glittered. Although feeling gross in the heart, he still had to press it down, for he knew this was a good thing to him.


    ¡°Hmm, it is there. This time, the magistrate Hu Lizhi of Qingyang County is also among the team who sent me back. Would you like to see him, Your Majesty?¡±


    Hu Lizhi could be called a good official. So he didn¡¯t mind speaking some nice words before His Majesty for him. He meant to tell His Majesty that it was also Ling Jingxuan who had solved the plague thing, but in case he might generate suspicious, he decided to let Hu Lizhi to tell him about it. Sometimes, other¡¯s words were more useful than when those words came out of an abolished empress.


    ¡°Of course. Yunhan, have you been living in the village all these years?¡±


    A plague was a huge thing to any kingdoms. The magistrate of Qingyang County successfully took the plague under control and stopped it from spreading out, of course a big reward was a must. But, now he only cared about Yunhan¡¯s thing. Before having married him, he was the only legitimate son of Chu family. And after marrying him, he was the noble crown princess, even though he had abolished him as the empress, he never let him suffer. So it was really hard for him to imagine how he had lived in the countryside. Gotta be hard, right?


    ¡°No, the village people are all unsophisticated, far less intrigues against each other like in the palace. So I lived quite well there.¡±


    Withdrawing his smile, Chu Yunhan moved his eyes away. After having experienced those things, whatever he did, he¡¯d have no feelings. In the future, they¡¯d only be a nominal couple.


    ¡°Yunhan¡­¡±


    Yan Shengzhi was not stupid, how could he not understand the underlying meaning of his words? But, instead of blaming him, he felt sorrier for him. He was the empress who always tried to hold himself aloof from the world and was only close to him, why had they gotten estranged finally like total strangers?


    He may never know, when he had to consider the whole court, balance the harem, and try to be a good emperor, he had lost Chu Yunhan for good. No, to be more exact, maybe he had never gotten him from the beginning.


    ¡°Father empress, haven¡¯t you worked out the method of how to solve the problems of the inner sea corrosion in our kingdom? That¡¯s your gift for father emperor. Tell him about it.¡±


    Moving his eyes between them, Yan Xiaoming quietly moved forward to lean on Chu Yunhan while secretly holding his hand. He knew he was sad in the heart, but they had to keep acting. Although they didn¡¯t understand why His Majesty didn¡¯t punish them, even no harsh words, they shouldn¡¯t let down their guard. They got to seize the chance to conquer his heart.


    ¡°Solving the problem of the inner sea? Yunhan, you?¡±


    Hearing that, casting aside his sorry feeling for Chu Yunhan, Yan Shengzhi popped out his eyes excitedly. The agriculture of Qing Kingdom was quite weak, plus years of wars, the taxes were getting heavier year by year, and civilians all suffered unspeakably. If the problems of the inner sea could really be solved, a large number of wasteland could be used, which was a huge good thing for both the kingdom and its civilians.


    ¡°Hmm, on the way back, I sorted out all the specific methods of solving the problem. Your Majesty, inner sea treatment would be a huge project, something that couldn¡¯t be finished in a short time. So you must nominate someone to be in charge of the whole thing.¡±


    Speaking of which, Chu Yunhan felt out the memorial he had written down from memory and handed it over. Yan Shengzhi received with huge excitement. He unfolded it with his trembling hand. Seeing that, Zeng Shaoqing threw Chu Yunhan an eye and moved forward, ¡°Cousin, maybe you should check it later. You know, my sister-in-law and little Seven have taken a long journey and are tired now. They need some rest.¡±

 Chapter 375

    ¡°You are too nosy. I heard that you killed the old mama from Consort Xiao¡¯s palace outside the gate?¡±


    After he said, Yan Shengzhi raised his head from the memorial, with a little bit helplessness and spoiling in his eyes. This sixth cousin always acted so wildly replying on his parents, imperial aunt and uncle-in-law of His Majesty. Now he even touched someone of the noble consort¡¯s side. Would he even kill someone from his harem?


    ¡°He showed disrespect to me first. Just a maid. Cousin, do you need to specially bring it up?¡±


    Wrinkling his nose sullenly, Zeng Shaoqing said arrogantly. Since his mother was the legitimate big princess, his imperial cousins all dare not provoke him easily, only afraid his parents would stand on their opposite side. And this big cousin was no exception. As time passed, he had formed such proud characters. But, he also had his bottom line, after all the other side was the emperor, he should show him some face.


    ¡°A maid is still human. You¡¯d better stay low in the future. Don¡¯t kill people so easily.¡±


    Speaking of which, he threw him a hard stare. Now his uncle-in-law was leading troops outside, he couldn¡¯t really punish him, so, only gave him a warning.


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes, but big cousin, don¡¯t try to change the topic. Let them take some rest first.¡±


    Impatiently waving his hand, Zeng Shaoqing flexed back to the topic again. Their habitation was directly related to their status in the palace in the future. No one in the palace wasn¡¯t snobbish. He really didn¡¯t wish that any cats or dogs could step on him. If his big cousin didn¡¯t arrange it well, he really didn¡¯t mind taking them to live in his mansion. Be it the emperor or someone else, as long as he felt unhappy, he¡¯d make everyone unhappy.


    ¡°Someone! Send the empress and the seventh prince back to Fuqing Palace!¡±


    The address empress explained how he valued them, never some kind of slip of tongue or what, since Yan Shengzhi wouldn¡¯t be that stupid to make such a stupid mistake. He was just warning those people, whether he was abolished or not, Chu Yunhan was his only empress. And only he deserved that title!


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty!¡±


    As sophisticated as Eunuch Zhang was, he instantly brought a few eunuchs and maids over. Then Chu Yunhan held Seven to stand up, then bent on their knees, ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡±


    ¡°Go down to take some rest. I will go check on you later. Don¡¯t think too much. I just let you reflect yourself in Cangzhou, no one dare say a word.¡±


    Now, they had completely passed the first one. Chu Yunhan secretly gave a long sigh of relief. After giving him another salute, he took Seven to leave.


    ¡°Your Majesty, Noble Consort Xiao asks to see you.¡±


    As they were about to leave, a little eunuch suddenly ran in, and all the people there could not help but frown. Yan Shengzhi said, ¡°Let her go back. Her maid was ignorant to offend Shaoqing, does she still want Shaoqing to apologize to her? Tell her that I said he should regulate her people. If she can¡¯t regulate the harem, she¡¯d better hand out the phoenix seal. I will find someone else to take her place.¡±


    Noble Consort Xiao had given birth to two princes and a princess, he had always favored her, but no one knew why he was a bit annoyed on this thing about her.


    ¡°Ye¡­yes¡­But the noble consort said she is here to greet Her Empress.¡±


    The little eunuch shuddered with fear, and the face of Yan Shengzhi looked slightly better as he heard that, ¡°no need. The empress and the seventh prince have just arrived, quite exhausted and need some rest. Let her go to Fuqing Palace to greet him some other day.¡±


    Daring say no more, the little eunuch backed out tremblingly. Maybe Yan Shengzhi didn¡¯t think that much, but Zeng Shaoqing darkened his face. That was Noble Consort Xiao, who looked well-behaved and gentle, but deep down, just a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing. Whether it was that thing outside the palace gate or now, on the surface she said she was here to greet the empress, who didn¡¯t know the current empress was an abolished one? She was only trying to face slap Chu Yunhan. It was already like this before they met. Really hard to imagine after they met.


    ¡°Your Majesty, please excuse us.¡±


    On the first day of their coming back, someone already took action. It would be impossible for them to live peacefully. Except Noble Consort Xiao, there were countless beauties and concubines in both the east and west harem, and the Empress Dowager even His Majesty had to show respect, so, even with the protection of the emperor, before resuming the position as the empress, he¡¯d have a lot to go through. Because technically speaking, he had to salute even when seeing those beauties and concubines.


    But no one seemed to notice, including Chu Yunhan himself, that he addressed himself I but not some other humble addresses.


    ¡°Big cousin, isn¡¯t it time for you to give the empress¡¯ position back to him?¡±


    Watching their back disappear from the study, Zeng Shaoqing said with a rarely serious tone. The emperor turned to give him a look and then sat back, ¡°He asked you to speak for him?¡±


    Paranoia popped out again. Zeng Shaoqing slightly frowned, ¡°Do you think it¡¯s even possible? You are his man, who should know clearer than me. He has never asked something from you. Big cousin, the harem is a dangerous place, letting him stay in Fuqing Palace without a corresponding tittle, you are not protecting him but put him in the teeth of the storm.¡±


    If possible, he really wished he could give him a few slaps. How could treat his own wife like that? As brothers, why he and Nine had such a huge gap?


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Yan Shengzhi was stoned and then buried his head in the memorial again, ¡°I have my own judgment on this matter. You just came back. Go back home check on my imperial aunt first.¡±


    ¡°I hope you really have your judgment. He is a human, not an item. Big cousin, don¡¯t regret when you really force him to die. That¡¯s all I can say. Hope you can think about it.¡±


    Speaking of which, Zeng Shaoqing flung his sleeves and left. Through the whole kingdom, who else dare show his face before the emperor? Except Yan Shengrui, Zeng Shaoqing would be the only one.


    ¡°Restore his position? Do you know he is my only empress?¡±


    Yan Shengzhi, who looked like he was checking the memorial, muttered to himself. How would he not know those things in the harem? But the problem is the Chu family was still eyeing there. And Yunhan never said anything for himself when being wronged. If he restored his position and Chu family committed high treason again, wouldn¡¯t he be the first victim? By then, even he, the emperor, couldn¡¯t save him.

 Chapter 376

    Datong Town, Cangzhou


    ¡°Brother Zhang, ignore him. Just take him as air. I come today mainly to talk about the mushrooms purchasing thing.¡±


    In case that Shopkeeper Zhang was too concentrated on Yan Shengrui and made the atmosphere in the room to weird, Ling Jingxuan stopped those little talks and went straight to the point. After this, he still wanted to go to Guarantor Liu¡¯s place to take a look and see if there was any suitable old mama. Seen from the current situation, he¡¯d have to take the kids to the capital next year the latest. Before that, he planned to make everything well arranged, in case that he even couldn¡¯t find his home when he came back some day.


    Of course, it was not that he didn¡¯t believe in Jingpeng¡¯s ability. To run this family, there should be no problem. What he was worried was his parents. Although Lady Wang was a lot tougher than before, when facing her families, she¡¯d soften her heart and that was inevitable. Needless to say Ling Chenglong. Finally they had come to this step, he would never them to get involved in those rights and wrongs of the old Ling family. As for the Wang family, they could lend a hand when necessary, but should never spoil them and give them whatever they asked for, in case that someday they¡¯d turn hostile and he had to clean the mess. Talk about the worst situation at first was the foundation of a long term relation, otherwise, sooner or later, it¡¯d only raise conflicts.


    ¡°Ah? Oh oh, just now you kept saying the acquisition thing. Are you planning to take people to the mountains to pick in large amount?¡±


    After throwing a timid peep at Yan Shengrui did Shopkeeper Zhang turned to Ling Jingxuan, and his trembling voice sounded a little calmer. As Ling Jingxuan threw Ling Jingpeng a look, the latter took out a baby-fist size white tender mushroom from the bamboo basket, ¡°Brother Zhang, check this out. See if it meets your purchasing standard.¡±


    Having worked under Ling Jingxuan for a long time, Ling Jingpeng gradually had a businessman¡¯s posture, knowing to how far to go and when to stop. The material object was the most persuasive, too much talk was pointless.


    ¡°Well¡­The umbrella surface is not contaminated with too much soil, the whole mushroom shape is very perfect, without any damage, the unique fragrance is very strong, I can still smell it without moving too close. Apparently it¡¯s top grade. You really put a lot of heart in it when picking.¡±


    Checking it carefully, Shopkeeper Zhang couldn¡¯t help give his thumbs-up to them. Usually, quantity purchasing goods were mostly not that good, either stained with a large number of mud or having damages, but even so, he could seldom purchase a lot. And only those branches in the prefectures had related dishes for sale, while branches in towns like them, don¡¯t even think about it.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Brother Zhang, we didn¡¯t pick them up from the mountains. It has cost my big brother a few months to cultivate. You can see our factories. Factory Number One is full of mushrooms. Those new ones Brother Zhao and others are losing no time to cultivate in number two and other newly-built factors would go to the market before the Spring Festival. By then, we still count on you to sell them to other branches in Cangzhou.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng smiled. After exchange an eye contact with his big brother, he said both confidently and politely. Seeing that he said quite well, Ling Jingxuan kept silent, and would like him to practice more, at least Shopkeeper Zhang wouldn¡¯t set him up or what.


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang popped out his eyes. The price of mushrooms was even higher than pork. They could even grow themselves? Wouldn¡¯t it be too cool?


    ¡°But, we don¡¯t grow much this year. Maybe only enough for the branches in Cangzhou and Yunzhou. Next year, we plan to build factories in each prefecture to grow and process mushrooms.¡±


    As he had long heard from his big brother that mushrooms usually mass propagated in damp and cool environment. So, they could only grow them in half a year at most. But they also didn¡¯t need to worry they wouldn¡¯t sell. Fresh ones couldn¡¯t be reserved for long. But dries ones could preserve for a few years. So they had already planned to grow them in large amount every year. If they couldn¡¯t sell all of them, they could dry the left ones, and in summer, they could make them into mushroom paste. Then, they¡¯d have business to do all the year round.


    ¡°That¡¯s already good enough. Jingxuan, Jingpeng, I never expected you two brothers are so capable. If the mushrooms could be launched in all our branches, Xinyuan¡¯s performance would double or even triple. As the second boss, you¡¯d be super rich!¡±


    Totally not doubting the authenticity of their words, Shopkeeper Zhang sincerely said so. Not long ago, he received a letter to nominate him as the general shopkeeper of whole Cangzhou, which was all the credit of Ling Jingxuan, so he was grateful to him from the bottom of his heart.


    ¡°Really? How much silver would that be?¡±


    On hearing the word silver, Ling Wen who had matured a lot asked before Ling Jingxuan could say anything, two big round eyes beaming. Although he didn¡¯t lack of money now, for last time he and Ling Wu lent a thousand taels to his daddy each and daddy repaid them three thousand taels and he could be called a little landlord, on hearing anything about money, he still couldn¡¯t help feel excited, only wishing that he could bury himself in money.


    ¡°Huh? Haha¡­you little kid, that is not a number you can count. But by then, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯d be the richest family in whole Datong town.¡±

 Chapter 377

    Shopkeeper Zhang was stoned there, but instantly laughed together with Ling Jingxuan and others. The way everyone looked at Ling Wen was affectionately. Only Ling Wen put wrinkles in his brows and said like a little adult, ¡°Uncle Zhang, that¡¯s not right. If it¡¯s really as much as countless, then I will feel a lot secure, I may even wake up from laughing at night.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    As those words were out, others laughed even harder, some were even unable to stand. A little moneygrubber is a little moneygrubber. Obviously they were already landlord-level figures through the whole Datong Town or even the whole Qingyang County, he still hadn¡¯t change a bit. Every time when talking about money, he¡¯d expose his true self. Fortunately, he was no longer that stingy like before, and kept saying something like this is too expensive and that is too pricy, I don¡¯t wann buy it. Although when there was a big spending, his little face was still as puffy as a meat stuffed bun.


    ¡°Stop laughing. What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    Face reddened, Ling Wen said angrily while holding his hands on his hips. Others hurriedly cover their mouths, but their shuddering shoulders already sold them out. Ling Wen ignored them and asked Shopkeeper Zhang, ¡°Uncle Zhang, you still didn¡¯t say how much it is.¡±


    He was very stubborn about money.


    ¡°Well, at present, only court of each prefecture is purchasing mushrooms. Those civilians dare not pick them randomly. As far as I know, it looks like fifty copper coins one jin, two or three times more expensive than pork. You can make a calculation.¡±


    Trying hard to suppress a smile, Shopkeeper Zhang said as calm as possible, in fact, he quite liked Ling Jingxuan¡¯s two little buns, vivid characters, sensible and well-behaved. If he had such a son, he¡¯d spoil him into the sky!¡±


    ¡°Well, one jin fifty copper coins, ten jin five hundred, twenty jin one tael of silver, two hundred jin ten taels of silver, two thousand jin one hundred taels. Daddy said we may grow ten thousand jin this time, then isn¡¯t it five hundred taels? And daddy said, we¡¯ll harvest a certain amount everyday, plus, Factory Number Two is also taking time to grow more¡­¡±


    Hearing his words, Ling Wen moved his fingers with a long string of babbling, suddenly raised his head with a total face of excitement, ¡°Daddy, we can earn at least two thousand taels before the Spring Festival.¡±


    A lot of silver let a smile bloom on his little face, two eyes curved completed into the crescent shape. There only more than one month till the Spring Festival. Except the mushrooms, their big pigs also reach the butchering size. That was all money! They¡¯d definitely enjoy a happy Spring Festival this year!


    ¡°Haha¡­now can you rest assured?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help but reach out and pinch his face, in fact, that was just some small money, but as long as his little bun was happy.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Meeting his gaze, Ling Wen nodded heavily, then frowned as if thinking of something, ¡°It would be better if daddy stops blowing money.¡±


    Heaven knows how sorry he felt when he saw daddy hired so many people to get the back-flowed sea water out of the saline-alkali land. Though daddy had promised him that after the sea water wore off, they could definitely grow things out of it, before he could witness it with his own eyes, he still felt worried. That was over fifty thousand taels of silver! If they played ducks a drakes, it would be like cutting his flesh.


    ¡°Er¡­Well, Xiaowen, I told you¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan felt so helpless. Why his blowing money thing again? As he was about to teach him a lesson about rate of return on investment, Ling Jingxuan cut in and continued, ¡°Money is to be spend. Even if you put it there, it couldn¡¯t give birth to more money. As long as we keep investing on things could we earn more money, right?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­yeah!¡±


    Speechlessness crawled on his forehead, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help having a twitch of his mouth. So he could already recites his words backwards fluently now¡­


    ¡°I don¡¯t object to daddy¡¯s making money by investing, but daddy, can¡¯t you play it steady? Every time, you¡¯d directly empty our whole family¡¯s wealth, as your son, I am really scared.¡±


    The first time, buying so much land to build houses, the second time, buying so much wasteland, every time, it nearly scared the sh*t out of him. Although daddy could earn it back soon, he still felt afraid. What if daddy failed next time? So, he wanted to save money as much as he could. If daddy really failed some day, at least, his money would last them for some time.


    Having not been nagged by his son for long, Ling Jingxuan felt a little unadapted. After quite a while, he said dryly, ¡°That¡¯s because I have 100% confidence in things I do. All right, son, I promise you. I won¡¯t empty our family wealth next time. Contented now?¡±


    The big bun felt panicked when he had no money in hands and he neglected it. So, he¡¯d better not spend the money at home in the future. Fortunately his man was super rich, so he would still do whatever he wanted to do and didn¡¯t have to consider so much.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s just the way it is. I¡¯m glad you like making money, but shouldn¡¯t we always have some money flow at hands? What if we are in dire need of money some day? Isn¡¯t it reasonable?¡±


    It had been long each to see the scene of son lessoning his daddy. Except the pathetic Ling Jingxuan, basically everyone on spot snickered. Especially the small bun Ling Wu who often watched such a scene. He laughed the hardest, and also admired his elder brother from the deep of his heart. Having made up his mind to listen to his elder brother¡¯s words, he really didn¡¯t want to be lessoned like that some day.


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes, what you said is absolutely right. Daddy promises that I will never make you worry. Can¡¯t you spare daddy now?¡±


    Reaching out to put him on his lap, Ling Jingxuan surrendered helplessly. That was his little bun, besides, he was really saying those for his good and the whole family¡¯s good. He just wondered who would dare to marry him. Such stingy personality, maybe he¡¯d be also stingy about the betrothal presents! Really hope that some day someone could subdue him!


    Ling Jingxuan would never know that actually the little bun¡¯s ¡®Nemesis¡¯ was already here, it was just they still didn¡¯t notice.

 Chapter 378

    ¡°Brother Zhang, is it really worth fifty copper coins one jin? What about the dried ones?¡±


    Seeing that the father and son were almost over, Ling Jingxuan quietly switched the topic back. Apparently his big brother meant to leave everything to him. So only if he did well could he make him feel eased.


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? There are even not enough fresh mushrooms to sell. Why make dried mushrooms? But if you really have dried mushrooms, at least 500 copper coins for one jin, and if it is in the hot summer when you basically can not find any mushrooms, I am afraid the price will only be higher.¡±


    Hearing that, Shopkeeper Zhang looked at him like looking at a monster, but instantly realized that they were living in the countryside and knew nothing about the marketing thing, so he tried to explain it to them. Mushrooms could be said to be one of the most popular food in the market. Although it¡¯d grow a lot in autumn and winter and after rain in spring and summer, but few people dare to pick them. So few flowed into the market. Needless to say the hot summer. If there were really dried mushrooms for sale, maybe those restaurants and big families would all fight for them!


    ¡°I see, fresh mushrooms can only be kept for three days at most, if on a horse at full speed, we could basically reach all those 120 counties in Cangzhou. Brother Zhang, how many branches does Xinyuan have in whole Cangzhou? And how much jin do they basically need everyday?¡±


    After feeling his chin and thinking for a moment, Ling Jingpeng asked again. Their first crop of mushrooms was ready to be picked, at least ten thousand jin. Apart from what Xinyuan needed, they would wash and dry the rest and sell them next summer. But if so, they¡¯d have to hire a lot of people.


    ¡°Xinyuan has the most branches in Cangzhou and Yunzhou, basically has one in each county, and also has branches in those towns like Datong that has developed waterway. In whole Cangzhou, I remember it¡¯s 150 or so. But I am not quite clear about the daily consumption. After all, only the branches in those prefectures have ever sold launched mushroom dishes. You know, in winter, there aren¡¯t many kinds of vegetables to choose. So, I guess thirty to fifty jin at most.¡±


    It was a restaurant, not a grocery store, though a lot of types of stock, the number of each kind wasn¡¯t big. In the eyes of Shopkeeper Zhang, 30 to 50 jin was already the maximum amount, maybe even not that much.


    ¡°Let¡¯s make it thirty jin, then it¡¯s four thousand and five hundred jin for 150 branches. Brother Zhang, couldn¡¯t you please inform the shopkeepers of other branches? If they¡¯d like, they could send a carriage to fetch mushrooms at our place. Let¡¯s say thirty jin for each the first time. You can have a try, then we¡¯ll decide the fixed daily amount. What do you say?¡±


    Obviously he had been quite confident a moment ago. But now in and out of his words still lacked some confidence, after all this was the first time he did such a big business, still a bit overcautious.


    ¡°No, make it fifty jin for the first day. Meanwhile, let them launch the hot pot together. Brother Zhang, other branches should also have made the tables and the pots and other stuff, right? Those who can¡¯t launch them on time, fire the shopkeeper. Xinyuan doesn¡¯t need those inefficient ones.¡±


    Before Shopkeeper Zhang opened his mouth, Ling Jingxuan cut in. When he let someone send the drawing to Shopkeeper Zhang, he had told Shopkeeper Zhang to make some copies of his drawing and send them to the head restaurant in the prefecture and then let the general shopkeeper to hand them out in all branches of Cangzhou and Yunzhou, saying it was their second boss¡¯ order. Now it¡¯d been over ten days. If they were still not prepared, it only showed they took his order as bullsh*t, or they were not capable enough. Be it the former or the latter, he didn¡¯t think there was any need to let them stay.


    Before him, Ling Jingxuan had always been so gentle, even though he had seen his tough side for quite a few times. But his bossy side at this moment was different, but Shopkeeper Zhang also couldn¡¯t tell where. Anyway, the smiling he gave him that kind of overwhelming and irresistible feeling, forcing one to bow.


    ¡°Brother Zhang, I will count on you about this. I heard that you¡¯d be transferred to work in the prefecture?¡±


    As if to be aware of his prudency and awe, Ling Jingxuan changed his tone and calmly switched the topic. To manage a huge enterprise, some tough means were necessary, but Shopkeeper Zhang was different, he was his benefactor, so he did not want him to be afraid of him.


    ¡°Hmm, I received the notice not long ago. I guess I¡¯ll go after the Spring Festival. The new shopkeeper is still in training. It all thanks to you. If it weren¡¯t for the business you brought me, how could such a small shopkeeper in the town like me would have the chance to work in the prefecture?¡±


    Speaking of this, Shopkeeper Zhang also felt quite sentimental. If he had thrown them out, maybe everything would be different now, right? Maybe he had already supported another restaurant to surpass his Xinyuan. At least in Datong, he was never his match. Of course, he had the self-knowledge.


    ¡°What are you talking about, Brother Zhang? You earned it through your own effort. But Brother Zhang, I got a favor to ask. If you are in a hurry, can you reject the offer?¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang was a talent. To let him be a deputy shopkeeper in the prefecture would waste his talent. Although there might be vacancies for the general manager in other prefectures, but when?


    ¡°Huh? What do you mean?¡±

 Chapter 379

    Shopkeeper Zhang asked strangely. Did he want to stay in Datong? Well, it was not impossible. Actually he quite liked staying in Datong, and also didn¡¯t want to part with them. It was just, well, human strives hard to move up. He had a big family to feed. If he could work in the prefecture, of course the pay would be higher, and he could also give his family a better life.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Here is the thing, Brother Zhang. I¡¯m going to the capital in autumn next year the latest. So I plan to take you with me. First, you can directly take the post as the general shopkeeper of the head restaurant in the capital. Second, you can do me some little favors, you know. As for the monthly pay, you can rest assured. Except what Xinyuan pays you, I will pay you an extra one. Starting from this month. What do you say?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan explained his intentions with a smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s awesome, of course, but forget about the money thing. I should snicker if I can work in the capital.¡±


    On hearing that he could go to the capital, Shopkeeper Zhang held a big grin on his face. Not only because the monthly pay was higher, but more because there were more opportunities there. Although he might not need them, his brothers and kids needed them. If he could work in the capital, of course he¡¯d take them all with him. By then, would he still have to be worried they couldn¡¯t have a bright future?


    ¡°Then it¡¯s settled. Besides, when will all the branch shopkeepers will gather in Cangzhou?¡±


    Basically known as the year-end review meeting.


    ¡°Generally at the end of November, but if there is any special situation, the general restaurant in the prefecture will send letters to them. Why ask?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s just, you know, right after we got married, we started to be busy. And I got no time to spend time alone with Shengrui and the kids. So, since everything goes back on the track, I¡¯m think about going on our honeymoon with Shengrui and the kids and see the world outside. If we happen to be there when you gather together, I can go see them by the way.¡±


    This was a plan he had long conceived. Now, things of Baiyunge were left to Zhang Qing, and the businesses at home, he also planned to leave it to Ling Jingpeng. The school was still under construction. He could take the time to go around with his man and kids. The most importantly, Ling Jingpeng was going to take the examinations soon. By the time the school finished building, and the branch of Baiyunge opened, he could never go out.


    ¡°Honeymoon? Although I don¡¯t understand what you are talking about, I think it¡¯s not a bad thing that you go out to look the outside world. You have been exhausted in recent months. Jingpeng has me, at least, there won¡¯t be any big problems in business. I heard you also took over Baiyunge. Shopkeeper Hong and Shopkeeper Wang won¡¯t fool your cousin. And I guess no one would dare make difficulties for you at home, right?¡±


    When it came to personal matters, Shopkeeper Zhang relaxed a lot. Now Ling Jingxuan suddenly changed his identity as his boss, sometimes he¡¯d feel scared of him subconsciously, although that was not what he wanted, but¡­some things were uncontrollable.


    ¡°Haha¡­then I have to trouble you again. And things about the mushrooms will count on you. Jingpeng is still young, and needs more toughening. As long as there is any place he does inappropriate, just lesson him.¡±


    While speaking, Ling Jingxuan smiled and glanced at his younger brother, while the latter scratched his head embarrassedly, but he really approved of them going out for some fun. His big brother had been too busy recently and did need some rest.


    ¡°Haha¡­then I won¡¯t stand on ceremony. But Jingxuan, I¡¯m really jealous of you. You have two so capable younger brothers, and two cute and smart suns. If I were you, I¡¯ll be contented even if I got maxed out.¡±


    ¡°Look at what you say. Aren¡¯t your brothers and kids good?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, although my few brothers can¡¯t compare with Jingpeng and Jinghan, they are all well-behaved and quite diligent. And my sons are also quite sensible. But you know, everyone only wants his own kids better than others¡¯¡­Alas¡­sorry to make you laugh.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­However good others¡¯ kids are, it¡¯s still others¡¯ kids, it has nothing to do with us. Every child is like a piece of white paper when it comes to this world. It all depends on how we teach them. Before, I was like a fool and didn¡¯t teach the kids much. But now what? I got nothing to teach them already. But, I still want to satisfy them as much as I can.¡±


    All parents in the world hold the same heart to their kids. Even though Ling Jingxuan¡¯s character was a little peculiar, on things about the kids, like all the other parents in the world, he always wanted to offer them the best.


    ¡°Yeah, all for them.¡±


    His words touched the soft spot in Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s heart. He stretched out a hand to touch Ling Wen¡¯s delicate little face affectionately.


    ¡°Knock knock¡­¡±


    A knocking sound was heard suddenly. Everyone turned their heads. A worker pushed the door open and came in, then said to Shopkeeper Zhang respectfully, ¡°Boss, we have prepared everything you asked us to. The chef has cooked the thing according to Childe Ling¡¯s instruction. They mean to ask Childe Ling to take a look and see if something missed.¡±


    ¡°No need, no certain thing is needed for the hot pot. As long as the soup is well decocted, and prepare enough amount, that¡¯d be enough. Since things are all prepared, you can set a table in the hall. Later I will teach you how to eat it. Oh right, don¡¯t forget to set a table here. We¡¯ll eat early today.¡±


    Before Shopkeeper Zhang said anything, Ling Jingxuan said so faintly. It was only ten in the morning. But, they could avoid the rush hour at noon, and also advertise to their hot pot by the way. Maybe they would sell it at noon.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Now except the branch shopkeepers, others still had no idea Ling Jingxuan had already been their second boss. The waiter subconsciously took a look at Shopkeeper Zhang, only after he gave him a nod did he backed out reverently.


    ¡°Daddy, I will teach them how to eat with you.¡±


    The next second, Ling Wu suddenly rushed before Ling Jingxuan, eyes glittering, at the corner of his mouth it looked like some kind of saliva thing. Ling Jingxuan poked his head helplessly, ¡°You little foodie. You even have never seen it before. How are you gonna teach others?¡±


    Silly kid! Already went beyond himself when it was about food.


    ¡°Hee hee!¡±


    Being complained by his daddy, the small bun didn¡¯t look bothered at all, and made a bad smile instead. Seeing that, everyone couldn¡¯t help chuckling.

 Chapter 380

    Nothing would be happier than to eat hot pot in winter. The colder, the better it felt. In the last third of October, it wasn¡¯t that old in Cangzhou, but a lot of people already wore their thin cotton clothes. It was about a quarter to eleven. In the hall of the ground floor of Xinyuan Restaurant, two round tables with hollow space in the middle had been laid in a corner. Those waiters who were supposed to be busy serving the customers now were all busy serving here, only leaving one waiting on out there. Those customers in the restaurant were all curious, having no idea what they brought so many raw vegetables for. The tables were also strange. Why is there such a big hole in the middle? How to eat food using that?


    ¡°What¡¯s that smell? It smells good.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t they the chefs? Why are they all out?¡±


    ¡°Is that the farmer walking with Shopkeeper Zhang the one who bought tens of thousands of mu of wasteland? Is it possible that the big boss behind Xinyuan bought the land?¡±


    ¡°Look! They put the cooker and the pot all in the middle of the table, so they were going to cook while eating?¡±


    ¡°No matter what, that smell is really good, even I want to join them now.¡±


    Xinyuan¡¯s sudden move perplexed those people. Although it wasn¡¯t lunch time, there were already a lot of customers. Be it those who were sitting in the hall or in the private rooms, they were all attracted by the dense smell of the seasoning. Everyone was looking at them out of curiosity. There were two tables, one was with red soup, while the other was with two-flavor. In the pot with red soup floated some sliced dried chili. The red soup greatly increased one¡¯s appetite. And the two-flavored one, one half was red while the other half was white, quite distinct from each other, which had a strong visual impact. And around the pot were laid with plates of all ingredients, like raw lettuce, pig brain, duck intestines, duck blood, potato slices, celery cabbage and so on.


    ¡°It smells so good, daddy, how can I eat it?¡±


    The small bun who went downstairs with Ling Jingxuan took a big breath and asked eagerly. Ling Jingxuan found it so funny while shaking his head. Then he pulled him before the two-flavored table. And the waiter instantly handed over two jade white little bowls. Ling Jingxuan took them, then took up the little bottle with sesame oil and poured nearly half a bowl, and then put some minced garlic, chopped green onion, mashed salt, chili slices and other stuff. After stirring them evenly, he handed it to the small bun.


    ¡°As for the hot pot, the more you eat, the better it tastes. So we should put those not so-easy-to-be-boiled food in the pot first, like chicken feet, pig¡¯s large intestines, you can also put the mushrooms and tofu pudding in first. After the soup is boiled, you can pick those easy-to-cook vegetables to eat first, like duck intestines, fish slices and potato slices. Like this, dip it in the soup for a few times. See? When the duck intestines curl, it¡¯s eatable. But before eating it, you got dip it in the seasoning I just made for you. Then you wouldn¡¯t get burnt or what. Little foodie, open your mouth.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan said while demonstrating. He picked a well-cooked duck intestine and sent it by the small bun¡¯s mouth. The small bun who already couldn¡¯t wait opened his mouth and took it. Before Ling Jingxuan took back the chopsticks, he already sucked it into his mouth, ¡°Huh¡­good¡­good¡­¡±


    He was worthy of being a little foodie. While enjoying it, he still didn¡¯t forget to give his daddy his thumbs-up.


    ¡°It¡¯s my treat today. Guys, help yourselves. Don¡¯t stand on ceremony!¡±


    After receiving a favorable reception from his small bun, Ling Jingxuan stood up and asked the chefs and waiters to enjoy. They all cheered and then chose the nearest seats to sit. Like Ling Jingxuan, they also made some mixed seasoning, then cooked the food. People of two tables were busy eating. The small bun who had found the knack even started to cook things for himself, he kept putting duck intestines, fish slices and other things in the pot.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Zhang, eat some, I¡¯ll go upstairs to eat with Shengrui and others.¡±


    Casting a satisfying look around those drooling onlookers, Ling Jingxuan knew that his strategy had succeeded. After he left, those regular customers would definitely go ask Shopkeeper Zhang about the hot pot. As for the pricing of the seasoning and dishes, Shopkeeper Zhang would nail, which wouldn¡¯t need him to worry about.


    ¡°All right, all right, you go upstairs.¡±


    What he saw, how could Shopkeeper Zhang now see? Obviously the hot pot had already interested everyone even before it was launched. Shopkeeper Zhang smiled so hard and his whole face was about to wrinkle. In the past, when in winter, their business would slide down. But this year, that wouldn¡¯t happen again, right? That¡¯s Ling Jingxuan! He could already think of some odd money-making plan!


    ¡°Small bun, we should go.¡±


    Looking around, he saw that the small bun already rolled up his sleeves and enjoyed it. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help finding it so amused. As for food, he had never maltreated him, had he? Why did he always perform like he had never had enough? Fortunately he practiced martial arts everyday, otherwise he¡¯d already grown into a meat ball.


    ¡°Wait, I¡¯ll take one more bite, one more bite¡­¡±


    With oil all around the mouth, the small bun replied without even turning back. Apparently knowing he could also eat the same food in the private room, he just couldn¡¯t drop the chopsticks. The way to eat the food daddy invented was really funny, and it tasted so good that it even made one want to bite off one¡¯s tongue.


    ¡°Well, then you eat together with Uncle Zhang here. I¡¯ll go upstairs myself?¡±


    He really could do nothing with this gluttonous small son, so he turned around and pretended to leave. Unexpectedly, the small bun nodded, ¡°OK, daddy, I¡¯ll go for you after I¡¯m full. Don¡¯t you run about!¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face sank. So he ditched his own daddy for food?


    ¡°Ah? Uncle Shan, come eat the hot pot quickly, it¡¯s delicious.¡±


    With a random sweep of his eyes, the small bun saw that Yan Shan who finally got recovered was about to go upstairs, he stopped him and waved his chopsticks at him. But Yan Shan stiffened his body and nearly rolled down the stairs. After quite a while, he said darkly, ¡°No, no need. Little master, you enjoy. I am not hungry.¡±


    Damn, he just wanted to throw up at the word ¡®eat¡¯ now.


    ¡°Really? It¡¯s a pity. It¡¯s really delicious. You¡¯ll be sorry if you don¡¯t eat it.¡±


    Holding the bowl, with the heads of the chopsticks in the mouth, the small bun wore a face of regret, Yan Shan had a twitch of his mouth, stammering, ¡°I, I¡¯ll go upstairs first.¡±


    Speaking of which, he instantly started to run. Soon, one could only see a shadow of him far away. Ling Jingxuan dropped his jaws. So the psychological shadow in Yan Shan¡¯s heart is larger than the inland sea now?


    ¡°What is wrong with Uncle Shan?¡±


    The small bun grumbled, with his head tilted. Why does he run like a ghost is chasing after?


    ¡°Ahem¡­Nothing. I guess he should have something urgent with your father. Small bun, you eat slowly. Remember. No too spicy things. Listen to Uncle Zhang. Go upstairs after you are full!¡±


    Trying to use some coughs to suppress his desire for laughing, Ling Jingxuan rubbed his head pretending to look solemn. Hearing his daddy, the small bun no longer lingered on that, then he nodded, ¡°OK.¡±

 Chapter 381

    Turning back, the little bun began to engorge again. Ling Jingxuan sighed lightly. After whispering something by Shopkeeper Zhang¡¯s ear, he went upstairs. All right, he surrendered. He guessed that his position in the small bun¡¯s heart could never surpass delicious food.


    It was already one o¡¯clock in the afternoon after they finished. Everyone now was holding a round belly. No one even wanted to move now. Especially the two buns. Even the big bun was stuffed, let alone the small bun. The two kids occupied that bed in the box, making a ´ó shape. Now and then, they¡¯d feel their round bellies simultaneously, which made Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan not know whether to laugh or cry.


    As Ling Jingxuan expected, at lunch time, a lot of people already said they wanted to eat the hot pot. Some even specially send someone to call their family. Fortunately the soup was ready-made, and also the seasoning and the dishes, and the tables and pots were all taken back. So Shopkeeper Zhang directly asked people to change half of the tables into hot pot tables, and in those boxes on the second floor, he changed according to the guests¡¯ request. That day, until three in the afternoon, the tables were still full. During the time, since lots of people ordered fresh mushrooms, Ling Jingpeng even specially went home to fetch a large basket. They even had no time to take a nap.


    ¡°Daddy, why do we buy cloth again? Sister Shuiling just made us two sets of thick cotton clothes a few days ago.¡±


    Out of the restaurant, they didn¡¯t take the carriage home since they were too full. A family of four and Ling Jingpeng all walked back home. Since it was the market day today, even though it was already three p.m., there were still a lot of people in the streets. So Ling Jingxuan directly brought them to that clothes shop he often went to. He directly bought silk cloth of six or seven colors and cotton for the whole family. He still chose cotton cloth for himself, it was just that the quality was a bit better than the first time. He bought three hundred jin of cotton. Except making cotton clothes, it was time to make some thick cotton quilts for the servants and maids. Since they worked for him, he wouldn¡¯t treat them shabbily on material things.


    ¡°Who would think he has too many clothes? Didn¡¯t daddy say we are going out for fun? One or two suits of clothes are definitely not enough. Besides, those silk cloth is not all used to make clothes for you. It still includes the quilt coverlids for our grandparents and others.¡±


    He knew that the big bun would have objections. Ling Jingxuan who was holding his hand handled him with ease. He¡¯d insist on things they ought to buy. The big bun was stingy, but he was also a reasonable one. As long as he talked some sense into him, he wouldn¡¯t say much.


    ¡°Oh, then we should buy more. Daddy, are we really going out for fun? Where are we going?¡±


    Hearing that everyone had a share, he thought daddy wasn¡¯t wasting money, so he also approved of it, although he still didn¡¯t want to cost so much money in the heart. Instead, he looked up and asked another question.


    ¡°We¡¯ll just hang out in Cangzhou. Next month, your second uncle is going to take the exams. We should come back to root for him. And our school is going to open soon, so we have to come back at the end of the month or early the next month.¡±


    No matter him or the original owner, the farthest place he had ever gone to was the town. As for which place was fun, he was also not quite clear. He was afraid that he still needed his man to take the lead, after all here was his fief.


    ¡°Well, daddy, where are we going next?¡±


    They hadn¡¯t gotten on the carriage now, clearly daddy had some other plan. Ling Wen couldn¡¯t help asking. Now Uncle Song was responsible for all the necessities at home. So they didn¡¯t need to queue in line, right?


    ¡°We¡¯ll go to Guarantor Liu¡¯s place to buy a few more people, I think¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Buy people again?¡±


    Ling Wen already cut in before Ling Jingxuan could finish his words. Everyone stopped their steps, and meanwhile, a lot of passers-by also looked over at them. Ling Wen found that he misbehaved, the little face instantly blushed, after a while, he pulled his daddy into a corner and said, ¡°Daddy, we have bought a lot of people now. Why?¡±


    Those people are already enough, aren¡¯t they?


    ¡°What I want to buy this time is not some ordinary servants. Wen, remember what I said to you before? Your father¡¯s background isn¡¯t simple, so we¡¯ll leave sooner or later. But before that, I want to make everything arranged for your grandpa and grandma, in case that we can¡¯t find our home after we come back. You know about your grandpa and grandma. They have a good heart but a bit spineless. All right, forget about your father. When your second uncle got listed, our family would be connected with the officials in the future. Your grandpa and grandma can¡¯t be like that forever. So I want to buy some old and experienced mama from those big families for them, to teach them etiquettes and rules. I am not wasting money. We can¡¯t save this money. Besides, daddy wants to train some useful people for your father. I have considered it. Instead of open recruitment, why don¡¯t we directly buy a few or a dozen young men and train them ourselves? At least, their indentures are in our hands. We don¡¯t need to worry they¡¯d betray us, right?¡±


    Actually Ling Jingxuan completely didn¡¯t have to say these to his son, but since he had transmigrated here, he had never concealed anything for him, including this. He was their big son, who would inherit the title in the future. He hoped that he could train him into an all-round talent, who would have a broad picture of things.


    ¡°Will father¡­be in danger in the future?¡±


    His mood slowly calmed down, Ling Wen asked worriedly, eyes flickering. Last time, he accidentally heard that brother Yan called father imperial uncle. Then he secretly asked his second uncle, his second uncle said that was how people from the imperial family called each other. Brother Yan was the prince. Someone he called imperial uncle could only be the emperor¡¯s brother. And with Ling Jinghan¡¯s purposeful hinting, actually he had already known that his father was the famous Prince Sheng god of war! But since daddy and father hadn¡¯t told him, he never mentioned it before anyone else. He believed that his father or daddy would take the initiative to tell him at a right time.


    ¡°Yes, but daddy won¡¯t put him in danger. Do you believe daddy?¡±


    With Ling Jingxuan shrewdness, how could he not notice his son¡¯s abnormality? He knew he should have guessed it. Ling Jingxuan dotingly touched his head, with his eyes looking over his shoulder at Yan Shengrui and others who were waiting for them not far away. Whoever had the balls to hurt him, he¡¯d kill him! If it was the enemy kingdom, he didn¡¯t mind producing hot weapons which didn¡¯t belong to this era and razing it to the ground.


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    Looking up into his eyes, Ling Wen nodded heavily. For daddy, he had one hundred percent trust.


    ¡°Hehe¡­ Then let¡¯s go. Your father and others are still waiting.¡±


    The feeling of being trusted by his son was ever cooler than earning more money. Ling Jingxuan took him and walked to his man on the other side step by step.

 Chapter 382

    This was not the first time Ling Jingxuan bought people. So after he made his request, Guarantor Liu personally picked twenty to thirty people that met his requirements. There were five old mama, and thirty-six from age twelve to seventeen young ones. Finally Ling Jingxuan chose two old mama, both of whom were in their forties who had no family, Lady Zheng and Lady Lan. It was said that Lady Lan had even been the madam of an official who had committed crimes. Her husband and son were both exiled, and she and the womenfolks in the family were also reduced to slaves. In this life, she wouldn¡¯t have a chance to see her family again.


    In addition, he also chose twenty young men, who were generally around 14 or 15. After he took them home, Lady Wang nagged about it inevitably, but Ling Jingxuan just didn¡¯t take it into his heart at all. The next day, he ordered the two old man to teach Lady Wang and others rules and etiquettes. As for those twenty young men, he handed all of them to his little disciple Zhao Shan and let him teach them how to recognize human meridians, acupoints on the back, and some simple medical knowledge. In order to let them learn quietly, also afraid that they might disturb Ling Jinghan who was about to take the exams, Ling Jingxuan specially asked Song Gengniu and others to empty a room of the servants for them to learn.


    Then Ling Jingpeng asked the village head to hire those women to wash those left mushrooms every day at the price of one cooper coin for five jin. Lady Zhang and Lady Wu were responsible for the acceptance check. They had already been strict, especially on food hygiene. But those women also had no complaints, instead, they were quite diligent. One should know at such a slack season, those strong labors could only earn about twenty copper coins a day, and the guarantor had to take the commission. But they could even earn money at home now. If quick enough with their hands, they could earn tens of copper coins a day. Such a good thing, even though there were a lot of requirements, they were willing to do it.


    At the same time, those drawings Ling Jingxuan had handed to Wang Jinyu and others were all made into finished products. They all looked not bad. The second day, Ling Jingxuan went to look for the village head, ask him as the guarantor to find those handy women in the village to mass make the products. Of course, each group of them was responsible for different jobs. The next day, the village head had found him thirty people, but the number was far enough from Ling Jingxuan asked for. So he asked Song Gengniu to go to those nearby villages to talk to their village heads that they wanted to hire a hundred women workers a time at the price of twenty-five copper coins a day. He emptied the factories for making wine next year. And Wang Jinyu and Lady Wang were responsible for checking the products, with Lady Zheng and Lady Lan as the assistants.


    Of course, before starting, be it people from their village or other villages, as long as one passed Wang Jinyu¡¯s assessment, Ling Jingxuan would ask her to sign a one-year labor contract, and directly told them that those who were especially efficient could get five hundred copper coins and five jin of meat as the reward every month. On the contrary, those who loafed on the job, instead of getting paid, she had to bear the loss of back order. They were all village women, of course they wouldn¡¯t say no to their god of wealth. Everyone stated that they would strictly stick to the rules.


    After everything was arranged, it was already a few days later. And October was almost over. Ling Jingxuan specially asked Shuisheng to take good care of Jinghan, and nagged some words to his two younger brothers and parents, and finally went on their late honeymoon travelling with Yan Shengrui and the two little buns.


    Since it was their honeymoon, except Ling Yun who had to take care of the little buns, they didn¡¯t take any other people with them. But, seeing that Yan Shengrui had to drive the carriage in person, Yan Shan who had been hiding in the dark could only show up to shoulder the job of driving the carriage for him. All the way, they drove from Qingyang town to Shuangliu town, Yunyin town, and Liujiang town. The whole family was enjoying a good time. When in Linjiang town, they heard that the prune tree garden outside the town opened to the tourists, they even specially stayed two more days there.


    In ten days, they had visited over ten towns. They climbed high hills, played drifting, and took a flower boat in the beautiful evening. After having appreciated those scenic spots and historical sites, they took another route to go home. They happened to pass Cangzhou, so Yan Shengrui suggested they stay in the prince mansion for a few days. At first Ling Jingxuan agreed. Bu later after Yan Yi and Yan Si came all the way and told them that the emperor¡¯s decree was on the way, those two could only change the plan and headed back to Ling village.


    When they were back, it had already been half a month later. During this period, early in this month, Ling Chenghua and others were beheaded at the busy streets for kidnapping and murdering people. As for whether it was real or not, no one dare ask. Anyway, Ling Chenghua died, and the old couple was so heartbroken that they fell ill in bed. At first, out of a good heart, Ling Chenglong and Lady Wang asked someone to send them two hens and some meat, of course Lady Wang¡¯s family also didn¡¯t miss it. But in the afternoon, Ling Chengcai came to tell them that the old lady wanted to see them. For the sake that she was seriously ill, Ling Chenglong and Lady Wang got soft-hearted and went to check on her, but she immediately accused them of bribing the yamen to sentence Ling Chenghua to death and cursed them and they had to pay for it, etc.. That really made hurt the couple¡¯s heart totally, and they no longer cared about them.


    After Ling Jingxuan learnt that, he didn¡¯t say a word, even didn¡¯t ask them about it after going back. Although his parents had been wronged, he personally thought that they asked for it themselves. If they hadn¡¯t gotten soft-hearted, how would the other side have had the chance to do that to them? To people like the old lady, you shouldn¡¯t have any sympathy. If you gave them face today, tomorrow they dare to climb over your head to poop. Finally he cut the connections between the two families, they¡­For this, after going home, he especially found Lady Zheng and Lady Lan and insinuated to them the whole thing. As shrewd and experienced like them, they immediately understood what he was trying to say, so they promised such kind of thing would never happen again, which made Ling Jingxuan much relieved.


    Those two who rushed back arranged those newly hired tutors to live in the living quarters behind the new school. The second, they started to enroll students. Hearing that it was for free, those villagers in the nearby villages all sent the age-appropriate kids there. In only two days, they had enrolled over two hundred students aging from five to ten. As for the class grouping, Ling Jingxuan left it to an old juren called Zhang Huainian. No one knew where Yan Yi found him. With a look, one could tell Zhang Huainian was quite learned. So Ling Jingxuan directly left all things in the school to him. Of course, the few little buns also entered their own school. The only five-year-old little buns were not in the reception class, but in the first grade and learned together with those bigger kids.

 Chapter 383

    Meanwhile, Long Hanqing, housekeeper of the prince mansion of Cangzhou, also brought the blacksmiths Yan Shengrui asked for, fifty of them in total. Ling Jingxuan asked Zhao&Han couple to make a room in the factory specially for them to forge iron. Yan Shengrui and Zhao Dalong were responsible for it. And he had some other things to do.


    ¡°So they are the bookkeepers you found?¡±


    In addition to the tutors, Yan Yi also found five bookkeepers as he requested. Two of them were in their forties. Since they entered the guest room, they kept their eyes slightly down, no one could tell their emotion fluctuations. Two were in their twenties. Since they came in, they kept looking at him curiously. But that thin young man who looked like below twenty was wearing a confident face, looking quite decent.


    ¡°Yes, master Xuan. Mr. Hong and Mr. Wang are from Cangzhou, experienced, and enjoy a good reputation. Mr. Feng and Mr. Shen are young, but they also have years of experience. As for this seventeen-year-old Yuan Shaoqi. He recommended himself. Since he is a xiucai and passed out test, I brought him together.¡±


    Yan Yi who was standing behind him replied respectively. After having been ¡®abused¡¯ by the two buns, and hearing from Yan Shan about his conversation with Ling Jingxuan, he no longer had the balls to bear any thought of looking down on him.


    ¡°A xiucai? It¡¯s even rare to see a seventeen-year-old xiucai in town, right? If I remember it right, next year is the autumn imperial examination held every three years. Aren¡¯t you supposed to get prepared to get listed as a juren?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan instantly shifted his attention onto that Yuan Shaoqi. It was already strange enough that a xiucai came to work in a village. And it seemed he wasn¡¯t planning for the autumn examination at all, which was stranger. Which scholar doesn¡¯t want to climb higher? Besides, he was still so young, he had plenty of time and opportunities.


    ¡°But a xiucan has to stuff his belly. If I miss the examination next year, I can wait for another three years. But if I don¡¯t eat food for three years, I¡¯m afraid I already die.¡±


    As if he had already anticipated he would ask this, Yuan Shaoqi said disapprovingly while shrugging. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes flickered and he no longer asked more. Instead, he stretched out a hand and pointed at a few thick account books on the tea table, ¡°I asked them to borrow those five account books. I don¡¯t care what methods you use. I want you to finish them in an hour. If you can¡¯t or you miscalculate, sorry, I can only let you go. Of course, I will pay for the traffic allowance and five taels of silver as compensation. Well, you guys can start now.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan stood up and walked out. When passing by Yan Yi, he threw him a ¡®come with me¡¯ eye. On hearing that they could get five taels of silver even if they are not qualified, they instantly understood that if they could stay, they could much more. As long as Ling Jingxuan got up, you could already hear the sound of page turning and the abacuses.


    ¡°Have you gotten their background investigated?¡±


    Out of the room, Ling Jingxuan turned to look at Yan Yi sternly, face sunk. Apparently that Yan Shaoqi wasn¡¯t an ordinary one. He didn¡¯t believe that Yan Yi couldn¡¯t tell given his experience.


    ¡°Yeah, all roughly investigated. Master Xuan, you are suspicious of Yuan Shaoqi, right? I was also suspicious of him at first. But the result I got is his parents died not long ago, and his fianc¨¦e broke off the engagement. He was the only son in the family, so he could only come out to make a living.¡±


    For their ability to collect information, Yan Yi was quite confident of himself, the other side was just an ordinary person, who even didn¡¯t need him to use the intelligence network.


    ¡°Is that so? Do you think a xiucai who just lost his parents and was abandoned by his fianc¨¦e is supposed to perform so calmly? Sometimes what you see with your eyes may not be true. I suggest you have a thorough investigation of him. I¡¯m afraid that Yuan Shaoqi you got investigated isn¡¯t this one. Or, there is no such a person called Yuan Shaoqi, everything is fabricated.¡±


    As for collecting intelligence, Ling Jingxuan who had been a killer in his previous life was a lot better than him. But, today, he just made his judgment through his intuition, no solid evidence. But, it might be a coincidence if he performed a little strangely. But when a lot of strange places overlapped, it couldn¡¯t be explained only by coincidence. Anyway, Yuan Shaoqi was still too young, that kind of calmness he had performed was too perfect. And from, his cynical attitude, it didn¡¯t feel like he had just lost his parents at all. Someone who carried a bad name of being abandoned by his fianc¨¦e should at least have some response.


    Yan Yi went into silence. If the other side really held some ill intention, he should be arming at the prince. Although he had concealed the news that the prince was here, walls have ears. No one dare say the news wouldn¡¯t be leaked. What if¡­Yan Yi tightened his heart and finally realized that he might really be too careless this time.


    ¡°I know you look down on me, so you don¡¯t use your heart when doing things for me. Yan Yi, still those words. I don¡¯t need you to be loyal to me. You only need to be loyal to your master. Shengrui¡¯s status is noble. You can¡¯t make any minor mistake. Now he is with he, shouldn¡¯t you be a little careful? If things keep happening to him, I guess you four shadow guards should all retire.¡±


    Some things, it didn¡¯t mean he didn¡¯t know even if he didn¡¯t say it out. It was about the safety about Shengrui and his family, he didn¡¯t have the mood to beat around the bush, but directly got to the point, in case they were still so careless.¡±


    ¡°I dare not. I was too careless this time. Please punish me, master Xuan.¡±


    Hearing that, Yan Yi hurriedly knelt on one knee. The two little masters already disliked him, he didn¡¯t want the master¡¯s sweetheart also hostile to him. If so, he¡¯d really have to take off his armor and go home.


    ¡°You are not my person, I am not in the position to punish you, I will not tell Shengrui about this matter. Get the detailed background of this Yuan Shaoqi as soon as possible.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan went away with a flick of his sleeves. Then Yan Yi who was kneeling there found that he was trembling. Through the whole kingdom, except the master, no one had ever made him so scared, including the one in the palace, but¡­Apparently Master Xuan didn¡¯t do anything. Is he even more horrible that the master? Really? Or, that is only his illusion.


    The answer is, there is no answer. Some day he would know the horrible place of Ling Jingxuan.

 Chapter 384

    Five bookkeepers, within an hour, had finished all account books. After Yuan Shaoqi finished his, he directly handed his account books to him, with confidence on his face like he already had the victory in his hand, the two old ones calculated it again, and the two younger ones also briefed things through and only handed it to him after making sure everything was right.


    ¡°The correct number is thirteen thousand four hundred sixty-seven taels of silver and four copper coins. You were all right. But before I employ you, I want to ask you a question. Why would you give up everything in the town come to work here?¡±


    Sweeping over the final number they handed, Ling Jingxuan casually leaned backwards, with a hand resting against an armrest of the chair with his head resting on it, eyes slightly narrowed. Ling Jingpeng who he called here didn¡¯t say anything, but took all their reactions under his eyes and kept it in mind. Because he knew, that his big brother was making demonstrations for him. In the future when he employed people, he had to do it on his own. He still remembered the first time they bought people, he and his second brother both misjudged. So since then, he learned to read people, and swore that he would never make the same mistake.


    Hearing that, except Yuan Shaoqi, the other four of them looked at each other, totally having no idea why he asked such a question below the standard. Definitely for money! If it hadn¡¯t been the high salary, who would come to such a place where even birds wouldn¡¯t poop? But, before the master, they would never speak the truth only if he got his head cracked by a door.


    ¡°Of course to fill the belly. The condition you offer is quite good. Five taels of silver a month, free accommodations and food, and we can even get a bonus if we do well. Under such a condition, I think no one could say no.¡±


    You know what, someone really got his head cracked by the door!


    As Yuan Shaoqi finished his words, the other four all looked at him like looking at a monster. Didn¡¯t he say he is a xiucai? What is wrong with him? How could he say those words in the master¡¯s face?


    ¡°Oh? You mean if someone offers you a higher price, you¡¯ll leave without hesitation?¡±


    Eyes turning to him, some kind of sharp light flashing across that pair of slightly narrowing eyes, thin lips curved. This Yuan Shaoqi was either really stupid or did it on purpose to show him. His intuition told him that it should be the latter. When one tried to win other¡¯s trust through playing straightforward, he should have some kind of untold purpose.


    ¡°Well, personally, I think it¡¯s enough to be fed, clothed, and housed, and to have some pocket money. So your supposition won¡¯t hold, unless you are a mean lord. Though your pay is high, you don¡¯t take us as human. If so, I can only find another job.¡±


    Hands crossed, Yuan Shaoqi not only perfectly avoided his probing, but also checkmated him instead. The smile at Ling Jingxuan¡¯s lip corner grew bigger, ¡°You will know whether we are mean masters.¡±


    Apparently he was telling him that he had passed the test. Yuan Shaoqi wasn¡¯t surprised. He only picked his eyebrows as a response. Ling Jingxuan still wore that smile, but in his heart he was a hundred percent sure that this person isn¡¯t simple. But, instead of setting free a tiger back to the mountains, he¡¯d rather lock the tiger in the cage. Sometimes, putting the most dangerous person aside was the most secure. He¡¯d like to what he wanted.


    ¡°What about you? Have you decided what to say?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan asked casually as his eyes slowly turned back. Their silent thinking had lowered his assessment of them.


    ¡°Childe Ling, allow my straightforwardness, what Mr. Yuan said makes sense. If it were not for the generous conditions, we wouldn¡¯t have come here. People move upwards and water flows downwards. With our seniority, even in the prefecture, we are also the objects that rich people are vying for invitations.¡±


    The one who was speaking was that surname Hong from the prefecture, about forty years old, ruddy faced, though having concealed it well, one could still see undisguised pride in his eyes, looking carefully, there was a slice of sarcastic feeling. One just didn¡¯t know whether he was being sarcastic of Ling Jingxuan or not.


    ¡°Well, then you can go back to find a better job. My temple is too small for you the big buddha.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan nodded to agree, but refused him. Everyone was surprised. Yuan Shaoqi said that and he could stay, why he got turned down for saying those well-organized reply?


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Mr. Hong reflectively blurted out, face sunk. Ling Jingxuan suddenly opened his eyes big, showing shrewdness in the eyes, ¡°Because you questioned me, so I can¡¯t use you. I don¡¯t care how eligible you are, or how capable you are, you have offended the biggest taboo¡ªyou can¡¯t tell master from servant.¡±


    A clearly proud man was trying to suppress his true feelings. If he kept him by his side, he was not afraid he might create trouble for him, but now he was looking for someone who could assist Ling Jingpeng. Given his self-important personalities, maybe he would even crawl over Jingpeng, or even his parents¡¯ head? He would never use such kind of people.


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    Mr. Hong was shocked, subconsciously wanting to say something, but as Ling Jingxuan¡¯s sharp eyes swept over, he got frightened and sweated all over.


    ¡°Hum! I don¡¯t care if I can stay in such a shabby place. You guys better not stay by this kind pf people. Apparently he is doing it on purpose!¡±


    Brimming with the fear in the heart, Mr. Hung got ashamed into anger and left as he flicked his sleeves. Before he left, he still didn¡¯t forget to instigate others. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t feel surprised at all, but Ling Jingpeng frowned tightly. At first he thought that person looked steady, never expected¡­His big brother was right. He was the master. How could he allow them to act so arrogantly?


    ¡°If any of you don¡¯t want to stay, you can leave with him. You can still get the compensation I promised. No copper coins less.¡±


    Slightly reducing the sharpness in the eyes, Ling Jingxuan automatically ignored Yuan Shaoqi and laid his eyes on the other three.

 Chapter 385

    The three of them looked at each other, and then bent over while cupping their hands. Maybe at first, they saw that they were so young, they really kind of belittled them in the heart. But after what Ling Jingxuan did just now, they no longer dare have those thoughts. Besides, after getting here, they also quietly inquired about the situation in Yuehua Manor, and knew that although they were living in the countryside, they were rich and kind of capable, plus the good pay, of course they hoped to stay.


    ¡°Very good, since you all do not want to go, I don¡¯t want to waste time talking to each of you. You can all stay. Jingpeng, bring them the labor contract.¡±


    The centesimate effect had been achieved, so Ling Jingxuan knew when to stop. Ling Jingpeng brought the contract to them, ¡°This contract is in triplicate, not only to protect us, but also to ensure your right. After you sign it, we each take one, and the third one would be taken to the yamen for filing. Once it¡¯s signed, it has validity of criminal law. In the future, if we fail to perform any clause in the contract, you can take it to the yamen to sue us. On the contrary, if you violate any content in it, we also wouldn¡¯t show mercy. So, please check it carefully. If you have no objection, sign your name and leave your fingerprint.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan drew up the contract according to the modern contracts. Of course, he also made some modifications in accordance with this world. As long as they did their job well and wouldn¡¯t do things they shouldn¡¯t do, or betray him, he wouldn¡¯t ill-treat them.


    ¡°The term of the contract is five years? Won¡¯t it be too long?¡±


    Mr. Wang who was also from the prefecture asked, frowning, and the other two young men also nodded approvingly. Usually it was three years at most. Under normal circumstances, it was one years. Five years was too long! But it seemed Yuan Shaoqi didn¡¯t care at all. No, to be more exact, he didn¡¯t look at it at all. He just threw it aside after a glance.


    ¡°Keep reading and you will understand. After you sign it, I would teach each of you a kind of simple but efficient way of keeping accounts, number accounting, single-entry accounting and double-entry accounting, some calculating formulas and so on. Those are all unique to our Yuehua Manor. In the future, wherever you go, you¡¯d receive your new master¡¯s approval. Use five years to exchange for some lifelong skills. It is a bargain, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    This simple problem, even Ling Jingpeng who had becoming more and more mature could handle it.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    All three of them were delighted on hearing that they could learn simpler way of keeping accounts. Who wouldn¡¯t want to be more capable? Farmers want to grow better crops, and blacksmiths want to forge better weapons. Naturally, they also want to master simpler methods of keeping accounts.


    ¡°Of course it is true, didn¡¯t I tell you just now? If we do not fulfill the contents of the contract, you can take this contract to the yamen to cancel it, and ask for compensation for your losses, etc..¡±


    Seeing that his younger brother could even handle a tough situation so well himself, Ling Jingxuan showed a satisfied smile. Meanwhile, Yuan Shaoqi on the opposite side was also quietly observing him. At the first eye, he knew he was the real master of this house. But now knowing why, he was trying to turn over the right in his hand to others. To someone of such background, that was unbelievable, but¡­his intuition told him that Ling Jingxuan wasn¡¯t simple. Maybe, he could stay here for long.


    ¡°In that case, we have no further requests.¡±


    Mr. Wang was the first to lean forward and pick up the brush on the table. Just as he was about to sign it, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s voice rang again, ¡°Before you sign it, I have some bad words to say first. After signing it, you are the bookkeeper our family hires. So be it small or big things in this house, you can¡¯t leak any, or betray us. Otherwise, I will let you know what ¡®to live is no better than to die¡¯ feels like.¡±


    As the last sentence fell, the few of them subconsciously made a quiver. After a while, Mr. Wang said with a trembling voice, ¡°Sure. We didn¡¯t bring any family with us only afraid that we would say something we shouldn¡¯t to them. Master, you can rest assured.¡±


    After this, Mr. Wang tried to stay calm and signed his name and left his fingerprint on the three contracts. The other three of them looked at each other and then did the same as him.


    ¡°If you want to bring your family, it¡¯s OK. I can arrange a suite for your wife and children. As long as you don¡¯t have any second thought, I won¡¯t mistreat you.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan stood up as he said so. He didn¡¯t mind supporting a few more people. The only requirement was their loyalty.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Mr. Wang looked calm, after all he was in his forties already. But those two twenty years old or so young men looked quite excited. They were in their ¡®thirsty¡¯ age, of course it couldn¡¯t be better if they could bring their wives here to live with them.


    Ling Jingxuan did not speak, just gave them a light chuckle, and walked out. Ling Jingpeng, who was in charge of the aftermath, said while receiving the contracts, ¡°My eldest brother always keeps his word. If you have a wife and children, you can take them over. But, don¡¯t forget about his warning. The first thing we can¡¯t bear is betrayal!¡±


    In momentum, Ling Jingpeng could never compare with Ling Jingxuan. But Ling Jingxuan¡¯s deterrence force was still lingering, the few of them still couldn¡¯t help shivering and kept saying yes. No one noticed that Yuan Shaoqi¡¯s eyes were always nailing on the back of Ling Jingxuan, looking quite complicated.

 Chapter 386

    In mid-November, it was time to harvest the rice. Looking at those heavy ears of rice, the whole family smiled like flowers. But, since it was also time for Ling Jinghan to take the examinations in the town. This time, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t watch it himself, but left everything to his dad, Zheng Da, Zhou and others, asking them to hire more people to reap the rice as soon as possible, after all it was getting colder and colder. If there was a wild wind or a big rain, dozens of mu of crops would go to nothing.


    In the after of 16th, according to Yan Yi¡¯s intelligence, the eunuch who was here to announce the decree was still in the prefecture. He¡¯d only arrive in here in at least two or three days, so Ling Jingxuan decided to go to town with Yan Shengrui to accompany Ling Jinghan for the examination. On hearing their second uncle was going to take the examination, the few little buns all shouted to go with him. Having no choice, Ling Jingxuan could only take the three little buns and their footboys to go with them.


    Maybe because they were going to town, or maybe to encourage Ling Jinghan, the little guys all changed their new cotton padded coats. And their black vamp boots with golden silk stripes were also brand new. On the contrary, Ling Jinghan himself was wearing total plain cotton robes, looking quite relaxed, totally a look of ¡°I have been fully prepared¡¯.


    ¡°Jinghan, our whole family counts on you. You got to perform well, and bring credit to mom, dad and your big brother.¡±


    Before he left, Lady Wang held his hand and nagged. Those same words, he had been listening to them all these days. Even his hears were going to grow cocoon. He threw an eye at his big brother for help. He already didn¡¯t know how to reply. Did she want him to say ¡°I won¡¯t simply perform well, I will aim at the first place!¡¯.


    ¡°Mom, you know the first taboo before taking an exam is being nervous. You are just giving pressure to Jinghan. Just an examination for tongsheng. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s as easy as turning a hand for our Jingpeng?¡±


    Receiving his younger brother¡¯s signal for help, seeing that it wasn¡¯t early, Ling Jingxuan moved forward and pulled her aside, in case she might cry or what later. In his sub-consciousness, the examination for tongsheng was like the graduation examination for finishing primary school. Jinghan was fourteen years old. How could he not pass it? Even for the examination for xiucai title, he wasn¡¯t worried a bit. The reason he was going with him was mainly because this was the first time Jinghan was taking an exam. So he wanted to back him up, though it seemed he didn¡¯t need it at all. And, he also wanted to have a look at the newly opened branch of Baiyun Cabinet.


    ¡°Yeah, you are right. Look at my mouth! Jinghan, don¡¯t be nervous. It¡¯s Ok even if you fail. You can take it next year.¡±


    Her tone changed so fast. Ling Jingxuan and others all found it so hilarious. Ling Chenglong who specially came back from the field grabbed his wife in his arms, ¡°Come on, let the kid perform himself. Even juren Zhang praised Jinghan¡¯s literary talent. There¡¯d be no problem.¡±


    After his son had learned for quite a few years. Ling Jinglong had some confidence in his son. The tongsheng examination wasn¡¯t enough to make him nervous.


    ¡°Hmm, be careful on the way and come back as soon as you¡¯re done, huh?¡±


    Nodding, Ling Wang really reddened her eyes, and finally nagged Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Jingxuan, take care of your younger brother. Make some good food tomorrow morning. It¡¯d be a whole day. Don¡¯t let him starve. Besides, now is cold. Wear more clothes. What if it¡¯s too cold in the examination room and he passes out? No! I think I should go with you.¡±


    Speaking of which, Lady Wang meant to push Ling Chenglong away. The three brothers took a look at each other, then crawled onto the carriage, ¡°Mom, you shouldn¡¯t go. Dad, bring mom home. We¡¯ll come back as soon as the examination is over.¡±


    Before long, two carriages parked side by side outside drove away in succession, and the three brothers went to the town together.


    ¡°All right, the kids know what they are going. You always like nagging before them. It¡¯s no strange they feel bored. Or, you think Jingxuan can¡¯t take care of his younger brothers? Or Jingpeng wouldn¡¯t support his big brother? Or Jinghan isn¡¯t reliable? They grow up already. We should learn to let go and do things within our capability to kill time.¡±


    You know what, on such things, Ling Chenglong saw a bigger picture than Lady Wang, some of his thought were even like those modern parents. After the kids grew up, sometimes the parents¡¯ too much care would receive minus effect and make the kids annoyed. Let go in some things, and when the kids need, they could lend a hand, and in this way it could maintain their family bond.


    ¡°You really have a slippery tongue!¡±


    Eyes reddened, she threw him a stare. Passing over him, she brought Lady Lan and Lady Zheng to go to her younger sister Wang Jinyu¡¯s place. Now she was the supervisor, much busier than her elder sister, and also lived much fully. As for Ling Chenglong who was ditched there, he scratched his head and then went into the field. Those workers were busying harvesting the rice.


    When the two carriages arrived in town, it was almost six in the afternoon. In winter, it grew dark quite early. When they settled down in Xinyuan restaurant, it was already dark outside. After dinner, they all went to their own room to sleep early. Early the next morning, Ling Jingxuan went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast in person. Those chefs all knew him. Knowing that his second younger brother was having examinations today, they congratulated him on seeing him. Ling Jingxuan also replied with a smile.

 Chapter 387

    Breakfast was light. Ling Jingxuan prepared a bag of crescent spring water, boiled a few eggs, plus the spiced meat slices he brought from home and let him taken them to the examination room as lunch. He meant to stuff him some stuffed buns or steamed buns, but on a second thought, he gave up. Ling Jingxuan seldom had a big appetite. So the crescent spring water and those eggs should be enough.


    It was a sunny day today, but you couldn¡¯t say it was warm. At least there was no cold wind. When they arrived at the examination spot, outside was already crowded with a lot of people. A row of public office holders wearing black robes, jujube red waistcoats, and high hats were standing outside the entrance. Maybe because of those public office holders, or because scholars all took examinations as a very holy thing, although there were a lot of people there, they looked all very cautious. No one dare speak loudly. Even those who knew each other were communicating in whispers.


    ¡°Second uncle, your basket, don¡¯t be nervous, we will wait for you outside.¡±


    Ling Wen and Ling Wu handed the bamboo basket full of food and brush, ink sticks, paper and inkstones to Ling Jinghan, and didn¡¯t forget to cheer for him, wearing a bright smile on their resembling faces.


    ¡°Hehe¡­thank you, but I¡¯m going to stay in for a whole day. It¡¯s cold outside. You should go back. Only Shuisheng here would be enough.¡±


    Taking the basket with a hand, while the other hand rubbing their heads, Ling Jinghan wore a doting smile. With a harsh drumming sound, the private advisor of the magistrate said some encouraging words on behalf of the magistrate who hadn¡¯t come back yet. Those examinees then queued in line waiting to go in. Ling Jingxuan also said goodbye to Ling Jingxuan and others carrying the basket, ¡°Big brother, brother Rui, Jingpeng, I¡¯m going in. You can go.¡±


    Although Ling Jinghan¡¯s body had become stronger in the past few months, he still looked a little slender among a group of adults, especially that some of them already grew beards, making him who was young, handsome and slender more striking.


    ¡°Have a good test, don¡¯t be nervous, just put everything you¡¯ve learned into play.¡±


    ¡°Just an examination for tongsheng. It wouldn¡¯t be a problem for you!¡±


    ¡°Second brother, you can do it. Be patient. We all believe in you!¡±


    ¡°Second uncle, come on!


    ¡°Second uncle, come on!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan and the other two adults said some encouraging words, then the little buns and those servants also said some cheering words. At this moment, the atmosphere was a bit different. After replying to each of them, Ling Jinghan went to stand in line carrying the basket.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even that person praised Jinghan¡¯s literacy talent. He was a famous quiz kid in the capital in those years, you know.¡±


    Turning to look at Ling Jingxuan, who seemed a little worried, Yan Shengrui grabbed his hand and tried to divert his attention, ¡°How about we go to the branch of Baiyunge to have a look? Aren¡¯t you planning to bring some things back? After lunch, we¡¯ll come to pick him up.¡±


    ¡°No hurry. Wait until he gets in.¡±


    Clearly he was not worried or not so nervous, now Ling Jingxuan became strangely anxious, and his eyes had never moved away from Ling Jinghan among the crowd. He finally knew why those parents all went to accompany their children when their kids were taking the college entrance examination in twenty-first century. You would never know if you didn¡¯t experience it yourself.


    ¡°Big brother, how about you and brother Rui bring Xiaowen and Xiaowu to go first? Shuisheng and I are enough here.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng seemed to be aware of his nervousness and can¡¯t help echoing Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Huh? All right, you don¡¯t have to wait here all the time. When he gets in, you can look for us at Baiyunge.¡±


    Finally realizing he was too abnormal, Ling Jingxuan could only turn around, just in case he might affect his younger brother¡¯s mood during the examination.


    The branch of Baiyunge, the only branch in the same town with the headquarters, only having opened for a few days, the business was blooming. And the handbags which were a big hit not long ago were also on sale along with the opening day. And not only that one, there were also a few different designs. And there were also some new styles of the clothes, headdress flowers and other accessories. In order to smash Xinyue Gold Shop one for all in the shortest time, Ling Jingxuan even made drawings for the fat shopkeeper and let him ask the craftsmen of Baiyunge to run up those new style things that didn¡¯t belong to this era, and they were also on sale on the same day the new branch opened. So when they walked to the east street, they saw people crowding there. While in Xinyue Gold shop, let along people, there wasn¡¯t even a fly or a mosquito.


    ¡°Second boss, there you are. Come on. Come in please.¡±


    As the fat shopkeeper who was also in charge of the branch temporarily saw Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan and the kids, he hurriedly dropped the work at hand and went to greet them. Because of some reason, Zeng Shaoqing announced that Ling Jingxuan was still the second boss. But. He also issued an order saying that Ling Jingxuan could make the decision of Baiyun Cabinet and Xinyuan Restaurant. No need to ask for his instructions.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Shopkeeper Hong, thanks for your hard work.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my job, it¡¯s my job¡­¡±


    After some courtesy words, they went in, with the kids following behind obediently.


    ¡°It¡¯s him?¡±


    Behind the counter, Yuan Shaoqi who had been sent here to support since the new branch had no bookkeeper for now looked at Yan Shengrui shockingly. He had ever expected he would see him in this kind of place. Besides, till now, he noticed that the two kids resembled him so much! And judging from his interaction with Ling Jingxuan, is it possible he is¡­For this, Yuan Shaoqi felt more suspicious in the heart. What is going on? How could Prince Sheng have anything to do with a village man? And who are those kids?


    Keenly sensing that someone was staring at him, Yan Shengrui suddenly turned around and precisely locked his eyes on Yuan Shaoqi, which scared him. He hurriedly lowered his head, even having no idea where to put his hands and feet. Yan Shengrui¡¯s peach blossom eyes were giving off some shrewd light. Recently he had been busy with the iron forging thing, so he seldom showed up at home during the day. So that is the bookkeeper Yan Yi found? He really deserved a severe punishment! How could he invite a big trouble in for him?

 Chapter 388

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Noticing that he hadn¡¯t come with him, Ling Jingxuan turned around and asked. Following the direction he was looking at, he saw Yuan Shaoqi, his eyes flickered. As the branch was about to open, the bookkeeper they had nailed had a dog-blood like carriage accident on the way here, so Shopkeeper Zhang hurried over to ask his instruction that very night, and he sent Yuan Shaoqi who learnt number bookkeeping method fastest over. So Shengrui knew him?


    ¡°Nothing, I just think Yan Yi is a bit sick of living.¡±


    Saying no more, Yan Shengrui walked over as he mumbled, deep in those tiger eyes was glowing with some cold light. Yan Yi who was hiding in the dark got cold sweat all over on hearing that. Yan Si who was next to him patted on his shoulder to express his sympathy. They could only blame themselves for offending the crown princess at the beginning. Since the master wanted to marry him, he should have special feelings for him. But, they gave Ling Jingxuan their attitude the first time they met. Isn¡¯t it like slapping in the master¡¯s face? They deserved it!


    ¡°Hehe¡­What¡¯s the big deal? No need to do that.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan did not put these in the heart at all. With a slight sweep of him, he again caught up with Shopkeeper Hong. Yan Shengrui paced up and held his waist, saying by his ear in whispers, ¡°Why not tell me? I don¡¯t like us being like stranger.¡±


    ¡°I am not taking you as a stranger, it¡¯s just not necessary. Actually they are quite capable for finding so many able people in such a short time. And Zhang is a juren, so learned, so unrestrained and unruly. All in all, I am quite satisfied with their performance this time. Although Yuan Shaoqi is a bit weird, he shouldn¡¯t be that kind of bad person. His eyes hide so many secrets, but still pure.¡±


    Throwing him an eye, Ling Jingxuan walked while saying so. Actually he only sent him to the branch after some observation, or he would have directly sent Shuisheng over. How could it be his turn? As for Yan Yi and others¡¯ attitude, he didn¡¯t give it a sh*t at all. He was not speaking for them, but purely didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°His name is Yuan Shaoqi?¡±


    Something seemed flashing across his mind, Yan Shengrui made a nearly unnoticeable frown, then made a turn to take a look at the direction of the counter, his tiger eyes sank deeper. Few people could leave Ling Jingxuan a deep impression. That guy should have been from the capital?


    ¡°Hmm. I asked Yan Yi to investigate him. I think there should be a result now. Recently we have been busy, so I couldn¡¯t find a time to ask him. I¡¯ll go ask him tonight.¡±


    As they were talking, they had already entered the rear rest room. The children had all hung out together. So Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan and Shopkeeper Hong sat down.


    ¡°Second boss, I hear that you invented the number bookkeeping and accounting forms? Pretty good. The accounts are as plain as daylight. Anyone who can read could understand it. So I am thinking to ask other bookkeepers to learn it too.¡±


    As Shopkeeper Hong opened his mouth, he directly got down to business. When he saw that Ling Jingxuan had sent a young man under twenty to be his bookkeeper, he was still holding suspicions in his heart. But after seeing the accounts that young man did, he was sincerely convinced.


    ¡°Hehe¡­he just used single-entry bookkeeping, so common bookkeepers would understand easily, because it¡¯s all numbers, easy to remember. If you have the intention, you can popularize it. But any shopkeeper who learns that kind of accounting method must sign a five-year contract with me. Anyone who doesn¡¯t want to learn it, he can leave. Baiyunge doesn¡¯t lack of bookkeepers now anyway.¡±


    In the end, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s tone sounded a bit stern. Since he took over Baiyunge, he should have his own rules. He¡¯d rather they feared of him than they rode over his head.


    ¡°Hmm, no problem, I will report it to the shopkeeper of the prefecture. About the copy of the contract you asked Yuan Shaoqi brought over, I have read about it. Although it¡¯s a bit long, it¡¯s more favorable to us. And the rewards and punishment are fair enough. So I think they wouldn¡¯t have a problem with it.¡±


    The fat shopkeeper nodded, in his heart, he had already taken Ling Jingxuan as the real boss. Although after he took over Baiyunge, they got more rules, but comparatively, their pay and rewards also increased a lot. And every year, they¡¯d even have an annual leave.


    ¡°On many occasions, it¡¯s not appropriate for me to show up, so I have to trouble you, Shopkeeper Hong. How is the business of this branch? How are the new products selling?¡±


    Going too far is as bad as not going far enough, which is applicable to everything. So Ling Jingxuan changed the subject timely and directly switched the topic to the business of the new branch. Shopkeeper Hong instantly got excited, ¡°Wonderful! There¡¯s something you don¡¯t know. On the opening day, our gross profit is as much as thirty thousand taels of silver, twice as much as the branch in the west of the town! Those madams and ladies all like those shoes, clothes and handbags you designed, even those madams and ladies from common families came for those things. You should have seen when you came. Xinyue Gold Shop on the other side is about to close after our opening.¡±


    When it came to business, Shopkeeper Hong looked extra enthusiastic. Having been a shopkeeper for all his life, this was the first time he thought doing business is so easy!


    ¡°Hehe¡­that¡¯d be good, tomorrow you make an announcement saying that in the first month, anyone who spends as much as fifty thousand taels of silver in our shop can get a lifetime-long VIP card and a respondent jade pendant. As long as they take the jade pendant to consume in any of our branches, it¡¯s all 12 percent off.¡±


    This kind of gimmick was actually nothing to those real rich people. And he also didn¡¯t count on that to earn a lot of money. He just wanted to make it a trend to make those rich people feel honored to have the VIP jade pendant of his Baiyunge, so he could make it the top luxury shop, leaving all the other similar-type shops behind.


    ¡°Well¡­All right, I¡¯ll give orders in a minute.¡±


    Shopkeeper Hong was a little hesitated, obviously he did not understand such an unnecessary move, but he soon made a response, and Ling Jingxuan nodded with satisfaction, ¡°Tell the general shopkeeper in the prefecture, let him send the official letters to those branches in towns, informing that everything is ten percent off on the anniversary celebration. As for the qualification for VIP membership in towns, ten thousand taels of silver a day, prefectures, thirty thousand, anyone who meets this standard could get the jade pendant. As for how to make those jade pendants, I don¡¯t need to do it myself, do I?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you can count on me, boss.¡±


    ¡°Good. Then let¡¯s go to the front to take a look, and I can choose some good red silk to take home by the way. A big event will be happening in my place in a few days.¡±


    As he said so, Ling Jingxuan stood up together with Yan Shengrui. If it hadn¡¯t been that Yan Si tipped him, he still had no idea that in ancient times, they had to burn incense and offer tribute, and a pile of other rules when receiving the imperial decree. And he also had no idea what the imperial edict would say. If it was only a few bullsh*t words, he¡¯d never receive any imperial decree again!


    ¡°I heard that your second younger brother is taking the examination for tongsheng today?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, having studied over ten years, it is time to check the outcome. But he is still young, only fourteen years old. Even if he is not listed, it¡¯s OK. Go one next year.¡±


    ¡°Look at what you said, boss. Although I have never seen your second younger brother, I saw your third younger brother and Lord Qing. They are young and capable. So I bet your second younger brother would also be quite outstanding. He¡¯d definitely get listed!¡±


    ¡°With your blessing!¡±


    Shopkeeper Hong also stood up. The three of them went out as they talked. Just as they walked out, the few little buns were like little locomotives running over and then held them, ¡°Daddy, daddy, there are so many fun things here. Sister Ling Yun bought me sugar-coated haws.¡±


    Ling Wu lifted up his head, by the corner of his mouth still with a trace of some sugar pomace, the same with Ling Wen, Tiewa and the few footboys. But they were not so thick-skinned like that little foodie. Seeing that Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes swept over with a smile, they all felt a bit shy. Ling Yun who was responsible taking care of them said with a smile, ¡°I saw that little master Wu quite wanted it, so I bought each of them one.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­It¡¯s Ok. Eating some sweet things occasionally is fine, but not too much. Later when you go back to the restaurant, remember to rinse your mouth. Or you¡¯d have a mouthful of decayed teeth. See how you eat things then¡­¡±


    Thinking with his knees, he would know that it should be his little foodie¡¯s problem. Ling Jingxuan squatted down to help him wide off the sugar pomace at the corner of his mouth, and poked his forehead gently as he found it so amused.


    ¡°Hee hee, I only ate one.¡±


    The short little hand stretched out to hold around his neck, Ling Wu leaned over and kept acting cute. So Ling Jingxuan helplessly pushed him aside, and then helped other kids wipe their mouths clean. In such a short time, they had already become the focus of everyone. A lot of costumers in the shop selecting goods now all looked at them curiously. Some young women even made their eyes at Yan Shengrui with affections. But their signaling was like a stone dropped into the sea, receiving no reaction at all. As for those a bit older, they were either sizing them up and down or looked at those kids who were wearing those luxuriant clothes.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs.¡±


    Ignoring people¡¯s staring, after helping the kids with their mouths, Ling Jingxuan, with one hand holding Ling Wu, the other Tiewa, went upstairs with Yan Shengrui who was holding Ling Wen¡¯s hand. Then Shopkeeper Hong and Ling Yun also followed with the three footboys.


    ¡°Ling Yun, what do you think of this set of head-ornaments? Do they match my mother and aunt?¡±


    Red silk only had several kinds, so Ling Jingxuan casually chose a few bolts. Then with a turn, he picked up a set of pure gold head-ornaments which are specially displayed on the second floor to match those clothes. Lady Wang only had that silver hairpin and silver earrings the two little buns sent him. And he hadn¡¯t had time to buy her any. If she came herself, she wouldn¡¯t buy them because of the price. So, he¡¯d buy everything for them today.


    ¡°Well, not bad, but I think this set of gold inlaid with jade is more suitable for her ladyship, luxurious with simple and generous feeling, as for your aunt, she is more suitable for the head-ornaments you choose.¡±


    Ling Yun moved forward and took them to check, then took up another set of head-ornaments with gold inlaid with jade. Before, he she had often picked jewelries for the old lady in her last master¡¯s family. So on this kind of thing, she had a good taste. That is also one of the reasons Ling Jingxuan asked for her opinion. Anyhow, he was a man, so he really didn¡¯t quite understand women¡¯s stuff. If you really wanted him to choose things for women, he really wasn¡¯t an expert on that.


    ¡°Then I want those two sets. And these gild hairpins and jade hairpins, I want one of each style. And, Ling Yun, you picked some good-looking clothes and boots for my parents and my aunt. They have big use in a few days. So, ignore the price.¡±


    Pointing at those things, Ling Jingxuan almost named all those gold hairpins and silver hairpins, covering nearly all age. He bought them for those servants and maid. They had been working hard for him for a few months. He should give them some rewards. The good thing was he had told his son about this, otherwise, his son would start his nagging again. He could feel how heartbroken he was now judging from his hands that were clenching tighter and tighter.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Ling Yin then went out with Shopkeeper Hong with her body bent. Ling Jingxuan then looked around with Yan Shengrui and the kids and bought them some jade pendants and little gold crown and other ornaments. Silver was spent like the running water. One could imagine Ling Wen¡¯s face at the moment. His face grew darker and darker, but he would only bear with it. He couldn¡¯t only blame himself for the face issue. After so many times¡¯ lesson, in front of so many people, he wouldn¡¯t dare cry out or speak loudly.

 Chapter 389

    At around four in the afternoon, Ling Jingxuan and others directly drove the carriage to the examination place to pick up Ling Jinghan. Like when they came in the morning, outside the place was gathering a lot of people. But no one dared to speak loudly. At about fifteen to five, the old assistant of the magistrate showed up again. Along with a sound of knocking a gong, people waiting outside all craned their necks to look inside.


    ¡°They are out¡­They are out¡­¡±


    Suddenly someone called out, all people¡¯s eyes looked over at the exit of the examination room. As expected, they saw a slim, slender, white and handsome student carrying a bamboo basket walking out.


    ¡°Second uncle, here, we are here¡­¡±


    The first one out was no other else but Ling Jinghan. The little buns who had sharp eyes waved their hands at him excitedly. Ling Wu already elbowed through the crowd and threw himself over to hold his thigh, ¡°Second uncle, I missed you so much! Are you tired? Daddy said you must be tired after a whole day¡¯s exams. I¡¯ll give you a massage after going home, OK? Daddy taught me how to do massage. Grandpa and grandma both said it¡¯s comfortable.¡±


    ¡°Great. I happen to feel stiff all over. Sorry to trouble you then, our little Wu.¡±


    After handing the basket to his younger brother who came behind, Ling Jinghan held him up.


    Then Ling Wen also came with Tiewa. He pulled the lower hem of Ling Jinghan¡¯s robes while looking up at his younger brother, ¡°Xiaowu, get down! Uncle Han is already tired enough. Holding you will make him more tired.¡±


    ¡°Oh, OK.¡±


    Hearing that, before Ling Jinghan could say anything, with a struggle, Ling Wu slipped down already. Instead, he held his hand. Ling Jinghan couldn¡¯t help smiling. Then holding them on both sides, he walked toward Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui. Seeing that extra Yan Shaoqi behind, his eyes flickered, but he didn¡¯t say anything. After a nod at him, he calmly turned to face Ling Jingxuan and others.


    People around all threw their jealous eyes at this whole harmonious family, then craned their necks to stare at the exit again. At this time, those examinees all filed out, most of whom were carrying a basket. And outside the examination place, people began to speak loudly, all kinds of sounds overlapped together. Ling Jingxuan who meant to say something could only turn around to leave. All of them then crawled onto the two carriages one after another.


    ¡°You look confident. Should have done well, right?¡±


    Inside the carriage, Ling Jingxuan broke the silence in the first place.


    ¡°Hmm, I think it¡¯s not bad. If everything goes well, I think I will be listed.¡±


    Having studied so hard over ten years, because of his illness, this was the first time he took the examination for the tongsheng title. Now, holding the two little buns, Ling Jinghan was showing some sharp light in the eyes, with a confident smile hanging on his face.


    ¡°You can do it! We¡¯ll know the result in three days.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng¡¯s eyebrows also danced. If it had been half a year ago, no one could ever imagine even someone who had been ill in bed for so many years and may leave this world at any minute could take a whole day¡¯s examination.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s not merely getting listed.¡±


    With a faint sweep of Ling Jinghan, Yan Shengrui said. Judging from his confident look, he should be aiming at the first place!


    ¡°Hehe¡­Before the result comes out, we should stay low. What if I couldn¡¯t reach that goal? Our mom will cry before us again.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    As Ling Jinghan¡¯s voice fell, everyone laughed out.


    ¡°Uncle Han, what was it like in the examination room? Is it scary?¡±


    Ling Wen, who was sitting on his right side, suddenly straightened his back and asked. He was also going to take the exam in the future, so it was always good to know a little earlier.


    ¡°Well, how to say? Not very scary, but it is the examination that matters the future of the students. So when I went in, I saw a lot of people who were wearing a pale face, legs trembling, like facing a horrible enemy. Even I got a bit nervous. But after getting the paper, I chilled down. Like what you daddy said, just treat it with a common heart. As long as I do my best, it¡¯s Ok even if I don¡¯t get listed.¡±


    After placing him on his thigh, Ling Jinghan didn¡¯t play at him because he was a kid, instead, he answered him quite seriously. He knew what his nephew was thinking. He always dreamed of becoming an official. So he was also eager to see how far he could go.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to stay chilled? Daddy often said whatever we do, we should stay calm, or we¡¯ll only make things worse. Those people¡¯s daddies should have also ever told them so. Why were they still so nervous?¡±


    Ling Wen nodded in agreement, but put forward an even stranger question. Ling Jinghan took a meaningful glance at his big brother and said with a light smile, ¡°Their parents are not like your daddy. You also saw the appearance of your grandma in the morning, right? Who doesn¡¯t expect their children to pass the exam? For a student, slackening off equals laziness. Only your daddy always asks us to relax and alternate work with rest!¡±


    He was really very grateful to his big brother. One should know, people feel nervous about some unknown things. Plus, people around were so scared that even their face turned pale, which only brought more pressure to others. If it hadn¡¯t been his big brother¡¯s words, he also couldn¡¯t have calmed down so quickly. And then, let alone the first place, he even might not be able to be listed.


    ¡°Our daddy is the best!¡±


    Ling Wen smiled, wearing a proud face, Ling Wu and Tiewa also echoed. The whole family talking and laughing, soon they arrived home.


    After coaxing the little buns to sleep after dinner, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan went back to their own room. Yan Yi, Yan Shan and Yan Si were already waiting in the living room. Seeing them come in, Yan Yi silently knelt down on one knee. After giving a salute to them, Yan Shan and Yan Si went to close the door. Their big brother was going to be punished, which shouldn¡¯t be seen by other people.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    Holding Ling Jingxuan to walk past him, Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t mean to let him get up at all. Instead, he directly walked to his chair with a thick mattress in, those peach blossom eyes reflecting stern light. Yan Yi knew his mistake, so he dare not complain, only kneeling there to turn to them, ¡°It¡¯s my negligence. I only made a rough inquiring and took him back. Please punish me.¡±


    ¡°Punish you? I think you just are living too comfortably, so you don¡¯t even know who you are!¡±


    Picking his eyebrows domineeringly, Yan Shengrui slightly narrowed his eyes dangerously. He was too easy-going, so they all took his words as bullsh*t? Jingxuan was his legitimate crown princess! They even muddled through their work when doing things for him, under the condition that he was around. If someday when he was away, wouldn¡¯t they already climb over Ling Jingxuan and the two little bun¡¯s heads to poop?


    ¡°Your subordinate dare not!¡±


    Hearing that, Yan Yi knelt down on both knees, and Yan Shan and Yan Si also knelt down on one knee aside. Clearly the lord was warning all of them. If they couldn¡¯t tell this, they really should resign themselves.¡±


    ¡°Is there anything you dare not do? If it was someone else, maybe I would let it go. But you, Yan Yi, you are in charge of collecting intelligence. If you are also so careless when it comes to the whole kingdom, do you think a minor punishment will solve the problem?¡±


    Instead of softening his heart, Yan Shengrui got sterner. This was a very serious matter. He had made mistakes in his profession. It is not just a double-faced behavior now.


    ¡°Your subordinate deserves to die. Please punish me.¡±


    Yan Yi felt extremely ashamed. This time it was really his fault. Maybe really like what the crown princess said, for his thing, he didn¡¯t take it so seriously. He thought, only a bookkeeper, so he didn¡¯t pay too much thought, which also led to such a huge mistake. Anyhow, he had to take the compelling obligation.


    ¡°Save it. Tell me the background of this Yuan Shaoqi.¡±


    Before Yan Shengrui opened his mouth again, Ling Jingxuan secretly pulled him. That thing was really not their fault. It was only understandable they did so. He had no objections how Yan Shengrui would punish them. But not now. He still wanted to sleep early.


    With Ling Jingxuan¡¯s persuasion, Yan Shengrui¡¯s anger instantly eased a lot. Then he threw a stare at him and snapped, ¡°Say it!¡±


    ¡°Yes. I have gotten him investigated thoroughly. Yuan Shaoqi is the eldest son of Duke Yuan. His eldest son got attacked by the natives when he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Nanjiang, and fortunately was saved by a women there. The two of them grew affections with each other day by day. Before his eldest son left, he promised that he would go pick her some day. But he never went back again. Not long after, that woman found herself pregnant. So she went to the capital secretly to look for him, and suffered a lot on the way. When arriving in the capital, she was nearly confined. The first wife of the duke¡¯s eldest son just refused to let that woman marry in. The duke¡¯s eldest son who had been desperate for a son could only settle her down outside. She is really a rigorously chaste woman. After knowing that the duke¡¯s eldest son was just fooling her, she directly left with the kid. But she didn¡¯t go back to Nanjiang, but found a village nearby and lived there as a widow. Usually, she could only make a living by picking herbs in the mountain. Until three years ago, she died. Being too worried about his son, she could only send someone to inform the duke¡¯s mansion. The duke¡¯s eldest son felt overjoyed and surprised both. That was his only son. The old duke even personally went to take them home. But that woman was poor enough. She died before the duke gave her the title. For this, Yuan Shaoqi didn¡¯t acknowledge his blood father. From now and then, he¡¯d run out of the mansion to roam around everywhere. And this time, he escaped since he was angry that his father made an engagement for him without letting him know. It¡¯s been half a year now. The duke¡¯s mansion is still looking for him everywhere. The reason I mistook his identification is because when he wandered to Cangzhou and checked in in an inn, he happened to meet a scholar who was dying who got robbed by some bandits. The more coincidental thing is, they share the same name, the same age. So after that scholar died, Yaun Shaoqi used his identity to come to Qingyang town. Seen from now, he is just avoiding the duke¡¯s chasing, who would do no harm to us.¡±


    With no more hesitation, Yan Yi told the whole investigating thing to him. To ensure the authenticity of the news, he specially went to Cangzhou himself, only afraid to make a mistake again. One time mistake, he could say he was careless, but making a mistake for a second time, it wasn¡¯t simply his carelessness. Even if the prince and crown princess could let it go, he couldn¡¯t let it go himself.


    ¡°Duke Yuan?¡±


    Yan Shengrui picked his eyebrows. No wonder he felt he looked so familiar. When Duke Yuan was young, he was also a brave general who had ever gone into wars with his uncle-in-law. Pity that his son wasn¡¯t like him. His few sons all didn¡¯t take up his mantle and all occupied in civil official career, but did not do that good. That was also the root cause why Duke Yuan¡¯s mansion was far behind Duke Weiyuan¡¯s mansion. But to Duke Yuan who had always been a straight-forward and daring person, and never married a concubine or had a maid serving him in bed, but stayed single for his deceased wife, Yan Shengrui still quite respected him.


    In this kind of environment where men could have three wives and four concubines while women had to be faithful to her husband only, and even had to introduce someone to be their man¡¯s concubine or maid serving him in bed, even his uncle-in-law Duke Zeng also had some bed-maids who his imperial aunt had arranged for him, while Duke Yuan only had one woman for his whole life, which apparently wasn¡¯t an easy thing, especially that he was in such a high position, who would face all kinds of big temptations, which was really worth his respect. He just didn¡¯t expect that Duke Yuan would have that kind of son. His son really lost all his face.

 Chapter 390

    ¡°Who is Duke Yuan?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    As Ling Jingxuan¡¯s voice fell, including Yan Shengrui, all the people had all question marks all over their face. Is he from Qing Kingdom? Isn¡¯t he a tongsheng? Although Duke Yuan is not that famous like Duke Zeng, a least he is a well-known hero. Now he asked them who Duke Yuan is? So¡­speechless¡­


    ¡°Judging from the way you look, it¡¯s like quite a weird thing that I don¡¯t know who Duke Yuan is.¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan showed no shame at all. He kept flipping through the original owner¡¯s memories, but still found not a single piece of fragments about this person. Yan Shengrui suddenly recalled his previous situation felt so sorry. So, he grabbed his hand and briefed him the life story of Duke Yuan, and especially emphasized his deep feelings for his wife.


    ¡°I see. So that Duke Yuan is also a real man. Why raised such a neither fish nor fowl bastard son?¡±


    After hearing it, Ling Jingxuan also generated some respects to Duke Yuan, someone who he had never seen before. Having been here for nearly half a year, he also knew, in this world, it wasn¡¯t an easy thing even if a man wanted to keep his integrity. Any big and rich families, which man didn¡¯t have three wives and four concubines? They just hadn¡¯t had 72 concubines like the emperor. Duke Yuan only had one woman for his whole life, which was already the only existing miracle. But pity that he was such a failure on educating his kids.


    ¡°Duke Yuan actually was doing good. In his mansion, he has expressly stipulated that any offspring of his, whether it¡¯s the wife¡¯s or concubine¡¯s sons, they couldn¡¯t have any concubine before forty. They could only marry a concubine after forty if they still have no sons by the time. I guess his eldest son just lost himself for that woman and failed to control himself. His other brothers all have one wife only.¡±


    Duke Zeng and Duke Yuan were friends, so, he also knew something about them since he had lodged in Duke Zeng¡¯s mansion when he was little.


    ¡°To put it bluntly, it¡¯s all due to his lower part.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes grumpily. He was not a nit-pick person, and never thought to change the polygamy big environment. As long as his man was faithful to him, he didn¡¯t want to care so much. As for Yuan Shaoqi¡¯s background, he had no comment. His mother was pathetic though, since Duke Yuan was such a famous figure, how could his biggest son be a nobody no one had ever heard of? That woman should have known that he had been married, but still been with him. So such a result was already foreseen by her. So nothing to feel sorry for. Seen from his point of view, after all she put her foot in some other¡¯s family first. So his first wife did nothing wrong. If it had been that his man had had an affair outside, maybe he would directly kill her and then castrate Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°What are you thinking? I would never make that kind of mistake. Those thoughts in your head would never come true.¡±


    Subtly sensing the slight change of his expression, Yan Shengrui darkened his face, bent his finger and tapped his forehead. Thinking with his butt, he knew that he should have already pictured him into that kind of situation.


    ¡°That is not necessarily true. What if someone drugs you? I guess I should work out the antidote against those strong aphrodisiac first, otherwise, what if some day someone comes to me holding a swelling belly? I am not that benevolent like the duke¡¯s biggest son¡¯s wife!¡±


    Rubbing his forehead randomly, Ling Jingxuan turned to give him an evil grin. Yan Shengrui had a twitch at the corner of his mouth, and those three who were kneeling there lowered their heads, trying to hold themselves from laughing out, but all prick-eared, only afraid of missing any word.


    ¡°You think I will make the same mistake twice?¡±


    Finally restraining his storms in the head, Yan Shengrui pretended to look serious. Even if he got seduced again, he¡¯d rather castrate himself than cheating on him. Without ¡®little Shengrui¡¯, the worst scenario was that it was empty between the legs, but without his chastity, he¡¯d lose his wife and kids.


    ¡°Hehe¡­better not.¡±


    With a sweet and brilliant smile, Ling Jingxuan directly leaned on him, totally ignoring how others would think about it, ¡°Yuan Shaoqi¡¯s identity has been made clear, he should be harmless to us, then how do you plan to dispose him?¡±


    To be honest, aside from the unknown background, he quite valued this Yuan Shaoqi. He was quite sensitive to numbers. He could learn almost anything if he wanted, and he was not a selfish person. This kind of person was most suitable for ¡®oppression¡¯.


    ¡°That¡¯s it for now. I will personally send a letter to the old duke explaining the situation here, and see if he wants to send someone to take him back or let him stay. As for Yuan Shaoqi, I will bother you to see to it.¡±


    Recently he had been busy with the matter of the quality steel knives thing. Seeing that those all-conquering knives forged one by one, he was more excited and thrilled than anyone else. He totally had no time to care about that at all, as long as he didn¡¯t make trouble for him.


    It was getting dark. Ling Jingxuan swept over those three kneeling before them, who were quite observant, no longer taking another peep at their prince, just stood up and left.


    ¡°Yi, from tomorrow on, you¡¯ll be responsible for protecting Wen and Wu.¡±


    Bam~


    When they pulled open the door and was about to walk out, the voice of Yan ShengRui suddenly was heard. Yan Yi directly flung himself forward. The two little masters are two little devils! Could he apply to change some other punishment? He didn¡¯t want to be tortured like Yan Shan who couldn¡¯t get himself together after quite a few days.


    ¡°Big brother, good luck.¡±


    Pulling the door closed and holding him up, Yan Si tried his best to prevent himself from laughing out while patting him on the shoulder with pity. He had long heard that the second little master asked Yan Shan to fly him on and on, after that, he forced him to eat a big basin of noodles. Although they heard the big little master was a bit better, he was also a strong-minded kid. Even the crown princess was afraid of his nagging, let alone them.


    ¡°Ahem¡­big brother, I will collect your body for you, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Yan Shan coughed a bit trying to maintain his calmness. But as his words were out, Yan Si was amused and laughed out. Yan Yi could only throw his dagger eyes at them while gritting his teeth, only wishing that he could dismember them! Where is the so-called ¡®we¡¯ll be as close as real blood brothers?¡¯ Is this supposed to be the way they treat their big brother?


    The next day, Ling Jingxuan meant to talk to Yuan Shaoqi, but on a second thought, he gave it up. Since the other side was harmless to them, he didn¡¯t have to poke the wound in his heart, as long as he paid extra attention to him and didn¡¯t let him make mistakes. After all he was the duke¡¯s son, he couldn¡¯t let anything happen to him. The other few bookkeepers also mastered the single-entry accounting method now. So Ling Jingxuan directly sent that youngest one Feng to work in the branch of Baiyunge, and could also teach those bookkeepers there. As for Yuan Shaoqi, whether Ling Jinghan could get listed or not, he could no longer work as the bookkeeper, and Shuisheng had to take care of him. So Ling Jingxuan directly asked him to take Ling Jinghan¡¯s position as the general bookkeeper, and told Ling Jinghan to teach him double-entry accounting.


    But now, Ling Jingxuan would never know that his overall thinking would send a ¡®wolf¡¯ to his younger brother¡¯s side.


    It was the list-releasing day three days later. Ling Jingxuan and his two younger brothers all didn¡¯t go to see it in person. Two days earlier, he had said to his younger brothers about the imperial decree thing. In case that people would say they defied the imperial majesty if they missed it, they only asked Song Gengniu to drive to town to see it for them.


    ¡°Dad, mom, what are you doing here?¡±


    Knowing it was their son¡¯s big day, the old Wang couple who hadn¡¯t come a long time came early in the morning, followed by the village head and some of the elders of the family. Compared with the old couple, others all looked a bit uneasy. Lady Wang was still mad at the thing last time. Ignoring them, Lady Wang directly supported his parents to go in. Lng Chenglong said helplessly, ¡°Second uncle, elders, what brings you here? Come on in.¡±


    Since they were here, they were their guests. Although they had broken away from the old Ling family, they were still in the family tree. So it was inappropriate not to entertain them. Be it for the face or his son¡¯s reputation, he had no other choice.


    ¡°Well, we heard that Jinghan joined the examination for tongsheng in town a few days ago. Today is the list-releasing day, so we come to take a look. Our Jinghan is so outstanding. Even Zhang jurne in the school praised him. I guess he¡¯d definitely be listed.¡±


    Now, whether it was the village head or those elders of the family, no one dare to look down on Ling Chenglong. One could even sense some fawning feeling from the village head¡¯s tone.


    ¡°With your blessing, second uncle. I also hope so. Isn¡¯t that Chenggui? You are back?¡±


    Seeing the gentle young man standing behind, Ling Chenglong smiled. Ling Chenggui, Ling Qicai¡¯s youngest son, only eighteen years old and already a tongsheng, who had been studying in town and seldom came back. Maybe because he was even younger than Ling Jingxuan, Ling Chenglong had always taken him as his son.


    ¡°Second cousin, long time no see. I heard that Jinghan has gotten a lot better and even took part in the examination. So, I specially came back to check on him.¡±


    Ling Chenggui scratched his head shyly, with that delicate face stained with a bit red blushing. He was sent to town to study since he was little, so he was not quite clear about things at home. Maybe because they were both intellectuals, he and Ling Jinghan were like friends. Every time he came back, he¡¯d bring a lot of books for him. This time after hearing that Ling Jinghan joined the tongsheng exam, he specially asked for a leave to come back to see him.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Jinghan will be very happy. Come on. Take a seat inside. Jingxuan and others are all home.¡±


    Ling Chenglong felt happy and his attitude became a lot warmer. So the village head and others kind of took Ling Chenggui¡¯s advantage and followed behind tremblingly.


    Lady Wang who already went in told Ling Jingxuan and others that the village head and some elders came to visit them. Ling Jingxuan was OK with that. As long as they were not here to make trouble, he could ignore them, and Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng already stood on their big brother¡¯s side. As for the little buns, they had already gone to school. Otherwise, how could it be so quiet now?


    ¡°Jinghan, look who¡¯s here.¡±


    Before Ling Chenglong stepped in, his voice was heard already. Ling Jingxuan who was chatting with Old Wang turned back suspiciously, then saw that his dad came in dragging a young man about seventeen or eighteen years old, then showed a bit suspicious feeling under his eyes. Seeing that, Ling Jingpeng whispered by his ear, ¡°That is the little son of our second grandpa. He has been studying in town, so you have not much impression of him.¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows. He knew that Ling Qicai had a little son who was studying in town. He just didn¡¯t expect he was so elegant, and even a bit shy, totally having no gene of the old Ling family at all. With a look, he made one want to ravage him¡­no, like him. Or put it simply, he gave one the feeling that he was like a little rabbit, that very weak kind.¡±


    ¡°Uncle.¡±


    See Ling Chenggui, Ling Jingyan moved forward to welcome him, but Yuan Shaoqi who was following behind flashed his eyes strangely, kind of annoyingly staring at his hand holding the other side¡¯s arm. And Shuisheng who was closest to him strangely looked at him. He touched his nose and moved away a little bit. Of course, Ling Jingxuan did not notice this weird scene. Otherwise, he¡¯d definitely notice that at this moment, the way Yuan Shaoqi looked at Ling Jinghan was exactly like how Yan Shengrui looked at him, with total possessive and affectionate feeling.

 Chapter 391

    ¡°How did you do in the exam, Jinghan? My parents told me that you have already finished the exam, or I would have been there for you.¡±


    Sweeping away the previous formality, Ling Chenggui happily took hold of his hand. The uncle and nephew were almost of the same age, more like brothers. Lady Wang also wore a rare smile, saying while moving forward, ¡°Chenggui, you are back. Come sit and have a cup of hot tea. It¡¯s some good tea Jingxuan entrusted someone to bring back from the prefecture. I can¡¯t tell where it is so good. You can help me.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, thank you, sister-in-law.¡±


    Ling Chenggui nodded happily, then sat down with Ling Jinghan. Ling Chenglong also invited others to sit. Now, it would never be their turn to sit in the main seat or seats in the middle. Of course, they also dare not have any objection. Because of the free school thing, this family already became the big benefactor of those people in the nearby villages. Who wouldn¡¯t show their respect on seeing them? So they never dare put on airs before them now.


    ¡°Please!¡±


    Ling Yun came up to pour him a cup of tea, Ling Chenggui couldn¡¯t help blushing. Facing Ling Jingxuan¡¯s surprised look, Ling Chenggui made a please gesture.


    ¡°Oh, OK, OK¡­¡±


    After all, they were not so familiar, so Ling Chenggui still performed a bit reserved. Ling Jingxuan found it amused, so he just walked away, leaving him and Ling Jinghan to have some small talk. They had lunch at Yuehua manor. After noon, people all began to look a bit anxious. Ling Chenglong and his wife kept looking out now and then, can¡¯t even keep their feet in their boots.


    ¡°My lord, ma¡¯am, listed, listed¡­¡±


    As they were looking forward to it with eager expectancy, Lady Yang ran in from outside. Already forgetting her manner, she said cheerfully, ¡°Congratulations, my lord, ma¡¯am, Young Master Han is listed! He is a tongsheng now!¡±


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    Lady Wang got up, so excited that she accidentally knocked over the tea on the table. But she didn¡¯t notice that the others were also excited, especially her parents, after all, that was their grandson.


    ¡°Congratulations, Jinghan is really something!¡±


    ¡°Congratulations!¡±


    ¡°You have a real capable family. Chenglong, good for you!¡±


    ¡°Brother-in-law, sister, congratulations, Jinghan, well done!¡±


    People of the full room congratulated them. Even those servants and maids also came to kowtow to congratulate them. In an instant, the whole room was filled with people¡¯s talking and laughing. But no one noticed that, compared with others, Ling Jinghan didn¡¯t perform that excited, or even a little down. Lady Yang only said he got listed, but didn¡¯t say if he topped the list, which was different from his expectations.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Gengniu? Why hasn¡¯t he come in yet?¡±


    Glancing at his younger brother who was clearly not in the mood, Ling Jingxuan suddenly opened his mouth to ask. As he asked, the whole room quieted down. And then Lady Yang remembered something, so she hurriedly moved forward and said, ¡°I nearly forgot! The one who came to report the good news is a fellow from Xinyuan. And he said the magistrate and a lot of officials are on the way here, saying that they are here to announce something called edict. I couldn¡¯t quite catch it. Only asking us to make preparations quickly.¡±


    ¡°Damn! Why didn¡¯t you say that earlier?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face sank and he sprung up. ¡°Dad, mom, aunt, you take my grandpa and grandma to change some new clothes. The imperial edict will be here soon. Shuisheng, you go pick up the little masters from school. Shuiling, go call Brother Han and Yangzi, let them get dressed and come over. Zheng Da, Zhou Er, place the livestock and tributes! Remember, make some room in the middle of the table for the imperial edict!¡±


    A series of orders down, except Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng who had known it already, others were still having no idea what was happening. After quite a while, Ling Chenglong stammered, ¡°Jing¡­Jingxuan¡­what is going on?¡±


    Why does the imperial edict come out of the blue? They were all so scared that they couldn¡¯t move.


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯ll explain it later. You go make preparations now. When receiving the imperial edict, we got to take a bath, change some clean clothes. Ling Yun, Xiaosui, go serve the ma¡¯am and others get dressed.¡±


    The reason he didn¡¯t tell them at the beginning was that he didn¡¯t want them to be freaked out or what. Originally, he planned to tell them after the list was released today, never expected that¡­Damn! Why did it come at such a time?


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    After all, Ling Yun had ever served in a big family, she looked a lot calmer than the others. Plus Lady Zheng and Lady Lan also came to their sense. So they surrounded Lady Sun and Lady Wang to leave. And under Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng¡¯s lead, Ling Chneglong and Old Lord Wang also left to change clothes, leaving the village head and others standing there awkwardly, not knowing whether to stay or leave. For the whole life, they had never seen what an imperial edict looked like. Of course they wished to stay to get some blessing for His Majesty. Although they were all wondering in their heart how Ling Jingxuan could be so capable that even His Majesty knew about him. But, apparently now was not the time to inquire about it.


    ¡°Jingxuan, how about us¡­¡±


    Receiving the signaling from other elders, the village head could only toughen his scalp and move forward. Ling Jingxuan turned to throw them a look. He meant to ask them to leave directly, after all, he was already not on the pamphlet in the ancestral hall, so he was also no longer a member of Ling family. The imperial edict was for his, he had the right not to let them receive it with him. But, when his eyes swept over at that ¡®little rabbit¡¯ on one side, thinking about his relationship with Jinghan, the expulsion order that was nearly to slip out his mouth got swallowed back, ¡°Please go back to take a bath and get changed. Anyone who is late for the imperial edict would get beheaded, you know.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, we¡¯ll go get changed right now.¡±


    Hearing him, the village head knew they got the chance, so he hurriedly told others to go. Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head. Seeing that Yuan Shaoqi was still standing there, he slightly frowned, ¡°Those eunuchs aren¡¯t supposed to know you, are they?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    Hearing that, Yuan Shaoqi suddenly popped out his eyes, and then remembered the identity of Yan Sungrui, looking a bit relieved, ¡°Since you know who I am, why let me stay? Aren¡¯t you afraid to offend my father by sheltering me?¡±


    Before, every time he ran out, it was those officials who secretly reported it to his father, so this time, he chose to go to the countryside. But unexpectedly, in such a place that even birds wouldn¡¯t poop, he would have met the well-known Prince Sheng, it looked like he had accidentally came to his crown princess¡¯ place. If Ling Jingxuan pointed things out, he should have already run away. But, now even if the duke came in person, he would never leave, because he found a ¡®treasure¡¯ here. Whatsoever, he¡¯d take him back.


    ¡°You signed a five-year indenture with me. It¡¯s as simple as that. Even your father has to obey the law.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan carried his hands behind him, wearing a total reasonable look. Yuan Shaoqi was slightly stunned, suddenly he laughed, ¡°I finally know why he tries to hide you, and also understand why a Killing God on the battlefield will become such a tender man for you, Ling Jingxuan, you really have your special places.¡±


    Would those ordinary people have the balls not even to put the duke in their eyes like him? Few people could be ranked as the duke relying on their outstanding military exploits.


    ¡°I¡¯m really flattered. It¡¯s nothing compared with you. You haven¡¯t answered my question.¡±


    Don¡¯t want to waste time with him on this kind of thing, he still had to prepare for receiving the imperial edict, besides, the little buns would come back soon.


    ¡°Now that you know who I am, you must also know that I am only an illegitimate son. How am I supposed to have the chance to see anyone from the palace?¡±


    Yuan Shaoqi shrugged his shoulders sarcastically. Many people in the capital knew that the duke¡¯s biggest son had an illegitimate son, who might inherit the title one day, but few people knew him, let alone the grandees in the palace.


    ¡°Well, then I¡¯ll leave things like the red envelops to you. You should how to do it, shouldn¡¯t you?¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t stand on ceremony with him. The eunuch and those soldiers escorting them, they all required for red envelops. He was not clear of the exact number. He planned to ask Yan Si, but now, he could save it. The childe from the duke¡¯s mansion, even if he was incapable, he should know such basic things.


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave it to you then.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan turned to walk away. Only after his figure disappeared in his sight did Yuan Shaoqi make a chuckle and go to be busy with his own thing. The whole family was so funny. But the most interesting one should be Jinghan. Only fourteen years old, already so scheming and poised. Only in two days, he had tricked him a few times, which added countless fun to his life. Such an interesting person, he¡¯d feel so sorry for himself if he couldn¡¯t ¡®abduct¡¯ him back as his wife.


    But, it seemed he forgot to ask Jinghan¡¯s opinion, didn¡¯t he? Besides, he had the prince and the crown princess as his back. It was like asking for the moon to do that.


    Less than a quarter of an hour, news that Ling Jinghan got listed as a tongsheng and Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family was going to receive the imperial edict had spread through the whole Ling village. A lot of villagers went to watch. Unlike before, they dare not come too close. The present Ling Jingxuan was no longer that Ling Jingxuan before. No one didn¡¯t see that the old xiucai¡¯s family already got ruined by him. Now even the imperial edict was coming, then Yuehua Manor would be totally different. That was the emperor¡¯s edict! How big glory that is! Even those wives who liked gossiping behind their back now no longer badmouthed them. This time, they already had no heart to be jealous. With such a family, what do they have to feel jealous?


    ¡°Big brother, this time you really did something wrong. Look, Jinghan has been fully recovered. He got listed as a tongsheng for the first time he took the examinations. Maybe next year, he¡¯d get listed as a xiucai or juren. I heard from juren Zhang that Jinghan has great literary talent. Now even the imperial edict is arriving at their home. Only in a short half a year, that Jingxuan everyone looked down upon has earned such a huge fortune. I heard Jingpeng also learns to do business. And the family¡¯s business will all be left to him. See? What a good kid! They are grandsons of our family!¡±


    Feeling overjoyed, the village head also didn¡¯t forget to go to the old Ling family to report the good news. The old lady who finally got a bit better rolled her eyes due to great anger. The old man was also mad, but mad at himself. If it hadn¡¯t been that he had been too partial to his eldest son and third son, and indulged the old lady hurting the second¡¯s son¡¯s whole family¡¯s heart, how would they have ended up like this?


    ¡°Ahem¡­I know what you are saying. But it¡¯s too late. Qicai, stay close with them as much as you can. I don¡¯t have the strength to mend the cracks between us.¡±


    Speaking of which, the old man closed his eyes heartbrokenly. Do you think he doesn¡¯t want to reconnect with them? But, it¡¯s just¡­every time he thought of that, he couldn¡¯t help remembering his doings to them and really had no face to beg for their forgiveness.


    ¡°Dad, look at what you are saying. Chenglong is always your son, and my younger brother. Even if he moves out, so what? We are connected by blood. Can he really leave us aside? Receiving the imperial edict is such a huge thing. He didn¡¯t even notify us. So outrageous!¡±


    Outside, Ling Chengcai who had been eavesdropping suddenly rushed in. Look at his angry face. Someone who didn¡¯t know what had happened between them would think it was Ling Chenglong¡¯s fault.


    ¡°You, you, you unfilial son! Get out of here! If it hadn¡¯t been that you fooled me saying that Ling Jingxuan went to tell Shopkeeper Zhao that Ling Jingwei that son of a b*tch is sterile, how would I ever have a problem with them and pushed them to the dead end road? Why didn¡¯t you say that he is your brother by blood then? Get out! Get out of here!¡±


    Hearing him, the old man flew into a great rage, shouting abuse at him. Ling Qicai only frowned there. Is Chengcai possessed or what? Is he still aiming at Chenglong¡¯s family?


    ¡°Hum! Even if you don¡¯t consider it for this family, as the big son, I have to do something. Since you can¡¯t get out of bed, I¡¯ll be on your behalf to receive the imperial edict.¡±


    Speaking of which, ignoring the old man¡¯s anger, Ling Chengcai directly walked away. The old man was so mad that he nearly couldn¡¯t breathe.


    ¡°Jinghong, take care of your grandpa. I¡¯ll go check things out. Receiving the imperial edict is not a small thing. What someone offends the emperor, our whole family will have to get involved.¡±


    After some simple orders, Ling Qicai chased out, feeling regretted in the heart now. Finally he mended his relationship with Ling Jingxuan a little big and he was willing to hire the villagers and they were all grateful to them. If Ling Chengcai made a scene again now, they¡­Ling Qicai even couldn¡¯t afford to think of it, only paced up his steps.

 Chapter 392

    By noon, a lot of people had already been gathering out of Yuehua Manor for fun. Even the old patriarch who always had a good opinion of himself also came. The broad front yard now instantly became a bit crowded. Not just people of this village, even the village head and the patriarch of the nearby villages also came. In a short half an hour, no one knew how they spread the news, now they not only came themselves, they even brought the gifts. Everyone was wearing new clothes, looking quite spirited.


    Seeing that more and more were coming, Ling Jingxuan told Zheng Da to ask other servants in the yard to help. At about half past two, two fine horses ran all the way here. Two yamen runners jumped off the horse, ¡°Eunuch Zhao who is here to announce the imperial edict and the magistrate are off the boat. They¡¯d be here half an hour later. The magistrate sent us here in advance to ask if Childe Ling has made everything prepared.¡±


    Having been to the yamen for a few times, those yamen runners all knew him. So the directly went before him and said so. And the crowd had turmoil, and it became noisier. Everyone subconsciously lowered the head to flatten their clothes and their hair that had been blown messy by the wind, nervously and expectantly waiting for the magistrate and Eunuch Zhao to come.


    ¡°Sorry to trouble you then. We¡¯ll check things out again.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan turned and told Old Zhou, Old Zhou¡¯s son and Zheng Da to check everyone and see if there was anything missing. Yuan Shaoqi then moved forward and felt out two pouches and stuffed them into the hands of the two yamen runners secretly, ¡°Sorry to trouble you.¡±


    Weighing the heavy pouches, the two yamen runners showed a smile, and said ¡®that¡¯s our job, that¡¯s our job.¡¯


    ¡°What are you doing here? Shengrui won¡¯t come out, right?¡±


    Seeing Yan Si among the crowd with the corner of his eyes, Ling Jingxuan moved over quietly without anyone noticing. In case that the eunuch might recognize Yan Shengrui and then got him and the kids exposed, they had already made a deal in advance that Yan Shengrui shouldn¡¯t show up today.


    ¡°No, the master is afraid that someone might hurt you and the little masters by accident since there are so many people today, so he asks me to protect you. Master Xuan, don¡¯t worry. I am good at concealing myself. As long as I want, no one can find me.¡±


    Speaking of his professional, Yan Si wore a face of pride. But he had made a huge mistake before. But Ling Jingxuan ignored his peacock-like proud appearance, and ordered in whispers, ¡°Just watch from afar. I don¡¯t want Wen and Wu to get exposed now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord!¡±


    Knowing his concern, Yan Si prudently nodded and disappeared in a flash among the crowd.


    ¡°Why is he here? What is wrong with the village head? Why did he bring him over?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no one doesn¡¯t know the hatred between Yuehua Manor and the old Ling family. Why does the village head bring Ling Chengcai here for? Isn¡¯t he trying to disgust Ling Chenglong?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like that. After all, they share the same bloodline, and the village head did nothing wrong to bring someone from his big brother¡¯s family. Now Ling Chenglong has been rich. Isn¡¯t he supposed to do something for his family?¡±


    ¡°Bullsh*t! How did Ling Chenglong move out of that family? No one in our village doesn¡¯t know that it was the old couple who let their daughter make Lady Wang lose her unborn baby! And not long before, Ling Chenglong and his wife dropped the old grudge and went to visit the old couple. But what did they get? Only swearing words from them! That damn xiucai¡¯s wife even said Ling Chenghua¡¯s death is because Ling Jingxuan bribed the yamen. Ling Jingxuan is rich and that is true. But is the yamen so easy to be bribed? They are just a bunch of as*holes! How could they still say they share the same bloodline?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I agree¡­¡±


    In the direction of the gate, the village head led Ling Chengcai and his wife to walk in. Ling Chengcai who was in the front was holding his head high, like they were the masters here, making the village head quite embarrassed. Those people who came to congratulate started to gossip. The old patriarch and others who now knew who was the one they couldn¡¯t afford to offend instantly darkened their face.


    ¡°Chengcai, what are you doing here?¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan and others who were still busy found them, the old patriarch let those elders to move over, wearing super awkward smile. If possible, they really didn¡¯t want to talk to this couple. Even they felt ashamed to come, while they¡­really had no shame! How could Ling Qiyun raise this kind of shameless thing?


    ¡°This is my second brother¡¯s home, as his elder brother, why can¡¯t I come?¡±


    Even the village head did not dare to speak to the old patriarch that way, while Ling Chengcai said it so arrogantly.


    ¡°You, you, you¡­¡±


    The old patriarch nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. If it hadn¡¯t been it was Yuehua Manor here and the imperial edict was coming, he already swayed his crane on him. Ling Chengcai, who still held some awe before the old patriarch, now already held his nose up into the sky. As his eyes captured Ling Chenglong and his wife, without even thinking, he ditched the old patriarch and walked to them.


    ¡°Chenglong, I want to speak to you alone.¡±


    Casting a glance at Ling Jinghan and Yuan Shaoqi who were saying something to others, Ling Chengcai instantly postured as his elder brother, while meaningfully glancing at Yuan Shaoqi and Ling Jinghan, apparently signaling them to walk away. But pity that here was the Yuehua Major. Ling Jinghan was the master. How would he ever take order from him? Forget about Yuan Shaoqi. He even didn¡¯t put Duke Yuan in his eyes. Let alone a rustic?


    At the same time, the old Wang couple and Zhang juren who found something not right also came over. Instead, more people came. Ling Chengcai nearly spat out some blood, throwing a hard stare at Ling Chenglong.


    ¡°If Uncle Ling has anything to say, please tell me straight away. The imperial decree will arrive soon. We¡¯d be beheaded if we delay it.¡±


    Although Ling Chenglong and his wife were super mad, they were not that shameless like him and even forgot to react. At this time, Ling Jinghan strode over and said so with a faint smile on the face.


    Hearing the word beheaded, Ling Chengcai and his wife were slightly startled, but soon they said, ¡°Your elders are talking. When is it your turn to cut in?¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Chengcai turned to Ling Chenglong and his wife, ¡°Chenglong, let me ask you. For something so huge, why didn¡¯t you inform us earlier?¡±


    ¡°Why should I inform you?¡±


    As his words just fell, a crisp sound fell from the sky. The crowd slowly made a way, and then Ling Jingxuan who was wearing pomposo robes walked over with the three little buns, followed by his little disciple Zhao Shan and Zhao&Han couple. Ling Jingpeng also brought Zhang Qing and his brother to walk over from another direction. A crowd of people slowly moved before them.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    For what Ling Jingxuan was capable of, Ling Chengcai was kind of feared. In an angle that no one could see, Lady Li secretly pulled the lower hem of his robes, then Ling Chengcai held his chest out, ¡°I am your big uncle! I can let it how you are unfilial to us. But for such a huge thing, you even didn¡¯t send someone to let our parents and also the ancestors know, this is outrageous!¡±


    Look at him with such a face of righteousness, someone who had no idea what was happening would really believe what he said. If it had been Ling Chenglong and his wife, they might have also been intimidated. Pity that he was facing Ling Jingxuan. Had he ever been afraid of anything? Like the way Yan Shengrui thought of him, if giving him a chance, he even had the balls to jump over and throw his kicks at the emperor.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Uncle Ling, you must be kidding. The imperial edict is for me. And I have been thrown out of the house of old Ling family five years ago. On the family tree in the ancestral hall, there aren¡¯t even me and my two sons¡¯ names. What makes you think you are still my big uncle?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was so speechless. He thought that after Ling Chenghua died, no one of the old Ling family would dare make trouble for him. Never expected that usually quiet Ling Chengcai and his wife were even more unbelievable. What? Did they really think he dare not touch them? Big uncle? So funny! He was only his big uncle under the condition he admitted him? But if he didn¡¯t, he was just a pile of poops!


    ¡°Yes, you are not in the family tree, but aren¡¯t your parents, Jinghan and Jingpeng also not in it? If it weren¡¯t that you had such a shameless thing that year, how would we have thrown you out of the family? Now you even have the face to¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    On hearing that he brought that part of pain up again, Lady Wang suddenly moved forward and stood before Ling Jingxuan, with a hand held on her waist, she shouted with the other hand pointing at his nose, ¡°is my Jingxuan more shameless than your Jingwei? He even raped his own aunt. Such kind of person is like a beast! Ling Chengcai, we have already divided up from the old Ling family and moved out. We are no longer family. So, don¡¯t posture as our big brother to lesson us anymore! Pah! It¡¯s never your position to tell me what I should do! Our family is receiving the imperial edict. Does it have anything to do with you? If you are here as some onlooker, we welcome you. But if you are here to find some trouble, don¡¯t blame me for throwing you out of here!¡±


    She was so mad that she had already forgotten about the former nervousness. Now Jingxuan finally got rid of that ill fame, and because of building free school thing, he even accumulated some good name for himself. Anyway, she would never allow them to ruin it again. She didn¡¯t mind getting herself the name of a shrew, as long as her husband and sons didn¡¯t mind.


    How would they ever mind? Seeing that their mom was behaving like a shrew, her three sons felt so thrilled in the heart. This way, they would feel eased when they were far away.


    ¡°You, you, you b*tch. Chenglong, say something!¡±


    Ling Chengcai was so mad. But Ling Chenglong who had always respected him now came forward, held his wife and asked concernedly, ¡°Don¡¯t get mad with those people. It¡¯s not worth it.¡±


    Lady Wang had just felt a bit better. Seeing that he cared about Lady Wang so much, the old Wang couple and Wang Jinhua all nodded with satisfaction.


    ¡°Ling Chenglong¡­¡±


    But Ling Chengcai was so angry that his voice also rose for several degrees. Just when he was going to say something, all of a sudden, the drums and gongs sounded outside.


    ¡°The imperial edict is here, all miscellaneous people should avoid it! The imperial edict is here, tall miscellaneous people should avoid it!¡±


    At the same time, high voice was also heard. Ling Jingxuan, Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng hurriedly led the whole family to greet it. No one had paid any attention to that couple. Ling Chengcai had no choice. After having an eye contact with his wife, they elbowed to the front most of the crowd. The village head was afraid that they¡¯d have a fight before the magistrate and the eunuch, so he could only watch it.


    Pipa~ Pipa~


    After the blasting sound of firecrackers, several meters long team was approaching, two rows of rumen runners were opening the way in the front. And the magistrate Hu Lizhi was riding on a jujube red horse, with a magnificent carriage behind, around of which was following by the guards with knives around their waist. They should be the so-called imperial edict guarders. And some yamen runners behind the carriage were carrying a plaque covered by a red silk cloth, and what was followed were big and small boxes. Without even thinking, one would know it should be the emperor¡¯s rewards. Everyone looked nervous now, with cold sweating oozing out of the forehead. Ling Jingxuan and his two younger brothers were in the front, with a shallow smile at the corner of the mouth. The little buns who were standing behind showed no sign of scare or what at all, but looking quite curious. Especially Ling Wu, his big round eyes were trying looking into the carriage, like he was expecting something.

 Chapter 393

    ¡°Ling Jingxuan, receive the imperial edict!¡±


    As the team arrived at the gate of Yuehua Manor, a sound suddenly rang. Magistrate Hu Lizhi who was sitting on that big horse swept over at the three brothers and those people standing before the incense burner table. When he saw Ling Chengcai and his wife, his eyes sank. Because of Ling Chenghua¡¯s thing, he also knew more or less about the old xiucai¡¯s family. At least he knew everyone in that family. So when he saw those two irrelevant people here, he felt kind of upset.


    ¡°Congratulations, Childe Ling. Congratulations, Jinghan.¡±


    While the deputy governor was supporting Eunuch Zhao off the carriage, the magistrate went forward to the people in the lead, cupping his hands, congratulated them. He even didn¡¯t give an eye at Ling Chengcai and his wife. But they just dare not have any objections.


    ¡°Thank you, Lord Hu.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan made a slight smile, and saluted back cupping his hands together with Ling Jinghan. Hu Lizhi said with satisfaction, ¡°Childe Han, congratulations for topping the list! I hope you can study harder. Next year, top the list during the next provincial examination that I¡¯ll preside for the last time.¡±


    The first place?


    Not only just listed? Ling Jinghan finally smiled heartily and he also won some face for his parents and brothers. And others were all surprised in the heart. The first place was different. Even the magistrate said he was expecting that he could top the list again in the provincial examination. Does it mean that a xiucai title is already in his pocket? A lot of people grew more alert of Yuehua Manor. A xiucai title was nothing, but a xiucai in the village was a huge thing. Besides, Ling Jinghan was only fourteen years old! If he really got listed as a xiucai, he might even get the juren title or even jinshi and take an official career.


    ¡°I will study harder. Thank you, my lord.¡±


    Although curious if he would get promoted, the brothers did not ask. Ling Jinghan abided to his own thing, did not show too much intimacy, then Hu Lizhi went to congratulate Ling Chenglong and his wife. Seeing that Eunuch Zhao had already come over with the imperial edict and the emperor¡¯s rewards, he hurriedly ran over.


    That Eunuch Zhao was no other else but that the one who was responsible for receiving Chu Yunhan and his son when they went back. This time, it was Chu Yunhan who personally suggested the emperor to nominate him to announce the imperial edict.


    ¡°The imperial edict arrives, everybody kneels, Ling Jingxuan receives the imperial edict!¡±


    Hands holding a golden imperial edict, Eunuch Zhao¡¯s reedy voice suddenly sounded, Ling Jingxuan moved two steps forward, three little buns still kneeling there, while Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng were behind, then Ling Chenglong and others. The self-important Ling Chengcai and his wife also knelt there among them. But everyone just ignored them. Finally it was those irrelevant people like the village head and the old patriarch.


    When Eunuch Zhao was opening the imperial edict, Magistrate Hu and those yamen runners and others all knelt down. In an instant, all people before Yuehua Manor were kneeling down. The straggling up smell of sandalwood pervaded into the air, no any sound, so solemn and majestic.


    ¡°Next is the content of the imperial edict. Ling Jingxuan, tongsheng of Ling village, Datong town, Qingyang County has superb medical skills. A few months ago, during the cure of the plague, he has made great contributions. And a few days ago, hearing that he led his family to try the late rice and reclaimed over ten thousand mu of wasteland, and has made great contributions to the kingdom and its people. So I specially grant him the title of role model of the farmers. Here is the plaque with my personal autograph, and a thousand taels of gold, ten thousand taels of silver, and exempt from the taxes all his life. Over!¡±


    ¡°Long live His Majesty!¡±


    Finally Eunuch Zhao was over, and Ling Jingxuan took the lead to raise his hands. Eunuch Zhao then handed the decree to him. While he was about to get up, Eunuch Zhao said, ¡°Doctor Zhao, wait a minute. I got a reward from the seventh prince for you.¡±


    Speaking of which, he took out another silk scroll, and Ling Jingxuan had to keep kneeling there patiently.


    ¡°A box of jewelries, ten bolts of silk, one box of pearls. A thousand taels of gold from Ling Chenglong, Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng each. And two gold head-ornaments for Lady Wang. Some sets of brushes, ink sticks, paper and inkstones for Ling Wen, Ling Wu and Zhao Tiesheng¡­¡±


    ¡°Long live Prince the Seventh!¡±


    With Eunuch Zhao¡¯s tapering chanting, boxes of gold and silver and jewelries with the plaques and the emperor¡¯s reward were carried up, and all placed on both sides of the incense burning table. After thanking the emperor¡¯s rewards, Ling Jingxuan and his family all got up. Then Yuan Shaoqi led Zhou Er and Shuisheng to distribute the red envelops. Eunuch Zhao refused Ling Jingxuan¡¯s invitation, but pulled him aside and whispered by his ear, ¡°Childe Ling, the seventh prince asked me to tell you, stay safe. No worries about him. The emperor also said that if you have harvested the late rice, he hopes that I can take some back.¡±


    ¡°No problem, the harvest is just done. I¡¯ll ask my father and others to prepare a whole carriage for you. Please tell the seventh prince. We are all good. No worries.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan quietly pulled out a one thousand taels of silver bank not and stuffed it into his hand. Eunuch Zhao didn¡¯t not refuse. Meanwhile, Ling Jingpeng already led the servants to fetch the dried grains. After thinking a bit, Ling Jingxuan asked Ling Jinghan to entertain Eunuch Zhao who was unwilling to come in. While he himself turned to go into the yard. After about half an hour later when Ling Jingpeng went out pulling a carriage of rice, Ling Jingxuan also came out holding a giant package.


    ¡°Sorry to trouble you, Eunuch Zhao. These are some dried meat slices and skin nourishing holy water and other things. I hope you can help me take it for the seventh prince.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Obviously Eunuch Zhao was a bit embarrassed. If it was some clothes, he could do him the favor. But it was food, if something happened to the prince if he took it, even if he got ten heads, it was not enough!


    ¡°You needn¡¯t worry. It¡¯s just some snacks the seventh prince often ate. I guess he would be missing those things. If you are worried, you can let someone to try them first. If the seventh prince doesn¡¯t want them, you can throw them away or what.¡±


    Noticing his worries, Ling Jingxuan said reasonably. On hearing that, Eunuch Zhao said no more. After throwing the officer who announced the imperial edict, someone went forward to receive the package. After testing things inside with the silver needles, he packaged them again after making sure it had no poison.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave.¡±


    Things done, he would go back to report it to His Majesty. As Eunuch Zhao turned, someone got hold of the lower hem of his robes. Eunuch Zhao scratched his head strangely. Then he saw a kind of familiar little guy was watching at him with a pitiful look. As one of the yamen runners was about to stop him, Eunuch Zhao motioned him to back off. This family was all important people both the emperor and empress attached great importance to. It wasn¡¯t impossible they¡¯d go to the imperial palace some day. So he could never afford to offend them.


    ¡°What do you want, little thing?¡±


    ¡°Uncle, are you Brother Yan¡¯s family?¡±


    Ignoring his question, the small bun asked, with the other hand holding a wrinkled letter, and Ling Wen and Tiewa who were standing next to him were also wearing a craving face. Daddy asked them not to say anything they shouldn¡¯t. But they really missed Brother Yan too much, very much¡­


    ¡°Brother Yan?¡±


    Eunuch Zhao was confused. Ling Jingxuan hurriedly moved forward and explained deeply, ¡°It¡¯s the seventh prince! They have taken him as their elder brother. Hope you wouldn¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Eunuch Zhao waved his hand, saying with a chuckle, ¡°I am a servant of your Brother Yan. Little childes, what do you want me to do for you?¡±


    So lovely children, even he kind of liked them, no wonder the seventh prince missed them so much.


    ¡°Can you take the letter we wrote to Brother Yan?¡±


    Ling Wu held out his other hand to pass the crumpled letter to him. Seeing this, Ling Wen and Tiewa also felt out their own letters respectively. Eunuch Zhao accepted them all and touched their heads with a smile before leaving, ¡°Good boys, I promise I will take your letters to the seventh prince. See you.¡±


    ¡°Watch your steps, Eunuch Zhao.¡±


    They came in a big way, also left in a big way. They even didn¡¯t take a cup of tea, but everyone went back with fruitful results. The red envelops Yuan Shaoqi gave them was not a small number.


    ¡°Wow, this is an imperial edict.¡±


    ¡°A lot of gold and silver and jewelries, really makes me jealous¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­ yes, the emperor¡¯s reward is really huge¡­¡±


    After those officials left, those villagers who were still overcautious all crowded over. Everyone was excited to look at those sparkling rewards and the imperial decree on the incense burning table. Ling Jingxuan and others only turned to come back after the carriage disappeared in their eyes. When they saw those people, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes glittered. Throwing Song Gengniu an eye, Song Gengniu got it and led people to move all those things into the room.


    ¡°Wait a minute.¡±


    As they were about to move those thing in, Ling Chengcai jumped out again. Ling Jingxuan threw him an eye, even didn¡¯t want to utter one word, looking quite cold. He talked to them only because the imperial edict was coming. In case they¡¯d disturb the official that was going to announce the edict, he held some patience and reasoned with him. But now, he had no scruples. On such a big day, they came to make a scene? He really didn¡¯t mind throwing him out.


    ¡°Our parents are still alive, and the plaque and the rewards shouldn¡¯t be put here. They should be put in the ancestral hall.¡±


    Standing before the plaque, Ling Chengcai held his head high, a face of arrogance, did not notice Ling Jingxuan was already not right at all.


    Hearing that, everyone on spot was dumbfounded there. The imperial edict clearly said that those rewards are all for Ling Jingxuan. How could they be placed in the ancestral hall? Let alone he was just his overdue big uncle of Ling Jingxuan who had no connection with him now, even Ling Chenglong and his wife had no right to move them. What was this man thinking? How could he be so unbelievable?


    ¡°The ancestral hall? Where is it?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan got so mad. So he was here for his rewards. Money is really a good thing.


    ¡°Of course to worship our ancestors¡¯ tablets, and don¡¯t forget your grandparents are still alive in our home.¡±


    Seeing that he did not seem to lose his temper, Ling Chengcai became more confident. He thought he dare not embarrass him before so many people. Now Ling Jinghan had been listed as a tongsheng, and was about to take the examination for xiucai, and their reputation turned good gradually because of the free school they were building. He didn¡¯t believe that he wouldn¡¯t consider about his reputation thing like before.


    ¡°You say that¡¯s your home, not mine. Things that belong to me should be placed in my home. Or, are you only here aiming at those rewards?¡±


    Is there anyone more unbelievable in the old Ling family? How about they come together? Then he could solve all of them once for all!


    ¡°You¡­Ling Chenglong. I won¡¯t argue with a junior. Chenglong, you are the head of this family. You say it. Do you still acknowledge your parents and ancestors? Do you still acknowledge your brothers?¡±


    Ling Chengcai was angry. He knew he couldn¡¯t win Ling Jingxuan. So he directly dug a pit for Ling Chenglong to jump in. If he said no, he promised that those words would spread into the magistrate¡¯s ears the next day. He didn¡¯t believe that they dare to sacrifice Ling Jinghan¡¯s career!


    ¡°Ling Chengcai, don¡¯t drag Chenglong into it. All the folks heard it. His Majesty said those things are for Jingxuan. I remember that not long ago, you said Jingxuan is no longer your family. What? Now you even want his things? Pah! You shameless thing! How dare you even covet His Majesty¡¯s rewards? If you are smart enough, get out of here! Or don¡¯t blame my rudeness.¡±


    Pulling Ling Chenglong, Lady Wang who was wearing gold jewelries all over jumped out again. She wanted everyone to see that they were no long the old them. No one could bully them anymore.

 Chapter 394

    ¡°You¡­ b*tch!


    Ling Chengcai squeezed those words through his teeth. His wife pulled him by grabbing his clothes at this time. Now, Ling Jingxuan also noticed it, and also dropped his thought of letting the servants throw them away. Now he¡¯d like to see what this couple would do. Money and jewelries were tempting, but that was things rewarded by the emperor, besides, Jinghan had passed the tongsheng examination. Given their petty shrewdness, how could they pick such a time to make trouble? There should be some other hidden reason.


    ¡°Chengcai, are you done? How could we touch things His Majesty has granted? Go back with me!¡±


    Even the village head couldn¡¯t take it. He really didn¡¯t understand how his big brother had raised such an as*hole! He wasn¡¯t afraid of losing face, they still wanted theirs!


    ¡®Someone, take them back. What a shame!¡±


    Old patriarch pestled his cane, trembling all over. With the imperial edict and the imperial plaque with the emperor¡¯s autograph, Ling Jingxuan was already not someone they could afford to offend. They already showed mercy that they didn¡¯t get even about things that year. Now he even had the nerve to ask things from them? Did he really want to make the whole village die with him?


    ¡°What are you doing? This is between us brothers. What does it have anything to do with you?¡±


    Seeing that things were not as they had expected, Ling Chengcai could not help but panic. His wife said some cursing words of him in the heart, then she aimed at the most honest one Ling Chenglong, ¡°Chenglong, anyhow, you are blood brothers. You just watch your wife and son bully your big brother and me? Our parents are still alive. After receiving those rewards, shouldn¡¯t you offer them to our parents first?¡±


    Every sentence was a trap. Whatever Ling Chenglong answered her, it was a mistake. She just saw that Ling Jingxuan tried to set up his reputation, so they dare to come. She could only blame her useless son-in-law. In a short month or two, he had gambled away all his belongs at home, even the shops were pawned, and still in great debt. Their daughter came begging them. They could only place their hope on them.


    ¡°A few months ago, the old xiucai personally signed an agreement to disconnect us from that family, two months ago, Old Lady Ling said she wanted to see me. For the sake that she is my mother, I went to visit her, but only received her swear words. A few days ago, Ling Chenghua committed the capital crime and got beheaded by the yamen. We heard that they got ill because of it, so we specially sent someone to check on them. And Then they demanded to see us again, and we went. But what did we receive? Still some swear words! Old Lady Ling even slandered me of bribing the yamen to have sentenced Ling Chenghua to death. As the saying goes, if the son does something wrong, his father should also take the responsibility. I am also a living human, I have my feelings, and I have my family. It¡¯s nothing me and my wife got insulted. But we can¡¯t let our sons unable raise their heads before people. Since they don¡¯t accept me as their son, I don¡¯t have to care about them. From now on, whatever happens to your family, it has nothing to do with me Ling Chenglong. Ling Chengcai, please go away. Those things don¡¯t belong to you. Even if the old xiucai is here, he can¡¯t take anything here away.¡±


    Walking forward holding his wife, Ling Chenglong said so using some kind of indifferent tone, face sunk. They had completely hurt his heart. His sons said it right. He shouldn¡¯t give them any chance, otherwise, they¡¯d climb over their heads again sooner or later. Bloody lessons, one or two times were enough. There shouldn¡¯t be a third time.


    Apparently Ling Chengcai and his wife never expected that the honest Ling Chenglong would say those words. In such a short time, they didn¡¯t know how to respond. Those villagers around started to gossip, totally standing on Ling Chenglong¡¯s side. This time they were all blaming Ling Chengcai and the old xiucai. Anyone of Yuehua Manor was not something they could offend. Besides, their kids were still studying in their school. Offending them meant cutting off the future of their kids. Only idiots would do that. What¡¯s more, they were clear of the whole story. It was indeed the old xiucai¡¯s fault. Now Ling Jingxuan¡¯s family got rich, they also showed some mercy, but they didn¡¯t take it. Since so, what was their fault? Anyone would never show excessive passion to someone cold.


    The three brothers couldn¡¯t help giving their thumbs-up in their hearts. Good wording! He not only didn¡¯t give them any chance to seize any loophole of his words, but also disconnected themselves from them. Even Zhang juren aside couldn¡¯t help nodding in agreement.


    ¡°Why waste saliva on them? Throw them out.¡±


    No one noticed that when Yuan Shaoqi already slipped by Ling Jinghan¡¯s side, and even held his hand on his shoulder, saying those domineering words.


    ¡°You throw them, we promise not to help.¡±


    Ling Jinghan leered at him, and brushed off his hand. After that, he even brushed the place where he touched him in his face. Yuan Shaoqi darkened his face, had a twitched of his mouth, but the next second, he shamelessly leaned over and said using a sound only the two of them could hear, ¡°If you promise you¡¯d never badmouth me, I will help you drive them away, and promise there¡¯d be no bad rumors about you spread out. So? Quite a bargain, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    The first step to chase his wife¡ªtrying to get close to him. Didn¡¯t people say one gets a better view of the rising moon at a waterfront pavilion?


    Lazily sweeping over at him, Ling Jinghan ignored him. Meanwhile, Yan Shengrui came from nowhere and held Ling Jingxuan in his arms, saying by his ear, ¡°They are like ants on a hot pan. If they can¡¯t get ten thousand taels of silver in three days, their precious son-in-law would get his hands cut off.¡±


    ¡°So you mean¡­¡±


    After hearing what he said, Ling Jingxuan suddenly remembered, last time he seemed to have said to help him get things even. So it was he who did something in the dark?


    ¡°Hehe¡­how could I let them hide in the dark and plot against you? Not long ago I let Shan to tempt their good son-in-law to gamble something big. Shan just told me, that guy has gambled away all his belongings, and even sold a lot of the shops behind his parents and brother¡¯s back. Now he has been thrown out of the family and living in town with his wife and kid. But you know, Shan always does things neatly. Since I said I want them dead, before they die, Shan won¡¯t stop. So they tempted him to have another gamble. Now, he still owes the gambling house ten thousand taels of silver.¡±


    In the eyes of outsiders, it seemed that Yan Shengrui was acting shamelessly with his wife. Only they knew what they were talking about.


    ¡°No wonder they slogged their guts today. Come on, it¡¯s almost time to finish them off.¡±


    Hearing that, the doubts in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s heart had been cleared. The husband and husband moved forward. After taking a look at Ling Chengcai and his wife who were freezing there, Ling Jingxuan waved his hand, ¡°Move all things in. Anyone who tries to stop it, beat him as hard as you can. If crippled or dead, it¡¯s all on me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord!¡±


    With his order, Song Gengniu and others no longer hesitated, and became busy moving things again. Those onlookers couldn¡¯t help shrinking their necks, and subconsciously took a few steps back. They didn¡¯t want to get involved. Ling Chengcai and his wife also got intimidated by his words, looking tenser now. But today if they couldn¡¯t get the money, their daughter would be so dead. That was their only daughter.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡±


    ¡°Someone, beat him!¡±


    As Ling Cheng just plucked up some courage to tangle with them, Ling Jingxuan no longer gave them the opportunity, with so pressing momentum. Before those servants could respond, some strong and tall men already came out of nowhere, holding swords in their hands, giving off some killing qi all over.


    ¡°Will you leave yourselves or want me to give you a ride?¡±


    Pulling out his sword, Yan Yi said darkly. Heaven knows how hard he had been ¡®maltreated¡¯ by the two little masters. He had long wanted to vent his anger on someone. If they dare nod, he didn¡¯t mind finishing them with a move.


    Ling Chengcai recoiled several steps, stared at the sharp sword and swallowed, his legs shaking like a sieve.


    ¡°Clang¡­¡±


    Seeing that they were still standing there, Yan Si and Yan Shan also drew out their sword one after another.


    ¡°Ah¡­somebody help¡­They are trying to kill me¡­¡±


    This time, without waiting for them to speak, Ling Chengcai and his wife no longer cared about the money thing, instantly rolled out of here. It was a hilarious scene, but those onlookers couldn¡¯t laugh out at all. Now they finally realized that Ling Jingxuan was not only saying it. He really dared to kill people.


    They were all villagers. Who wasn¡¯t afraid of that kind of people?


    Since then, no one dared to offend them again, because they were all scared that one day they could not wake up after sleeping.


    ¡°Sorry, Jingxuan, today my big brother also tried to stop them, but having been ill in bed, he couldn¡¯t. I promise I will tell him what happened today.¡±


    After quite a while, the village head gingerly moved forward, even dare not look at that demon-like guards. To Ling Jingxuan, he was really scared from deep of his heart.


    ¡°Let him regulate his own sons. I don¡¯t mind regulating them for him next time.¡±


    Withdrawing his gentleness today, Ling Jingxuan snapped. Then he looked at others and raised his voice, ¡°My principle of life is, if others don¡¯t offend me, I won¡¯t offend others. But if anyone offends me, I will let him suffer. About things in the past, I don¡¯t want to mention it again. But in the future, if you dare bully my parents or anyone from my family, don¡¯t blame me now showing you any face. Dead or wounded, I can¡¯t guarantee!¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    On hearing him, everyone gasped. Before, they thought that after they got rich, Ling Jingxuan had been a lot milder. And a lot of families who had daughters were considering marrying their daughter to Ling Jinghan or Ling Jingpeng. At this moment, none had the guts to bear that kind of thought. Let alone Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng, even those servants were already out of their reach.


    ¡°Village head, please. Today we still got things to do. Sorry I can¡¯t entertain you.¡±


    Ignoring their reaction, Ling Jingxuan directly walked into the yard holding the little buns. He had said those words before. In case that any cats or dogs would come make a scene again, since they were all here, it would save him a lot of trouble. In the future, if anyone came to make trouble again, don¡¯t blame his ruthlessness. His patience also had its limit.


    ¡°Uncle Chenggui, stay here today. We can learn together.¡±


    Before leaving, seeing that Ling Chenggui still looked a bit embarrassed and didn¡¯t know what to do, Ling Jinghan decisively asked him to stay. He was different from them. At least he was really good to him.


    ¡°Ah? Well, all right, dad, you go back first, next year I will also take the xiucai examination, so I want to have some discussion about my studies with Jinghan.¡±


    Coming to his sense, Ling Chenggui nodded. After saying some words to his dad, he went in. Watching their back, Ling Qicai made a deep sigh. This thing¡­He only wished that they didn¡¯t take it to their hearts. He no longer wished they could acknowledge them again. At least they wouldn¡¯t shift the anger onto the villagers. Finally they earned some money replying on them. It can¡¯t be ruined on this.


    If Ling Qicai could have a chance to make the choice again, he would have never chosen to report the good news to Ling Qiyun! No, even if he didn¡¯t go, things like today would still happen. It was just a matter of time. Having stated where he stood, apparently Ling Jingxuan would really do with it. Besides, he also saw the big changes of Ling Chenglong and his wife.

 Chapter 395

    As Yuehua Manor received the imperial edict and the rewards from the emperor, and Ling Jinghan topped the list of the examination for tongsheng, according to the rules here, they were supposed to entertain the guests. But Ling Jingxuan found it too troublesome, so he used the excuse that Ling Jinghan still had to make preparations for the provincial examination for the next year as the excuse to cancel it. He only asked Song Gengniu and his wife to prepare some delicate food for those families who were on good terms with them.


    Then the whole family started to be busy like nothing had happened. They heard that the old xiucai¡¯s family got into a mess again. A few days later, Ling Chengcai¡¯s daughter came home with the kid. People all said that she got repudiated, because since she came home, she never left. On hearing that, Ling Jingxuan just smiled it off. Although all those things were caused by him, if they hadn¡¯t provoked him first, how could Shengrui have done that to them? Everything has its karma!


    What surprised Ling Jingxuan was that the average late rice output per mu had reached ten shi, and it smelt even better and also stickier. Even Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help praising its flavor. The whole family was very happy, especially Ling Chenglong. One should know that as the only big thing he had ever achieved. Recently, he even carried a gust of wind when walking. Wherever he went, he¡¯d always hang a smile on the face, and even took Old Zhou, Zheng Da and others to collect humus in the mountain for manuring the fields, only wishing to have another big harvest next year.


    Therefore, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t say much. It was not bad that his dad had something to keep him busy. Although only he knew that it was mainly the credit of his crescent spring water. But, as long as they kept the seeds of this time, in future, their rice would still taste the same good.


    ¡°What are you doing? I saw you ran into the kitchen for a few times in the morning.¡±


    It was already quite cold at the end of the November. Everyone was wearing thick cotton clothes. One day, Ling Jinguan went to the kitchen only wearing some thin clothes for quite a few times. Instead of feeling cold, he even had some sweat on his forehead. Yan Shengrui who came back from Zhao family stopped him before he ran to the kitchen again. Recently he had been busy with the iron forging stuff. So except time for eating and sleeping, he was almost all away the whole day.


    ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s a special day today. I need to get something ready.¡±


    Turning around and throwing him a smile, Ling Jingxuan lifted his feet and walked to the kitchen again. Yan Shengrui raised his eyebrows curiously and couldn¡¯t help following up, ¡°What special day is it?¡±


    ¡°Our sons¡¯ birthday.¡±


    Everyone was busy, so they nearly all forgot. Maybe the kids¡¯ birthday was not that important in village families. But now Ling Jingxuan who became the boss and had nothing to do everyday remembered it clearly. Today, after sending the kids to school, he started to be busy. This was the first birthday he was going to prepare for his sons. Forget about other things. The birthday cake was a must. Since having received the imperial edict last time, the little buns seemed not quite in the mood. One even didn¡¯t look excited on seeing money, while the other also showed no interest in food. So he wanted to take this opportunity to cheer them up.


    ¡°Birthday? Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier? It¡¯s too late to get them presents now.¡±


    Hearing that, Yan Shengrui wide opened his eyes. No one had ever mentioned it before him, so he never knew when it was his kids¡¯ birthday, only knew it was around the end of the year.


    ¡°Heihei¡­I forgot to tell you. What about you ask Yan Yi, Yan Shan and Yan Si to go to town to buy something? With their speed, I guess they would make it back before dinner.¡±


    Going into the kitchen, Ling Jingxuan already aimed at the ready-steamed chiffon cake. That was the outcome which had cost him the whole morning. Beside the cake was a basin of well-stirred single cream, the jam for decorations and a few kinds of wild fruit he asked daddy wolf to pick from deep in the mountain. He couldn¡¯t call their names, but they all tasted quite good. He planned to use them as the decorations. And he even made a few colorful little candles himself.


    ¡°Did you do that on purpose? You call that dessert?¡±


    Yan Shengrui threw him his dagger eyes. But meanwhile, his eyes couldn¡¯t help moving to that round object about thirty centimeters across, a bit confused. Is there any desert in this world he had never tasted before? But he really had never seen this thing before.


    ¡°Hmm, this is a chiffon cake. Try it and see how it tastes.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan picked some at the edge of the cake with his hand and sent it by his mouth. That kind of soft and sweet taste instantly subdued Yan Shengrui¡¯s picky stomach, ¡°Good, it¡¯s neither too sweet nor too light. Some kind of light taste of eggs. But isn¡¯t it too big? How are the kids supposed to eat it?¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­Don¡¯t we have a knife? I still need to buy a lot of items for decoration. I can¡¯t explain it to you. You¡¯ll know when we eat the cake at dinner. What are you waiting for? Ask someone to buy presents! Aren¡¯t you really buying our sons any presents?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t like explaining things, so he didn¡¯t want to explain it to him. Instead, he picked up the chopsticks and started to stir the single cream. The cream had waste him a lot of time. And it was still thanks to that he often refined all kinds of things, otherwise, he could only put some fruit as decorations.


    Watching his busy wife, Yan Shengrui suddenly didn¡¯t want to leave. He then leaned against the table with his hands crossed before the chest, with that pair of peach blossom eyes filled with dense affections and tenderness, ¡°no hurry. The kids will only come back in the afternoon. Jingxuan, what do you think I should prepare for them? Wen likes silver. And Wu, except eating, he is fond of nothing else. How about I give each of them a red envelop with ten thousand taels of silver?¡±


    Apparently it was a joke. But Ling Jingxuan who was busy found it so funny and echoed, ¡°I agree. Xiaowen will be very happy. And Xiaowu could also plan what to buy with it. But don¡¯t you think it¡¯s too little? Change it to gold and it¡¯d be not bad.¡±


    ¡°Gold will also do. I¡¯m just afraid that our Xiaowen will pass out directly on seeing it. Are you sure?¡±


    Picking his eyebrows, Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t show a slice of care about his big son at all. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help darkening his face. That might be quite possible. Last time when the emperor rewarded them with gold, their little buns were still immersed in the sorrow of missing Yan¡¯er. So they even didn¡¯t notice it. This time, if Yan Shengrui really sent them a red envelop with ten thousand taels of silver inside, wouldn¡¯t he get scared to death? Maybe he would even think his daddy had gone to rob a money shop.


    ¡°Then you better send them silver. They don¡¯t lack of anything. Even if they don¡¯t spend the silver, they could save it for the future, like things marrying a wife. According to their habit, I guess they wouldn¡¯t spent it. So I guess, they don¡¯t even need us to pay for the betrothal gifts in the future.¡±


    Speaking of here, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling since he found it so funny. Last time they lent them over a thousand tales of silver, he gave three thousand back. Usually, Jinghan, Jingpeng, Zhao&Han couple, even Qingzi and others would give them some silver as pin money. But they didn¡¯t spend any but saved it all. Now those two kids were real little rich kids now.


    ¡°Haha¡­their money is theirs. When they get married, we still need to pay. We can¡¯t save that kind of money.¡±


    The most important five years, he wasn¡¯t there for them, he even didn¡¯t know their existence. So he could never be absent of their growth. He¡¯d give them the best. After going back to the capital, the first thing he¡¯d do was to give them a title. He¡¯d make it up to them.


    ¡°Do you even need to say that? Of course I know we can¡¯t save it. But, Xiaowu always nags marrying Yan¡¯er. If Yan¡¯er becomes the emperor, are we still going to marry him into the palace?¡±


    When it came to this, Ling Jingxuan stopped what he was doing. He didn¡¯t mind him marrying into the palace, as long as the kid felt happy. But he just had no good feelings about that place, however capable an emperor was. To balance the court, there¡¯d be countless concubines in the harem. Although he believed that Yan¡¯er would protect their small bun well, on thinking of the existence of so many concubines, he felt awful. He guessed his small bun also wouldn¡¯t like that. And then¡­there¡¯d be no then. The small bun became more and more Iike Shengrui. Maybe he¡¯d start to kill people.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think too much? That¡¯s totally impossible. Xiaowu is only five, and Seven is only seven. Even if they get married for real, my son could never be the bottom one! And Seven will also never let him suffer. Giving his affections for Xiaowu, it¡¯s not impossible to empty the harem for him. Emperor Gao of the Yan family had no concubine for his whole life, only his empress. So, since there¡¯s an example before, I guess those courtiers dare not oppose.¡±


    In fact, many people from Yan family were spoonies. It was just they were not firm enough, but it was mostly due to the big environment. Someone like Emperor Gao, through the whole world, he was the only emperor who was always so faithful to his other half.


    ¡°Really? We¡¯ll talk about it in the future. Now I finally understand that all parents in the world are the same.¡±


    On hearing that, Ling Jingxuan turned around and started to be busy again. The cream was ready. He only needed to smear it on the chilled chiffon cake now. Ling Jingxuan took up the long knife he had long prepared, and carefully cut the cake into halves in the middle. He put the upper half aside, and smeared some cream on the lower part using a bamboo knife, and spread some red fruit grains on it, then another layer of cream, and finally covered it back with the upper half of the cake. Then after smearing the cream and another layer of red jam on the top and decorated it with the remained fruit, the birthday cake was done.


    ¡°Hmm, not bad.¡±


    The jam was so red that it was nearly kind of transparent when covering over the while cream, like the cake was wearing a layer of pink chiffon, dark red thumb-size fruit made a circle around the edge of the cake, inside was decorated with some other wild fruit. Ling Jingxuan thought a bit, then picked a few dark black wild fruit, squeezed out some juice and mixed it with the cream, then he made some dark red cream. Looking from left to right, he didn¡¯t find anything suitable, so Ling Jingxuan ran out again. Soon he came back with a pure white rice paper. He folded it into funnel shape, and carefully stuffed the colored jam into it, and then gently squeezed it onto the empty space to write a few words ¡®Happy Birthday, Little Buns.¡±


    ¡°Here it is.¡±


    Throwing the mounting patterns bag made of the rice paper aside, Ling Jingxuan nodded with satisfaction. After watching it for quite some time, Yan Shengrui walked over and embraced him, ¡°I also want this kind of cake on my birthday.¡±


    ¡°Er, are you still a child?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes helplessly. In this world, did he know how expensive it was to make a cake? If it hadn¡¯t been for his sons, he would never have spent so much time on such a thing.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Anyhow, you can¡¯t be partial! Every year when it¡¯s my or our sons¡¯ birthday, you have to make us this kind of birthday cake.¡±


    Yan Shengrui was invincible when he played a rascal. Ling Jingxuan finally had no choice but to nod. Otherwise, with no doubt, he¡¯d nag him all day about it.

 Chapter 396

    Even though Hanling School was run by their family, the little buns still had to observe to the rules there. At noon, they must eat at school. A few women were specially responsible for their lunch. Since the magistrate gave a lot of extra land when they bought the land, except two teaching houses, the playground in the front and the house for the tutors¡¯ accommodations in the back, the school also built a big tile-roofed house for the students to take a nap, with little wooden bunk beds inside. So every day after lunch, the kids must take half an hour¡¯s nap after lunch.


    ¡°Howl!¡±


    After school in the afternoon, Ling Jingxuan who had nothing to do brought Dahei and Xiaohei to wait for the little buns at the gate. That was his routine job everyday. However busy he was, he¡¯d make time to wait for them after school. Of course, the two cubs were the same. The fungus ground substance in the house in the backyard was all moved to the factory area. Except people in the family, few outsiders would go there. So he wasn¡¯t afraid that the strong and big Dahei and Xiaohei would accidentally hurt or scare someone.


    ¡°Dahei, Xiaohei, today is you¡¯re the little buns¡¯ birthday. You got to behave. Later, daddy will bring a big birthday cake for you to eat.¡±


    The kids hadn¡¯t come back, So Ling Jingxuan squatted down to hold their heads. Now, they were raised smarter and smarter. They only ate well-cooked meat, and their snacks should be dried meat slices. And the water of his crescent spring was their usual beverage. Usually, if the small buns forgot to share their snacks with them, they¡¯d howled pitifully for a few days until they were satisfied. Ling Jingxuan really felt helpless on that. Now he understood, the wolf daddy and his two sons were totally human in a wolf¡¯s skin. Except human language, they knew everything.


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    See? As soon as his words fell, the two wolves howled as a response to him. They even stuck out their tongues to lick his face, but he avoided it, ¡°It smells! You didn¡¯t rinse your mouths, did you? Never time, if I find you don¡¯t rinse your mouth again, I won¡¯t give you that water to drink! Learn from your daddy when you have time. See how he rinses his mouth after eating some food and how he washes his claws before going to bed. Look at you! So sloppy!¡±


    Those people passing by saw that he again was lessoning the two wolves, they all couldn¡¯t help smirking. After having gotten along for so long, they were no longer afraid of daddy wolf and his two sons. Sometimes when they saw that Dahei and Xiaohei got lessoned there obediently, they even felt sorry for them. You could imagine how adorable they looked when they got lessoned.


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    The two little wolves howled, and rubbed against his shoulders with their heads on both sides, which made Ling Jingxuan kind of embarrassed. So those things even learnt to act cute now?


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Adoptive daddy¡­¡±


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    The voice of the little buns suddenly sounded, and he saw that the three buns were running at him. Seeing that, the two wolves instantly left Ling Jingxuan behind and ran over, then they ran back together.


    ¡°Daddy, I missed you.¡±


    Holding his daddy¡¯s neck, Ling Wu habitually acted cute before his daddy. Meanwhile, Ling Jingxuan also stretched out his hands to hold Ling Wen and Tiewa, then the three kids all threw themselves onto him, ¡°Daddy(Adoptive daddy)¡­¡±


    The happiest thing of their day was that they would see their daddy immediately after they came home.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­all right, hurry to wash your hands. After your grandparents are here, we can eat. Huzi, go to your Uncle Zhao¡¯s place to ask them to come early to have dinner.¡±


    Perhaps because he was now the idlest people at home, the children were al quite dependent on him, and liked acting cute before him. Of course, Ling Jingxuan was happy about that. Before going in, he ordered the footboy behind.


    ¡°Adoptive daddy, are my parents also coming over for dinner?¡±


    Tiewa held his hand and asked curiously. Recently, he lived in Yuehua Manor, and it seemed that he had not had dinner with his parents for a long time.


    ¡°Hmm, today is Xiaowen and Xiaowu¡¯s birthday. So our whole family would have dinner together. Aren¡¯t you happy, Tiewa?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, so it¡¯s their birthday today. Why didn¡¯t tell me earlier? I didn¡¯t prepare any present.¡±


    Speaking of here, Tiewa even pouted his mouth. They were his best friends. How could he not prepare presents for them?


    ¡°Hehe¡­ You are the best present. When it¡¯s your birthday next month, they also wouldn¡¯t prepare any present for you. But I will definitely prepare a big present for you.¡±


    At such a young age, he already knew to prepare presents for his best friends. Ling Jingxuan felt happy, and couldn¡¯t help rubbing his head dotingly.


    ¡°Daddy, why did I not know that today is my birthday?¡±


    Ling Wu who was running headmost ran back and asked, with all question marks on his little face, while Ling Wen on the other side was also thinking of something. Ling Jingxuan felt his heart was aching, he hurriedly said with a smile, ¡°Tiewa also didn¡¯t know when it is his birthday. What¡¯s so strange about that? Later, you¡¯d remember it when you grow up. Not just your birthday, when you grow up, daddy should be old, you know, when people get old, they¡¯d forget a lot of things. So you should also remember daddy¡¯s birthday, and celebrate daddy¡¯s birthday every year.¡±


    Perhaps the reason they can¡¯t remember their birthday was because they never celebrated it? Even Lady Wang and others forgot it, from which he could tell that. If it hadn¡¯t been that the original owner had suffered too much pain when giving birth to them, even the original owner himself couldn¡¯t remember it, let alone him.

 Chapter 397

    ¡°Oh, daddy, you rest assured, from this year, I will remember your birthday, and also father¡¯s. From now on, when it¡¯s your birthday, I will remind you.¡±


    Soon the small bun let it go and promised him while patting on his chest. Although the big bun didn¡¯t say anything, his eyes were sparkling, apparently he was thinking the same thing like his younger brother. Seeing that, Tiewa aside hurriedly said, ¡°I will also remember it for you. Adoptive daddy, I will also remember it for you.¡±


    ¡°All right, all right. I will leave those things for you to remember then.¡±


    Looking at the three cute little faces, Ling Jingxuan smiled like a flower, and what is happier than the thoughtful children?


    Although everyone forgot the birthday of the buns, the evening dinner was still very rich. It basically had all their favorite dishes which Ling Jingxuan specially told sister-in-law to prepare. When Lady Wang and others knew that it was their birthday, they all blamed themselves for being too careless. Then they all turned to prepare red envelops for the two brothers.


    ¡°Thank you, uncle, aunt, Uncle Zhao, Uncle Han, Uncle Han, Uncle Peng, brother Shanzi.¡±


    The two buns nearly smiled their eyes into two new moons after receiving so many red envelops. This was the first time they celebrated their birthday.


    Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan secretly threw Yan Shengxuan an eyes, and then slipped out while nobody was noticing. Yan Shengrui signaled the two sons to go over, and then felt out two big red pouches and handed them to them, ¡°I don¡¯t have to prepare presents for you. So take the money. Buy anything you like. When I see some rare things or funny stuff, I will make it up for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, father.¡±


    The two buns¡¯ eyes were glistening, and they accepted it directly. As they opened it, it was a bank note of ten thousand taels of silver, their little hands were shaking, and the bank note nearly dropped on the ground. Ling Wen instantly darkened his face and handed it back to him, ¡°Father, why did you give us so much? I don¡¯t want it.¡±


    Ten thousand! So it was twenty thousand together! Even their whole family didn¡¯t have so much money! For their red envelops, their father had hollowed out their whole family?


    ¡°Neither do I.¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Wu also stuffed the bank note back to him. Ten or a hundred tales of silver, they could feel happy. But this was too much!


    ¡°Ha ha¡­ Take it, rest assured, this is not your daddy¡¯s money, it¡¯s mine. This is the first time I celebrate for your birthday, so it¡¯s reasonable I give you so much.¡±


    With Yan Shengrui¡¯s shrewdness, how could he not know what his sons were thinking? For that, he even couldn¡¯t help smiling, feeling so sorry deep in his eyes. As Yan Shengrui¡¯s legitimate sons, they even dare not accept only ten thousand taels of silver? Wouldn¡¯t people take it as joke if they heard of it? In the future, he got to train them. Whenever he had a chance, he¡¯d stuff them some money.


    ¡°Father is lying. Isn¡¯t your money daddy¡¯s? Our family is rich, everyone is easy at hands, but you still can¡¯t give us so much. Aren¡¯t you afraid we may learn bad things with so much money? Don¡¯t the storytellers say that those dandies turn bad only because they have too much money?¡±


    Ling Wen didn¡¯t make concession at all, with an extra serious expression. Ling Wu who had always followed his lead also nodded hard. Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help complaining in the heart, we only wish you could turn into a dandy. Pity that it would never happen in this life.


    ¡°That¡¯s your father¡¯s pin money. You can take it.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s voice suddenly sounded, everyone looked up and saw him carrying a very big and beautiful thing and come in, a light fruit fragrance slowly drifted away. Ling Wu who had been full suddenly had a stomach grumble, with his eyes staring at that colorful big cake, kept swallowing some saliva now and then. Even Ling Wen and Tiewa who were not so fond of food couldn¡¯t move their eyes from it, with naked curiosity under their eyes.


    ¡°There is a saying that a man becomes bad when he has money. If you don¡¯t help your father spend his money, aren¡¯t you afraid that he will go out to mess with the money? Take it all. Your father is rich and doesn¡¯t care about it at all.¡±


    Ignoring their drooling mouth, Ling Jingxuan put down the cake and took the bank notes and stuffed them back to the buns. After he said that, Yan Shengrui instantly darkened his face. But the two little buns no longer refused. In their little hearts, they always felt that whatever daddy said was all right. So, since daddy said so, as the sons, they should help daddy watch their father.


    ¡°Daddy, what is this? A cake? Looks good, and smells good. It must be delicious.¡±


    The attention of the little guys had already shifted to the cake which they had never seen before, and Ling Wu already stuffed those red envelops into his father¡¯s hand, rested his head on the table staring at the big cake, the next thing would be drooling.


    ¡°Hehe, this is the birthday cake, daddy specially makes it for you, also daddy¡¯s present for you. Wait a second.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan also no longer hung their appetite, he picked up the special small candles aside and inserted them in the cake, and felt out the flintstone and lit them,  ¡°Come on, everyone gather around. Xiaowen, Xiaowu, you sit together.¡±


    With everything ready, Ling Jingxuan sat back beside Shengrui, after taking a look at him, they both clapped their hands, ¡°Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you¡­¡±


    The happy birthday song slowly rang. At first, Lady Wang and others still didn¡¯t quite understand, but soon, they also joined them clapping their hands. Because the song was quite catchy and easy to learn, soon they also learned to sing it. At last, even those servants and maids waiting on aside also couldn¡¯t help singing it while clapping their hands. The whole room was filled with the sound of their hands clasping and the birthday song. The two little buns couldn¡¯t be happier now!

 Chapter 398

    ¡°All right, now you close your eyes and make three wishes, and then blow out the candles in one breath.¡±


    Under his guidance, the two buns obediently did as they were told, silently made three wishes, together leaned to blow out the candled, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan then said in unison, ¡°Sons, happy birthday!¡±


    ¡°Happy birthday!


    Others then also said happy birthday to him. Then the two little buns threw themselves onto Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan and gave them their kisses. Then the whole family split the big cake on the table. While eating, the few little buns asked them to make it for them every day, which made Ling Jingxuan quite embarrassed, finally he could only promise them and every year for their birthday, he¡¯d make the birthday cake for them however busy he would be. Of course, not only them, but also Tiewa and the old but shameless Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    In winter, it got dark earlier and earlier. After eating the cake, the kids went into the yard to make movements to help digestion, while Ling Jingxuan lazily stayed in the warm room and wouldn¡¯t go out. Soon, he started to yawn and lean on Yan Shengrui. When he was busy before, he didn¡¯t feel a thing. But after he became idle everyday, he found that he became kind of somnolent and wished he could stay in bed the whole day.


    ¡°Tired?¡±


    Gently embracing him, Yan Shengrui took over the cloak from Yan Shan no one knew where he came out and covered it for him. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t even lift his eyes but only said lazily in his arms, ¡°Hmm, maybe I got up too early this morning.¡±


    ¡°Are you ill? How about I bring a doctor for you?¡±


    Seeing that he looked really tired, Yan Shengrui became a bit worried. If he remembered correctly, they took a nap together this afternoon, he wasn¡¯t supposed to feel so sleepy so soon.


    ¡°I¡¯m the doctor. Why ask for¡­a doctor for me¡­eh? No way!¡±


    His right hand that was feeling his left wrist went stiff, the corner of his mouth kept twitching, with undisguised shocking feeling under his eyes, which quite scared Yan Shengrui. He thought he caught some kind of serious illness, so he asked nervously, ¡°What?¡±


    For a moment, Ling Chenglong and others also crowded around, everyone was looking at him worriedly. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t believe it, so he felt it again, face sunk. After quite a while, he said in stammers, ¡°I¡­think¡­I seem to have it¡­¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Everyone was stunned, Yan Shengrui even had all question marks all over his face. Have what?


    Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes angrily and roared deeply, ¡°I am having a new baby. You happy?¡±


    Damn it, how did this happen? And it had been almost two months, which meant he got pregnant on their wedding night, and he had no response at all.


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    After a brief daze, Yan Shengrui turned excited this time. They are going to have another baby?


    ¡°Of course. How would I make a joke on this? It¡¯s nearly two months.¡±


    It was not easy to convince himself to accept this fact, Ling Jingxuan felt feeble, it was not that he did not welcome the arrival of the child, in fact, he liked kids, and also had plenty of money to raise them, the problem was that the child came too early, if possible, he really hoped that the child could come after everything was settled.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­Jingxuan, impressive¡­¡±


    After getting his confirmation, Yan Shengrui suddenly carried him up and made circles in the room. He was going to be a father again¡­


    ¡°Oh, Shengrui, stop. Jingxuan is pregnant. Stop¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh my, Shengrui, Jingxuan can¡¯t take such big movement now.¡±


    ¡°Shengrui, be careful, the child.¡±


    ¡°Brother Rui¡­¡±


    Seeing that, Lady Wang and others all got up nervously, only afraid he¡¯d have a slip of his hands or what and the little life who had just come to this world would go away. After their heads-up, Yan Shengrui finally realized that he had been too reckless. So he hurriedly put him down, and felt his belly here and there nervously, ¡°Did you get hurt or what? How about our son? Jingxuan, any place you feel uncomfortable? No, I have to ask Yan Yi to find some experienced and reliable doctors now, and the midwife and nanny. I have to prepare everything for my son. Jingxuan, do you think I should go buy some toys and clothes for our son tomorrow?¡±


    Another silly father renounced the world splendidly, the child was only two months, now he was talking about midwife, nanny and toys and clothes? Did he really think Jingxuan was going to give birth tomorrow?


    ¡°Give me a break and be quiet, will you? It¡¯s only two months and I don¡¯t need any of those stuff. I¡¯m a doctor myself and I can¡¯t trust any of other doctors, so you don¡¯t have to do anything but just wait to be a father.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan helplessly rolled his eyes. Could he act a bit normal? Just being pregnant, OK? Do you have to be so nervous?


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°No buts!


    Yan Shengrui still wanted to say something, but got stopped by Ling Jingxuan. Only one silly daddy was enough. He didn¡¯t want to the kid to have a silly father.


    ¡°Ahem¡­Well, Shengrui, what Jingxuan said makes sense. The kid is only two months. It hasn¡¯t been stable. No need for a midwife or nanny now. The urgent thing now is to let Jingxuan nourish the fetus quietly. Don¡¯t add more troubles to him.¡±


    If they could, they really didn¡¯t want to disturb their different way of public display of affection. But under such special occasion, Lady Wang could only cut in, her eyes couldn¡¯t help sweeping over at his son¡¯s bulged belly, with exciting light flashing across her eyes. Five years ago when Jingxuan got pregnant for the first time, they couldn¡¯t protect him. And the two kids were lucky enough to grow up, otherwise¡­Half a year ago, she even failed to protect her own kid. This time, whatever the cost was, she had to protect the kid well and let him come to this world safely.

 Chapter 399

    ¡°What you said is right. I know. Jingxuan, shall we go back to rest?¡±


    Hearing him, Yan Shengrui repeatedly nodded, and hurriedly meant to reach out his hands to pick him up. Ling Jingxuan patted his hands off and said angrily, ¡°The kids are still up. What¡¯s the hurry?¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy, what are you talking about?¡±


    Yan Shengrui, again, got interrupted by his sons who were running in from outside. Ling Wen looked at him strangely, and then walked to his daddy and nested in his arms. Seeing that, Ling Wu also moved over. Tiewa meant to join them, but got stopped by Han Fei halfway. Now Jingxuan was pregnant, he couldn¡¯t let the naughty little ¡®monkey¡¯ to annoy him.


    ¡°Hmm¡­I think, this should be a special birthday present. Xiaowen, Xiaowu, do you you¡¯re your little brother?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan tilted his head to think, then looked at the two children with a smile, other people¡¯s children may not like their parents having other children, but he knew his children well. Maybe because they were alone since they were little, so they quite liked kids, who had already been wanting a little brother or sister.


    ¡°Yes, is daddy going to give birth one for us? No, two is best, a younger brother, a younger sister, in the future, Xiaowu and I, we can take care of one each. I will definitely buy them a lot of fun stuff.¡±


    Ling Wen did not think of so much and only said so. He hoped that their family could have a lot of children, and then, their family would be very lively.


    ¡°I also want it, I¡¯ll buy them delicious food, and I will also share my snacks with them. Daddy, give birth to our little brother and sister.¡±


    Ling Wu also raised his hand and stated his opinion. Two exactly the same little faces were stained with the same expectation and craving. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, then took the hand of each of them and put them over his belly, ¡°They are already inside. As for it¡¯s a little brother or sister, I am also not clear. Xiaowu, Xiaowen, you got help daddy take care of it.¡±


    Seemed that it wasn¡¯t bad that the kid could come earlier.


    ¡°Why is my little brother in daddy¡¯s stomach?¡±


    Head tilted, Ling Wu asked. Like how Ling Jingxuan usually did, Ling Wen also bent his finger and tapped on his forehead with his knuckle and said presumingly, ¡°Stupid! Because father put it in! I have ever seen a pregnant woman in the village. It is a baby inside. Later our daddy¡¯s belly will also grow big, and then our little brother will crawl out of it.¡±


    All right, it sounds reasonable, but after careful consideration, something is wrong. The adults around all couldn¡¯t help laughing, but Ling Wu nodded with agreement, ¡°I see. Elder brother, you are impressive. You know everything.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Wu even gave his thumbs-up. Ling Wen instantly put on a cocky-rooster look. Ling Jingxuan meant to correct it for them but gave it up after a second though. This kind of thing, the more you explained, the more complicated. So he¡¯d better say little.


    ¡°Brother, you should be obedient in daddy¡¯s belly, after you come out, I will buy you a lot of delicious food, I promise to raise it into a chubby little bun.¡±


    Ling Wu suddenly squatted down, lay on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s belly and nagged, and still didn¡¯t forget to pat on the belly gently with a hand. The chubby bun seemed to have become an exclusive object of this family. Even he knew to use it.


    ¡°Brother, you said wrong, later you¡¯ll be his second elder brother, I am the big brother. He can¡¯t just call us elder brother.¡±


    Ling Wen also leaned over, with his ears gently feeling against his daddy¡¯s belly. But what he was trying to hear was unknown.


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes, second elder brother, I am the second elder brother. Little brother, don¡¯t mistake us.¡±


    Like silly father, like silly sons. Now they got two!


    Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes to look at those two little bun with affection, wearing a happy smile on the face. Yan Shengrui who already got elbowed to one side also had affections and doting under his eyes. He was going to be a father again! Before, he had already missed the growth of Xiaowen and Xiaowu. This time, he must accompany Jingxuan to welcome their little baby. He would give the best of the world to them and made them the happiest ones in the world.


    ¡°All right. Stop fooling around with your daddy. Let him go to rest early. Xiaowen, Xiaowu, from today on, grandma will coax you to sleep, OK?¡±


    Seeing that they were so harmonious, Lady Wang also felt happy for them. So she decisively took over the job of coaxing the kids to sleep onto her own shoulder. But, they two little buns stood up together, and Ling Wen said, ¡°No need, grandma. I got my little brother now. I am a big child. I don¡¯t need anyone to coax me to sleep. We¡¯ll help ourselves sleep.¡±


    The arrival of their little brother undoubtedly made them grow up instantly again. Ling Wu also nodded with the effort. They should set a good example and help daddy take care of their little brother when he was born.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Mom, let them sleep on their own, early independence is good for boys.¡±


    Ling Wang frowned and wanted to say something, but Ling Jingxuan interrupted with a smile. It is a good thing for children to learn to be independent, and they have to learn to let go Transition protection will only imprison their growth, which is detrimental to their future.


    ¡°All right, then, when you go to bed at night, you must cover yourself well with the quilt. It¡¯s getting cold now. Don¡¯t catch a cold.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, we know, grandma, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    The two little buns nodded obediently, and then grabbed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hands again, ¡°daddy, we¡¯ll send you to your room.¡±


    ¡°All right, let¡¯s go, dad, mom, aunt, brother Zhao and Brother Han, you also rest early.¡±


    Before leaving, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t forget to nod at everyone, with Yan Shengrui carefully following behind. Watching their backs, everyone smiled. Their family was getting better and better. Now they got a new little life, it would only get better, right? Definitely!

 Chapter 400

    Ling Jingxuan got pregnant, this thing was like a spring breeze blowing through the whole Ling village overnight, after all, the man pregnant thing was already shocking enough, a lot of gossiping women would talk about it privately, but soon got yelled back by their men, is the present Ling Jingxuan someone they could gossip about?


    Those who on good terms with Yuehua Manor, like Old Wang(PinyinÍõ), Shopkeeper Zhang, Shopkeeper Wang(PinyinÍô) and Shopkeeper Hong in town all went to visit him in person. Even the magistrate who was going to be transferred into the capital sent someone to send a gift. Now he was helping Ling Jingxuan purchase sorghum seeds. After the new magistrate came the next year, he¡¯d leave.


    The coldest December came, and those chicken, ducks and pigs were all big enough for slaughtering. Over two hundred fat chicken, five hundred ducks, and ten giant pigs at least over two hundred jin, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t mean to sell any. It was December, plus, he was pregnant. So Lady Wang made chicken soup or duck soup for him everyday for his nutrition, making Ling Jingxuan want to throw up every time he saw the soup, and pretended to be sleeping when it was time to eat.


    Others would lose the appetite when they got pregnant and kept having morning sickness, but he had never vomited or what, but only became more and more somnolent. He¡¯d sleep at least fourteen hours a day, and he was afraid of the cold. When he got up, he would either wrap himself in thick enough cotton-padded coat or nested in Yan Shengrui¡¯s arms. Then he accidentally saw that the dark wool all got thrown away after the ducks were killed, in his head suddenly popped out those down jackets that had swept the world. After communicating with Wang Jinyu, in less than half a month, they had really worked out the ancient style down jackets, the heat preservation effect was no worse than that they made through modern high technology. What¡¯s more, since they used real stuff, Ling Jingxuan personally thought they were even better, but just didn¡¯t look that good.


    With the first down jacket, naturally there would be countless ones. Zhang Qing specially went to those villages to purchase duck¡¯s down at a low price, and hired a lot of people to process it at home. Soon, everyone at home dropped their thick cotton-padded coats and changed into the thin and warm down jackets. Generally, they would hit the shelves in Baiyunge next, but Yan Shengrui stopped it, saying that they were not for sale, but made them all for military use and kept the supply to the soldiers all the year round. Of course, they were not for free. The court was responsible for the pay, twenty taels of silver for each. For that, Ling Jingxuan also designed two styles of leather military boots. The high-end one was for those generals, and the common one was for the soldiers, which was also left to Baiyunge to make. In a time, Zhang Qing was as busy as a spinning top, who purchased duck¡¯s down and all kinds of animal furs everywhere. And the sub-production lines of Baiyunge also became very busy. Finally, even Ling Jinghan had to pass the mushroom business to his dad and helped with it.


    Because there was a new business to be busy with now, when it was Tiewa¡¯s birthday, Zhao&Han couple did not give him a special celebration, only Han Fei made a day to learn to make a birthday cake from Ling Jingxuan, the two families together had a meal and that was it, but the big present Ling Jingxuan had promised, he really didn¡¯t save it. He specially asked someone to buy a set of top quality brush, ink sticks, paper and inkstone, and forged a little gold pig necklace for him. Yan Shengrui also treated him differently, also gave him a red envelop with ten thousand taels of silver inside. So those two really took their adoptive son as their own son.


    26th of lunar December, only a few days before the Spring Festival. And it was time to slaughter those ten fat pigs they had raised themselves. That day, every one from the Wang family came. Old Wang and his wife brought all the kids over, let alone Zhao&Han couple. They hired the butchers at the entrance of the village. Since they got ten pigs, before dawn, the butcher already came with the tools and his two disciples. The little buns looked so excited, who ran out only wearing the thin down jackets, jumping and screaming. Finally they had their own pork to eat!


    ¡°Jingxuan, why do you look so thin? The kid¡¯s aunt, why don¡¯t you cook food for him for nutrition? Now he has to feed two lives. You can¡¯t be like this.¡±


    They got enough servants and maids, so as the masters, they only needed to entertain the guests. Seeing that Ling Jingxuan was still so thin as before after having been pregnant for three months, Lady Mu felt a bit sorry for him. Recently they didn¡¯t come was because everyone needed time to heal those wounds in the heart. After hearing that her nephew got pregnant, she instantly brought her sisters-in-law to visit him, and the two families¡¯ relationship became normal.


    ¡°I made food for him, and he ate a lot, and even didn¡¯t have morning sickness, but he just doesn¡¯t grow some weight. I am so worried. Big sister-in-law, do you have any method?¡±


    When it came to this, Lady Wang also felt sorry. At first, they made duck soup or chicken soup for him every day. But after his protest, she changed it to made soup for him once in two days. Shengrui also asked someone to buy him a lot of tonic like ginseng and bird¡¯s nest. Even Ling Wen, the stingiest one in their family, secretly used his own pin money to ask Qing to buy a lot of tonic in town for him. And he also took them, but he just didn¡¯t pick up flesh. The whole family was so worried, but could do nothing. Recently, she even felt that she was about to grow some white hair.

 Chapter 401

    ¡°I heard that someone just wouldn¡¯t grow fat however much he eats. Is our Jingxuan that kind of constitution?¡±


    On hearing her, Lady Mu was also confused. What good methods do their village people have? Just eat as much as possible.


    ¡°I suppose so. Alas¡­now I only hope that he wouldn¡¯t lose some weight.¡±


    Throwing a peer at her son, Lady Wang made a helplessly sigh. While Ling Jingxuan who they had been complained about for long comforted her with a smile, ¡°Mom, you shouldn¡¯t judge a person whether he is healthy or not through his weight. Your son I am in perfect condition. See? Shanzi and others feel my impulse in turns every day! So stop worrying about me. I am a doctor, I know my own condition. Rest assured. I am quite good.¡±


    A few years ago, this body had suffered too much. For this lifetime, he could never grow fast. But it wasn¡¯t that bad. Though eating and sleeping all day, he didn¡¯t have to worry about he¡¯d turn into a fat pig someday. Besides, he owned a bisexual body, and his uterus was smaller than a woman. If the baby was too big, he couldn¡¯t even have a natural labor. Shanzi¡¯s medical skills had improved fast, but he still wasn¡¯t good enough to do a surgery alone. So, he even planned to restrict his diet, in case the baby would grow too big.


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes, you always have your own reason. I admit defeat. Oh, by the way, big sister-in-law, how is your business recently?¡±


    Lady Wang threw him an angry look and then tried to switch the topic to her family¡¯s sour&spicy rice noodles business. In such cold weather, it wouldn¡¯t be quite good.


    ¡°Not bad. After it gets cold, fewer people would come have it. So we changed it to spicy rice noodles, no vinegar, and it is not bad. But not as good as when in summer. But, those pot-stewed food sells better and better. And we are planning to purchase a storefront in the town.¡±


    In recent months, they had earned a lot. Though they couldn¡¯t compare with Lady Wang, it had greatly improved their living condition. Plus, the late rice was a good harvest, and her parents didn¡¯t put too much heart into it. Now they all had some spare money in the hands, and they were quite satisfied with their present situation. People should be too greedy, otherwise, one would end up like Lady Han and her daughter, who even had no idea how they had died.


    ¡°Still to sell rice noodles and pot-stewed food?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan suddenly cut in, before he had meant to hand the hot pot business to them. But after Lady Han and her daughter¡¯s thing, their relationship had been frozen there for some time. At the time, he happened to become a shareholder of Xinyuan, so the hot pot business was handed to Xinyuan. Now they their relationship had broken the rice, and his second uncle was still as good as before. He still planned to give them a hand, and took it as a favor to his mother.


    ¡°Hmm. We can¡¯t do other stuff. Jingxuan, do you have any better idea?¡±


    When men spoke, of course women had no place. Wang Jinfu picked up the talk. Wang Jingui and his two brothers also looked over. In fact, they had already planned to come to ask for his suggestion, but¡­Alas, long story!


    ¡°Ha ha, in fact it shouldn¡¯t be called a good idea, I just think that since you buy a storefront and still does the same business, it¡¯s not better than a stall. If you want to buy a storefront, you got to buy one with a backyard. Leave two people in the storefront in town every day. In the morning, you open it to sell some rice noodles, noodles and wantons for breakfast, and at noon, you can sell pot-stewed food and fried dishes, like hot and spicy crayfish and cold dishes. And at night, prepare more dishes. As long as the customer orders dishes, rice is for free. Anyhow, you have a good harvest of the late rice. And you don¡¯t have to purchase it, right? And then, your business will be quite good. Uncles, you can consider it.¡±


    What Ling Jingxuan said was somewhat like the sidewalk snack vendor in modern times. As long as their dishes tasted good enough, and the rice was for free, their business would be good.


    ¡°This is a good idea, although the rice is free, it¡¯d be small profits but quick turnover. We can grow more crops next year. It¡¯s just, how to make that hot and spicy crayfish? Jingxuan, I know I am stupid. And we are farmers for generations. I am afraid that the dishes we cook taste not good enough.


    Having troubled his big nephew too often, Wang Jinfu also felt a bit embarrassed. But he was a farmer, he really couldn¡¯t do it.


    ¡°Look at what you are talking about, uncle. We are family. Later, I will tell sister-in-law Song. My aunts can go learn from her later. But, don¡¯t leak the method to anyone else.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan just liked his honesty. So he felt a lot closer to them, and was willing to help them from his heart. One could imagine how happy that old couple looked. Lady Wang also smiled heartily. Her son helping her family was giving her face. How could she not feel happy?


    ¡°Hmm, later I will ask your big aunt and others to learn from her. Jingxuan, I really don¡¯t know how to express my gratitude, you¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that. Big uncle, still those words. We are family. Just let me know if you need anything. Even if I can¡¯t do it, we can talk, right?¡±


    Wang Jinfu was so excited and nearly said some words he shouldn¡¯t say again. Ling Jingxuan decisively stopped him. The thing about Lady Han and her daughter was the pain in his heart. The New Year was coming. In case of any embarrassment, better not to mention it.


    ¡°Hmm, I know. You also take care of yourself. A pregnant person can¡¯t work hard. Look at what I am saying. I only said those words after asking you a big favor. This is so embarrassing.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    Wang Jinfu complained about himself, and the whole family started to laugh, and the little knot in the heart was also gone with it. All in all, Wang family was quite honest, so Ling Jingxuan would love to associate with them.

 Chapter 402

    ¡°Chenglong, your pigs are really fat. I heard you only started feeding them in June. What did you feed them?¡±


    In case it might disturb the guests, the pigs were butchered in a spot not far from the pig hen in the backyard. While doing his job, the butcher pried with interest. Ling Chenglong scratched his head, giving an embarrassing smile. Before he opened his mouth, Ling Wen aside cut in, ¡°Of course. Our pigs grow this big by eating rice bran. Daddy said although it¡¯s a bit luxurious, when butchering them, we would be happy. See? Only five months, they are over two hundred jin. Only our family could do that.¡±


    One could imagine how proud Ling Wen looked at the moment. Before, he could only watch other family butcher a pig. This year, they directly butchered ten of them. He was so excited that he jumped up, and he was kind of swag there now.


    ¡°Sure, among all those villages nearby, only your family would use that to feed the pigs. Your late rice is solid income.¡±


    The butcher also didn¡¯t seem to look disgusted, but said with kind of fawning tone. Come on! Now, let alone the nearby villages, Yuehua Manor even already topped the whole Qingyang County! Even the money that funneled through their fingers was enough to sustain people like them for a whole life. If he didn¡¯t suck up to them now, when?


    ¡°Not much, we have so many people to feed, you know.¡±


    Like having been aware that he had said too much, Ling Jingwen then turned around to pull Ling Wu and Tiewa to run away, ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s go to the front yard to hang out with brother Shan and others. Grandpa, we gotta go.¡±


    ¡°OK. Slowly. Don¡¯t trip yourselves!¡±


    Worried, Ling Chenglong followed them behind for a few steps, then watched them leave. The few little buns waved their hands with their back against him and soon disappeared before his eyes. Only after arriving in the long corridor did Ling Wu ask strangely, ¡°Big brother, why do you leave? Don¡¯t you want to watch them butcher the pigs?¡±


    They had an agreement last night whether to watch the pig butchering today, and also watched how Aunt Song and others made pig dishes. This was just the beginning. Why leave?


    ¡°Nothing. Just now I said something wrong. We should not expose our fortune to others. And I was overjoyed and forgot about that. Daddy ever said that those who do business are different from farmers. They are all very tricky. If we keep staying there, that butcher will only ask more questions. We are kids, so we often say something we shouldn¡¯t say. So it¡¯s better to get out of there.¡±


    Ling Wen stopped and turned to face his two younger brothers, looking a bit regretted. Ling Wu and Tiewa looked at each other and went forward to hold his shoulders on both sides, ¡°Oh, I thought it¡¯s something huge. Big brother, we are kids. What¡¯s the big deal even if we say something wrong? We can watch out mouth then.¡±


    ¡°Right. Wen, your daddy loves us all. Even if he knows it, he wouldn¡¯t say something. So, don¡¯t be sad. Today is a big day. You can¡¯t let adoptive daddy to see you like this. My daddy said, now adoptive daddy is carrying a little brother in his belly. We shouldn¡¯t make him unhappy.¡±


    Ling Wu and Tiewa tried to comfort him. Ling Wen then nodded, ¡°Hmm, I know, actually I am not feeling sad, I just feel that I should be more careful. Come on! Let¡¯s go to the front yard to help entertain the guests. Later, we¡¯ll come back to watch them cook pig dishes.¡±


    ¡°OK.¡±


    The three little buns then turned to leave hand in hand, and Yan Yi who was hiding in the dark protecting them nodded with satisfaction. They were worthy to be the master¡¯s seeds. The little masters were sensible. It¡¯d be better as long as they didn¡¯t make so many unbelievable demands to him in the future.


    So-called pig dish, put it simply, was a dish with some parts of the pig. The well-cooked streaky pork slices, better add some big bones, well-cooked pig intestine slices, blood sausage beveling slices, some cleaned prickled celery cabbage cut into shreds, soaked dried rice noodles, cut into halves, then put the fry pan on the fire, put some mixed oil and heat up, then throw in some ginger slices and green onion slices, then put the prickled celery cabbage slices, then pour in some pig bone soup, then the streaky pork slices, pig intestines and the rice noodles. After it was boiled, scoop out the scum on the surface, then put some salt, pepper, soy sauce and other ingredients, then stew it using small fire for a few minutes, then scoop out the well-cooked things out with a strainer, put them in the soup, finally put the blood sausage in it, when they got curled, scoop them out using the strainer and spread them on top of the other well-cooked things, then, put some seasoning into the pot, carry up the pot and pour it on the dish, sprinkle some sliced coriander, prepare some plates of mashed garlic, and it¡¯s done.


    Ling Jingxuan meant to make some improvement. Then, seeing that Ling Wen still couldn¡¯t forget about it, he dropped that idea. His sons had never eaten the home-cooked pig dish, so he followed the tradition and let him eat for once. He¡¯d have plenty of time to make improvement. At lunch, the adults and kids sat before a few tables. According to the tradition, Ling Jingxuan and his two younger brothers were to entertain the male guests, while Lady Wang and Wang Jinyu were to take care of the female guests. And of course, Ling Wen, Ling Wu and Tiewa took care of those kids, including their footboys. The whole big family crowded in one room to enjoy the food.


    In the afternoon, Lady Mu meant to learn how to make dishes from sister-in-law Song and others.  So Ling Cheng and his wife led the old couple and Lady Wang¡¯s brothers to visit their factories. It had three rows in total. Now, the first row had all been in use. One side was the production line of Baiyunge, and the other side was the mushrooms. The two rows on the back, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t use them for now, and forbid anyone getting close to them. It¡¯d only open when Old Wang came to send the sorghum wine from town.

 Chapter 403

    As for Ling Jingxuan, he almost got into half hibernation mode after pregnancy. After eating, he¡¯d ask Yan Shengrui to support him back to his own room to rest. When he woke up, it was already one or two hours later. Usually, if he dawdled in bed for some time, it¡¯d be dinner time when he got up. Today, he was thinking of the pork from the ten pigs, so he got dressed right after he opened his eyes.


    ¡°You got up already? You look quite sleepy yet. Won¡¯t you sleep a little longer?¡±


    Seeing him from a distance, in a blink of an eye, Yan Shengrui already came before him, stretched out a hand to touch his face. Although Lady Wang often said he was lucky enough if he didn¡¯t lose some weight, he still felt sorry for him, only wishing he could suffer it for him. But every time, Ling Jingxuan would ¡®threaten¡¯ him by saying ¡°If you really feel sorry for me, save the sex life¡¯, but he wouldn¡¯t agree, and kept acting shameless before him, which made Ling Jingxuan quite speechless.


    ¡°No, I used to be almost awake at this time, but I just didn¡¯t want to get up. In such a cold day, what could be more comfortable than staying in bed? Are my grandpa and others in the central room?¡±


    Taking a look at the central room before his eyes, Ling Jingxuan then turned to step into the kitchen. It was too noisy there, so he¡¯d better not go.


    ¡°Well, Mother kept them till supper, which would be almost ready in a little while.¡±


    To the Wang family, Yan Shengrui always did not show too much affection, no, to more exact, except Ling Chenglong and his wife, Ling Jinghan and Ling Jingpeng, he always wore that cold face.


    ¡°All right.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan said nothing.


    ¡°Ah, Master Xuan, how can you run out on such a cold weather? Come on! Go back to your room. Just call us if you need anything.


    Sister-in-law Song happened to see them as she was carrying something out of the kitchen. Without even thinking, she went to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s side and urged them to go back, only afraid something might happen to Ling Jingxuan, making him not know whether to laugh or cry. So the whole family now takes him as some fragile glass?


    ¡°All right, I¡¯ll go back, OK? Call Gengniu for me. I will wait in the living room.¡±


    Having no choice, Ling Jingxuan could only surrender. Lady Song said happily, ¡°Ah, I will go get him for you right away, Master Sheng, you watch him, don¡¯t let him run about. It¡¯s only three months. He still needs good rest.¡±


    Before leaving, she still didn¡¯t forget about the nagging, which made both Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan embarrassed, but they knew she was holding some good intention, so they also didn¡¯t mind her line-crossing doing. As long as they were holding a good heart, they didn¡¯t care so much about the superior and inferior relationship.


    ¡°Now every family is butchering pigs for the New Year. Gengniu, tomorrow, you and Old Zhou go to the market in town and the entrance of the village to buy some pig intestines. Buy as much as you can. Sister-in-law Song, you and those maids are responsible for prickle them after slicing them into pieces using some chili powder, pepper and sugar. Tomorrow morning, you cut a few thin bamboo tubes, about this big, after they buy things back, you pour the prickled intestines into them. Fasten it tightly using cotton threads every ten millimeters. And then dip them in boiling water and prick some little holes using the needles, and finally hang them out in the back yard like how you hang out clothes.¡±


    After they came, Ling Jingxuan said his own idea again. The pork of ten pigs wasn¡¯t a small number. How much could they eat? Even the pig offal, the bones and the pig heads would sustain them for a long time. So he decided to make all the meat into sausages. They could eat it themselves, or send it to friends, both convenient and looking good.


    ¡°What is this dish?¡±


    The old Song couple took a look at each other, confused. Ling Jingxuan slightly smiled, ¡°This is called sausage. Actually kind of the same like frankfurter. But tastes a little better. You¡¯ll know after tasting it. Oh right, the pig offal, the bones and the pig heads, remember to send them to the school. It¡¯s so cold. Better make some soup for those women in the kitchen there.¡±


    The school had closed for the holidays, but the tutors didn¡¯t go home, so they still had to cook food for them everyday.


    ¡°Oh, we know.¡±


    The couple agreed. Now their life had greatly improved. Their biggest son was serving Ling Jinghan, who learned both account and a lot of knowledge. And their little son went to school together with the big little master. And their daughter even got promoted as the executive at the embroidery factory for her superb embroidering skills.


    ¡°Good, go down and get supper ready, where are the children?¡±


    Aren¡¯t they supposed to stay by his bed waiting for him to wake? Why no one showed up today?


    ¡°The kids? They went to hang out. Now a lot of kids in the village would like to play with them. So they went out after a nap.¡±


    The old couple said that before leaving. Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t think too much. Anyway, with Yan Yi around, they would be fine.


    ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s go to the central room. Later the kids will come home for food.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan meant to stand up. But Yan Shengrui pressed him back. Of course, as gentle as he would never hurt the baby, ¡°Forget about them. We can¡¯t cut in of what they are talking about. They¡¯d only feel embarrassed if we go. So, we should wait till it¡¯s time to eat.¡±


    Hands around his waist, Yan Shengrui leaned over his neck closely. Ling Jingxuan found it kind of reasonable, so he directly leaned in his arms. The two of them chatted now and then. The most they talked about was the kid¡¯s name thing. Yan Shengrui gave a lot of them, but all got denied by him. At first, Ling Jingxuan would give some suggestions, but finally he directly denied them all. What¡¯s there to discuss about with a silly father? No use at all.

 Chapter 404

    Early the next morning, under the guidance of the couple Song Gengniu and his wife, those servants and maids started to be busy after breakfast. What Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t expect as that the pig intestines were a lot more than he had thought. After processing the meat home, there were still a lot of intestines waiting to be processed. So Ling Jingxuan left the work to Zhao&Han couple, and asked sister-in-law Song to bring Lady Zhang and others to help. Of course, those kids were the happiest, because they could eat the pig dish. Maybe that was obsessiveness. When they were really eating the dish, they looked like they were enjoying the most delicious food in the world, making Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan both happy and sorry.


    Time flies! Soon it was December 30th. That day, a few factories were all closed for five days¡¯ rest. Since Wang Jinyu and Zhan&Han couple both had three members at home, so the three families directly made one huge family and stayed together to have the New Year¡¯s Eve dinner. Four tables were placed in the living room, they all ate together. As for those medical kids Ling Jingxuan raised and the blacksmiths Ling Jingxuan hired, they separately had dinner together with the servants and Zhao family. Dishes were also served by Yuehua Manor. Ling Jingxuan specially invited Zhang juren, a few xiucai and martial arts teachers staying in school over. They ate from noon till night. What a lively scene! When it was over, a lot of people were already very drunk.


    ¡°Daddy, can we set the fireworks that big cousin uncle brought back from the county?¡±


    After dark, according to the local customs, they would stay up late for the New Year¡¯s Eve. The old generation like Ling Chenglong had gone to rest, leaving those young people and the kids in the central room. Ling Wen and the other two little buns ran in holding a big package, and then took out a firecracker-like thing proudly. Ling Jingxuan took it and checked. It was more like a detonator, the shape was very like it. For security, he could only elbow Yan Shengrui aside, ¡°Call Yi, Shan and Si out. Let them take the kids to the yard to set fireworks. I am worried this thing might not be safe.¡±


    Let alone ancient times. Even the modern fireworks were not 100% safe. So better safe than never.


    ¡°Pa!¡±


    ¡°My lord, Master Xuan, little masters, little master Sheng.¡±


    With a snap of Yan Shengrui¡¯s finger, Yi, Shan and Si instantly popped out. Seeing them, without Ling Jingxuan¡¯s order, the three little buns grabbed each of their hand, ¡°Uncle Yi, play fireworks with us, OK?¡±


    Ling Wu looked up at Yan Yi with expectations, those big round eyes were even glittering. Yan Yi subconsciously shrank his neck and said stuffily, ¡°OK, OK.¡±


    Don¡¯t blame him for having become like a frightened bird, recently, he had been tricked by those little buns too much. Even time they gave him that kind of begging and cute look, he¡¯d end up pathetically.


    ¡°Uncle Shan, I want to see the fireworks fly high. Can you set it off after you fly up in the sky?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Ling Wen¡¯s request immediately let Yan Shan go stiff, face turning pale. Heaven knows when he heard the word fly, he¡¯d only wish to dig a hole and bury himself in.


    ¡°Uncle Si, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Little master Sheng, will you spare me? Next time Uncle Si goes to the town to bring you something fun.¡±


    Before Tiewa said his request, Yan Si already surrendered. Among the three of them, he was the only one that hadn¡¯t been persecuted. The reason was he behaved. Every time he went out for a job, he¡¯d bring back a lot of rare things for those little masters to make them happy. You know what, it worked. The three little buns all especially liked him and really had never played tricks on him, at least never asked him to fly high¡­


    ¡°OK, Uncle Si, you accompany me to set off fireworks. We have never done that before. I heard it¡¯s funny.¡±


    Tiewa tilted his head to look at him curiously, but still nodded smartly. Yan Yi and Yan Shan eagerly looked at their little masters Can¡¯t they learn from little master Sheng to play some ordinary things?


    ¡°Oh, Uncle Yi, what are you looking at me for? Hurry! Or they¡¯d do it before us. Changsheng, Hizi, hurry up!¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Under Ling Wu¡¯s guidance, Yan Yi and Yan Shan could only follow them behind holding those fireworks. Yan Shengrui made a smile at the corner of his mouth. He was even thinking of arranging his dark shadows to serve his sons. It seemed they would always have some chemistry.


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    As Dahei and Xiaohei who were lying by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s feet saw that the little masters were gone, they hurriedly got up and howled at Long Jingxuan, like they were saying ¡®we also want to set off fireworks¡¯.


    ¡°Go. As long as wolf daddy is here with me. Remember. Don¡¯t get yourselves dirty!¡±


    Touching their heads dotingly, Ling Jingxuan said smilingly. As for their daddy, now he was lying on that heated brick bed Ling Jingxuan specially asked people to make for him in the central room lazily like an old man.


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    Unsurprisingly, the two little wolves understood what he was saying, howled at him, turned around and ran away with four hooves.


    ¡°Oh man, they are like human now.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan could not help laughing, and Yan Shengrui carefully helped him pull up the fur cape he was wearing, which was made of mink skin he asked people to find from the warehouse of the prince mansion in Cangzhou. It was warm and beautiful.


    ¡°They grow fast. A few months ago they were still two little cubs, but now they are big wolves. What is rare is that they are as cute as they were when they were kids.¡±


    Han Fei said with a smile, now, the two families were like a family, very intimate, by the way, Zhao Dalong¡¯s ex-wife¡¯s family seemed to hear something and knew that they were quite close with the magistrate, so since then, they had never come to make trouble again.

 Chapter 405

    ¡°Yeah. Cousin, when can you pick some for us?¡±


    Now having learned doing business from Shopkeeper Hong and Shopkeeper Zhang, Zhang Qing also became quite smooth-tongued, and made jokes with them now and then, like they were real brothers.


    ¡°No! If everyone has one, ours aren¡¯t that rare then.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan words decisively made everyone on spot laugh. Now they didn¡¯t lack of anything, and everyone was quite capable, and they wouldn¡¯t take it from anyone now. Their days were so substantial and comfortable.


    ¡°The tied will set out in early February. I don¡¯t know what that land is like now.¡±


    Staying up late for the New Year¡¯s Eve was different from the modern times. They didn¡¯t have TV or computers to kill time, so they could only chat. They were all young men, of course the main subject was their business and the land.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be like it is supposed to be. After the tides fall, after some time¡¯s drying, we can hire people to work on it then. Plant sorghums in March. Leave it to dad. With Old Zou and his son and Zheng Da to help him, everything will be OK. This year, we should plant rice early. After the Lantern Festival, let Old Zhou start to cultivate the seedlings. The fact proves that two seasons of rice was plausible. Why not do it? Jingpeng, forget about things in the land. Put more thoughts on the business of Baiyunge and Xinyuan. After the New Year, see if there¡¯s any good land to buy outside the entrance of the village. We can buy dozens of mu of land to build the production lines for Baiyunge and recruit women workers from those nearby villages. And let Shuiling, Lady Zhang and Xiaosui to assist you. About the factories here, I will empty them for some other use. Things like washing and drying the mushrooms will still be done here. I will leave it to you and Qing to take care of it. By the way, buy some people worthy to be trained from Guarantor Liu. We got too few trustworthy managing staff. So we have to manage them ourselves.¡±


    The people they hired were bound to leave one day, and since this world was a legal place to buy and sell people, he would take it as an opportunity, and if they did not betray him, he¡¯d consider removing their slave registration.


    ¡°Well, we know, big brother, next year I would like to go to the prefecture or some other towns to gain some experience, what do you think?¡±


    Nodding h, Ling Jingpeng said so. They got brother Zhao and others to take care of the mushroom business, and his dad and old Zhou and others to take care of the land, and his big brother as the master at home. In recent months, he had learned a lot from him, so he felt that he still had a lot to learn.


    ¡°All right. Next year, the main thing is planting. The business of Baiyun cabinet and the mushrooms, we have Qing and Brother Han. So it¡¯s better you can go out to learn something. You can take Zhou Er with you.¡±


    This time, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t dismiss his opinions, after all, his younger brother also wanted to be strong for him as soon as possible to share his burden, Binding them by his side wouldn¡¯t do any good to their growth. So when he should let go, he would let go. Maybe they¡¯d suffer, or meet some difficulties, that was the price to pay for their growth. So he thought it might not be a bad thing.


    ¡°Jingpeng, how about going to the border cities?¡±


    Before Ling Jingpeng felt happy, Yan Shengrui suddenly said so, all the people looked at him strangely, the borders were at war. They heard that it was extremely dangerous in spring. Why would he make such a suggestion?


    ¡°May I ask why?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng did not immediately refuse, but looked at him like waiting for an answer. Under Yan Shengrui¡¯s eyes flashed some satisfying light and he said slowly, ¡°Because both Xinyuan and Baiyunge have no branches there. If you want to train yourself, you should go to the place that could train you most. The boarder city has all kinds of people there, the best place to help you grow. As for the safety, you can rest assured. Duke Zeng¡¯s army has stationed there. And I will also send people to protect you in the dark. By the way, I want you to take a letter for me. When you get there, you take the letter to see Duke Zeng. He will cover you.¡±


    Ling Jinghan would take the exams for xiucai in January, and the imperial examination in autumn might not be problem for him. It¡¯d be all right if he failed the one in March next year. He could arrange him into the imperial academy, at that time, one could say he already had one foot in the court. Jingpeng¡¯s growing speed was fast, but still a bit slower than Jinghan. He wanted to ease his wife¡¯s burden, so it was time to teach them something.


    Ling Jingpeng was silent, in his head he was fast processing the possibility to go to the boarders. If he decided to go, he should set out in a few days, after all he still wanted to make it back before his big brother gave birth, meanwhile, he wanted to open the branches there. He didn¡¯t have much time. If he didn¡¯t go there, it seemed that he¡¯d grow too slowly under his big brother¡¯s wings. So he was thinking whether it was time to arouse his potential and take over all the businesses at home quickly. Brother Rui said right. Since he had the heart, he should go to the place that could most train him if he wanted to grow up in the shortest time and share his big brother¡¯s burden.


    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t cut in or stop him. Since Yan Shengrui said it was safe, he didn¡¯t have to worry too much. Still those words. It was a good thing that his younger brother wanted to shoulder more. If there was a quick way, he would approve of it. So he seemed to have no reason to stop him. On the other side, Ling Jinghan also held the same thought. So to go or not go, Ling Jingpeng had the final say. Whatever decision he made, as his brothers, they would all support him.

 Chapter 406

    Since even Ling Jingxuan, master of the whole family, didn¡¯t say anything, of course Zhao&Han couple and Zhang Qing shouldn¡¯t say anything. And those servants also stood aside obediently. Fortunately, Ling Chenglong had been drunk, so Lady Wang had supported him back to take some rest. Wang Jinyu also left since she wanted to leave some space for the young people, otherwise they would all have objections already. The boarder city was different from Qingyang country, especially that spring was the most frequent season of wars, as the parents, of course, they couldn¡¯t afford to let their son to take the risk.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go.¡±


    No one knew how long it had passed. Ling Jingpeng finally raised his head, with his hands resting on the knees clenching into fists. He had to pay for his own growth. And whatever the cost would be, he would take it as long as he could share the burden for his big brother.


    ¡°Hmm, you can set out in a couple of days. Bring Mr. Wang with you, and you will be the boss. I will ask Yan Shan to escort you. By the way, take a batch of those down jackets and military boots for me. I will explain in the letter to tell them that they should take orders from you in the future.¡±


    With a nod of satisfaction, Yan Shengrui said in a quiet voice. He brought him the first order, so it was up to him how well he could do with the business in the future.


    ¡°OK, I know what to do. Sorry to trouble you, Brother Rui.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng was not stupid. How would he not understand his good intentions?


    ¡°Jingpeng, you only have five months. Five months later, no matter whether you will be able to open a branch of Baiyunge and Xinyuan there, you have to come back. At the time, we¡¯ll harvest the sorghums. And my belly will be much bigger. So since then, I can only use my mouth to give some orders. You need to carry them out.¡±


    After thinking a bit, Ling Jingxuan cut in. The normal planting time of sorghums was around April and the harvest time was in September. So he planned to use the crescent spring water to plant it in March and harvest in June. And then he still planned to plant for another season. So Ling Jingpeng had to come back in May, by then he would be about to give birth. So be it big or small things, it all needed him to do. He really had not strength to do that. Although Zhang Qing could help, he hope he would be only responsible for the business of Baiyunge, first to make things clear, second, he also didn¡¯t want to exhaust him. The business of Baiyunge would only get better and better. So it would be enough for him to be busy with. As for Zhao&Han couple, he planned to take them to the capital with him, so he wouldn¡¯t consider them at all.


    ¡°Hmm, I know, big brother. I¡¯ll open the branch of Xinyuan and Baiyunge there. You can count on me.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng nodded firmly, his eyes shot out confidence. Both Brother Rui and his big brother gave him full support. Although his second brother didn¡¯t say anything, he could tell he also approved of him. So he would never let them down.


    ¡°Hehe¡­we are looking forward to that day to come.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui took a look at each other and couldn¡¯t help chuckling. The firm belief may not make one succeed, but would make one easier to succeed than those who had no belief. He believed that his younger brother could make it.


    ¡°Leave dad and mom to me. I will help you convince them. Jingpeng, you must be extremely careful out there.¡±


    Ling Jinghan who hadn¡¯t said anything patted him on the shoulder. Although they were twin brothers, after all he was a bit older. Now his younger brother was leaving for such a dangerous place, how would he not be worried?


    ¡°Hmm, I will. I think I¡¯d better not tell our parents now. After I leave, I hope you can pacify them for me.¡±


    Cupping his hands at then, Ling Jingpeng could only make this decision. If they told his parents, it was the New Year¡¯s Eve, they¡¯d definitely cry hard, and he was unable to leave then.


    ¡°Hehe¡­you¡­They¡¯d skin after you come back.¡±


    Ling Jinghan helplessly shook his head, while Ling Jingpeng shrank his neck, pretending to look cowardly. Everyone couldn¡¯t help laughing at that. Time passed with their chitchat, and those little buns who were playing with the fireworks screamed now and then, mixed with the two wolves¡¯ howling, and Yi, Shan and Si¡¯s sound begging for mercy.


    ¡°Aha¡­¡±


    They had to stay up at least till twelve, and the fireworks would only be over by then. But at around 10 pm, Ling Jingxuan already couldn¡¯t even keep his eyes open, burying his whole body in Yan Shengrui¡¯s arms. But those little buns were still in their spirits, and now and then told some jokes to amuse everyone, also to drive away the sandmen for them.


    ¡°How about I send you back to sleep first? Leave the staying up for the New Year¡¯s Eve thing to us.¡±


    Not wanting his wife to hang in there so hard, Yan Shengrui held him and said so. On hearing their father, the two little buns ran over. Ling Wen first stretched out a hand to touch their daddy¡¯s face, and then frowned as he touched his belly, ¡°Daddy, go to sleep. I am here.¡±


    ¡°Daddy, why don¡¯t you go to bed? They say that after staying up for the New Year¡¯s eve, we¡¯ll eat sweet dumplings. And I will take you some then. Don¡¯t make our little brother tired.¡±


    Ling Wu also took his hand and said thoughtfully. Ling Jingxuan drowsily opened his eyes, ¡°So you only have your little brother in your heart now while I am accessary?¡±


    The smile on his face indicated that was a joke, but Ling Wu couldn¡¯t react, and shouted, ¡°Daddy, you can¡¯t say that. Daddy and little brother are both my favorite. If you say such words again, I will be mad at you.¡±

 Chapter 407

    Speaking of which, Ling Wu puffed out his cheeks. Ling Jingxuan found it so amused and stuck out a finger to poke on his cheek, making him even angrier, so he hurriedly stopped his action and said, ¡°All right, all right. Daddy was just kidding. I am really sleepy. Brother Zhao and Han, Jinghan, Jingpeng, Qing, Yang, you help me look after the kids. I gotta go to sleep.¡±


    When others were pregnant, they¡¯d have morning sickness or what, he only wanted to sleep. If he hadn¡¯t been crystal clear that in his previous life he was also human, Ling Jingxuan would even start to doubt whether he had been a pig, except eating, he was sleeping, nothing else. The worst thing was, be his parents, or his sons, they all spoiled him, and making him sleep more and more, only wishing to sleep all day long.


    ¡°Hmm, go to bed early. Now you are carrying a baby, it¡¯s different. You can stay up for the New Year¡¯s eve next year. So, it¡¯s OK.¡±


    Han Fei stood up, sent them to the door with the kids. In an angle no one noticed, those eyes that swept over Ling Jingxuan¡¯s belly flashed with some admiration. People all said that men who gave birth were monsters. But no one knew that he¡¯d rather be a monster as long as he could give birth, pity that¡­But, at least he had Tiewa and he felt satisfied.


    ¡°Brother Han, go back in. It¡¯s cold outside. Wen, you boys also go in. Your father will be enough.¡±


    Out of the doorway, Ling Jingxuan decisively asked them back. The two buns grabbed his hands and didn¡¯t want him to leave. Only after they disappeared in their eyes did they go back in. After placing Ling Jingxuan in bed, Yan Shengrui went to the bathroom to prepare the bath water. After giving him a bath and getting him changed, he carried him back into bed. Ling Jingxuan got ¡®ravaged¡¯ by him like a pet. After lying in the heated brick bed, he instantly wrapped himself tightly in the quilts.


    ¡°What? You look like you have something on your mind.¡±


    After all that, his sandmen had run away a lot. Seeing that he was like frowning, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help stretching out a hand to touch the spot between his eyebrows and gently rubbed it for him with the finger pulp.


    ¡°I received a letter from my uncle-in-law. He said there might be a large-scale war at the boarders. It seems that someone spread the news saying that I have been missing for a few months. So in recent two months, not only the nomads in the north, even the two kingdoms on the east and west sent reinforces at the borders. If they confirm the news that I have been missing, it¡¯s quite possible they¡¯d join together to throw an attack.¡±


    This was also one of the reasons why he was in such a hurry to train Ling Jingpeng. Seen from now, he must go to guard the boarder himself now. At least he hoped that before he came back, Jingxuan could live comfortably. But, his right hand reflectively felt his belly. Jingxuan had already been pregnant with his kid. How could he have the heart to leave at such a time?


    The always dominant Prince Sheng was also a common man before his wife.


    ¡°Go, but be back before I give birth.¡±


    Sitting up, Ling Jingxuan leaned over to hold his waist with his head resting on his chest. Yan Shengrui was like a mind relief to the army. With him, the soldiers would boost their morale, on the contrary, the solders¡¯ morale would be unstable. He was not a big man who would hold the whole world in his heart. But at least he knew that the kingdom comes before home. There¡¯s the kingdom, there isn¡¯t their home. His man was the main general of the three armies, and also the prince of this kingdom. He had the responsibility and obligation to guard his kingdom and people. He¡¯d wait here for him to come back. If possible, he really wanted to go with him, but¡­He could go, but the baby couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Jingxuan..¡±


    Yan Shengrui suddenly embraced him and buried his head in his neck. He knew that he¡¯d support him. But just because he knew that, he felt even sorrier to him. He had owed him too much. He said he would stay by his side for the arrival of their baby, but he¡¯d lose his words to him again.


    ¡°Hehe¡­don¡¯t feel sorry or what. This is not the first time you left me. A man should have big ambitions. My man is a hero. Of course I should have the broad mind as a hero¡¯s wife. Shengrui, go. Show them what the real Prince Sheng is like and teach them a good lesson, so they¡¯d never have the balls to set their foot on our boarders again.¡±


    Slightly pushing him away, Ling Jingxuan raised a hand to touch his face, with his delicate face shining with firm light. If it hadn¡¯t been his body condition, he would definitely go with him, and help him teach those damn intruders a lesson!


    ¡°Hmm, I will. This time, my uncle-in-law and I will branch out into two. We¡¯ll definitely make them have no guts to invade into our boarders in three years. Jingxuan, thank you. I promise I will be back before you give birth. Trust me.¡±


    Grasping his hand firmly in the hand, Yan Shengrui said firmly, his tiger eyes faintly refracting a strong murderous light, the northern nomads, he had been really sick of them, this time, he would beat them once for all!


    ¡°Hehe¡­of course I trust you, by the way, how many cavalries do you have in your army?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled, took his hand and lay back, he was not a woman, and did not need a man to always coax him by the side. He¡¯d feel satisfied as long he could stay by his side when he needed him most.


    ¡°Huh? About a hundred thousand, I guess. There are seven hundred thousand soldiers at the boarders, plus the newly recruited ones, I guess there are over a million. But those who could fight those nomads would be only the one hundred thousand cavalries. But pity that, our horses are kind of different from theirs. Every time, we can only fight them when they come. If we chase after, no one can come back alive. Their soldiers grew up on the back of horses, and are familiar with the grassland and desert. So when they retreat, they¡¯d set traps. If we chase after them, we¡¯d definitely fall into their traps. Before, we also tried to take the initiative to launch the attack with a larger army, but due to the provisions problem, we have never succeeded.¡±


    Seeing that it was still early, Yan Shengrui lay next to him and slowly told him about things in the frontline. The main forces couldn¡¯t go deep into the grassland. That was also why the nomads dare to provoke them again and again. They were sure that they couldn¡¯t sustain for long due to the provisions. So even if they went deep leading a large army, those nomads could break up the whole into parts and attack their army and provisions one by one. Without the provisions, over one hundred thousand soldiers could only wait for their deaths.

 Chapter 408

    In the era of cold weapons without aircraft, artillery, missiles, etc., as the saying goes, before the troops move, fodder and provisions go first. Whether having sufficient provisions was one of the key factors for a win. Unless they could set a depot every certain distance on the square grassland or the desert, otherwise, it was unrealistic to go deep into such places with so many soldiers. But, there was also an exception.


    ¡°Have you ever thought of replacing infantry and chariot soldiers with the cavalries?¡±


    After listening to what he said, Ling Jingxuan turned and lay on the bed sideways, with his hand gently resting around his waist.


    ¡°Oh? Do you have a good idea? Tell me about it.¡±


    Yan Shengrui picked his eyebrows and looked down at him, his wife was smart, and he always knew it, so he had never underestimated his advice.


    ¡°Northern nomadic people are namely familiar with the grasslands and desert. They could go through it like guerrillas, and they live in Mongolian yurt like tents, no fixed abodes, of course they are not afraid of our siege, but there is one thing¡ªthey won¡¯t move easily, that is like their command center. Now, our horses and solders are no worse than theirs. But competing speed with them is like seeking death, so why don¡¯t you play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses? Duke Zeng happens to be at the borders now. After you go back to the boarders, you picked out five to ten thousand picked soldiers from you¡¯re a hundred thousand cavalries, offer them the best horses and weapons, and then collaborate with Duke Zeng. You personally lead the selected soldiers to penetrate into the heart of the enemies and directly destroy their command center, captive their king, and then give them a devastating blow from the weakest spot, if you think that¡¯s not enough, lead the troops deep into grassland and let them know that, but don¡¯t let them know the number of your troops, then in the shortest possible time to complete the weaving, and then disappear in the sight of the enemies. And on Duke Zeng¡¯s side, pretend that you take away large part of his troops and then let those soldiers hide in the mountains, only leave a few soldiers for symbolic resistance, after luring them in, then surround from the four directions and destroy them. And by then, the nomadic people would get inevitably weakened a lot and would never offend our borders at least three to five years. Of course, the premise is both the East and West Kingdom wouldn¡¯t step in. As for how to let them stay out of it, I guess you should be clearer than me. At last, before leading the troops to occupy their city, secretly emptying those civilians living inside. The nomads are bloodthirsty. Don¡¯t let the civilians become the sacrificial lambs of your merits.¡±


    In his previous life, Ling Jingxuan was both a doctor and a killer. A killer pursued killing with one move, not giving the target any opportunity, and it could also be applied to wars. With one move, they should give the enemy a devastating blow.


    ¡°And during those three to five years¡¯ time, we could foster our chargers, train our cavalries. When the nomads got recovered, our cavalries will be no inferior to them. Then we can send the picked cavalries for long-distance chasing, or send a few forces to encircle them!¡±


    As smart as Yan Shengrui was, he could draw inferences about other cases from one instance. Ling Jingxuan nodded and picked his words up, ¡°More than that. The cavalries can only bring with them food that could last them for three days, after that, they gave to get themselves food from where they are, and get their supplies in the vast grasslands or the desert. It can not only solve the problem of our army supplies, but also can greatly gave a dead blow of the enemy¡¯s production capacity, and relieve our kingdom¡¯s pressure for fighting against them for so many years. In this way, the domestic agriculture and other aspects can also develop in an all-round way. As the saying goes, a slight move in one part may affect the situation as a whole.¡±


    Of course, the premise was that next year their strategy must be successful, as the commander, Yan Shengrui must let the soldiers and people in the court know this method is really feasible, then those who made sarcastic comments would shut their mouths. Although given Yan Shengrui¡¯s temper, even if they objected, he would only ignore them.


    ¡°Such a clever one, though a little risky.¡±


    Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help thinking of its possibility. Cavalries going deep into the desert or grassland, they thing they were most afraid of was not the enemies, but getting lost, after all, they were not familiar with the terrains there. If they got lost there and couldn¡¯t find water or food, they would only wait to die, of course, this was just one of those possibilities, not absolute. But if they succeeded, their gains would far outweigh their losses.


    ¡°Nothing ventured, nothing gained. There is no fluke in any war, but will always be accompanied by danger. What we can do is to reduce the risks. Before sending troops or after that, you can catch a few nomadic people as your guide, so, it¡¯d greatly reduce the risk of getting lost. Oh right, I can make a few simple compasses for you, with them, you won¡¯t get lost easily.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan turned over and lay on his chest. A compass was something that required least techniques but most useful. In addition to that, he could also help them improve their weapons, like crossbows, and improve the accuracy and quantity, and so on. As a killer in his past life, these things were much easier than farming.


    ¡°Compass?¡±


    Yan Shengrui curiously picked his eyebrows, what is that?


    ¡°Haha¡­A tool that always points to the south. You only need to remember up north, down south, left west and right east. Perhaps it can not accurately guide your direction, but at least a general one, so you won¡¯t get lost in the grassland or desert easily.¡±

 Chapter 409

    Compasses were common in modern times. Even the children¡¯s toys had one. But in ancient times, it was certainly a new and useful industry in ancient times.


    ¡°That sounds like a good thing. With it, we will have no additional worries. Even if we can¡¯t accurately locate their nest, at least we can know where our people are at and give timely food and supplies. Then it is not difficult to come back alive. Jingxuan, thank you!¡±


    Giving him a hug, Yan Shengrui told himself countless times that it was really a right decision to marry him.


    ¡°When are you likely to set out?¡±


    Really no need to thank him. Ling Jingxuan decisively switched the topic. The joy on Yan Shengrui instantly disappeared, saying with a stuffy voice, ¡°After the Lantern Festival the latest.¡±


    It would take about seven or eight days from here to the borders if he didn¡¯t bring too many heavy things with him, but this time he would take a large number of weapons with him, so, it would take him at least ten days. When he got to the borders, he needed to make arrangements as soon as possible, so that they could give a dead blow to the nomads before the ice and snow melted in February or March. So, time was really pressing.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, then I will make the compasses for you tomorrow. Oh right, you want to let Jingpeng to take those more than three thousand sets of down jackets there for you first?¡±


    Many hands make light work. During this period of time, they have hoarded nearly 3,000 to 4,000 sets of down jackets and military boots in the warehouse. The factory was still rushing to make them, and would speed up the production after the fifth day of lunar January.


    ¡°Well, three thousand sets are like a drop in the bucket. I intended to satisfy generals and above first, but now it seems that the cavalry should be satisfied first.¡±


    Yan Shengrui really couldn¡¯t list his spirits at the thought of his departure.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess so. Then let Jingpeng to take those down jackets and boots first. Before February, I will figure out a way to let someone to bring you more, at least five thousand.¡±


    That was all he could do. If possible, how would he want to let his man go to the frontline?


    ¡°No hurry. Your healthy is most important. If it¡¯s not enough, we still have those cotton-padded clothes. No one dares skimp my military supplies, so my soldiers generally have better conditions.¡±


    For this, he had absolute confidence. Before, the Ministry of War had ever tried to play tricks on him, but Six got all the necessary things he needed in the first place. After he went back, in front of all the civil officials before the court, he killed the minister and his people. And ever since then, no one had ever had the balls to skimp his supplies.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK. I only need to move my lips. Qing will cover it for me. You will bring all the blacksmiths with you, right? How about Brother Zhao?¡±


    ¡°No need, the blacksmiths should have learned all they need to learn. Let Zhao Dalong stay to help you, and Yi also stays to teach the children martial arts. After I leave, I will let him call Er back. With the two of them, no one dares touch you.¡±


    Touching his face, Yan Shengrui¡¯s eyes were filled with reluctance and worries, obviously it still had half a month to go, but he already began to miss them.


    ¡°Hehe¡­okay, now¡­¡±


    ¡°Pop pop pop¡­¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan finished speaking, there was a crackling sound outside, and the two of them both got stoned there, then remembered that they were still staying up for the New Year. The sound of firecrackers represented the arrival of New Year. Ling Jingxuan held up his body and gently kissed Yan Shengrui on the lips, ¡°Happy New Year!¡±


    ¡°Happy New Year, my crown princess!¡±


    Yan Shengrui responded quickly and responded with that kiss. The two smiled at each other and didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°Knock knock!¡±


    ¡°Father, is daddy asleep?¡±


    Very small knocking sound at the door was heard, then Ling Wen and Ling Wu gently pushed open the door and stuck their heads in cautiously. Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan both sat up, ¡°Not yet, come in.¡±


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    Then the two little buns rushed in and climbed onto bed with nimble hands and feet and kissed them on the face respectively. ¡°Father, daddy, we are here to give you our New Year¡¯s greetings. Wish you a happy New Year and live happily ever after!¡±


    Like they had already talked about it, after kissing them, they stood side by side on the bed to bend over to them while cupping their hands, the same face, the same figure, and the same action, and so warm words, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help showing a hearty smile.


    ¡°Happy New Year, my sons!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan felt out two red envelopes from Yan Shengrui and handed them to them and then touched their heads respectively. The two little buns said happily, ¡°thank you father, thank you daddy.¡±


    ¡°Daddy, are you hungry? Aunt Song made some sweet dumpling. How about I go and get you a bowl?¡±


    Since Ling Jingxuan said he only cared about his unborn little brother, he tried very hard this time not to let his eyes move to his stomach, and the more he endured, the more he couldn¡¯t help peeping at his stomach. One could imagine how funny the scene is! Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling, ¡°Daddy is not hungry, but your little brother is. Wu, how about you go get a blow of sweet dumplings for him?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll go right now.¡±


    ¡°Be careful. Don¡¯t fall.¡±


    Hearing that, the small bun immediately turned and ran out. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help nagging. Seeing that, Ling Wen also ran away after saying ¡®I¡¯ll go get a bowl for father¡¯.


    ¡°Those kids¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly, and Yan Shengrui gently hugged him. ¡°Isn¡¯t it good? Our sons are filial to us.¡±


    Yeah, something others were jealous of, what was there to sigh for? Ling Jingxuan turned to look at him and both gave a happy smile.

 Chapter 410

    Finally came the New Year. On this day, everywhere of Yuehua Manor was permeated with laughter. As the master, Ling Jingxuan sent all servants and maids a big red envelop with ten taels of silver on behalf of his family, and five hundred copper coins for the workers in the factory as early as before they took the leave. And like those servants and maids, the shopkeepers and the tutors from Hanling School also got ten taels of silver each. For common, it was really a lot. At first, Ling Chenglong and others objected, after all, ten taels of silver could sustain a family for half a year. And if one pinched and scraped, it could sustain one for a whole year. But Ling Jingxuan insisted. Although they were their servants or maids, or even workers. Without their effort, how would they have a chance to own what they had now? So, he really didn¡¯t think that was too much.


    Of course, the few little buns received most red envelops. Even Yan Yi, Yan Shan and Yan Si gave them their red envelops, of course, to suck up to them, only wishing that they could maltreat them less in the following year. There was no doubt that the three little buns¡¯ savings had increased rapidly. One could imagine how happy Ling Wen was. It was said that on the very night, he hid in his own room and counted the money till late night, and now and then one could hear that kind of exaggerating laughter. Yan Yi who was guarding outside even got his legs softened, only afraid if he had come up with some new little trick against them again!


    On the second day of lunar January, Lady Wang and Wang Jinyu had to go back to their own home. Of course Ling Chenggong had to go with them. Ling Jingxuan found himself an excuse and not went with them. Ling Jinghan also said he had to prepare for the exams half a month later, and Ling Jingpeng, Zhang Qing and his brother all found themselves an excuse. So, finally, no younger generation went with them. Not long after Lady Wang and others left, ten loaded carriages drove onto the road, and Ling Jingpeng, Mr. Wang and Yan Shan all got their packages and hopped onto the horses.


    ¡°Big brother, second brother, Qing and Yang, take care of this family for me.¡±


    Eyes reddened, Ling Jingxuan who went to such a far place for the first time cupped his hands at them. Ling Wen and Ling Wu who had no idea what was happening tilted their heads with confusion, having no idea why their uncle was like he was going to cry for he only went to the county to deliver some goods.


    ¡°Go! Don¡¯t worry about things at home. Jingpeng, since you have decided, you got to do it well. Don¡¯t give up halfway. We¡¯ll be waiting for your good news!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t want him to go, but he didn¡¯t allow him to show it, for he knew that this trip was for Jingpeng¡¯s own good, and he had already gotten everything prepared. Yesterday, he asked Yan Yi to draw two hundred thousand from Wanli Money House in the county for him. And about the security issue, Yan Shengrui also had already made the arrangements.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Saying no more, otherwise he was afraid he¡¯d cry out. Ling Jingpeng nodded at Yan Shan and Mr. Wang, then the three of them turned the heads of their horses.


    ¡°Yah!¡±


    With the whipping, three fine horses galloped away. Ling Jingxuan and others subconsciously took a few steps head. He opened his mouth but finally didn¡¯t utter a word. The fifteen-year-old boy finally set foot on his own journey, ready to fly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go in. Jingpeng is out for experience, we don¡¯t need to worry.¡±


    After quite some time, Ling Jingxuan turned around quietly. If one observed closely, one could see that on the back of his hand crossing with Yan Shengrui¡¯s had its veins standing out already. He said he was not worried, how is it even possible? But he was the head of the whole family, everyone watched his face. Anyone could reveal his/her worries, only he couldn¡¯t!


    ¡°Daddy, isn¡¯t Uncle Jingpeng going to the county?¡±


    Seeing their reaction was getting more and more weird, Ling Wen couldn¡¯t help raising his head and asking.


    Ling Jingxuan looked down at him and then looked back at the road where he could not see anything already before he said bitterly, ¡°No, he is going to a border city, where he is going to open branches for both Xinyuan and Baiyunge.¡±


    ¡°When will he come back? Daddy, is it far away?¡±


    As if realizing something, Ling Wen looked a bit anxious.


    ¡°Neither too far nor too near. He¡¯d be back in June the latest. Wen, are you worried?¡±


    While talking, they already entered the yard. Ling Jingxuan brought them to the warm central room. When designing the house, it had heat preservation function, plus in all corners were burning the quality smokeless coal, the whole room was as warm as it had a heating device.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Ling Wen nodded gravely, then Ling Wu on the other side also came before him, slanting his head and inquisitively asking, ¡°Daddy, is it the place where there are wars often? Our tutor has ever said that the border cities are not peaceful all the time. Will my uncle get hurt?¡±


    Although they were young, in school, they attended the adult class, besides, Juren Zhang was an unruly one, so, except the knowledge in books, he also often told them big or small things of the court, so boarder cities were not strange to them. That was also why Ling Wen looked so worried.

 Chapter 411

    ¡°Yeah, you are right, but out there, we have our armies stationed there, and your father also sent Uncle Shan protecting him. So, rest assured, he will be fine. Wen and Wu, your Uncle Jingpeng has grown up. You know, an eagle who is supposed to conquer the sky shouldn¡¯t go in circles there. He has to go out for training and see a bigger world out there. Not only him, after you grow up, you also need to do that. When your father and I are too old to protect you, you also need to go out to train. Though you may suffer, or even get injured, it will let you fly higher.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s consistent education to his kids was, whether they could understand or not, he should doctrine it to them first. Seeing the children¡¯s concerns, he once again told them his thoughts with a stern face.


    The two little buns thought about it for a long time, their eyes staring at their daddy, only after making sure their daddy¡¯s words sounded quite reasonable did they nodded to agree, ¡°Hmm.¡±


    ¡°Good. Go and play yourselves. Daddy wants to take some sleep.¡±


    Touching their heads, Ling Jingxuan stood up. There would be a hard one after his parents came back. Before that, he had to save some strength first.


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, we¡¯ll send you back to your own room.¡±


    Speaking of which, the two little buns squeezed Yan Shengrui aside, held each of his hands on both sides. Yan Shengrui gave his silent objection with his eyes, but finally could only follow behind. A family of four just left like that, leaving Ling Jinghan and others there looking at each other, after quite a while, burst out laughing. Ever since their big brother got pregnant, he had been more and more devil-may-care.


    However, what surprised Ling Jingxuan was, after he took a nap and saw his parents back, they both had their eyes reddened, they said nothing, let alone blaming Ling Jingpeng or something like that, like nothing had happened. He only knew later that, in order not to increase his burden, Ling JIngpeng had already convinced their parents before he left. About this thing, Ling Jingxuan felt quite gratified. Both his younger brothers were so considerate.


    Different from the 21st century, the New Year atmosphere here was very thick. Every family was so lively. From the third day of lunar January, many workers who worked for Ling Jingxuan sent their gifts. Though it was all things they grew themselves, one could tell at least they held a gratifying heart. Ling Jingxuan also did not refuse. On the Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of lunar January, Ling Jingxuan asked Old Song to return their gifts to them one by one. This is called courtesy demands reciprocity.


    After the Lantern Festival, Yan Shengrui also had to go. Different from Ling Jingpeng, this time, they couldn¡¯t hide it from the two little buns. After seeing off Yan Si who left with the blacksmiths and the weapons, on the night of the sixteenth day of lunar January, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui called their sons to their room, and then the four of them had a long heart-to-heart talk.


    ¡°No! Why is father also leaving? Finally you came back and now abandon us again? Daddy is still pregnant with our little brother and you are leaving us again! I hate you!¡±


    ¡°Boohoo¡­Father, don¡¯t go. I don¡¯t want you to leave.¡±


    As long as Yan Shengrui made a starter with difficulty, the two little buns interrupted him radically. Ling Wu who hadn¡¯t cried for a long time even cried out. Although Ling Wen didn¡¯t cry out, tears were already circling in his eyes, making one so heart-broken. Yan Shengrui embraced them and tried to comfort them while gently patting them on the back, ¡°Be good, don¡¯t cry, hear me out, OK?¡±


    ¡°No, I won¡¯t listen. You promised you¡¯ll never leave us again, and now you¡¯re just going away. I hate you. You eat your words!¡±


    Ling Wen pushed him away, and then turned to hold Lingxuan, sobbing, and Ling Wu pulled his hand with tearful eyes, ¡°Father, don¡¯t go, OK? I will be good. Just stay with us, OK? I¡¯m afraid after you leave, daddy will change back like before. I don¡¯t like the former daddy. I don¡¯t want the current daddy to disappear. Father, please¡­¡±


    One reacted violently, while the other implored, but the result was the same. Yan Shengrui¡¯s heart was nearly broken. He had never expected that their reaction would be so big, they even didn¡¯t give him a chance to explain.


    ¡°All right. Wu, come here. Daddy has a word to say with you.¡±


    Holding the big son, Ling Jingxuan beckoned his little son over. Ling Wu took a look at him and then Yan Shengrui, after quite a while, he only reluctantly let go of Yan Shengrui¡¯s clothes, turned into Ling Jingxuan arms, sobbing, ¡°Daddy, you persuade father. Don¡¯t let him go, ok? I don¡¯t want to be a child without a father.¡±


    Finally they had a complete home. Now they had made many friends not only in the village, but also in school. And no one would call them bastards any more, and no one would call daddy monster any more. What if things went back like before after their father left? And daddy¡­they liked their current daddy, not the old one!


    ¡°Be good. Don¡¯t cry, Wu. Wen, no more crying. Listen to daddy, OK?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan wiped the tears for them, meanwhile, he still didn¡¯t forget to throw his complaining eyes at Yan Shengrui who also felt sorry now. This was a thing that couldn¡¯t be accomplished in one action. How could he go straight to point so directly? Now it would need them to spend a lot of effort to soothe them.


    ¡°I won¡¯t listen. Daddy, I know you are trying to speak for father.¡±


    But, this time, it seemed that even Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words wouldn¡¯t work. Ling Wen covered his ears while shaking his head, and Ling Wu¡¯s just dried eyes got filled with tears again. Ling Jingxuan froze there, like someone was grabbing his heart, making him feel stuffy pains. Thinking of those things before, he could more or less understand their feelings. In a time, he didn¡¯t know how to continue.


    If Ling Jingxuan was the pillar of the two children¡¯s hearts, then Yan Shengrui was like a mountain that no one could surmount. When the mountain was about to leave, they could imagine their fear and fluctuations.

 Chapter 412

    The two little buns were so afraid that they even didn¡¯t want to listen to their explanation. Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan both felt so helpless, but they had to say it. Neither of them wanted to bury the seeds of resentment in their little hearts, or let them feel so sad.


    ¡°Wen, Wu, don¡¯t you even trust daddy now? Do you think I want your father to leave? Calm down and listen to me, OK?¡±


    After exchanging an eye contact, Ling Jingxuan took the lead to persuade them. Hearing that, the two little buns looked up at them with tearful eyes, and only nodded dully after quite a while, clearly they were still reluctant to accept it. Ling Jingxuan stretched out his hand to pull them into his arms, saying while wiping the tears for them, ¡°Wen, I think you should have guessed the identity of your father, but today I will still officially tell you that your father¡¯s full name is Yan Shengrui, yeah, that Prince Sheng who is shining with his exploits on the battlefield you have long heard of. He is the most honorable prince of our Qing Kingdom, and also the guardian angel of the civilians. He has the responsibilities to guard the land of our kingdom and those who live on it. He belongs to the battlefield.¡±


    Though, he can use their love to imprison his actions, even let him stay away from the battlefield, he just couldn¡¯t. Yan Shengrui had never forced him to do anything, instead, he just indulged him to do anything he wanted to do. So, he also wouldn¡¯t force Yan Shengrui to make changes for him. He¡¯d wait for him here with the kids. Meanwhile, he also believed that his kids would understand.


    ¡°Is Prince Sheng the prince general?¡±


    Ling Wen clenched his fists and didn¡¯t speak with his head down, but the small bun looked up at his father. His wish was to be a general, and the invincible Prince Sheng is his idol. He had long wished that he would go to the battlefield to kill the enemies with him. And now daddy told them that their father is Prince Sheng? Then he could make his dream come true?


    ¡°Hmm. Sorry my son, I didn¡¯t mean to hide it from you. You know, due to my special identity, if people know your presence, you will be put in danger. At least before I take you back to the capital to find your origin, I won¡¯t expose who I am. The reason I have to leave is because someone leaked the news that I went missing, so the enemies tried to attack our boarders again. Anyhow, I have to face this upcoming huge war and I must win. When I come back with gongs beating and banners flying, I will take you back to the capital. Don¡¯t you miss your Uncle Chu and Brother Yan? They are in the capital. Then, you can see each other everyday. So, stop crying, OK? I also don¡¯t want to leave.¡±


    Reaching out to pick up the small bun and put him on his lap, Yan Shengrui looked at the big bun and said in a deep voice. If possible, how would he want to leave at this time? Compared with them, he didn¡¯t want to part with them more, but he couldn¡¯t. Once the troops of the three kingdoms united, even he couldn¡¯t cope with it. However powerful they were, they couldn¡¯t fight three forces together. Besides, as for the national power, both the East and West Kingdom were no weaker than them, or even stronger. So he couldn¡¯t be emotional now. He who held such a high position was also not omnipotent. Sometimes, he also had to make choices. That was reality.


    They didn¡¯t know if the two little buns had understood or not or whether they already accepted it, anyway, neither said anything more. Ling Jingxuan keenly noticed that the tightly clenched fists of Ling Wen loosened a little. So he hurriedly pulled him over and strike while the iron is hot, ¡°Wen, you should both have listened to storytelling before, right? And that part about wars Tutor Zhang has ever told you, right? When the enemies come offending us, those who suffered first should be the bottom soldiers and the civilians. By then, can you imagine how many kids will lose their parents and how many parents will lose their kids? Now, only your father would solve this disaster and prevent more people getting harmed. And the price is he has to leave us temporarily for a few months. Wen, Wu, don¡¯t you think we are already very lucky compared with those who had died? I know you are afraid that your father may abandon us again like before. As for this thing, I guess I should have already explained to you. That year, the reason your father ditched us was because he had been set up and completely didn¡¯t know our existence. If he had known he got two so lovely sons, how would he have had the heart to leave you alone? The situation is totally different now. First, there¡¯s a time limit of your father¡¯s departure this time. He¡¯ll come back before your little brother is born. Second, our home is difference from before when we couldn¡¯t make decisions for ourselves. Now, who dare bully us again? Third, daddy believes your father still loves us and wouldn¡¯t leave us like before, and I will also never change back like before. So, Wen, Wu, don¡¯t be scared or hesitated. Just stay home with daddy and wait for your father to come back, OK?¡±


    He believed that his kids would understand what he was saying. All along, he had gotten along with them like that.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Ling Wen opened her mouth, but as he saw his father¡¯s affectionate eyes and daddy¡¯s expectations in the eyes, he lowered his head again. After a quite a while, he said using a nearly bumbling-like tone, ¡°But I still can¡¯t bear to let father leave¡­¡±


    ¡°Neither can I!¡±


    The next second, Ling Wu also tearfully fluttered into the arms of Yan Shengrui and sobbed. They could accept his departure, but they couldn¡¯t stop the dense reluctance spreading in the heart. All in all, they were only five years old children, how could they be as sensible as adults?

 Chapter 413

    ¡°My silly sons, still remember what daddy ever said before? The temporary departure is for a long get-together. Don¡¯t you want your father to be a big hero sweeping the aggressors? Try to imagine it. How nice it will be to wait a few months for your father to come home triumphantly and everyone will know that you are the sons of a hero! You will also be able to see Uncle Chu and Brother Yan after this.¡±


    Seeing his sons finally shake, Ling Jingxuan picked Ling Wen up with a smile and placed him on the lap, but the little guy instantly slipped down, and said with frown, ¡°Daddy, you are still pregnant with our little brother. I can¡¯t sit on your lap anymore, and you also shouldn¡¯t hold us up so often like just now.¡±


    After the lecture, Ling Wen choked and turned to Yan Shengrui without waiting for his refutation, ¡°Father, don¡¯t worry about us. We will take good care of daddy and our future little brother. But you must come back before our little brother is born. Don¡¯t eat your words again!¡±


    In the end, his eyes reddened again. Anyway, he was only a child. He had already done good enough.


    ¡°Hmm, I promise you, I will definitely catch up before daddy gives birth. Wu, don¡¯t be mad at father anymore, OK?¡±


    Yan Shengrui affectionately pinched his baby son¡¯s little face. Honestly, he was really afraid that they¡¯d keep crying. Fortunately, they were both sensible. After explaining everything clearly, they also accepted it, but just still a bit reluctant.


    ¡°But¡­I want to go to the battlefield to kill the enemies with you.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Ling Wu tilted his head to look at them while saying his true na?ve thought in his heart. Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan and Ling Wen all couldn¡¯t help laughing out. Come on! Finally they had raised him from a thin and dry little bun into a fat and delicate meat stuffed bun, if he really joined the army, when he came back, he would change into either a broken bun or a piece of black charcoal, right?


    ¡°No, that¡¯s a certain no.¡±


    The first response of Yan Shengrui who first reacted waved his hand to object. He was glad that his son had the heart. That¡¯s called inheritance! But he was really too little. He would he ever allow that?


    ¡°Why not? My martial arts are good. I have mastered all those martial arts father and daddy taught me. And I also learned half of the lightness skills Uncle Shan taught me. As long as I practice more, I can definitely fly over our walls. At the worst, you fight adults, while I fight kids. They will definitely not be my rival!¡±


    Ling Wu retorted with a frown. His so-called mastered was copying what they taught him mechanically. As for the lightness skills, he only jumped a little higher than others. Ling Jingxuan on the side felt so amused. Him fighting other kids? Did he really think other kids also went to battlefields at the age of five?


    ¡°Wu, stop messing around. Father is going for wars. You know, a lot of people will die. You are still too little, you can¡¯t go. When Uncle Jingpeng left, didn¡¯t daddy already tell us that we can only go out for training after we grow up?¡±


    Ambition was a good thing, but being too naive obviously wouldn¡¯t work. Ling Wen could not help acting like a little adult and persuaded him. Although he was little, he knew that wars were not for people of their age.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°All right, Wu. What your father and elder brother said is right. It¡¯s still too early for you to go to wars. Besides, daddy is still pregnant with your little brother. Daddy is already sad enough that your father is leaving. Do you want daddy to be sadder?¡±


    Seeing that he still tried to say more, Ling Jingxuan hurriedly cut in to stop him, or there¡¯d be no end of it.


    Ling Wu looked back and forth at his daddy¡¯s stomach and then his father, and struggled in the heart for quite a while. Then he gritted his teeth and said to Yan Shengrui, ¡°Fine. Daddy is still pregnant, and I can¡¯t leave him. I will wait for the birth of my little brother for you. This time I will not go with you. But father, promise me that next time you have to take me no matter what. I also want to go to battlefield to kill the enemies and become a general like you.¡±


    His expression was like he had made great sacrifice. Ling Jingxuan and Ling Wen shook their heads helplessly with an amused smile, but Yan Shengrui solemnly stretched out a hand and did high five with him, ¡°OK, I promise you.¡±


    This time he was holding the thought of giving a fatal blow to the invaders to go, at least let them dare not to offend the boarders in three or five years. By then, he¡¯d grow up a lot, and it was nothing to take him to play on the boarders. That was Yan Shengrui¡¯s thought. But what he never expected was, when he set foot in the boarders again, his small bun didn¡¯t just go there for ¡®playing¡¯.


    ¡°OK. Your father is leaving early tomorrow, how about you sleep with us tonight?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, finally they had nailed the two little buns, though they¡¯d still be sad for some time.


    ¡°What? Leaving tomorrow morning? Then why do you tell us till now?¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Wen popped out his eyes, and asked with a nearly yelling tone. Ling Jingxuan looked at his precious son timidly like he said something wrong.


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Seeing that, Yan Shengrui and the small bun laughed out. Ling Jingxuan threw them a hard stare. They even dare to laugh at him. If it hadn¡¯t been them, how would have been yelled at by his big son? For heaven¡¯s sake, he¡¯d never speak for them again!

 Chapter 414

    Early in the morning the next day, Yan Shengrui who slept outermost opened his eyes, then turned to look at his wife sleeping inside, a trace of undisguised reluctance flashed across his tough face, and his right hand subconsciously touched Ling Jingxuan¡¯s still-flat belly which had been pregnant for three month, and the reluctance in the eyes grew dense. Their son was growing inside while as the father, he had to leave them now.


    ¡°Um¡­what¡¯s up?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was somnolent but slept lightly, and his closed eyes suddenly opened, and directly looked into his eyes. Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t hold it and bend over to bite his tender lip, then pried open his slightly opened teeth, and stirred inside roughly, which instantly gotten Ling Jingxuan who was still drowsy sober up, then he stretched out a hand to hold the other side¡¯s neck, raised his mouth and opened his mouth, indulging him to suck his mouth dry.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Feeling his initiative and docility, Yan Shengrui growled deeply and sucked out his tongue and contained it with his, then sucked and licked it vigorously, as if he wanted to eat it. Ling Jingxuan only felt the sting of the tongue, but did not push him away or what, instead, he moved his tongue actively and tried to dance with his. The two of them constantly exchanged different angles to grab the sweetest love liquid from each other¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    This kiss lasted for a long time, until they¡¯d have the possibility of getting suffocated to death if they didn¡¯t stop. Then Yan Shengrui buried his head in his neck and tried to suck the smell that belonged to him, ¡°Yan Xiaoling, the kid¡¯s name! Whether it¡¯s a boy or a girl, use this name.¡±


    Almost instantly, he had decided the name of their third child. It seemed like an unremarkable name, but carried all their love.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan, who still hadn¡¯t caught his breath, only simply nodded. Now, no matter what he said, he wouldn¡¯t say no. Don¡¯t see that he acted so carelessly before the children, actually his reluctance in the heart was no less than the little buns, maybe even more. In his two lives, Yan Shengrui was the only one he had fallen for. But now they were going to part again. Although he was trying to tell himself he shouldn¡¯t act like a little woman or let his own emotions affect the little buns, he still felt sour in the heart.


    ¡°I¡¯m going.¡±


    With a keen sense of his nasal voice, Yan Shengrui pulled his body back and held his face with two hands, with his tiger eyes staring at him instantaneously, as if trying to imprint every his subtle expression in his heart. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help reddening his eyes and clenching his fists to hold back the tears before nodding gently, ¡°Take the medicine and compass I gave you with you at all times. Tell the soldiers to carry out the crossbow modification as soon as possible. At least, you must satisfy all the cavalries before you go into the enemy¡¯s lair. And before I give birth, promise me you¡¯d come back in triumph. I will wait for your good news at home.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was definitely not a long-winded man, but at this moment, he only felt that there were thousands of words to say, only fearing that he might miss anything.


    ¡°Hmm, I will come back in advance! I¡¯m sorry, Jingxuan, I can¡¯t accompany you to wait for our child¡¯s arrival, I¡­¡±


    Before finishing his words, Yan Shengrui hugged him tightly again. If possible, how would he ever want to leave? Whoever gave away his whereabouts this time would be thoroughly investigated when he came back, and he would definitely skin him! Otherwise, with his uncle-in-law guarding at the boarders, why should he go in person?


    ¡°Shengrui, have I ever said that I love you?¡±


    For tough men like them, they didn¡¯t need to hang love words at their mouths all the time. But at this moment, Ling Jingxuan only wanted him to know.


    ¡°Now you said it. I love you too. My heart only belongs to you for the rest of my life.¡±


    The hands holding him couldn¡¯t help tightening. Yan Shengrui turned his head and gave a hard kiss on his neck, the fresh hickey instantly came into sight. Ling Jingxuan felt a sting of slightly pain, but revealeda happy smile, ¡°OK, go! If the little buns wake, I¡¯m afraid you can never leave.¡±


    Not only the little buns, maybe even he wouldn¡¯t let him leave then.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯m going, Jingxuan, wait for me!¡±


    Letting him go, Yan Shengrui left a big kiss on his lips and turned off the bed. Watching his tall figure going into the bathroom, Ling Jingxuan also climbed up, silently prepared the clothes he was going to wear later, then checked the medicine, the compass and other small items in the parcel. Thinking a bit, he ran out, when he came back, he got a few with a few leather bags full of water in his hands.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother. It¡¯s cold. Go back into bed.¡±


    Coming out of the bathroom, Yan Shengrui was only wearing a pair of white underpants, with his strong muscles exposed before Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes. If it were before, he¡¯d definitely ¡®molest¡¯ him, and the two of them might hit it off. But now, Ling Jingxuan already had no such mood. Like he didn¡¯t hear him, Ling Jingxuan handed some clean underclothes and underpants before him, ¡°I have never gotten you dressed. Today, let me do my duty.¡±


    Speaking of which, he grabbed his underpants and took of the only remaining things covering his body. Yan Shengrui deeply looked at him, and silently cooperated with his action. Ling Jingxuan put on the underclothes, underpants, the outwear and pants one by one for him, and then took up the golden jade belt and fastened it for him, finally, put on the thin gilt-edged pure white gauze robes for him. After all this, Ling Jingxuan took a few steps back to check on him. He was really for luxurious clothes. He looked like he had changed into another person now. Even without moving, he gave one that kind of unreachable feeling.


    Such an excellent man is his, thinking of here, a faint smile slowly crawled onto his lips.


    ¡°Go back to bed, your hands are cold.¡±


    During the conversation, without giving him a chance to say no, Yan Shengrui picked him up and put him in bed, then tucked him in, with his big hand rubbing his white and smooth cheek, ¡°wait for me!¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Facing his affectionate eyes, Ling Jingxuan firmly nodded, Yan Shengrui then bent over and left a kiss on his forehead, then forced himself to leave. Ling Jingxuan reflexively reached out and caught only a handful of air. Watching his back leaving in a hurry, he opened his mouth but couldn¡¯t utter a word, judging from the shape of his mouth, what he said should be ¡®take care¡¯.


    ¡°Well protect the crown princess and the children. If something happens to them, you¡¯re all so dead!¡±


    Outside the door, Yan Yi was already waiting there. Yan Shengrui took over the whip from him, whose expression looked unspokenly stern. Yan Yi directly got on one knee, ¡°Yes, master. I will protect them even at the cost of my death!¡±


    ¡°You got something to say to me?¡±


    As Yan Shengrui was ready to leave, his sharp suddenly turned to the other side of the corridor, Ling Jinghan accompanied by Yuan Shaoqi slowly walked out of the darkness, the warm smile always hanging in by his lips was nowhere to find. Ling Jinghan looked at him with a rarely stern face, ¡°Brother Rui, take care. Don¡¯t forget, my big brother and we all here waiting for you to come back safe and sound.¡±

 Chapter 415

    Others might not know his identity, Ling Jinghan already knew. Yesterday when the blacksmiths, Yan Si and others left, he knew he¡¯d also leave. Plus, last night, he specially called Wen and Wu into their room, he was more firmly of his guessing, and that was also why he had been waiting here early. As for Yuan Shaoqi, he came himself. He also didn¡¯t know why.


    ¡°Although you have never received formal education, but you were lucky enough to get the guidance of my imperial sister-in-law, now with Juren Zhang¡¯s assistance, plus your own efforts, getting listed as a xiucai wouldn¡¯t be a difficult thing. I hope you can get listed during the autumn imperial examinations and go back to the capital with us. I will recommend you to study in the Imperial Academy and make full preparations for the exams in spring next year.¡±


    Rarely, Yan Shengrui also talked a lot. Except Ling Jingxuan and two children, he rarely had any sincere communication with the rest of the family. It was not that he didn¡¯t want to, but he really didn¡¯t know how to cut in their conversation. The thing he liked most was watching Jingxuan chatting with them, or arranging them to do things.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t say that, I will study hard. As long as I have good prospects, my parents and big brother stick out their chests before others. And after going to the capital, those people wouldn¡¯t be particular of my big brother.


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan slightly lowered his eyes. He was no clear how much the imperial family cared about a matched marriage. But he only hoped that at least he could create more solid back for his big brother and wouldn¡¯t let those people who had a problem with his farmer background ride over his head.


    ¡°No need. It¡¯s never other¡¯s turn to judge my wife. You only need to take care of yourself. Jinghan, I can give you the glory others couldn¡¯t get for their whole life. But I¡¯m also clear that¡¯s not what Jingxuan wants to see. He hopes that you can grow strong yourself, but not relying on me. Take good care of Jingxuan and the kids.¡±


    After giving him a deep eye, with a tip of tiptoe, Yan Shengrui instantly disappeared into the dark. Ling Jinghan subconsciously moved a few steps forward, murmuring with his fists clenched, ¡°I will! Brother Rui, I won¡¯t let my big brother down!¡±


    If it were not for his big brother, he would have turned into a pile of dirt. When their family was in the most difficult time, the big brother never forced him to do anything, and the only thing he wanted him to do was study hard. His parents and younger brother were the same. Even if not for himself, but for his family who were always there behind his back, he¡¯d study hard and get listed!


    After Yan Shengrui left, Yan Yi also hid in the dark silently. Watching Ling Jinghan¡¯s thin back, Yuan Shaoqi took off his cloak, moved a few steps forward and put it on for him, and put his hand on his shoulder. It seemed Ling Jinghan also didn¡¯t notice that they were over intimate now.


    ¡°You¡¯re also not ordinary, right?¡±


    After quite some time, Ling Jinghan¡¯s voice suddenly sounded. Yuan Shaoqi who was holding him froze there, then raised that symbolic ruffian smile, ¡°Yeah, I am the only son of Duke Yuan, but don¡¯t worry. I promise I have no ill intention against Prince Sheng and his wife.¡±


    He had never doubted Ling Jinghan¡¯s shrewdness, even, he most liked that part of him. He wanted to keep him by his side forever.


    ¡°If you have that intention, I¡¯m afraid you are already a rotten body now.¡±


    Did he really think his big brother and Brother Rui were vegetarians? Ling Jinghan rolled his eyes at him, then broke free from him and turned to leave. Yuan Shaoqi almost instantly understood the meaning of his words, so he caught up and held his shoulder shamelessly again, ¡°How can you belittle me? Anyway, I am son of a duke. How could I allow myself to be trampled upon by others?¡±


    Although Yuan Shaoqi was dissatisfied with his father, he was very close to his grandfather Duke Yuan. Under his tutelage, plus his mother knew had some martial arts, he was also good at martial arts. In fact, he had long wanted to go to the battlefield, but he just didn¡¯t want to earn honor for his father.


    ¡°They are not others. You can try if you don¡¯t believe it.¡±


    Stopping his steps and squinting at his claw holding his shoulder, Ling Jinghan gave a nearly unnoticeable frown, wondering if he should use the poison his big brother gave him for self-defense.


    ¡°Oh, come on. Give me a break. I saw that your big brother has taught his little disciple not only medical skills, but also a lot of things about poison using I have never heard of. Each of his twenty little medical boys can make simple poisons. I don¡¯t want to offend them.¡±


    Yuan Shaoqi instantly showed a scared expression. Lookers-on see most of the game. He was crystal clear that to offend Ling Jingxuan was not simply seeking death. He would only make one feel to live is no better than to die. So, he¡¯d never become foes with him.


    ¡°Have you held me enough?


    No longer wanting to talk to him, Ling Jinghan coldly looked at his claw holding him and said in a low voice.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m addicted. I guess I¡¯ll never quit it.¡±


    Yuan Shaoqi gave his ruffian smile, saying with an ambiguous tone as he drew close to him.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Having no idea what he meant, Yuan Shaoqi looked up strangely, the next second, some kind of transparent powder suddenly got blown into his face, Yuan Shaoqi hurriedly took several steps backwards, but still got his skin stained with some of it, and his skin instantly got reddened, also accompanied by a terrible itching, while Ling Jinghan already walked away.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Yuan Shaoqi cursed. The itching feeling all over told him that it should not be some kind of deadly poison, but only made it itching for a while. He felt so upset, of course, not because of Ling Jinghan, but himself. Clearly, he knew Jinghan was a black-bellied one, why hadn¡¯t he stayed alert just now? Who else could he blame?

 Chapter 416

    After the little buns learned that Yan Shengrui had already left after they woke up, they had been mad at Ling Jingxuan for a few days, complaining why he hadn¡¯t woken them up before father left. Although they still obediently waited upon by their daddy¡¯s side and took good care of him, they just didn¡¯t want to talk to him, which made Ling Jingxuan feel both helpless and powerful. Finally, he could only let it be. As for Ling Chenglong and his wife, they were only lying if they totally had no complains. But seeing that their son performed like nothing happened, they also dare not say much, only afraid to bring back the old memories, which would only make him sorrowful.


    The whole house had stayed quiet and lifeless for quite a few days because of this thing. Only until Ling Jinghan had to go to the county to take the three-day provincial exams did the whole family become lively again. Of course, Lady Wang napped this and that with a sobbing tone. Apparently Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t go with him this time. But Yuan Shaoqi volunteered to go with him. Seeing that Ling Jinghan didn¡¯t say no, Ling Jingxuan who vaguely knew what was happening also didn¡¯t stop him, but only asked him and Song Shuisheng to take care of Ling Jinghan¡¯s daily food there, and then asked Zhao Shan to go to his workshop to fetch two bags of water for them. He believed that given his younger brother¡¯s abilities, he¡¯d definitely get listed!


    Three exams in three successive days was a great test of examinees¡¯ physical and mental endurance. And during those three days, everyone at home was so worried that they even forgot to swallow when eating food, only afraid that he might get lack of physical strength or what. After all, he had really been in bad healthy before. Only until he came back radiant with happiness three days later, the whole family¡¯s hung hearts got back in place.


    The result would be released seven days later, which meant it should be the end of the month. During this period, Ling Jingxuan asked people to pay close attention to the change in the field, carefully recorded the rise and fall of the sea water every day, at the same time, he also began to slowly teach his father, Old Zhou and his son Zheng Da how to control the temperature of the seedlings, as for the fungus business, he had all handed it over to Zhao-Han couple, other things at home, Old Song and his wife took care of it. Without Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingpeng now, it was impossible if one said there was no influence at all. But they could basically handle everything.


    ¡°Listed! Listed! My lord, ma¡¯am, Master Xuan, Master Jinghan got listed as linsheng (âÞÉú, lit. ¡°granary student¡±), the first class of shengyuan, who were the best performers in the college exam, and got to receive government-issued rations and pay for their academic achievements. The top performers within this class would get accepted into the Imperial Academy as gongsheng (¹±Éú, lit. ¡°tribute student¡±), who will then be eligible to sit the provincial or even the national exam directly.)! The first place!¡±


    Seven days later, Old Song who went to the county to check the results rushed into the yard excitedly, even without stopping the carriage properly. As Lady Wang and others, who was waiting in the main room, heard that, they all instantly stood up after hearing that. When Old Song came in, Ling Chenglong excitedly came forward and grabbed his arms, ¡°What did you say? My son got listed as linsheng and even won the first place?¡±


    Not merely a xiucai, but a linsheng! He may even have his official¡¯s salary from the court!


    ¡°Yes, my lord, Master Jinghan won the first place! Magistrate Hu said it! He said the second master has great literary talent! It may even not be a problem getting listed as a juren!¡±


    Old Song also wore a face of excitement. For servants like them, only if the master¡¯s family got prosperous would they also hold their heads high before the outsiders. Let alone he had already taken himself as member of this family!


    ¡°Wow! Great! My son got listed! My son is a xiucai now! Jinhua, did you hear that? Our son is a xiucai now! And he¡¯s listed as the first place!¡±


    Once again confirmed, Ling Chenglong turned back and tightly held his wife¡¯s hands, whose callused hands were shaking. Such a tough man held tears in his eyes. Their son finally became a useful person! No one would ever dare look down on them anymore! Finally¡­


    ¡°Yeah, I heard it. Our son is a xiucai(linsheng is a senior rank of xiucai) now¡­¡±


    Before Lady Wang could finish her words, she already cried out, that was tears of joy, also tears of having restrained herself for so many years. Now their life was getting better and better, and now Jinghan got listed as a linsheng! They would rest in peace even if you let them die now!


    The old Wang couple who had come early before also had their eyes filled with tears. Let alone Wang Jinyu, who only kept wiping her tears sobbing. Knowing that they needed this to vent it out, so Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t try to comfort them or what. The whole family was immersed in tears and excitement. People in this era had a rank in their hearts-officials come first, then farmers, workers and businessmen. To them, however rich they were, it was no better than having a xiucai title! Only if someone in their family took the official career could they really hold their heads high!


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t I see Jinghan?¡±


    Seeing that they were not that excited, Ling Jingxuan suddenly asked.


    ¡°Look at me! I forgot the most important thing!¡±


    Hearing him, Old Song couldn¡¯t help giving himself two light slaps in the face, then hurried forward and said, ¡°Lord Magistrate said he¡¯ll treat all listed students. Lord Jinghan is a linsheng, of course he is also in the list. Except that, Ling Chenggui also got listed! So they said they¡¯d come back together two days later. Shuisheng and Mr. Yuan are with him. He is afraid that the lord and ma¡¯am may be worried, so he told me to come back to inform you first.¡±


    ¡°If so, there is no need to worry. The magistrate will be transferred in February. You go back to the county, tell Jinghan to have a private chat with Magistrate Hu and ask him where the new magistrate comes from and his background and other things.¡±

 Chapter 417

    Ling Jingxuan nodded and then ordered with a deep voice. He didn¡¯t want an unbelievable one. Although he had the imperial edict and the plaque rewarded by His Majesty and the new magistrate wouldn¡¯t dare make trouble for him if it was really an unreasonable one, after all, His Majesty was watching every move of his, some unbelievable one usually had no brains, so it should be better prepared that he made clear of the other side¡¯s background first.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Hearing that, Old Song respectfully backed out, and then those servants and maids took turns to come up with their congratulations. Ling Chenglong and his wife were so overjoyed that they both kept saying ¡®you¡¯ll get a reward!¡¯ So, only half the afternoon, news that both Ling Jinghan and Ling Chenggui got listed as xiucai and Ling Jinghan even ranked the first place as linsheng spread through the whole village. Even those who seldom had connections with them, including a lot of rich people and squires, some even brought heavy lavish gifts. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t want entertain them, so he asked his parents to socialize. With Lady Zheng, Lady Lan and Ling Yun there, he was not worried about them. But before hiding in his own room, he specially ordered that whoever it was and whatever heavy gifts they brought, they should all say no. Ling Chenglong and his wife were not that kind of greedy person, plus Ling Jingxuan said this was accumulating some good official reputation for Jinghan, of course they¡¯d never have some other thoughts. So those who tried to claim relations with them all arrived in high spirits but returned with a sour face.


    ¡°Really? Jinghan got listed as linsheng?¡±


    In the old xiucai¡¯s home, hearing that Ling Jinghan got listed as a linsheng, Ling Qiyun, who had been out of shape due to the torture of his illness, abruptly opened his eyes, with his face written with excitement. Has his grandson really gotten listed as a linsheng title?


    ¡°Hmm, grandpa, my second uncle¡¯s son Uncle Chenggui also got listed as a xiucai. Now everyone in the village knows it.¡±


    Ling Jinghong who was waiting on by the side said indifferently. If one looked carefully, deep in his eyes hid some kind of joyful feeling, it was just that he didn¡¯t know how to express it. Last time when his parents went to Yuehua Manor to make a scene, he had been completely disappointed with them and this family. After he served the old man until he went to another world, he also planned to leave.


    ¡°Really? The whole village knows¡­¡±


    Hearing that, the old man instantly got sagged. Everyone knew now but they didn¡¯t inform him. It seemed that they had really disappointed and would never acknowledge them. Now, this family was already not like a family. After he passed away, maybe his big son and third son¡¯s life would be even harder.


    Thinking about this, the old man suddenly made a decision. He opened his eyes and said to Ling Jinghong, ¡°Tomorrow, after Jinghan comes back, you go to Yuehua Manor to find Chenglong, tell him I¡¯m dying and I want to see them for the last time. Ask him to take Jinghan to see me.¡±


    He knew that his body had already been emptied and may never wake up again after he fell asleep. For his future generations, he had to sell his old face one more time, which was also one of the reasons why he didn¡¯t let Ling Jingxuan come. In his view, the heart knot between him and his second son was on him, for he still bore the grudge about him throwing him out of the family that year. So it was nearly impossible trying to convince him.


    ¡°Grandpa, you¡­¡±


    Ling Jinghong had been with him since childhood. How could he not know his thoughts? Originally he was trying to persuade him, but as the words came to the mouth, he swallowed it down. As the only soft spot of this family, what could he do? He only wished that his grandpa wouldn¡¯t overreach himself.


    On the other side, as the old lady who was ill in bed heard that Ling Jinghan got a xiucai title, she instantly vomited blood on spot, then looked like she got dementia, even so, she was still cursing Ling Jingxuan and his family, from which one could see how much she hated them.


    Several nearby villages hadn¡¯t had a xiucai for a long time, and now Ling Village got two at a time, and one of them was even the first place¡ªa linsheng! Those villagers were so happy. The next day when Ling Jinghan and Ling Chenggui came back, the village head and the old patriarch went to the village entrance to welcome them in person. Ling Jinghan who didn¡¯t want to meet them had to get off the carriage.


    ¡°Jinghan, Chenggui, congratulations! You really earn face for our Ling Village.¡±


    The moment he saw them, the old patriarch walked to their side at a fast pace, with a bright smile on that chrysanthemum-like wrinkled face, like those two were his own grandsons. Ling Chenggui was a bit shy and only said hi to the old patriarch, blushing, while Ling Jinghan only nodded as a reply with both hands behind his back.


    ¡°You both getting listed as a xiucai is a huge even to our village. Come on! Let¡¯s go talk about how to do the open-air banquet. It¡¯s been a long time our village hasn¡¯t been so glorious! The open-air banquet has to at least last for three to five days and let those people of nearby villages all come to see our two young xiucai!¡±


    Like not noticing Ling Jinghan¡¯s impatience, the old patriarch pulled them enthusiastically, those villagers who came with him and the village head also nodded approvingly. In the countryside, any family that had one getting listed as a xiucai or a tongsheng should give people a big treat to let people share their joys. Last year when Ling Jinghan got listed as a tongsheng, he should have treated people. Pity that Ling Jingxuan said he still needed to prepare for the xiucai exams, thinking that it was really not long before the provincial exams, they couldn¡¯t say anything. But this time, not only Jinghan, even Ling Chenggui who got listed as a tongsheng the year before not was a xiucai too. Then they¡¯d have no excuse this time, right? But¡­


    ¡°Sorry, about the open-air banquet thing, I have to talk to my parents and big brother. I really appreciate your good intentions. You know, I have been outside for a few days. My parents should be worried, So, excuse me.¡±


    Ignoring their excitement, Ling Jinghan pulled his hand back from the old clan patriarch. After a few simple words, he, Yuan Shaoqi and Song Shuisheng climbed into the carriage again. And Old Song was also a smart one. Before those people could react, with a swing of his whip, the carriage quickly drove toward the big road they had built and soon disappeared in their eyes.


    The old patriarch¡¯s face couldn¡¯t get more distorted. And the village head and those villagers also felt indescribable bitterness in the heart. As the saying goes, don¡¯t despise someone at his/her cruel twist of fate. When that thing happened to Ling Jingxuan, no one stood out to speak for them. When Lady Wang got set up by Ling Chenghua, the fact was there, they only turned a blind eye against their conscience, let alone how they badmouthed their whole family behind their back. Now that they got super rich and Ling Jinghan got listed as a xiucai, no wonder he¡¯d show them his face.

 Chapter 418

    The old woman vomiting blood thing finally failed to be concealed from the old man. The old man who meant to make the last struggle for his big and third son instantly got his situation worsened that very night. Every family in the village was talked about things of the two xiucai. After Ling Jinghan went back home, he had a very long secret talk with Ling Jingxuan in the room and only came out until it was a bit dark outside. And in the village head¡¯s place, Ling Chenggui¡¯s elder brothers and sisters all surrounded him, only wishing to let him grow out a few flowers on his body.


    ¡°Bad news! Second uncle, bad news! My father¡­¡±


    When it was getting totally dark, Ling Chenghu who had stayed quiet for several months suddenly stumbled into the village head¡¯s house, hearing that, the village head had a skip of his heart. Thinking of his big brother¡¯s situation in recent months, some kind of bad feeling flashed across his heart. But on a second thought, right after Jinghan and Chenggui got listed as xiucai, he got his situation worsened, people would gossip if they heard it, right? If it was true, people would say the old man¡¯s situation got worse on hearing others got listed as a xiucai title. If that was true, forget about what others might say, what Ling Jingxuan would think?


    ¡°Speak slowly. What¡¯s wrong with my big brother?¡±


    Whether true or not, he was both the village head and his younger brother, how could he be indifferent to it? After handing his little grandson to his wife, Ling Qicai turned to Ling Chenghu and asked. Because the village head¡¯s few daughters-in-law were all working in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s factories now, they could earn a lot a month. Seeing Ling Chenghu, they all pulled a long face.


    ¡°Second uncle, come take a look with me. Today my mother suddenly spat out a lot of blood and turned silly. We meant to hide it from our father. But who knows he found it himself and passed out on spot. The doctor said he may not get it through.¡±


    His father was dying, however unfilial he was, he would never be in any good mood. Since his wife and daughter had been driven out of the family, he had figured one thing out. After his second elder brother moved out, their days were getting better and better. And although his big brother¡¯s daughter had been repudiated, anyway, they still had some savings. Only he was the weakest, and his son was the youngest. If the old passed away now, maybe everything would fall into his big brother¡¯s hands, and their days would be even harder. So seeing that his father was dying, he instantly came to look for his second uncle. With him there, his big brother and big sister-in-law wouldn¡¯t dare go too far.


    ¡°OK. Let¡¯s go take a look.¡±


    Seeing it was true, the village head already had no time to think that much, but hurriedly left with him. The na?ve Ling Chenggui also meant to go with them but got pulled by his mother. And the village head¡¯s wife winked at him, signaling him not to get involved into their things. Now he was a xiucai, and in the second half of the year, he still had to take the exams for juren title.


    Because of Ling Chenghua¡¯s death, plus the old couple¡¯s healthy condition was inherently bad, and later Ling Chengcai made that scene when Ling Jingxuan received the imperial edict, he already couldn¡¯t even get off bed. And now he was like the withering oil lamp. Looking at that skinny stooped back on the heated kang, Ling Qicai only felt sour in the heart. However unreasonable things he had ever done back then, now he was only an old man having one foot in the grave. After taking two deep breaths, he only moved forward and called,


    ¡°Big brother.¡±


    Sitting on the bedside holding his hand, Ling Qicai choked with sobs. Although the relationship between their younger generation seemed not very good, the relationship between them two brothers was quite good. At least one year ago, they had always supported each other. He never expected that after only a few months, his big brother had become like this.


    Hearing his voice, Ling Qiyun exhaled more than inhaling already blinked his cloudy eyes. Even such a simple movement nearly used up all his strength. But no one knew where he got the strength, he suddenly stretched out his shriveled hand to grab his, squeezing the following words through his throat with much difficulty, ¡°Qi¡­Qicai¡­Jing¡­Jing¡­Jinghan¡­¡±


    Ling Qiyun knew that his death was approaching, but what he was thinking about was his second son who had already moved out. If it hadn¡¯t been that he was too partial, how could their family have ended up like this? Now, he no linger wanted to find out who was to blame. He just wanted to see them and asked them to take care of this whole family.


    ¡°Quickly! Go to Yuehua Manor and ask Chenglong¡¯s whole family here! Now!¡±


    It took Ling Qicai quite some time to understand what he meant, then he turned and snapped, with tears welling up in his eyes.


    On the other side, Ling Jingxuan and his two younger brothers had been having a private talk in the room. Only after the little buns came back did they come out. Since Ling Jinghan won the first place, for supper, it was all his favorite dishes. Three families sat around the big table eating and drinking, and burst into laughter now and then. Today they even made an exception. Except Ling Jingxuan and the kids, everyone had a cup of bayberry wine.


    ¡°Next is the autumn exams in July. How I wish that our Jinghan could get listed as a juren!


    After three rounds of drinks, Ling Chenglong got a bit wild. Even Old Lord Wang who specially stayed didn¡¯t diss him, ¡°Of course! Our Jinghan is a linsheng now! Even if he may not rank the first place again, getting a juren title may not be a problem!

 Chapter 419

    Rarely they stood on the same side. The whole family couldn¡¯t help laughing. About the juren thing, they all held the same thought. If one said it was only his sheer luck to get listed as a tongsheng. It couldn¡¯t be his sheer luck to get listed as s linsheng now, right? Facts proved that their Jinghan had real ability! So they all believed that he could create greater glories!


    ¡°Dad, you are all so short-sighted. I think maybe our Jinghan has a chance to get the xieyuan title!¡±


    So-called xieyuan title is the first place during the autumn exams, then it is huiyuan and zhuangyuan. Huiyuan is the first place of spring exams, while zhuangyuan is the first place during the palace exmas His Majesty personally nominated. Ling Jingxuan clearly remembered that when Chu Yunhan left, he once said given Jinghan¡¯s qualifications, getting listed as a juren might not be a difficulty thing, not even a jinshi, although still had a distance from the zhuangyuan title. But he personally thought that xieyuan shouldn¡¯t be a hard thing for Jinghan.


    ¡°That¡¯d be the best! It¡¯d be better if he gets listed as a huiyuan and even zhuangyuan!¡±


    Ling Chenglong had obviously gotten self-inflated. Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jinghan couldn¡¯t help laughing.


    ¡°I will try my best. As for the huiyuan and zhuangyuan title, maybe I will consider it later. Dad, I¡¯m only fifteen years old. Whether I could pass the exams for jinshi title is still hard to say. So, we¡¯d better put more focus on things before eyes.¡±


    If possible, who wouldn¡¯t want it? But he had self-knowledge. Compared with the sons of those big families, he still had a huge gap to fill. Suddenly Yan Shengrui¡¯s words popped out of his head before Yan left. If he could get enrolled into the Imperial Academy, maybe he still had a chance.


    ¡°Look at what you are talking about! Only talking bullshit after getting drunk! Our son already has a lot of pressure. Don¡¯t increase his burden again!¡±


    Hearing that, Lady Wang threw her husband a hard stare, while Ling Chenggong gave a silly laugh. Lady Wang helplessly shook her head, then turned to Ling Jinghan, ¡°Don¡¯t listen to your dad¡¯s bullshit. Take one step a time. Even if you fail the autumn exams, it¡¯s fine. You are still young and got another chance three years later.¡±


    She was already satisfied with the linsheng title of their son.


    ¡°Yes, mom, I know.¡±


    Ling Jinghan obediently nodded, but in his heart he already set his target at the juren title. After what his big brother said, he even set his target at the xiuyuan title. He swore he¡¯d earn the honor for his big brother!


    ¡°Daddy, I will definitely pass the most difficult one for you!¡±


    At the whole family was talking and laughing, Ling Wen suddenly said with his big round eyes wide opened. Everyone¡¯s eyes instantly focused on him. Ling Jingxuan raised a hearty smile, ¡°OK. I will wait for that day. Then you could take the official career and marry a beautiful wife, then daddy will be even happier!¡±


    Knowing his son¡¯s aspirations, Ling Jingxuan also did not forget to encourage him, although he personally felt that being an official was really not as good as being a rich landlord.


    ¡°Hmm, I promise I¡¯ll find a nice and obedient wife to be filial to you.¡±


    Ling Wen nodded earnestly. On the other side, Ling Wu quickly grabbed his daddy¡¯s arm to draw his attention to him, ¡°Daddy, my wife is Brother Yan, and he will be more filial to you.¡±


    After several months, he was still thinking about marrying him. So stubborn! Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help feeling amused as he rubbed his head, ¡°If you can really marry Yan¡¯er, then I feel much relieved. But, before that, shouldn¡¯t my small bun study harder? No one will like you if you only keep sniveling all day.¡±


    What Ling Jingxuan did not say was that, no matter who they married, they would still live in the imperial palace in the future. In the eyes of outsiders, his son would definitely marry the emperor.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t! I haven¡¯t cried for a long time. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can ask Uncle Yi. A few days ago, when I fell off the tree when practicing lightness skills, I even didn¡¯t cry!¡±


    Hearing that, the small bun instantly defended himself. He is a tough man! How could he leave others the impression of a crybaby? Thinking of this, the small bun frowned as he tried to think back if he had ever cried before his beloved Brother Yan. He didn¡¯t want Brother Yan to think he is unreliable.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think about it. More than once.¡±


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    With one glance, Ling Jingxuan knew what he was thinking, so he directly exposed him. The small bun instantly got his face long enough to touch the ground. The whole family couldn¡¯t help laughing out. But the joyful atmosphere was instantly gone after Ling Chenghu came. Seeing Ling Chenghu coming in behind Old Zhou, everyone¡¯s smile froze on the face.


    ¡°What is going on?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan turned around and threw a severe look at Old Zhou, while the latter knew he did it kind of unproperly, so he hurriedly replied with a trembling tone, ¡°Master Xuan, he said the old xiucai is dying and wants to see you for one last time.¡±


    Hearing that, instead of showing any sad expression, they all showed a face of disgust. Their intuition told them that the old Ling family was trying to play some tricks again. Otherwise, why was the old man getting worse right after their Jinghan got a linsheng title?


    ¡°Second brother, second sister-in-law, our father is really dying! Go take a look! Or it¡¯d be late!¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Chenghu said anxiously. Now, he finally understood the feelings of being distrusted.


    Seeing that it was like he was lying, Ling Chenglong and his wife who were still too kind instantly had no idea what to do. Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes and said nothing. And the old Wang couple shouldn¡¯t comment on such a thing. So, finally Ling Jingxuan said, ¡°If so, we¡¯ll go take a look.¡±


    He could let it go if it was true. If not, don¡¯t blame him for sending him to another world for real!

 Chapter 420

    Hearing that Ling Qiyun was dying, Ling Chenglong and his wife hurriedly took the carriage to go to the old Ling family, Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jinghan were also with them, but not the kids, first, they held a skeptical toward this the news, second, the old Ling family had never admitted the two kids, so they didn¡¯t need to take them for humiliation.


    After arriving, before the carriage stopped steadily, Ling Chenglong and his wife already brushed open the curtain and jumped off. Ling Jingxuan and his younger brother behind gave each other a look and said nothing. If the old man was really dying, those things, right or wrong, seemed to become meaningless. Although their parents were no longer members of the old Ling family nominally, after all, they were still his son and daughter-in-law and they should come here to see him for the last time.


    ¡°Second uncle, second aunt-in-law, finally! Grandpa is dying! Hurry!¡±


    After they went into the yard, a woman in her twenties with a married woman¡¯s chignon went forward to greet them with a weeping tone. She was the big son¡¯s daughter Ling Xiaoran who had just been repudiated. Ignoring her, Ling Chenglong and his wife strode toward the main room, while Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jinghan behind captured that flashing smiling feeling and calculation under her eyes. The two of them lowered their eyes and passed over her, without even giving her a chance to speak.


    Ling Chenglong and his wife who came into the room first swept over at Ling Chengcai and others who had long been watching there. Because of the imperial decree thing, they had already had a problem with Ling Chengcai and his wife, so they directly looked past them and nodded at Ling Jinghong. When their eyes reached the old man lying in bed, only in a few months, he had already had been lantern-jawed, with senile plaque all over the face. His hands exposed out of the quilts were like two sere and yellowish claws.


    Seeing here, Ling Chonglong and his wife couldn¡¯t help reddening the eyes. Even though they had already had no connections nominally, what was flowing in his body was his blood. That kind of dense blood relationship couldn¡¯t be erased by a thin statement and a new family tree.


    As Ling Qicai, who was sitting by the bedside, heard the noise from outside, he turned around and saw it was Ling Chenglong and his wife, he hurriedly offered the spot nearest to the old man to them. Ling Chenglong and his wife hurriedly walked over, and only by then did Ling Qicai saw clearly the sorrow and sadness on their faces. Compared with others in the room, so many times more genuine. For this, Ling Qicai made a light sigh. If it hadn¡¯t been that his big brother had been so impulsive, why would the whole family have ended up like this?


    ¡°Dad¡­Uncle Ling¡­¡±


    Sitting by the bed, Ling Chenglong anxiously grabbed his hand, and the word ¡®dad¡¯ that blurted out was replaced by Uncle Ling, because he suddenly remembered that his parents no longer acknowledged him, so he was afraid that calling him dad would stimulate him. Lady Wang by his side secretly wiped her tears. As the old man had turned into this appearance, the resentment in their heard instantly decreased a lot.


    The words Uncle Ling instantly opened the distance between them. Ling Qiyun¡¯s cloudy eyes suddenly beamed, and he also breathed a lot more smoothly suddenly. He grabbed back at Ling Chenglong¡¯s hands tightly. One already couldn¡¯t tell he was a dying person. Right after Ling Jingxuan went in, he saw this scene. Others all thought that the old man¡¯s situation improved a lot as he saw Ling Chenglong and his wife, but Ling Jingxuan darkened his eyes. That was obvious terminal lucidity. It seemed the old man was really dying.


    ¡°Jing¡­Ahem¡­¡±


    The old man opened his mouth wanting to say something, but maybe too anxious, he gave violent coughs, and also tightened his hand holding Ling Chenglong¡¯s. After quite a while, he caught his breath and asked, ¡°Jing¡­Jinghan got a linsheng title?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, the list was only released yesterday and Jinghan just came back today. Both he and Chenggui are xiucai now.¡±


    Knowing that he had always attached great importance to fame, Ling Chenglong also didn¡¯t feel anything wrong, and answered his questions honestly, then the old man¡¯s cloudy eyes looked over at Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jinghan standing side by side there, dribbling, and the hand holding Ling Chenglong tightening harder, as if trying to crush it.


    ¡°Good, good, I never imagined that you are so promising after separating yourself from us. Good!¡±


    Why did those words sound so not pleasant to the ears? Ling Chenglong and others couldn¡¯t help frowning, but none made a sound. As the old man had become like this, what was there to argue about?


    After a moment¡¯s silence in the room, the old man made another move. His other hand kept fumbling in the inner side of the bed, and then felt out a black wooden box, about a brick¡¯s size, quite aged. Facing everyone¡¯s doubtful eyes, he handed the box to Ling Chenglong, ¡°Here is the title deeds for the house and land and silver, all the savings of your mother and me. I¡¯ll leave them all to you.¡±


    Seeing this, everyone was shocked. Ling Chengcai subconsciously wanted to jump out to say no. Chenglong also moved out and lived dependently. If the old left all the properties to him, what about him and Chenghu? But he got stopped by his wife Lady by the side, who threw him an eye signaling him to go on watching. Given her understanding of the old man, things wouldn¡¯t be like what they thought.

 Chapter 421

    The light under the eyes of Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jinghan was getting darker and darker, but they had not yet spoken. Until now, they still believed that when a man is near death he speaks from his heart, and they hoped that the old man wouldn¡¯t fail this proverb.


    Ling Chenglong and his wife were also surprised. After giving each other a panicky look, Ling Chenglong subconsciously pushed the black wooden box back, ¡°Uncle Ling, I can¡¯t take this. You leave it to Brother Chengcai and Chenghu. Chenghu¡¯s son is still small, and his second son hasn¡¯t been married, so he needs those things.¡±


    Actually, Ling Chenglong¡¯s thought was very simple and pure, after all, their days were a lot better now, so there was no need to fight for the family properties with his two brothers, so they could get more and would live better in the future. But like he didn¡¯t understand him, the old man stuffed the box into his hands again, eyes wide open, ¡°I said take it. With you taking care of your mother and your two brothers, I can rest in peace.¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his wife who had been sad a moment ago now popped out their eyes, freezing there. What did he mean? So he was trying to entrust the whole old Ling family to them? Even till now, he was still trying to calculate them for his other two sons?


    ¡°I won¡¯t take it.¡±


    Ling Chenglong stuffed the box back and stood up at the same time, the hands hanging on both sides tightened. No one knew where the old man got so much strength, he grabbed his wrist tightly and tried to pull him back, panting heavily, eyes wide open, ¡°I am your father! Even if you can¡¯t acknowledge it, no one can change that. If it weren¡¯t me, will you have everything you own now? Now your days are getting better and Jinghan got a linsheng title, and he will definitely take an official career. Anyhow, they are your brothers by blood! If you cover them, they¡¯d also be grateful. You will know how many times they are better than those outsiders¡­¡±


    As those words came out of his mouth, not only Ling Chenglong and his wife, even Ling Qicai and Ling Jinghong looked a bit awful now. Ling Qicai even thought that his big brother didn¡¯t call him over as his younger brother, but as the village head to witness all this. Why is he so silly? Still trying to calculate Chenglong before dying? Even if they were brothers by blood, the second son never had the obligation to take care of the big son and third son, all right? Let alone the old woman who still cursed them even after she got senile dementia or what!


    Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jinghan couldn¡¯t help giving a sneer in their hearts. It seemed that they really didn¡¯t come here for nothing. The leopard cannot change his spots. Even when he was dying, he was still being partial to Ling Chengcai and Ling Chenghu, totally not caring what they thought. Forget about if Ling Chengcai and Ling Chenghu¡¯s bad names would affect Ling Jinghan¡¯s official career or bring them any bad influence, even now, if they agreed with the old man¡¯s death wish, they had to be responsible for all of them. Given their personalities, they¡¯d adhere to them like parasites and they could never shake them off. With such an unbelievable family, they¡¯d be so dead in the future!


    That was liking trying to push them over a cliff.


    Seeing that Ling Chenglong¡¯s whole family looked bad, Lady Li signaled her daughter with an eye, and the latter instantly held up one of the kids and rushed before Ling Chenglong and got on her knees, crying, ¡°Second uncle, aunt-in-law, grandpa is already like this. Please promise him! That is his only wish before he passes away. If you don¡¯t, he will never rest in peace.¡±


    If he could rest in peace, they would be the ones that would never live in peace. Even their niece was so shrewd, dare they agree? Ling Chenglong and his wife couldn¡¯t help feeling more and more disappointed, like falling into an ice hold. That was their father. Why still tried to calculate them when dying? Even if he didn¡¯t say this, if his big brother and third brother really even had no food to stuff the belly, they wouldn¡¯t stand aside and do nothing, but the thing is¡­


    ¡°Uncle, aunt-in-law, grandpa is still waiting for your reply. Please promise him! I¡¯m begging you.¡±


    Seeing this, Ling Chenghu¡¯s big son also took his wife to kneel before them crying. Now that they were so rich, what was wrong taking care of them?


    The few babies to be fed seemed to feel their mother¡¯s sadness, they also started to cry. In an instant, the whole room was weaved by all kinds of cries. Ling Qicai got so foamed up. The old man still hadn¡¯t died, and they already howled like that! The more he thought, he angrier. He had never expected that his big brother would make such a move before passing away. The sadness and sympathy in the heart were already nowhere to find. His big brother had never achieved anything in his whole life and always so proud. Never expected he was still like that till now! Wasn¡¯t it like pricking Chenglong¡¯s heart now?


    Ling Chenglong frowned, feeling so complicated in the heart. He had never expected he¡¯d have to face this when he hurried all the way here. Heaven knew that when heard that the old man was dying, how anxious he was. On the way here, he only wished that the carriage could grow a pair of wings. That was his father. Anyhow, he got to see him for the last eye, but¡­what his filiality exchanged for was his father¡¯s calculation and his nephews and nieces¡¯ coercing.


    At this moment, Ling Chenglong only felt like he was a big joke. His family he had always cared about was trying to calculate him anytime. How ironic! How sad!

 Chapter 422

    How partial would one be to do such a thing before he died? Don¡¯t say that he was too old and got muddleheaded, or say that he didn¡¯t know that what big trouble Ling Chenglong¡¯d have if he agreed. And it was a lifetime thing. Ling Qiyun¡¯s eyes apparently glistened with shrewdness. He was a xiucai and also the master of the family. It was impossible he had no idea what kind of people his family was, or what big trouble it¡¯d bring to Ling Chenglong and his family, or it might even influence the future of Ling Jingxuan and his two younger brothers, or, after the three brothers became busier and busier and had to run around all the year round, their whole family properties would change their master already. So this was already not a deathbed entrust, or merely whether Ling Chenglong and others were filial or not, this was concerned about their whole life.


    Ling Chenglong and his wife¡¯s heart fell down and down, and the sentiment also gradually disappeared. Casting a glance at his niece and nephew, Ling Chenglong turned and looked at the old man, saying word by word nearly indifferently, ¡°Uncle Ling, sorry I can¡¯t promise you. That¡¯s your family affair. As an outsider, I shouldn¡¯t have any comment.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Chenglong stretched out his hand to prise his sere fingers one by one and turned to hold his wife tightly, ¡°We should avoid this.¡±


    The husband and wife straightened their backs and then tried to turn to leave. Even a rabbit would bite people when being pushed too hard, let alone they are living people? Before, they could take his doings as negative act, or a goody two shoes that didn¡¯t want to step into the internal family trifles. It had all been the old lady. But now, they were completely disappointed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t leave¡­You unfilial son¡­Come back¡­I said come back.¡±


    The old man¡¯s calculative pupils instantly got dilated, and he was growling deeply while panting. Even at the edge of death, he was still holding high. But Ling Chenglong didn¡¯t show him any face. People of the room popped out their eyes, while only Ling Jingxuan and his younger brother secretly gave their thumbs-up to their always honest father. That was also why they didn¡¯t stand out. Some day, he¡¯d leave the whole Yuehua Manor to them. If they still didn¡¯t know how to say no to the old Ling family, how could they hold up such a big family? How to protect their family? They must see clearly that people of old Ling family were like leeches. Don¡¯t see that they surrendered now. As long as given any chance, they¡¯d immediately climb on them and start to suck their blood again. So they had to be stone-hearted.


    ¡°Elder brother, our dad is already like this, can¡¯t you just agree with his last wish? I know I did a lot of bad things, but I have changed now. I swear I will never make you any trouble. I¡¯m begging you. Let dad die contented.¡±


    Seeing that, bam, Ling Chenghu knelt before them, holding Ling Chenglong¡¯s leg. His words were authentic, but the endurance that flashed across his eyes sold him out. Ling Jingxuan frowned slightly. Why are those people so annoying like the maggots in the toilet? If they kept pushing him, he wouldn¡¯t show mercy.


    ¡°That¡¯s your dad, and it is your family thing, which has nothing to do with me, if you are really sincere to change, you wouldn¡¯t force us now. This is your family affair, so it¡¯s not convenient for us to stay. We gotta go.¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan opened his mouth, Ling Chenglong made an astounding action. While saying so, he pushed him away, held Lady Wang wearing a cold face and left. The big son and his wife tried to stop them but got scared back by Ling Jingxuan and his younger brother¡¯s threatening eyes. Compared with Ling Chenglong¡¯s coldness, their eyes also had the undisguised warning and killing intention. Without any doubt, as long as they dare move, they¡¯d get knocked over instantly. So, they could only watch them pass by their side.


    ¡°Ah¡­ah¡­¡±


    ¡°Grandpa, grandpa, are you all right? Second uncle, come back. Grandpa is dying. Second uncle!¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­¡±


    As the family of four had just stepped out of the door, behind them came the howling. Ling Chenglong who was walking ahead stopped his foot in the air, but finally stepped out of that threshold. His heart had already been scarred and battered, unable to let them get hurt it a little bit. Now, he only wanted to protect his little home and wished that his family could live happily. Other things were not important.


    For an honest and sincere filial man since he was little, how badly hurt in his heart could he become so cold-blooded and disappointed? Maybe except Ling Chenglong and his wife, no one could tell.


    ¡°Jinghan, grandpa wants you in. He¡¯s dying. Can¡¯t you go have a look at him?¡±


    Tricks failed on Ling Chenglong, the old man aimed at Ling Jinghan, after all, in his eyes, Ling Jinghan who was going to take the official career was the most promising one. As for Ling Jingxuan, except that he was subconsciously afraid of him, he really looked down on him, since businessmen ranked the last place among the four occupations¡ªofficials, farmers, workers and businessmen.


    ¡°Miss Ling, you are wrong. He is your grandpa, not mine.¡±


    However, Ling Jinghan was never that kind of people who would be calculated. When they set their sights on him, they were certainly barking up the wrong tree.


    ¡°You¡­you unfilial thing. Now you are a xiucai already. Aren¡¯t you afraid it¡¯d spoil your future career if people hear this? It may be true that grandpa did something bad to your parents, but he has always been good to you. When you were ill in bed all the year round, if it hadn¡¯t been that he remembered calling a doctor for you every time, you already died long ago! What? Now you got listed as a xiucai and bite the hands that feed you? Yeah, you are promising and have the right not to acknowledge us. But he is your blood grandpa! If you are so heartless, you are even no better than a dog or a pig!¡±


    See their prayer policy failed, Ling Xiaoran no longer played pitiful. She pointed at his nose and started to denounce him like a lawbringer, trying to threaten him using the filial piety and his career. Her parents had told her, as long as they could connect themselves with them, their good days were waving hands at them. She who had been used to that kind of comfortable life in her husband¡¯s family had already had enough of this kind of poor life. Anyway, she¡¯d let them nod, so she could resume that kind of good days.


    Ling Jingxuan and his younger brother were so mad at her that they even smiled. So unbelievable! Is she taking herself as the lawbringer? Does she read the current situation clearly? Who gives her the courage?


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know since when the old Ling family has downgraded to this level to let a demoralized woman speak for you. Old Lord Ling is dying. If you are so filial, shouldn¡¯t you all stay around him instead of doing this before me? Since when is it your turn to tell me what I should do? Ling Xiaoran, I show you some face so I call you Miss Ling. Like you like, now I am a bingsheng. Do you know what crime you have offended to denounce me?¡±


    Ling Jinghan aroused a sneer, full of sarcasm and disdain under his eyes. Does she think she has the qualification to say anything before him? What a joke!


    For this second younger brother, Ling Jingxuan was never worried, and he¡¯d like him to solve it himself, while still not forgetting to secretly give him an eye wanting him to defend their parents. If they didn¡¯t show them what they were capable of, they really thought that everyone except him was a pushover.


    Obviously she didn¡¯t think he even put his reputation aside, instead, he censured her wrong doings, as if he was goinna send her to the yamen. Ling Xiaoran couldn¡¯t help shrinking her neck. Before, although she had been staying at her husband¡¯s family, she roughly knew what had happened at home, of course she also knew they had ever sent Ling Chenghu to the yamen.


    Out of the corner of the eyes sweeping over at Ling Qicai walking out of the room, Ling Jingxuan slowly walked forward slowly, ¡°The borrowed time from the Yen-Wang-Ye wouldn¡¯t be long. The old lord might breathe his last at any minute. It¡¯s OK for us outsiders to stand here. But are you sure you¡¯d also stay with us?¡±


    As the words fell, Ling Qicai decisively walked out, looking sullen. Seeing that Ling Xiaoran standing before Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jinghan bitterly, his face turned even sullener, and he couldn¡¯t help striding over and growled deeply, ¡°Your grandpa is dying. What are you doing here? Go in to stay by his side! Do you want people to laugh at us?¡±


    Seeing it was her second grandpa, Ling Xiaoran dare not say more, before leaving, she threw a hard stare at the two brothers, while the latter picked up their eyebrows. Just a repudiated wife, unworthy to waste their brains.


    ¡°Those unfilial son of a bit*h! They look honest at usual times and good to anyone, but never thought they are so heartless. Their grandpa (dad) is dying, they don¡¯t even go in to take a look.¡±


    ¡°That unfilial as*hole. Isn¡¯t he a xiucai? Some day, he¡¯d get his karma!¡±


    ¡°Boohoo¡­¡±


    ¡°Dad, you see, that is your good son, good grandsons, if you know this in another world, haunt them all!¡±


    Before long, the house came the awful abuse, mixed with the old man¡¯s whimpering sound. His ¡®good¡¯ sons and grandson said some swear words before him instead of caring about him. Hearing their nasty cursing words, Ling Qicai got his face distorted to the extreme. So they think they are filial? So they are right to force others using tricks?


    In the past, Ling Chenglong might feel awful of his family¡¯s abuse. But now, standing in the yard holding his wife, there was no mood swing in his dark eyes. No one knew what he was thinking at the moment. And Lady Wang, except wiping off her tears due to the insult, she had no other response. Not to mention the two brothers, they just took it as dog barking.


    ¡°Dad¡­ Dad¡­¡±


    ¡°Grandpa¡­¡±


    Probably less than a quarter of an hour later, the room suddenly came orderly cry, the old man finally breathed his last breath, Ling Chong gently closed his eyes, he had fulfilled his filial piety to send his father the last journey.


    ¡°Mom, dad, let¡¯s go home. Later I¡¯ll ask someone to send ten taels of silver to show our heart.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan felt kind of tired. He walked over and said so deeply. Ten tales of silver was already more than enough to bury the old man. If it hadn¡¯t been for the sake of his parents, he wouldn¡¯t spend a copper coin!


    ¡°Hmm, you are the master of the family, you decide.¡±


    The old man died, and the grievances between them also dissipated, Ling Chenglong also didn¡¯t want to care about so much, from now on, they¡¯d have nothing to do with them, and he would never set foot on the old Ling family again.


    ¡°Chenglong, your father¡­Alas, forget it. Now he is gone, everything is over. You should go home. I will take care of everything here.¡±


    Originally still wanting to say something, Ling Qicai decisively gave a helpless sigh. Now it didn¡¯t help the situation whatever he said. Ling Chenglong and his wife were filial enough. If it had been someone else, he would have already turned this place upside down. And today, the ruthless Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t do anything, already showed them enough face. They should feel lucky.


    ¡°Thank you then, second uncle.¡±


    ¡°Go, go, or more people would see this.¡±


    Ling Qicai waved his hand, on the surface he was trying to drive them away, but he was doing it for their good. He was truly afraid of the whole room of juniors inside, only afraid they might do something crossing the line. If Ling Jingxuan got pissed off, none of them could take it.

 Chapter 423

    What you are most afraid of would come first. As Ling Chenglong and his family were about to turn to leave, people under Ling Chengcai and his wife¡¯s lead rushed out of the room. Without saying anything, they stuffed a ball of white cloth bundled with linen threads into their arms, so fast that they even didn¡¯t have time to respond.


    ¡°Dad is gone, these are the mourning dresses, put them on and see him off for the last journey.¡±


    One could not see any trace of sorrows in Ling Chengcai¡¯s eyes, but only calculation. This was actually planned already. As long as they put on the mourning dresses, they were still members of the old Ling family, so they would have no choice but to support them in the future.


    No one is stupid, it¡¯s just that kind people wouldn¡¯t crack their brains to calculate others. Let alone the two brothers, even Ling Chenglong and his wife instantly understood what they were up to, and instantly darkened their faces. So they had made up their mind to extort them?


    Without thinking, Ling Chenglong already snatched those mourning dresses from his wife and sons, and threw them in their face angrily, ¡°We have already had no any connections. In the ancestral hall and my hands, there is Old Lord Ling¡¯s handwriting proof. According to the laws of the Qing Kingdom, as long as one divides up from the family and lives independently, it¡¯s like being expelled out of the family, one has to go out neatly, and never be a member of the family. So we can¡¯t wear those.¡±


    He was really mad. Why? Yeah, they lived much better now. But they had earned it with their own hands. When racing against time to make jam, they had to stay in the mountain the whole day in hot June, even Ling Jingxuan himself had to bury himself beside the hearth making jam. Where were they at the time?


    ¡°Chenglong, how can you talk like that? Even if you moves out, so what? Isn¡¯t your dad no longer your dad? Aren¡¯t you dad¡¯s son? However big animosity there is between us, our dad has passed away now, as his son, how could you not wear the mourning dresses for him and see him off for his last journey?¡±


    Speaking of which, Lady Li tried to stuff the mourning dresses back into his arms again. Ling Chenglong felt both mad and embarrassed, but the other side was a woman, he couldn¡¯t use force. Finally, Lady Wang couldn¡¯t take it. She moved forward and pushed her away, ¡°Lady Li, what are you doing? Body contact is not allowed between men and women unless they are a couple. Don¡¯t you know that? You are already a grandma yourself. How could you touch my man in front of so many people? You don¡¯t want your face, but my man does!¡±


    How could they be so evil-minded? She had a clear consciousness that she had never done anything harmful to them. Even after they moved out, seeing that something happened to them, she still did anything she could for them secretly, and she would swallow it when being insulted. For this thing, she had been living in horror for a long time, only afraid that her son would complain. Fortunately Ling Jingxuan was wise enough and didn¡¯t take it above the table, and turned a new page of that thing. But now, what were they doing? Even before the old man died, he still tried to calculate them and they could let it go. And when the younger generation tried to set them up, she could also let it go. But why even Lady Li tried to calculate them now?


    Lady Wang¡¯s sudden reprimand shocked Lady Li. Apparently under her eyes flashed embarrassment and disgust, but the next second, she instantly put on the appearance like Lady Wang was bullying her, she buried her head into her husband¡¯s arms, eyes reddening, like she was the victim. Those who didn¡¯t know what had happened would really be fooled by her and thought Lady Wang was a big bully.


    ¡°You shut up, she is your big sister-in-law, your big sister-in-law is like your mother-in-law. Dad has passed away, what¡¯s wrong for her handing the mourning dresses to Chenglong? Lady Wang, you are just an ignorant village woman who knows few characters. Don¡¯t take yourself as a scholar since you have a xiucai son! It¡¯s never your turn to lesson my wife!¡±


    Ling Chengcai held his wife in his arms and pointed at Lady Wang and started to yell at her. Instead of pressing his voice, he even raised it a lot. People say, domestic shame should not be made public. But apparently he was trying to attract all the villagers here. Maybe Ling Chenglong and his wife were too simple, but the two brothers were not. Seeing here, they had quite possibly guessed out their purpose¨Ctrying to use people¡¯s gossip to force them to surrender. Once they put on those mourning dresses, it meant that they admitted they were still a family. By then, it would be difficult to shake them off. What a vicious setup! One after another, totally not giving them the time to change their breath!


    ¡°Dad, mom.¡±


    At the same time, the two brothers moved forward holding back their parents who were going to argue back. Ling Jinghan threw his elder brother an eye and then stood aside holding their super angry parents. After flattening his sleeves, Ling Jingxuan went forward casually. Seeing that, Ling Qicai was like an ant on the hot pan. Before he had time to stop all this, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s voice already was heard.


    ¡°It¡¯s true that the big sister-in-law is like the mother-in-law. But as we all know, the old lady of your old Ling family hates my parents to the bones, and even indulged their daughter trip my mom to get her having a miscarriage. And today, your old man passed away, for the old time¡¯s sake, we came to send him for his last journey. But what did you do? Forcing my parents to put on the mourning dresses for no reason! Who doesn¡¯t know that our Jinghan has just gotten listed as a xiucai and this is a joyful event for us. As their big sister-in-law, are you trying to curse our whole family to die? They don¡¯t have such a venomous big sister-in-law!¡±


    Since they wanted to make this big, he¡¯d like to play with them. Anyway, after Shengrui left, his life was boring. He only hoped that they could hang in there a little longer.


    Hearing him, Ling Chengcai and others got stunned there, and the village head Ling Qicai also got so mad that he could barely breathe. They kept forcing Ling Jingxuan to stand out. Now what? This thing could never end well! Judging from Ling Jingxuan¡¯s words, he knew people of the whole room were so dead. Ling Qicai suddenly felt like he had the heart but didn¡¯t have the strength. It had taken him so much trying to fix their relationship, only wishing that Ling Jingxuan could at least care those villagers a little. Seeing that he tried to open a school, and paid the villagers to work for him, at least, he had found a balance point both sides could accept, but¡­his ¡®good¡¯ big brother and ¡®good¡¯ nephews¡­All the effort he had done would melt into thin air¡­


    ¡°You¡­you shameless monster! What qualifications do you have to talk to my mom like that? Ever since she married into the Ling family, she has been filial to her parents-in-law and nice to the juniors, and gotten along well with other sisters-in-law. Anyone in the village doesn¡¯t think highly of him! What makes you say those bullsh*t?¡±

 Chapter 424

    What Ling Jingxuan was capable of had left them tremendous psychological shadow to them. Ling Chengcai and his wife got so mad that their eyes nearly popped out, but neither dare say any word back. But Ling Xiaoran who had never seen what Ling Jingxuan was capable of stood out and shouted abuse at him. One couldn¡¯t see any trace of a noble lady from a big family on her. Totally an ignorant shrew now!


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? What¡¯s going on? Why Ling Jingxuan and his family are also here?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know. I just heard some cries. Is it possible one of the old couple passed away?¡±


    ¡°No way. If so, why Ling Chengcai and others are still standing there? Aren¡¯t they supposed to process the body first?¡±


    ¡°Ling Xiaoying is yelling at Ling Jingxuan? Haha¡­A woman who has just been repudiated still has the face to do that? Lady Li who could bring up such kind of daughter would never be a good one.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Hearing the noise, the villagers all came. They all straightened their necks trying to peep in. After seeing Ling Jingxuan, they all restrained a lot. Suddenly, someone saw those words, which instantly amused the crowd and they burst out laughing. Before, maybe they still thought Lady Li was a good one. But after the imperial decree thing last time, they all knew. People all way, like parents, like sons and daughters, vice versa. Ling Jingwei had an affair with his own aunt by blood, and Ling Xiaoying got repudiated and went back to the old Ling family with her two sons. So, as their mother, Lady Li would never be a good one.


    How did things go differently than they had planned? Ling Chengcai and others kind of panicked, they had never expected that instead of saying a single bad word about Ling Jingxuan, they all laughed at them. Where went wrong?


    What they didn¡¯t know was that a lot of women in the village worked in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s factories, and their kids studied in the school he ran. Even if some of them didn¡¯t work in his factories, or their kids didn¡¯t study in the school he ran, they still wished that some day they could work for him to earn some money. Ling Jingxuan was like their sustenance. Under such circumstances, as long as they were not brainless, they would never bully him like before.


    ¡°It has nothing to do with you whether I am a monster or not, but your mother and you. If I remember correctly, they hated our family because of Ling Jingwei¡¯s thing, didn¡¯t they? But now they ask us to wear the mourning dresses. And just now, you still asked us to agree with the old man¡¯s requirement to support you. How can I not suspect your real intention? Is it possible that after seeing we get rich and Jinghan has just been listed as a xiucai, so you are trying to stick onto us like leeches? I really can¡¯t figure out why a bunch of people who hate us now are trying to cotton up to us?¡±


    Dark-hearted people are most afraid of the sunlight. So Ling Jingxuan directly exposed their true purpose. He¡¯d like to see what they¡¯d say.


    His words undoubtedly caused the public¡¯s discussion, as expected, the villagers all denounced Ling Chengcai and his family, which made them so mad that they nearly spat out blood on spot. Ling Chenghu suddenly walked forward and said with those reddened eyes, ¡°Jingxuan, you¡¯ve really gone too far! Anyway, he is our father, and your grandfather. Even if he has done bad things to you, it¡¯s all gone. Did we do something wrong to let you wear the mourning dresses for him?¡±


    By this time, they still did not give up calculating them. The smile on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face suddenly disappeared, but replaced by naked sharpness and coldness, that pair of eyes filling with killing intent firmly staring at him, making Ling Chenghu feel creepy in the heart, and he subconsciously stepped back. After a while, Ling Jingxuan said indifferently, ¡°The old man is gone, and we have done what we can do. The whole family came to see him off for the last journey. Everyone knows that my parents are already on their own, no longer your family, and have no obligation to wear mourning dressed for him. Or, do you want to settle the old hatred with me? Well, put away your petty calculations, and for the sake of the old man¡¯s death, I¡¯ll let you go today. Don¡¯t blame me for my rudeness if you keep being reasonable.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan turned around with Ling Jinghan to hold his parents and walked towards the door, the whole room went silent, and those villagers blocking at the door silently made a way for them.


    ¡°What are you waiting for? Go take care of your father¡¯s body! Now that your father is gone, there are so many things to do. Don¡¯t be so preoccupied with what you are not supposed to. Go and send someone to inform your relatives.¡±


    Ling Qicai was so angry that he only wished to give each of them a kick. Now what? They had lost all their face before the villagers. Happy? They¡¯d never have good days in the village. Even those villagers saliva could drown them.


    Having already been scared by Ling Jingxuan, now seeing the village head yelled at them, Ling Chengcai and others dare not say more, but hurriedly turned back in to be busy. But no one knew this wasn¡¯t over yet.


    After going back home, Ling Jingxuan first sent his parents to rest, and only left after comforting them. The kids already fell asleep. He went to their room to check on them. After tucking them in and kissing on their foreheads, he went back to his own place. But he didn¡¯t go in directly, but called Yan Yi who was hiding in the dark out.


    ¡°Two things. Send the old woman go together with the old man. Ask someone to go to Ling Xiaoran¡¯s husband¡¯s family telling them that she maltreats the kids and let them come pick up the two kids back home. Remember! No one else should know about it except you and me!¡±


    Sitting in a chair, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes were rendering with naked fierceness. He had ever said his patience has its limit. Since those people kept touching his bottom line again and again, don¡¯t blame his heartlessness then.


    ¡°Yes, master!¡±


    Without asking anything, with a flicker, Yan Yi already disappeared into the night. Ling Jingxuan rose up and went to push open the window, the cold wind suddenly blew in and disheveled his hair over the forehead, and also made his face look horrible-looking. In case such a thing happened for a second time, the old woman must die! Even if he didn¡¯t take a move, she wouldn¡¯t live long. But he didn¡¯t like leaving a route of retreat for others. As for Ling Xiaoran, she shouldn¡¯t have pissed off his parents. Since so, he¡¯d like to let her have a taste of the pains of losing her own kids and make her live in misery forever. Don¡¯t blame him for being too heartless. Maybe, the kids would live better with their father. At least they wouldn¡¯t grow in the wrong direction with their mother.


    Having been here for several months, this was undoubtedly the first time Ling Jingxuan had been so heartless, all because they had gone too far and touched his taboo.

 Chapter 425

    As the saying goes, when people are dying, they would only say some kind words. But it didn¡¯t apply to Ling Qiyun. The whole family¡¯s calculation made Ling Chenglong and his wife lose the last slice of expectation for the family bond. At the very late night when the old man passed away, the old ma¡¯am who had been ill in bed for long also died. As the news spread out, Ling Chenglong and his wife didn¡¯t have any mood swing at all, and Ling Jingxuan only asked Old Song to send over some silver.


    News that the old xiucai and his wife died on the same day one after another spread through the whole Ling village early the next morning. You could say they died a natural death. In villages, that was called a white happy event, so the funeral had to be grand and solemn. Although Ling Chengcai and others didn¡¯t want to spend too much, under Ling Qicai¡¯s supervision, soon the big mourning hall was built, not a single thing missed. After dawn, their relatives came for the condolences one group after another. Whatever kind of people they were when they were alive, now they were dead, no one would make trouble for them at such a time. Of course, the villagers wouldn¡¯t offer gifts so generously like Ling Jingxuan who gave them twenty taels of silver. Most would just give five or ten copper coins to show their heart.


    The old couple¡¯s coffin should be placed at home for a total of seven days. The first few days were fine, Ling Chengcai and others didn¡¯t play any tricks or what again, maybe they were truly sad, or maybe really got frightened by Ling Jingxuan. But on the day of carrying the coffin to the cemetery, the whole family, under Ling Chengcai¡¯s lead, cried and accused of Ling Chenglong and his wife before the whole village, saying they could let it go that they didn¡¯t come to see their parents off for their last journey, they didn¡¯t even come to take a look, not to mention to do something for them, and cursing them for being so heartless and wishing they would have an unnatural death!


    Ling Qicai immediately blackened his face, and even the old patriarch who presided over the funeral could not help puffing his cheeks. Others might not know, how would they not know? Didn¡¯t they come when the old man died? Clearly it was because of them! Although none of them came, they let the servant sent twenty taels of silver! Even the whole funeral hadn¡¯t cost that much! They called them unfilial?


    ¡°Shut up! If it hadn¡¯t been that twenty tales of silver Chenglong sent over, how could you hold such a grand funeral for your parents? You should be crystal clear why they didn¡¯t come for the condolences! My big brother has left you this big house and tens of mu of land, and some money. As long as you are diligent enough, you¡¯d definitely live a comfortable life. Don¡¯t always try to set your eyes on others. Nobody¡¯s money is blown back home by the wind! Why should they take out theirs to feed you honey-mouthed but dagger-hearted ungrateful things?¡±


    Afraid that they might really incite the villagers and those words could go into the ears of Yuehua Manor, Ling Qicai jumped out and reproached. He had really had enough of those people. Would they only be satisfied after making the whole village in no peace? What Ling Jingxuan was capable of still hadn¡¯t let them learn to stay low? So stupid!


    ¡°Who wants his dirty money? Second uncle, you always try to speak for them. Have they promised you something?¡±


    This was their last chance, so Ling Chengcai already had no time to care about if he would offend his second uncle. He directly stood up and argued back. Ling Qicai got so mad that he nearly passed out, only pointing at them with his trembling finger, ¡°You, you¡­Really a bunch of ungrateful vile spawns!¡±


    ¡°Watch what you say! Do you talk to your elders like that? What¡¯s wrong with Chenglong and his wife? If you hadn¡¯t worked together to fool your parents, how could they have driven Chenglong and his family out? When they left, they even didn¡¯t take a single needle away. After hearing their father was passing away, they let go of the past and still came to check on him. But what did you do? You again tried to use his filiality and forced them to support you after your father died! Why? Look at everyone of you! Where is your face? Saying my husband took money from them and speak for them? I think you only tried to slander my husband since you didn¡¯t get any benefits from them! You shameless things! Dare you swear to heaven touching your consciousness?¡±


    Seeing her husband getting dissed, the village head¡¯s wife immediately jumped out and put all those things above the table. Now she had seen it through. Those ungrateful things were not worthy their good heart! And they could never expect them to lend a hand again! Anyway, their big brother and sister-in-law were gone, no one would say anything even if they distanced themselves from them.


    Hearing her, those villagers instantly started to gossip. And those people who had seen that Ling Jingxuan and his family ever came when the old man died also spoke the truth. Those villagers even forgot they were on the funeral of the old couple, all criticized them with their fingers pointing at them. And those who helped with the funeral also quietly backed away, apparently trying to wash their hands of it. Ling Chengcai and his family now really panicked. The reason they dare make such a scene was because those things hadn¡¯t spread through the whole village, so they tried to get the drop on. As long as they could force Ling Chenglong to stand out, they¡¯d get what they wanted. But, unexpectedly, their second aunt-in-law who seldom talked before the public suddenly jumped out and said everything. And now, they became target of public criticism.


    At the same time, in the study Yan Shengrui Ling Jingxuan shared, Ling Jingxuan was sitting before the desk reading books instead of lying in bed. Soon, Yan Yi suddenly showed up. With a faint glance, Ling Jingxuan put the book down and asked, ¡°You¡¯re having a quarrel?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, totally as you expected, Ling Chengcai and others were hurling curses at the mourning hall.¡±


    Yan Yi nodded, he had admired their crown princess more and more. The development of things was like being designed by him. He said those people would make a scene today, and they really made a scene today. What a prophet!


    ¡°Hehe¡­A fox may turn gray, but never kind. People from that side should have arrived, right?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan gave a sneer. Before, Considering the feelings of his parents, he did not let people know about what had happened that night, trying to leave a fig leaf for the deceased, and at the same time, he knew that as shameless as those people, they would never give up so easily. They¡¯d definitely try to find another chance. And their only chance was the last day¡ªburying the old couple. Only this day would the whole village come. So he had long made the arrangements, and sent Yan Yi to watch them. Facts proved that he really hadn¡¯t underestimated their lower limit.


    ¡°Hm, I guess they are supposed to have arrived. Master Xuan, are you going to go watch it yourself?¡±


    It would be a pity to miss it.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just a group of clowns, there¡¯s no need to give them such a big face, if you are interested, you can go, and tell me about it for some fun later. Don¡¯t let my parents know.¡±

 Chapter 426

    Shaking his head, Ling Jingxuan picked up the book on the table again. Now was already in early February, and people also started to be busy. Ling Chenglong went to sort out his eighty mu of land every day. And they also started to grow rice seedlings in No.1 factory. They could transplant them in mid-to-late February. Lady Wang also seemed to have forgotten those annoying things, only stayed in the factory with Wang Jinyu supervising those workers. He really didn¡¯t want those things to annoy them again.


    Then Yan Yi instantly disappeared like how he came. Ling Jingxuan smiled, touched the chin while thinking if he should learn some lightness skills with him. It seemed quite convenient, right? However, as he thought that the little buns always asked Yan Yi to carry them to fly high, he instantly dropped that thought. He didn¡¯t want to exhaust himself like Yan Yi and Yan Shan!


    ¡°Looks like your big brother really has following-up plans.¡±


    Inside Ling Jinghan¡¯s study, Yuan Shaoqi leant on the window and looked at the rapidly disappearing figure, revealing a bad smile at the corner of his lips. His intuition was right, Ling Jingxuan was more horrible than Yan Shengrui. Yan Shengrui was only unreasonable and domineering, and even had the balls to kill a traitor official in the court before the emperor. But Ling Jingxuan was on the opposite side. He wouldn¡¯t kill people easily, but would only make one feel to live is not better than to die and even regretted coming to this world.


    ¡°Of course, my big brother is never a pushover. Besides, even if he already makes up his mind for the retaliation, others wouldn¡¯t even notice.¡±


    Ling Jinghan who seldom talked to him rarely opened his mouth, deep in his eyes were undisguised admiration to Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Honestly speaking, his means was more or less the same as those big families in the capital. They may have done all bad things, but would never let anyone have something on them. The different thing is your big brother has never taken the initiative to offend others.¡±


    Walking to his side with a smile, Yuan Shaoqi said heartily. He also really admired him, even kind of expected to see the scenes how he fought those big families in the capital in the future. Given his background as a farmer, as soon as he went back, he¡¯d light up the flames of wars! One should know, so many eyes were watching the position as the crown princess of Prince Sheng!


    Ling Jinghan cast a faint glance at him, then took up a piece of paper and the brush, and facsimiled a painting casually. Yuan Shaoqi had been used to his coldness. So the eyes always wore a faint smile, even with a dip of affection under those eyes.


    In the old Ling family, after being dissed back by the village head¡¯s wife, plus the villagers¡¯ gossiping, Ling Chengcai and his family had to cease the fire. But when they turned to ask people to carry the coffin for them, they directly ignored them. Finally, Ling Qicai had to stand out to solve this problem. What choice did he have? That was his big brother and big sister-in-law. Being unsatisfied with his nephews was one thing, sending them off for the last journey was another thing.


    ¡°Make way! Make way!¡±


    As everyone thought that finally the old couple could be buried, a middle-aged man wearing some luxurious clothes led over a dozen servant-looking people to squeeze in. Everyone was confused, but Ling Chengcai and his wife hurriedly elbowed their daughter who was stoned there and asked her to bring the kids over.


    ¡°Steward Wang, what are you doing here? Did mom and dad send you to pick us up?¡±


    After a short daze, Ling Xiaoran immediately put on a big smile and walked over with the two sons, already forgetting if that smile was appropriate on such an occasion. In her eyes, they were here to pick her up. As long as she thought she no longer had to live such a bitter life in here, the smile grew wilder. A lot of people shook their heads for this. Who was filial and who wasn¡¯t, it was already so obvious.


    ¡°No, the young master has already gone. I¡¯m here to take the little masters away under the order of the lord and ma¡¯am. This is the paper from the yamen. From now on, you are no longer wife of Jin family and mother of the two little masters.¡±


    The well-dressed man called Steward Wang took out a piece of paper and dangled in front of her. Accompanied by his words, the smile on the face of Ling Xiaoying and his parents instantly froze. Ignoring this woman who had always been so arrogant before them and never took them servants and maids as human, he threw an eye at those servants, and they immediately went forward to snatch the kids from her.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s my kids. Give them back¡­no¡­¡±


    ¡°Boohoo¡­Mom¡­¡±


    ¡°Crying¡­¡±


    Ling Xiaoran who finally reacted threw herself at them crying, and the two children also cried, Ling Chengcai and his wife already had no time to consider so much, both rushed up madly trying to snatch the kids back for their daughter. They were their daughter¡¯s everything! And without the kids, she would never have a chance to go back to the Jin family! So, they would never let them take the kids away.


    ¡°Give me back my kids¡­¡±


    ¡°The kids¡¯ mother is still here. How can you take them away?¡±


    ¡°Second uncle, do something. You can¡¯t let them take the kids away from Xiaoran.¡±


    The sudden situation shocked someone there, no one even had the time to react, only Ling Chengcai, his wife and daughter were like crazy trying to snatch the kids back. Under Lady Li¡¯s yelling, as Ling Qicai was about to step forward, Steward Wang snapped, ¡°Stop it! Lady Ling, when the young master was suffering, instead of fulfilling a wife¡¯s job to take care of him, you left with the kids without saying a word, and let the young master die alone. People only found it out after a few days and his body already smelled! How dare you still call yourself a wife and a mother? A woman like who even didn¡¯t care about your own husband, how can you teach the two little masters well?¡±


    His words instantly stopped the steps of Ling Qicai and others who meant to help Ling Xiaoran. Always, they had thought she came back because she got repudiated! It turned out¡­She threw her suffered husband and secretly ran back home, and her man also died because of this. No wonder they came claiming the kids with the paper from the yamen! Such a vicious woman really deserved it! The kids would never grow up well under her!


    As the three of them were freezing there, Steward Wang and the servants quickly turned to climb onto their carriage and let.


    ¡°No¡­my kids¡­ my kids¡­¡±


    Ling Xiao Ran immediately fell to the ground and burst into tears, as pitiful as one could imagine, but no one there felt sorry for her, some even cursed her pointing at her. Husband is like sky of his wife, while she could have done such heartless thing. Who would show sympathy for her?

 Chapter 427

    The old xiucai¡¯s funeral was quite decent, but after it, no one would ever want to step over their threshold again. It was said that Ling Chengcai and Ling Chenghu even had a fight. When he needed someone to help him, Ling Chengcai found that his big son Ling Jinghong was missing, only leaving a letter and ten taels of silver. This time, the couple became anxious, already had no mood to fight over the family properties with ling Chenghu, and went to Ling Jinghong¡¯s wife¡¯s family on the very night. But they were told that during the day, they had already gone to the yamen and signed the paper of Ling Jinghong marrying into his wife¡¯s family, that is to say, he was no longer their son. The couple instantly collapsed onto the ground. Their big son married into his wife¡¯s family without even noticing them, and their second son were missing and they didn¡¯t even know whether he was still alive, and their only daughter now became a rat crossing the street, acting like crazy all day. They had fought for everything all their life, but finally ended up like this?


    Ling Jingxuan was not interested in these things, though. When he heard that Ling Jinghong tried to get rid of them by marrying into his wife¡¯s family, Ling Jingxuan just slightly frowned, and made no comment. From a long time ago, he had seen it through. Ling Jinghong was not the same kind with them. After the old man was gone, he¡¯d definitely leave, so he wasn¡¯t surprised at all.


    In mid-February, all things quieted down, and the sea water that back flowed into the saline-alkali land now completely receded, and the rice seedlings they had prepared in advance now were almost big enough to the transplanting. And Ling Jingxuan had already asked Old Song to go to book fifty strong labors from Guarantor Liu in advance to turn up the soil and transplant the seedlings, meanwhile, he also told Guarantor Liu that in early March, he would hire at least two thousand people. So he should make preparations in advance. When those seedlings in the number one factory were moved away, Ling Jingxuan would let Old Zhou to breed seedlings for the sorghums. Number two and three factories were already full of the well-bred sorghum seedlings, only to plant them all in the shortest time in March.


    At the same time, he finally received the letter from Yan Shengrui from the boarders, after making sure he was safe, he felt kind of relieved. And since then, he kept receiving letters from the boarders nearly every day. Until Yan Shengrui made all preparations of leading the solders to go out of the boarders in early March, the letters were cut off. But, the information sector started to act actively. Ling Jingxuan could still know about the situations at the boarders at any time.


    In early march, the saline-alkali land was nearly dried. And it was five hundred more than the two thousand Ling Jingxuan had booked. On hearing it was working for him, a lot of people actively signed up. Some even dropped the farming work at home. On the day it was officially started, Ling Jingxuan who had been pregnant for five months went to the field in person to check things out holding that slightly bulged belly, and only came back after making sure there was no any mistake.


    Busy days passed, at the end of March, the factory Baiyunge had built using the thirty mu of land they had bought at the entrance of the village started working. And all things in the factory in the village were all moved over. And Zhang Qing recruited a lot more workers, men and women. And Zhou Er and Lady Zhang Lady Wu and Song Shuiling were responsible for the management, and the factor for growing mushrooms and fungus was still in the village and Old Song and Zhao&Han couple managed it. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s belly was growing bigger and bigger and gradually he didn¡¯t take care of things outside. Everyday, except eating and sleeping, he only teased the kids when he felt bored, or took a walk in the backyard taking Dahei and Xiaohei, or taught his little disciple and those twenty child doctors by the way. Now their medical skills had improved rapidly, common cold or fever were nothing to them, especially Zhao Shan, he could even make prescriptions for some rare illness, but just lacked of some practical experience, but only confined to traditional medicine. Ling Jingxuan still hadn¡¯t taught him things on surgeries, first, it was not convenient for him, his family didn¡¯t let him see blood. Once, the big bun saw that he went into the working room, the next day, it was locked. When he went to reason with his big son, instead of getting the key, he received a hard lessoning. And since then, he had never gone into the working room, let alone trying to work out new poison or what. Second, Zhao Shan was still too small. He wanted to take it slow.


    When in April, seeing that the sorghum seedlings they had grown on the saline-alkali land not only were not dead, instead, they grew healthy and strong, the whole family was so delighted. Many squires and local landlords sent people to take a look at it, some even send someone watching them, trying to find out how they managed it and learn their experience, unfortunately, since the sorghums were planted, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t even ask someone to manage it at all, of course they couldn¡¯t learn anything from them.


    Soon afterwards, Official Feng who had newly been transferred also came to check it out in person. But Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t show up. He asked Ling Jinghan to entertain him. Official Feng said His Majesty was also watching every move of them and said he wished that they could succeed, anyway, you know, those official words, but no meaning of letting them to pay tribute or what. Before leaving, Ling Jinghan even gave him and everyone who came with him a red envelop.


    In May, news came from the boarders saying that Duke Zeng had lost the first walled town, but still no news from Yan Shengrui. The whole court was shocked, even the civilians were on tenterhooks, only afraid that their two Gods of War couldn¡¯t hold it. But soon after, Ling Jingxuan received the first-hand good news. Yan Shengrui led five thousand cavalries to wind around to the enemies¡¯ lair and even caught khans and a lot of important figures. And Duke Zeng is Duke Zeng! He successfully used the Empty City Ruse, and eliminated over ten thousand enemies and captured eight generals of them. So the strategies they had set was a huge success!

 Chapter 428

    ¡°In this way, we have a bargaining chip with those barbarians, and Shengrui should be able to make it back before I give birth.¡±


    Yan Shengrui¡¯s letter had not yet arrived, but Ling Jingxuan believed that he could come back in time.


    ¡°Hm, however, I guess they will definitely request reconciliation, and the master should be there, so time will be tight.¡±


    Yan Yi who reported the news to him respectfully stood side. After a few months of close getting along, he seemed to understand why their prince would have feelings for the crown princess finally.


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan said no more, but got up and pushed open the window, leaning against the edge of the window holding his big belly. He never doubted Yan Shengrui¡¯s promise to him. Since he said he would come back in time, he would definitely make it.


    ¡°Oh right. Master Xuan, I nearly forgot one thing. This is something the third lord asked someone from Baiyunge to take back from the boarders, saying it¡¯s for the second lord.¡±


    Just as he was leaving to give Ling Jingxuan some privacy, Yan Yi suddenly remembered that he still got a letter in the chest, so he hurriedly felt it out and handed it to him.


    ¡°Hmm. You can go. Oh right, did you deliver the message to Yan Er?¡±


    Taking the letter, Ling Jingxuan cast a faint glance, but didn¡¯t mean to open it or what, but asked for another thing. Yan Er was supposed to report to him in February. Later, Zhang Qing had to go to the boarders to send something, so he directly asked Yan Yi to protect him in the dark. After Qing came back, from the palace came the news saying that Chu Yunhan had resumed the position as the empress. He was afraid that some people would do something desperate, so he asked Yan Er to go back to the capital and be Yan Xiaoming¡¯s person guard. As for Chu Yunhan, he believed that some guy could protect him very well.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess he should have received it already. Lord Xuan, please rest assured. Er will protect the seventh prince well!¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan slightly waved his hand signaling him to go out. Without any hesitation, Yan Yi immediately disappeared in a blink. Watching the blue sky and white clouds, Ling Jingxuan just stayed in a daze there, with those things at the boards and in the palace flashing across his head. Although he had already made everything well arranged, nothing is absolute. Now, he had been pregnant for seven months. Even if something really happened, he was afraid he couldn¡¯t do anything.


    Now they had stopped doing the fungus business, only moved out those dried mushrooms they had stored for a few months every day at most. And there was already no work in the field. The only busy thing was the factories of Baiyunge who was getting busier day by day. But Zhang Qing was in charge. So, people in Yuehua Manor now were all quite idle now. At dinner, everyone came early.


    ¡°Here. From Jingpeng. It specially says that you got to open it in person.¡±


    After going into the central room, Ling Jingxuan handed the letter to Ling Jinghan in the first place. Hearing the name that hadn¡¯t been mentioned for a long time, Lady Wang couldn¡¯t help tightening her heart. Ling Chenglong also turned to look at Ling Jinghan with a face of excitement. Everyone¡¯s attention shifted onto him. Under great pressure, Ling Jinghan tore open the envelop and took out a stack of papers. When coming to last paper, a faint smile crawled onto his lips.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Jingpeng said he is doing good at the boarders. Under the help of Duke Zeng, he has already successfully opened the branch of both Baiyunge and Xinyuan. Because they are a lot of kids there who have lost their parents, he also opened a branch of Hanling School. If everything goes well, he can come back at early July after handing things of the shops and school to relevant people.¡±


    ¡°Tell him not to come back at all. Why come back? I¡¯ll take it as I have never had such a son! Boohoo¡­¡±


    As Ling Jinghan¡¯s words fell, Lady Wang started weeping. He had just left without even saying goodbye to them. Under Jinghan¡¯s comforting, she kind of accepted it. But after having been there for a few months, he even had never let anyone to take a message or what. Heaven knows how worried she was when she heard that they had lost a walled town, and she couldn¡¯t even fall asleep the whole night! Only afraid that he¡¯d¡­


    Ling Jingxuan and Ling Jinghan looked at each other, and then Ling Jinghan made a sound to comfort her, ¡°Mom, isn¡¯t it that Jingpeng will come back soon? Besides, ambitious men aims far. He has gone for his dreams, not to make a sightseeing tour or what. Shouldn¡¯t you feel happy for him? Look! Only in four to five months, he has already opened two branches and a school! We can see how hard he has been struggling. It¡¯s also not easy for him. I guess he should have suffered a lot there alone. Don¡¯t you feel sorry for him?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, mom, Jingpeng is so sensible and already knows to shoulder his part for this family at such a young age. Shouldn¡¯t you and dad be happy? Or you only want a useless son who acts amuck all day at home?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan quickly echoed. Lady Wang snapped, ¡°I dare him! If he is like that, I¡¯ll break his legs!¡±


    When the tigress went angry, it was very domineering!


    ¡°Hehe¡­That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to say. When the kids grow up, they have to go out. So, please rest assured. Even if you want to break his legs, you got to wait till he comes back, right?¡±


    ¡°You always have such a sweet mouth! In my opinion, you three brothers have already colluded together to hide it from me and your dad!¡±


    Lady Wang couldn¡¯t help laughing, but still pretended to give her sons her dagger eyes, but the former anger seemed to have dissipated already.

 Chapter 429

    ¡°Didn¡¯t Jingpeng say something else?¡±


    After comforting his mom, Ling Jingxuan turned to Ling Jinghan with a faint smile. If it was only a letter for safety check, this letter was supposed to be sent to their dad, right? Now he specially asked them to deliver it to Jinghan, they should be something else, and that should be the key part of this letter.


    ¡°Haehe¡­nothing can be hidden from you. Jinghan has someone he likes. But the other side turned him down, so he wants to ask some advice from me, he wants me to write a few poems about love and send them back. Like I¡¯m a relationship saint.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jinghan handed the last page to him, the smile on his face looked so helpless. His good younger brother seemed to have forgotten that they were of the same year and he even had never had any contacts with some other girls, all right? Letting him to write love poems for him, he really thought too highly of him.


    ¡°Hum! He even tries to cheat when pursuing a girl?¡±


    After reading the letter, Ling Jingxuan also couldn¡¯t help laughing hard. The small bun who was closest to him secretly pulled the letter away from his hand. Taking advantage that no one noticed, after exchanging an eye contact, the two little brother slipped off the stools, and seeing he only laughed there and didn¡¯t explain it, Ling Chenglong and his wife in the main seats asked anxiously, ¡°Does he really have someone in his heart? From which family? How is her personality? Do her parents easy to get along? When are we going to propose?¡±


    Getting married at the age of fifteen was a very common thing here. Kids who were at thirteen or fourteen already started to have blind dates. Before, they were poor, so few people would lay their eyes on them. But now, even fewer people dare come propose. They were lying if they said they were not anxious. Ling Chenglong and his wife only wished that his two sons could get married as soon as possible and the next year they could have their grandsons to take care of.


    ¡°Mom, you are too anxious. Nothing tangible is yet in sight. Now, the situation is your son has feelings for the other side, but the other side may still have no feelings for him.¡±


    Though he could feel their eagerness, Ling Jingxuan still felt a bit speechless. Isn¡¯t it too early to get married at the age of fifteen? Boys were fine. Girls even hadn¡¯t fully developed their body. No wonder so many women died of difficult labor or metrorrhagia in ancient times. Maybe it was all because of early marriages! If he had a daughter in the future, he¡¯d let her get married at least after she was eighteen. Someone who couldn¡¯t wait was not the right one for his daughter!


    ¡°Yeah, you are right. What does her family do? Matched with us?¡±


    Lady Wang found it right and hurriedly asked again. Of course, the reason she asked if they were matched was not looking down on her, but only afraid that the other side might be beyond their reach. If their kid missed a good marriage because the background problem, she¡¯d feel sad. If possible, who wouldn¡¯t want to be born into a big and rich family?


    Ling Jingxuan threw Ling Jinghan a look, indicating that he should take it over. Ling Jinghan also felt helpless. What could he do? The other side¡¯s family was really beyond their reach. After quite a while, Ling JInghan said thoughtfully, ¡°That girl is surnamed Ye. Her father is a general under Duke Zeng. Her mother died when she was little. And her father has never remarried since her father still couldn¡¯t forget about her. And wherever he goes, he¡¯d take Miss Ye with him. And so, Miss Ye is a captain under Duke Zeng, two years older than Jingpeng and me, seventeen years old. Jingpeng said she has strong-headed, but also very kind.¡±


    Even if given their big brother¡¯s identity as the crown princess, given their current background, a general¡¯s daughter is still beyond their reach. Unless Jinghan could get listed as the zhuangyuan, and their family business could go across the whole Qing Kingdom and they became the imperial businessmen with an official title.


    ¡°A general¡¯s daughter?¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his wife got stupefied there. They had never expected that their son would fall for a general¡¯s daughter. Farmers like them, even with wings, they were never good enough for people like that. What is Jingpeng thinking?


    He knew it! Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, then walked over, sat by his mom¡¯s side and grabbed her hand, ¡°Even if she is a general¡¯s daughter, so what? Since Jingpeng wrote us a letter asking for help, it is enough to prove that General Ye and his daughter are not that kind of pedantic people. Besides, just a general¡¯s daughter. After our Jinghan secures a high-rank official in the court, aren¡¯t we also an official family? As long as Jingpeng likes, nothing is impossible.¡±


    The worst scenario was he let his man to ask for an imperial decree from the old emperor to grant their marriage. Of course, on the premise that the girl also likes Jingpeng. Nothing forcibly done is going to be agreeable. If the other side had no feelings for him, he wouldn¡¯t force her to be with his younger brother. Both his younger brothers were outstanding. They deserved better ones and worth of owning a happy and sweet life.


    ¡°But¡­isn¡¯t the gap too huge?¡±


    Lady Wang still couldn¡¯t accept it. Besides, that girl surnamed Ye was a captain herself. She had no idea what kind of title that was, anyhow, it was a title, while they were only a farmer household who had some money.


    ¡°If the gap is too huge, we can try to shorten it. Mom, let Jingpeng make the decision on his own. Marriage is a whole life thing. Whether he marries a general¡¯s daughter or an orphan, it¡¯d be fine as long as he likes. We shouldn¡¯t care so much. When it¡¯s time to propose, Jingpeng will inform us. And by then, we¡¯ll hold the wedding for them. You just wait to be the mother-in-law.¡±


    About his two younger brothers¡¯ marriage thing, he had long wanted to find a chance to talk to his parents. People of this era all abided to their parents and the matchmaker on their marriage. And to both the groom and bride, it was like a blind marriage. Both sides even had never met each other before getting married. He personally quite objected to it. So he hoped that his younger brothers could choose their own wives, but not arranged by their parents. And his kids, he would also respect their choices, and give some appropriate opinions when needed at most, he would never step in their marriages.


    ¡°I know, but¡­Jingxuan, tell mom, do you approve of this marriage?¡±


    In the middle of her sentence, Lady Wang seemed to think of something, and looked at his son without even blinking. Ling Jingxuan did not mean to avoid it. He nodded and said in a slightly serious tone, ¡°No, I just respect Jingpeng¡¯s choice. Mom, whether it¡¯s Jingpeng or Jinghan, let them choose their future wives themselves. They live with their wives, so only they themselves are clear what kind of people are most suitable for them.¡±

 Chapter 430

    Hearing that, Lady Wang went silent, then looked back at her husband and then Ling Jinghan, ¡°Do you also think so?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, if possible, please let us choose for ourselves.¡±


    Facing her eyes, Ling Jinghan firmly nodded. If it were some other family, the parents had already jumped up in anger. Since antiquity, marriages were arranged by parents and the matchmaker. The sons who tried to make their own decision on their marriage would undoubtedly deprive their parents¡¯ right. But after a short silent, Ling Chenglong and his wife nodded to agree, ¡°Fine, it¡¯s always your big brother who makes decisions, and now you three brothers are all more capable than me and your dad. Then, we won¡¯t ask about your marriage thing. But Jinghan, you have to promise me. If you have someone on your heart some day, you got to tell us, so we¡¯d have time to make preparations early and then we can¡¯t hold you a decent wedding. That¡¯s all we can do.¡±


    One had to say, this could was really reasonable, and really worth the three brothers to be filial to them.


    ¡°Hmm, mom, you can rest assured. I will let you know in the first place when I have someone I like.¡±


    After all, he was only fifteen, and unlike modern society where people could watch p*rns whenever they wanted. When speaking of this topic, Ling Jinghan even slightly blushed. And Yuan Shaoqi who was sitting on the same table gawked at him. After quite a while, he couldn¡¯t help cutting in to ask, ¡°What if you marry someone else as his wife?¡±


    When those words came out, the whole room fell in great shock. Ling Jingxuan looked at him with great interest, until he felt cold down his back, but he did not dare to evade. If he could not even pass this pass, he would never have a chance to marry such a good-looking and fun wife.


    ¡°Then it depends on if the other side has that ability.¡±


    Ling Jinghan who was the first to react slightly frowned, cast a side glance at the other side, and said with a bland tone mixed with undisguised fierceness. Yuan Shaoqi¡¯s first reaction was, it would never be easy to marry him as his wife, right? But on a second thought, it seemed that he wasn¡¯t so repulsive of marrying someone else as his wife, he couldn¡¯t help giggling, like he already saw the scene of Ling Jinghan wearing the wedding gown marrying him.


    ¡°Alas¡­whether he marries someone else as his wife or he marries another man as the other side¡¯s wife, we have no objections. Your dad and I have thought it through. Life is short. You live happily is the most important.¡±


    Lady Wang made a deep sigh. After they moved out from the old Ling family, they had thought a lot. They could not say that they had no expectation for things like offspring or what, but compared with the happiness of their sons, they could give up everything. They only wanted to see them happy while they were still alive.


    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan grabbed her hands with sentiment. It should never be easy for her to say those words.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m not joking. Jinghan, just pick the one you like. Whether it¡¯s a man or woman doesn¡¯t matter. As for Jingpeng, you help him. As long as the other side agrees, your dad and I will take her as our own daughter. But if she disagrees, Jingpeng shouldn¡¯t force her. But, I guess he¡¯d be sad for some time.¡±


    She patted him on the back of the hand and gave him a smile. Her subconscious nervousness and fear disappeared, and her strong love as a mother was mingled with her plain words.


    ¡°You three brothers have the final say in this family, and your mother has the final say between your parents. Since she says so, I also have no problem as long as you are happy.¡±


    The always honest Ling Chenglong said as he held his wife into his arms. In fact, about their sons¡¯ marriages, they had already discussed privately, and had long tacitly agreed to let them make their own decisions. For them who had suffered so much from the old Ling family, was there anything they couldn¡¯t see through?


    ¡°Hmm, thank you, dad, mom. I will tell every work you said today to Jingpeng. Please rest assured. We will never let you down.¡±


    Ling Jinghan prudently nod, maybe their parents had kind of weak personalities and often got bullied, and needed them to clean up the mess, but they were really the best parents in the whole world, and that was enough!


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get ready for dinner¡­¡±


    ¡°Daddy, daddy¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan suddenly got interrupted by the small bun. Everyone turned their heads strangely and then saw those kids holding a piece of rice paper with all words in their hands were running their way. Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows. When the two little buns ran nearer, they slowed down their paces, only afraid they may bump into his stomach. Then, Ling Wu handed his rice paper to him like offering a treasure, wearing such a na?ve smile, ¡°Daddy, we have copied the love poems Uncle Jingpeng asked.¡±


    ¡°Oh? I never knew my sons know what¡¯s love poems. Let me see.¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan felt amused. He took the rice paper over and then directly read it out, ¡°Lotus flowers are wilting and autumn plaited straw mats chills through,


    I remove my silk robe and alone I board a canoe.


    Who is it that correspondence send darting through clouds?


    By the time I¡¯ve written a reply, high above the west chamber hangs a full moon.


    Flowers wither and petals fall while water takes its course,


    Lovers harbour the same yearning, when apart both hearts melancholy brew.


    Futile are means to clear the head of sentiments so blue,


    One may ease the frown, only to find the heart in sorrow drowns.¡±


    After reading, Ling Jingxuan could not help but cover his mouth with a light smile. You know what, that was really a love poem, then he held back his smile and took over Ling Wen¡¯s to see, also a love poem about love sickness, but a woman for a man.


    ¡°I think they are not bad, I will send them to Jingpeng then.¡±


    Ling Jinghan gave a bad smile and made the decision. That was their two little nephews¡¯ good heart.


    ¡°Yeah! Daddy, can Uncle Jingpeng really get a wife through this? Does it mean we will soon see our future small aunt-in-law?¡±


    Hearing that, the two little buns jumped up and down, thinking that they had solved a huge problem for their small uncle. But they had never known that for this, Jingpeng even made a fool of himself in the army. And just because of this, he really got his wife! Of course, that was the later story.


    ¡°Yes, but little Wu, never write these anymore. Otherwise, your Brother Yan will get mad if he knows you write love poems for some other woman.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    The small bun looked quite struggling and was hesitating if he should ask back that love poem he had just copied. Of course he didn¡¯t want his Brother Yan to be mad at him. What if he refused to marry him in the future?


    One had to say, our small bun really thought too much. When had Yan Xiaoming ever agreed to marry him?

 Chapter 431

    June was another busy month, and still no news from Yan Shengrui at the boarders, their jam business had to be put on the agenda again. The different thing was that they no longer had to venture to the mountains to pick wild fruit like before. They only needed to pick them in Zhao Dalong¡¯s yard. Han Fei was in charge of this whole thing. And it was also time to harvest the early rice they had planted ahead of time. The whole family kept crazy busy for quite a few days. Then, they had to apply the fertilizers and make preparations for the late rice. This year, a lot of families grew late rice following them. Ling Jingxuan wasn¡¯t being stingy. He had long submitted to the matters needing attention of growing late rice to the yamen and asked the magistrate to spread it.


    At the same time, in the mid-June, they had harvested a lot of fat fish and lotus roots from the five-mu pond. Both Ling Jingxuan and Shopkeeper Zhang had long been prepared. The day when they did the harvest in the pond, dozens of carriages had already lined up from outside the gate of their Yuehua Manor. And those fish and lotus roots were sent to those towns and counties of Cang and Yun prefecture at top speed. This lasted three whole days. Finally, there were still a lot of fish fry left. In case that there¡¯d be too many for the pond to hold next year, Ling Jingxuan asked people to pick those bigger ones and put them into the rice fields. And then, when the late rice grew ripe, the fish inside also grew big enough.


    In the late-June, it was time to harvest the sorghums. That was something Ling Jingxuan had planned for a whole year. Things on the side of the wineries had already prepared everything. In order to race against time, Ling Jingxuan decisively hired six thousand people at a time. And only in a few days, they had harvested all the sorghums, and then spend another few days to turn up the soil, and then sow the newly bred sorghum seeds. By the end of the month, everyone got so exhausted like dogs.


    But their work was still not finished, next would be the busiest. Carrying his nine-month big belly, Ling Jingxuan personally went to the factory to supervise them making wine. And Zhao Dalong who was in charge of things in the wineries also accompanied the whole time. Except taking care of Ling Jingxuan, he also tried to learn how to brew sorghum wine.


    In July, Ling Jinghan also started to get busy. He would go to the prefecture to take the imperial examination held in autumn. As the exams were held right quite near Ling Jingxuan¡¯s due date. Even before he left, he had been worried that he might miss his little nephew¡¯s birth. But Ling Jingxuan comforted him and let him focus on his exams. Then he brought Yuan Shaoqi with him and headed for the prefecture. This time, Song Shuisheng didn¡¯t go with him. This Yuan Shaoqi was all-purpose, he could either act as his bodyguard or his pageboy. So, Ling Jinghan made the decision to let Song Shuisheng stay to assist Zhao Dalong to regulate the winery.


    According to the modern world, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s due date should be in mid-July. After telling Zhao Dalong and Song Shuisheng how to brew grape wine and sorghum wine, he no longer got out of his own room. Everyday, he just took a walk inside his yard, and told Zhao Shan some details he had to pay extra attention to, especially if he got a difficult labor. He owned a bisexual body, so his birth canal was smaller than women. Though seen from now, his belly was not so big, from which one could tell the baby was not quite big, there were people whose belly looked not big but the baby was very heavy. Generally speaking, the baby might be in the back place in the belly, so it looked not so big. If that was the case, it was quite possible he¡¯d have a difficult labor. And it was impossible for him to do C-section for himself. So he could only leave everything to Zhao Shan.


    ¡°Master Xuan, Lord Six who once came back when you got married is here.¡±


    One day, when Ling Jingxuan was taking a walk in the back yard with the support of Zhao Shan, Ling Yun hurried in and reported. Ling Jingxuan looked a bit surprised, and then said blandly, ¡°Let him wait in my room. I will be right over.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing came at such a time, should be for the grape wine and sorghum wine, right?


    ¡°Yes master.¡±


    Ling Yun respectfully backed out. Now even Liu Xiaosui was the supervisor of the factory of Baiyunge, Only she was still a minor maid, not even a housekeeper, because from the very beginning, the housekeeper was Lady Yang. If it were someone, she should have already had a problem with it. But Ling Yun was still so dedicated and thought everything thoroughly. So, Ling Jingxuan felt quite satisfied with her. And again, he had been confirmed that he¡¯d take her to the capital with him. Only that kind of steady character of hers could adapt to the life in the capital. If it were Liu Xiaosui, she didn¡¯t even know how she died when she died.


    ¡°Shifu, shall we go back?¡±


    Seeing that he only watched Ling Yun¡¯s back without saying anything, Zhao Shan who supported him by the side asked gently. He was fifteen years now, and time to marry a wife and have kids, but his family didn¡¯t urge him or what, only asking him to learn medical skills from Ling Jingxuan. It didn¡¯t matter even if he got married two years late. With enough ability, should he be worried he couldn¡¯t get a wife? He also wanted to choose his own wife like the second and third master.


    ¡°No hurry. Let him wait for a while. Let¡¯s keep walking.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan turned around, totally showing no meaning to meet a friend from afar. Under Zhao Shan¡¯s support, he just kept walking slowly as before. Yan Yi who was hiding in the dark couldn¡¯t help titter gloatingly. Even through the whole world, few people had the balls to keep Lord Zeng waiting, right? Their crown princess was one of them.


    Every morning, afternoon and evening, Ling Jingxuan would take a walk in the yard, and then, made a circle in the winding corridor above the pond. In the morning and afternoon, he¡¯d usually let Zhao Shan company him, and Dahei and Xiaohei would also be there. Since they bought another dozens of maids, every day, after they finished picking the fruit in the yard, they seldom appeared during the day, after all, their huge bodies were really kind of scary. But the little buns accompanied him at dusk, they would definitely be around.


    ¡°This is the way how you entertain your guest?¡±


    When passing the pavilion, he saw that Zeng Shaoqing who was wearing a long face was sitting there, with a few plates of snacks and a pot of tea on the stone table. But this time, he didn¡¯t see his maids in conspicuous green clothes. Ling Jingxuan wiped off his sweat and motioned Zhao Shan to support him over. Ling Yun who was waiting upon hurriedly put a cushion on the stone stool in the pavilion. Under Zhao Shan¡¯s support, Ling Jingxuan slowly sat on the opposite side of Zeng Shaoqing.

 Chapter 432

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to wait. No one ordered you to wait for me. You can only blame yourself for coming while I was still taking a walk outside.¡±


    After receiving the tea from Zhao Shan and taking a sip, Ling Jingxuan said slowly. As his due date was approaching, he didn¡¯t want to die while giving birth. Let alone Zeng Shaoqing today, even if His Majesty came, he wouldn¡¯t change his route. So, he either waited here, or got out of here already!


    ¡°So it¡¯s my bad coming all the way from the capital to send you something?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing was so speechless. Come on! Ever since Yunhan resumed his title, on one hand, he had to beware of his emperor cousin to sleep the one on his heart, on the other hand, he still had to secure the safety of Yunhan and Seven secretly. See? With an order of Yunhan, he had to come all the way here from the capital. Instead of showing some solicitude for him, this as*hole said he picked the wrong time to come. So mad!


    ¡°Oh? What is it? If it¡¯s something worth it, maybe I would throw you a welcome party.¡±


    Picking his eyebrows, Ling Jingxuan continued teasing him, anyway, Zeng Shaoqing was never a serious person, being too serious with him was not appropriate.


    ¡°Oh man¡­I¡¯m begging you! Hurry to go to the capital to harm those big families! Please!¡±


    Zheng Shao wore a fake begging appearance. His character was most suitable for having battles of wits with those people. With him there, the pressure on him would at least reduce by half!


    Pointing to his stomach, Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head. Recently, Yan Er sent the news saying that there were also people who tried to kill Seven. If possible, he had already gone. Would he still wait for him to tip him?


    ¡°Yeah, I see. Then we got to wait. After Yunhan resumed his title, he has completely changed his former style and rectified both the east and west palace. Even Noble Consort Xiao didn¡¯t get any advantage. The Chu family seems to feel that he is already out of their manipulation, so they keep doing some little tricks behind his back. And those big families already hate him to the bones. Because of him, their interest has been threatened. If it weren¡¯t His Majesty, maybe they have long¡­I can feel. Yunhan is tired, and things are also not easy for Seven. After you give birth and think you are OK, go to the capital as soon as possible. They missed you already. With you around, they¡¯d feel more secure.¡±


    Glancing at his belly, Zeng Shaoqing then looked at Ling Yun and Zhao Shan standing behind him. Seeing that Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t let them back off, he knew they were both trustworthy. And then he slowly revealed the situation in capital. As he had expected, his big cousin really got chronic poison. And according to his instruction, Yunhan used the detoxifying pills to remove part of his poison inside, and secretly ordered the Imperial Hospital to change other medicine. Although, his big cousin hadn¡¯t been fully recovered, it also no longer continued deteriorating. Given his current condition, it was still not easy to handle those national affairs, so, after Yunhan resumed his position, he¡¯d go through those memorials first every day and chose those important ones to let him make decisions. And every day, Seven would serve him in the imperial study. This was a secret originally. But someone leaked it. And a lot of people vaguely realized that His Majesty was planning to let the seventh prince to take his throne. And so, they became everyone¡¯s target. Those people resorted to extreme measures, poison, assassination, every dirty means one could imagine. On the court, those officials under the lead of Xiao family even used the excuse that the seventh prince was already ten and could own his own mansion outside the place trying to keep him away from His Majesty. The sh*tty thing was that even people of Chu family were among them. They thought they could re-control Seven after forcing him out of the palace. One could say the situation in the capital was extremely dangerous. Fighting for the throne already came into shape.


    But, though Yunhan and Seven had His Majesty¡¯s favor, they had support of their family behind. Before his father came back, their mansion also wouldn¡¯t plan to get involved in this vortex at least on the surface. Everyone could tell even if His Majesty issued the decree to confer Seven as the crown prince, he might not have the chance to seize the throne. Of course, there was a huge variable¡ªthe attitude of Prince Sheng who had just rendered meritorious service. Without his consent, no one could sit in the dragon chair steadily. As long as he openly supported the seventh prince, others could do nothing.


    ¡°You really belittled Yunhan. No, to be more exact, because you care too much about him, so you neglect his abilities. Since he could resume his title in such a short time and even put the harem in order, and it didn¡¯t arouse any objection from His Majesty but even got more favored, which means that he can handle it. Shaoqing, you should try to trust him.¡±


    No longer wanting to play dumb with him, Ling Jingxuan directly put everything above the table, including Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s feelings for Chu Yunhan. It was undeniable that he and Shengrui¡¯s help could definitely relieve a lot of stress for Yunhan, but not all of it. Besides, His Majesty was still there, Shengrui shouldn¡¯t do it too obviously. If His Majesty felt that Seven was under the control of Shengrui, it might even play some bad effect. No emperor would want to watch his throne fall into the hands of his brother, unless he himself had no sons. But the fact is, he had a lot of sons, which meant that he had a lot of choices. So, even if they went to the capital, they shouldn¡¯t have too many contacts with Yunhan and Seven. Sometimes, they might even have to play as enemies to eliminate His Majesty¡¯s vigilance and let his pass his throne to Seven. So, Zeng Shaoqing shouldn¡¯t lay all his hope on them, so he believed that as smart as he was, he should be about to think of these. It was just as the say goes, those closely involved cannot see clearly.


    ¡°Shengrui told you?¡±


    Obviously not expecting him to be so direct, Zeng Shaoqing couldn¡¯t help getting stoned there, with a face of total embarrassment. He thought he had concealed it quite well.


    ¡°Do you think he¡¯s a blabbermouth?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes at him. Your own performance sucks, all right? Even a blind man can tell! Only you yourself thought you are concealing it perfectly!


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing could not help but pout his mouth. This as*hole really had a pair of sharp eyes! No wonder Shengrui would fall for him! As*hole VS bada*s! They do match!

 Chapter 433

    ¡°So you¡¯re not going to the capital after you give birth?¡±


    Not wanting to linger on his personal thing, Zeng Shaoqing tried to switch the topic back. Although both Yunhan and Seven didn¡¯t say anything, he knew that they missed Ling Jingxuan. He remembered that when he knew that Ling Jingxuan got pregnant, Seven was so excited that he even forgot about the etiquettes and nearly bumped into His Majesty. After going back, he got scolded for the first time. That was also why they didn¡¯t send Ling Jingxuan gifts for the Spring Festival. His emperor cousin was kind of paranoid and liked transferring his anger on others. During that period of time, both Yunhan and Seven lived in horror all day. Only until he cooled his temper and showed his presence at Fuqing Palace did they feel much relieved.


    ¡°After giving birth, I still need at least one or two months for recuperation. When giving birth to Wen and Wu, I didn¡¯t nurse my body well, so, I am still like this whatever supplements I take. So, this time, I want to take this opportunity to nourish my body. Anyway, Shengrui has just won the war and it¡¯s safe at the boarders. It would be fine even if we go to the capital two months late.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan held his head with a hand against the stone table. If possible, he really didn¡¯t want to go. Intriguing against each other all the year around, he¡¯d definitely die young! However prosperous it is in the capital, how could it compare with the leisure life in the countryside?


    ¡°Just because he has won the war, he¡¯d be busier. If he keeps staying here, the one in the place will find the existence of your kids. After the imperial decree is issued, you have to go even if you don¡¯t want to then.¡±


    This time, Yan Shengrui had made the most outstanding achievements that no one had ever made for hundreds of years. Except him, all the officers and soldiers under him would receive their rewards according to their merits. The one in the palace was still waiting for him to go back for the celebration banquet. How would it do if Shengrui the key role was absent? Even if Shengrui didn¡¯t care about those rewards, he had to care about his soldiers. Without them, how would he shine?


    ¡°I already forgot about that. Hehe¡­then wait for His Majesty¡¯s imperial decree.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan totally held the music-or-die attitude. Even if it was the emperor, as long as he didn¡¯t want it, no one could convince him. Even the sky fell, his man would hold it for him. Why should he wrong himself?


    ¡°Forget it. I guess my big cousin¡¯s imperial decree doesn¡¯t work here. By the way, have you received the letter from Shengrui? It¡¯s been over a month. Even the captured princes and generals of the nomads have been escorted back to the capital, while he still hasn¡¯t submitted his own memorials. What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing helplessly shook his head and resumed his solemn appearance. Shengrui¡¯s behavior was too abnormal this time. At first, he thought he¡¯d come back here. But seen from now, he should still be at the boarders. Then why hadn¡¯t he submitted his memorials to claim credits for himself and his soldiers?


    ¡°He didn¡¯t submit the memorials?¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help picking his eyebrows with surprise. Yan Shengrui had never written him a letter and he had thought it was because he was too busy after the huge win, never expected¡­Something happened to him? Thinking of this, face sunk, Ling Jingxuan summoned Yan Yi. Seeing that he was not in the mood, Yan Yi even dare not breathe heavily, only getting on one knee there.


    ¡°Tell me, what¡¯s wrong with Shengrui?¡±


    If something really happened, Yan Yi who was responsible for collecting intelligence must know, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s expression was enveloped with a layer of killing intent, which made Yan Yi shudder subconsciously. After some hesitation, he reported slowly, ¡°The master met the remnants of the nomads when they folded back. Their leader was the valiant and brave Prince Longxie of the nomads. And the master got shot accidentally. The head of the arrow is smeared with some kind of strong poison. After Yan Si brought him back, he had concealed the news to the outside, and then summoned all doctors in the army to cure him. But those doctors could do nothing since none knew what kind of poison it is. Finally, it is the detoxifying pills you gave him worked. The master thought you may be worried, so he ordered us not to tell you about it. But please rest assured. The master has basically recovered. And he¡¯d come back in a few days.¡±


    Yan Yi chose his words as carefully as possible, only afraid to displease him. Even his expression made him so stressed.


    ¡°Is that so? You may go down.¡±


    Unexpectedly, Ling Jingxuan not only did not get angry, but looked surprisingly calm, so calm that it gave one some kind of blue fear. Yan Yi carefully lifted his head to look at him, then hurriedly got on both his knees, ¡°Your subordinate deserves to die! Please punish me!¡±


    His reaction was too abnormal. So, instead of reassuring him, it made him even more nervous.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not wrong. You¡¯re loyal to your master. What¡¯s wrong with that? Go away, I don¡¯t want to see you just yet.¡±


    Maybe because of the pregnancy, he even forgot that Yan Yi was Shengrui¡¯s subordinate, not his, so that after such a big thing happened, they still dare to keep it from him. If it hadn¡¯t been he was thoughtful enough to prepare everything he could for Shengrui, maybe now they had already been separated forever! And the thing is he even didn¡¯t have a chance to see him for the last time.

 Chapter 434

    He knew this was not their problem, and he also knew Shengrui was for his good, but he just felt uncomfortable. It felt like the whole world knew, only he was kept in the dark. If it hadn¡¯t been that Zeng Shaoqing suddenly came and brought it up, maybe he would never know that his man had nearly died.


    ¡°Master Xuan¡­Yes, master!¡±


    Yan Yi raised his head reflectively. But when seeing the frost on his face, he got up silently and left. Before leaving, he still did not forget to throw Zeng Shaoqing an eye for help. The crown princess was going to give birth. He shouldn¡¯t get angry or what at such a time.


    ¡°Come on! Don¡¯t you think you¡¯ve gone too far? Shengrui was for your good. You are still pregnant. What if you are over worried and something happened? Besides, give your personality, if you knew he was so seriously injured, maybe you even went to the boarders for him already.¡±


    Carefully looking at him, Zeng Shaoqing tried to comfort him. He had really never expected that Shengrui even hid it from him, otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have poked such a hornets¡¯ nest!


    Ling Jingxuan threw him a light glance and ignored him. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, when he opened his eyes again, all his emotions had already been hidden in the deepest place of his heart. Even if he had known, so what? Yan Shengrui was not around, and he had no one to vent his anger. This thing made him realize one thing. Whatsoever, he got to train his own Men of Sacrifice.


    Seeing here, Zeng Shaoqing could not help secretly surprised. No wonder Shengrui was so loyal to him. If he hadn¡¯t seen it with his own eyes, he could never believe that someone could conceal his emotions so quickly and completely. In a blink of an eye, Ling Jingxuan already resumed his former smiling look, like nothing had happened just now. His emotion management had reached that kind of sick level.


    ¡°Pity that you come too early. If you come two months later, maybe you can have a taste of the sorghum wine I brew. But, the twenty thousand jars of grape wine I brewed this time, they could be unsealed in over ten days. If you are interested, I can let someone send some to the capital for you. Still the price last year.¡±


    Leaning over to pour a cup of him for himself, Ling Jingxuan said so with a faint smile. The former bad mood all subsided already, no any trace left already.


    ¡°Huh? Twenty thousand jars?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing was stoned there, then could not help exclaim, those fox-like eyes suddenly wide opened, was he sure he said twenty thousand but not two thousand or two hundred?


    What kind of new thing is that? He had heard that he planted thousands of mu of sorghums. So he had long planned to brew them into wine? How much would that be? He wanted to be the biggest wine businessman of the whole Qing Kingdom? Holy sh*t! He thought it so horrible even by thinking of it!


    Throwing him a scornful look, Ling Jingxuan slouched his lips, ¡°Sorghum wine, as its name implies, is made from sorghums. I started brewing it at the end of last month when the sorghums were harvested. But this kind of wine has to be sealed for two to three months before taking them out. You¡¯d only have the chance to taste it at the end of August.¡±


    ¡°May I ask how much sorghum you have harvested and how much sorghum wine you can make?¡±


    The corners of the mouth could not help but twitch, Zeng Shaoqing tried to make himself look calm as far as possible. Ling Jingxuan thought about it and then replied, ¡°Five hundred jin per mu. I guess two jin could brew one jin of win. So, you can count it yourself.¡±


    The sorghum production this time was not bad, because he secretly sued the crescent spring water, so the quality of them was very good, so it wasn¡¯t a problem of making one jin 55¡ã wine out of two jin sorghum. After all, this world was so uncultured, it was already good enough for such production and quality.


    ¡°Er¡­ you want to become the biggest wine businessman of the whole kingdom?¡±


    This time, Zeng Shaoqing was not just surprised, but totally shocked, 500 jin sorghum for one mu, which could be made into 250 jin sorghum wine, ten mu meant five thousand jin¡­fifty thousand mu¡­well, the number is really horrible, all right? No wonder when he arrived, he saw the factories outside that covered dozens of mu were filled full with stuff. So it was all sorghum?


    ¡°More or less. That¡¯s only the business of my mother¡¯s family. My own business has not started yet. You come at the right time. See if you can help me get a big piece of land in the capital. If it¡¯s in the downtown area, at least one mu. If in a remote point, at least three mu. By the way, can you help me take a message for Yunhan? Tell him that Linghan School who open together is almost done. Let him to have some pillow talk about it before His Majesty, try to make His Majesty cooperate with us. We are responsible for the money thing and its regulation, while the court is responsible for recommending us the suitable tutors. If so, my pressure will decrease a lot, and Yunhan could also accumulate some good name for himself, meanwhile, His Majesty will also feel unworried.¡±


    All the businesses in Ling Village, except Baiyunge, he didn¡¯t plan to take any away with him, all would be left to Jingpeng, Jinghan and Zhao&Han couple. He also had his own things to do. He would explain to Yan Shengrui after he came back. First, he needed a solid back, second, he was afraid that he¡¯d have no time to manage all those things. Fortunately the Zhao&Han couple was quite capable, let along Jingpeng. With them, he was not worried at all.


    ¡°Why buy land? The capital is different from the countryside, you know, there won¡¯t be any empty place in the downtown area. There are even few personal houses which could be used to do business there. If you want, I have two shops in the east of the capital. If it¡¯s not enough, I can talk to my mom after I go back. She has half a street doing dowry business, but the price is quite high, I¡¯m afraid. You know, in the capital, a chi of land values a gold ingot. Let alone a few thousand taels of silver, even with tens of thousands of silver, you may not do some big business there.¡±


    For an ordinary woman, that dowry shop was what she lived on for her whole life, also the source of her egg money. It seemed that Zeng Shaoqing really took him as a friend, otherwise, he would take the initiative to offer such a suggestion. Even if that was his mother, it wouldn¡¯t be that easy to buy that dowry shop from her. Especially, she was not lack of money at all.

 Chapter 435

    ¡°Forget about it. After Shengrui comes back, I will ask him if he has some suitable shop facades at hands. After you go back, you should also ask about it for me. If there is any, buy it for me, whatever the price is. If not, we¡¯ll talk about it after I go to the capital. Lose no time about the Hanling School thing. Since those people are all afraid that His Majesty would confer Seven as the crown prince, and let¡¯s make it real, in case they keep jumping up and down and think they still have a chance.¡±


    Since the other side took him a friend, he shouldn¡¯t rip him off. He dare not touch the dowry shop of the Big Princess. The worst scenario was he opened it outside the city. Good wine needs no bush. As long as his thing was good enough, he was not worried he¡¯d get no business there.


    ¡°You are just saying it. I also want Seven to be crowned soon, but my big cousin always held an ambiguous attitude. And it was inappropriate for Yunhan to ask for it from him. Although Seven was no longer so submissive like before and even tried to expose his edge when needed and his big cousin had greatly changed his attitude towards him, after all, Noble Consort Xiao¡¯s big son occupied the name as the big imperial son. And his age was also more appropriate, and under the full support of Xiao family, he could be rendered as some good materials, so his big cousin was prone to confer him as the crown prince.


    Speaking of this, Zeng Shaoqing looked rarely serious. The title of the crown prince had always been the target those princes fought for. Generally, in order to avoid brothers trying to kill each other, some emperors would name the crown prince very early, but usually, that crown prince would die a tragic death. That year, if it hadn¡¯t been the protection of the evil old woman, his big cousin would have died countless times. Plus, Shengrui had no heart for the title, so his big cousin could have ascended the throne so smoothly, otherwise, it was really hard to say whom the kingdom belonged to now.


    ¡°So I want you to speed up the construction of the branches of Hanling School. It was the empress who proposed this idea, so all credit is his. A few years later, after all the students from Hanling School take the imperial examinations, one could say they are all the empress¡¯ students. By then, do you still think any big family like Xiao family or Chu family is still a threat to us?¡±


    Although the free basic tuition was really a great pressure for them, opening one more branch meant they¡¯d lose more money, those things were superficial. In the future, what they harvested may not be money, but something hundreds of more expensive than money. One should know, in this ear, there were so many students from poor families.


    ¡°What on earth do you have in your head to think of that?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing couldn¡¯t help giving him his thumbs-up. Perhaps the fruit for opening schools were slow to bear, but it was long and stable. Why had they never thought so much before? Ling Jingxuan was so smart!


    ¡°Of course something different from you.¡±


    With a trace of evil light floating from under his eyes, Ling Jingxuan said with a joking tone. Zeng Shaoqing pretended not to throw him a hard stare, ¡°Yeah, only you are smart, while we are all fools, all right? I wonder if the so smart crown princess has any method to resolve the crisis for Yunhan and Seven to let them live some peaceful days? Or, you got a method to let that one in the palace to confer him as the crown prince?¡±


    If he really had a way, he¡¯d be one of the fools in his mouth. It was not big deal to be a fool before him.


    ¡°That¡¯s simple. Use the centesimate trick. Get rid of some who oppose most dramatically, then others will naturally have no balls to be so unbridled. As for the crown prince title, I still need to talk to Shengrui first. We¡¯ll talk about it in the long run after we go to the capital. By the way, what¡¯s that emperor¡¯s attitude toward Yunhan and his son now? Yunhan has been out of the palace for three years but he didn¡¯t punish him or even blame him, which is really out of my expectations. And not long after, he resumed Yunhan¡¯s title. What on earth is he thinking? Is it possible he still has feelings for Yunhan?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan still couldn¡¯t figure it out. According to what Yunhan described, he should be an as*hole, but the fact was on the contrary. If he was unable to have a right understanding of his personality and attitude, he really didn¡¯t know how to make the future plans.


    ¡°Feelings? He¡¯s the emperor, and he can favor anyone as long as he wants. So many concubines in the harem waiting for him to favor.¡±


    Hearing him, Zeng Shaoqing twitched his mouth sullenly. During the past few months, it was true that his big cousin had really favored him, but it didn¡¯t mean he¡¯d only favor himself. One could only say he had spent most of his time in Yunhan¡¯s palace and favored him most. If not so, how had Noble Consort Xiao and those cat and dog concubines had the balls to try to assassinate Yunhan and Seven? The emperor¡¯s favor had never been long.


    ¡°The medicine you asked for last time didn¡¯t work?¡±


    He was clear about it. As long as the emperor took a little, his little brother could never ¡®stand up¡¯, how could he still can favor other concubines?


    ¡°No, the imperial said his condition wouldn¡¯t allow him to that kind of bed thing. Jingxuan, you don¡¯t understand. An emperor¡¯s favor wouldn¡¯t only mean sleep together. Even if he goes to other concubine¡¯s palace to eat a meal, it also means great honor already. Now, every day, it is all Yunhan who is staying by his side serving him, and Seven also often follows by Yunhan¡¯s side, of course only during the day. After dinner at night, except the first day and fifteenth day of each other, he has to go stay up at the empress¡¯ place, basically he¡¯d go to Noble Consort Xiao or other¡¯s palace to sleep, he seldom sleeps in his own place alone.¡±


    So-called balancing the harem was like this. Even if he couldn¡¯t sleep with then, he still had to show some face to those big families behind those concubines. In others¡¯ eyes, Yunhan was undoubtedly the most favored one. Maybe to other concubines, Yunhan was lucky and worth their jealousy. But to him, it was really unfair to Yunhan. He didn¡¯t expect him to grab all the power of the harem in his hands. As long as he could favor Yunhan only, he could let go and let them live together happily, but¡­

 Chapter 436

    ¡°Hehe¡­aren¡¯t all emperors like that? So when Yunhan left, I told him to expect love from an emperor. We are all men, so we should all be clear men¡¯s ill nature. He is the emperor, who could own numerous beautiful women. How could he give them up for Yunhan only? Maybe he has feelings for Yunhan, but far from enough for someone who wants love.¡±


    Down the five thousand years¡¯ history of Huaxia Kingdom, only three emperors had only had their empress for the whole life, no other concubines, who were Emperor Yuanqin of West Wei, Emperor Zhao Shu, and Emperor Mingxiao Zhu Youtang, except them, no emperor didn¡¯t have a big harem full of concubines. It was not that the emperor had no feelings, it was just that they hid it too deeply, so deep that no one could tell. Except that reason, they also needed to use the harem to balance the court.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I feel sorry for Yunhan and couldn¡¯t let him go.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing looked quite down. In fact, his days were not that good. He was twenty-eight this year. If he still didn¡¯t get married, maybe his father would carry his knife to chase after him through the whole capital after he came back, while his mom and a few sisters-in-law would drown him with their tears.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t let go. But I think you should first let Yunhan know your feelings about him. If I guess right, he still hasn¡¯t known yet, right?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan said reasonably, totally didn¡¯t think confessing one¡¯s love was some kind of embarrassing thing. Like him and Yan Shengrui. Even when Shengrui still hadn¡¯t remembered everything, he had never hidden his feelings. He was a man, why be shy like a woman?


    ¡°You think I don¡¯t want to? I only didn¡¯t say I love you to him. Jingxuan, you should know how shrewd Yunhan is. But why is he so dull in relationships? In his heart, I am always that wild kid who often had fights outside and sneaked back into the backyard of his family. Why can¡¯t he see I¡¯m already a grownup?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing powerlessly lay prone on the stone table, as if completely forgetting the existence of Ling Yun and Zhao Shan, it was the first time he said his heart before someone else except Yan Shengrui. Ling Jingxuan found it amused and shook his head with a smile. As he was about to get up and pat him on the shoulder to comfort him, he suddenly felt huge labor pains and his whole body fell back down.


    ¡°Are you OK?¡±


    ¡°Master Xuan(Shifu), what¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    Seeing that, the other three got frightened and hurriedly moved over. Ling Jingxuan held the back of his waist with one hand while the other felt his stomach, trying to press down the pains, soon, his face was covered in sweat. Zeng Shaoqing and the other two looked so anxious, even Yan Yi who was hiding in the dark ignored Ling Jingxuan¡¯s order of him and came out. But no one dared touch him. Even Zhao Shan who wanted to feel his impulse had to give up since his hands already went stiff now.


    ¡°Master Xuan, bad news, a lot of yamen runners are outside, saying that¡­Master Xuan, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    Before Old Song finished his words, he got scared by the situation in front of him, his face instantly turned pale, after quite a while, he stammered, ¡°Master Xuan, is it possible you are going to give birth?¡±


    Should the due date seven or eight days later? Why now?


    It felt so painful that Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t even speak but could only subconsciously give him a nod. Not only labor pains, he felt like it got wet already between his legs. It should be that the water broke. Damn it! Why so fast? Shengrui hasn¡¯t come back yet¡­He was still not prepared.


    ¡°What!¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing screamed, and soon realized he kind of forgot himself, so he hurriedly said, ¡°What should we do now? Jingxuan, can you talk? Can you tell me what to do?¡±


    A man who hadn¡¯t even been married yet, don¡¯t expect him to stay calm at such a time. Now Zeng Shaoqing was like an ant on a hot pan.


    ¡°Shut¡­Shut up!¡±


    Finally Ling Jingxuan squeezed out two words with difficulty, then he turned to Zhao Shan, ¡°Needles.¡±


    The pains came and went, but now he had to stop it first, whatsoever, he had to hang in there before they sent him to the delivery room.


    ¡°Got it!¡±


    Soon resuming his calmness, Zhao Shan felt out the whole set of silver needles his shifu had specially asked Zhang Qing to bring back from the prefecture for him. Before he could have time to open the leather sheath, Ling Jingxuan quickly felt out a few of them and accurately pricked into a few acupoints without even looking. Seeing that he did that without even untying his clothes, everyone was scared, only afraid that he might prick the wrong places.


    ¡°Help me to the delivery room.¡±


    Facts proved that Ling Jingxuan¡¯s medical skill were superb. A few minutes later, his situation had greatly improved. After pulling out the silver needles, he rested his hands on Zhao Shan and Old Song on both sides. Under their support, Ling Jingxuan stood up with difficulty, and water already wetted his pants, like he just pissed his pants. Zeng Shaoqing who was standing behind suddenly rushed forward and carried him up, ¡°You lead the way.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­yes¡­¡±


    With Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s roar, Yan Shaoqing quickly led the way, and Zeng Shaoqing who was carrying Ling Lingxuan soon caught up using his lightness skills. Then, Old Song and Ling Yun who came back to their senses quickly followed up. Zhao Shan, who meant to put the silver needles away first only finished his job before catching them up. Another messy day began.

 Chapter 437

    ¡°My lord, we have reached the boundary of Qingyang County. How about take some rest?¡±


    On the official road to Qingyang county, dozens of fine horses were escorting a carriage at a very fast speed. The one in the lead was a woman wearing the army uniforms, who was with fine features, but her brows were rendering that kind of integrity and dominance no inferior to a man, but as she turned to the carriage, her face was infected with undisguised respect.


    ¡°No, go to Ling Village at top speed.¡±


    From the carriage came a low hoarse male voice, which was mixed with some kind of obvious eagerness. They woman dare not hesitate. With a roar, the cavalries unitedly waved the whips in their hands and sped up, and inside the carriage, Ling Jingpeng looked at the bearded, coarse and sloppy man worriedly, ¡°Brother Rui, how about we take some rest first? I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll arrive before dark. Didn¡¯t they say there are still seven or eight days before my big brother¡¯s due date? Actually, we don¡¯t need to be in such a hurry.¡±


    Yeah, the ones sitting inside were no one else but Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingpeng, with two doctor-looking people waiting on by the side. In the war last time, Yan Shengrui and Duke Zeng¡¯s perfect flawless cooperation gave the nomads a dead blow. But on the way back, Yan Shengrui got ambushed by the brave and valiant Prince Longxie of the enemies, and he got a shot in the chest during the fight. The tip of the arrow was only half a chi from the heart. But the thing is the arrowhead had poison. After Yan Si and others brought him back, all the doctors in the army said they could do thing with it. Seeing that Yan Shengrui was going to die, Duke Zeng sent some to find Ling Jingpeng and asked him to see him for the last time, thinking after all he is the younger brother of the crown princess. So it would be more suitable for him to see the prince on behalf of the crown princess. But unexpectedly, Ling Jingpeng tipped that his big brother had been use of preparing all kinds of medicine and poison for them for safety. And Yan Si also remembered that their prince indeed had a package, inside of which was all the medicine their crown princess had prepared for the prince. When they took out that dark green lucid ganoderma, everyone was amazed. After some discussion of those military doctors, the conclusion is¡ªthat green lucid ganoderma should be the legendary medicine that could bring a dead person back to life. But no one could guarantee that. One should know, that was the prince. If the prince died after taking it, even if they had ten heads, it was not enough!


    Finally, Ling Jingpeng made the finally decision and advised Duke Zeng to order them to let Yan Shengrui take the lucid ganoderma, for he trusted his big brother. If it was some common things, he wouldn¡¯t have let Brother Rui take it with him. Duke Zeng was a real tough man. Holding the attitude of fighting the losing battle, he ordered the doctors to use it at cost of the name of his whole mansion. Having no choice, following the tips of Ling Jingpeng, the doctors first let Yan Shengrui take the specially-made antidotal pills and then asked Yan Si to use his internal force to push all the poison at the wound before the chest, finally, applied the mashed green lucid ganoderma onto it. And the strange thing nearly happened in an instant. Soon the green lucid ganoderma soon sucked out all the poison, and it gradually turned into black. Seeing that, the doctors hurriedly scraped off the lucid ganoderma and applied some more. Again and again, after using nearly half of the lucid ganoderma, it no longer turned black, which was to say, the poison had been basically all removed. But just in case, the doctors still gently applied another thin layer and then bandaged the wound for him. What¡¯s more strange, the next day when they uncovered it, the wound already started to heal, and the unconscious Yan Shengrui gradually regained his consciousness. After consuming the whole lucid ganoderma, and after nearly half a month, Yan Shengrui had almost completely recovered.


    Though having recovered, after all, he had experienced the life-and-death moment. After simply handling those official affairs at hands and leaving the rest to Duke Zeng, he had decided to go back home, only afraid he might miss the date when his precious wife gave birth. Duke Zeng was worried that he might take no rest if he rode a horse, so he only allowed him to go after he agreed to take a carriage. Meanwhile, Ling Jingpeng had almost handled those things at hands and planned to go back with him. And the leading one of Yan Shengrui¡¯s personal convoys was Ling Jingpeng¡¯s fianc¨¦e¡ªGeneral Ye¡¯s daughter Ye Ruyun. As for how she had become Ling Jingpeng¡¯s fianc¨¦e, it was a bit hilarious.


    One should know, Ye Ruyun had grown up in the army with her dad. Except her gender, she was basically a man. No one in the army took him as a woman. Those who were close with her all took her as their buddy. And those who were strange with him all respected her as their commander. General Ye had long been worried who would marry her daughter. But at this time, Ling Jingpeng appeared and even grew feelings for her. The funnier thing was that the love poems the little buns copied were accidentally sent to someone else. The army had rules. Any letter from their hometown should be read before all soldiers and then¡­The thing that Ling Jingpeng had a crush on Ye Ruyun and even asked his family to make love poems for him spread through the whole army. Soon, even Duke Zeng heard of it. And General Ye had long liked the handsome and outstanding Ling Jingpeng. Under his acquiescence and Duke Zeng¡¯s acting as go-between, soon, the two of them confessed their feelings to each other. After Yan Shengrui got a little better, as the elder of Ling Jingpeng, he personally went to propose before General Ye. But, Ye Ruyun had always wanted to be a general, and Ling Jingpeng also hadn¡¯t told his family about it, so, they only got engaged and exchanged the love token, but not held the wedding. So, on the surface, Ye Ruyun was escorting them back, in fact, she was going back to see her parents-in-law, although this was kind of repugnant to common sense, how would the female side go to see the male side¡¯s parents first? But General Ye was a soldier, he didn¡¯t care about those formalities. Plus, he was anxious to marry his daughter out. He would even want to pay the other side a huge fortune as long as their son could marry his daughter. So, it was not that hard to understand.


    ¡°I can take some rest after going home.¡±


    Speaking of which, Yan Shengrui closed his eyes, apparently not wanting to say more. Not knowing why, in his heart always had a foreboding, as if there was a voice urging him to hurry back, so, anyhow, he must go back to Jingxuan¡¯s side as soon as possible.

 Chapter 438

    On the other side, a large number of soldiers suddenly came out of Yuehua Manor. With a rough counting, there should be at least hundreds of them. The one in the lead was actually Ling Jingwei who had been listed to serve in the army last year. And Ling Chengcai, his wife and heir daughter were standing by his side arrogantly. They broke into Yuehua Manor with the soldiers, the servants who tried to stop them all got knocked onto the ground by those unreasonable soldiers.


    ¡°Ling Jingwei, you¡­¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his wife who rushed over after hearing the noise stared at Ling Jingwei in disbelief. A flash of resentment flashed across Ling Jingwei¡¯s eyes and he said with a compulsory tone, ¡°I¡¯m ordered to station here. So, your house will be expropriated. I will give you two hours to move out.¡±


    When he was charged of raping his own aunt and sent to serve in the army, he thought his whole life was so screwed. But heaven had eyes and gave him another chance. After all new sodliers gathered in Juzhou, he accidentally saved the miss of Gui family and indirectly destroyed her name, he lied that he had no family and was sterile, since their daughter was a widow with two kids, the old madam of the Gui family thought he was not bad since he was sterile, then he wouldn¡¯t have his own kids with her daughter, in the future, he¡¯d have to take her daughter¡¯s kids as his own, so she made the decision for her daughter to let Ling Jingwen marry into their family. And then, replying on the forces of Gui family in those prefectures, soon he had gained a firm foothold in the army responsible for the safety of the city. Actually, last year, he had planned to come back to retaliate at them, pity that at the time, something happened to the main Gui family in the capital and their business also got suppressed by Baiyunge, his father-in-law would never allow him to leave. So he had waited and waited till now.


    Fortunately the old couple and Ling Chenghua had died early, or he swore he¡¯d let them suffer! Now, his sworn enemies were only those villagers and Ling Jingxuan! Of course he¡¯d vent all his hatred on him! After Ling Jingxuan died, wouldn¡¯t others be like ants that he could trample on? Those who had ever insulted him, he¡¯d let all of them pay for it!


    ¡°What?! This is our house. Why should we offer it to you?¡±


    Coming to his sense, Lady Wang reflexively shouted, it was not easy for their family to earn such a big property, how could they occupy it as they wanted? Is there any law? Even if he had a rank in the army, he couldn¡¯t bully the civilians like that!


    ¡°No one wants your house, we only expropriate it. Someone! If they haven¡¯t packed their things up and get out of here in two hours, throw all them out for me!¡±


    Ling Jingwei enjoyed watching their anger and wronged appearance, showing a venomous smile on his face, this was just the beginning, he¡¯d deprive them of everything they had little by little, let them die, kneel at his feet like a dog to beg him.


    Ling Chengcai, his wife and daughter who came with him also held out their chest arrogantly. Ever since the old couple died, they were like bedbugs everyone loathed. Even their big son left them behind. Seeing that Ling Chenglong¡¯s life was getting better and better, they got so jealous that their eyes turned green, but could do nothing. As they thought their life was hopeless, their second son came back safe and sound, who not only became the son-in-law of Gui family, but also the seventh-rank commander-in-chief. So, now it was finally Ling Jingxuan¡¯s turn to suffer while they moved into the most extravagant manor of the whole Datong town to enjoy.


    ¡°Yes sir!¡±


    The soldiers moved forward and pulled out the savers out of the scabbards, Ling Chenglong and others were so scared that their legs were shaking and no one dare say more. But they really couldn¡¯t afford to offer such huge properties into someone else¡¯s hands. Zhao&Han couple secretly stretched out their hands to hold Ling Chenglong and his wife while throwing their dagger eyes at Ling Jingwei, and Old Song had already run in to inform Ling Jingxuan. He believed he¡¯d have a way out.


    ¡°Jingwei¡­¡±


    ¡°Outrageous! How dare you call our commander by his name?¡±


    ¡°Bam!¡±


    Ling Qicai who hurried over saw that something was wrong. As he was about to say something, two solders pulled out their sabers and forced him backwards, and Ling Qicai directly fell onto the ground. Ling Jingwei and his family felt unspokenly thrilled. Seeing that, Ling Chenglong and his wife broke away from Zhao Dalong and Han Fei¡¯s support and went forward to support him up.


    ¡°So what even if you¡¯re soldiers? You still can¡¯t bully us like this!¡±


    Ling Chenglong who had always been a coward now stared back at those soldiers while standing in front of his wife and Ling Qicai. No one noticed the viciousness flashing across the corner of Ling Jingwei¡¯s corner of the mouth.


    ¡°You want to die?¡±


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    Soldiers were a bunch of rascals the kingdom had raised. How would they allow the civilians to act wild? One of the soldiers pulled out his saber and chopped down at his head. As Lady Wang and others were screaming out of scare, the moment the sharp saber was about to fall on Ling Chenglong, two figures suddenly jumped out of the backyard. After seeing clearly the situation, Yan Yi directly knocked over that solder with a side kick.


    ¡°Are you looking for death?¡±


    The next second, before he could react, Yan Yi kicked his saber in the air, and then it accidentally pricked into the chest of that soldier who was struggling to crawl up. Without even having time to scared, that soldier died on spot.

 Chapter 439

    ¡°Ah¡­Someone is killing me¡­¡±


    Yan Yi¡¯s action was so quick that it was like the floating clouds and flowing water, totally give the other side any chance. Lady Li and her daughter who came to their sense kept screaming. As Yan Yi threw his dagger eyes, those two immediately shrank behind Ling Chengcai, with their body shaking like a working sifter. Ling Jingwei also got jump scare. The security soldiers of the town, to put it simply, were only a bunch of soldiers who only craved comfort and pleasure and threw their weight around before the civilians. But when they met the real tough ones, they instantly turned into cowards. He had never expected that there were people like Yan Yi by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s side.


    And on the other side, seeing that Ling Chenglong was saved, Lady Wang hurriedly held him crying. Zhao&Han couple quickly pulled them back. Although they still had no idea of Yan Shengrui¡¯s true identity, they were not stupid, their intuition told them that he should have a solid background, and the people he left here should be trustworthy. Besides, Lord Six(Lord Zeng) from the first duke¡¯s mansion was still here. So, they only needed to take care of Lady Wang and others. Yan Yi could cover other things.


    ¡°Who the hell are you? Are those two holes above your nose? How dare you make a scene at Yuehua Manor? Are you sick of living?¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing who was carrying Ling Jingxuan picked his eyebrows. Aren¡¯t they soldiers? Then how they still have the balls to come to Prince Sheng¡¯s wife¡¯s mansion to make trouble? Really bold!


    ¡°Shan, use the poison!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan who had sweat all over his head cast a glance at those people under Ling Jingwei¡¯s lead, with undisguised killing intent under his eyes. This time, no matter what, he wouldn¡¯t let them go again! But, now he also had no time and mood to deal with them. After he gave birth, he¡¯d let all of them pay the blood!


    ¡°Yes, master.¡±


    Zhao Shan then stood out with an ice-old face. Before everyone could react, he waved a hand and some kind of colorless and odorless powder flew in the air.


    ¡°Bang¡­¡±


    The next second, hundreds of soldiers under Ling Jingwei¡¯s lead got softened and collapsed onto the ground like the dominoes. Everyone couldn¡¯t help popping out their eyes and couldn¡¯t believe that with a wave of a hand, they all got knocked down. A slice of fear flashed under Ling Jingwei¡¯s eyes, but soon he resumed his posture and looked over at Ling Jingxuan in Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s arms, ¡°I¡¯m the seventh-rank commander, son-in-law of Governor Gui. If you dare touch me, I can guarantee that your whole family will die in your boots!¡±


    Relying on his solid background, Ling Jingwei said cockily, he did not believe that Ling Jingxuan even dared to offend a prefecture governor.


    ¡°Why dare I not? Yan Yi, detain all of them. Don¡¯t let anyone slip away!¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan gave those people a cold sweep. Yan Yi replied, ¡°Yes master.¡±


    As his words fell, over a dozen men in black came out of the dark. They all worked for him. Since Yan Er had to protect the seventh prince in the capital, he dispatched them here to secure the safety of the crown princess and the little princes.


    ¡°How dare you!¡±


    Seeing those people coming out of nowhere like ghosts, Ling Jingxuan who was lying on the ground felt scared finally. He just couldn¡¯t figure out why he still had to be the meat on the cutting board as he came back with a title and such solid background! Ling Jingxuan is just a farmer. Why so many people work for him!


    ¡°Well¡­here we go again. Lord Zeng, bring me to the delivery room.¡±


    In Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes, he was already a dead man, plus he started to suffer the labor pains again, Ling Jingxuan was having cold sweat all over again. Hearing that, Zeng Shaoqing changed his face, ¡°Where is it?¡±


    ¡°Come with me.¡±


    ¡°Is Jingxuan going to give birth? Hurry ¡­Sister-in-law Song, come on. Go make preparations¡­¡±


    Zhao Shan then turned and led Zeng Shaoqing to walk toward the room next to Ling Jingxuan¡¯s bedroom. Seeing that, Lady Wang and others already forgot what fear was and started to get busy. Those soldiers that were being poisoned and lying on the ground totally got ignored by them. Ling Chengcai and his family got so mad that they nearly crunched their teeth, but they even couldn¡¯t move, so they had to take the insult.


    But they should know that if it hadn¡¯t been that Ling Jingxuan was about to give birth, maybe they had already stopped breathing. Breaking into Yuehua Manor and trying to kill Ling Chenglong, even His Majesty couldn¡¯t save them this time! Given Ling Jingxuan¡¯s vengeful personality, he¡¯d definitely skin all of them!


    ¡°Those irrelevant people, please go out. We¡¯ll deliver the baby for my shifu.¡±


    After Zeng Shaoqing settled Ling Jingxuan on the bed with ample sunlight, Zhao Shan drove those people out with a serious expression. The two medical kids moved forward and pulled up Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand to feel his impulse. Worried, Zeng Shaoqing took a look at Ling Jingxuan whose body was already soaked in sweat. As he was about to turn to leave with others, he saw that it seemed his lips moved. So, Zeng Shaoqing strode over and leaned down by his lips, ¡°What did you say? Say it louder.¡±


    ¡°Sheng¡­Shengrui¡­¡±


    The drilling pains in his abdomen made him unable to expression his meaning clearly, but his eyes were quite firm, he wanted to see Yan Shengrui, right now!


    ¡°Damn it! Wait a minute, I¡¯ll go find Yan Yi.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing cursed deeply and then turned to rush out of the room. Zhao Shan stepped forward to take off his trousers as he had long taught him to, bend his legs, and slightly cover his lower body with a thin quilt, and then he bent down again to check his situation and raised his head and said, ¡°Shifu, the orifice of the uterus only opened a little. Maybe I should give you the acupuncture to stop the pains, so you can save some strength to give birth after the orifice is fully opened.¡±


    As a doctor, he didn¡¯t feel awkward or what. Now only if they all stayed calm could he gave birth smoothly.


    ¡°Mm¡­go cook a bowl of noodles for me, and then slice the ginseng I prepared¡­Whoo¡­Do the acupuncture for me now!¡±


    Holding his breath to tell him what he should do, Ling Jingxuan grabbed the quilt tightly with both hands, closed his eyes and tried as hard as he could to adjust his breathing. The two little medical kids offered their positions out. Then Zhao Shan took out all the silver needles and disinfected them one by one, and then untied his clothes. But however hard he tried, he just couldn¡¯t prick the silver needle in, his hand was shaking slight. Although he had performed acupuncture for a lot of people before and also practiced a lot, not knowing why, at this moment, he got tensed up, only afraid that he might prick it into the wrong spot.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Do it. It doesn¡¯t matter if you make a mistake.¡±


    After a while, Ling Jingxuan who still didn¡¯t feel the silver needles pricking into his body opened his eyes, but only saw that Zhao Shan was sweating due to nervousness, the corner of his mouth spread a faint smile. Zhao Shan raised his head to look at him, closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, then nodded as he opened his eyes again. He put down the silver need already wetted by his sweat, received the handkerchief handed over by the medical kid and wiped his sweat, then picked up another silver needle, without giving himself a chance to hesitate, he quickly and accurately pricked it into one of his acupoints. Seeing that, a slice of satisfaction flashed across Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes, he looked out of the window with expectations. Shengrui, you promised me you will make it back!

 Chapter 440

    On the other side , the galloping military horses finally entered the scope of Ling Village. The leading Ye Ruyun dare not waste one more minute, ignoring those gossiping villagers, she directly led them to head toward Yuehua Manor according to the route Ling Jingpeng made for her. And inside Yuehua Manor, it already got into a total mess. In case the little buns might add more trouble if they came back, Zhao Dalong specially asked Song Shuisheng to tell Juren Zhang not to let the little buns know the situation at home.


    ¡°Sir, it seems that this family must have a solid background, even more solid background than the Gui family.¡±


    Since the whole Yuehua Manor got in chaos, Yan Yi couldn¡¯t be good. That was the first time everyone met such kind of situation. Hearing that Ling Jingxuan asked to see their lord, he instantly ordered those shadow guards to find their lord who was heading back. Taking advantage of the chaos, a soldier secretly crawled to Ling Jingwei¡¯s side. Others also tried to move their body. Some seemed to be able to move. After all, Zhao Shan hadn¡¯t learned medical skills for long, so he poison he made could never compare with that Ling Jingxuan made. Only about over an hour, those people slowly got recovered.


    ¡°No way! He is just a farmer! I think it should be the big boss behind Xinyuan Restaurant. He is the business partner of Xinyuan, so, as long as we seize the business from his hands, the big boss would no longer defend him. All businessmen pursue profit only. How would he offend the Gui family for a minor farmer?¡±


    Till now, Ling Jingwei still had no clear picture of the whole situation, and only tried to think everything in the direction only favorable to himself. But it was not his fault, after all, he really had no idea of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s connections, plus he had left the Ling village long ago, of course he had no idea Ling Jingxuan was already not someone he could afford to offend. Of course, that also decided his miserable end.


    ¡°What you said is quite reasonable. How about we try out chance? Look. Those people are totally unprepared. As long as we could catch those two people, wouldn¡¯t they all surrender?¡±


    That man smiled viciously, stretched out his hand and pointed to Ling Chenglong and his wife not far out of the door. Ling Jingwei looked over following the direction he was pointing at, nodded while saying in whispers, ¡°OK. Inform them. Ten minutes later, we will rush over and capture that couple!¡±


    ¡°Yes sir!¡±


    That soldier quietly crawled away after receiving the order. Ling Jingwei turned to look at his parents and younger sister, and then they nodded in agreement. The whole family was black-hearted. No one stood out to stop it at all.


    ¡°Guys, move!¡±


    After a few minutes, those soldiers lying on the ground abruptly jumped up, wielded their knives and rushed at Ling Chenglong and others. Although the remained poison restrained their speed, it was still horrible as hundreds of them were together. Without even thinking, the Zhao&Han couple pulled Ling Jingxuan¡¯s parents behind their backs, and Zeng Shaoqing directly jumped before all of them.


    ¡°Woo hoo¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    As Zeng Shaoqing was about to pull out the soft sword from the waist and fight them, three giant figures dropped from the skies. The soldiers charging headmost got thrown into the air along with their screams. The next second, wolf daddy, Dahei and Xiaohei blocked in their way, their sharp fangs were stained with dazzling blood. As everyone saw clearly, the few soldiers had bloody holes in their necks, which was to say, they got their necks bitten by the wolves.


    Realizing this, a group of people who had still performed so aggressively instantly drooped, their shaking legs kept retreating, even Ling Jingwei and his family backmost couldn¡¯t help shaking all over. They really never expected that except those shadow guards, they even had three adult wolves defending them!


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Things didn¡¯t end here. A group of cavalries suddenly poured in through the gate. The leading one was apparently a woman, but she still looked so majesty and domineering as she saw high on the horse. After a short daze, Ling Jingwei thought it was the reinforcements his father-in-law had sent for him. With a smile, he moved forward, ¡°I¡¯m Ling Jingwei. Commander of the army stationed in Cangzhou. Maybe I know your name?¡±


    ¡°You have no right to know. Since you are the stationary force, why are you here disturbing the residents?¡±


    Ye Ruyun grew up in the army, although no one took her as a woman, they all spoiled her. So she totally didn¡¯t put a minor commander in her eyes at all.


    ¡°I¡¯m under the order here to¡­¡±


    ¡°Officer Ye, capture all of them!¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan could finish his words, Yan Shengrui suddenly brushed open the curtain and came out. As early as when he heard the name Ling Jingwei, he had guessed what was happening. They even dared to make a scene at Yuehua Manor! So sick of living!


    ¡°Yes, my lord!¡±


    ¡°General, we¡­you¡­Ling Jingpeng, why do you¡­¡±


    After receiving the order, Ye Ruyun led all the soldiers to jump off their horses. Ling Jingwei¡¯s heart sank, as he still wanted to say something, Ling Jingpeng also came out behind. Ling Jingwei¡¯s whole family popped out their eyes. What¡¯s going on? Who is that man who they all called him lord with whiskers all over his face? And why is Ling Jingpeng with him?


    ¡°Pa!¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    With a hard swing of the whip in Ye Ruyun¡¯s hand, Ling Jingwei¡¯s finger pointing at Ling Jingpeng instantly had a cracking sound, and his screams instantly followed. Ye Ruyun stood by Ling Jingpeng¡¯s side domineeringly, ¡°Who the hell are you? How dare you directly call my fianc¨¦ by his name? F*ck off!¡±


    Tough enough?


    ¡°Ouch¡­I¡­¡±


    Holding his right hand as if it had been broken, Ling Jingwei clenched his teeth and looked at Ling Jingpeng with those venomous eyes. Yan Shengrui calmly glanced at him and said, ¡°What are you waiting for? You want me to do it myself?¡±


    ¡°Yes my lord!¡±


    Hearing that, those personal guards he brought back and those shadow guards who had gone to look for him instantly flew toward those people. Though they were outnumbered, they were soldiers who had survived on the cruel battlefield. Totally not someone those security soldiers could compare! Soon, hundreds of them got tied up like zongzi. Then Yan Shengrui jumped off the carriage and went before wolf daddy and his two sons, stretched out to touch them and said with a sincere tone, ¡°Thank you so much for protecting my family. Leave everything to me from here.¡±


    ¡°Howl!¡±


    Wolf daddy raised his head and made a howl, then lowered his eyes to give Yan Shengrui an arrogant look, then brought Dahei and Xiaohei who still wanted to get some intimacy with him to leave. Ling Chenglong and others behind already got stoned there. Zeng Shaoqing came forward and threw him a punch, ¡°Finally you are back. Jingxuan¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Before he could finish his words, the delivery room came a shriek. The next second, Yan Shengrui disappeared on the spot where he was standing. Others also cast everything behind and all watched the delivery room. As for Ling Jingwei and his people, of course, Yan Shengrui¡¯s personal guards would ¡®serve¡¯ them well.


    ¡°Jingxuan!¡±


    Rushing into the delivery room, Yan Shengrui threw himself by the bedside, his nearly shaking hand grasped his hand and pressed it against on his face, ¡°Jing Xuan, I¡¯m back, I¡¯m back¡­¡±


    Yan Shengrui¡¯s voice was hoarse, and Ling Jingxuan who was in the midst of labor pains suddenly opened his eyes. Without saying a word, he pulled his hand and bit on it. The smell of blood spread through his whole mouth. Instead of groaning or what, Yan Shengrui even didn¡¯t blink, instead, he even sent his hand deeper in his mouth. As long as this could alleviate his pains, then it was worth it!

 Chapter 441

    ¡°The¡­interest¡­well¡­¡±


    No one knew how long they had been staring at each other like that, the blood was already dripping along the corner of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s mouth and then he slowly opened his mouth and pronounced those two words. Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t even look at his injured hand. Afraid that the blood might soil him, he specially used the other hand to touch his face, ¡°As long as you are happy. Sorry, I came back late.¡±


    According to his original plan, he should have come back last month to accompany him for the delivery, who knows¡­Man proposes, but heaven disposes, in the most relaxed time while they were sending those captives back, they incredibly met Prince Longxie, the most valiant figure of the Nomads, then he only got back till now after getting seriously wounded. Fortunately he made it back before his delivery, otherwise, even if Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t punish him, he¡¯d give himself two slaps.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­um¡­¡±


    As time passed by, the feeling of labor pains became more and more intense, the interval also became shorter and shorter, Ling Jingxuan grabbed his hand, with his eyes signaling him to stay, he did not want to look so fragile, but¡­it¡¯s really painful, so painful that his lower body almost got numb!


    Seeing him in such pains, Yan Shengrui grabbed his hand tightly, giving him power, meanwhile, he told him that he¡¯d stay by his side. The unlatched door was suddenly pushed open, two child doctors came in one after the other holding a tray in their hands. When they saw Yan Shengrui, they were both stunned, with doubting flashing across their eyes. The next second, as they saw their hands holding together, they knew he should be their Master Sheng. It was really not their fault that they couldn¡¯t recognize him in the first place, since now Yan Shengrui was wearing whiskers all over his face, except that pair of sharp peach blossom eyes, one couldn¡¯t tell what he looked like now. Only Ling Jingxuan could recognize him on the first sight.


    ¡°Brother Shan, noodles are here.¡±


    After bowing to him, the two of them turned to Zhao Shan, with their eyes meaningfully turning to Yan Shengrui. Although they also learned medical skills from Ling Jingxuan, they were essentially different from Zhao Shan, since only Zhao Shan was Ling Jingxuan¡¯s disciple, they were just some servants learning medial skills, so they dare not ask the master to make way.


    ¡°Hmm. Uncle Sheng, my shifu¡¯s orifice hasn¡¯t fully opened. I guess he won¡¯t give birth until tonight or even tomorrow. We need to feed him some noodles to replenish his strength first. Let them bandage your hand first.¡±


    Nodding, Zhao Shan said those words as calm as possible. Previously, from Ling Jingxuan and Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s conversation, he and Ling Yun learned that his real identity, the legendary  valiant Prince Sheng, if it were not for a few months staying with Ling Jingxuan and having learned a lot of things, he might have had his legs softened now.


    ¡°Give it to me.¡±


    Yan Shengrui lightly glanced at the two child doctors, bent over to hold up Ling Jingxuan¡¯s upper body, let him lean against his chest and then stretched out a hand. The child doctor hurriedly handed the noodles over, at the same time, Zhao Shan moved over to give Ling Jingxuan the acupuncture treatment to temporarily ease his pains, while Yan Shengrui was feeding Ling Jingxuan some food, Zhao Shan calmly commanded others to prepare things he needed next, even the scalpels, which belonged to Ling Jingxuan. A long time before, he had told that if he really couldn¡¯t deliver the baby, he should do the laparotomy for him. Although Ling Jingxuan had taught him how to do it, like how to suture the wounds¡­he had no practical experience before, if possible, he really didn¡¯t want to make it to that step.


    ¡°You said Shengrui is Prince Sheng? The legendary one?¡±


    Outside, Ye Ruyun together with Yan Yi had locked those people in the warehouse. After learning Yan Shengrui¡¯s identity, Ling Chenglong and his wife almost fainted on spot, if it weren¡¯t for Zhao&Han couple timely supporting them, they¡¯d already lost their manner. Lady Wang who came to her sense dare not look at Ye Ruyun at all, so she could only turn to Ling Jingpeng with both nervousness and expectation.


    ¡°Hmm, Brother Sheng is the legendary Prince Sheng. This time he has rendered meritorious service at the borders and should have returned in triumph with the soldiers, but he left everything to Duke Zeng and hurried all the way back.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng nodded, he could understand his parents¡¯ shock, when he had first learnt it, wasn¡¯t he the same reaction? But later, he thought it was nothing huge. He was still his Brother Rui, whether he was Prince Sheng or Yan Shengrui, as long as he still acknowledged it.


    ¡°Then our Jingxuan¡­¡±


    Lady Wang really felt that she was going to pass out, a little stuttering. Ling Jingpeng smiled, saying with an affirmative tone, ¡°Then my big brother is the first wife.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god¡­¡±


    Lady Wang stumbled in a very exaggerating way. Ye Ruyun took a big stride and held her, ¡°Mom, are you all right?¡±


    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    Hearing that address, Lady Wang got even more dumbfounded, even Ling Chenglong scratched their heads and had no idea what was happening. Ling Jingpeng came forward and grasped Ye Ruyun¡¯s hand and introduced embarrassedly, ¡°Dad, mom, she is my fianc¨¦e Ye Ruyun, we have been engaged at the borders, Brother Rui presided it for us. Sorry, it¡¯s supposed to be presided by both of you, but I¡­I really like Ruyun. Hope you can make us!¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingpeng knelt before them in front of everyone. Ye Ruyun looked at him and then Ling Chenglong and his wife, and then got down on one knee. Don¡¯t blame her not having no etiquettes, her job was leading the soldiers to fight the enemies. So she had never learned those things.


    ¡°What are you talking about? Ye¡­Ruyun, right? Get up quickly. Since Shengrui presided it, we have nothing to say. It¡¯s just we feel sorry about you. As his parents, we weren¡¯t there.¡±


    Ling Chenglong and his wife got startled, and hurriedly held her up. Lady Wang then pulled Ye Ruyun¡¯s hand, as she touched the callus in her palm, she had some kind of indescribable feeling in the heart. As a general¡¯s daughter, her hands were even coarse than hers. Should be a good kid.

 Chapter 442

    ¡°Mom, it¡¯s OK. Old Ye¡­no, I mean my father said that since I have been engaged with Jingpeng, I am wife of the Ling family. I am not that kind of lady of those big families, and I also don¡¯t know how to get along with women, let alone doing things like embroidering. And I guess I am bad-tempered, easy to get mad, anyhow, I have many shortcomings, not that kind of traditional daughter-in-law, but Jingpeng and I will show our filial piety to you two and I hope you can also accept me. I will try my best to learn to be a good daughter-in-law.¡±


    Unlike those single ladies who would blush even when talking to strangers, Ye Ruyun just put everything straightforwardly. Ordinary families would never accept such a woman as their daughter-in-law, but Ling Chenglong and his wife nodded with satisfaction, ¡°OK, good kid, mom will also take you as my own daughters. If Jingpeng dare bully you, just let me know. I will beat him for you.¡±


    As a peasant family, they didn¡¯t pay much attention to those etiquettes like those big families. And because of Ling Jingxuan, everyone in this family was straightforward. So, apparently Ye Ruyun¡¯s characters really suited them. You couldn¡¯t imagine how happy Lady Wang was. At first, she was afraid the other side was a spoiled one and maybe unreasonable, but seen from now, she could only say their third son really had a good taste!


    Seeing that his future wife seemed to have received the acknowledgement of his parents, Ling Jingpeng only smiled foolishly there. After a few months at the boarders, he had grown a lot taller, and also a lot tougher, but still in good spirits, and it looked like his momentum also stronger.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    The evening wore on, in the delivery room came Ling Jingxuan¡¯s stifling growling from time to time, and all people outside hung their hearts in the throat. It was almost a day and he still hadn¡¯t given birth. Everyone was afraid it might be a difficult labor or what. After school, the little buns also nervously nestled in Ling Chenglong and his wife¡¯s arms, with those widened eyes filled with fear and worries.


    ¡°Grandma, why hasn¡¯t our little brother come out yet? Daddy¡¯s in pain¡­¡±


    Ling Wu had tears in his eyes, obviously he was so worried, he still didn¡¯t forget to lower his voice, so as not to influence daddy¡¯s emotions.


    ¡°Giving birth is all like that. The baby wouldn¡¯t come out before a few hours. Be good. Don¡¯t worry about it. It should be soon¡­I guess.¡±


    Lady Wang held the child tightly, her voice rendering with a little quiver. Under normal circumstances, the first one should be difficult, and the second one would be much quicker. That year, when Ling Jingxuan gave birth to Wen and Wu, due to the bad conditions, they were as small as the kitties. And Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t suffer much. But now it¡¯d been so long. She also couldn¡¯t help feeling worried.


    On the other side, Ling Wen, who in Ling Chenglong¡¯s arms, silently stared at the delivery room, murmuring, ¡°Little brother, come out quickly, don¡¯t let daddy suffer. Be good, OK? I¡¯m begging you, little brother¡­¡±


    Because everyone¡¯s attention was on the delivery room, no one noticed his mumbling, and inside the delivery room, Ling Jingxuan had changed his clothes three times, all got wetted by the sweat. Yan Shengrui tweaked his ears and scratched his cheeks on the side, looking so sorry for his wife.


    ¡°Has the orifice opened a little bigger?¡±


    Squatting beside the bed, holding his wife¡¯s hand tightly, Yan Shengrui could not help yelling When the baby came out, he¡¯d definitely beat his buttocks. See how he had tortured his wife into?


    ¡°Opened, opened! Stop massaging the belly for shifu. Cooperate with me and try to push the baby down gently. Shifu, I will count one two three and we do it together!¡±


    Sweat dripped from Zhao Shan¡¯s face, who was standing in between Ling Jingxuan¡¯s legs while giving orders as calmly as he could. The two child doctors who were giving Ling Jingxuan a massage nodded, then another child doctor took out a piece of the prepared ginseng and fed it into Ling Jingxuan¡¯s mouth. Yan Shengrui said apologetically, ¡°Jingxuan, hold it there! It¡¯d soon come out!¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Nodding while containing the ginseng in his mouth, Ling Jingxuan tried to adjust his breaths. Seeing that, Zhao Shan said deeply, ¡°One, two, three, shifu!¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Hearing Zhao Shan¡¯s cry, Ling Jingxuan held his breath and tried to push hard. At the same time, two child doctors also cooperated with him to massage his stomach. Zhao Shan lowered his head and stared at his thing without even blinking, ¡°Very good, the fetal position is perfect, should come out smoothly, shifu, let¡¯s do it again!¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    After doing it several times, it hurt so much that Ling Jingxuan almost turned numb, and changed the ginseng piece in his mouth on and on. After about half hour later, as he nearly had no strength, Zhao Shan snapped, ¡° I see the head. Shifu, push again! You guys prepare things for cleaning! Come on! One two three¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    A sharp scream pierced through the whole room, Ling Jingxuan only felt like something slip out of his stomach, and then passed out before he figured it out.


    ¡°Jingxuan!¡±


    Seeing that, Yan Shengrui called him, then grabbed his hand and transferred his internal force into his body. Now Zhao Shan already had no time for his fainted shifu, he only neatly carried the baby up and gently patted on his butts.


    ¡°Waah¡­¡±


    Hearing the baby crying, people in and out of the door couldn¡¯t help feeling much relieved. But after only one cry, the baby just stopped. And people outside started to get worried. After a careful checking of the baby, after making sure there was no problem, Zhao Shan cut off his umbilical cord and handed him to the child doctor for cleaning. And then he turned around and threw himself in the remedial work. His shifu¡¯s down part got split, so he must do the suturing for him. He had ever done it on animals only, not that hard, at least better than an abdominal delivery.


    ¡°Congratulations, Lord Sheng! It¡¯s a boy, six jin!¡±


    Shortly after, the child doctor handed the cleaned and wrapped baby to Yan Shengrui. Without even giving him a look, Yan Shengrui said with a deep voice, ¡°Take him down for self-reflection!¡±


    Torturing his wife like that! It wouldn¡¯t do even if it was his son!


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    The child doctor was so speechless. A new-born child for self-reflection? Is he really his father?


    ¡°Take him to his grandparents.¡±


    Zhao Shan who had finished everything helplessly shook his head, then walked over and said gently, ¡°Uncle Sheng, I need to feel the impulse for shifu.¡±


    ¡°What? Will Jingxuan be all right?¡±


    Yan Shengrui moved aside to make room for him. But before Zhao Shan even put his hand on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s, he anxiously asked already. After signaling him to stay calm with an eye, Zhao Shan only pressed Ling Jingxuan¡¯s wrist again. After a while, he said with a faint smile, ¡°Everything is fine. Shifu just passed out due to exhaustion. Uncle Sheng, could you please hold him up? We need to change the sheets.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Hearing that, Yan Shengrui finally felt relaxed, bent down and carried him up carefully. The child doctors quickly pulled off the dirty quilts and sheets and changed the clean ones. A tough day was finally over.

 Chapter 443

    Now having another chubby son at home, everyone was overjoyed, even the horror that Ling Jingwei had brought to them was already nowhere to find. Ling Wen and Ling Wu never kept their hands off the tiny bun. When sleeping at night, they both insisted sharing the same bed with him, making everyone so amused. Finally, Lady Wang could only ask the nanny they had already brought home sleep in the next room of Ling Jingxuan¡¯s with the three little buns.


    Late at the quiet night, everyone already fell asleep, and in the delivery room which had taken on an entirely new look, Yan Shengrui sat on the bedside, held Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand and stared at him without even blinking, sometimes stretching out his hand to smoothen his hair for him, sometimes stroking his tender cheeks, while he himself still wore that travel-stained appearance. His whiskers all over the face masked his charm, and except that pair of peach blossom eyes, there was almost no breath of the individual Yan Shengrui on him.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan, who had been sleeping ever since the baby was born, moved his body and wrinkled his eyebrows. Yan Shengrui leaned by his ear to comfort her, ¡°It¡¯s all right, the baby has been born. Take some sleep I will stay here with you, be good, sleep.¡±


    While saying so, he gently patted him, the sleeping Ling Jingxuan seemed to feel his presence, his knitted eyebrows gradually loosened, then fell asleep again, he was really too exhausted, delivering a baby already let his physical strength overdraft. Otherwise, as alert as he was, at this time he should have already opened his eyes.


    Early the next morning, Ling Jingxuan looked into that pair of bright eyes as. Even if he had stayed up the whole night last night, his eyes were still brimming with radiating vigour. He didn¡¯t say anything. Their eyes just got intertwined in the air heatedly. And his hand having been held tightly by the other side the whole night slightly struggled to break away. He raised a hand to touch his face full of whiskers, cherry lips slightly moving, ¡°Morning, husband.¡±


    The word husband nearly made Yan Shengrui cry. His strong body suddenly pounced over at him, after making sure he didn¡¯t press him too hard, Yan Shengrui buried his head in his neck and greedily inhaled the smell that only belonged to him, ¡°Morning, my crown princess, missed you so much¡­.¡±


    Missed him so so much. He had never known it was so torturing and sweet when missing someone. The moment he left home to head for the battlefield, he had already started to miss him. All the way, that kind of missing feeling got widespread and uncurbed, and made him generate the idea of going back. When he brought the solders to go behind the enemy lines, when he got lost in the desert, when they couldn¡¯t find any water source for a few days, in his head was all him. And when they broke through all the obstacles and aimed all the way into the capital of the Nomads and defeated them outside the boarders, he only wished he could grow out a pair of wings to fly back to his side at the fastest speed. When in coma after being poisoned, he kept murmuring his name. At the critical moment, the only thing he couldn¡¯t let go was him and their children. Finally he survived, and he didn¡¯t want to spend one more minute at the boarders. After taking care of those important and urgent matters, he immediately came back at top speed. Forget about all the pains on the way. The moment he saw him, he knew it was all worth it.


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    The still slightly pale face was stained with a smile of happiness, at this moment, without any word, two close hearts triumphed everything.


    ¡°Oh right, where is the baby?¡±


    No one knew how long it had passed. Ling Jingxuan suddenly asked, and Yan Shengrui who was burying his head in this neck couldn¡¯t help going stiff, saying with a stuffy voice, ¡°I asked them to carry him down for self-reflection.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan got dumbfounded. Does he know what he is saying? Does a newborn baby know about self-reflection? Is he trying to amuse him?


    ¡°He has made you in great pains for so long. Even if he is our son, it¡¯s still unforgivable.¡±


    Sensing what he was thinking, Yan ShengRui held up his body and said snappishly. He even had never said any harsh words to his wife, while that little bastard had tortured him like that. Self-reflection was already the slightest punishment!


    Yeah, for his wife, he¡¯d be enemies with a little baby.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you childish? He is just a baby, all right?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes helplessly. He highly doubted if his husband had been swapped out there. Why this as*hole performed totally unlike his husband?


    ¡°So what? It¡¯s his bad to make you suffer. I also show mercy not to spank him.¡±


    It was mainly because he only had his wife in his eyes now and had no spare time, otherwise, he¡¯d really spank him.


    ¡°Er¡­you¡¯re so hopeless.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan instantly got no strength to complain. His husband had gone further and further away on the road of being an idiot.


    ¡°My crown princess, can I take some rest with you? I am tired!¡±


    Not wanting to linger on this topic, Yan Shengrui pulled his hand shamelessly. Seeing that he kept winking at him and tried to act cute before him, if it were ordinary times, Ling Jingxuan might really think he was cute. But at this moment, he was wearing whiskers all over his face, so sloppy. Cute? He even gave him the feelings of obscene, all right? Ling Jingxuan tried his best to control the muscles at the corner of his mouth from twitching, ¡°But before that, shouldn¡¯t you go clean yourself up first?¡±


    It was not that he was a face-con, the thing is he was really too shaggy. It he wanted to take some rest, he could only rest well with a clean body.


    ¡°Hmm! Wait for me!¡±


    With his wife¡¯s permission, Yan Shengrui nodded, leaned over and pecked on his lips, then turned around, and went to the bathroom as he grabbed some clean clothes.

 Chapter 444

    Watching his back, Ling Jingxuan helplessly shook his head, his lips rendering with a happy and sweet shallow smile. It was so good that he could have made it back. Heaven knew how worried he was yesterday. He was never a soft man, but under such circumstances yesterday, he really wished that his beloved one could stay by his side. Even if he didn¡¯t do anything, only staying by his side was enough.


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    The two little buns who had already gotten up early looked inside through the door. The careful appearance was so cute. Ling Jingxuan stretched out his hands and said with a bright smile, ¡°Come here. Daddy is fine.¡±


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    Like receiving an amnesty, the two little buns rushed at him while calling him with a sobbing tone. But after arriving at the bedside, the two brothers stopped. After taking a look at him gingerly, Ling Wen pulled his younger brother¡¯s hand and walked over, and then touched Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face with the other hand, ¡°Daddy, don¡¯t blame our little brother, OK? He is really well-behaved. He didn¡¯t cry the whole night yesterday. I guess it should be that it¡¯s the first time he came to our family, so he dare not come out. We don¡¯t punish him, OK? I will take care of him for you. I won¡¯t let him bother you again.¡±


    Ling Wen¡¯s eyes were reddened and he said in a choked voice. He was worried about his daddy but also cared about his little brother. He didn¡¯t want his little brother to be punished.


    ¡°Huh? Daddy didn¡¯t punish him.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan said with confusion. What he didn¡¯t know was, Ling Wen was just kidding to plead for his little brother here. Yesterday when the child doctor carried the baby out, he had delivered Prince Sheng¡¯s order. The whole family immediately split their sides with laughter. Zeng Shaoqing even added fuel to the fire saying that Yan Shengrui did the right thing. After getting up, the two little buns already watched the nanny change the diaper and breast-fed him, later Lady Wang came back with Wang Jinyu and his son who had gone back home yesterday. The two little buns meant to bring their younger brother for their daddy, but Lady Wang knew that their father and daddy should have a lot to talk after such a long separation, not wanting them to disturb them, she acted as the bad one this time and said that their younger brother was still in his self-reflection and was not allowed to see their daddy. So, back to the former scene why Ling Wen pleaded for his little brother.


    ¡°Really? How about daddy tells father not to punish our little brother?¡±


    The two brothers gave each other a surprised look and this time, it was Ling Wu¡¯s turn to plead for their little brother, who kept winking trying to act cute and melt their daddy¡¯s heart. Hearing here, Ling Jingxuan basically knew the whole story, so he said with a shallow smile, ¡°it¡¯s OK. Your father is just kidding with your little brother. Hasn¡¯t your father always cared about you? Your little brother is also his son, of course he¡¯d take good care of him with you.¡±


    ¡°No, father doesn¡¯t care about us at all, otherwise, he did he leave without saying goodbye?¡±


    As they thought this thing was over, Ling Wu crossed his hands before the chest, tilted his head, a total ¡®this isn¡¯t over¡¯ appearance, while Ling Wen who was standing side by side with him also pouted to express his dissatisfaction. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling, then with a sweep, he saw that Yan Shengrui who had become brand new happened to come out of the bathroom, an evil plan came across his head¡ªto let his sons punish their proud prince!


    Young though, the two little brothers knew how to read other¡¯s face. Seeing their daddy¡¯s strange expression, they both turned around and saw their Lord Father who had shaven his whiskers and looked handsome again came in, ignoring his big smile at them, the two little buns both crossed their hands before the chest and tilted their heads totally ignoring him. Still mad at him!


    ¡°Wen, Wu, you are up early today.¡±


    Sensing his sons¡¯ irritation, Yan Shengrui walked over to them and said awkwardly. He stretched out his hands trying to touch them, but got dodged on both sides.


    ¡°Hum! I¡¯m still mad at you, very!¡±


    Ling Wu gave a light snort and stressed the last word only afraid he didn¡¯t know. Not so childish like him, Ling Wen only glowered at him. Though anxious in the heart, Yan Shengrui still faked a bothered expression, sat by the bedside cross-legged while giving a sigh, ¡°What should I do? For my precious sons, I have specially let them forge two sets of knife, sword, bow and crossbow. Since you are still mad at me, maybe I can only take them out after you are no longer mad at me.¡±


    Hum! To calculate with him? Still too early!


    ¡°Really? Father, I want it, I want it now¡­¡±


    On hearing it was something he had long wanted, Ling Wu instantly forgot what he had insisted just now, and threw himself at him like a pug wailing its tail, while Ling Wen didn¡¯t perform it so obviously, but also looked up at him with those brightened eyes. Ling Jingxuan helplessly held his forehead. His two little buns were really too wavering! Only a set of toys bought them! As a result, he had no chance to see a big father-sons fight. What a shame!


    ¡°Then aren¡¯t you still mad at father?¡±


    Yan Shengrui smiled and flicked Ling Wu¡¯s forehead with satisfaction. The little fellow nodded hurriedly, ¡°No, I like father the most.¡±


    ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll forgive you temporarily if you don¡¯t punish out little brother.¡±


    Ling Wen still didn¡¯t forget to defend their little brother. Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t help smiling. Come on! His little son even knew to negotiate with him! Impressive! That was his son!

 Chapter 445

    Overnight, news that Ling Jingxuan¡¯s man was the God of War Prince Sheng spread through the whole village. And those villagers who had already been afraid of Ling Jingxuan only feared of him more. That¡¯s the prince! Forget about his was the invincible guardian angel of the whole Qing Kingdom who had the highest position in all civilians¡¯ heart, only his background would make them flinch.


    Of course, only those holding some ill intentions or those who were distanced from them would be afraid, those who were close to Ling Jingxuan like Zhao &Han couple and Old Wang didn¡¯t feel any difference. Actually they had already guessed that Yan Shengrui¡¯s background wouldn¡¯t be simple, it was just no one spoke it out. As long as Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t change, they also wouldn¡¯t change. Maybe in others¡¯ eyes, they were thick-skinned trying to suck up to someone out of their league, but it was OK as long as they didn¡¯t think it that way. A sentence Ling Jingxuan often said had great influence on them¡ªas long as they live happily, why cares about what others¡¯ say?


    On the morning of the second day after Ling Jingxuan¡¯s delivery, many people sent their congratulatory gifts, including Shopkeeper Zhang in the town and Shopkeeper Wang from the county, because Xinyuan and Baiyunge had come to the Ling Village every day to fetch goods and they were well-informed. Only in the afternoon, Zhang Qing, who came back from the business trip in the prefecture, Ling Jinghan who had just finished his autumn exams and even had no time to check the results came back in a hurry with Yuan Shaoqi.


    ¡°Oh, Shengrui, is this little thing giving me a despising look?¡±


    The baby bed in the room had been set up, a group of people around the bed dandled the tiny bun sound sleeping. Suddenly, Zeng Shaoqing snapped and stared at the tiny bun who had just closed his eyes to fall asleep again angrily. He swore that he didn¡¯t see it wrong, the tiny bun really threw him a despising eye. He just poked his little face gently. Did he need to do that?


    ¡°Who let you touch him with your rough hand?¡±


    After taking full rest and feeling refreshed, Yan Shengrui finally saw his little wrinkled son, although having made the self-reflection joke, he still cared about his son. See? As Zeng Shaoqing complained, he instantly argued back, using sarcasm.


    ¡°Eh¡­you son-con!¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing darkened his face. Is he that Yan Shengrui he knew?


    ¡°It¡¯s better than you having no son at all!¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    As those words came out, Zeng Shaoqing directly shrank into a corner. People of the whole room laughed. Ling Jinghan stretched out a hand to touch his little nephew¡¯s face, then looked up at his big brother leaning against the bed, ¡°You know what, this kiddo is a chickabiddy. Since I came back, he hasn¡¯t even cried once, only just whimpered one or two when feeling hungry just now.¡±


    After he said that, everyone noticed this point. Then they recalled that when he was just born, Zhao Shan gave him a slap in the butts, he just made a cry and stopped. Wouldn¡¯t the kid be too well-behaving?


    ¡°Hehe¡­I have given him a full body check, should be no problem, the newborn child¡¯s brain is still developing, it¡¯s normal that he sleeps more and cries less.¡±


    Knowing what they were worried about, Ling Jingxuan explained with a faint smile, in fact, thinking carefully, he had also ever suspected if this kid was the reincarnation of the God of Sleep. Since he had been pregnant with him, he started to have narcolepsy. See? After he was born, he became the one who had narcolepsy.


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? My little grandson is so cute. Loo! This little face looks much like our Jingxuan.¡±


    Lady Wang threw him a hard stare, whose eyes looking at the tiny bun were full of tenderness. But following their eyes to see, they got stoned. Where does he look like Ling Jingxuan? So wrinkled all over! Especially Yan Shengrui. He complained in the heart. Since when his Jingxuan has become that wrinkled like some pickles?


    ¡°Hehe¡­babies are all like this when born. After a few days when his little face spread, it must be very pretty.¡±


    Knowing what they were thinking, Wang Jinyu smiled while shaking her head helplessly, then couldn¡¯t help stretching out a hand to touch the tiny bun. And Ling Wen who was guarding aside instantly held his head high proudly, ¡°Yeah, my little brother should be prettier than daddy.¡±


    ¡°I also want to look like daddy.¡±


    Ling Wu excitedly raised his hand, then Zeng Shaoqing beside found it amused and poked his head, ¡°Forget about that, you can only look like your father in this life.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    The crowd couldn¡¯t help but burst out laughing again. As people had enough fun, Ling Jingxuan asked the nanny to take the kid away. Knowing that they should have something to talk about, Ling Chenglong, his wife and the old couple under the support of Wang Jinyu made an excuse and left. Their kids were all adults and knew what they were doing, so there was no need for them to stay.


    In the end, only Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan, Zeng Shaoqing, Ling Jinghan, Yuan Shaoqi, Ling Jingpeng, Ye Ruyun, Zhang Qing, Zhang Yang, Zhao&Han couple, Ling Yun and Song Shuisheng stayed. The three little buns also left obediently with Lady Wang and others.


    ¡°How do you want those people in the warehouse to die?¡±


    A few moments later, Yan Shengrui broke the silence. They even had the balls trying to hurt his wife. Death would be the simplest for them! But he respected his wife¡¯s opinion. Whether to dismember them or skin them or what, he¡¯d like to do it himself!


    ¡°Well¡­I remember Ling Jingwei said yesterday that he is the son-in-law of the Gui family, right? Last time, you said you were going to submit the memorials about how all officials of Gui family embezzled money and accepted bribes to that one in the palace. Why does it seem to have no influence on them at all?¡±


    The smile on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face instantly disappeared. Yesterday, although he was in great labor pains, he didn¡¯t miss seeing or hearing anything, including Ling Jingwei trying to kill his dad and how he threatened them. He didn¡¯t step into things in the court much, so he was not quite clear about it. He only knew that all branches of Xinyue Gold Shop in the two prefectures under Gui family were at the edge of going bankrupt under the pressure of their Baiyunge. Next, he planned to suppress them in larger areas, letting the Gui family¡¯s economic lifeline paralyzed.

 Chapter 446

    ¡°it¡¯s the Xiao family. They spoke for the Gui family. After all, Shengrui is not in the capital, some things are out of his control. Although Yunhan and Seven did something behind the back, and the Gui family¡¯s forces in the capital also got severely damaged, at the critical moment, Xiao family stood out, plus the two women in the palace also spoke some nice words for them when in bed with His Majesty, then His Majesty no longer kept suppressing them. Now the Gui family has already been kicked out of the list of the big families in the capital. But never expected that their branch in Cangzhou still has some influence. They even planted their son-in-law in the army under Shengrui¡¯s governing, now he even brought Shengrui¡¯s soldiers to break into your personal mansion. So unbelievable! Who gave them the right?¡±


    The more Zeng Shaoqing said, the more speechless. The military power of the two prefectures was Yan Shengrui¡¯s hands. So their own soldiers tried to kill their own crown princess. If people heard about it, people would laugh at Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Hehe¡­really? I wonder what charges is it for the Gui family trying to kill the crown princess and the little princes?¡±


    Still a faint smile, but this time it gave one some kind of creepy feeling. Gui family shouldn¡¯t exist now.


    ¡°The lightest charge is all men would get beheaded and all women will all get reduced to slaves. And the heaviest charge is kill them all, all nine generations up and down.¡±


    Yan Shengrui indifferently picked up his words. For someone like him who was born in the imperial family, exterminating an entire big family was such a common thing. It already couldn¡¯t arouse the slightest sympathy of him. Being benevolent with the enemies is being cruel to yourself. If he let them go today, it¡¯d be like cherishing a snake in the bosom. Those big families in the capital were unlike those small families in the countryside. With a slight chance, they might strike back.


    ¡°If you submit the memorials to His Majesty yourself, will those two Beauties could still protect their whole Xiao family?¡±


    Without 100& confidence to destroy them, he didn¡¯t want to take the plunge, anyhow, cutting off their funding sources and destroying them little by little may also be a way.


    ¡°Hum! What do you think?¡±


    Yan Shengrui pouted, in his heart, those people were already dead. He knew his imperial elder brother insisted defending them, then he should know what it would be like before the court after he went back. But he didn¡¯t think his imperial elder brother was that kind of person who would fall out with his for two women. What¡¯s more, he had just made huge contributions for the kingdom.


    ¡°Then please submit the memorials, my prince. None of the Gui family should live!¡±


    Don¡¯t blame him for being too heartless. They had different stands. And Ling Jingwei must die in his hands. In case they might strike back, he must remove the source of the trouble. Otherwise, how could he protect his three sons?


    ¡°OK, I will write it later.¡±


    In the front of others, he was the prince, but in front of Ling Jingxuan, he was his man forever, this pair of husband and husband stuffed others dog food anytime and anywhere. Others were fine, but Zeng Shaoqing and Yuan Shaoqing who were still single couldn¡¯t help complaining in their heart, and also secretly swore they¡¯d nail their other half as soon as possible!


    ¡°Those are your soldiers, so you decide. As for Ling Chengcai and his family, I happen to think our house it too clean, maybe we could use their blood to dirty it a bit. Ruyun, sorry to trouble you to bring them out of the gate and behead them all. Ling Yun, Shuisheng, try to spread the news. I will let everyone know the price to pay for offending my Yuehua Manor!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan at the moment could only be described using words like cruel, heartless and bloodthirsty. But they shouldn¡¯t have kept challenging his bottom lines again and again. Since so, he¡¯d let them play their last part in their life¡ªto use their blood to warn those who still held some ill intentions against them. Then, even if he left some day, no one would ever have the balls to bully his parents again.


    Yan Shengrui who knew about him best knew that he was not only fighting back, but also planned to make preparations for their departure. Holding his hand, Yan Shengrui gave him silent support. He always liked handling things with his own hands, rarely asking his help, and that was all he could do.


    ¡°Yes, my crown princess!¡±


    Ye Ruyun who had been used to blood totally found nothing wrong with it. She got up and cupped her hands and received the task. Compared with her, Ling Yun looked a bit too weak.


    ¡°Big brother, tomorrow is the third day the baby comes to this world and we need to throw him a shower. So I will bring our parents to buy some presents in town, so, how about we do it in the afternoon?¡±


    It would be a lie if they said that they were not scared. After all, they were just some ignorant farmers who had never heard of such horrible things. But Ling Jinghan soon accepted it. If it hadn¡¯t been that Ling Jingwei tried to kill their father and and tried to occupy all their properties, how would they have ended up like this? They only had themselves to blame for being too greedy and blindly chasing things that did not belong to them.


    Not to mention, Ling Jingpeng. During the past few months at the boarders, he had experienced too much. Zhang Qing, Zhang Yang and Zhao&Han couple had stayed by Ling Jingxuan¡¯s side for a long time, their acceptability had also greatly improved, almost like Ling Jinghan, soon agreed with his decision.


    As for Zeng Shaoqing and Yuan Shaoqi, didn¡¯t you they totally wore an approving face. To them, this was just a small thing.


    ¡°All right, you set out early tomorrow morning.¡±


    Knowing that he was afraid that their parents might feel sad or scared seeing them get killed with their own eyes, Ling Jingxuan nodded slightly. It was not a bad thing not to let them see it. In fact, given his style of doing thing, if it hadn¡¯t been for the sake of his parents, no one knew how many times those people of old Ling family had died already. Their concession only exchanged of their insatiability. So, why should he still show mercy?


    ¡°We¡¯ll also go. I asked for a leave for the kids, so they don¡¯t have to go to school, we¡¯ll go with the kids. I heard that Wen got out his saving pot again today.¡±


    Speaking of this, Han Fei could not help but chuckle. Really a rare thing that Wen would offer to buy stuff for his younger brothers. When he heard that from Tiewa¡¯s mouth, he was so surprised.


    ¡°Really? It seems that our stingy big bun is ready to waste some money.¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan also smiled. After last time¡¯s thing, their stingy big son had really learned a lesson. Even if he didn¡¯t need money, he¡¯d take one tael of silver on him in case of need. After he got pregnant with the tiny bun, the two brothers had even ever asked Old Song to take them to town to buy a lot of toys for the tiny bun. And now he took out his saving pot again, which was really a rare thing.


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Except Zeng Shaoqing and Ye Ruyun, everyone present had ever witnessed the stinginess of the big bun, including Yuan Shaoqi who was the last time join them. Hearing their conversation, they all laughed. Few had ever let Ling Wen take the initiative to spend money for him. And the tiny bun should be the only one who he was willing to spend money for him again and again.

 Chapter 447

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    Early in the morning the next day, after eating breakfast, Ling Jinghan took his parents to town using the excuse of making preparations for his little nephew¡¯s shower rituals. Zhang Qing was also afraid that his mom would be scared, so he asked Zhang Yang to take Wang Jinyu to go with them. The three little buns had to prepare gifts for their little brother, of course they¡¯d also go. Before leaving, they still left like numerous kisses on the tiny bun, only wishing to tie him up around their waist and bring him with them. For Zhao&Han couple, only Han Fei went with them, with Yan Yi and Yan Si protecting them.


    After the three carriages drove out of the gate, Ye Ruyun took several of her trusted soldiers to pull out Ling Chengcai and others, who were already dizzy with hunger in the warehouse. As for the other soldiers, as early as yesterday afternoon, Yan Shengrui had ordered to dispose of them all.


    ¡°What are you doing? Let us go¡­ This is against the law¡­¡±


    ¡°Mom, I am scared. Ask second uncle to set us free¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the son-in-law of Gui family. You can¡¯t do this to me¡­Get off me¡­¡±


    The whole family was still yelling and threatening, totally had no idea that death was waiting for them. Ling Jingpeng handed over a paper with the crimes they had committed, Ye Ruhun took a look after receiving it and then passed it to one of her trusted soldiers.


    ¡°What are you doing? What do you want? Trying to kill the crown princess, I didn¡¯t do that¡­¡±


    Without even looking at it, that soldier pulled Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand and pressed it on it. Peeping at what was written on it, Ling Jingwei changed his face instantly. Until now, he still had no idea where those people came from. And why Ling Jingxuan knew someone everyone called him my prince. No, to be more exact, he vaguely knew, but he just wouldn¡¯t want to admit it. Beating and trying to kill the crown princess¡­trying to occupy all the crown princess¡¯ properties¡­Disturbing the crown princess from giving birth, any one of them was enough to get him skinned, but he just refused to believe that that man Ling Jingxuan mentioned was actually the prince!


    ¡°How dare you even offend Crown Princess Sheng? Are those holes above your nose? Take him out and cut off his head!¡±


    Putting away the indictment, Ye Ruyun gave a cold snort. Who didn¡¯t know that Prince Sheng was the noblest prince of the kingdom! He even didn¡¯t need to get on his knees when seeing His Majesty! Never expected his crown princess got bullied to this extent! SO outrageous!


    ¡°What? Crown Princess Sheng?¡±


    ¡°No, we didn¡¯t know! Jingpeng, please help us. We know are wrong¡­Please let us see Jingxuan. We¡¯ll kowtow to him to apologize! I¡¯m begging you¡­¡±


    Ling Chengcai and others were surprised. And Lady Li who was the first to react threw herself by Ling Jingpeng¡¯s feet, trying to begging while holding his leg. If she had known that Ling Jingxuan is the crown princess, she would never have the balls to instigate his husband and sons to provoke him! She was wrong, she meant it¡­


    ¡°Jingpeng, I am your big uncle by blood, please help us¡­¡±


    ¡°Jingpeng, Jingpeng¡­I don¡¯t want to die¡­please spare us¡­¡±


    Ling Chengcai and Ling Xiaoran crawled over crying, leaving Ling Jingwen alone collapsing on the ground. If it had been before, maybe Ling Jingpeng would really get his heart softened. But now¡­He kicked them away and then said coldly with one hand held behind, ¡°It¡¯s too late! When you broke in with the soldiers, have you ever thought we are your family? When you tried to kill my father and seize our properties, have you ever thought my father is your younger brother by blood? Today, if my big brother is not Crown Princess Sheng but only an ordinary businessman, wouldn¡¯t our whole family have already died in your hands today?¡±


    The more Ling Jingpeng said, the madder. How dare they have the claim to say they are their family? Do they have family like that? Before, every time, his big brother showed mercy for the sake that they were families. But what had they repaid them? They only kept challenging their bottom lines. And now they only felt scared? Too late!


    ¡°Why waste time with them? Take them out and cut off their heads.¡±


    Grabbing his hand, Ye Ruyun ordered domineeringly.


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    Then her trusted soldiers all moved forward, while Ling Chengcai and others screamed even harder, and Ling Jingwei who was still on the ground had sudden shudder and his pants gradually got wetted. When he heard the title Crown Princess Sheng, he had known they were so dead. Is the dignity of the imperial family something they could afford to offend? What¡¯s more, Yan Shengrui was the master of the whole Cangzhou. If he wanted to kill someone, even His Majesty dare not have any objections. A small Gui family couldn¡¯t shake him a bit.


    ¡°Bang..¡±


    Outside the gate, those villagers who had heard the new as early as last night already surrounded there, but no one dare get close. Seeing Ling Chengcai and his family were dragged out, everyone wide opened their eyes and quietly held their breath. Everyone looked confused, having no idea why Ling Jingxuan would cut off their heads out of his own house. Wasn¡¯t he afraid it might invite in some whammy?


    ¡°Jingpeng, this is¡­¡±


    Ling Qicai who hurried over took a look at Ling Chengcai and others who got thrown onto the ground, wanted to say something to them but finally chose to walk to Ling Jingpeng and Ye Ruyun. Were they really trying to kill them all?


    ¡°Second uncle, help me, I don¡¯t wanna die, second uncle¡­¡±


    ¡°Second grandpa¡­¡±


    Like seeing their last straw, Ling Chengcai and his family all tried to throw themselves at him, but got pressed back by the soldiers. So they could only beg him while crying hard. Ling Qicai looked at them embarrassedly. Though he was mad at what they had done, he still felt sorry for them, after all they his big brother¡¯s family.


    ¡°Jingpeng¡­¡±


    ¡°Second uncle, who they have offended is Prince Sheng. If you don¡¯t want the whole village to be buried with them, I advise you to keep your mouth shut. They must die!¡±


    Before he could plead for them, Ling Jingpeng said with a stern face. If his big brother really got to the bottom of the whole thing, the whole village had to take the reasonability. Even if Yan Shengrui killed them all, no one dare say any word.


    Knowing his implications, Ling Qicai wiped his cold sweat and turned to leave helplessly. What stand did he have to plead for them? They should already feel fortunate that Jingxuan didn¡¯t ask for their responsibility.


    ¡°Prepare for the execution!¡±


    Ye Ruyun stood forward, his right hand held high.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    Ling Chengcai and others got so scared that their whole body went stiff, all wetted their pants already. Ye Ruyun¡¯s trusted soldiers then pulled out their sabers, which were giving off some cold light under the burning sun.


    ¡°Do it!¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    With Ye Ruyun¡¯s order, the sobers high up fell off and cut off their heads and blood instantly spilled all over the ground. The four of them who were still begging for mercy crying instantly got their heads separated with their heads. Every villager who saw this scene were trembling in fear/ Knowing it was one thing, but seeing it was another thing. So, all people were so scared that they got their hair stood on end already.


    As everyone got scared stiff and couldn¡¯t even move their legs, Ling Jinghong, with a few servants, pushing a handcart over. Ye Ruyun who was about to let the soldiers to take care of those bodies gave him a strange look. Ling Jingpeng secretly pulled her and motioned to wait a minute, then moved forward to Ling Jinghong¡¯s side.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to collect their bodies.¡±


    Ling Jinghong¡¯s expression was indifferent as always, as if the dead on the ground was not his parents and brother, but some stray cats or dogs on the roadside.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng who meant to say something slowly made way for him, he knew that Ling Jinghong was different from them. If it hadn¡¯t been that his parents had been bullied too hard before, maybe their three brothers could be good friends with Ling Jinghong. Till now, he still remembered that Brother Jinghong was the only one who would speak for them. Pity that there was no way back.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Ling Jinghong also didn¡¯t say much, after giving him a nod, he went to carry their bodies onto the handcart. This was the last thing he could do for them as their son. Before leaving, Ling Jinghong stopped his pace and looked at Ling Jingpeng, saying faintly, ¡°You did nothing wrong. They asked for it. I guess we will never see each other again. Bye!¡±


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 Chapter 448

    After leaving that sentence, Ling Jinghong decisively left with his parents¡¯ and brother¡¯s bodies. Watching his back, Ling Jingpeng couldn¡¯t tell how he felt at this moment. In his memories, Brother Jinghong was not this kind of indifferent person in his memories, but¡­those people forced him so!


    ¡°Jingpeng, he is a good person.¡±


    Ye Ruyun reached out and held his hand, and looked at that departing figure side by side with him. Ling Jingpeng turned to look at her, raised a smile and nodded, ¡°Hmm, he will be blessed.¡±


    Fingers interlocked and gazing at each other, the occasion was wrong, but it didn¡¯t stop them from feeling true to each other.


    ¡°Is it done¡­¡±


    Inside the room, Ling Jingxuan, lying in bed, murmured, for he hadn¡¯t hear the noise and their screaming.


    ¡°Hmm, Ling Jinghong has collected their bodies.¡±


    Yan Shengrui nodded and lay down holding him. With his hearing, nothing outside could escape from his eyes. Ling Jingxuan slightly picked his eyebrows, but said nothing. Maybe it was not that that Ling Jinghong collected their bodies. From now on, they and the old Ling family really got their connections cut off. As for Ling Chenghu¡­He believed he wouldn¡¯t have the balls to provoke them. So, everything could draw to an end here.


    When Ling Chenglong and others knew, the blood outside the gate had already been cleaned. So the couple only sighed helplessly, but soon shifted their attention onto the shower rituals for the tiny bun. In this era, a kid¡¯s shower rituals was very important, which would usually be presided by the mid-wife. But it was his disciple Zhao Shan who helped him deliver the baby, so Ling Jingxuan asked his mother Lady Zhao to be on his behalf.


    ¡°They are out, they are out.¡±


    In the warm sunshine in the afternoon, Ling Jingxuan carrying the baby came out under Yan Shengrui¡¯s support, while Ling Wen, Ling Wu and Tiewa opened the way in the front. Those people in the guest room who had long gathered in there instantly looked over. Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t make some opening speech like when he entertained the guests, only handed the baby to Lady Zhao smilingly, ¡°Sorry to trouble you then.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say than. It¡¯s my honor to do the shower rituals for the little guy.¡±


    Because of Zhao Shan, Lady Zhao was familiar with people of Ling family. Even if she had known who Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui were, she didn¡¯t change his attitude at all like Old Wang. Distance was drawn by people. As long as they didn¡¯t flinch, their distance would never be opened.


    So-called shower rituals were to throw a shower on the third day after the baby was born, firstly, to wash off the dirt and those difficulties in life, secondly, to pray for blessing, thirdly, while throwing a shower for the baby, those who came to witness it would throw their presents into the bathtub, the more presents the baby received, the more blessed the baby would be. So, one could say the shower rituals were as important as the grabbing test on a baby¡¯s first birthday.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    The naked little thing made a sound and then opened his eyes that had closed for a whole day, but soon he closed them again, and wore an expression like he quite enjoyed Lady Zhao¡¯s service. Everyone couldn¡¯t help laughing out. As highest seniority of all, Lady Wang¡¯s parents were really generous, they directly threw a pair of silver bracelets into the water.


    Then Ling Chenglong and his wife, Wang Jinyu, Zhao&Han couple and others all threw their presents in one after another, nothing more than gold or jade stuff. When it was Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s turn, he took out a fist-size blood-red bead and threw it in. Everyone was curious, wondering what it is. Looks pricey!


    ¡°It¡¯s generous of you to sacrifice this piece of Blood Stone.¡±


    Yan Shengrui picked his eyebrows and nodded with a satisfying smile. Although Ling Jingxuan still couldn¡¯t see its quality, he still exposed a smile. How could something Lord Zeng took out be common?


    Ignoring some son-con, Zeng Shaoqing then two out another two pricey-looking things and threw them in the bathtub. When it was Ling Jinghan, Zhang Qing and others¡¯ turn, it was all some valuable things. Finally it was those few little buns¡¯ turn. The biggest Ling Wen moved forward, then took out an exquisitely-engraved gold carriage, ¡°Little brother, this is a gift from your big brother. Uncle Hong said most of them will send you bracelets, jade pendants and something like that, so big brother wants to send you something different. This carriage is super expensive which has cost nearly half of my savings. Do you like it?¡±


    Half of Ling Wen¡¯s savings? At least a few thousand taels of silver, right? All the people were shocked. They guessed this time he wouldn¡¯t be stingy, but never expected he directly cost so much on a present! Since when the little bun became so generous?


    The rare thing was, as his words fell, the tiny bun actually opened his eyes to take a look at his present. Though he closed them soon, it really amused Ling Wen. He said to Ling Jingxuan excitedly, ¡°Daddy, did you see that? He likes the present I prepared for him!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I saw it. Our Wen is really a good elder brother.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan dotingly kneaded his head, Ling Wen couldn¡¯t help blushing, with those beaming eyes staring at his little brother.


    ¡°Little thing, this is the present your second brother prepares for you. Do you like it?¡±


    Seeing that, Ling Wu hurriedly offered his present before their little brother like offering a treasure. It was a meat stuffed bun made of jade. Almost in an instant, everyone burst out laugher. Those two were truly brothers. One spend so much on a gold carriage for their little brother, while the other sent something he loved most. Really both had their own style, right?


    No one knew if the tiny bun was also a little foodie or what, he opened his eyes again. The excited Ling Wu threw the ¡®meat stuffed bun¡¯ into the water and held his cute little brother and gave him a big kiss.


    ¡°Little brother, I¡¯m your Brother Tiewa. This is the present I prepared for you. Hope you can be good at your study like Wen and Wu!¡±


    In contrast, Tiewa¡¯s present was a lot common¡ªa brush made of gold, but still quite pricey! The tiny also gave him the face, he slightly opened his eyes and threw a peep. Seeing that, Tiewa threw himself back into his daddy¡¯s arms happily. And finally, the shower rituals was almost over.


    ¡°Bleating¡­¡±


    Suddenly, some strange sound attracted the attention of all people. As they looked over following the sound, they saw that wolf daddy, carrying something black and white in his mouth, came in with Dahei and Xiaohei. Ignoring their eyes, wolf daddy walked straight to the bathtub and put the thing in his mouth down, then licked the tiny bun, then like their dad, Dahei and Xiaohei also put down the bamboo shoots in their mouths and moved forward to lick the tiny bun.


    ¡°A panda?!¡±


    When everyone was wondering what that black and white thing was, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help exclaiming. Don¡¯t blame him gaffes, in the 21st century, pandas were the national treasure, and only Huaxia Country owned them. Other countries could only rent them. A lot of people even called them the cutest wage earners of the country, someone thing one couldn¡¯t buy however rich one was. Never expected¡­Wolf dad would send the tiny bun such a precious thing!


    ¡°Panda?¡±


    Everyone, including Yan, couldn¡¯t help wondering, but Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t have time to explain to them. He went over and picked up the chubby panda, ¡°Hehe¡­thank you wolf dad. I guess Xiaoling will definitely like the present you prepared for him.¡±


    How would he not like it? Even he liked it so much! What a wonderful present!


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    Wolf dad made two deep howls, signaling he had received his gratitude, still so cold and superior.


    ¡°Howl¡­¡±


    Like being afraid of being forgotten, Dahei and Xiaohei came before him holding the fresh bamboo shoots in their mouths. On seeing bamboo shoots, the panda stretched out its paws to grab it and stuffed it into its mouth, which amused Ling Jingxuan, and he then freed a hand to touch them, ¡°You guys also did a good job! That¡¯s my boys!¡±


    ¡°Howl!¡±


    After they moved to the side, the three curious little buns gathered around, ¡°Daddy, what is this? So cute!¡±


    ¡°He is called panda, you can call him Chubby. Look. Isn¡¯t it very cute?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan picked up the panda and let them have a look. Looked like this one had just been weaned. Judging from its performance, one could tell it was definitely a foodie, like the small bun Ling Wu!


    ¡°Hmm, daddy, can I hold it? So cute!¡±


    Seven little buns nodded with excitement. Ling Wu even stretched out his hands. Ling Jingxuan then stuffed Chubby into his arms. Three little buns circled around the panda and touched it carefully. Seeing that, wolf daddy left with Dahei and Xiaohei quietly. Ling Jingxuan also turned to walked to Yan Shengrui¡¯s side, leaned in his arms and watched his little buns. However hard it would be in the future, with them around, he had infinite strength.


    Yan Shengrui looked down at him, held around his waist and looked at their children. Happiness is actually very simple. It has nothing to do with money or power, as long as the whole family could live together happily.

 Chapter 449

    Suddenly such a cute thing who liked rolling on the ground and acting cute at home added a lot of laughter to this family. Compared with the horror when those servants and maids saw the wolf dad and his two sons for the first time, one could imagine how much they liked Chubby. Ling Jingxuan who was still in confinement sent a special servant to go to other counties to look for juicy bamboo shoots for him. And they also spared a share of milk to him. Except that, unlimited support of his Crescent Spring water was also a must. Ling Chenglong even personally led people to build a simple house for the panda for him to play and rest in. One could say Chubby had received everyone¡¯s spoiling.


    The next day after the shower rituals of the baby, Yan Yi set out for the capital ahead of time taking the memorials Yan Shengrui personally wrote and that indictment. Zeng Shaoqing also went back with him. Before leaving, Yan Shengrui ordered Yan Yi to send some words for Qin Yu conductor of his mansion, asking him to make rooms for the few kids in advance, build resting places for the pets, and asked a design drawing from Ling Jingxuan for him, while Ling Jingxuan asked Zeng Shaoqing to pay attention to those shops or houses for sale. The former one was for his own use, while the latter was for the Zhao&Han couple, Ling Jinghan, Shopkeeper Zhang and others. In the capital had a lot of rules. Although he was never someone who could perform under the rules others made, he still should make preparations. The Ling Mansion had to be separate, after all in the future Jingpeng needed a place to marry Ye Ruyun. Since she didn¡¯t mind his farm background, he wouldn¡¯t let his younger brother slight her. A luxurious wedding, extravagant residence, everything that was required!


    ¡°Master, madam, jieyuan((½âÔª, lit. ¡°top escorted examinee¡±), the juren who ranked first in provincial exam.) It¡¯s jieyuan title¡­¡±


    On the noon ten days later, while everyone was chatting in the central room after eating, Old Song suddenly ran in stumblingly. Everyone looked at him with confusion, while Old Song wore a face of great excitement and stopped before Ling Chenglong. Only after a few big deep breaths did he say, ¡°Congratulations, master, ma¡¯am, the second young master got the jieyuan title! People from the yamen have arrived at the entrance of the village!¡±


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    Hearing him, Ling Chenglong instantly sprung up, so excited that his lips were trembling, let alone others. No one noticed that Ling Jinghan secretly let out a sigh of relief. In fact, he also had not much confidence in his heart. It was really his luck to get the jieyuan title! Now that he had achieved what he wished, he also didn¡¯t let everyone down.


    ¡°It¡¯s true, master. Hurry up! People from the yamen are arriving. I heard that the village head¡¯s son Chenggui also got listed as a juren title ((ÅeÈË, lit. ¡°recommended man¡±), a qualified graduate who passed the triennial provincial exam) But since the second young master got the jieyuan title, so they should come here to congratulate you first.¡±


    Old Song nodded like pounding garlic. Heaven knew how excited he was when he heard about it in the factory. He dropped his word at hands and ran back instantly.


    ¡°Yes, yes, hurry up, Shaoqi, you go prepare some red envelopes. Sister-in-law Song, you go prepare a table of dishes. They have come all the way from the prefecture and shouldn¡¯t have had the time to eat anything. Jinghan, what are you waiting for? Go change some new clothes!¡±


    After what he said, Ling Chenglong really got panicked, for the first time he got even more nagging than his wife, while the latter was still standing there stoned, maybe still hadn¡¯t come back from the great excitement.


    ¡°Dad, take it easy, there is still some distance from the village entrance to here.¡±


    Ling Jinghan got up and pulled his headless-fly like dad, Ling Jingpeng also came forward to comfort him, ¡°He said right, dad, we don¡¯t have to prepare anything special, as long as we show our courtesies. See? Brother Shaoqi has gone to greet them? You can stay at ease with him around.¡±


    Except Ling Chenglong and his wife, almost everyone knew the true identity of Yuan Shaoqi, but in this house, he was still that bookkeeper. But even compared with family background, could he even surpass Yan Shengrui? Even Ye Ruyun was higher than him. At least she was a commander who had just made outstanding military exploit. Maybe she could be conferred as the first female general of the Qing Kingdom after she went back to the capital this time. So, son of the first son of Duke Yuan Mansion was really nothing here.


    ¡°Ah? Oh, OK, dad will all listen to you. But, Jinghan, they come all the way here to send the message. Shouldn¡¯t you at least change some new clothes?¡±


    Ling Chenglong nodded dully, but soon shook his head, his whole person had been thoroughly disordered. Ling Jinghan gave him a helpless light smile, ¡°No need, dad. Those clothes on me are also new. Our village families don¡¯t have so many formalities. They are here to announce some good news, but not here to announce the imperial decree. No need to make it so grand.¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Suddenly, a shrieking scream gave all the people there a jump scare, the next second, Lady Wang rushed before Ling Jinghan, both hands tightly grasping his arms, ¡°Jinghan, you are a juren now? And even got the first place jieyuan?¡±


    Getting a juren title was undoubtedly like stepping one foot in the official circle. Now, if any county had a vacancy in the yamen, a juren could directly take it. As for Lady Wang whose family had been farmers down generations, this was a heaven-huge surprise, something she even dare not think of even in her dreams.

 Chapter 450

    ¡°Yeah, mom, the yamen runners will be here soon.¡±


    Feeling a bit sorry for his mother, Ling Jinghan stretched out his hand to straighten the messy hair for her. Finally their parents could hold their heads high!


    ¡°That¡¯s great, Jinghan, that¡¯s great¡­¡±


    After getting the affirmation again, Lady Wang could not help crying out, but it was the tears of joy. Even the whole Datong town had few people who had a juren title! Let alone his son got the first place-jieyuan title! And now their big son Jingxuan was already the noble crown princess, and their third son had a general father-in-law, maybe in the future his wife would be a general, so she also didn¡¯t have to worry about their future. The only one that worried her was their second son, but never expected¡­if so, her second son also got what he wanted, right? Now, her three sons all had made a rise in life, even if she died now, she could rest in peace.


    ¡°All right, it¡¯s a happy occasion. Don¡¯t embarrass the kid. Let¡¯s get ready to receive the messengers who bring the good news.¡±


    Strangely, Lady Wang¡¯s excitement soothed Ling Chenglong¡¯s panic. Although his hand holding his wife was still shaking, his voice was much calmer.


    ¡°Dad, mom, this is just the beginning, next year I will only climber higher.¡±


    Holding the hands of his mom and dad, Ling Jinghan said with a firm tone, although it was impossible to get the three highest literary degrees in succession, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem getting a jinshi title. Besides, he still had over half a year to study. He believed that he could make it.


    ¡°Hm, of course I believe in you! My son is so promising! Mom is so proud of you!¡±


    Nodding tearfully, Lady Wang reached out her hand and touched his face, then Ling Jingpeng¡¯s, as if suddenly thinking of something, she said with a frown, ¡°You haven¡¯t told Jingxuan yet, have you? Go and tell him at once, and make his day.¡±


    ¡°Oh, mom, I¡¯m going now.¡±


    Then the two brothers remembered that their big brother was still in confinement inside. After exchanging an eye contact, Ling Jingpeng grabbed his fianc¨¦e Ye Ruyun¡¯s hand and went in, while Ling Jingpeng brought his parents outside the gate to welcome the official messengers.


    ¡°Really? I knew our Jinghan could make it!¡±


    Lying in bed ,Ling Jingxuan actually had already learned from Yan Shengrui. But after Ling Jingpeng told him, he still couldn¡¯t help giving a heart smile. Now Jingpeng had taken over all the businesses at home and he did a good job. Now that Jinghan also got listed as a jieyuan title. His two younger brothers were really getting better and better, and he could also feel at ease.


    ¡°Big brother, have you already foreseen this?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng asked strangely, he remembered a few days ago when he asked his second brother, even his second brother himself was not quite so sure, why their big brother was so sure of it?


    ¡°Well, kind of. It¡¯s just a common inference. Even Yunhan and Juren Zhang said Jinghan is promising and it wouldn¡¯t be a problem to get a jieyuan title. But as for the future exams, he got to study harder.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan smiled slightly, he believed that Jinghan would not let them down, although he had never given him any pressure or what, since he himself had been aiming at the official career, of course he wished that he could aim at the peak and do his best.


    ¡°Big brother, aren¡¯t you a tongsheng yourself? Why don¡¯t you take exams for a xiucai title? You¡¯d have no problem.¡±


    Actually Ling Jingpeng had long wanted to ask this question. Given his big brother¡¯s capability, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem, right?


    ¡°Haha¡­Because I don¡¯t want to be an official. What¡¯s the good of that? Decent officials often got calculated by treacherous officials, who will sooner or later got calculated by bigger treacherous officials or even the emperor. By contrast, it is better to be a rich landlord, so free, and I can do whatever I like.¡±


    Of course, it was also because he was not the original owner, so it was impossible for him to know exactly what the imperial examinations were about. Those genteel things, he really completely couldn¡¯t understand, let alone passing the exams for a xiucai, even a tongsheng title would be a huge problem!


    ¡°You are right, but big brother, you are destined to live that kind of life in this life.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingpeng threw a meaningful glance at Yan Shengrui who was reading a book there. As the crown princess of Prince Sheng, even if he wouldn¡¯t go provoke others, others would come make trouble for him.


    ¡°Since so, then I will make it bigger. Anyway, I will have nothing to do all day by then.¡±


    Shrugging, Ling Jingxuan felt nothing at all. Anyway, time would pass day by day. Whatever those people wanted to ¡®play¡¯, anytime!


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡±


    Ling Jingpeng, Yan Shengrui and even Ye Ruyun couldn¡¯t hold it and laugh. No wonder everyone said he was unlike a farmer, but more like rich kid from some big family!


    After the yamen runners who brought the good news came, the whole family once again had another lively scene. And soon after, even those people from nearby villages all heard that Ling Jinghan¡¯s thing. A lot of people gossiped that Yuehua Manor is getting nobler and more unattainable. By comparison, Ling Chenggui who also got listed as a juren seemed to be forgotten. But, when the old patriarch came to talk about the open-air banquet, Ling Jingxuan turned them down using the excuse that his big brother is still in confinement. So, it was like they came happily but left sullenly. What could they do? Forget about Ling Jingxuan¡¯s noble identity now, even Ling Jinghan who owned a jieyuan title now was not someone they could yell at. If they made them mad and they move out of Ling Village, they¡¯d even have nowhere to cry! Things change! As early as when Ling Jingxuan changed, they had already lost the initiative.


    Being in confinement was boring. Although he had someone as his company, and the little buns often came trying to amuse him, to a man, doing nothing all day in the room was still boring. Besides, it was in hot summer, and here had nothing like air conditioner that could reduce the temperature. Even if Yan Shengrui ordered people to get a lot of ice blocks in the room, it was still crazily hot. When the kid reached his full moon, Ling Jingxuan was so excited that he nearly jumped up the ceiling. Such bitter days were finally over!


    The full moon party would usually be held when the baby was about forty days old. This time, Ling Jingxuan was very generous, he directly opened a three-day open-air banquet. Anyone, even if it was a beggar, could come and eat, and no presents accepted. Now who didn¡¯t know he is the Crown Princess Sheng? Even the magistrate and those squires from nearby villages came congratulate. It had lasted quite a few days.

 Chapter 451

    ¡°Daddy, both Wu and I have our pet names. What about Xiaoling?¡±


    After the full month banquet, it was time to plan for the departure. But since it was too hot and the sorghum wine still needed to be cellared for a few more days, Ling Jingxuan had to temporarily delay their plan, every day he¡¯d go check the wineries. As for the baby, never been his turn to have a chance to take care of him. During the day, Lady Wang, her younger sister and the nanny would take care of him, and at night, the few little buns would take care of him. In order to take care of him, Tiewa had even moved here recently. Han Fei even said that he even See? After finishing their homework, the three little buns immediately gathered in the central room with Chubby. As always, Chubby enjoyed his fresh bamboo shoots there, while the little buns circled around the tiny bun.


    ¡°Pet name? How about Sleepy? You know, he is sleeping all day. People who don¡¯t know may think he is a rag doll.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan who was also sitting in the central room drinking plum syrup cast a glance at his little son in his arms. This kid was excessively well-behaved. No, to be more exact, he was too lazy. He only made some sound when he was hungry or when he peed. When he was sleeping, as long as no one touched him, he could sleep a whole day with one posture and wouldn¡¯t move a bit. So, Sleepy or Lazy was undoubtedly most suitable to him.


    ¡°Hate you daddy! You can¡¯t bully Xiaoling. Sleepy is awful!¡±


    The big bun frowned, ruthlessly threw a hard stare at their ¡®big bully¡¯ daddy. Their little brother was their treasure! No one should bully him!


    ¡°How about Lazy then?¡±


    ¡°Daddy (step daddy)!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan kept teasing them as it really amused him, but the little buns instantly dissed back. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help laughing, ¡°All right, all right, I will shut my mouth. So, what do you think we should call him?¡±


    Leaning against Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan looked at them with a smile, while the few little buns really started to think carefully. Sometimes, they¡¯d crowded together to discuss. Yan Shengrui who had extraordinary hearing secretly told Ling Jingxuan what they were talking about, it made Ling Jingxuan laugh so hard that he even had cramps of his belly. The quiet and peaceful days were filled with joys.


    ¡°Daddy, we¡¯ve figured it out.¡±


    After quite a while, handling their little brother to Ling Wu, Ling Wen came before Ling Jingxuan with his hands held behind, looked up at him and said with a solemn tone, ¡°Daddy, don¡¯t you always call us big bun and small bun. You also used to say that buns smell good and cute and delicious, so, we think we should also give our little brother a cute food¡¯s name. So we¡¯ll call him Dumpling.¡±


    ¡°Pff¡­haha¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan directly laughed out. Little Dumpling? Little Buns? How about they open a breakfast stall?


    ¡°Daddy, don¡¯t laugh!¡±


    Seeing their daddy laughing so exaggeratedly, the big bun couldn¡¯t help reddening his face. What¡¯s wrong with little Dumpling? So much better than Sleepy or Lazy, all right? Daddy really had no taste!


    ¡°Ahem¡­all right, all right, I won¡¯t laugh. Are you sure you¡¯ll call him Dumpling? What if Xiaoling really looks like a dumpling in the future?¡±


    Seeing that his big son seemed really angry, Ling Jingxuan could only clear his throat to press down his laughing, then looked thoughtfully at his little son in the small bun¡¯s arms. With the way he slept, let alone dumpling, he¡¯d sleep into a meat stuffed bun!


    Hearing that, the big sun turned to look at his little brother, then turned to look back at his daddy and nodded firmly, ¡°Daddy, didn¡¯t you say that kids need to look chubby? Then we will call him Dumpling.¡±


    ¡°OK, from then on, our Xiaoling¡¯s pet name is little Dumpling.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan got up, picked up the ¡®freshly-made¡¯ Dumpling, lowered his head and kissed on his little face, ¡°Little Dumpling! This is the pet name your elder brothers gave you! Don¡¯t let them down. You got to grow into a meat dumpling healthily!¡±


    ¡°Hate you, daddy, it¡¯s not meat dumpling, but Dumpling! Dumpling!¡±


    Hearing that their daddy was bullying their little brother again, Ling Wen immediately protested, while Ling Wu pouted with his head tilted, ¡°Meat dumpling is not bad. It¡¯s delicious!¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Hearing him, Ling Wen¡¯s face nearly dropped to the ground. Ling Jingxuan laughed out again. The sleeping little Dumpling seemed to be woken up by their quarrel, he opened his eyes to look at daddy, and then gently closed them again and kept sleeping.


    ¡°Big brother, what are you laughing for?¡±


    Ye Ruyun who came back from outside, looked at them curiously, then walked over and picked up a cup of tea on the table and drank it off. Ling Jingpeng behind her already gave up expecting her to act like a lady, instead, he quietly felt out the handkerchief and handed it over. Meanwhile, Ling Jinghan and Yuan Shaoqi who came out from the study also gave them a smile as saying hi. Now Yuan Shaoqi had totally grabbed the job from Song Shuisheng¡¯s hands. Except being in charge of all the properties of the whole family, he also catered to Ling Jinghan¡¯s basic necessities of life. Seeing Ling Jinghan had no objections, Ling Jingxuan directly asked Shuisheng to serve Ling Jingpeng and let him learn how to run business from him.


    ¡°Nothing, it¡¯s just¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan then briefed them the whole thing, which again amused everyone there. This time, Ling Wen already had no mood to protest, but directly carried their little brother to look for the nanny. No one was clearer than him about their little brother¡¯s meal time. When they left, they still didn¡¯t forget to bring Chubby who was still sitting on the ground enjoying his bamboo shoots away. What a bunch of little cuties!


    ¡°Big brother, I have already sent the first batch of sorghum wine to the Restaurant. Shopkeeper Zhang said the customers responded very well. The chief shopkeeper in the prefecture had ordered 10,000 jars.


    As the kids were all gone, they also lost the targets to make fun of. So they could only talk about things about business. Now was already end of August. The first batch of sorghum wine could be taken out. Not long ago, Ling Jingpeng had just sent a carriage of it for Xinyuan, never expected they¡¯d give a reply so soon.

 Chapter 452

    ¡°Hmm, let them send carriages to fetch the goods themselves. The weather is getting cool, high degree sorghum alcohol could keep out the cold. So, anyhow, we have to hit the shelves of all branches of Xinyuan Restaurant within the year. And appropriate amount of grape wine. But, the total supplies have to be controlled under ten thousand jars. A thing is valued if it is rare. We can¡¯t spoil out own business. As for the rest ten thousand jar, send eight thousand into the capital. I will collect the money from Lord Zeng.¡±


    Withdrawing the former horseplay, Ling Jingxuan said solemnly. Soon they¡¯d harvest the sorghums again, which should be enough to sustain them to next year. As early as a few months earlier, Cangzhou and Yunzhou had started to ask people to grow sorghums on the saline-alkali land. Next, they¡¯d go build factories in each county. This year, those workers in his factories, he had already bought them. So, he planned to send them to all those factories all through the kingdom. This winter, maybe his younger brother would even have no time to take a short break.


    ¡°Hmm, I know what to do. I guess our jam business could last till next month. Some time ago, I bought over a hundred mu of wasteland in Zhao village next door. Guarantor Liu negotiated with him and won over a small hill for us. So, I plan to plant all fruit trees there after this, then hire some villagers from Zhao village to take care of it for us. And I have also booked the workers for harvesting the sorghums and grains from Guarantor Liu. After everything is settled down, I will take Cangzhou as the center to build factories in those counties step by step and increase our business scope. So, I guess we need to leave things at home to Brother Zhao and others.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng nodded and then slowly said his plans. He had talked to Ye Ruyun. They¡¯d get married a few years later. Firstly, they were still young. His big brother once said that it wouldn¡¯t be that dangerous for women to give birth after eighteen. Secondly, Ye Ruyun still held her general dream. So he didn¡¯t have the heart to let her give up her dream for him. Besides, he also had to work harder. In the future, after his big brother went to the capital and his second brother received a title in the court, they both needed strong forces behind their back. So, he must prepare to be their solid back.


    ¡°Zhao Dalong will go to the capital with me to accept my emperor brother¡¯s awards.¡±


    Yan Shengrui, who had not spoken all the time, suddenly cut in. The thing about the quality steel knives could be said to be Zhao Dalong¡¯s first big contribution. This time, he had also contributed to their big win this time. So he had asked for the rewards for him on the memorials.


    ¡°Well, we also plan to take Tiewa with us. If so, Brother Han also needs to go with us. Jingpeng, try to train a few more administrative staff. Remember. You must grasp those people and all kinds of key techniques in our own hands. If you don¡¯t have enough hands, go buy some from Guarantor Liu. Don¡¯t look at their qualifications, but only their loyalty. It¡¯s fine even if they are a bit clumsy or what. We can teach them slowly. And for those sneaky and slippery ones, directly return them.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan picked up his words and said seriously. Now what they lacked most was the management and technical personnel. As for the bookkeepers, Yuan Shaoqi had already trained two. After they left, that part wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Plus, Song Shuisheng also knew a little about making accounts. So, he wouldn¡¯t have to worry about it.


    ¡°All right. When are you leaving?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng had no other way but to agree, and finally, he still asked the question that all of them were concerned about.


    ¡°We¡¯ll leave early next month when it gets a bit cooler. Only a few days from now. I remember that Qingzi is coming back today, right? Later, you call them over, including Brother Zhao and Brother Wang. I have something to talk to you guys alone.¡±


    After a moment of contemplation, Ling Jingxuan gave the answer while fixing his eyes on Yan Shengrui, about the family business, he had talked to him, he agreed, Ling Family needed a decent business.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll go after dinner, you¡­¡±


    ¡°What are you guys talking about? Why look all so solemn? Sister-in-law Song, prepare for the food.¡±


    Before Ling Jingpeng could finish his words, Ling Chenglong and his wife came in from outside. In case it made them sad, the few brothers exchanged an eye contact, then decided to hide it from them as long as they could, in case their mother would cry all day. If possible, who wanted to leaves?


    ¡°Nothing. Mom, you went to the factory again? I told you not to go. Even my aunt seldom goes. We may not take it as problem. But in other eyes, our identity is still different. When you go, instead of improving their working enthusiasm, you¡¯d give them a lot of pressure and they¡¯d get nervous. So it¡¯s already good enough that they don¡¯t make mistakes.¡±


    Supporting her to sit down in the main seat, Ling Jingxuan helplessly said. They just didn¡¯t know how to enjoy life, but always wanted to go help the workers. But what they didn¡¯t know was that they were more like a hindrance than a help.


    ¡°You have said that many times. How would I not know? I went to your aunt¡¯s side, and Qing bought a piece of land on the back hillside, and the plan to move your uncle-in-law¡¯s bones over here, and when saying that, your aunt cried, and I have just come back from consoling her. Poor her! Fortunately Qing stands out. And Yang will take the exams this winter. If he could get a xiucai title, she can really retire.¡±


    Throwing her son an eye, Lady Wang nagged. Although their days got a lot better and no one dare bully them again, her younger sister was only thirty. To live in widowhood at such an age was really a torture.


    ¡°Yang will be no problem. Mom, don¡¯t think too much. In the future, when Qing and Yang marry two beautiful and filial daughters-in-law for her, her days will only get better.¡±


    No one was clearer about Zhang Yang¡¯s abilities. Especially that after he got listed as a jieyuan and knew that he¡¯d leave no longer after, he had been accompanying Zhang Yang to study almost every day, and toughed him those things he had ever learned. So, getting a xiucai title wouldn¡¯t be a problem at all. But the exams for the juren title, he had to be on his own.


    ¡°That¡¯s great! I will ask the matchmakers to see if any family has suitable girls for them.¡±


    ¡°Mom, they are still young, and they may want to choose wives on their own. You don¡¯t meddle in.¡±


    ¡°Look at me. I¡¯m so happy that I already forgot. Fine, fine, fine, I¡¯ll let all you brothers choose your own wives. Then I can enjoy some peaceful time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡±


    Laughing and making jokes, dinner was almost all served on the table, the whole family was chatting and laughing, occasionally made some small jokes, no etiquettes here, but only joys.

 Chapter 453

    The day in summer was always long and hot. Dinner of the Ling family was always on time. After dinner, it was still early. Taking the time that Ling Jingpeng was out finding hands, Ling Jingxuan asked Yan Shengrui to take the kids to go for a walking, while he himself went to wolf daddy¡¯s place. Although he had already made up his mind to take wolf daddy and his kids with him, before leaving, he still wanted to ask their own opinion, after all, that was the capital. If they didn¡¯t agree, he wouldn¡¯t force them. It was just after the departure this time, they wouldn¡¯t see each other in recent years.


    After cleaning their wolf-house personally and filling the cribs with his crescent spring water, Ling Jingxuan rolled his sleeves and sat down next to wolf daddy, with Dahei and Xiaohei who had grown up lying next to his side, sometimes making growls to attract his attention. Only after gently rubbing their heads did Ling Jingxuan raise his head to look into wolf daddy¡¯s eyes seriously, ¡°You know, I will take the kids to go to the capital in a few days. Will you come with us?¡±


    Not knowing if he didn¡¯t understand it or was still considering it, wolf daddy didn¡¯t give him a reply immediately. Ling Jingxuan thought for a while and said, ¡°In the capital, there is no Yuehua mountains, or maybe even no jungle there. If for your good, I should let you stay, after all you are the king in the mountains, you belong to forests, but, you have lived with us for over a year and already gotten familiar with human and shouldn¡¯t adapt yourselves to human life. You know what, the kids and I have always taken you as family. If you don¡¯t come with us, the kids will be sad. Don¡¯t worry. Even if you go to the capital with us, I won¡¯t let anyone there hurt you. Whoever touches you, I will fight them! So, I hope you can consider it. Anyway, there is still time. So, don¡¯t try to give me an answer in a hurry.¡±


    He really wanted them to go with him, otherwise, after they left, maybe they would leave Yuehua Manor and return to the forests. It was gonna be hard to see each other again.


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    With some deep growls, wolf daddy slightly nodded facing Ling Jingxuan¡¯s gaze. After a short daze, Ling Jingxuan jumped up and hugged him around the neck, ¡°Great! I knew you would agree. You have accompanied us from the most difficult days all the way to now. We have long been family, right? Families never abandon each other.¡±


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    The wolf daddy sobbed while nodding his head, and a bright smile crawled onto Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face. Who said that animals are all heartless? Sometimes they are more sentimental than humans.


    ¡°Thank you. Shengrui has ordered people to build a new house for you in his mansion in the capital. I designed it for you. Both your house and the panda house are built according to specifications for human houses. I believe you will like it, especially for you who like cleanliness. We are leaving in four or five days. If you still have some other friends in the mountains, go say goodbye to them these days. I¡¯m afraid we¡¯ll only come back in a few years this time.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan stood up, and Dahei and Xiaohei also got up sticking by his side. Wolf daddy seemed to nod again. Ling Jingxuan who was about to leave suddenly added, ¡°I have checked it. Chubby is a girl. Can you try to get me a boy? Although it¡¯s still small, it grows fast. Pandas are different from you. Their oestrum is only a few days in a year. If not a pair, it¡¯d be a big trouble for the mating. Maybe it¡¯d finally alone. So, sorry to trouble you again.¡±


    It was not that he is too greedy, but only a single panda was too lonely. Besides, the rate of survival for pandas were really too low. If he couldn¡¯t guarantee its reproduction, he¡¯d rather send it back to the mountains.


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    Wolf daddy suddenly growled, his huge body slowly stood up, overlooking at him, as if to say, do you think pandas are like those white rabbits running everywhere?


    Ling Jingxuan touched his forehead and said with a shameless smile, ¡°You know, I¡¯m worried that Chubby is too lonely. Forget it if you can¡¯t. Then go say goodbye to your friends. I should also say goodbye to my friends.¡±


    Then, Ling Jingxuan turned to leave. Only after his back disappeared in their sight did the three of them slowly go out. But right after stepping out their house, they ran away. Before leaving, they also had a lot of things to see to.


    ¡°Have you spoken to them?


    When Ling Jingxuan returned to the room, Zhao&Han couple and others were already arrived. Yan Shengrui came forward to hug him and sat down at the main seats. Ling Jingxuan smiled and nodded at him, and nodded with others respectively before saying, ¡°I believe you should know why I asked you here today, well, I won¡¯t beat around the bush with you. Now the weather is gradually cooling down, and I¡¯m also ready to take the children to go to the capital with Shengrui. I¡¯m afraid we won¡¯t come back in a short period of time, so, first, Brother Wang, even after I leave, our cooperation will continue, and I will take Shan with you. I plan to set up a special hospital in the capital, a medicine shop in your mouth, you son and 20 medical children will work there. In three years, I¡¯ll try to teach them all my medical skills. I hope you can make me. If you really miss Shan, you can come to the capital to see him, and we can have a get-together by the way.¡±


    Be it feeling the impulse or acupuncture of traditional Chinese medicine, or the western surgeries or prescriptions, it all needed a lot of experience accumulation. He had had the idea of opening a hospital long ago, it was just that not so appropriate in Datong town. But the capital was undoubtedly the best place. That was also why he asked Zeng Shaoqing to buy a shop for him there. If wanted to open the first modernized special hospital. There would be a lot of difficulties at first. A lot of people wouldn¡¯t accept doing surgeries at first. But he had the confidence. As long as he could sieve an opportunity, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem. As for the doctors, Zhao Shan and twenty medical children were enough.

 Chapter 454

    ¡°Look at what you are talking about! Why should I be worried if Shan stays by your side? Ever since the kid saw what you are capable eyes, he has always wanted to learn something from you. Finally you took him as your disciple, he basically seldom went back home. But, seeing his medical skills have improved so much with one year, as his dad, I also feel happy for him. Shan, you must listen to your shifu¡¯s words, you hear me?¡±


    Since his son could go to the capital to widen his eyes, how would Old Wang ever say no? Others may not even have such a chance!


    ¡°Hmm dad, I¡¯ll listen to shifu.¡±


    Zhao Shan sitting aside couldn¡¯t help reddening his eyes, after all, he was only sixteen years old. Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan smiled and said, ¡°There are still a few days. Shan, later you go back home with your dad and spend some time with your family. If there¡¯s any chance, I will let you come back to see them.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, thank you, shifu!¡±


    Zhao Shan nodded happily, while Old Wang threw him his grateful eyes. If it hadn¡¯t been him, their business wouldn¡¯t have increased so fast, and Shan would never have such a great chance to learn medical skills, and they would never live a rich life like now. It was all Ling Jingxuan! At this time last year, they would never imagine that they would have lived such a great life like now!


    ¡°Shaoqi, did you bring what I asked you to prepare?¡±


    After nailing the Wang father and son, Ling jingxuan shifted his attention onto Yuan Shaoqi, who pushed several account books in front of him, ¡°As you requested, all the account books of the jam business, mushroom business, the wineries and Baiyunge are all here. Besides, there is also the account book of the spending of the sorghum purchasing things. Now, the overall accounts of Yuehua Manor is 183,700 taels of silver, in which the goods for Baiyunge takes up about sixty percent, about 100,000 taels, the rest is the profit from the jam and mushrooms. Till now, there¡¯s no actually operation revenue of the wineries. It¡¯s the net profit, spending excluded.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. The business of jam and wine is us and Brother Zhao¡¯s. We have made a deal, Shengrui and I take 10% each. Brother Zhao¡¯s family and Jinghan and Jingpeng take 20% each. So, keep thirty thousand out of the eighty thousand taels. We will split the rest according to what we have agreed. Shaoqi, make a recording. Tomorrow, withdraw the silver and hand them out.¡±


    Ling jingxuan leaned over and picked up the account books and flipped through. No one knew what he was thinking. It seemed now was not the time to split the money.


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    Yuan Shaoqi nodded and threw Ling Jinghan a wink, but the other side totally ignored him. Everyone¡¯s attention was on Ling Jingxuan. They were waiting, waiting for what he was going to say next.


    ¡°Jinghan, Jingpeng, Brother Zhao and Han, after today, Shengrui and I will not participate in the sharing of these three businesses. From now on, my share will be given to Jingpeng, because he will be solely responsible for all the businesses in the future, so it¡¯s only reasonable he takes 60%. And I hope you can understand.¡±


    Sure enough, soon Ling Jingxuan opened his mouth, but what he said shocked everyone on spot. Who didn¡¯t know it was only the beginning of the wineries and it was very promising? Only the hill-like sorghum wine in the warehouse would earn them an unimagined number, let alone they were about to harvest the sorghums again and build more wineries in other towns and counties. Did he know what a huge fortune he was gonna give up?


    ¡°No, Jingxuan, the wine business is the biggest one. We are about to sell. How can you give it up? It won¡¯t do!¡±


    It had been a long time since Han Fei refuted him so solemnly like now. Ling Jingpeng also echoed with a frown, ¡°Big brother, I also disagree. Whether it¡¯s the jam business in the beginning or the fungus business later, or the wine business now, it¡¯s all you! Even if we are brothers, we can¡¯t take advantage of you like this!¡±


    Without him, where would they be?


    ¡°Hehe¡­easy, listen to me slowly.¡±


    Having already anticipated this, Ling Jingxuan beckoned them to sit down first, then leaned forward to take a sip of his tea before saying slowly, ¡°I have already talked to Shengrui. The business of the jam, fungus and wine all belongs to Yuehua Manor, not my own. I can¡¯t take them away with me. Besides, our family needs it. Jingpeng, if Jinghan takes the official career, you are the only one who will inherit the business. Remember. Be it our relatives or some strangers, as long as he/she is loyal and capable, we should give them jobs. And those who do better, we should take out part of the profit to reward them as the annuity. But, never split the ownership. It could only be in the hands of you, Brother Zhao and other close ones. Besides, Jinghan, if some day you really split the family with Jingpeng, you also shouldn¡¯t take anything away. Jingpeng, you only need to split more money and landed properties to him. The ownership has to be concentrated. Once it splits, it¡¯d be hard to operate. You should know, we brothers are close with each other. But what about our offspring? Who would know now? And you too, Brother Zhao. Whether you will marry a woman or not or have some other kid, the ownership in your hands could only belong to Tiewa. So, I will give up my share. Jingpeng, you have to support the whole family from now on and set up a giant business empire for me and Jinghan and be our solid back.¡±


    In their view, he gave up a huge wealth maybe, but in Ling Jingxuan¡¯s view, instead of losing anything, he earned a big one. A huge fortune was never as important as a solid back, especially at such an ancients times where especially stressed one¡¯s background. Only after Jingpeng was strong enough would he and Jinghan have the confidence and be more fearless. And Jingpeng, on the surface, he gained the most, but comparatively, he had also lost more. In the future, all the pressure would fall on himself.


    ¡°Big brother!¡±


    Ling Jingpeng and Ye Ruyun called at the same time, both of whom showed a bitter smile. How would they not understand what he planned? At this moment, they only felt the fortune was so heavy, because not it was not merely a fortune now, but also their big brother¡¯s trust and expectations on them. They felt both touched and helpless, hard to describe.

 Chapter 455

    ¡°Jingpeng, do as what big brother said. His concerns are reasonable. We are brothers, but who can guarantee things about our descendants? If they fight over the family properties after we all die, then this home is no longer a home. So, we¡¯d better make things clear now.¡±


    Ling Jinghan who had stayed silent for a long time gave a wry smile, then turned to their big brother, ¡°Big brother, since you don¡¯t want anything, this time we won¡¯t split the money. You take all the fifty thousand taels with you, the rest thirty thousand taels remain in the accounts.¡±


    ¡°Yes yes yes, Jingxuan, we won¡¯t split the money this time. You take it all with you. We all have a lot of cash in hands now and don¡¯t know how to spend it.¡±


    Hearing that, Han Fei hurriedly echoed, he knew that what Ling Jingxuan said was all right, and he also knew it was hard to change it once he had made up his mind. Since so, at least he wished that he could bring more money with him just in case. The capital was unlike the countryside. It¡¯d be better to have more money there.


    ¡°I also agree with my second brother. Big brother, you can¡¯t say no this time. Compared with what you have given us, this is like a drop in the bucket.¡±


    Afraid that he might reject, Ling Jingpeng also hurriedly echoed. Helpless though, Ling Jingxuan also felt touched. Fifty thousand taels was really nothing to him now. Since he would earn the first fifty thousand, he could earn numerous fifty thousand. What touched him was their true hearts. He turned to look at Yan Shengrui, while the latter threw him a ¡®handle it yourself¡¯ look. Then Ling Jingxuan breathed out before saying, ¡°No need. Listen to me. After Spring Festival, we have never split the money. I know, each family of you only has two thousand taels for daily expense. So, I guess the cash in your hands now is more or less the same. Besides, the sorghum wine is still in the warehouse, no earnings yet. This time, I will not only take the kids away with me, I will also take Jinghan, Brother Zhao and others away with me. I have asked Lord Zeng to buy houses for all of you in the capital. That is where the chosen one is at, so everything there should be much more expensive. Although with Shengrui¡¯s cover, you still need to have some flexible money in your hands, right? Besides, I still have my shares of Baiyunge and Xinyuan Restaurant. Are you still worried I¡¯ll be short of money?¡±


    It was not that he had nothing now. He had never planned to split the business of Baiyunge with them or give it up. Although now he could earn more money this side, after the sorghum wine went to the market, Baiyunge could never compare with it. But in the long run, as a top luxury brand, it wouldn¡¯t fall behind the sorghum wine business.


    ¡°That¡¯s you and Qing¡¯s business. How can you mix them up?¡±


    Ling Jingpeng refuted without thinking, after a little meditation, he continued, ¡°How about this? Big brother, maybe you are right. After my second brother, Brother Zhao and others go to the capital, they also need money. This time, we¡¯ll split the money as you said. But, at the end of this year, we¡¯ll split the money again. However much it is, you have to take it. Anyway, you started all the businesses of our family. Anyway, you have to have your share. Otherwise, I won¡¯t accept your share.¡±


    That sounded like a threat, didn¡¯t it? A warm threat. Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling. At the end of year, it wouldn¡¯t be a small number. For other brothers, they only wished to split more, while they only wished that he could get it all.


    ¡°I agree!¡±


    Han Fei and Ling Jinghan¡¯s voice almost sounded at the same time. In case Ling Jingxuan refused again, Han Fei decisively tried to switch the topic, ¡°This thing is decided then. Well, Jingxuan, why should we also go to the capital with you? We have no special skills. Wouldn¡¯t we only create trouble for you?¡±


    With Ling Jingxuan¡¯s preference of Tiewa, he could understand why he wanted to take Tiewa with him, but why them too? He had never said a word about it before them.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Brother Han, what are you talking about? How could you say you have no special skills? Do you think I¡¯m gonna take you to the capital to live a retired life? We are still young. You are familiar with the businesses at home. This time, you are going to open the first shop of our wine in the capital. Except the sorghum wine and grape wine, I will also teach you to make all kinds of fruit wine and medical wine. Xinyuan Restaurant could only meet the needs of those people from the upper class, so the money they make is limited. In the future, as we open more and more wineries, we will produce more and more wine. So, only relying on Xinyuan Restaurant will never do. So, we should set up exclusive shops of our Ling Winery and promote it through the whole kingdom. Now, do you still think you shouldn¡¯t go to the capital with me? And Brother Zhao, the quality steel knives you taught Shengrui to forge has played the key role during the war last time. And Shengrui has reported it to the court. So, this time, you are going to the capital to receive your rewards.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan gave a faint smile and said following Han Fei¡¯s words. Too many things they needed to do. Only relying on Jingpeng was impossible. Setting their head shop in the capital would do them a lot of good. Firstly, Shengrui enjoyed great prestige there, plus they had Yunhan covering them, when not convenient, they could secretly contact there. Secondly, the capital was where the chosen one was at. The civilians there had high acceptance of new things, and they were comparatively richer. Thirdly, after they had ample money and their exclusive shop achieved initial success, taking the capital as the center, they could rapidly occupy the market of all those prefectures. That was also why he had long decided to take Shopkeeper Zhang with him. With him assisting Han Fei, they could yield twice the result with half the effort.


    ¡°So still need to see His Majesty in person?¡±


    Han Fei and Zhao Dalong both exclaimed. What had they done to deserve this? After seeing the empress, the little prince and His Highness, now they even had a chance to see His Majesty?


    ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? Isn¡¯t His Majesty human? Brother Zhao and Han, don¡¯t worry. Shengrui will take care of it.¡±

 Chapter 456

    Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan was amused. The emperor was only born better than they were, nothing special, but he could understand their shock and awe.


    ¡°Hmm, then we¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    Both of them nodded and made the decision. Originally, they were not natives here, so it was not like leaving their long-lived home. Besides, Ling Jingxuan would take their kid away. For the kid¡¯s good, they shouldn¡¯t say no. And then, their whole family wouldn¡¯t separate. It was good. Although, they knew nothing about the capital and their future was still in the mirror. They still had Jingxuan and Jinghan, right? In the future, after Jingpeng married with Miss Ye, maybe their whole family would move into the capital. So, nothing to be afraid of!


    ¡°Hehe¡­That¡¯s good.¡±


    After settling things down of their side, Ling Jingxuan turned his eyes onto Zhang Qing and Zhang Yang, whose body reflectively went stiff, like they were about to get interrogated. Ling Jingxuan nearly couldn¡¯t hold it and laugh out. Leaning against Yan Shengrui, he said, ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous. Qing, the business of Baiyunge, we are half and half. Since Baiyunge belongs to Shengrui, in the future, I also plan to provide unlimited supply of all kinds of designs. So, I will take your share back. You heard me just now. Yang is going to take an official career. So, Qing will take care of all business at home. If you divide your family some day, how to split the money and other properties, that¡¯s your own thing. But you can¡¯t split the shares. If you want to, you can sell all your shares to me, I can pay.¡±


    Ancient times was different from modern times, there were too many reasons about the dispersed ownership in modern times. The most common reasons were like brothers dividing the family or transferring the shares from father to sons¡­The final result was internal corruptions. But after all, modern times were peaceful times. However hard they fought for the shares, it was a farce in people¡¯s eyes. But things were different in ancient times. For shares, they may kill each other or what. If it hadn¡¯t been that the emperor had such huge family properties, would his sons fight for it at all means? The civilians were the same. Sometimes, having too much money may not be a good thing.


    ¡°Cousin, we know what you mean, don¡¯t worry, I know what to do.¡±


    Looking into his eyes, Zhang Qing said prudently. Having been in the business circle for so long, he had become more and more mature and steady, the only thing that had never changed was his respect for Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Hmm, Yang, don¡¯t think I¡¯m being partial top anyone or try to put my finger in your pie. I¡¯m doing this for your offspring. This winter, you are going to take the exams for tongsheng. Next year, if you pass the exams for xiucai, come to the capital to find me. And study hard in the following two years, try to pass the jinshi exams and win some honor for your mother and elder brother.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Jingxuan turned to the only thirteen years old Zhang Yang, thinking what his mother said during the day, his tone was quite serious. His aunt was a good woman, and he sincerely hoped that his two cousins can let her live a good life, not only on money, but also spiritual satisfaction.


    ¡°Thank you, cousin. I will live up to your expectations and be admitted as a xiucai next year.¡±


    Zhang Yang clenched his fists with a firm look on his face. A year ago, he would never be so confident. This year, he had not only received teaching from the empress, but also his second cousin and Zhang juren. If he still couldn¡¯t pass the exams for xiucai, then he should really give up the road of imperial examinations and go back to help his big brother with the business.


    ¡°Hehe¡­I believe you can make it. I¡¯m looking forward to seeing you again in the capital next year.¡±


    Nearly having solved all the problems, Ling Jingxuan looked around at everyone on spot and finally fixed his eyes on his two younger brothers, ¡°Except that eighty mu of paddy field, things like the title deeds are all under my name. Some other day I will ask Guarantor Liu to transfer the title deeds of the house under your name, Jingpeng, and the title deeds of the land under your name, Jinghan. As for Hanling School, I have to take it with me. It¡¯s opened for Yunhan, so we will share it together.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Second brother, we should listen to big brother.¡±


    To receive tens of thousand mu of land for free, Ling Jinghan subconsciously wanted to reject, but got stopped by Ling Jingpeng. Ling Jinghan looked back at him strangely, while his younger brother threw him a reassuring look. Knowing that he should have his own thinking, Ling Jinghan had to temporarily hold his words back. Ling Jingpeng looked at his big brother again, ¡°OK, we will all listen to you. Big brother, you can count on me. I will make our business bigger and won¡¯t let you and Jinghan down!¡±


    No one noticed that a cunning light flashed across Ling Jingpeng¡¯s eyes. His big brother¡¯s words just now reminded him that since he could transfer the title deeds under their names, why couldn¡¯t they on the contrary? They could also secretly purchase properties for him! Just now, almost in an instant, he had made up his mind. As long as he was in charge of this family, wherever their business went, he¡¯d buy shops for his big brother there.


    If Ling Jingxuan knew his thoughts, he would laugh, wouldn¡¯t he? Really worthy to be his younger brother!

 Chapter 457

    No one was more reliable than wolf daddy. Early in the morning the next day, wolf daddy and his two sons really brought back a male panda almost the same size as Chubby. And, since Ling Jingxuan vaguely mentioned that in order to save Yan Shengrui, he had nearly used up the whole green lucid ganoderma. So this time, they also specially got him a greener and bigger and more beautiful one. Ling Jinxuan was overjoyed and gave each other them hard kisses. In other¡¯s hands, maybe a green lucid ganoderma could only save one people¡¯s life, but in his hands, its value was greatly different.


    Soon it came into September and they also had to pack up their things and leave. Of course they couldn¡¯t hide it from their parents. The day before leaving, after breakfast, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui asked their parents to stay, and other family, including the little buns. Ling Chenglong and his wife were not stupid. Those trusted soldiers of Yan Shengrui kept busying in and out these days. They had already guessed that their sons were leaving soon. So, before Ling Jingxuan opened his mouth, Lady Wang reddened her eyes first but tried her best to hold her tears from dropping. Now their son was the crown princess and he was going to the capital to enjoy, so dropping tears was not auspicious.


    ¡°Dad, mom, tomorrow I¡¯m gonna go to the capital with Shengrui and the kids. Jinghan, Brother Zhao and others are also going with us. We need them to expand our business there. And Jinghan is going to the capital to prepare for the exams next spring. Don¡¯t be sad. The capital is not far away. If you really miss us, you can come to us anytime. When I have time, I will also take the kids back. Here is always my root. I will come back. Besides, Cangzhou is Shengrui¡¯s fief. He has his mansion there. Even if we don¡¯t come back to our manor, we will go there.¡±


    Holding Lady Wang¡¯s hand, Ling Jingxuan said with difficulty. His parents may be weak or soft-hearted and often dragged them down, but they were still good parents. On them, he felt the family bond he had never felt before. Long long ago, he had already taken them as his real parents.


    Now, they were suddenly leaving, and would take over half of the people at home. He knew they would feel sad, but he was sad too. If possible, why would he want to leave? Capital was the pronoun for trouble. If not for Shengrui, he would never let himself and the kids get involved in the internal fights of the imperial family. Nothing is absolute. He was also not 100% sure that he would be the one who could laugh the last laugh. But for Shengrui, for the kids, for Yunhan and his son, for their future, he would try. Whoever it was, anyone who dare ride over their heads, he wouldn¡¯t show mercy. He would fight for a bright future for all of them!


    ¡°Cry¡­I know, I just¡­Ruyun is also leaving?¡±


    Lady Wang tried to hold back her tears and looked over at his future daughters-in-law with red eyes. After they left, wouldn¡¯t this Yuehua Manor be so desolate?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, mom. Actually I should have directly gone to the capital to receive the rewards with the army. His Highness allowed me to escort him back and I had the chance to come back to check on you. Now His Highness and the crown princess are both leaving, I guess I have to go with them. Mom, don¡¯t worry. After everything is done in there, I will come back to accompany you.¡±


    Rarely that Ye Ruyun acted like a woman and said with some kind of sobbing tone. Although Lady Wang and others didn¡¯t have that kind of good family background, they were true to her and thought of her whatever they did. They totally took her as their own daughter. So, she also didn¡¯t want to leave.


    ¡°What are you talking about, silly girl? Don¡¯t come back if it¡¯s too busy in the army. After all you and Jingpeng haven¡¯t been married. No one here will say a word about you. But I¡¯m afraid people in the capital will gossip. If I miss you too much, I will let your dad take me to the capital to visit you. After you fulfill your wish some day, we will definitely throw you a grand wedding. It¡¯s just we feel a bit sorry to let you, daughter of a general, marry into a farmer¡¯s family like us.¡±


    It was lying if she said she was totally not worried about their family background about this marriage, but what worried Lady Wang was if her future daughter-in-law would be laughed at. She saw the two kids¡¯ relationship. Although Ye Ruyun acted like a man and a bit older than Jingpeng, she was really a straightforward person and was good to their son. So she cared about her from the bottom of her heart.


    ¡°Why care about what others say? What¡¯s wrong with farmer¡¯s family? Compared with those rich kids who only know bullying others, Jingpeng is ten times better! Mom, as long as you don¡¯t find me too unmannerly, I will always be the daughter-in-law of your Ling family.¡±


    If Ye Ruyun was an ordinary woman, how could she intimidate the three armies? How would she follow Ling Jingpeng all the way back to Yuehua Manor?


    ¡°Nonsense! How would we ever possibly despise you? As long as you and Jingpeng are good, we will be happy.¡±


    The more Lady Wang spoke, the more satisfied she became. And her former discomfort seemed to have dissipated a lot. At least when she turned back at Ling Jingxuan, her eyes were no longer so red, ¡°You are the crown princess now, and I don¡¯t know those formalities of those noble families. After going to the capital, you shouldn¡¯t act like when at home or use poison as you want, or bully Shengrui or embarrass him, you know?¡±


    ¡°Mom, who is your son?¡±


    Hearing, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t know whether to cry or laugh. If he really did as what she told him, wouldn¡¯t he get depressed there? Besides, when has he ever bullied Shengrui? Apparently it was Shengrui who had always played an as*hole, all right?


    ¡°You are both my sons. Even if Shengrui spoils you, you should know what you are doing and listen to Shengrui more, you hear me?¡±


    Lady Wang tried to hold back her smile and said with a stern face, while Yan Shengrui holding Ling Jingxuan smiled complacently. After hearing so much, this sentence was the most pleasing to him. He wouldn¡¯t expect other things, only if he could be obedient in bed at night.


    ¡°Yes, yes, I will listen to him, OK? You are being too partial.¡±


    ¡°You silly boy, what are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Ha ha¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s joke made Lady Wang unable to hold it and laugh out. Then everyone on spot also couldn¡¯t help laughing. The two little buns moved forward to hold Ling Chenglong and his wife, ¡°Grandpa, grandma, we will also miss you. After we arrive at the capital, we will let father buy you a huge house there and then you can also live there.¡±


    The little buns remembered what daddy taught them¡ªtry to make them happy. But after all they were quite sentimental, though they had tried to raise a smile, one could still hear the obvious sobbing in their tone.


    ¡°OK. Wen, Wu, you are the best! Grandpa and grandma will definitely go to see you. You two should also behave and listen to your father and daddy, you know?¡±


    Lady Wang nodded with tears in her eyes, Ling Chenglong also reddened his eyes, and the two little buns just held them like that and wouldn¡¯t let go. After exchanging an eye contact, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui walked forward and held them up, ¡°Mom, you still have Sister-in-law Song, Lady Zheng and Lady Lan. I want to take Ling Yun, Shuiling and Lady Zhang with me. Ling Yun is thoughtful and reliable, Shuiling is smart, they could do things for me. And Lady Zhang will be Tiewa¡¯s attendant. I also don¡¯t have the heart to let her and her son separate. So, I can let her take care of my children by the way there.¡±

 Chapter 458

    At first he only planned to take Ling Yun with him, after all Shuiling and Lady Zhang were not as thoughtful as her. But later, he changed his mind. Lady Zhang had to stay with her son Long Dashan. Song Shuiling was also a good kid. Anyway, she should be a lot handier than an outsider. Don¡¯t say he is over suspicious. He really dare not use anyone from Shengrui¡¯s mansion.


    ¡°Well, if they don¡¯t mind, you can take them, and you can take care of the ach other.¡±


    As soon as Lady Wang¡¯s voice fell, Ling Yun, Lady Zhang and Song Shuiling, who had been waiting by the side, knelt down in front of them one after another, ¡°We are willing to go to the capital with the master.¡±


    ¡°Get up. Old Song, Sister-in-law Song, Old Zhou, Huzi and Changsheng, I also plan to take them with me. You¡¯ve been here for almost a year. I told you. If you perform well enough, I will let you get what you deserve. After you kids reach sixteen, I will remove their slave registration and give them freedom. Then it¡¯d be easy for them to find their own wife.¡±


    He had never said this to them before, and saying it now meant he truly trusted them now.


    ¡°Thank you, Master Xuan, thank you, Master Xuan!¡±


    Hearing that, they all kowtowed to him. Once one got his slave registration, one would be a slave forever, even including his offspring. So, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s move undoubtedly touched their hearts. What was there to be worried of then? With their kids staying with him, maybe their kids would get a title in the future!


    ¡°Get up, all of you, and go pack up your things. We¡¯ll leave early in the morning tomorrow.¡±


    After sending them away, Ling Jingxuan turned to look at his parents, with naked sentiment in his eyes. Yan Shengrui quietly grabbed his hand and gave him silent comfort, and also swore in the heart that he would take them back when the affairs in the capital were done and never let him get so sad like now.


    ¡°My crown princess, I have something to say.¡±


    Just when they thought all things were settled, the nanny holding the child suddenly knelt in front of them. Ling Jingxuan gave a slight frown, stretched out his hand and held his son over, ¡°Say it.¡±


    The little Dumpling was still sound asleep. Ling Jingxuan poked his little face, and the little thing impatiently turned his head sideways and fell asleep again. As Ling Jingxuan tried to poke him again, with a darkened face, the two little buns grabbed him from their daddy and didn¡¯t allow him to continue annoying their cute little brother.


    ¡°My crown princess, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t go with you. I still have my husband and kid here.¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang hired this nanny in town, not a maid they bought. Hearing that, both Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan made a frown. But the next second, the nanny raised her head and said gingerly, ¡°But if we could go together, maybe¡­¡±


    She didn¡¯t finish her words, but her implication was too obvious. Although she had concealed her desire quite well, it still couldn¡¯t get away from Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes. So, she was threatening them using her identity as their baby¡¯s nanny?


    ¡°In that case, don¡¯t go, Jingpeng, dismiss her immediately. She and her family are never allowed to work in any of our industries.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan darkened his eyes and said indifferently. She even had the balls to threaten him now. If she raised his kid till he grew big, wouldn¡¯t she ride over his head using the kid as a threat? He had long heard that in ancient times, most nannies were bad, and he happened to meet one.


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Ling Jingpeng was not stupid. How could he not tell what that woman wanted? If she said it using some begging tone, his big brother wouldn¡¯t be so reasonable. They really couldn¡¯t afford hiring such kind of woman.


    ¡°No, my crown princess, I don¡¯t mean that, my crown princess¡­ah¡­¡±


    Apparently not expecting that the always mild crown princess would suddenly change his face, the nanny got scared and hurriedly threw herself under his feet and begged him, but got thrown aside by a kick of Yan Shengrui, ¡°Someone! Throw her out!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    The soldiers standing outside the door directly dragged her out, and the room instantly resumed its former quietness, like nothing had happened. But this thing really alerted Ling Jingxuan. About the nanny thing, he had his own calculations now. At least, he would no longer hire any nanny for Dumpling again. Maybe he could bring an ewe with him, together with the crescent spring water, it¡¯d be enough.


    On this day, the whole house was filled with some kind of depressive mood, in the afternoon Ling Qicai came with his youngest son Ling Chenggui and euphemistically expressed that he wished that his son could go with them. Ling Jingxuan thought Ling Chenggui was not a bad person, so he agreed. It was just that he still had to give Ling Qicai some warning, for he didn¡¯t wish that right after they left, someone came making trouble again.


    After everything was settled, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan planned to leave early the next morning. The reason was that Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t like the feeling of so many people seeing them off or that kind of sentimental atmosphere. But before they arrived at the wharf, a lot of people were already waiting there. Finally, Lady Wang and Wang Jinyu cried out. Seeing that they all got on the ship and were leaving for real, Ling Chenglong held his wife and said with a sobbing tone, ¡°The capital is a total strange place for them. Shengrui, I will hand Jingxuan over to you. You can say I¡¯m being partial. You can¡¯t bully him.¡±


    Among the three sons, apparently he cared about his big sun most. Now they were really leaving, he felt like something was pressing his heart, feeling so bad.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, dad, I¡¯ll take good care of them, and I¡¯ll bring them back to see you in two years.¡±


    Standing on the bow of the ship with Ling Jingxuan in his arms, Yan Shengrui assured him with a firm look in his eyes. Ling Jingxuan also echoed, ¡°Dad, I¡¯ll be fine. No one dares to bully me. You go back home!¡±


    ¡°I know!¡±


    Ling Chenglong¡¯s lips could not help trembling, and he almost used all he could to hold his tears from dropping. As he showed his attitude, others all said goodbye to them, everyone looked so sad, in an instant, the whole wharf got enveloped in dense sorrow.


    ¡°Sail!¡±


    After all, they had to leave. So one more moment was useless at all. After Ling Jingxuan nodded at his man, his man waved his hand, and then tens of his trusted soldiers boarded. Then three big ships carrying people, goods and pets slowly set sail.


    ¡°Jingxuan, Jinghan, take care.¡±


    ¡°Huzi, Chengsheng, take care of the little masters¡­Master Xuan, take care¡­¡±


    ¡°Jingxuan¡­Ruyun¡­¡±


    As the ships started, those people on the shore all got more emotional, and people on the ships also felt sad. This was the first time of such a long departure. To them, their future was like an X. But they were not afraid. As long as they worked hard, under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s lead, they believed that they¡¯d have a bright road to take some day!


    ¡°So, I completely have no way back!¡±


    After the ship sailed for some distance, Ling Jingxuan, who was still standing side by side with Yan Shengrui on the bow, leaned towards him slightly. Yan Shengrui who was holding him tightened his hand and said with a firm tone, ¡°I am your leeway forever.¡±


    With a shock, Ling Jingxuan turned to give him a deep look. After quite a while, a bright smiled bloomed on his face, ¡°I will all count on you them, my husband.¡±


    The sadness of separation seemed to melt away in an instant. The husband and husband held each other¡¯s hands and smiled brightly and happily as they embarked on a new journey of life.

 Chapter 459

    Cangzhou was neither too far nor too near from the capital. Under normal circumstances, it¡¯d take about half a month walking by foot. As the waterway needed to take a detour, it¡¯d take longer. The sun in autumn was still hot. Little Dumpling was only two months old. For the sake of the baby, Yan Shengrui gave up the land route and took the waterway. All the way, they could also appreciate the sceneries on the banks.


    Of the three ships, only the first one was carrying people, the second and third ones were both carrying goods, including their sorghum wine, grade wine, jam and this year¡¯s newly harvested early rice. Having being used to the quality rice they grew themselves, they already didn¡¯t want any other rice. Not only that, Ling Chenglong also said after the late rice was harvested, he¡¯d send all of it to the capital for them, and promised that he¡¯d send them the rice every year.


    ¡°Daddy, look, our little brother is so good at eating. Will he eat goat¡¯s milk instead of a nanny¡¯s?¡±


    In case the nanny thing happened again, and due to the pressing time, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t find another nanny, but took two ewes with him. Whenever the kid got hungry, he¡¯d milk some for him, then mixed it with some crescent spring water, removed its strong smell and fed the kid with a spoon. After first, it was really a bit troublesome, since the little Dumpling had been used to sucking tits, so he refused to open his mouth when using a spoon. Later, maybe he was too hungry, soon he had learned to eat with the spoon. The few little buns fed him in turns everyday. Every time if there was any left, Ling Wu, as his elder brother, would love to help him finish it all.


    ¡°Anyway, we still need a nanny. But maybe we¡¯ll talk about that after we arrive in the capital. Hand little Dumpling to me. Didn¡¯t your father say he¡¯d teach you martial arts? Go.¡±


    Taking the baby over and slightly patting his back to let him burp, Ling Jingxuan reminded the kids with a smile. Days on the ship were boring. So Yan Shengrui and Ling Jinghan took over the job of teaching the kids. One taught them martial arts in the morning, while the other taught them reading in the afternoon. Sometimes, Ye Ruyun would join to teach them martial arts. The only one who had nothing to do should be Ling Jingxuan. The little Dumpling only needed him to take care of for a moment while he needed feeding. Most of the time, it was Lady Zhang, Ling Yun and others who were taking care of the baby.


    ¡°OK, little Dumpling, we¡¯ll come back for you later.¡±


    As he couldn¡¯t reach his little brother¡¯s head, Ling Wen directly patted on his little foot. Then the three little buns turned to leave after bowing to Ling Jingxuan like little adults. Song Shuiling who was waiting on by the side couldn¡¯t help smiling, ¡°Master Xuan, the little masters are behaving more and more like childes from an official family.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­they are always so good.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan withdrew his gaze and put the little dumpling who stopped burning in bed, then leaned against the chair and continued boringly, ¡°I don¡¯t know what those official families¡¯ formalities, my kids only need to be themselves.¡±


    That was also why he had not hired someone to teach children the basic etiquettes. Kids, if you put too many restrains on them, they¡¯d become little old men. His little buns were already premature, he really didn¡¯t wish them to become more premature. If they became like little Seven, wouldn¡¯t he feel sorry for them?


    ¡°Master Xuan, I heard that people in the capital are very snobbish. Will they look down upon us?¡±


    Seeing that he seemed in a good mood, Song Shuiling couldn¡¯t help moving forward and asked what was worrying her. She was not afraid that she¡¯d get bullied or what, but only worried someone would ride over their master¡¯s head. Before leaving, the master¡¯s parents had told her that she had to make sure of the safety of Master Xuan and the little masters even at the cost of her own life. She knew that except some handwork, she wasn¡¯t good at anything, what she all was only her loyalty to Master Xuan.


    ¡°That¡¯s for sure. Whether it¡¯s the capital or somewhere else, given my farmer¡¯s background, people will look down on me. After all, our lord¡¯s background is there. Let alone I¡¯m a farmer, even if I am the legitimate son or daughter from a big family, I¡¯m still far from good enough for him. So, forget about others, we only need to be ourselves. Besides, being looked down upon by snobs may not be a bad thing.¡±


    A great man knows when to yield and when not. Although he had never planned to wrong himself, sometimes, it might not be a bad thing to pretend to be a fool, just take it as a way to test others. He didn¡¯t plan to have any head-on confrontations with those people in the beginning. Of course, if they were in a hurry to seek death, he didn¡¯t mind getting rid of some of them as a warning.


    ¡°I understand. What Master Xuan is trying to say is we should roll with the punches?¡±


    Song Shuiling was a smart girl. Hearing here, she basically knew what he meant. Ling Yun on the side who was a bit older than her showed a doting smile, ¡°That¡¯s what Master Xuan means. Others looking down on us, why should we care? Can we sublimate our dignity if they think highly of us? As long as we keep on the rails and wouldn¡¯t do anything that crosses the line, even if something happens, someone will stand out for us.¡±


    ¡°Is that right?¡±


    Song Shuiling looked over at Ling Jingxuan who was leaning against the chair, while the latter was enjoying the scenery outside. After quite a while, he murmured, ¡°Shuiling, learn more from Ling Yun when you have time. Do more and speak less. The capital is different from the countryside. You may lose your head anytime. You know, in the future, you¡¯d have to help me regulate the whole mansion.¡±


    He was glad she was so pure. If in the countryside, he wouldn¡¯t request her to change. Keeping such a pure heart was a rare thing. But now they were heading for the capital and were about to ¡°Yes, I know, master.¡±


    Knowing he was helping her, Song Shuiling hurriedly withdrew the curiosity and fun in the eyes and stood aside. Ling Jingxuan also said no more, only looking out of the window. Soon, they were arriving at the capital.

 Chapter 460

    In Fuling Palace of the empress dowager, in the harem of the imperial palace


    ¡°Unbelievable! How could he marry a farmer as his first wife? Your Majesty, you can¡¯t approve of this memorial. As a prince, how could he first wife be a man? And a farmer? I won¡¯t allow such absurd thing to happen!¡±


    Usually, if the emperor¡¯s brothers wanted to marry their first wife, they needed to get the emperor¡¯s approving first. So, as early as when they set out, Yan Shengrui had already let Yan Shan to send the memorials of marrying Ling Jingxuan as his first wife into the palace at full speed. When receiving it, the emperor also had no idea what to do, so he could only go to the harem to ask advice from the empress dowager and Yan Shengrui¡¯s mother Noble Consort Yun. But when the empress dowager saw the memorials, she got so mad that she even forgot that Noble Consort Yun, the empress and other concubines were all there, with that well-maintained face with undisguised anger.


    ¡°Mother, please calm your anger. It¡¯s not that Ling Jingxuan is without a single redeeming feature. He not only led civilians of whole Cangzhou to grow late rice, but also grew out sorghums on tens of thousands of mu saline-alkali land and greatly relieved the pressure of the civilians there. Now of His Majesty¡¯s inner sea controlling and fish raising in the rice fields, it all had his credit. So to the whole kingdom, he has performed meritorious service.¡±


    Chu Yunhan who was wearing the empress¡¯ phoenix robes explained with no mood swing on his face. The empress dowager who had always had a word with him snapped, ¡°So what? If he has contributions, His Majesty can reward him at most. How would he a farmer be Shengrui¡¯s first wife? I will never approve of it!¡±


    Most importantly, she heard that farmer was a demon and had given birth to three sons for Shengrui. If the position of the first wife was given to him, his children would be the legitimate sons. Shengrui was holding the military power in his hands and he said he did not care about the throne before. But who knew after he had his sons? What if¡­No, anyhow, she would never allow that demon to be Shengrui¡¯s first wife!


    ¡°Mother said right. Throughout the whole Qing Kingdom, which meritorious official has ever married a man as his first wife? Oh, sorry, My Empress, don¡¯t get me wrong, of course you and Consort Huajun are exceptions.¡±


    The woman who talked wearing the noble consort¡¯s clothes with exquisite makeup on her face and a slim body and looked in her early thirties at most was Noble Consort Xiao. Actually she was forty already, mother of the first prince and fourth prince, and the already married Princess Jiayang was also her daughter. Although she was still a noble consort, she had been favored by His Majesty and the empress dowager all those years. Plus, the position of the empress had been vacant for some time, so both in the east and west harem spread her forces. Anyone with brains knew that she was the actual empress of the whole harem.


    ¡°Noble Consort Xiao, you overthink things. I¡¯m not that kind of petty person.¡±


    Chu Yunhan threw her a cold sweep, then elegantly took up his tea cup and took a sip. The empress dowager had had a problem with him and always tried to find a chance to help Noble Consort Xiao get rid of him, pity that since he came back last year, he had been behaving more prudently, giving them no chance at all. Plus, he still had His Majesty¡¯s favor. Except that she found a chance to have insulted him when she asked her to wait on her side when she was ill in Fuling Palace last winter, she had never found a chance ever since.


    ¡°That is good. I¡¯m only afraid you may overthink things. Mother, since that¡¯s His Highness Sheng¡¯s personal thing, why don¡¯t we listen to Consort Yun¡¯s advice?¡±


    After throwing a punch in a ball of cotton, Noble Consort Xiao hated it but could only shift the attention onto His Highness Sheng. What worried the empress dowager was what worried her. So she would never allow anyone to grab the throne that only belonged to the imperial big son.


    ¡°Oh? Sister Yun, any idea?¡±


    As shrewd as the empress dowager was, how could she not understand what she meant? Yan Shengrui¡¯s mother Consort Yun had always been a pushover. But after all, she was his mother. As long as she didn¡¯t agree, what could Yan Shengrui do? Besides, he couldn¡¯t put the blame on them. One stone with two birds, why not?


    ¡°I will listen to you and His Majesty.¡±


    The beautiful Consort Yun gave a decent and graceful smile, kicking the ball back secretly. A flash of anger flashing across the empress dowager¡¯s eyes, she again pulled her hand and said earnestly, ¡°Nonsense! Shengrui is your kid. And that¡¯s his marriage thing. Even His Majesty and I have to listen to your advice. Don¡¯t worry. Whatever your opinion is, His Majesty and I will respect it.¡±


    Though she said so, anyone with brains knew that she was only pushing her to oppose this marriage. And once she said that, whatever pressure they gave, it was Consort Xiao¡¯s thing, which totally had nothing to do with them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Just speak your mind. I also won¡¯t allow Shengrui to act wildly.¡±


    The emperor also knew what they meant. After his words came out, one could tell he also approved of them. Chu Yunhan on the side made a slight frown that no one could notice, and his gloomy eyes also turned to look at Consort Yun. She¡¯d better not be a drag of them!


    ¡°Since so, I wish you could make him.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Obviously not expecting her to say so, the empress dowager exclaimed. Yan Shengzhi also frowned, but soon the empress dowager hid herself well. She tried to convince her, ¡°Have you really made up your mind? That guy is not only a low farmer, but also a demon. And he is a man. Aren¡¯t you afraid that Shengrui may be people¡¯s laughing stock?¡±


    The empress dowager just couldn¡¯t understand why she so easily accepted a demon as her daughter-in-law!


    ¡°Well, you know, Shengrui has never been close to me. Every time he came back victorious, she never came to visit me in my palace. In the past, it¡¯s not that I never urged him about his marriage. But every time, he just flung his sleeves and left. This time, finally he found one himself, though with low background, and a man, anyway, he has his offspring. So, I really dare not expect more.¡±


    Consort Yun gave a faint smile, the spring breeze like smile dazzled everyone¡¯s eyes. Although this beautiful woman got on in years, she was still indescribably beautiful.


    ¡°No, I won¡¯t agree with this. Your Majesty, you should leave Shengrui¡¯s memorials aside. Let him go to see me once he comes back!¡±


    Seeing their scheme failed, the empress dowager had to play the bad person herself. Whatsoever, she would never allow those few bastards to become Shengrui¡¯s legitimate sons, or even the little princes in the future!


    ¡°Mother, calm down, I also have this intention. Then we¡¯ll talk about it after Shengrui comes back.¡±


    Yan Shengzhi also felt helpless. He meant to come for a solution here, but still went nowhere.


    Before Ling Jingxuan arrived in the capital, dark waves already started to flow under the imperial palace, let alone those big families. It wasn¡¯t hard to imagine how many difficulties and sarcasm they were gonna face after they arrived in the capital. But, given Ling Jingxuan¡¯s personality, he wouldn¡¯t care about it at all, right? If they pushed him too hard, he¡¯d directly get rid of them. Facing those people in the capital, he would never show mercy like how he treated those farmers in the village. One could foresee that the capital would have a work-shaking change because of his appearance.

 Chapter 461

    Jinzhou City was less than four hours¡¯ distance from the capital, so the large forces that returned in triumph were stationed in there waiting for Yan Shengrui to go back to the capital together. Yan Shengrui was intended to let Ling Jingxuan and the children go with him, but, after all, the armies moved not that fast. After over ten days, Jingxuan and the children were tired. Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan decided to let Yan Yi and Yan Shan secretly escort them to the capital first. He had arranged people to pick them up on the wharf, the ship¡¯s goods would be received, so, they just needed to follow the servants who went to pick them up to the mansion.


    ¡°Daddy, is this the capital?¡±


    As Yan Shengrui and Ye Ruyun disembarked, the three ships sailed on, probably more than an hour later, they arrived at the bustling port of the capital. Compared with the passenger terminal of Qingyang County, this one was at least several times larger. Different types of orderly boats and ships moored by the wharf, and the passers-by all held a local accent, from time to time, the patrolling soldiers passed by. Several little buns all looked around curiously like Grandmother Liu went to the Grand View Garden for the first time, their reddish faces written with excitement.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, you guys go to the mansion together with me first. What about you? Go back home?¡±


    Holding the baby, Ling Jingxuan faintly swept over at the bustling wharf, totally did not be affected by the atmosphere here, cause he had seen those modern wharfs much more times bustling than this. To be honest, this could not lift any of his interest.


    ¡°Why go back to such kind of place? Didn¡¯t you say that I signed a five-year indenture with you? Is it possible you are afraid to offend the Duke¡¯s Mansion after you step on the land of the capital?¡±


    Staying by Ling Jinghan¡¯s side and unwilling to leave, Yuan Shaoqi showed a trace of disgust in his eyes, picked his eyebrows while trying to anger him with words. Why go back? He even hadn¡¯t gotten his wife in his hands yet!


    ¡°You know, reverse psychology doesn¡¯t work for me.¡±


    Throwing him a warning glance, Ling Jingxuan let the children step off the ship first, and Yuan Shaoqi mischievously stuck out his tongue, holding Ling Jinghan¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Big brother is so horrible.¡±


    ¡°You missed one word. You should say your big brother.¡±


    A pair of smiling eyes sweeping over him teasingly, Ling Jinghan hooked his lips and took the lead to move his steps.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be my big brother sooner or later.¡±


    Yuan Shaoqi froze there and then grumbled while catching up.


    The capital had too many rich people. So, those passengers who came and went all had their own carriage to pick them up. Yan Shengrui said he had long arranged people to pick them up. But after quite some time after Ling Jingxuan and others went ashore, still no carriage from the Prince Mansion came. So those passers-by looked at them strangely, it was just that no one dared to say something. People who were running around the wharfs were all calculative. If they accidentally said something wrong or offended someone they couldn¡¯t afford to offend, maybe they¡¯d lose their lives without knowing why.


    Seeing that Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face seemed to be turning gloomier, hidden in the dark, Yan Yi had to let Yan Shan find out what was going on at the fastest speed. Qin Yu had always been thoughtful. How could she make such a mistake?


    ¡°Jinghan, let me hold the baby for a while.¡±


    No one was stupid. When the crown princess returned to the mansion for the first time, instead of arriving earlier, they made them stand here and wait like fools. Apparently they were showing their attitude, and the smile on Han Fei¡¯s face was so awkward and stiff.


    ¡°No, they¡¯re here already.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan coldly refused Han Fei¡¯s good heart, the line of sight crossed him and coldly looked at a group of people wearing in unified clothes shuttling in the crowd, running toward them, led by a woman in blue robes, blackish green color printing jacket, probably in her 30s or 40s, some kind of plump body, looking shrewd, wearing a mammy bun, should be a woman steward or what, followed by a group of young maids. All women, not a single man.


    ¡°Excuse me, is it Master Xuan?¡±


    The mammy with a group of maids came to their front, seemingly respectful and polite attitude, but called him Master Xuan, but not Crown Princess Xuan. Outside, for the sake of safety, they called him Master Xuan and it was normal, but now he was in the capital, isn¡¯t it kind of inappropriate to still call him Master Xuan? It seemed that not only the big families of the capital and the imperial family, but even the servants and maids of the Prince Mansion were trying to climb over his head. Did they really think he is a pushover?


    ¡°How dare you! Mammy Wang, you are an old hand in the mansion. Why not kneel down on seeing the crown princess?¡±


    Seeing Ling Jingxuan was actually wearing a smile, Yan Yi in the dark could not help having a shudder and jumped out. Holy sh*t! Are those people looking for death? They even have the balls to offend the crown princess? Sick of living?


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Guard Yi, you really gave me a jump scare.¡±


    Instead of immediately kowtowing to Ling Jingxuan, she patted on her chest like being scared, and then slowly knelt down leading the maids, ¡°Our greetings, Master Xuan.¡±


    Still Master Xuan, like they didn¡¯t know the address crown princess. As Yan Yi was about to scold them, Ling Jingxuan lifted his hand to stop him, then, holding the child, he moved forward two steps, and said commandingly, ¡°So you also know I am your master. So incredible!¡±


    Full of sarcasm, even if a fool could tell, let alone a shrewd old mammy in the prince mansion?


    ¡°You must be kidding, Master Xuan. You are the master, how dare I forget about that? The prince has sent a letter saying that you will arrive at the wharf today. So Lady Qin has asked me to wait here long ago.¡±


    Kneeling on the ground, Mammy Wang slightly had a twitch of her mouth. Just a village farmer, why playing noble here? Just given birth to a few sons for His Highness, really take yourself as the crown princess?


    Lady Qin? Qin Yu? The steward of the prince mansion?


    Ling Jingxuan slightly frowned. When Yan Shengrui confessed to him about his properties, he had ever mentioned her once, but he didn¡¯t put it in his heart, after all, just a steward, but¡­the mammy¡¯s daughter? Really an awkward background. He just didn¡¯t know whether this was Qin Yu¡¯s meaning or theirs.


    An amused smile climbing on the cheeks, Ling Jingxuan, who originally intended to punish them as a warning to others, changed his mind, he would like to see how many people who were sick of living were waiting there.


    Seeing his meaningful smile, one should know he had already had a plan. Yuan Shaoqi quietly exchanged an eye contact with Ling Jinghan, just waiting aside to watch a drama. Those people were really interesting. The crown princess Yan Shengrui had taken great pains to finally marry back, even he himself dare not wrong him a little, now a bunch of maids trying to climb over his head? Was it possible that they already couldn¡¯t tell who they were since Prince Sheng had been away for too long?


    Although the little buns were small, they could read people¡¯s face. Ling Wen wore a tiger¡¯s face, that pair of big round eyes staring at those people, and Ling Wu beside looked even angrier, even the mildest Tiewa couldn¡¯t help reddening his face.


    ¡°Oh? Then why kept me waiting for so long?¡±


    Throwing Yan Yi a warning look to let him keep his mouth shut, Ling Jingxuan smiled while asking so, as if he didn¡¯t notice Mammy Wang¡¯s attitude of trespass, or her deliberately belittling about the appellation, which undoubtedly increased Mammy Wang¡¯s boldness, and now Yan Yi also disappeared, Mammy Wang already led the maids to stand up without Ling Jingxuan¡¯s permission, ¡°You know, too many people and carriages coming and going. Actuals we have been waiting outside the wharf. So, please walk with us. The carriage is already waiting out there.¡±


    So funny! Which carriage coming to pick up people wouldn¡¯t drive directly into the wharf? A noble princess had to walk outside? Today if he really did so, the next day this thing would have spread through the whole capital. Not only him, even Yan Shengrui came back with a landslide victory would also lose face.


    In order to embarrass him, did they even ignore Yan Shengrui¡¯s face?


    ¡°Ling Yun, Shuiling, go get two carriages for me, since the carriage of the mansion is so noble, I can only hire one by myself.¡±


    Ignoring those bodacious minions, Ling Jingxuan turned to order Ling Yun and Song Shuiling. Without any words, the two of them turned and ran away. Seeing that, Mammy Wang was frightened and quickly came forward, ¡°Master Xuan, this is your first time coming back. If you don¡¯t take the mansion¡¯s carriage, wouldn¡¯t the prince mansion become others¡¯ laughing stock?¡±


    In their minds, he was just a stupid farmer, so Mammy Wang did not put him in her eyes. In fact, they really had arrived at the wharf earlier and seen them too. They just hid and watched them for fun. If it hadn¡¯t been Yan Shan¡¯s appearance, they would have let him wait for a few more hours.


    ¡°Yan Yi, slap punishment!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Pia, pia, pia¡­¡±


    The smile on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face suddenly disappeared, the long and narrow phoenix eyes reflected some fierce light. Yan Yi hiding in the dark suddenly showed up, grabbed Mammy Wang and threw a few slaps in her face, while the latter completely got dumbfounded there, and the maids behind her all trembling on their knees.


    ¡°You take me back, all the others kneel on the wharf till six, and then go back to receive your punishment.¡±


    Hand casually pointing to a maid, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s voice was so cold that it made people shudder. Originally, he planned to let it go as long as they didn¡¯t go too far, and went back to see how many dirty things were waiting for him there, so he could solve them once and for all. But now, they were like having eaten a leopard¡¯s balls. They even cast Yan Shengrui¡¯s face behind. Really a bunch of tricky maids!


    This scene, of course, had attracted the attention of many people, a few who heard their dialogue were guessing if he was a princess of some mansion, but most people had no idea what was happening, so they thought he was bullying those maids. But, no one would jump out to say something. Maids are maids. No one should say a word even if they were killed, let alone getting them punished. That is reality!


    ¡°My crown princess, the carriages are here.¡±


    The last thing the wharf lacked of was carriages. Soon, Ling Yun and Shuiling soon found two carriages. Ling Jingxuan turned back to Yan Yi, ¡°You watch them here with Yan Shan. Anyone who dare to move a bit, directly kill her and throw her into the river.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan climbed onto the carriage and sped away with his family. Yan Yi and Yan Shan who were left there frowned, only wishing to kill all of them kneeling there. Are they blockheads? How dare they try to humiliate the crown princess? Now what? Not only them, even His Highness would be punished after he comes back!


    ¡°Are we really watching them here?¡±


    Yan Shan came out from the dark, watching their carriages that had disappeared into the crowd. The crown princess encountered this kind of thing the first time he came to the capital, if the prince knew about it, he¡¯d feel so sorry.


    ¡°What are you staring at? Follow them quietly. His Highness will march back to the capital later with his army. Do you want him to skin us?¡±


    If something happened to the crown princess, none of them could live!


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Like he also remembered how Yan Shengrui doted on Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shan only felt cold down the spine. With a nod, he quickly disappeared, and Yan Yi mercilessly stared at Mammy Wang who was kneeling there begging for mercy, and threw a kick at her! Damn! You can ask for your own death! Why drag us into this?

 Chapter 462

    When the late emperor was still alive, Consort Yun, could be said to have topped the whole harem, no any concubine could have ever competed with her. Of course, the ninth prince she gave birth to was the most favored one of the late emperor. Therefore, Yan Shengrui had developed his domineering and unreasonable personality at an early age. As he grew older, he also became more perverse, which made the late emperor so mad and threw him out of the imperial palace and let him stay in Weiyuan¡¯s mansion. His intention was to let Duke Zeng discipline him, but he had ignored that in Duke Weiyuan Mansion also had a little devil king, two cousins instantly hit it off, from then on, they got aligned and did anything bad to those big families, the late emperor and Duke Zeng often got so mad at them, but didn¡¯t have the heart to discipline them too hard, which led to the complains of all those big families in the capital. The censor who had the right to file complains to the emperor even had ever complained about them three times a day. One could say those big families could never see the sunlight over their heads.


    Until Yan Shengrui came to age and wars rose at the boarders again, ignoring the opposition of the late emperor, Yan Shengrui followed Duke Zeng to the wars, since then, great changes had taken place in his life. And he made his name during the first war and topped all the armies. The emperor was so happy and conferred him as the title of Prince Sheng, and offered him two places Cangzhou and Yunzhou which had the most developed waterway and land transportation, and also ordered people to build the imperial residence in the bustling area closest to the East Palace in the capital, which almost took up more than half of the streets and was the largest and most luxurious residence in the capital except for the imperial palace because of its vast area and magnificent architecture.


    Two carriages drove almost more than two hours and finally turned into a broad blue brick alley, after about half an hour, finally stopped, others all followed Ling Jingxuan to jump out of the carriages. As they looked up, not far away was a huge gate as tall as a memorial archway, in front of which was a large space, and on both sides couched two stone lions, which made one feel in awe.


    But, the thing that should not happen happened again. They knew they would go back today, but no one was greeting them outside, even no servant watching the gate. The scarlet big gates were closed. Apparently, it was on purpose.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan hooked his lips. If those maids at the wharf did it out of their own motivation, what now? Without no one¡¯s order behind, who dare keep showing him attitude again and again?


    ¡°Show mercy, my crown princess. Show mercy, please¡­¡±


    The maid who brought them back, for no reason, suddenly fell on her knees and banged her head against the ground on and on. Ling Jingxuan turned back and handed the baby to Han Fei, flattened his sleeves while asking slowly, ¡°Tell the truth, maybe I will spare your life, otherwise¡­¡±


    There must be something fishy behind all this. He¡¯d like to see what was hidden in all this.


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes, I will tell the truth¡­It¡¯s¡­it¡¯s Miss Qin. She¡­she said the mansion has never received the imperial decree conferring you as the crown princess. So you can¡¯t enter the mansion through the front gate, but only the side gate. Miss Qin will be waiting for you there.¡±


    Others wouldn¡¯t be scared since they hadn¡¯t seen what he was capable of. But she had seen it with her own eyes. A farmer? Apparently another Prince Sheng!


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Before Ling Jingxuan threw his anger, the big bun Ling Wen first could not help yelling. Who did not know that only a concubine should take the side gate while the first wife could go through the front gate? What did they take his daddy as?


    ¡°Miss Qin? Let her come see me. My daddy is the first wife of my father. How dare she let my daddy go through the side gate?¡±


    The small bun Ling Wu knocked the maid onto the ground with a kick. About things of the big family, Chu Yunhan had taught them long ago, it was just at that time they did not take it to heart, never thought they met it today. Things at the wharf was too complicated, no matter how smart they were, their reaction was a little slow, but this thing was an undisguised insult to them, the small bun was so angry that he even wanted to pull out his little saber and kill them.


    ¡°Little master, show mercy, show mercy¡­¡±


    The maid did not dare to argue back, nor did she dare to cry out for pain, so she could only keep kowtowing to them. In her heart, she was even bitterer than eating coptis. One crown princess was already hard enough to cope with, and now two little overlords unexpectedly? She¡¯d be so dead this time, all because of Miss Qin! It was all her idea, but only got them to suffer.


    This kind of behavior was simply bullying, not only the two little buns, even Han Fei and others were super mad, totally having no idea what kind of woman Yan Shengrui had hired as his steward, who even rode over their heads!


    ¡°Wen, Wu, stand aside.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan coldly swept over the closed gate, gently stopped his two sons, two little buns were still mad, but they dare not go against his meaning, so they angrily went back to his side, then Ling Jingxuan took two steps forward, ¡°Yan Yi, Yan Shan, I know you are there, get out!¡±


    Usually, Ling Jingxuan would not be so severe even when he was mad, so one could tell how mad he was now. Of course, days of journey on the ship was also part of the reason.


    ¡°My crown princess!¡±


    Yan Yi and Yan Shan who were hiding in the dark knew they couldn¡¯t get away from this could only go out, already having cursed Qin Yu in the heart for thousands of times. Who knew she would dare do such things without letting His Highness knew? Did she really think His Highness wouldn¡¯t touch her since he had promised her mother that he could take care of her when her mother died? Damn! They had to inform His Highness as soon as possible!


    ¡°Get me all your shadow guards!¡±


    A pair of sharp eyes without even looking at them but only firmly staring at the gate. On this street, there were two mansions, one belonged to Prince Sheng, while the other Prince Hua. At this time the commotion outside had caught people of Prince Hua Mansion¡¯s attention. There was no secret between those big families in the capital. Prince Sheng married a man who could give birth to a child as the first wife, and the two of them had three children. Judging from the situation, they all knew it should be that the demon-like crown princess had come back.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Although not knowing what he wanted, Yan Yi still obediently took out the specially-made whistle, after blowing it, dozens of shadow guards appeared out of thin air, which was all Yan Shengrui¡¯s arrangement. Although he couldn¡¯t come back with him, he had made full preparations. But anyway he was a big man and had no idea of the dark side of things in the backyard. He knew guarding against the outsiders, but forgot about his own people.


    ¡°Knock open the gate for me, if you can¡¯t, tear it down!¡±


    Lightly sweeping over the crowd, his slender finger suddenly pointed at the scarlet gate, everyone on spot got shocked. Is he trying to tear down the mansion?


    ¡°My crown princess¡­¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear what I said?¡±


    As Yan Yi came forward trying to say something, Ling Jingxuan threw a malicious stare at him, and instantly frightened him back, and thinking the master¡¯s affection of him, Yan Yi could only order the shadow guards to knock at the gate. The shadow guards almost had no their own feelings, so as order received, tens of them generated their inner force and hit at the gate.


    ¡°Duang¡­¡±


    The large bumping sound suddenly rang, a deafening sound, however strong the gate was, it still couldn¡¯t stand such huge impact force. As it was about to fall, the servants shouted from inside, ¡°Who is running wild other there? Don¡¯t you know this is Prince Sheng¡¯s mansion?¡±


    Then, the gate was opened from inside, a man in his forties who dressed like the housekeeper came out with a group of guards, the shadow guards all looked back, then Ling Jingxuan went up with his family. Seeing Yan Yi and Yan Shan behind him, the housekeeper-like man instantly realized that his identity, and hurriedly went forward to greet him with the guards.


    ¡°Greetings, my crown princess!¡±


    The mansion had outer house and inner house. Qin Yu was responsible for the inner house. And someone else managed the outer house¡ªthe one kneeling on the ground was Housekeeper Zhu. Except managing the outer house, those properties under Yan Shengrui¡¯s name outside the capital were also under his management. So they had already known the crown princess would come back soon. But that was the inner house¡¯s thing, he seldom stepped in.


    ¡°Where is Qin Yu?¡±


    Stopping in front of him, Ling Jingxuan, wearing a face cold, commandingly looked at him.


    This question made Housekeeper Zhu confused. Wasn¡¯t Miss Qin supposed to go welcome him? Thinking of the previous shadow guards trying to break the gate, and then looking at the teetering gate, Housekeeper Zhu seemed to be aware of something. As he was trying to answer his question, a woman, dressed not like a maid, hurried over, followed by twelve maids. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes lightly swept over, hairs on the temples like clouds, long and thin eyebrows, red lips, slender fingers, smooth skin, willow-twig like waist, totally a rare beauty, this thought made Ling Jingxuan jealous. Although he knew his man wouldn¡¯t have feelings for him, or he would have already been married with her, never his turn. But that this woman was coveting his man was a solid fact, which was something he could never accept.


    ¡°Greetings, my crown princess. This is Qin Yu.¡±


    Yan Yi and Yan Shan both here, even Housekeeper Zhu, so Qin Yu dare not act too excessively. She walked before him and only bent her knees. Although totally unwilling, she still had to respect him as the crown princess.


    ¡°Tie her up!¡±


    Seeing that not only she didn¡¯t kneel down, but also she even didn¡¯t give him an explanation, apparently she had made up her mind, Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t want to waste one more word. Throwing that cold order, he already took others to walk inside. Just replying on that her mother was Yan Shengrui¡¯s nanny, she thought whatever she did, Yan Shengrui wouldn¡¯t punish her or what. So he¡¯d like to see how Yan Shengrui would handle her after he came back.


    ¡°My crown princess, please slow down.¡±


    Qin Yu froze there, then caught up to stop his way. Ling Wen and Ling Wu who were walking on both sides of Ling Jingxuan already had a problem with this woman, so they turned back and threw a kick on her knees.


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    Qin Yu cried due to the pains and knelt down. With one hand held behind, Ling Wen tightly pursed his lips, while Ling Wu held his hands around the waist and stood before her, ¡°Ugly woman, who allows you get so close to my daddy?¡±


    The small bun was so mad that his eyes already reddened. When in the Yuehua Manor, who dare to give daddy his attitude? Father ever said only they are the masters in this mansion, they could beat or even kill anyone in this mansion. Uncle Chu also had ever said unlike the village families, in those big families, masters are the masters. If they just let it go that she didn¡¯t even kneel down when seeing their daddy, and now even had the balls to stand in his way, she would go even further in the future.


    ¡°You¡­Little masters, please calm down. I didn¡¯t do it on purpose.¡±


    Qin Yu reflexively got super angry, and then soon pressed it down, the maid behind her hurriedly went forward trying to support her, but with a cold stare from Ling Jingxuan, ¡°Yan Yi, kill anyone who dare make a move here!¡±


    As those words were, everyone there froze where they were. Qin Yu raised her head and wide opened her eyes with disbelief. How dare he treat her like that? Even Brother Rui had never done that to him. How dare he? Just a farmer from the countryside! Does he really take him as the master of this mansion?

 Chapter 463

    Ling Jinghan and others all knew about Ling Jingxuan¡¯s temper. Having been on the boat for over ten days, both the adults and kids were exhausted. And once they arrived, they got insulted again and again. It was only strange that he didn¡¯t get mad. So, none meant to stand up for say something for them, after all, he was the decent master of this mansion. In the capital stressed rules. Maybe they didn¡¯t have to follow them, but they couldn¡¯t let people gossip behind their back.


    Now Yan Yi and Yan Shan only felt bitter in the heart. They had thought it would be an easy job escorting them back, but never expected¡­They should feel lucky that the mansion wouldn¡¯t be washed by blood.


    Housekeeper Zhu was a shrewd one of course. At ordinary days, relying on her background, Qin Yu always took herself as the hostess of the mansion, and often let them suffer. But, every time when the prince was back, she behaved like a little white rabbit, making him feel ashamed to say something bad about her, which result in that her ambition grew wilder and wilder, and also acted more and more unscrupulously. She had really consumed all the blessings her mother had accumulated for her. With an eye, one could tell the princess was not a little rabbit. It was time to let her learn a lesson!


    ¡°Hmm? What are you waiting for? Help me up!¡±


    Qin Yu had long been blinded by jealousy, and could not see Ling Jingxuan¡¯s ruthless side at all, in her opinion, he was just a rough farmer who gave birth to a few kids for Yan Shengrui, so he dare boss around here. She totally didn¡¯t put him in her eyes at all.


    The maids aside just looked at each other, then the two leading maids wearing dark color clothes came forward. After all, they were Qin Yu¡¯s leading maids. Anyhow, the princess was new here, while Qin Yu had grown up in the mansion. Of course they knew who was more important. But they neglected that Ling Jingxuan is man. How would he ever go back on his words easily?


    ¡°Yan Yi, will you do it or shall I do it myself?¡±


    Two eyes dangerously narrowed, Ling Jingxuan meaningfully threw a peep at the two maids. Today if his words wouldn¡¯t do today, who would listen to his order in the future?¡±


    ¡°How dare we bother the princess?¡±


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    What other options did Yan Yi and Yan Shan have? Two people brushed out their swords, seeing that, Qin Yu who had just stood up hurriedly tried shield the two maids, while the latter also got startled, they never expected that he really dare kill people the first he came!


    ¡°Anyone who tries to stop me! Die!¡±


    Looking at her wide opened eyes, Ling Jingxuan said every word like ice beads.


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    Yan Yi felt cold down the spine, dare not delay one more second, pulled Qin Yu aside, while turned his wrist, two screams sounded at the same time. The next second, the two maids fell down.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    The remaining ten maids screamed, Qin Yu¡¯s face also turned pale, looking at the dead bodies on the ground, everyone was feeling like being struck by the lightning, the nauseating smell of blood became more and more intense, while Ling Jingxuan performed like nothing had happened, his bloodthirsty cold eyes slowly locking on Qin Yu hidden behind Yan Shan.


    ¡°Uncle Shan, I want to look for wolf daddy!¡±


    For the first time to see such a bloody scene so closely, it must be lying if Ling Wen said he was not scared. But he trusted his daddy. As he saw that his daddy¡¯s eyes fell on that woman, Ling Wen suddenly stood out, with undisguised hatred in the eyes. Forget about that father may have other women in the mansion, now this woman even insulted his daddy, even Uncle Shan couldn¡¯t protect him!


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Yan Shan felt struck in between, a face of embarrassment, he also didn¡¯t want to protect Qin Yu, but she was the daughter of the master¡¯s nanny, who died for the master, so the master once personally promised to take care of her daughter. Of she really became the cannon fodder under the crown princess, wouldn¡¯t the master become a bad guy who went back on his words? Having made such big trouble, Qin Yu deserved the punishment, but should wait till the prince came back.


    ¡°Little master, wolf daddy and others would be sent over at night the latest. Please have some patience.¡±


    Seeing that, Yan Yi put away the sword stained with blood and said respectively, they knew that this would not only offend the princess, but also may have offended the two little masters, but¡­all in all, it was all Qin Yu. If it hadn¡¯t been that she always tried to get something out of her reach, how could the princess do this to her?


    ¡®I¡¯ll go now!


    ¡°Me, too.¡±


    Ling Wen rarely was being unreasonable, seeing that, Ling Wu also echoed, with his eyes mercilessly staring at that woman.


    ¡°Then I¡¯l let the shadow guards escort you to go?¡±


    The corner of the mouth could not help having a twitch, Yan Yi timidly threw a peep at the princess, tentatively asked.


    ¡°We want Uncle Shan to fly over with us!¡±


    Finger pointing at Yan Shan, Ling Wen made further requirement. Yan Shan nearly softened his legs. Heaven knows that on hearing the word fly, he couldn¡¯t help shuddering. The bloody lesson was right before the eyes. For this, after a short time evaluation, Yan Shan pushed QinYu to Yan Yi. Yan Yi also tried to dodge. He didn¡¯t want to fly the little masters high. If they asked him to fly them a few times a day, wouldn¡¯t he get exhausted to death?


    Everyone found it amused seeing them push Qin Yu to each other. The two little buns gave a ¡®good for you¡¯ expression. And Qin Yu, as the party involved, was so sad. Always, she had specially minded her identity and never let anyone call her housekeeper, and in the inner house, she always acted as the hostess and cared about her face. But now, she got pushed here and there like a hot potato before so many servants and maids, especially Ling Jingxuan was here, she was so mad that she even spat out blood.


    ¡°Stop it! Yan Yi, Yan Shan, what are you doing?¡±


    The woman¡¯s roar sounded, and Yan Yi and Yan Shen seemingly noticed their behavior was some inappropriate and both touched their nose standing to one side. Qin Yu¡¯s bun already got scattered, clothes messy, the whole unspokenly awkward, totally having no fake elegance at the beginning, the two little buns couldn¡¯t feel happier on seeing that.


    ¡°Tie her up and lock her up. You! Come in with me.¡±


    Yan Yi and Yan Shan¡¯s attitude obviously showed that they wanted to defend Qin Yu, Ling Jingxuan was not blind. He also wanted to know what this woman meant to Yan Shengrui. Don¡¯t blame his pettiness. He really couldn¡¯t allow a grain of sand between them. If Yan Shengrui did something sorry to him, don¡¯t blame him for destroying his whole mansion!


    ¡°How dare you!¡±


    Qin Yu suddenly straightened her waist, eyes as if shooting out substantial sparks, humiliated be him again and again, she could no longer take it. Just a farmer who shamelessly seduced her brother Rui! Who gave him the right to punish her?


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan stopped his footsteps and turned around, while Yan Yi and Yan Shan instantly whined in the heart. This silly woman! Before they didn¡¯t know she was this stupid! Why keep doing stupid things again and again today?


    ¡°Princess, you¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up you guys!¡±


    Throwing them a homicidal look, Ling Jingxuan ignored them, step by step, walked directly to Qin Yu, the latter only noticed his cold killing feeling, unconsciously backed two steps, then seemed to think of what, and straightened up her chest and looked into his eyes.


    ¡°Well¡­ what¡­do you want?¡±


    Suddenly, Ling Jingxuan dived forward, right hand pinching her neck, lifted her up, Qin Yu was frightened, but the force against her neck seemed to be more and more strong, two hands constantly trying to pry open his hands. That pair of long and thin phoenix eyes flashed a trace of bloodthirsty feeling. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s other hand suddenly stretched out, grabbed her other hand and screwed it behind her back.


    ¡°Crack!¡±


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    The horror voice of joint dislocation suddenly sounded, Qin Yu screamed due to the huge pain. Although she was the daughter of Yan Shengrui¡¯s nanny, but in the mansion, no one dare take her as a maid, she basically grew up as the young lad. Who had ever treated her like this?


    ¡°Crack!


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    As if to enjoy her pains, Ling Jingxuan mercilessly broke her other hand, the most horrible thing was that his lips spread a smile, so cruel, many people were trembling all over, especially those maids who came with the Qin Yu.


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    ¡°Bam!¡±


    Qin Yu, whose lung was having serious hypoxia, already had her face turn into pig liver color, the pains of hands dislocation let her burst into tears. Under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes flashed a wipe of disgust, then threw her away without even thinking.


    ¡°Miss Qin!


    Although the maids were scared, they also reflectively gathered over, and the words Miss Qin blurt out let Ling Jingxuan so pissed off. The next second, his slender figure walked before her, ¡°in this mansion, I am the master, today is just a little discipline. Yan Yi, throw her into the woodshed. No food and water. Let the prince decide after he is back.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan left with his family. Yan Yi dare not delay for one more second, he immediately pulled those maids aside, pushed her dislocated arms back and then asked the guards to throw her into the woodshed. He really had no balls to challenge the princess¡¯ bottom line again. Heaven knows whether he would let them kill her the next second. Qin Yu only asked for it! Why provoke the princess?


    ¡°What do you do?¡±


    In the spacious living room of the front yard, Ling Jingxuan was uncourteously leaning on the main soft chair, while Ling, Wen Ling Wu and Tiewa occupied the other side with the little dumpling, others were automatically sitting on the chairs on both sides, they all knew, Ling Jingxuan wasn¡¯t finished.


    ¡°I am the housekeeper of the outer house, surnamed Zhu. Having been exhausted for so many days, how about you take some rest, my princess?¡±


    After seeing his means, Housekeeper Zhu behaved quite obediently, came forward to wait for orders, his intuition told him that the princess was probably more perverting than the prince.


    ¡°No need, tell me about the situation of the mansion first.¡±


    The maids soon sent tea and some pastries. Ling Jingxuan did not even look at it, but Ling Yun was smart enough, she took the initiative to hand the tea before him. Ling Jingxuan nodded and took it, and then Ling Yun withdrew aside.


    ¡°Yes, the mansion was built under the late emperor¡¯s order and supervision, on the left side and right was adjacent to the East Palace and the most prosperous east street of the capital, the opposite side was originally vacant, two years ago His Majesty awarded it to Prince Hua as the mansion, inside of which had a total of five houses with ten yards and four houses with six yards, and five¡­¡±


    Housekeeper Zhu explained elaborately, but Ling Jingxuan impatiently raised a hand to interrupt him. Meeting his confused eyes, Ling Jingxuan slightly held up the body, ¡°What I want to know is how many people in the mansion, who do they do, and how many of them are Qin Yu¡¯s kind?¡±


    One could tell how luxurious the mansion was from the outside. Anyway, he was living here in the future. Now he¡¯d only want know about things he cared about. Although he trusted Yan Shengrui, Qin Yu¡¯s thing also topped him that maybe there would be the second one, the third one? He didn¡¯t have time for the internal fighting with those women.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Housekeeper Zhu couldn¡¯t help quietly wiping off his cold sweat. Ling Jingxuan dangerously narrowed his eyes, ¡°huh?¡±


    There are really more?


    Seeing that, Housekeeper Zhu dare not hide it any longer, answering with a trembling voice, ¡°My princess, although the prince is often away from the mansion all the year round, His Majesty, the Empress Dowager and those officials are also worried that the prince would have no heart marrying a wife for having been on the battlefield all the year. So every year, they would send over some beautiful women. As the prince was away, we dare not turn down those awards. So, now they are all living in the remote house in the northernmost of the mansion.¡±


    ¡°Poof¡­ what?!¡±


    Hearing him, Ling Jingxuan suddenly spat out the tea he had just taken, that pair of thin and long phoenix eyes stared big, looking as scary as one could imagine. Everyone, including Ling Jinghan and others, couldn¡¯t help shrinking the neck. Yan Shengrui is so dead this time, this was what everything was thinking at the same time. A Qin Yu was annoying enough, now a group of them, tut, tut¡­ Prince Sheng would have to kneel on the washboard after coming back!


    ¡°Good, good, you¡¯ve done it very well!¡±


    After quite a whole, instead of getting angry, Ling Jingxuan smiled, it was just the smile looked so creepy. Yan Yi and Yan Shan cried in the heart. While Ling Jingxuan wasn¡¯t noticing, they quietly sent the news to the prince who was already on the way back. This time, their prince is totally innocent! Those women were sent over while the prince was away! If the prince knew that, he would also rear them in pens. So indirectly they also forgot about this. But the problem is the princess didn¡¯t know! This time, the master could never explain himself even if he grew ten mouths!

 Chapter 464

    Yan Shengrui temporarily had no idea what had happened in his mansion. Compared with that Ling Jingxuan got picked on as he came to the capital for the first time, Yan Shengrui¡¯s return with gongs beating and banners flying was greatly different, even the emperor and empress led the all civil and military officials to greet them outside the east city gate to welcome him back. Everyone was shouting Long Live His Highness Sheng. News that Yan Shengrui led the army to storm the enemy¡¯s den and captured those princes of them had already spread through the streets, even a three-year-old child knew. That was absolutely unprecedented meritorious service. Their Qing Kingdom finally erupted.


    ¡°His Highness Sheng is here!¡±


    Historically, only the officials had to wait for the emperor, no one dare to let the emperor wait for him, but today was different. Having been waiting outside the city gate for long, His Highness Sheng still hadn¡¯t come back. Instead of feeling anxious, both the emperor and empress were sitting in the dragon sedan quietly, those civil and military officials dare not make any sound, even not a fart. Under such solemn atmosphere, the cheering outside the city gate apparently was extra loud, and attracted everyone¡¯s attention.


    On the official road outside the city gate, a few quality horses were galloping, several general-looking men turn dismounted from the horses and knelt down on one knee, followed by a mighty team that gradually came into sight. Yan Shengrui all in black armor was riding a high and strong horse, the guards on both of his sides, except Yan Si, it was those generals, each person, young or old, were all in high spirits, looking so radiant. Of course, the most prominent one today should be the leading role Yan Shengrui.


    The emperor and empress went down under the support the eunuchs, at the same time, the large army also arrived in front of the city gate, all kneel down, and Yan Shengrui dismounted, strode to them.


    ¡°My greetings, Your Majesty!:


    ¡°Save it!¡±


    As Yan Shengrui was about to kneel down on one knee, Yan Shengzhi stepped forward and duly held up his hands, and Chu Yunhan behind couldn¡¯t help looking behind Yan Shengrui, as if looking for someone, after a while, he withdrew his eyes disappointedly. He thought Ling Jingxuan would come with him, but no.


    ¡°My younger brother, you have set up a great service this time, I must reward you heavily.¡±


    Holding Yan Shengrui¡¯s hand, Yan Shengzhi praised him before everyone. To Yan Shengrui, he both loved and feared of him. His achievements in the wars had undoubtedly made those who were eyeing them have no balls to take action. After giving the nomads a heavy blow this time, in a few years, they wouldn¡¯t dare offend them again. But the more he was shining with his exploits, the more he felt scared, although he knew he had no heart for the throne, he still couldn¡¯t help but guard against him everywhere.


    ¡°Your Majesty, please reward my soldiers as much as possible. Without them, I could not win the battle alone.¡±


    A slice of displeasure flashed across Yan Shengrui¡¯s eyes, and his tone was a little tough, he did not know what had happened in his mansion, but he had already known that the memorial asking him to confer Ling Jingxuan as his legitimate wife still hadn¡¯t been approved. So now, he still had complains in the heart, only thinking that he should force him to issue the decree to approve it while no one was around.


    ¡°Haha, of course, of course.¡±


    Since the two of them were brothers, how couldn¡¯t Yan Shengzhi notice his anger? After a brief daze, Yan Shengzhi laughed, and the hands holding his tightened, he was also afraid. This younger brother was unreasonable since he was little. If he waved his hands off in front of everyone, as the emperor, he¡¯d feel so humiliated. He had done that before, so he had to be extra aware.


    ¡°Shengrui, congratulations again for making such great achievements!¡±


    Seeing here, Chu Yunhan showed a trace of slight sarcasm at the corner of his mouth, then put on a decent smile looking at Yan Shengrui, while the latter¡¯s eyes blinked, and he slightly nodded, ¡°My greetings, imperial sister-in-law!¡±


    ¡°Save it. I¡¯m good. Thank you for the concern.¡±


    Seemingly a very common dialogue, in fact, Chu Yunhan was telling him, don¡¯t worry, at least I can handle it myself so far.


    ¡°Congratulations for Uncle Shengrui¡¯s big exploits!¡±


    ¡°Congratulations, Your Highness. Long live Your Highness!¡±


    ¡°Long live!¡±


    Under the lead of the big prince Yan Xiaolan, over a dozen princes congratulated him, seeing that, all the civil and military officials also congratulated him, and the civilians all shouted long live Prince Sheng, which lasted a long time. Yan Shengzhi looked a bit awkward, but should not say anything, so he simply grabbed Yan Shengrui to face thousands of generals and soldiers, ¡°Generals, good job. I have prepared a banquet at the palace, and there will be a formal celebration banquet three days later. I will reward you for your unbeknown achievements. Back to the palace!¡±


    In a few words, the credit of Yan Shengrui got shared by those generals. Yan Shengzhi pulled Yan Shengrui and direct stepped on the dragon carriage. Chu Yunhan quietly ordered the shadow guards who dressed in a servant¡¯s appearance, and threw Yan Xiaoming an appeasing look in the eyes, then gracefully followed up.


    ¡°Long live Prince Sheng! Long live Prince Sheng!¡±


    ¡°Long live Prince Sheng! Long live Prince Sheng!¡±


    Along the way, from the east city gate to the palace, the civilians¡¯ cheering had never stopped, Yan Shengrui was fine with it, as early as after entering the dragon carriage, he had already shaken off Yan Shengzhi¡¯s hand. At this moment, his glistening but terrifying eyes were staring at Yan Shengzhi, making him so uncomfortable, while Yan Shengzhi kept winking at Chu Yunhan, but the always shrewd Chu Yunhan was like blind at this time, obviously not on the same channel with him. Yan Shengzhi felt both anxious but helpless. In such a tense and weird atmosphere, the dragon carriage drove into the palace gradually.


    The rewarding process was long and boring. In general, the empress should also be there. But after going back, Chu Yunhan claimed that he felt a little uncomfortable and didn¡¯t go to the front court with them. Compared with the formulaic rewarding, he was more concerned about Ling Jingxuan and the children. Not long ago, Lord Six sent him a letter saying that Ling Jingxuan had already been on the way back with Yan Shengrui. He thought Shngrui would take him with him, but¡­On a second thought, it was only reasonable, since their little son was only two months¡¯ big, really not convenient.


    ¡°What did you say? Jingxuan almost let people tear down the gate of the mansion?¡±


    Inside Fuqing palace, hearing the shadow guard¡¯s report, Chu Yunhan exclaimed, Yan Xiaoming who was waiting in the palace also couldn¡¯t help feeling dumbfounded. Wouldn¡¯t Uncle Ling be so dope? That is the Sheng Prince¡¯s mansion, his own home, the first day he came back, he almost tore down the gate, is it possible he¡¯d raze the palace to the ground some day?


    In other words, if Yan Shengrui¡¯s attitude was not good enough, Jingxuan would really do that, right?


    ¡°Yes, when I went there, the consort was taking some rest. I heard that the maids did something to make him angry first and kept putting obstacles for him. And he even killed two of them. Till now, those maids who went to pick him up are still kneeling on the wharf.¡±


    The shadow guard further explained the situation. Chu Yunhan¡¯s eyes lightly sank, and then he smiled, ¡°That¡¯s something he would do. What¡¯s wrong with those maids? Who gave them the balls?¡±


    He knew that Yan Shengrui seldom returned to the capital, and even if he came back, he¡¯d stay in the mansion for most of the time. How could he make such a mistake?


    ¡°I heard it¡¯s Qin Yu, daughter of the late nanny of Prince Sheng. The princess even broke her hands and threw her into the wood shed.¡±


    ¡°Qin Yu?¡±


    Chu Yunhan whispered her name in a low voice, no impression of such a person, but that was not his bad, after all, a maid¡¯s daughter, still a maid. How would he the noble empress know such a minor figure?


    ¡°Uncle Ling, no, I mean, are my imperial aunt-in-law and my younger brothers all right?¡±


    Seeing that he seemed to be thinking about what, Yan Xiaoming asked anxiously, he missed them so much, heaven knows when he learned that they returned to the capital, how excited he was, finally, finally he could see Uncle Ling and a few younger brothers, especially Uncle Ling had just given birth to the little brother, he specially prepared a lot of gifts for them.


    ¡°Back to Lord Seven, the princess and the children are all right, but they seem to be angry, the reason is that the princess learned that in the backyard of the prince¡¯s mansion has kept a lot of beautiful women.¡±


    Not knowing whether this was something big or small, the shadow guard still reported as it was. Chu Yunhan and Yan Xiaoming both wide opened the eyes surprisingly, why didn¡¯t Yan Shengrui deal with those women in advance? Then they coincidentally thought that Yan Shengrui did not take them as human at all, so it was only reasonable he ignored them, however¡­


    ¡°Hehe¡­it seems that Prince Sheng¡¯s mansion will be very lively later, pity that I can¡¯t personally go, I¡¯ll miss such a big scene.¡±


    Chu Yunhan suddenly smiled, this time it was not a symbolic one like before, but a hearty one, this is a beautiful one. He, who was already beautiful enough, now undoubtedly looked more beautiful wearing that smile, and the gorgeous dress made him even stunningly beautiful. If someone was there, he¡¯d definitely get drown in that smile!


    ¡°What father said is absolutely right. How could Uncle Ling take with it? My imperial uncle and those women are so dead.¡±


    Yan Xiaoming who knew why his dad was smiling also smiled. He really wished he could go take a look, since it had really been too long he hadn¡¯t seen them.


    ¡°No, I think it is not that those women are so dead, but Lord Nine who offered those women is so dead. Giving Jingxuan¡¯s character, he could he let go of those who piss him off so easily? Seven, ask them to make preparations. Let them figure out a way to let you live in the prince¡¯s mansion for a few days.¡±


    Anyhow, he had stayed with Ling Jingxuan for so long. Wouldn¡¯t it be a joke if he said he knew nothing about him? Maybe, as he had expected in Cangzhou, soon the capital would turn lively, especially Prince Sheng¡¯s mansion and the palace. Those two places would undoubtedly become the main ¡®battlefield¡¯, and the empress dowager and the emperor would be driven mad?


    ¡°Really? Empress father, can I really go live there for a few days?¡±


    Hearing him, Yan Xiaoming who usually stayed composed cannot help jumping up. Heaven knows how much he missed Uncle Ling¡¯s kids. If so, he wouldn¡¯t have to part with them forever! But, meanwhile, he also knew that was impossible. Rather than that, as a highly controversial prince, he must keep a certain distance with his imperial uncle who had just made outstanding military exploits, otherwise, it would be more dangerous for him and his dad, or even incur father¡¯s suspicion, then a full year¡¯s effort they had made would go nothing, which would also indirectly bring trouble to Uncle Ling and others. So, even he was so desperate to see them, he dare not go to their place above the table. So he could only think about how to visit them in private.


    ¡°Hmm. His Majesty has already known that we knew about Jingxuan and others when in Cangzhou. So if we deliberately avoid them, it¡¯d only make others suspicious. If so, why not above board? I guess His Majesty wouldn¡¯t stop us. But, the empress dowager and others who have a word with Jingxuan would hate us more.¡±


    ¡°When did they ever like us?¡±


    Yan Xiaoming frowned, the empress dowager, Noble Consort Xiao, Chu family and Xiao family, they had never really liked them, so Uncle Ling was their only back.


    ¡°hehe¡±


    Chu Yunhan smiled, a little bitter. Others may think he was in such a high position, but no one knew how tired he was. The emperor¡¯s doting to him was only out of his original heart. Once there was any sign of disturbance, he would be the first to suffer. Let alone little Seven, even he quite missed Jingxuan and those kids, missed every bit in Yuehua Manor.

 Chapter 465

    Inside the imperial study, Yan Shengzhi was seated in his high dragon seat, while Yan Shengrui who was still wearing that black armor was standing in the middle of the court majestically, like a god from heaven. The eunuchs and maids had been sent down, only the emperor¡¯s confidant Eunuch Zhang left, but at the moment, he only wished he could hide himself somewhere. His Majesty and His Highness Sheng got in a mental fight again, the weird and suffocating atmosphere made such a minor eunuch like him hard to breathe.


    ¡°I heard that Your Majesty still hasn¡¯t issued a decree to confer my wife his title?¡±


    No one knew how long it had passed. Yan Shengrui broke the silence and his tiger eyes were staring at the one high up there. Is it possible that he thought he had turned from a tiger into a cat since he hadn¡¯t been back for a whole year? How dare he ignore his memorials? Really thought he dare not act on impulse like when he was young?


    ¡°Is that why you pulled me away from the palace banquet?¡±


    Yan Shengzhi¡¯s face looked no better. The generals entered the palace to accept their rewards, he, too, promised that he would enjoy some drinks with them. But as he had just proposed a toast to them, Yan Shengrui came in and dragged him away, totally not caring about his dignity as the emperor. If it was some urgent military affair, it would be fine. But it was just a decree about conferring a title? And for a demon-like farmer? Did he still take him as the emperor?


    ¡°Otherwise?¡±


    With a smile in his unruly eyes, Yan Shengrui sat down in a chair and took a sip of his tea. For him, this was the biggest thing at the moment.


    ¡°Bang~¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Yan Shengzhi patted on the dragon table in front, staring ruthlessly at him. Is that the attitude he should hold to him?


    ¡°Imperial elder brother, calm down. Didn¡¯t you always say you wish that I can get married as soon as possible? Now I am married according as you wished, so about the imperial decree, I hope you can approve it it as early as possible and make us legal.¡±


    Facing his anger, Yan Shengrui put down the teacup quietly. If he insisted on buckling his memorial, he really didn¡¯t mind doing it himself, but, the result wouldn¡¯t be like they wanted to see. Anyone who dare deny his princess was his enemy, including one sitting up there!


    ¡°But he is a farmer! And a monster!¡±


    Yan Shengzhi nearly squeezed out those words through his teeth. He wouldn¡¯t oppose if he wanted to marry a man, no, he could say he was happy with it. But the problem is, that man¡¯s status is too low, and a man who could give birth? If he really conferred him as his first wife, where to put the face of the imperial family? How would they have the face to unify the whole world?


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with a farmer? Soldiers, farmers, workers and businessmen, farmers rank the second place! Besides, he is a tongsheng title, a scholar! If he is not like a monster, maybe I wouldn¡¯t have fallen for him!¡±


    Of course, the monster in his eyes was not like that monster Yan Shengzhi called. Thinking of his honey wife, Yan Shengrui showed a faint smile, but instantly turned majestic again, ¡°You couldn¡¯t find a second man who could give birth! Don¡¯t you think that is my blessing?¡±


    ¡°A blessing?¡±


    Yan Shengzhi got so mad. So he felt pleased with that?


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it? Even you aren¡¯t that lucky. See? Now I got my wife and kids. What a perfect family?¡±


    The madder he got, the more thrilled Yan Shengrui felt. His seemingly unserious tone was mixed with some challenge against the imperial authority and his deep affections to Ling Jingxuan and their kids. Yan Shengrui could barely utter a word, only pointing at him with his trembling hand. Like Yan Shengrui thought he was not mad enough, he felt out another memorial and handed it over.


    ¡°Since you have acquiesced, how about approve another memorial of me? You don¡¯t have to bother issuing the decree. I will bring it back myself. As for the rewards, I hope you can send it to my mansion later.¡±


    Look how considerate he said, holding the paper, Grandpa Zhang shivered every step, and finally put the paper on the dragon table.


    Even thinking with his butt, he knew it would never be something good. But under his eyes, Yan Shengzhi could only abuse himself and flipped it open after throwing him a hard stare. When he saw clearly what was on it, he breaths became in chaos. It asked him to confer his sons the title. The problem is he even asked him to confer his second son and little son Yan Xiaowu and Yan Xiaoling the dukes! Of course, not including those who had special contributions to the court. Like Yan Xiaohua Duke Hua who married the third prince of West Kingdom as his first wife for the kingdom. He sacrificed himself for the peace of the West Kingdom and Qing Kingdom! It was only justifiable. But his sons were still so small. What contributions did they make? On what ground would he ask him to confer them the title? The worst thing was, except his blood sons, he even asked him to confer his adoptive son Zhao Tiesheng! Is he trying to drive him crazy?


    ¡°You¡­how dare you show me this? Shengrui, there must be a limit to your being unreasonable!¡±


    Yan Shengzhi¡¯s hand that was holding the memorial was shaking like a chicken claw, mouth even got slanted due to the great anger, by contrast, Yan Shengzhi looked inexplicitly calm. Originally he only intended to ask for a title for Wen. But he asked for it! Why didn¡¯t he approve of the memorial of conferring the title of his wife! Since he was so unkind, don¡¯t blame his rudeness.


    ¡°Do I look like I am being unreasonable?¡±


    After straightening out his clothes, Yan Shengrui slowly raised his eyes, his trademark peach-blossom eyes reflecting tyranny light, ¡°Imperial elder brother, better approve of it. A wife should put her husband in the first place, and a father should provide shelter to his son. I have done so much for the kingdom, it¡¯s just justifiable that you should confer two duke title and a knight title for my sons. Before, you kept nagging that why I wouldn¡¯t get married and have kids. Now I am married and have my kids, while you keep my memorials in stock. Is it possible actually you don¡¯t want me to get married and have kids at all?¡±


    He had shown him enough face. Instead of wasting time with him here, he¡¯d rather go home and spend time with his wife and children. Having been apart for not long though, he already missed them.


    ¡°Nonsense! How is that possible? Shengrui, I will ask you one last time. Are you really going to marry that monster as your first wife?¡±


    Yan Shengzhi felt a little perplexed since he revealed that dark side in his heart. So he could only giving up wrestling with him. He could marry him if he liked! The worst scenario was he could grant him a few more side concubines. Later, he¡¯d ask mother to see if those big families had some suitable single daughters. Just a farmer! Even though he might be a little smart, he would never be the rival of those women who had stood out from the years¡¯ harem fight. Then, if that farmer died, it had nothing to do with them.


    Thinking like this, Yan Shengzhi felt a little relieved, but¡­


    ¡°Not my first wife, but the only wife!¡±

 Chapter 466

    Yan Shengzhi stood up slowly, his black eyes reflecting the light of firmness, instantly breaking the emperor¡¯s wishful thinking. Yan Shengzhi froze there and finally said after quite a while, ¡°Fine, fine, don¡¯t regret it, go and get the memorials!¡±


    He nearly squeezed each word through the teeth, it wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want to refute him, but he saw in his eyes some maliciousness, which also let him faintly aware that if today he wouldn¡¯t give what he asked for, the whole palace couldn¡¯t stay in peace anymore, maybe¡­no, he can¡¯t bet on that possibility. Tomorrow is another day. Why not just give him what he wants now! Just a farmer and three kids. What could they do? Overturn the imperial palace?


    Yeah, they could, and Yan Shengzhi would know that not long after.


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡±


    Eunuch Zhang held out a mahogany casket, Yan Shengzhi rudely took out the memorial inside, under sealing it, he couldn¡¯t help looking over at Yan Shengrui for a few more eyes. Seeing that he was still wearing that firm appearance, he could only seal those two memorials and wrote the decree to confer Ling Jingxuan as the legitimate wife of Yan Shengrui, his big son Yan Xiaowen the duke, second son Yan Xiaowu Duke Wu, and the little son Duke Ling, and his adoptive son Zhao Tiesheng Knight Xiaoyao, finally when sealing it, Yan Shengzhi closely his eyes. His heart was bleeding!


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡±


    After taking over the imperial decree, Yan Shengrui nodded with satisfaction, thanked him and then turned to leave.


    ¡°Duang~¡±


    Behind suddenly sounded the sound of things falling on the ground. Yan Shengrui stopped his footsteps, and said without even turning back, ¡°I also hope that you can convince Her Empress Dowager. Whoever opposes of our marriage is against me. If I can¡¯t have some peaceful days, no one can.¡±


    After saying this, Yan Shengrui moved his steps again and happened to pass by Chu Yunhan and his won who just arrived. They didn¡¯t talk but only gave each other a nodding. So, no one could tell their relations.


    ¡°Damn! How dare he threaten me!¡±


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    Yan Shengzhi was so mad that he threw a kick in the dragon table, while Eunuch Zhang on the side even dare not breathe, but complained in the heart ¡®you asked for it! Wouldn¡¯t there be no such a scene if you have approved of it long ago? You are clearer than anyone His Highness Sheng is an as*hole! Who to blame?¡¯


    Of course, he did not dare to say all this out loud, he could only think about it.


    ¡°My greetings, Your Majesty(father).¡±


    As Chu Yunhan and his son entered, they happened to see Yan Shengzhi fly in anger, both of them sneered in the heart, but on the surface, they both showed no mood swing at all. Yan Shengrui threw them an eye. Seeing Chu Yunhan have no mood swing at all, the anger in his heart faded miraculously, after quite a while, he beckoned Eunuch Zhang to help him clean up the place.


    ¡°Yunhan, you feeling any better? Did you ask the imperial doctor to check it?¡±


    Not wanting to think about that as*hole anymore, Yan Shengzhi asked with as much concern as possible, but still couldn¡¯t press down his anger in the heart.


    ¡°Thank you for Your Majesty¡¯s concern, I feel totally fine. Today I¡¯m here for a favor to ask. Hope Your Majesty will agree.¡±


    In front of him, Chu Yunhan seldom knelt, but this time, he and Seven both knelt down. Yan Shengzhi hurriedly held him up, ¡°What are you talking about? Just say it. I will approve of anything.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡±


    Quietly breaking away from his hands, Chu Yunhan said straightforwardly, ¡°I heard that Crown Princess Sheng has returned. And Your Majesty should also know that when Seven and I got stranded in the countryside, thanks for his care, we could have been through those hard times. And this time, the suggestions about our kingdom¡¯s agriculture I made this time is also thanks to him. Besides, we opened Hanling School together. I can say, without him, I can¡¯t stand here today. I know as the empress, mother of the whole kingdom, I shouldn¡¯t act so capriciously, but to express my gratitude, I wish that Your Majesty could allow me to go to Prince Sheng Mansion to announce the decree in person and visit them by the way. Just take it as a closure of my friendship in the countryside.¡±


    Not mentioning one word about His Highness Sheng, Chu Yunhan made used of His Majesty¡¯s pity for his sufferings in the countryside to achieve his goal, and also removed his doubts while speaking some good words for Ling Jingxuan by the way.


    ¡°You are really thoughtful.¡±


    Patting the back of his hand gently, Yan Shengzhi held no doubts of his words at all, then turned to Yan Xiaoming on the side, ¡°Since so, you go with your father empress on my behalf. Maybe you can live there for a few days. After coming back, remember telling me those fun things about the crown princess and his sons.¡±


    As those words came out, apparently he wanted Yan Xiaoming to be the sky. Chu Yunhan couldn¡¯t help turning his eyes cold. Apparently he still wouldn¡¯t trust Shengrui and Jingxuan!


    ¡°Yes, father!¡±


    Yan Xiaoming was not stupid, how would he not know his implications? It was just on the surface he couldn¡¯t show it. His father said his, and he did his. After coming back, he could make up some jokes to slight him over.


    ¡°All right. If there is nothing else, you can do down. Your father empress and I still have something to see to.¡±


    Nodding with satisfaction, Yan Shengzhi waved him off. Yan Xiaoming then backed out after bowing to him. In an angle on one could see, a sarcastic smile flashed across his eyes. That was his father emperor! No wonder Imperial Uncle Sheng didn¡¯t like coming back! If possible, he also didn¡¯t want to face him!

 Chapter 467

    ¡°Yah!¡±


    On the bustling streets, a total black horse was galloping through, the civilians on both sides got panicked and dodged. As they came to their sense and meant to say some swear words, they already couldn¡¯t even see the horse¡¯s as*. But someone still could tell the status of the rider who even had the balls to run so fast in the streets in the capital judging by the black armor he was wearing. Except their Highness Sheng, who dare wear the black armor? Who dare to run like hell in the streets in the capital ignoring the ban His Majesty had issued that no one is allowed to ride a horse to run inside the capiatl?


    ¡°Whoa~¡±


    Inside the Prince Sheng mansion, Yan Shengrui tightened the reins and swiftly hopped off, then marched towards the gate in maintenance. As he went out of the palace, he received an oral message from Yan Yi saying that those maids made things difficult on his wife on purpose. So sick of living! Those damned silly women!


    ¡°Your Highness.¡±


    As he was about to step over the gate, Yan Yi who had already been waiting there walked over gingerly. Without thinking, Yan Shengrui threw a palm over at him.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    Yan Yi dare not dodge and took that palm. Yan Shengrui was in no mood to teach him a lesson, as he lifted his foot to walk cross the threshold, Yan Yi suddenly blocked his way covering his chest, ¡°Your Highness, wait. The crown princess has issued an order saying that no one may enter the mansion, including you.¡±


    Heaven knows how hard it was for Yan Yi to say those words out, in fact, he had tried his best for the modification. The crown princess¡¯ original words were, let that as*hole stay away from me as far as he could!


    ¡°Get out of here!¡±


    In a twinkling, Yan Shengrui¡¯s face turned as blackened as the bottom of a pot. After quite a while, he swayed him aside. This time Yan Yi behaved wisely. He had said what he should, it was His Highness¡¯ thing whether he listened to him or not, at least he had a reasonable explanation to the crown princess. But, watching His Highness¡¯ back, he still couldn¡¯t help looking quite worried. This time the crown princess got super mad, so His Highness would have a lot to suffer.


    ¡°What are you looking at? Get on with your work! If word gets out about this, I will kill him!¡±


    Noticing that those servants who were mending the gate were staring at him dully, Yan Yi snapped. Covering his chest, he quickly ran in. And those servants no longer watched the drama and started with their job at hands. But everyone could vaguely feel that the crown princess wasn¡¯t just a stupid farmer like those outsiders said.


    In the hall of the central house, after a noon nap, everyone got a lot refreshed, and Ling Jingxuan seemed to cool off a lot, at least he could make jokes with Zhao&Han couple now, but both the little buns still had their cheeks drummed and looked kind of pissed, especially Ling Wen, compared with Ling Wu, he was more sensible, about the mansion raising so many women, he really had a big problem with it, only waiting for their father to come back and protest.


    Stepping into the yard, Yan Shengrui could hear people teasing the kids and their laughter in the hall. Thinking of his sweetheart wife and the cute kids, the horror on the face dissipated a lot, but replaced with a shallow smile. This was the first time he felt like being home. But the next second, he remembered the message Yan Yi delivered, the smile froze on his face, after a pause before pushing open the door, he stepped in.


    Seeing the appearance of Yan Shengrui, all the people shut their mouths up like they had some kind of tacit understanding. Sitting in the main seat, Ling Jingxuan threw a faint look at him, like taking him as the air, the whole body lazily leaning in the chair. Under the eyes of Yan Shengrui showed a helpless smile. As he was about to say something, the two ¡®locomotives¡¯ suddenly rushed before him.


    ¡°What is this? You know, I have been busy the whole day, and you are welcoming me like this?¡±


    Looked down at the two little buns glaring at him, Yan Shengrui reached out a hand to rub their heads with affection. The small bun was good, though looking mad at him, he didn¡¯t dodge, after all, he liked and adored his father, but the big bun avoided him, instead, he took two steps back and threw his stare at him, ¡°Father, how do you explain those women you keep in the mansion?¡±


    ¡°Poof¡­Ahem¡­Ahem¡­I¡¯m sorry, go on, I didn¡¯t mean it.¡±


    Obviously not expecting that he would directly get to the point, Yuan Shaoqi who was drinking some water cannot help spitting it out. Everyone mercilessly cast their daggers eyes at him, Yuan Shaoqi hurriedly covered his mouth, whilst signaling Ling Jinghan for help, but the latter just ignored him, so he could only give up, quietly comforted himself, at least they were angrier with Yan Shengrui now, right?


    ¡°It¡¯s not like what you thought. I even don¡¯t know their existence at all. All right, I will explain it to your daddy. You stay out of it.¡±


    Carefully throwing a peep at Ling Jingxuan in the main seat who was amusing the little Dumpling, Yan Shengrui gave a helpless sigh. If he had known this, he shouldn¡¯t have left everything in the mansion behind. Now what? Got himself in trouble!


    ¡°Why should I stay out of it? Father, don¡¯t try to fool me. Are those women all like that Qin Yu? Even daddy is not dripping with gold and silver, but they are all so gorgeously dressed. How can you do that, father? Do you have too much money and don¡¯t know how to waste it?¡±


    He may not understand the dark side of the world, but he just subconsciously felt that his father was wasting money. Why keep so many women? They¡¯re not my father¡¯s women, so why pay to keep them? It¡¯s not easy to make money. My father is a black sheep.


    ¡°Well, how about this? Father will send all them away at once, OK? Be good, my lovely son, I haven¡¯t been back for over a year. Before, every time I came back, I only stayed for a short time. So those women were stuffed in by people while I was away, I basically had no idea at all. So, don¡¯t be mad at me.¡±

 Chapter 468

    Ignoring everyone in the room, including Ling Jinghan and others, Yan Shengrui carefully threw a peep at Ling Jingxuan while squatting on the ground and pleasing his son. He should put the blame on himself being too lazy! Damn it! And that Qin Yu, he¡¯d definitely let her pay after fixing his wife and kids. Even he dare not say any harsh words to them, while she kept humiliating them! Really taking him dead already?


    ¡°Want to send them away? Not that easy!¡±


    All of a sudden, Ling Jingxuan turned to sit up and coldly cut in their conversation, that pair of narrow and long phoenix eyes reflected that kind of horrible light. Since they stepped into the gate of the mansion, it was not that easy to go out. Whether Yan Shengrui knew it or not or whether it was out of those women¡¯s will, the only thing he knew was that those women made him like eating some flies. He would feel suffocated if he couldn¡¯t get it even.


    ¡°Daddy, do you want to keep them?¡±


    Ling Wen frowned while looking back. Is daddy also likes burning money like father?


    ¡°Am I mad or what?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan ruthlessly threw a stare at Yan Shengrui who was thick-skinned enough meaning to sit down next to him, the latter felt cold down the spine, had to turn to the other side and obediently sit well, the consequences of making your wife mad are very serious, he¡¯d better not provoke him for now.


    ¡°Then why make them stay? The butler said there are dozens of them and it would be a waste of money even if they eat a mouthful of food a day, let alone they¡¯ll eat and wear. Besides, I don¡¯t like having women I don¡¯t know in the house.¡±


    Ling Wen walked over to lean against him and lowered his head slightly at the end, with a little worry deep in the eyes. Ling Wu also walked over and leaned against him, frowning, ¡°I don¡¯t like it either. Daddy, please let those women go, or I will take daddy wolf and Dahei and Xiaohei to scare them every day.¡±


    ¡°I like that.¡±


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan touched his chin with a bad smile, Ling Wen immediately issued a protest, Ling Jingxuan found it amused and hugged him, ¡°OK, daddy is joking, when did you see daddy do a losing business? How can I support those people for nothing? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll let them all disappear from the palace by tomorrow.¡±


    But he couldn¡¯t guarantee what would happen before they disappeared. Anyone who annoyed him, he¡¯d turn that one¡¯s whole family upside down!


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    The two little buns looked up at him at the same time. Ling Jingxuan nodded while touching their little faces with affection, ¡°When daddy has ever lied to you? Even if your father opposes, I will let him disappear too!¡±


    ¡°No, I dare not. You have the final say.¡±


    For fear that his two sons would diss him, Yan Shengrui hurriedly said so. Now his wife was in a fit of anger, he never had the balls to say any words to go against him. Besides, what does it have anything to do with those women even if they die? He only wished that his wife could calm down. What if he got ill because of huge anger, he¡¯d be the one that felt heartbroken.


    Throwing him a peep, Ling Jingxuan turned to Zhao&Han couple and said, ¡°Brother Han, I¡¯ll ask someone to show you around in the mansion, please take the kids with you. In the future, they will live her, so it¡¯d be better to get familiar with the environment.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, Shopkeeper Zhang, let¡¯s go together. It¡¯s the first time I have ever seen such a huge mansion.¡±


    Knowing what he meant, Han Fei also very cooperatively invited others with them and even didn¡¯t forget to wave at the little buns. This was their home, it was inappropriate for them to be around like now.


    ¡°I also have that intention. Then we are all leaving. Housekeeper Zhu, please show us the way.¡±


    As shrewd as Shopkeeper Zhang was, how could he not understand what was going on?


    ¡°My honored guests, please!¡±


    Seeing that His Highness even dare not say any harsh words before the crown princess, and even the little princes dare yell at His Highness, how would he have the balls to have any problem?


    ¡°Then I¡¯m going back to my study.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jinghan stood up, Yuan Shaoqi pulled him, ¡°You are just leaving?¡±


    The show was about to begin and he was ready to watch.


    ¡°You can stay, as long as you are not afraid that Brother Rui will not get back at you some day.¡±


    Casting a faint look at him, Ling Jinghan said meaningfully. The scene next would be humiliating to Brother Rui. How could guarantee that he wouldn¡¯t get back at those who stayed to watch the drama?


    ¡°Well, I¡¯d better go back and stay alone with you.¡±


    Looking at the couple in the main seats, Yuan Shaoqi got up reluctantly. After leaving the Ling village, he had performed more and more active. The capital was Duke Yuan¡¯s sphere of influence. And he¡¯d go back sooner or later. But before going back, at least he should let Ling Jinghan know his heart for him. He swore he¡¯d marry him in this life!


    ¡°Big brother, do you need me to take care of little Dumpling for you?¡±


    Ignoring his nonsense, Ling Jinghan left before taking a look at the sleeping little Dumpling. The baby so liked sleeping, like he was sleeping all day. In the morning, it was so loud, he even didn¡¯t open his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK. He won¡¯t disturb us.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes to look at the delicate little Dumpling.


    ¡°Then I will go back first.¡±


    Nodding with them respectively, Ling Jinghan turned to leave, watching him leave, Yuan Shaoqi could only follow up. And then the two of them pulling and pushing each other walked out of the hall. Soon, the whole hall only had Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui and the servant left.

 Chapter 469

    ¡°Jingxuan¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    As Yan Shengrui just opened his mouth, Ling Jingxuan mercilessly stared him back. Withdrawing his gentleness when facing his sons, at this moment, Ling Jingxuan looked as cold as ice now, looking at his side face, Yan Shengrui felt so sorry. It was all due to his carelessness. He also had never expected that after that little girl grew up, she even dare humiliate his beloved wife!


    ¡°Bring her up!¡±


    With his dagger eyes throwing at Steward Zhu on the side, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face was as cold as frost. Everything has its limit, including one¡¯s patience. When they tried to challenge him at the wharf, he could let it go, when they even had the balls to ask him to take the side gate, for the sake of Yan Shengrui, he also let it go. But now she even dare to humiliate him in front of everyone in the mansion! If he couldn¡¯t get her punished today, how would he be able to let others listen to him? How would he govern the whole mansion?


    Today, let alone Qin Yu was only the daughter of Yan Shengrui¡¯s nanny, even if she was daughter of His Majesty, he¡¯d punish her! No one should plead for her!


    ¡°Jingxuan.¡±


    Yan Shengrui opened his mouth again, at the same time, grasped Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand as he squeezed over to sit by his side brazenly. No matter how Ling Jingxuan struggled, he just tightly held him and wouldn¡¯t let go, ¡°Sorry Jingxuan. I can explain, all right?¡±


    The nearly begging tone showed how much he cared about him. His Highness Sheng who was so domineering outside was only his man at home.


    ¡°What?¡±


    After all, it was his beloved person, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t be so cold-hearted, it was just he still looked awful. About his nanny¡¯s daughter, he could take with it. But those women that were kept in the mansion touched his taboo. Whether Yan Shengrui knew it or not, it was a fact there were some other women in his mansion. So, whatever the reason was, he just couldn¡¯t stand it.


    ¡°I will begin with my nanny, and I will tell you all the rest later when you have time.¡±


    Seeing that, Yan Shengrui quietly exhaled, after trying to organize his words, he continued, ¡°My mother Consort Yun has ever been the most favored woman of my father emperor. That is her luck ,but also her misfortune. A lot of people may not know. Actually, I has a younger brother. But she died when he was little during the internal fights of the harem. If not for my nanny, I may also have died already. When I left the palace, I brought nothing but my nanny. In the first years, I often went back to my mansion, and my nanny was good to me like I am her own kid. Every time I went back, she¡¯d show her care asking me this and that. At the time, Qin Yu was still a little kid, so cute and na?ve, always followed me everywhere calling me Brother Rui. In my heart, she was like a younger sister. A few years ago, because I openly supported His Empress to resume his position, I offended a lot of officials, and my nanny also died of poison because of me. Before she died, she asked me to take care of her daughter Qin Yu and I promised her. Then I left the whole mansion to Steward Zhu and went to station at the boarders. Even every time I went back to the capital, I never went back to my mansion, at most took a seat. Later, Qin Yu became the housekeeper of the backyard and I didn¡¯t oppose with it. No, it should be that I didn¡¯t care. To me, after my nanny died, there is nothing in the mansion worth me coming back. Sorry Jingxuan, I forgot that that little girl would also grow up. And I also didn¡¯t expect that she still holds some other kind of feelings except taking me as her elder brother. Today, since she has offended you, you can punish her whatever you want.¡±


    For so many years in the mansion, Qin Yu had been living like a real princess, so he didn¡¯t break his promise to his nanny. If it hadn¡¯t been that she had made so much trouble, maybe he would find her a husband for the sake of her mother and offer her grand dowries. But, she only had herself to blame for offending his wife!


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan felt a bit comforted, at least he didn¡¯t hold some other feelings about that Qin Yu. Judging from his words, it wasn¡¯t hard to tell that his nanny was really a good one, but only gave birth to a daughter whose heart was loftier than the sky while her life was thinner than a piece of paper! She had really wasted the wealthy and rank she mother had earned her with her own life. But, knowing what was behind it was one thing, letting go of her was another thing. If it hadn¡¯t been that she challenged his position, maybe he could let her go for the sake of Yan Shengrui and his nanny. But now, sorry, he must use her to set up his credibility!


    Whether it is the imperial palace or those big families, those servants and maid all sucked up to those with higher position. The authority as the hostess of this family wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to challenge. Otherwise, there would be a second Qin Yu, a third Qin Yu, he didn¡¯t have the time to deal with them one after another.


    ¡°What about those women?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s tone was still not good, as long as he thought that in some corner of the mansion there were dozens of women wanting his man, he just felt so mad, only wishing to kill them all with poison.


    ¡°I am even more innocent on that. They¡¯re all stuffed in by those people including my imperial elder brother! I didn¡¯t have time to care about them, so I directly let people to raise them as livestock in the remotest yard. Jingxuan, I really forgot about their existence. Otherwise, I would have already let people clear them all up. Don¡¯t be mad at me on that, OK? I know I¡¯m wrong this time.¡±

 Chapter 470

    Seeing that his wife¡¯s face softened a bit, Yan Shengrui buried his head in his neck to play the usual trick again¡ªplaying unreasonable!


    ¡°Don¡¯t use it on me again. See how I¡¯ll deal with after I deal with them!¡±


    Bending his elbow to hit his side waist, Ling Jingxuan threw him a fierce look. If he hadn¡¯t been so lazy, why would it have ended like this?


    ¡°Heihei, you can punish me however you want, as long as you are not mad at me.¡±


    Yan Shengrui grinned. Then as he opened his mouth trying kiss his wife in the neck, his split vision saw that Qin Yu whose hair was so messy like it had been scratched by chicken claws was brought in. Then he gradually moved backwards. Casting a glance at him, Ling Jingxuan took up his tea and had a sip gracefully.


    ¡°Brother Rui, Brother Rui, you gotta save me. He¡¯s going to kill me.¡±


    Seeing Yan ShengRui, Qin Yu rushed over like crazy, but as she was about to pounce onto Yan Shengrui. Ling Jingxuan squinted, and silver needs already showed up between his fingers. But Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t give him a chance for he already threw her away with a kick.


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    ¡°Brother Rui?¡±


    Qin Yu falling onto the ground popped out her eyes with disbelief. How could he treat her like that? Had he already forgotten he had promised her mother to marry her?


    ¡°Qin Yu, I can say I have treated you kindly and generously. After your mother died, I not only removed your slave registration, but even taken you as my own younger sister. Even when you asked for the power governing the whole backyard, I didn¡¯t oppose. Now after my wife and sons came back for the first time, as the housekeeper of the backyard, how did you entertain them? Huh? Who gave you the right to humiliate my crown princess?¡±


    In the end, Yan Shengrui sounded harsh, with his handsome like being covered with cold frost. He meant to give his wife and children the best of everything, but actually got destroyed in the hands of such a woman. Let along Jingxuan, even he felt like a fishbone getting stuck in the throat!


    ¡°I¡­I sent some people to welcome Brother Crown Princess at the wharf, and¡­.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me brother. My mother has no daughters.¡±


    Like finally realizing Yan Shengrui was mad at her, Qin Yu had to bite her pride and tried to explain, but in the midst of her words, Ling Jingxuan cut in, with those resentment eyes mercilessly shooting at her, and then enjoyed his tea, like he didn¡¯t listen to her at all, while Yan Shengrui on the side took everything in his eyes. And he also thought he shouldn¡¯t keep Qin Yu now.


    ¡°By the way, I should remind you that in this mansion, only me, His Highess and our kids are the masters. Although you are not slave registration anymore, you are still a maid here. And you even dare to call me that. Only this is enough for me to kill you!¡±


    Although he was not a man of absolute class concept, he had to deal with different people with different means. Since she cared about her status so much, then he wouldn¡¯t mind devastating those things she cared about little by little before really getting rid of her. Don¡¯t blame him for being so heartless to a woman. She asked for it. If she hadn¡¯t kept offending him on and on, he wouldn¡¯t have the time for such a maid!


    Angry and wronged, Qin Yu reflexively shrank, and then put on that innocent little rabbit-like expression, looking over at Yan Shengrui with those tearful eyes. But what she didn¡¯t know was what a man like Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t stand most was others playing weak before him.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m well-informed.¡±


    Seeing that not only Yan Shengrui didn¡¯t help her, he even didn¡¯t look at her, Qin Yu had to lower her head with his hands clenched. After quite a while, she tried to defend herself, ¡°I have followed Rui¡­I mean Your Highness¡¯s order to send people to welcome the crown princess and the little princess. And I also let people to clean up each corner of the yards and stood outside the gate to welcome them. I can say I didn¡¯t do anything wrong. I have done everything according to the rules. Rui¡­Your Highness, please hold justice for me!¡±


    Even till now, she was still trying to defend herself. Looked like she said nothing, actually she only mentioned the parts that were favorable to her, and even secretly framed Ling Jingxuan for being unreasonable and vulgar. No one on spot was stupid. How could they not tell her implications? Even Yan Shengrui who had no idea of the whole story got mad now. That was his wife! Let alone he was never that kind of person, even if he was, so what? Now, after having offended his wife again and again, she even tried to make such irresponsible remarks! So sick of living!


    ¡°Someone! Drag her down and give her thirty spanks. If she dies, throw her into the mass graves! If not, throw her out of the mansion!¡±


    Having no mood to go one listening to her bulls*it, Yan Shengrui directly gave the order. At this moment, his original coldness on his face was already replaced by absolute dominance and fierceness. That was the real him¡ªthe invincible god of war!


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡±


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t do this to me. Brother Rui, you promised my mother you¡¯d marry me! Now you are married with someone else, and even wants to kill me! Aren¡¯t you afraid people would say you are a hypocrite?¡±


    The servants froze there, but after noticing His Highness¡¯ horrible eyes, they immediately went forward, but Qin Yu started to cry at this time. Ling Jingxuan who meant to stay out of this suddenly picked his eyebrows. Ignoring Yan Shengrui¡¯s horrible face, he raised his hand to stop them.


    ¡°Get out! No one can touch her without my order.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Daring not look into his eyes, the two servants silently backed to one side. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s lips slightly bent upwards, a bloodthirsty cold smile spread, his cherry lips moved, ¡°Oh? You ever promised you¡¯d marry her?¡±


    Son of a b*tch! He¡¯d better explain it to him! Otherwise, don¡¯t blame him for burning his whole mansion!

 Chapter 471

    The atmosphere in the hall felt so weird, making one hard to breathe, and Yan Shengrui¡¯s face already couldn¡¯t get more distorted. He never expected he had raised such a unbelievable woman who even dare backbite him! Marry her? Was he insane?


    ¡°Jingxuan, I swear I have never promised her such a thing!¡±


    The first thing was to put out his wife¡¯s flames of fury. He was not afraid of anything between heaven and earth but only his wife.


    ¡°Really? Then explain me.¡±


    With a cold smile at the corner of his lips, those long phoenix eyes shot at Qin Yu like blades. There is no smoke without fire. He¡¯d like to see if it was Qin Yu¡¯s whimsicality or Yan Shengrui had really forgotten the promise he had ever made.


    ¡°Brother Rui, how can you do this to me?¡±


    Qin Yu popped out her eyes liking suffering a big blow, tears dripping down like the opened faucets, ¡°Before my mother died, you promised her that you¡¯d take care of me. You forgot it?¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t I taken care of you all these years?¡±


    Yan Shengrui snapped. These years, he seldom went back to his mansion, so she, a maid, was half the hostess of the mansion, but he even let her be the housekeeper of the backyard. Hadn¡¯t he favored her enough?


    ¡°A single man promises to look after a young girl, shouldn¡¯t he marry her? Brother Rui, all these years, I have tried my best to manage the whole backyard of the mansion and improve myself, only wishing that you¡¯d marry me after you come back from the boarders. Now you are finally back, but with some other wife, who is a monster, a demon. Where am I inferior to him? How could you do this to me?¡±


    Pointing at Ling Jingxuan with her finger, Qin Yu was ready to risk everything. Since she was little, she already liked her Brother Rui who seldom talked but gave one sense of security. When he promised her mother to take care of her, though she knew she shouldn¡¯t think it that way, she still felt overjoyed. In the next few years, Brother Rui had stayed single. Even others sent numerous beautiful women into the mansion, he didn¡¯t even lift his eyes to take a single look at any of them. She had always thought he was waiting for her to grow up. And when she was big enough, he¡¯d marry her as his first wife. She had even dreamed that one day she¡¯d give birth to a lot of kids with him like countless times and run the mansion for him, so he could go to the frontiers to kill the enemies. But¡­


    Her dream completely shattered after knowing the existence of Ling Jingxuan and those few bastards! She had never expected that his Brother Rui who only hadn¡¯t been back for a year had already married someone else as his wife and even had a few kids. Heaven knew how heartbroken she was at the time. After a few days, she finally convinced herself. It was only normal for a man to have a few concubines, let alone her Brother Rui was a prince. How could he only have her? So she accepted it in the heart. But when she received his letter and knew that the crown princess would come back with the kids, jealousy blinded her heart. On thinking that before His Majesty officially issued the imperial decree to confer him as the crown princess, by principle, he couldn¡¯t even be called a concubine. So she had arranged a series of plans, and carefully dressed herself up, only letting him know who was the hostess of the mansion! She had had everything arranged well, why it ended like now?


    What hurt her most was her Brother Rui not only didn¡¯t try to help her, he even tried to kill her! Had he really forgotten he promised to marry her?


    A single man promised to take care of a young woman, in ancient times where people attached great important to their dignity and face, it was equal to that he had promised to marry her, but on the premise of equal status, or the man truly had that intention. Before meeting Ling Jingxuan, Yan Shengrui had never thought of marrying a wife, let alone having the thought of marry her. Given his ability, taking care of a little girl was only feeding one more mouth. As a tough man, how would he ever have imagined so much like her?


    ¡°You are inferior to him in all aspects. I promised my nanny to take care of you, I only meant taking care of you. I would never pay for your wishful thinking. Qin Yu, if you are still that good girl, I will fulfill my promise, find you a good husband. But if you covet the position of the crown princess, I guess I no longer need to fulfill my promise to my nanny!¡±


    With his tiger eyes deeply locking her, Yan Shengrui said coldly. If he had that thought, he had already given her the title, be she a little girl or not! He really made a mistake on this.


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t. Brother Rui, do you forget that my mom died for you? How could you treat her only daughter like this?¡±


    Qin Yu went crazy, she couldn¡¯t accept it. Her wishful thinking? She had loved him for over ten years! How could he be so heartless?


    If one side begged the other for a relationship, then that one would never succeed. Instead of arousing a little bit of Yan Shengrui¡¯s mercy, her craziness only made him more sick of her. So many women in the world wanted to marry him. If everyone was like her, should he marry them all? What a joke! How could he allow someone to keep threatening him like that on and on?

 Chapter 472

    After listening for so long, Ling Jingxuan almost got the whole story. Simply speaking, Yan Shengrui promised to take care of her for the sake of his nanny. He only promised to support her and find her a husband when she grew up, and then his obligation done. But Qin Yu wishfully thought his so-called taking care of her was to marry her some day, and had been holding this dream for all these years. But his appearance completely shattered her beautiful dream.


    Thinking here, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help smiling. So brainless! A man like Shengrui, if he really had that intention, how would have only removed her slave registration? To say the least, even if he didn¡¯t show up and Yan Shengrui really married her, did she really think she could be the crown princess? And even if she became the crown princess, could she really hold it? Maybe she didn¡¯t even know how when she died.


    ¡°Are you done?¡±


    Things were made clear now. It was all a farce of a woman who was originally a maid but dreamed of becoming the crown princess. So he was already in no mood to go on listening to her bullsh*t.


    ¡°Jingxuan, you are my crown princess. In this mansion, even I have to listen to you. So you decide.¡±


    Yan Shengrui also meant to ignore the woman. The promise he had made to his nanny, he had fulfilled it. But since she was still not satisfied and even humiliated his wife again and again, then don¡¯t blame him for going back on his words.


    ¡°Rui¡­¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhu, I will give you a quarter of an hour to gather all the servants and maids and the women who are confined in the backyard to the front courtyard.¡±


    Qin Yu still wanted to say something, but Ling Jingxuan did not give her the chance, he shut her mouth by pricking a silver needle into an acupoint, no matter how she moved her mouth, she just couldn¡¯t utter a word. Seeing here, Steward Zhu hurriedly responded and bent to back out.


    ¡°What? Hungry again?¡±


    No one knew what he wanted to do, and no one dare to ask, of course, Ling Jingxuan could never kindly explain. He beckoned the servants on the side to drag Qin Yu out, then as he lowered his head, he saw that the little Dumpling was staring at him without moving his eyes curious, arms and legs moving, so cute!


    ¡°My crown princess, I¡¯ll go get the goat¡¯s milk for the little master.¡±


    Seeing that, Lady Long quickly trotted out, and Ling Jingxuan reached out to pick up the little baby, and couldn¡¯t help poking his little face gently, ¡°Haven¡¯t you just had a bowl of goat¡¯s milk at noon? Why hungry now? Look at you! Do you really want to be a meat-stuffed dumpling?¡±


    Every day, the little Dumpling was only eating and sleeping. Now, only two months, it already felt a bit heavy in the hands. If he kept eating like this, he¡¯d definitely turn into a meat-stuffed dumpling.


    ¡°It¡¯s good being a bit chubby. Wait, I almost forget, our little Dumpling is already Duke Ling!¡±


    Yan Shengrui also leaned over to poke their little son¡¯s chubby face, and felt out the imperial decree by the way. After receiving it, Ling Jingxuan just threw it on the tea table, ¡°There wouldn¡¯t be so much trouble if he has issued the decree earlier. I think the emperor is a masochism.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­what? You want to abuse him?¡±


    Yan Shengrui picked his eyebrow, with those tiger eyes rendering with naked interest and expectation. Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes, ¡°Temporarily no, oh right, I remember the empress dowager is still alive, right? What is her family background?¡±


    They couldn¡¯t touch anyone in the palace now, but not those outside the palace.


    ¡°The Zheng family. The current head is the empress dowager¡¯s younger brother Zheng Chengren. After my imperial elder brother succeeded to the throne, he conferred him the title of Duke Wen, but his rights were squandered. At present, he should still be in charge of the compilation of the history of the kingdom. Some others only take some minor titles.¡±


    His Majesty used them but not on those important positions. That was His Majesty¡¯s repay for the Zheng family who had ever assisted him to seize the throne. He had given them all the glories, but not power.


    ¡°Hehe, Shuiling, you and Lady Zhang feed our little duke. Ling Yun, come with me.¡±


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan made no comment. Seeing Lady Zhang come in holding the fresh goat¡¯s milk and it was quite noisy outside, he got up and handed the baby to Song Shuiling, then went out with Yan Shengrui and Ling Yun.


    On the empty space in the front yard gathered a lot of people. The servants and maids stood in line according to their class, while on the other side came a lot of carriages slowly, and then those well-dressed women got off under the support of the maids. Everyone couldn¡¯t help looking toward the direction of the hall. Heaven knew how excited they were when they heard that His Highness summoned them. Having been here for so long, finally they got a chance to see the legendary Prince Sheng!


    Ling Jingxuan who was walking side by side with Yan Shengrui was still wearing those plain cotton clothes, even wearing no better that those maids and servants with a title, but his momentum was unparalleled. Even wearing those coarse linen clothes, it wouldn¡¯t decrease any bit of his charm. Yan Shengrui by the side still wore those black armors, emitting that kind of domineering and tough man¡¯s aura, that sculpture-like face made a lot of people pound. Such kind of man with both good appearance and power was undoubtedly the dreamy husband of all women.


    ¡°Are those your women?¡±


    Throwing them a cold glance, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help asking with jealousy. Holy crap! There were all kinds, thin or fat, short or tall. After dealing with those women, see how he¡¯d castrate him!


    ¡°Er, they are not my woman. Jingxuan, can you talk normally? I swear I have never seen any of them.¡±


    Yan Shengrui instantly turned into a Pekingese and begged for his wife¡¯s mercy. He was wrong, really! Tomorrow he¡¯d tell the whole world that whoever dare offer him a woman, he¡¯d raze their family to the ground!


    ¡°This isn¡¯t over.¡±


    Throwing him a cruel eyes, Ling Jingxuan pushed him away and then slowly stepped down the steps. Watching his back, Yan Shengrui gave a wry smile, this time he had really poked a hornet¡¯s nest!

 Chapter 473

    Before Ling Jingxuan set out from Ling Village, the whole yard¡¯s women would have never thought that the first time they came to the mansion, what was waiting for them was such kind of situation. Although they knew what Yan Shengrui said was true¡ªhe really had never seen any of them, it was an indisputable fact that their existence was like an eyesore to him. Today, if he couldn¡¯t solve all of them, he even couldn¡¯t fall asleep tonight.


    Everyone in the mansion was as cunning as a fox. Although their crown princess only came today and people described him with all nasty words, a lot of editions, the thing was His Highness liked him, even Qin Yu who always poised as His Highness¡¯ woman ended like that, who else dare say a word before him? Seeing them, the servants hurriedly moved two big chairs over.


    Without standing on ceremony, Ling Jingxuan directly walked over and sat down, with his eyes slowly sweeping over at everyone there, suddenly a creepy smile crawled onto his face, ¡°Steward Zhu, is everyone here?¡±


    He was not quite loud, but it was as still as still because of their arrival, so, Steward Zhu could still hear it clearly, then he hurriedly trotted over and made a bow, ¡°My crown princess, they are all here. Including all servants and maids of each yard, it¡¯s 413. 78 girls in the backyard, plus their maids, it¡¯s 312.¡±


    The more he said, the more trembling his voice became, for Yan Shengrui¡¯s face grew darker and darker. He also didn¡¯t expect that there would be so many of them. And the smile on Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face turned brighter, ¡°When they were sent over, have you gotten them registered?¡±


    ¡°Yes, both the outer and inner yard, who sent them, how many, all recorded in details.¡±


    Unlike those common places, anyone who came in and went out had to register. Then, if something happened, they could track things down faster and more accurately. Like now, he¡¯d answer Ling Jingxuan¡¯s question so accurately.


    ¡°Show me the booklet.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan stretched out a hand. Steward Zhu who had long been prepared took out a booklet and placed it in his palm. After receiving it, Ling Jingxuan casually leafed through. Except from His Majesty and the empress dowager, there were Zheng family, Xiao family, Chu family, Yan Shengrui¡¯s imperial brothers and those officials, everyone had a title. But what Ling Jingxuan was not clear was, except those from the palace, those officials should send their daughters into the palace. But they sent those women to Yan Shengrui, only to let them enchant him, then he would stand on their side. So, it was not only trying to kiss his a*s, some other factors like the throne and some political things also got involved.


    ¡°Pa~¡±


    Suddenly, Ling Jingxuan closed it, and the smile on the face was replaced by a bloodthirsty fierce expression, which gave Yan Shengrui and Steward Zhu a shudder. The former really wanted to defend himself, but seeing his wife¡¯s horrible side face, he shrank his neck and dare not say a single word, while the latter tried his best to minimize his own presence. Who said their crown princess is a stupid farmer and a shameless monster? He was totally another His Highness! But more horrible! Anyone who pissed off His Highness, His Highness would directly kill him or what, but their crown princess gave one that kind of unfathomable feeling. No one knew what he would do the next second.


    ¡°Someone!¡±


    ¡°Prince Seven is here! Duke Zeng is here!¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s voice almost sounded at the same time with the shouting outside. With a slight frown, he looked outside and saw that the crowd made way for Zeng Shaoqing who was wearing total red clothes and Yan Xiaoming who had grown a lot, behind them were people from the palace carrying boxes.


    ¡°Greetings, Prince Seven, long live!:


    Except Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan, everyone on spot knelt down. Yan Xiaoming held back the thought of throwing himself at Ling Jingxuan and waved his hand with the other behind his back, ¡°Save it!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness.¡±


    Then everyone stood up and it became even quieter. Yan Xiaoming then walked towards Yan Shengrui and Ling Jinxuan, ¡°My greetings, imperial uncle and imperial aunt-in-law!¡±


    Those peach blossom eyes were filled with excitement, even trace of tears. In a short year, he felt like it was like a lifetime already. Those teary eyes stared at Ling Jingxuan greedily.


    ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s been a long time, and you grow up a lot.¡±


    Rarely Yan Shengrui said some complimenting words, which made Yan Xiaoming nearly cry, ¡°All thanks to your blessing.¡±


    ¡°What brings you here today?¡±


    After checking him with his eyes, Ling Jingxuan asked with not so intimate tone, after all, there were so many outsiders here, and those women were the spies of those families. Here was not their Ling village. Whatever others said, he was the Crown Princess Sheng. Every word and every move of him represented His Highness Sheng. Before making clear the current situation in the capital, he would never reveal the fact that they were close with the empress and the seventh prince.


    Yan Xiaoming looked a bit disappointed, but he knew he had his reason, so he braced himself up and tried to sound like an adult, ¡°Imperial aunt-in-law, I am here to send you the greeting gifts on behalf of my father empress, and my father emperor slows me to stay here for a few days and bond with my younger brothers.¡±


    Deliberately stressing the words father emperor sounded meaningfully. No one there was a fool. They understood what he meant almost in an instant. After exchanging an eye contact with Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan beckoned Steward Zhu, ¡°Let them carry those things off and record it and put them in the warehouse. Ling Yun, you take the seventh prince and Lord Zeng to take a seat in the hall. I will go over right after I finish things here.¡±


    ¡°Got it!¡±


    Steward Zhu and Ling Yun both went forward. Yan Xiaoming looked around and said with obvious disappointment, ¡°Why don¡¯t I see Ling Wen and Ling Wu?¡±


    He missed them a lot and brought them a lot of gifts, especially those snacks only the palace had. Wu would like them!

 Chapter 474

    ¡°I asked someone to show them around in the mansion. Ling Jingxuan, let Shuiling take him to find the kids.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness, please come with me.¡±


    Ling Yun respectfully made a ¡®please¡¯ gesture. Yan Xiaoming said with great excitement, ¡°Imperial uncle and aunt-in-law, then I will go find them.¡±


    After bowing to them, Yan Xiaoming walked away slowly like an adult. But when out of everyone¡¯s sight, he instantly removed the aura as the prince and ran to the backyard. Ling Yun who was following behind was amused and smiled, quickened her paces.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. Come on! Carry a chair for me!¡±


    Seeing that Ling Jingxuan looked over, Zeng Shaoqing voluntarily moved forward, totally not taking himself as an outside. Then those servants subconsciously looked up at Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui. Only after getting his permission dare they go move the chair. Ling Jingxuan ignored that demon-like guy who was only there watching a drama and turned to Yan Shengrui, while the latter shrugged, apparently leaving everything to him.


    Ling Jingxuan then raised his voice, ¡°Someone! Bring Qin Yu up and flog her still death!¡±


    As the last word fell, the bloodthirsty smile that had only disappeared a moment ago climbed back on his face, everyone there couldn¡¯t help feeling cold down the spine. Some timid ones even started to shudder like sifting chaff. Why didn¡¯t know about Qin Yu? Daughter of His Highness¡¯ nanny, housekeeper of the inner yard of the mansion, who always poised as the hostess of the whole mansion. Never thought that the newly-arrived crown princess would use her as the centesimate. Those women already dropped the former thought of trying to pick up with Yan Shengrui, and all broken into cold sweat, only afraid they¡¯d end up like Qin Yu.


    ¡°Crying¡­¡±


    After a while, a few strong old women pulled Qin Yu who got tears over her face and wanted to say something but couldn¡¯t in. In the middle of the crowd laid a bench. Those strong old women dragged Qin Yu who still expected Yan Shengrui to save her over and pressed her onto the bench. Then two servants holding the special sticks especially for the spanking punishment came forward. Qin Yu was struggling, but after all she was only a women, and had been raised up like a princess in the mansion. How would she ever break free from those rough old women?


    Ling Jingxuan got up, walked over, and then withdrew the silver needle from inside her body, as Qin Yu was about to shout, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s cold voice suddenly sounded, ¡°Do it!!¡±


    ¡°Pia¡­pia¡­¡±


    ¡°Ouch¡­ouch¡­Brother Rui¡­save me¡­I will never do this again¡­¡±


    As her voice fell, the two servants standing on both sides raised the sticks in their hands high and then spanked on her butts. Qin Yu¡¯s screams spread each corner of the front yard. A lot of people on spot got scared. And Ling Jingxuan sat back in his chair, even with a faint smile. Anyone could tell it was a fake smile, one could even see undisguised indifference in his eyes. The screams by his ears were like the most pleasant music.


    ¡°Ouch¡­help¡­¡±


    Not long after, Qin Yu¡¯s butts got stained with blood, and her crying also got smaller and smaller, the dense blood mixed with the flesh splashed around, and the former part of the sticks already got dyed with the color of blood. Mny people dare not look at it. Ling Jingxuan then stood up at this time, ¡°Everyone, listen! Open your eyes wide enough! Whoever tries to move your eyes off her, you¡¯d be the next one!¡±


    When the woods are big enough, you could find all kinds of birds in. There were hundreds of servants and maids in the mansion. He could never discipline them one by one. So this move was to let them know what the result was like if going against him.


    Hearing that, those servants and maids had to all turn their eyes at Qin Yu who already got her butts badly mutilated. And on the other side, those beautiful women, some of them did as what Ling Jingxuan said, but some just refused to open their eyes, and some even wore a face of disdain and despising, relying on their noble family background, maybe they were even cursing Ling Jingxuan in the heart for being so ruthless.


    ¡°Spank all of them together!¡±


    Pointing at the few proud beautiful woman, Ling Jingxuan snapped. How could those servants have to think about whether they could touch them or not. On hearing Ling Jingxuan¡¯s order, over twenty rough old women flashed out of the crowd suddenly. Seeing that, the few beauties got stoned there. One of them who was wearing light yellow clothes and looked very beautiful suddenly stood out, ¡°How dare you! I work for the empress dowager! If you dare touch me, the empress dowager will not spare you!¡±


    Under normal circumstances, those sent by the empress dowager and His Majesty were the noblest who they should show great respect, which also indirectly brought a lot of trouble when the hostess regulated the whole house. If their men favored them more, those women would even ride over the head of the hostess.


    ¡°So what? Just beat her!¡±


    Pity that it was Ling Jingxuan. Others may be afraid of the empress dowager, but not him. Here was their territory, and he was like their heaven. Anyone who dare go against him¡ªthe only result was death!


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°How dare you! Don¡¯t touch me! Your Highness, shouldn¡¯t you say something? Your Highness¡­¡±


    Those rough old women pressed her onto the bench, and without waiting for Ling Jingxuan to give the order, the executors directly started to spank her. Another¡¯s woman¡¯s screams rose. Seeing here, other women all got on their knees, ¡°Please show mercy, my crown princess!¡±


    They were afraid, really! He even dare touch the empress dowager¡¯s people, let alone them!

 Chapter 475

    ¡°How? You want me to do it myself?¡±


    The whole yard was resounding the woman¡¯s screams and begging for mercy, while Ling Jingxuan totally had no reaction at all. With a cold sweep of his eyes, those tough old women made a shudder and pressed down the few women who were still begging for mercy in tearing hurry, while their maids looked at each woodly and then rushed before Yan Shengrui at the same time.


    ¡°Your Highness, please save our miss. They are granted by His Majesty!¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, I¡¯m begging you!¡±


    ¡°Please show mercy, Your Highess¡­¡±


    Nearly twenty of them knelt in front of Yan Shengrui and kept kowtowing. How cruel the crown princess is! He could establish his credibility, but how could he use such a brutal way? Begging him was useless, so the only one who could stop him was His Highness.


    ¡°Drag them down together!¡±


    For fear that their move would invite other¡¯s resentment for his wife, Yan Shengrui who couldn¡¯t even fend for himself harshly said.


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡±


    Then more people rushed out of the crowd and pulled them away. And those women were still screaming and begging for mercy, whose shrieks reached every corner of the mansion. The whole front yard was now enveloped in some kind of bloodily horrible atmosphere. Dozens of them received the spanking punishment together. One could imagine how horrible that scene looked. Qin Yu and those beauties who received the punishment first also got their butts awfully mutilated. Be it those servants and maids, or those women who were offered to Yan Shengrui, all were quivering. They even dare beat someone granted by the empress dowager and His Majesty. How would they have a chance?


    ¡°Tut, tut, your wife is tough enough. After this, who will still have the balls to offer you any beauty? Those who have mixed into your mansion have to weigh the whole thing before spreading this out.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing who was sitting aside watching the drama leaded sideways toward Yan Shengrui, that evil but beautiful face stained with a shallow smile, only admiration in that pair of fox-like eyes. Originally, he was still worried that Ling Jingxuan would deal with people in the mansion like how he dealt with those people in the village. Seen from now, his worries were totally unnecessary. He was clearer than anyone that village people were all simple, how bad could they be? The most common thing of them was quarreling. Showing his killing intention was only to let them know his brutality, nothing else. But here was totally contrary from things in the countryside. As the saying goes, barking dogs won¡¯t bite. If he didn¡¯t take out some really cruel means and still only tried to fluff like in the village, the whole mansion would sink sooner or later and he would also get looked down upon, followed by countless troubles. But he really didn¡¯t expect that he would directly do this. That was his style!


    ¡°Do you think I will give them another chance?¡±


    Yan Shengrui had long regretted now. If his wife put the blame on him because of this, he¡¯d go each of their family and turn their house upside down! Why women? Silver, gold, jewelries, he wouldn¡¯t mind. And those things would make his sons happy. Why so many women? If he couldn¡¯t live a peaceful life, he would never let them!


    ¡°Look at you! It seems our Jingxuan really has a big problem about it. I¡¯ve decided, I will stay here in the following days.¡±


    With an evil smile, Zeng Shaoqing made the decision. A free drama to watch! Why not?


    Rolling his eyes at him, Yan Shengrui pressed down his urge wanting to slap him, ¡°It¡¯s my Jingxuan, not yours or others¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes. He is yours, of course. I don¡¯t have the ability to own such kind of wife.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing was amused and kept nodding, then turned to Ling Jingxuan with great interest. His intuition told him that he should have the follow-up move.


    ¡°My crown princess, Qin Yu has no breath already!¡±


    Not long after, one of the executors came before Ling Jingxuan dragging the bloody instrument of torture. Ling Jingxuan cast a glance at the dead body and said, ¡°Bury it.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my crown princess.¡±


    Beating people or even killing people were a common thing in those big families. And they also had a professional processing scheme. Not daring to ask more, the servants hurriedly dragged Qin Yu¡¯s body away. The punishment was still proceeding, and there were people who kept being dragged away. Soon, dozens of people died. The whole mansion was enveloped in some kind of horrible and suffocating atmosphere.


    ¡°Today is just the beginning. I am not a woman, so I will not argue with you who is right or wrong. Anyone who touches my taboo will die! Of course, I¡¯m not that kind of bloodthirsty person. As long as you perform well, I will treat you well. Otherwise, their today is your tomorrow, or maybe even your family out there will get involved. So, before doing things, I wish that you should consider it thoroughly.¡±


    After the execution, Ling Jingxuan did not let them clean the blood-stained ground, but paced down before everyone, and took the horror under their eyes in to his eyes. At last of his words, the killing intention accumulated from his previous life broke out. He just bluntly told them that he was not kidding. Anyone who didn¡¯t believe it could try!


    ¡°Yes, my crown princess!¡±


    Hundreds of servants and maids were trembling with pale face and fell to their knees. Even if no one was being punished now, they felt like the sharp screams were still lingering by their ears. So horrible! Their crown princess was more horrible than they had imagined! Without any more ado, he planted the seeds of fear in their hearts already.


    ¡°You can go. Do your own job.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, my crown princess.¡±


    Then those servants and maids left supporting each other. Soon, the crowded yard got empty again. And the quiet mansion got busy again. Ling Jingxuan cast a glance at the rest of those beauties on the side, with a cold and cruel smile at the corner of his mouth, he walked towards Yan Shengrui with his hands behind his back, then picked up the booklet and said in a low voice, ¡°Since the empress dowager and His Majesty could grant those officials with credit beauties, shouldn¡¯t you also have the same power?¡±


    Rewards and gifts were different. For rewards, the receiver must treasure them up carefully. But gifts were another thing. Before handling those beauties, he needed to make clear of the rules.


    ¡°Others may not have that power, but Shengrui does have it! Jingxuan, what do you want to do? Any place I can work you for?¡±


    Before Yan Shengrui, Zeng Shaoqing asked with great interest. What he wanted happened to leave their fowls and dogs in no peace of those big families.


    ¡°What can you do? This is the first time I came to the capital. Of course I should bring them some local specialties on behalf of His Highness, right?¡±


    Closing the booklet, Ling Jingxuan already beckoned Ling Yun to take his wooden box withal kinds of poison stuff inside. For he still had to take the kids with him, he didn¡¯t put any on his body. And he also took the poison from the little buns, only leaving some detoxifying pills just in case.


    ¡°Steward Zhu, let them come here.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Every time he called him Steward Zhu, Steward Zhu would have a shudder in spite of himself. Seeing hat, Zeng Shaoqing asked strangely, ¡°Do you want to kill them with poison and then sent them back?¡±


    ¡°Why should I do that?

 Chapter 476

    Throwing his a hard stare, Ling Jingxuan highly doubted if he was playing dumb on purpose. Yeah, he was cruel, but not a killer. Today, enough people died already, and others had been freaked out, killing them was already meaningless. So, he¡¯d better maximize their use, to pay for the miseries he had suffered after he came to capital. Sometimes, living people were better than the dead. Sometimes, the cruelest counterattack was drive the enemies crazy without seeing a drop of blood.


    ¡°Greetings, my crown princess! Long live!¡±


    No longer daring to stay poised there, those beauties all knelt down trembling. To put it bluntly, they were only some toys, what capital did they have to go against his crown princess up there? If with His Highness¡¯ favor, maybe they¡¯d have a chance. But apparently His Highness only favored the crown princess! If they couldn¡¯t even see this, then they really deserved to die.


    ¡°Those sent by the same master stand together, and maids behind your own miss.¡±


    Lounging in the chair, Ling jingxuan slightly narrowed his eyes. Yan Shengrui and Zeng Shaoqing said no more. They were wondering what Ling Jingxuan was going to do.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Without any violation, those beauties soon stood in lines. Three lines were the longest. After some inquiring, Ling Jingxuan knew they were from the Xiao family, Chu family and Bai family. For Bai family which came out of nowhere, after Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s explanation, he got to know that their back was Noble Consort Bai from the west inner harem. The concubines in west inner harem were all men, and Noble Consort Bai should be the one with highest position. Logically speaking, the west inner harem shouldn¡¯t covet the throne. But this Noble Consort Bai was kind of capable. Since the second prince¡¯s mother consort died, he had kept him by his side. Now the second prince had grown up, it was only reasonable they would also offer beauties for Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°My crown princess, things you asked for¡±


    Soon Ling Yun came back. After receiving a giant whiteware from inside the box, Ling Jingxuan unsealed it and handed it to Ling Yun, ¡°The pills inside, one for each of them.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Ling Yun then walked towards those beauties and offered one to each other them. She just watched them swallow it one by one. It was not that those beauties didn¡¯t hesitate. But thinking of the former bloody scene, they had to swallow it with their eyes closed. Everyone looked panicked after taking it, only afraid they¡¯d die the next second. That kind of things couldn¡¯t be more common in those big families.


    After about half an hour, Ling Yun finally finished. Ling Jingxuan straightened his body and swept over each other them, ¡°What I gave you is specially-made poison I made. Don¡¯t worry. It won¡¯t show effect immediately. As long as you behave, seven days later, I will give you part of the antidote. Don¡¯t try to ask someone else for the detoxication. It¡¯s no use. Except me myself, no one can detoxify it.¡±


    ¡°My crown princess, please show mercy¡­¡±


    Hearing him, those beauties and their maids all knelt down. Ling Jingxuan impatiently raised his hand to stop them, and then suddenly said sharply, ¡°Someone who gives up and only wants to die, stand out. I won¡¯t force you. Seven days later, the poison will spread inside, and finally you¡¯ll die with all your guts and intestines rotting.¡±


    If he remembered correctly, ancient people cared about whether their bodies would be complete after they died, right? Even if they were not afraid of death, they still wanted to die with a complete body.


    ¡°We will all follow your order!¡±


    ¡°We will all follow your order!¡±


    As his words came out, everyone hurriedly expressed their loyalty. Who would want to die as long as one had a chance? Although before offering them here, their former masters had told them to captivate His Highness and win his favor, for their convenience in the future. But compared to their own lives, that so-called loyalty was nothing at all.


    ¡°Good, but I would like to talk about the worst situation at first. Whoever dares betray me, I will let you die more miserably than those people today.¡±


    Everyone couldn¡¯t help but shrink their necks, the trembling body shook more violently. Ling Jingxuan who took everything in his eyes nodded with satisfaction, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t harm you. Later, I will offer you to those big families. As for how to seduce the masters of those big families, I guess you don¡¯t need me to teach you, right? My only request is, whichever family you would be offered to, you got to remember that try all your means to mess up their whole backyard. When necessary, I don¡¯t mind giving you a hand with His Highness¡¯ title. With His Highness and me as your back, I guess the hostesses wouldn¡¯t be too hard on you. If you can get pregnant, maybe you will win yourselves a good future. Seven days later, I will check your outcome, and I will let someone give you part of the antidote. If you behave, I will let someone send you the antidote periodically every year. Remember! The antidote only works for one year. If you want to live, better not play tricks. Otherwise, don¡¯t blame me if you die.¡±


    His life principle was, if others don¡¯t offend him, he wouldn¡¯t offend others. But anyone who made his days bad, he¡¯d let the other side¡¯s whole family sorry. Those women were bad, but those behind them were even worse. He was only doing it for an eye for an eye. Some other time, he¡¯d ¡®thank¡¯ those people one by one, and collect the interests for supporting their people for so long. As for His Majesty and the empress dowager, he¡¯d leave it there for now. Some day, he¡¯d let them pay!


    ¡°We will all follow your orders.¡±


    Finally survived, those beauties all secretly let out a long sigh of relief. Then Ling Jingxuan took the booklet and called the rolls and nominated them to different big families. It took him another half an hour to settle all of them. Looking at the empty yard, smelling the bloody smell in the air, Ling Jingxuan finally felt not that mad.


    ¡°How many people are there in your shadow guards?¡±


    Standing up to stretch, Ling Jingxuan suddenly turned his head and asked. Yan Shengrui picked his eyebrows, ¡°As many as you ask for. You only need to give Yan Yi the order.¡±


    As his words fell, Yan Shengrui snapped his fingers, then Yan Yi came out of nowhere quietly. To be honest, even he was kind of afraid of this crown princess. His means of punishing people or killing people were already cruel enough. And his means of offering beauties to those big families looked gentle on the surface, but it was like a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing. And the damage he could bring to the enemies should be permanent. Maybe in only a few days, those big families should all put on a show, right?


    ¡°Send your shadow guards to guard all entrances and exits of the mansion. See whose servants or maids would get out and whom they contact with. Don¡¯t capture or alarm them. Only write down their names. I will have my judgment.¡±


    As Yan Shengrui hadn¡¯t been in the mansion all the year round, he guessed in the mansion should have eyes of all those big families and even those members of the imperial family, right? It was not that he had never thought of clearing them all. But the mansion was so huge, they needed people to run it. If he cleared too many people all of a sudden, he¡¯d only alerts those people in the darkness, and also bring himself a lot of trouble. Besides, no one could guarantee that the new servants or maids he would buy wouldn¡¯t be others¡¯ eyes. Those human traders should all keep a good relationship with those big families. Like Guarantor Liu. If those he bought from those human traders were some others¡¯ eyes, it¡¯d only make it more dangerous. So, he¡¯d rather use those people in the mansion now. Today, such a big thing happened in their mansion. Those people would definitely go spread the news. He could take this chance to grasp their background, and then transfer all of them to do those tough jobs. As for the inner yard, he¡¯d train a group of people he could trust, with the tight-inside-but-loose-outside way to protect the kids.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    With a flash, Yan Yi disappeared. Ling Jingxuan felt much relieved now, and finally revealed a hearty smile. Watching such a him, Yan Shengrui and Zeng Shaoqing both smiled. More or less, they had guessed out what he wanted, and generated admiration of him from deep inside. Few people could still maintain his rationality and smartness like him under fury, right?

 Chapter 477

    Prince Sheng Mansion was too huge. Only yards with seven gates, they had quite a few. Inside the mansion, pavilions, terraces, engraved beams, and a man-made river that ran across the whole mansion, even no inferior to the imperial palace. According to the rules in the mansion, only Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan had the right to live in the main house, while others could only be arranged into different side houses. And the mansion even prepared a yard for the little princes and little dukes to live in. But Ling Jingxuan thought it was far from him, so he directly let the kids all live in his seven-gate main house, even wolf daddy and others moved to the next door of the main house.


    When they arrived in the morning, they were totally in no mood to appreciate the extravagance of the mansion. Now, while Ling Jingxuan was busying dealing with all kinds of things, Zhao&Han couple took the kids and others to look around the whole main house. As they were about to go to other yards, the maids and servants leading way for them got called away. Realizing that something might have happened in the front yard, the Zhao&Han couple who also felt a bit tired took the kids to take some rest in the pavilion and then go on after they were done.


    ¡°Wu!¡±


    After quite some time, a suddenly call came into their ears. Hearing that, the few little buns got stunned instantly, nearly turned their stiffened body at the same time, and then saw Yan Xiaoming wearing decently who had grown a lot taller trotting towards them panting, while waving at them excitedly.


    ¡°Brother Yan¡­It¡¯s Brother Yan¡­¡±


    The small bun shouted while slipping off the stone stools and ran toward him. The big bun and Tiewa who reacted a bit slower followed. The three little page boys gave each other a look and didn¡¯t go disturb their reunion.


    ¡°Brother Yan!¡±


    ¡°Wu!¡±


    Throwing himself into his arms, the small bun sounded like he was nearly crying. Yan Xiaoming also opened his arms and held him tightly, then called, ¡°Wen, Tiewa!¡±


    ¡°Brother Yan!¡±


    Eyes reddened, the two of them also threw themselves over and held his arms on both sides. The four brothers held together then. It had been over a year. They had been missing each other so badly, even dreamed of each other in their dreams. Today, finally! As kids, they directly used their tears to express their exciting feelings now.


    ¡°Crying¡­Brother Yan, finally! I thought you have dictched me¡­ Boohoo¡­¡±


    The small bun holding his neck was crying especially ¡®bitterly¡¯. At this moment, he didn¡¯t care about the principle that a big man shouldn¡¯t cry. He only wanted to let Brother Yan know how much he missed him.


    ¡°Brother (Wu).¡±


    Frightened by his exaggerating crying, Ling Wen and Tiewa both let go of Yan Xiaoming¡¯s arms and then only looked at Ling Wu, with undisguised worries in the eyes. Is he¡­all right?


    ¡°All right, Wu, isn¡¯t it that I¡¯m stand here already? Be good. Let me check our Wu! Stop crying!¡±


    Hands freed, Yan Xiaoming tried to push him away a bit, then raised his hand to wipe off the tears for him. Seeing him crying so sadly, Yan Xiaoming also had tears glittering in his eyes. Over the past year, he had been living in the deep palace with his father empress. Not only they had to keep watching about those bad people around, but also he had to try all means to win his father emperor¡¯s favor and his trust. Every step was liking treading on thin ice, only afraid that a wrong step would let them perish. When deep in the night or when he nearly couldn¡¯t hang in there, Uncle Ling¡¯s face would appear in his head, and also the cute faces of his little brothers. And then, he¡¯d keep telling himself that even for them, he had to hang in there and fight for that noblest position and then create a peaceful world for them, then they could be themselves. As time went by, this belief not only didn¡¯t fade away, it grew more solid!


    ¡°Brother Yan, you have lost some weight!¡±


    As the small bun looked at his face with the tears, his little fleshy hand unceremoniously touched the other side¡¯s face, with his little mouth pouted. Brother Yan didn¡¯t take good care of himself!


    ¡°Wu, are you caring about me?¡±


    Pressing his hand over his a little fleshy hand, Yan Xiaoming couldn¡¯t help spreading a hearty smile. Whatever he had been though, tricks or assassinations, the warmness at this moment was enough!


    ¡°Of course! Why didn¡¯t you take care of yourself? I don¡¯t like you like this.¡±


    Nodding honestly, the small bun said his heart. Like Brother Yan wanted to watch him turn into a meat stuffed bun, he also wanted his Brother Yan to grow fatter, unlike now, so skinny.


    ¡°Be good. Don¡¯t feel sorry for me. It¡¯s not that I grow thinner but I grow taller, so it makes me look a bit thinner. That¡¯s your illusion. Actually I am still the same as before.¡±


    The smile on the face grew wilder, and Yan Xiaoming took his hand, the more he said, the happier. Pouting, the small bun thought about it with his head tilted, and then asked highly doubtedly, ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Of course. When have I ever lied to you?¡±


    Knowing that those few younger brothers were hard to fool, Yan Xiaoming held him and turned to Ling Wen and Tiewa, ¡°Wen, Tiewa, it¡¯s so good to see you again. You¡¯ve both grown taller and a bit fatter. I¡¯ve missed you so much over the past year.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve also missed you. Brother Yan, how you doing?¡±


    Ling Wen seemed to notice that he was trying to switch the topic, after throwing a peep at his younger brother, he only asked so. When in Ling Village, sometimes, he¡¯d overheard the conversation of daddy and father, and used all threatening ways to let Uncle Yi tell him the truth. He knew he didn¡¯t live well here. As for how? He totally had no idea.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m doing fine.¡±


    Seeing the worries under his eyes, Yan Xiaoming held out to touch his face. He really felt he was doing fine. And now as he saw them again, whether he was doing fine or not was no longer important.


    ¡°Hmm. Brother Yan, don¡¯t be afraid. In the future, we will face it with you, and wolf daddy and Dahei and Xiaohei, Chubby and Plump, they are all here. Whoever dares bully you, I will let wolf daddy and Dahei bite them!¡±


    After staring at him deeply, Ling Wen nodded. And then Tiewa couldn¡¯t wait to chime in, ¡°Brother Yan, Plump is mine, and Chubby is the little Dumpling¡¯s. My adoptive daddy said they are called pandas, very cute! Later we will take you to see them! I promise you¡¯ll like them!¡±


    When Plump was brought back by wolf daddy, seeing that all the kids had their own pets but only Tiewa didn¡¯t, so Ling Jingxuan blamed himself for being so careless and immediately made the decision to let Tiewa have Plump as his pet, and the name was given by Tiewa himself.


    ¡°Really? So we got new members with us now. Then I am really expecting.¡±

 Chapter 478

    So the little Dumpling is their youngest brother, right? That was a name they would give. So cute, like the little buns!


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Tiewa nodded happily, with his cute little face stained with blush. Though so small, he knew that he was only his adoptive daddy¡¯s adoptive son, so he and Brother Yan were not brothers. But whether it was his adoptive father and daddy, they both treated him like Wen and Wu, and now Brother Yan. He felt indescribably thrilled.


    ¡°Brother Yan, you won¡¯t leave again, will you? This time, you will live with us forever, right? Don¡¯t worry, our mansion is huge. Although there are some bad people, daddy has solved them already. And in the future, it will feel like when in Yuehua Manor!¡±


    The small bun who had been ignored squeezed in, with his round big eyes looking at them with expectations. Yan Xiaoming really wanted to nod, but he just couldn¡¯t lie to them. So the atmosphere fell into awkwardness. The small bun could read face. Gradually, his eyes reddened again. Seeing that, Ling Wen hurriedly held him and said, ¡°Brother Yan still has to stay with Uncle Chu! Otherwise, Uncle Chu will be alone! Now we are all living the capital. Brother Yan can come to us anytime. And when we miss Brother Yan, we can go find him.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he still has Uncle Chu. Brother Yan, didn¡¯t Uncle Chu come with you?¡±


    Elder brother is the elder brother. The big bun convinced the small bun. And after he said that, the small bun instantly remembered the other one they specially missed. After throwing Ling Wen a grateful eye, Yan Xiaoming smiled, ¡°My father empress still has a lot of state affairs to see to, so he couldn¡¯t make it today. But he has prepared a lot of presents for you guys. And I also brought you a lot of snacks only the palace has. And whenever he has time, he¡¯d come to see you. Or, maybe you can let Uncle Ling to visit him in the palace. He¡¯d be happy!¡±


    ¡°All right. When daddy is not so busy, I¡¯ll let him take me to see Uncle Chu. Brother Yan, you tell Uncle Yan that I missed him.¡±


    Things like state affairs, he didn¡¯t understand, he only knew that Uncle Chu should be busy with what like his daddy busy with the business. In the past, when daddy was busy, they¡¯d all behave and wouldn¡¯t dare disturb him, so now he voluntarily accepted it.


    ¡°OK, although I can¡¯t live in here for a long time, at least a few days. Come on, let¡¯s go take a seat in the pavilion, and then you take me to see our little brother!¡±


    Nodding, Yan Xiaoming pulled them to stand up, while Ling Yun and others had already left quietly while they got together. Seeing that, the Zhao&Han couple who were waiting in the pavilion hurriedly went forward to greet him, ¡°My prince!¡±


    ¡°Uncle Zhao, Uncle Han, save it. There¡¯s no outsider here.¡±


    Before they could kneel down, Yan Xiaoming hurriedly stopped them with a smile. All manners were done for outsiders to see. They were like family already, so, not necessary at all.


    ¡°Yes, then we will also call you Seven like Jingxuan did. Seven, how you and Mr. Chu doing in the past year?¡±


    The Zhao&Han couple, Zhang Changgui, Ling Chenggui gave each other a look. And finally Han Fei stood out on their behalf and said so. This was not the first time Shopkeeper Zhang saw Yan Xiaoming. To more be exact, he had known about this pair of father and son earlier than Ling Jingxuan. But he had never expected that they were the empress and prince! And this should be the first time Ling Chenggui saw some other member of the imperial family except Yan Shengrui, so he was a bit nervous.


    ¡°Thank you for asking, Uncle Han. We are doing good. Everyone, please sit. As we are all here, we should all be guests of the Ling Mansion. So no need to act like strangers.¡±


    Yan Xiaoming always wore that faint smile, then pulled the few little buns to sit on the stone stools, and then the few page boys who were standing there all called, ¡°My prince!¡±


    They were servants, of course they couldn¡¯t call him Brother Yan like the little masters, but in their hearts, he was their elder brother.


    ¡°Hmm, it looks like you also grow taller. How are you getting on with your lessons?¡±


    Of course Yan Xiaoming also took them as before. A year¡¯s departure not only didn¡¯t make them feel alienated, but made them closer.


    ¡°Not as good as the little masters, but we have all studied hard. Later you can check it. Our calligraphy has improved a lot.¡±


    Song Xiaohu who was most familiar with him scratching his head embarrassedly, Zhou Changsheng and Long Dashan also nodded, they were telling the truth. What could they do? Their little masters were so smart and still studied so hard. If they didn¡¯t study hard, soon they¡¯d be left far behind.


    ¡°Hehe, all right, then I will check your homework later. But before the outsiders, you shouldn¡¯t call them little masters. This morning, my father emperor has issued a decree and conferred Uncle Ling as the first wife of His Highness Sheng, Wen is the little duke, who will inherit Highness Sheng¡¯s title, and Wu Duke Wu, and our little brother Duke Ling, Tiewa Knight Xiaoyao.¡±


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    Hearing that, the kids got kind of stoned there, but the few little buns there exclaimed at the same time, especially the Zhao&Han couple. They had never expected their son would also receive a title! Were they dreaming?


    ¡°Sure, effective today.¡±


    Understanding their shocking, Yan Xiaoming nodded. And then Ling Wen on the side said in whispers, ¡°Does it mean that they could no long say my daddy isn¡¯t justifiable for his title, right?¡±


    He did not know that what the titles meant, but he firmly remembered that Qin Yu only kept humiliating their daddy for there was no imperial decree conferring him the title.


    ¡°Yeah, whether my father emperor admits it or not, Uncle Ling is the only Crown Princess Sheng. Wen, ignore what those people out there say. Maybe they had lived too comfortably and always try to foment trouble everywhere. So, when that happens again, just argue back! Whoever dares show disrespect to you is to show disrespect to the imperial family! The consequences are not what they could afford to bear.¡±


    With Yan Xiao Ming¡¯s intelligence, even if he had no idea what had happened, he could basically guessed what had happened before, the smile instantly disappeared. His brothers had to adapt to their new identities, and learn to use their identities for some convenience. And then, others wouldn¡¯t dare look down on them and think they were just some pushovers.


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    After staring at each other for quite a white, Ling Wen nodded firmly. Although it was only half a day, he had vaguely felt that the capital was totally different from the countryside. They needed to learn to protect themselves.¡±

 Chapter 479

    All things settled, and a whole afternoon¡¯s time was soon over. And it was almost time for dinner. Before dinner, Yan Shengrui let the kids to go the study in the outer yard. Knowing that should have some serious things to talk about, Han Fei and others also left with them.


    ¡°Uncle Ling!¡±


    After entering the study, no outsider then, Yan Xiaoming strode over before Ling Jingxuan and knelt down. A ten years old child, however premature he was, he¡¯d have moments of breaking down. Before the father-like Ling Jingxuan, Yan Xiaoming couldn¡¯t help reddening his eyes. If it hadn¡¯t been that Uncle Ling had made the arranged ahead of time for them, maybe he would have died a lot of times already. His Majesty¡¯s favor to them who had no family on their back, it was like pushing them in the teeth of the storm. They nearly had to be on guard any minute. But even so, he still got poisoned and assassinated for quite a few times. Fortunately with the specially-made antidote and the shadow guards Yan Er and Uncle Zeng assigned him, he could have gotten away from it. His father empress¡¯ situation was not better than him. But they both knew they couldn¡¯t lose His Majesty¡¯s favor. Otherwise, they¡¯d only die faster and more miserably. As early as when they decided to come back, they had already had no way back.


    ¡°Good boy, I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan also no longer repressed his feelings, bent over to help him up. He knew their situation. Before, it was too far and he couldn¡¯t do anything even if he knew. But now, he was also here. By now he still had no better way about things inside the palace. But outside the palace, of course he¡¯d solve all troubles for them, especially the stupid Chu family!


    ¡°On thinking I can see you and my younger brothers some day, I feared of nothing.¡±


    Randomly wiping off his tears while shaking his head firmly, Yan Xiaoming finally looked like what a ten-year-old kid was supposed to be like. But to Ling Jingxuan, he was still too premature, ¡°Don¡¯t give yourself too much pressure. In the future, I will share the burden for you. You only need to improve yourself and win His Majesty¡¯s favor and let him confer you as the crown prince.¡±


    Stroking his forehead, Ling Jingxuan said gently. Maybe he couldn¡¯t figure out how to let him live like his little buns, the only thing he could do for him was to help him seize the throne. As for his future road, it was on his own.


    ¡°Hmm, I know.¡±


    Nodding, Yan Xiaoming turned to bow to Yan Shengrui, ¡°Thank you, Imperial Uncle Sheng.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me. If you can¡¯t make a good emperor, as I can support you to take the throne, I can also take you down. You are on your own.¡±


    Yan Shengrui was as stern as always. He was a member of the imperial family, so he had the responsibility and obligations to bring peace to people. Since his wife saw something in Xiaoming, of course he¡¯d also fully support him. But if he was a fatuous emperor in the future, then he¡¯d definitely throw him off that position. Although seen from now, he was indeed the best candidate for the crown prince among those princes.


    ¡°I won¡¯t give you that chance.¡±


    The first time, Yan Xiaoming looked into his eyes with no fear. A year was enough for him to grow. The current he was not long that seventh prince who was like a coward.


    ¡°Oh? I wish!¡±


    Picking his eyebrows, Yan Shengrui carried his teacup and sent it before his wife. After his wife took some, he also took a sip. Both Zeng Shaoqing and Yuan Shaoqi on the side complained in their hearts. Damn! Such a silly wife-con! Like a waiter before his wife while like a boss before them. Son of a bi*ch!


    ¡°Is Yunhan doing fine?¡±


    Hailing everyone to sit down, Ling Jingxuan turned to Yan Xiaoming amd asked. That iceberg beauty, he really couldn¡¯t imagine what it looked like when he competed for His Majesty¡¯s favor with others. But seen from the present situation, he had done it not bad. His Majesty not only adopted his suggestions, but also restored his position.


    ¡°I can only say that he looks the same as before from the appearances. It¡¯s just he wears better, and his means are tougher, nothing different. As for his inner thoughts, I am also not clear. Uncle Ling, my father empress asks me to remind you that both the empress dowager and His Majesty have a word of Uncle Sheng marrying you. He asks you to be cautious.¡±


    Yan Xiaoming shook his head and then said seriously. The empress dowager never liked him and his father empress, so they couldn¡¯t say some nice words before them for him. So Uncle Ling had to reply on his own.


    ¡°It¡¯d only be strange if they don¡¯t have a problem with me.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan smiled. Forget about he is a man, even his farmer¡¯s background couldn¡¯t pass. Besides, he was a man who had given birth for Yan Shengrui. It was only strange if they were not anxious. One should know Yan Shengrui also had the right of succession. The main reason no one had ever supported him was that he had no offspring. So, however meritorious he was, or however capable he was, he wouldn¡¯t convince people. But now was different, he had three sons! Even if he himself had never thought about it, some court officials would generate the thought, right? Yan Shengzhi had been in power for nearly ten years, and had already tasted the good of being the emperor, so he would be more desperate for power. So he wouldn¡¯t allow that kind of things to happen, or offer the throne to Yan Shengrui.


    ¡°Ignore them. They¡¯ll only gossip behind the back.¡±

 Chapter 480

    Yan Shengrui twitched his mouth. He didn¡¯t want his wife to worry too much for that. No one was clearer about his personality than them. Except that he had no intention for the throne, the reason he took no move was that he¡¯d like to show them some face and act as a court official, totally because though his imperial elder brother was not a wise emperor, at least he was a good one. But once something happened to his wife or sons, whether it was them or what, he¡¯d put it on their heads. By then, he wouldn¡¯t care about so much. If a man couldn¡¯t even protect his own wife and kids, what kind of man was that? And how to protect his kingdom and its civilians?


    ¡°Hehe, it¡¯s not bad to play some tricks with them when I feel bored. All right, I know what I am doing. You only need to take care of yourself. Just let me know if you need help.¡±


    Knowing he would say so, Ling Jingxuan laughed in spite of himself. He was happy to see him defend him. But there were some things he had to settle himself, otherwise, in others¡¯ eyes, he would always be that weak little bunny under Highness Sheng¡¯s wings. Well, those people would leave no stone unturned to get things hard for him, right? Besides, humans are easy to laze. Under his protection for too long, he was really afraid that he¡¯d be raised into a toothless house dog. And when meeting trouble, he¡¯d be so dead.


    ¡°As long as you are happy. Oh right, according to the rules, you and the kids need to go the palace to express your gratitude to His Majesty. But I have asked someone to submit the memorials. I will only take you for the palace banquet three days later.¡±


    Only Yan Shengrui would do this kind of things. But this time, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t oppose. Having stayed in the boat for over ten days, they were really exhausted. And after such a busy day today, let alone the kids, even he needed to take some rest and make plans for the following things.


    ¡°Lord Zeng, how is it going about the shop thing?¡±


    After thinking a bit, Ling Jingxuan looked up and Zeng Shaoqing. The current situation in the mansion was a bit complicated. If possible, he wished that Jinghan, Brother Zhao and others could move out tomorrow the latest. Now they hadn¡¯t shown themselves outside, no one knew them, so it was the best time for them to struggle out there. And Jinghan and Chenggui could settle down for their study and make full preparations for the examinations in next spring.


    ¡°I found you two houses. One is at the end of east street, a three-courtyard small one, but its internals are exquisite. And the other one is in the south street, also a three-courtyard one, but one time larger. There is a shop facing the street, very suitable for doing business. I have asked them to clean them up, and the servants and maids already arranged. So Jinghan and others only need to live in. As for the shops you asked for. I¡¯ve tried, Only that row of shops outside the Duke Hua¡¯s mansion is up to your mustard. Good lighting, big customer flow, wide enough, but His Majesty has rewarded it to Crown Princess Hua, who is a hard one. So, you can only try to buy it from his hands.¡±


    When it came to business, Zeng Shaoqing got a little serious finally. In the capital, one chi of land values a tael of gold. Ready-made house and shops were really hard to come by. Houses may be a bit easier, they could get it by methods like threatening. But shops were a big problem. All he could do was to choose the best section and ask about their owner and then go and see if they¡¯d sell it or not.


    ¡°Crown Princess Hua?¡±


    Another big figure? Judging from his tone, even the almighty Lord Zeng couldn¡¯t afford to offend him?


    ¡°Yan Xiaohua, eldest son of my second imperial elder brother. Four years ago, when the most spoiled third prince of West Kingdom travelled around disguised as a commoner, he accidentally saw Xiaohua and fell in love with him on the first sight. After going back, ignoring his parents¡¯ opposition, he insisted marrying Xiaohua. Having no choice, his parents could only send the envoy to negotiate with my imperial elder brother. The final result is, my imperial elder brother conferred Xiaohua the title of Highness HUa and their third prince married into the Qing Kingdom. To express our sincerity, my imperial elder brother has rewarded them heavily, including the whole row of shops outside their mansion on the opposite side of us.


    Usually, Yan Shengrui wouldn¡¯t care about such things, even if the broom was his nephew. The bond of the imperial family was so thin, thin enough to make one unable to feel it. But this thing had caused a sensation at the time. His imperial elder brother had issued quite a few imperial decrees to ask him back from the boarders. So he had a deep impression of it.


    ¡°Oh? Why does it sound like Yan Xiaohua was forced? What about that third prince? What kind of person is he? How many chances do we have?¡±


    Never expecting that their neighbors also had such solid background, Ling Jingxuan was surprised, and turned his suspicious eyes to Zeng Shaoqing again. He was the best one for this kind of thing.


    ¡°At first, their relationship was not bad. After all, it¡¯s Xiaohua¡¯s second marriage. His former first wife died of metrorrhagia when giving birth. The third prince is born noble and loves him deeply, and even won a title for him. But soon, something happened between them. I heard it is because of Yan Xiaohua¡¯s son at first, but after they got married, Yan Shangqing, the third prince¡¯s son, caught some kind of strange disease. In a few months, the skin of his whole body looks like tree barks. A lot of people say he is a monster. And Because of that, Yan Xiaohua became the laughing stock of all big families. He put all the blame on the third prince. And since then, he goes to places like brothels to waste time, and in two years¡¯ time, he has married five concubines. How could the third prince who has been spoiled at home take this? Whenever the two of them show up together, you could smell anger in the air. Not only one time the third prince broke into the palace holding a whip asking His Majesty to hold the justice for him. Even the palace couldn¡¯t stay in peace. For this thing, His Majesty nearly removed Xiaohua¡¯s title. Now, they only feel a big headache when hearing things about Crown Princess Hua. Solid news, I heard that there was one time that His Majesty hid in some concubine¡¯s place and dare not go out. To be honest, I personally appreciate him.¡±


    No, not just appreciation, he only wished that he could go to the palace three times a day, leaving that old witch and His Majesty no peace, in case they¡¯d make trouble for him. Last time, after coming back from Cangzhou, he went to Fuqing Palace to take a seat. As a result, the next day, his mother was summoned into the palace. And after she came back, she forced her to get married as soon as possible. If one told him that old witch didn¡¯t say something, he¡¯d never believe it!

 Chapter 481

    ¡°Is it possible you set a trap for me to provoke that Crown Princess Hua?¡±


    Throwing him a suspicious eye, Ling Jingxuan wondered. Maybe the shops in the capital were hard to come by, there shouldn¡¯t be only one left! He could that Crown Princess Hua was like a bada*s. Offending him was like inviting trouble in. If possible, he¡¯d rather go find a place at the suburb of the capital and build a hospital he had long dreamt of. But running it would be a trouble.


    ¡°Ahem¡­How is that even possible? Crown Princess Hua has the whole West Kingdom as his back. Why would I set you up to offend him? Business is business. See how close their mansions it from here. And none of his shops is open. And if you really can buy them, it¡¯s convenient to manage them, isn¡¯t it? Where could you find better ones than those?¡±


    With his little trick being exposed before everyone, Zeng Shaoqing tried to cover up unnaturalness by clearing the throat. He dare say that section was really good. And he also really thought that if he could ally with that arrogant Crown Princess Hua, they¡¯d definitely overturn the whole capital! Anyway, he was only thinking about it. What¡¯s wrong with that? Maybe they¡¯d really make friends after they met!


    ¡°Really? Why do I feel you should have some other little thoughts? Maybe this Crown Princess Hua really has the balls. Only by that he even made His Majesty avoid him, I¡¯m quite interested in knowing him.¡±


    Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s explanation not only did not resolve his doubts, but deepened his doubts instead. But thinking about his personality, Ling Jingxuan just didn¡¯t take it to heart. Anyway, he wouldn¡¯t harm him, right?


    ¡°That¡¯s simple. Three days later, His Highness Hua will take him to attend the palace banquet. And then you can pick up a talk with him.¡±


    Forgetting to hide his expectations, Zeng Shaoqing nearly suggesting with an urging tone. Ling Jingxuan threw a glance at him grumpily, ¡°Save your little thoughts. Whether I¡¯ll go talk to him, I will decide after I check those shops. If like you said, he is only an arrogant young man who is easy getting infatuated in relationships, it¡¯d be not a problem if he is a smart one. But if he is a stupid one, heaven knows what kind of big troubles he¡¯d make in the future. I¡¯m not interested in clearing up the mess for others.¡±


    As long as it was a friend he approved, even if the other side made sky-big trouble, he¡¯d stand out. Whether that Crown Princess Hua was worth it or not, he didn¡¯t want to find trouble for himself.


    But our Jingxuan seemed to have forgotten a proverb. Man proposes, heaven disposes. Something destined, he could never avoid from it. This Crown Princess Hua was bonded to be related with him.


    ¡°In the future, you¡¯d live in the capital. So it¡¯s not bad to make some more friends. Yeah, he is hot-tempered, but he has solid background. You won¡¯t suffer any loss. Besides, a lot of big families are afraid of him. If you have him to cover, who still dare say you are a stupid farmer?¡±


    Since getting exposed, Zeng Shaoqing also no longer tried to hide it. He swore that he really thought Jingxuan and Crown Princess Hua would be a perfect duo!


    ¡°No need!¡±


    Rejecting his proposal, Ling Jingxuan then ignored him and turned to Ling Jinghan, ¡°Tomorrow you move into the house in the rear of the east street. Brother Zhao and others will also live with you temporarily. We are all in the capital now, so it¡¯d be easy for us to meet. But I think we¡¯d better not expose our relations for now, in case some people would try to kill you or what. And you still have to prepare for the examinations next spring. If others know you are my younger brother, those who have a problem with me may do something fishy in the dark.¡±


    In the early stage, he planned to get familiar with the environment first and develop his own career and train his own talents. He did not plan to touch any family now. As long as they did not come provoke him, he would stay put temporarily.


    ¡°Hmm, I know. That thing about the Imperial Academy¡­¡±


    Ling Jinghan nodded and then turned to look at Yan Shengrui. Only after one short day, he had seen a lot of things clearly. And Yuan shaoqi also told him a lot of things here. He wanted to enrich himself as soon as possible. Next spring, he¡¯d definitely have to pass it!


    ¡°I will arrange it tomorrow, and you will go in the day after the latest. Someone will inform you. You and Ling Chenggui only need to get ready to register there.¡±


    The more active they were, the more satisfied Yan Shengrui was. Of course he¡¯d take care of everything at the fastest speed.


    ¡°Sorry to trouble you then, Brother Rui.¡±


    Ling Jinghan also didn¡¯t stand on ceremony. Now they were still too weak, they had to reply on his strength if they wanted to grow in the shortest time.


    ¡°I¡¯m moving there, too.¡±


    Looking back and forth at them, Yuan Shaoqi suddenly requested. In a mansion without Jinghan, why should he stay?


    ¡°You are my bookkeeper, not Jinghan¡¯s.¡±


    Throwing him an eye, Ling Jingxuan nearly laughed out. Who had ever seen such a guy who only had one thought in his head¡ªpursuing his wife! Jinghan even allowed him to stay with him, couldn¡¯t he still feel at ease?


    ¡°Someone else will take care of the accounts inside the mansion. I will only need to be responsible for the accounts outside. Besides, aren¡¯t you worried that what if they meet some danger? With me there, I will make sure of their safety.¡±


    Yuan Shaoqi patted his chest and promised. Whatsoever, he had to stay with his future wife. Otherwise, maybe some day his wife would be someone else¡¯s.


    ¡°Well, what do you say, Jinghan?¡±


    About their relationship, Ling Jingxuan had no intention to step in. As long as his younger brother agreed, he¡¯d raise both hands and both feet to agree.


    Ling Jinghan did not reply immediately, but took his teacup leisurely and carefully enjoyed the tea. Yuan Shaoqi was so anxious that directly pulled him pitifully, ignoring so many pairs of eyes around, ¡°Jinghan, will you abandon me?¡±


    ¡°Pff~¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±

 Chapter 482

    Ling Jinghan instantly spat out the tea he had just taken in. Ling Jingxuan and others laughed even more dramatically. Who had ever seen someone like Yuan Shaoqi? Jinghan even had never agreed to be with him, abandon him already? Sounded like Ling Jinghan was such an unfaithful lover!


    ¡°Are you all right? Wipe it. Look at you! You are so big and still can¡¯t take care of yourself. How will you live without me around?¡±


    Ignoring others who laughed too hard that they almost had cramps all over, Yuan Shaoqi felt out his handkerchief and wiped it for him while nagging. Like Ling Jingxuan was an idiot who would die of staring or what without his care. Ling Jinghan got dumbfounded there by his words. After quite a while, he snatched the handkerchief from his hand and wiped the tea stains at the corner of his mouth.


    ¡°Big brother, I got a favor to ask.¡±


    Mercilessly staring at him, Ling Jinghan looked past him at his big brother. Ling Jingxuan who already had cramps in the stomach for laughing too much tried to press it down and asked, ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Immediately inform Duke Yuan to bring his long-lost son back. Don¡¯t let him stay here to harm people.¡±


    ¡°Urgh¡­¡±


    ¡°Pff! Haha¡­.¡±


    As those words came out, Yuan Shaoqi instantly got frozen there. And Ling Jingxuan and others laughed even more exaggeratedly. And finally things were settled in their laughing. After dinner, wolf daddy and others were sent back. Yan Xiaoming also liked the two pandas so much, and rarely he played a child and asked wolf daddy to get him one. Wolf daddy only got stoned there. If he could speak, he¡¯d already yell back. Do you think pandas are like potatoes? You can find one everywhere?


    ¡°Wolf daddy, let the kids play alone. I will take you to your new house to take a look.¡±


    Seeing that the kids playing with Dahei, Xiaohei, Chubby and Plump, Ling Jingxuan elbowed wolf daddy. And now little Dumpling was sleeping sweetly in Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s arms.


    Wolf daddy who was lying on the ground lifted his lazy eyes to give him a look. After quite a while, he stood up slowly like an aged. Ling Jingxuan also didn¡¯t urge him, only waited for him aside with Yan Shengrui. And soon, two men and a wolf disappeared in the hall.


    The main house was where Yan Shengrui lived, a seven-gate one. Each gate had its special yard, main rooms, side rooms and study, etc.. According to the rules, only Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shnengrui could live here. So the rooms Qin Yu had made for them were in some other hous, including wolf daddy¡¯s house and the pleasure ground. But Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t want make it too complicated, so he directly decided to let wolf daddy and his kids to live in the same yard with him.


    ¡°Here is Falling Rain Yard. Of your rooms, I have already asked them to remove the bed and most of the furniture. And there is only a clean mat. Tomorrow, I will let people make the same tatami like when in Yuehua Manor for you. And I plan to change the little garden outside into a pleasure ground for the kids. And there will also be a special place for you to take a bath and have water. What do you say?¡±


    After taking wolf daddy into Falling Rain Yard, Ling Jingxuan explained as he walked, in and out of his words was undisguised sorry feeling. He had long told him that he¡¯d specially build a house for them. Now he only hoped that wolf daddy wouldn¡¯t be mad at him.


    ¡°Growling¡­¡±


    With some deep growling, wolf daddy went through a garden outside under his head. He said it was a garden, but actually a rockery, it had flowing water and everything. After entering the main house, wolf daddy walked in and took a rough look around. The room was huge, at least one time bigger than the one when in Yuehua Manor. And inside, they already laid a new mat there, and outside laid a short but big round wood table, with a hollow part in the middle, like a sink, but still no water now. Tomorrow, Ling Jingxuan would ask them to move things over.


    Wolf daddy suddenly turned around and stared at him without blinking with those green eyes, like complaining about his arrangements. Ling Jingxuan had to tough his scalp and said, ¡°Sorry, but you need to stay here temporarily. You know, something happened. Three days at most, I will make this place change, all right?¡±


    So, sometimes it wasn¡¯t a good thing to keep a few intelligent wolves! See? He even had to soothe them.


    ¡°Growling¡­¡±


    Wolf daddy made a few deep growls at him. Ling Jingxuan walked over helplessly, ¡°You know, I am not almighty. Sometimes, things will get out of my control. Wolf daddy, I¡¯m sorry about this time. I promise no next time. Later, I still need your help to comfort our little wolves. They have been spoiled by me since they were little. If they are unhappy, I¡¯m afraid they¡¯ll tear the whole place down. You also don¡¯t want to delay the decorations, do you?¡±


    Fine, he was using carrot and stick trick now! Yan Shengrui behind found it so amused, also quietly alerted. How much Jingxuan suffered here, after going back, he¡¯d have to suffer the same amount of punishment. He dare not expect him to have forgotten those things, now he only wished he didn¡¯t let him sleep on the ground. Sleeping without him in the arms for a night, he¡¯d go crazy!


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    Under his appeasement, wolf daddy finally nodded, of course till not satisfied judging from the eyes. But Ling Jingxuan already couldn¡¯t care so much. If he dare let them to live the house far far away which had already been decorated well, without any doubt, wolf daddy would definitely destroy him first!

 Chapter 483

    As Ling Jingxuan expected, Chubby and Plump were fine with it, anyway, they hadn¡¯t been in this family for too long. When Dahei and Xiaogei saw their new shabby place, they both growled at Ling Jingxuan. It took him quite some time to appease them, and the few little buns also said some nice words on the side. The deep growling of Dahei and Xiaohei was with some kind of dense complaining, like they were suing that Daddy Ling was not that good to them as before. Finally they only shrank by the side sulking obediently after a deep growl of wolf daddy.


    ¡°Well, Dahei and Xiaohei, Daddy Ling will send someone to make your beds tomorrow morning, OK? Your Daddy Yan has plenty of hands here, I promise they will make you the new beds by tomorrow. Besides, the adornments for the garden are ready-made, they only need to move them over from some other yard. And tomorrow, let Brother Wen and others to show you around. There are a lot of good stuff here. And there¡¯s even a man-made river! Later you can take a bath or play water there. Be good. Don¡¯t be mad at me. Tomorrow, I will ask Shuiling to make you the delicious cake, with that kind of water, you know, OK?¡±


    Helplessly walking over to squat in the middle of them, Ling Jingxuan touched this one and then that one, and from his tone, it was not like he was talking to his pets, but his own sons.


    ¡°Growl¡­¡±


    Hearing the word cake, which would be made using the crescent spring water, Dahei and Xiaohei finally growled as saying fine. Seeing that, Ling Jingxuan finally revealed a smile, ¡°That¡¯s my boys. You must be tired all the way here. Take some rest.¡±


    Respectively holding against their heads with his, Ling Jingxuan stood up, and the two wolves also followed to stand up and made a few growls, finally the three of them resumed the usual mode of getting along, but¡­


    ¡°Squeak¡­¡±


    As Ling Jingxuan was to pick his steps, two round balls respectively held his legs on both sides. Seeing that, Ling Wen and Tiewa went over to hold them up, ¡°Chubby, be good. Daddy is tired. Let him hold you tomorrow, OK?¡±


    ¡°Plump, be good. Today, you guys should sleep early like wolf daddy. We¡¯ll take you for the adventure tomorrow, all right? Adoptive father, no, my father¡¯s house is huge. There are a lot of things for you to play. You¡¯ll like it.¡±


    Holding Plump, Tiewa also tried to talk some sense into him. But Chubby and Plump were not as obedient as Dahei and Xiaohei. They held their necks asking for a huge and wouldn¡¯t let go no matter what they said, and also kept squeaking, like they were those naughty boys asking for candy.


    ¡°Chubby and Plump, look at what this is! Some delicious fruit Brother Yan brought from the palace!¡±


    Not far away, Ling Wen who was holding his Brother Yan¡¯s hand and wouldn¡¯t let go felt out two fist-size red fruit and shook at them. Seeing that, Chubby and Plump who were playing cute there decisively dropped Ling Wen and Tiewa and ran at him. After receiving the fruit, they lay down with satisfaction finally. Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help laughing at it. So, only foodies understand foodies. Only two fruit ¡®subdued¡¯ the unreasonable Plump and Chubby!


    ¡°Brother Yan, isn¡¯t it impressive of me?¡±


    Ling Wu again held Yan Xiaoming¡¯s hand, raising his head to beg for praising, Yan Xiaoming was also not stingy of his compliment, ¡°Yeah, very impressive. Our Wu is the best!¡±


    ¡°Hee hee!¡±


    After receiving the praise of his favorite Brother Yan, the small bun showed a face of satisfaction, while Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui shook their heads speechlessly, then they all left.


    Zhao Shan and the twelve medicinal boys all came with wolf daddy. Ling Jingxuan arranged them to live in the third yard of the main house, and others lived in the first and second yard. Of course, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan lived in the main yard. As they still hadn¡¯t found a suitable nanny, the little Dumpling was staying with Lady Zhang now. And tonight, the little buns had Yan Xiaoming, so they didn¡¯t need them to tell bed stories. After going out of Falling Rain Yard, the little buns said goodbye to Ling Jingxuan and others and went back to their own yard.


    ¡°Jingxuan, shall we also go take some rest?¡±


    After seeing off their sons, Yan Shengrui held his wife from behind.


    Under the dim light, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s smile was with a trace of bizarre. Throwing him a chuckle, Ling Jingxuan said nothing, but directly walked into their Canglan Yard. Before entering, Ling Jingxuan suddenly stopped his steps and looked out into the dark facing Yan Shengrui¡¯s suspicious look, ¡°Yan Yi, are you guys out there?¡±


    ¡°My crown princess, any instructions?¡±


    The next second, not only Yan Yi, Yan Shan and Yan Si both walked out of the darkness, the only one who was absent Yan Er was responsible for protecting Yan Xiaoming. At dinner, he showed up to pay respect to Ling Jingxuan and then disappeared.


    ¡°No. You have a hard day too, so you don¡¯t need to watch my yard tonight. Take your people to rest. Tomorrow morning, I want the list of those who went out of the mansion today.¡±


    Ignoring their doubts, Ling Jingxuan said so. The three of them looked up at their prince gingerly. After getting his approval, they only bowed, ¡°Thank you for your kindness. We¡¯ll leave now.¡±


    As the words fell, the three of them just disappeared into the darkness quietly.


    In the courtyard suddenly rose some kind of unique whistling, and soon, those shadow guards hiding in the dark also left.


    ¡°There¡¯s no one left. Let¡¯s go to bed.¡±

 Chapter 484

    Not knowing why, Yan Shengrui always felt that his wife was not only trying to be nice to his subordinates, but also had some other purpose. But he just couldn¡¯t figure it out. So he could only wait on carefully on the side, and in his heart, he had already prepared for any punishment. He could only blame himself for letting his wife suffer on the first day he came back because of his carelessness and laziness!


    ¡°Hehe¡­All right, now finally no one will disturb us. Shengrui, right?¡±


    A very seductive smile crawled on his face. Instead of going into the room, Ling Jingxuan hooked his neck as his dark red lips were slowly approaching, then stopped when it was only a few millimeters away. Yan Shengrui only felt his heart was pounding hard. Clearly he knew there was something fishy about this, both his brain and body still couldn¡¯t help being tempted by him.


    ¡°Jingxuan¡­¡±


    The hoarse and low voice was infected with the feeling of lust, the flame of lust in the depths of that pair of tiger eyes burned with amazing speed, and little Shengrui between his legs stood tall and high, valiantly holding against the lower abdomen of Ling Jingxuan.


    ¡°Oh? It¡¯s already full of vim and vigour?¡±


    Feeling his thing, Ling Jingxuan lowered his eyes. A trace of evil smile flashed across his eyes. Just as Yan Shengrui was about to lose control and held his head up trying to capture his lips, Ling Jingxuan was even faster, with a flash of some kind of sliver light, the next second, Yan Shengrui just froze where he was like someone hit at his acuppint.


    ¡°Er¡­Jingxuan, what are you doing?¡±


    The honey trap? He actually used his silver needle on him? Yan Shengrui instantly darkened his face, with only helplessness and regret filling his tiger eyes. Who to blame? He knew he was a vengeful person, yet he still couldn¡¯t resist his temptation. He asked for it himself¡­But¡­Wait! Jingxuan was his wife, if he could even resist his temptation, then¡­Now he only wished he would be too hard on him.


    ¡°What can I do? Isn¡¯t this whole mansion dangerous? Now Yan Yi and others all went to rest. Someone has to keep watch at night for me, right? My lord, you have such superb martial arts, of course you are the best candidate. So, sorry, you have to guard outside tonight for me.¡±


    Withdrawing from his arms with a bad smile, Ling Jingxuan said that while ¡®thoughtfully¡¯ helped him pose there, so he could stand there straightly. Yan Shengrui was so speechless, ¡°Wife, I am wrong, all right. Stop it, OK? Tomorrow morning, I still need to attend the morning court. Let me sleep inside, all right?¡±


    He already did not expect to hold him to sleep, but at least not to let him stand outside eating the northwest wind. Besides, Yan Yi and others would definitely come early in the morning. And by then, if they saw him like this¡­where would he put his face? No, to be more exact, would he still have his face?


    ¡°No. You rest assured. I won¡¯t let you miss the morning court. Tomorrow, it¡¯ll be very lively at the morning court. If you don¡¯t go, won¡¯t you miss a good show?¡±


    Totally not softening his heart or what because of his begging, Ling Jingxuan had made up his mind to teach him a lesson, otherwise, who knew if there would be a Zhang Yu or Wang Yu next time?


    ¡°But how can I sleep like this? How am I supposed to watch the show if I don¡¯t have the energy? And if I can¡¯t watch the show with full concentration, how am I supposed to tell you? And then wouldn¡¯t you also feel bad?¡±


    Yan Shengrui was still trying to struggle, while secretly generating his inner force trying to force the silver needle out of the acupoint. But Ling Jingxuan seemed to notice it. He leaned over facing his pitiful eyes and pushed the silver needle deeper with a faint smile. Yan Shengrui¡¯s tears nearly popped out, ¡°Wife, my crown princess, I¡¯m wrong. Just spare me.¡±


    If competing for whose was most thick-skinned, if Yan Shengrui only acknowledged to the second place, no one dare to acknowledge to the first place, especially when before his wife.


    ¡°If I spared you, who else here ever spared me?¡±


    Looking into his eyes lazily, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand didn¡¯t leave his body, but touched here and there on his body. And Yan Shengrui¡¯s thing got erected again, ¡°Don¡¯t! Don¡¯t! Jingxuan, I will guard for the night for you, all right? Stop turning me on. What if it explodes?¡±


    In that pair of peach blossom eyes was only begging left. He didn¡¯t want to get ED. He could bear with it if he couldn¡¯t touch his wife for one day, but if a lifetime, he¡¯d rather someone kill him!


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, that thing won¡¯t explode.¡±


    Saying so, Ling Jingxuan finally showed mercy and let go of him. Yan Shengrui left out an exaggerating sigh of relief, ¡°Yeah, it won¡¯t explode, but being in the erecting state for too long is also bad for healthy, right? Wife, show mercy.¡±


    Look at his extremely pathetic and wronged expression. Someone who had no idea what had happened might think Ling Jingxuan was the bad one.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If something happens to it, I will help you cure it. I promise you can still enjoy using it.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan even winked at him. Now, even if Yan Shengrui¡¯s face was as thick as the city wall, he couldn¡¯t find a reason to defend himself. Looking at his wife, he was like he¡¯d cry out the next second.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s getting late. Sorry to trouble you them, husband!¡±


    Leaning over to leave a kiss on his lips, Ling Jingxuan turned around like a butterfly and pushed open the door. And Yan Shengrui instantly got as anxious as the ant on a hot pan, ¡°Wife¡­¡±


    But Ling Jingxuan only turned back to throw him a bright smile, and then slammed the door shut in his face.


    ¡°Urgh¡­¡±


    Yan Shengrui who couldn¡¯t move at all only looked at the closed door pitifully, only wishing that the next second he would open the door and let him in, but¡­until the candlelight got lit and then died out, his wish still didn¡¯t come true. That night, our superior Highness Sheng deeply understood what his wife was like for the first time, only standing alone under the cold night on guard for him.

 Chapter 485

    ¡°Morning, Jingxuan!¡±


    Next morning, as Ling Jingxuan opened his eyes, he found himself in Yan Shengrui¡¯s arms, who was smiling affectionately at him. Casting a glance at his wrinkled clothes, with his lips slightly curved, Ling Jingxuan turned to sit up, ¡°How was the northwest wind last night? Did it taste good?¡±


    Giving Yan Shengrui¡¯s martial arts, he also never expected to freeze him there for a whole night. But judging from his look, he should have come in not long ago, right?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Hearing that, Yan Shengrui instantly pouted, then held him from behind and held his head against his shoulder, ¡°Your husband¡¯s body was nearly frozen. You little ungrateful thing! Don¡¯t you feel sorry for me?¡±


    The resentment was overfull, the tone was pitiful, if possible, he even wanted to cry for him to see, to get him turned on with his honey-trap and then leave him out the whole night, heaven knew how much psychological trauma it had caused him. He would rather be beaten by him than being punished like that again.


    ¡°It depends on whether you are wise enough.¡±


    With a light sweep, Ling Jingxuan pushed him aside and then climbed off the bed. He pissed him off first! If he felt mad, he would never let him live comfortably.


    ¡°I will never do that again, OK? You are so heartless. I have stood outside the whole night. Feel it. I¡¯m still freezing cold all over, and my limbs.¡±


    Catching up to pull him brazenly, Yan Shengrui tried all means to play pitiful, like having made up his mind to remove the anger in his wife¡¯s heart. If one more time tonight, he¡¯d only go crazy!


    ¡°Could it be called punishment without such effect?¡±


    Throwing him his dagger eyes, Ling Jingxuan took his clothes off the clothes hanger and put them on. No matter how Yan Shengrui had loved before, last night, he had thrown all maids and servants out of the yard. When they were resting, he only allowed them to move in the front hall or elsewhere. So, no servant or maid would come in to serve them. So they had to take care of themselves. As for cleaning up the room, later Ling Yun and Song Shuiling would take care of it. Only after he had the information of all those maids and servants and made sure they were all harmless would he arrange them to work for them in the main house.


    Knowing his wife was still mad at him, Yan Shengrui also dare not expect too much. Watching his wife put on his clothes, faint doting and affection crawled into his blossom eyes. His Jingxuan was so cute even when he was putting on his clothes. If possible, he really wished he could hide him away, not to let anyone peep at him!


    ¡°What are you absent-minded for?¡±


    Having not heard his voice for a while, Ling Jingxuan who had gotten dressed up turned back strangely, but only saw that he was standing there staring at him dully, a helpless smile revealed on his face. Fine. For the sake that he made such mistake for the first time, he¡¯d give him a chance!


    ¡°Huh? No, Jingxuan, I think I am the luckiest man in the whole world to marry you as my wife.¡±


    Getting up and holding him, Yan Shengrui just said those sweets words. And that residual anger in the heart also was nowhere to find.


    ¡°As long as you know. All right, aren¡¯t you going to attend the morning court? Go get changed. I guess it¡¯d be quite lively there. It¡¯d be a shame if you don¡¯t go.¡±


    After yesterday, maybe news about how vicious and heartless Ling Jingxuan is should have spread through all those big families. And those beauties he had sent to those big families. Maybe a lot of them would complain about him before the court. What a lively scene it would be! Pity that he couldn¡¯t watch it with his own eyes.


    ¡°You just want me to watch the drama for you and then tell you about it after I come back, right?¡±


    Of course he knew what Ling Jingxuan was thinking. He dotingly pinched his nose, then put him down and grabbed the court costumes hung on the shelf. In an angle no one could see, that pair of eyes shot out domineering light. He¡¯d like to how many early birds would impeach his wife!


    ¡°More than that. If there is someone who has a problem with me, remember to be gentle to them. Leave them for me.¡±


    Turning to flatten the costumes for him, Ling Jingxuan formed a bad smile at the corner of his lips. Anyone who tried to impeach him, he¡¯d repay him with the same way. Anyhow, didn¡¯t they all say he is a stupid and rough farmer? If he didn¡¯t affirm it for them, wouldn¡¯t he just abuse their kindness?


    ¡°Since you beg mercy for them, I can only do as what I am told.¡±


    Picking his eyebrows, Yan Shengrui opened his arms to let him fasten the belt for him.


    When they went out of the room, it was already about half an hour later. Yan Shengrui handed the list into Ling Jingxuan¡¯s hand. There were about four hundred maids and servants in the mansion. From yesterday afternoon to the night, over thirty went out, not including those who were in one group. So almost including each big family¡¯s people. Some even went to the palace. When checking the list, Ling Jingxuan only felt so speechless. Yan Shengrui was out of the capital, why planted so many people here? To raise mosquitoes or eat till their mansion went bankrupt?


    ¡°Daddy, what¡¯s going on?¡±

 Chapter 486

    The little buns, who were used to getting up early, were already waiting in the hall. They noticed that their daddy seemed to be smiling a little too brightly. Ling Wen walked up strangely, his big round eyes accurately scanning the booklet he was holding in his hand.


    ¡°Nothing eat breakfast, your father is still going to attend the morning court later, we also have a lot of things to do today.¡±


    Adjusting his mood, Ling Jingxuan threw the booklet into the sleeve pocket, taking the children to the small dining hall, the table had been placed full with food, the special breakfast they had. There was also milk and eggs. Others were already waiting there.


    ¡°Daddy, I want to do things for you, too.¡±


    After sitting down, Ling Wen suggested seriously.


    ¡°Haha¡­OK, how about this? You will be in charge of wolf daddy¡¯s house from now on. Later I will let Steward Zhu to give you the sketch to you.¡±


    Hearing him, Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t refuse it. It wasn¡¯t a bad thing for the kids to do things within their ability. The transformation of Falling Rain Yard was not that hard, especially that those decorations had already been prepared. They only needed to move them over. The only thing they needed to make was the tatami. So it wouldn¡¯t be a problem leaving it to the kids.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Nodding, Ling Wen started to enjoy his breakfast. Ling Wu who never wanted to be left behind didn¡¯t fight over it with him. First, he had no time, for Brother Yan was feeding him. Second, his big brother¡¯s thing was his thing. So there was no need.


    ¡°Xiaoming, are you also going to attend the morning court meeting?¡±


    Pouring a cup of milk for the children respectively, Ling Jingxuan turned to look at Yan Xiaoming who was feeding the small bun. Too many things of the court, he had no interest of knowing them all. He only needed to know things about those relevant ones.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m supposed to, because my father often asks me to handle those memorials with him. But now I am on holiday now, so whether I got or not is both fine.¡±


    Having no idea why he asked so, Yan Xiaoming still answered honestly, because he knew Uncle Ling would never calculate him.


    ¡°Then you go with Shengrui. It¡¯d be a pity if you don¡¯t go. You and Shengrui together, I guess a lot of people would have their own thoughts about it, and then you can notice who need our special attention. And after coming back, remember to make a list of those forces in the capital. We¡¯ll only be looked down upon if we keep defending here. Sometimes, we need to grab an opportunity to fight back.¡±


    Fighting for the throne had already surfaced, and those officials in the court should have chosen the prince they would stand behind. So, Highness Sheng Yan Shengrui¡¯s attitude would be very important. Let alone he¡¯d go attend the morning court meeting together with Xiaoming. Even if he only talked with him, it¡¯d cause people¡¯s suspiciousness.


    ¡°OK, then I¡¯ll go with my ninth imperial uncle later.¡±¡±


    As smart as Yan Xiaoming was, he instantly understood his intention. But Yan Shengrui had no idea why, but also dare not refuse his wife¡¯s arrangement for him, unless¡­he still wanted to stand guard for his wife tonight after getting turned on.


    ¡°Jingxuan, what are you going to do today?¡±


    Things in the court, Yan Shengrui could handle it. What made Zeng Shaoqing curious was Ling Jingxuan¡¯s moves. His intuition told him that it should be fun.


    ¡°What can I do? After making things arranged at home, I will go check the houses you bought for me and the shops on the opposite side. But, don¡¯t follow me!¡±


    Shrugging, Ling Jingxuan said while eating, and finally, even didn¡¯t forget to throw him a warning look. Now few people in the capital knew him. So he could take this opportunity to go out and breathe some fresh air. If he was with him, nah, that¡¯d be too eye-catching.


    ¡°Er¡­can¡¯t you make me a little happier?¡±


    Throwing him a resentful eye, Zeng Shaoqing poked the food in his bowl bitterly. Come on! He still wanted to watch for fun!


    ¡°If you want to have fun, go to the court. It¡¯s going to be fun today. And what I¡¯m going to do late is boring.¡±


    ¡°I want to, but you know, my old man is back. Tell you what, after my mom came back from the court, she immediately forced me to get married. And my old man has always listened to my mom. I should already feel blessed that he doesn¡¯t come to me. How dare I offer myself to him?¡±


    It¡¯s all because of that old witch! What did it have anything to do with her whether he got married or not? Now he even couldn¡¯t go home now.


    ¡°So you also have someone you are afraid of. I thought you are not afraid of anyone or anything under the sky.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan deliberately put on an ¡®amazing¡¯ expression. Zeng Shaoqing said grumpily, ¡°my old man is an old bandit. How can I not be afraid of him? Your man is also afraid of him.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t embarrassing to be afraid of his dad? Having been on the battlefield all year round, the old man had already worn out that little bit remained gracefulness. Even the words old bandit were a compliment of him. Through the whole Qing Kingdom, who didn¡¯t know he is an unreasonable one? He even wouldn¡¯t show face to the emperor if the emperor got him mad. Both he and Shengrui grew up under his slaps.


    ¡°Really? Then I¡¯ll have to go visit him in person some other day.¡±


    Throwing an eye at his man, Ling Jingxuan immediately made the decision of going to visit him after things at home were all done. Someone who could subdue both Shengrui and Shaoqing. Wow!


    ¡°Ahem¡­Well, I¡¯m going.¡±


    Clearing his throat trying to cover his embarrassment, Yan Shengrui quietly threw his dagger eyes at the one who ¡®badmouthed¡¯ him. And Yan Xiaoming on the side also got up, ¡°I¡¯m going too.¡±


    ¡°Brother Yan, you are leaving?¡±


    The small bun grabbed the hem of his robes. He still hadn¡¯t had enough intimacy with Brother Yan.


    ¡°Hehe¡­No, it¡¯s not like what you think. I¡¯m just going to attend the morning court meeting with my imperial uncle. That¡¯s my job. I¡¯ll be back soon. You stay home and wait for me.¡±


    Rubbing his head dotingly, Yan Xiaoming even bent over to kiss on his forehead. He liked the way Wu looked at him wholeheartedly like now most.


    ¡°Hmm, come back early!¡±


    The small bun finally gave a hearty smile. Holding his hand, Ling Wu only came back after sending them by gate, wearing a bright smile on that little face. Seeing his silly smile, Ling Jingxuan felt so helpless.

 Chapter 487

    The first day the legendary Crown Princess Sheng arrived at the mansion, he had killed twenty or thirty people, and then sent those women offered to His Highness Sheng were all sent to those big families with a nearly raffish way, which had already spread through in and out of the whole court. Since ancient times, there were so many examples that the emperor rewarded those meritorious officials beauties. No one had ever heard that some crown princess sent the officials beauties, and almost all those big families included. Those first wives of those big families all cursed Su Bei in the heart. And those civil officials drafted the memorials meaning to accuse of him before the court. Compared with them, those military officials under Duke Zeng and Yan Shengrui were a lot quieter.


    ¡°Long live Your Majesty!¡±


    On the court, all civil and military officials were greeting to His Majesty, while His Majesty and the empress were sitting in their dragon and phoenix chair separately.


    ¡°Save it!¡±


    ¡°Thank you Your Majesty!¡±


    With a wave of His Majesty¡¯s hand, those officials got up and stood on both sides. Except the few grownup princes in the headmost, all civil officials were under the lead of the left prime minister and right prime minister, who were Xiao Heshan from Xiao family and Sun Liang who came from a humble family. Needless to say, of course the military officials were under the lead of the general Duke Zeng and Yan Shengrui. And after them, it was Duke Yuan¡¯s son who hadn¡¯t attended the morning court meeting for long and General Ye and others. So, one could say the ones with the noblest identities were all here.


    ¡°Zhang Dezi!¡±


    Looking around at those officials below, His Majesty¡¯s eyes flickered when his eyes fell on Yan Shengrui. After a while, he beckoned Eunuch Zhang over.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty!¡±


    Leading two eunuchs, Eunuch Zhang came forward and took out the imperial decree from a tray held by one of them. The court officials all bowed their heads and bowed respectfully to listen.


    ¡°His Majesty Yan, by the grace of heaven, Ling Jingxuan is meritorious for giving birth to sons for Highness Sheng, here, he¡¯d specially be conferred as the first wife, Crown Princess of Highness Sheng, first-class official, a thousand quality land, and gold and jewelries. Big son Yan Xiaowen as successor of Highness Sheng, who will inherit Highness Sheng¡¯s title, second son Yan Xiaowu as Duke Wu, and the youngest son Yan Xiaoling Duke Ling, adoptive son Zhao Tieshang Knight Xiaoyao! Since Knight Xiaoyao is still young, no personal mansion for now. And boxes of silks and brocades, and a thousand tael of gold. Over!¡±


    This reward was undoubtedly amazing. Forget about their big son as the successor of Yan Shengrui, even their second son, youngest son and adoptive son had a title! Others all got dumbfounded there, highly doubting if they heard it wrong, or Eunuch Zhang read it wrong?


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty, on behalf of my wife and sons.¡±


    Yan Shengrui looked very majestic in hose court costumes, and his good features were with sacred dignity, those tiger eyes were beaming, knife-shaped eyebrows linked with his temples, the whole person showed that kind of nobility and pride. And the dark red court costumes added to his aura. As son of the imperial family, holding two thirds of the military forces in his hands, Yan Shengrui gave one the feeling that his pride was born with him, not something others could imitate.


    Even the superior Yan Shengzhi had to admit that Yan Shengrui was more outstanding than him, and only because it, he had to guard against him all the time.


    ¡°Your Majesty has an order. If you have any memorials to report, do it. If not, you are dismissed.¡±


    Yan Shengzhi even didn¡¯t want to talk to him. He only waved his hand as a response. Seeing that, Eunuch Zhang said so loudly. As for the imperial decree, the one he held was a copy. As for the real one, Yan Shengrui had already taken it home yesterday. Today was only a symbolic notification.


    ¡°I have something to report!¡±


    Finally accepting the fact that the honorable Highness Sheng got more honorable, those officials  all gritted their teeth madly. As Eunuch Zhang¡¯s words fell, someone wearing class-five court costumes stood out holding his memorials. He was the censor, though title not so high, he had the right to report anyone, like the procurator in modern times.


    So the first one is Censor Zhu?


    Standing in the headmost of those military officials, Yan Shengrui stared straight at him, lips curved. Sitting in his phoenix chair, the empress Chu Yunhan wearing bright red robes still maintained his posture there, it was just that a trace of sarcasm flashed across that pair of cold eyes. Thinking with the butt, he knew it should be about the newly inaugurated Crown Princess Sheng Ling Jingxuan.


    Eunuch Zhang went down to take over his memorials. As Yan Shengzhi unfolded it, Censor Zhu said righteously, ¡°Your Majesty, when Crown Princess Sheng arrived yesterday, he nearly asked people to tear the mansion down. And then, he killed a lot of people in the mansion using the extremely cruel means, and finally, ignoring the dignity and image as the hostess of the mansion, he threw those beauties in the mansion out. Besides, he sent all those beauties to those big families in the capital under the name of big rewards. He is a total demon who is not qualified to be the crown princess! Please hold the justice, Your Majesty!¡±


    Right after His Majesty issued the imperial decree conferring Ling Jingxuan as the Crown Princess Sheng, someone immediately jumped out to accuse of him. It not only was like slapping His Majesty in the face, but also directly offended Highness Sheng. A lot of people held the wait-and-see attitude. And His Majesty also didn¡¯t reply immediately, but looked like he was focusing on his memorials there. Yan Shengrui cast a faint glance at Censor Zhu, while the latter got so frightened and he nearly couldn¡¯t hold it there.

 Chapter 488

    ¡°Highness Sheng, what do you say?¡±


    Folding the memorials, Yan Shengzhi looked down at Yan Shengrui inexplicitly. Anyone from the imperial family, the first thing one had to learn was not to show his feelings on the face. And His Majesty was undoubtedly one of the best. No one could read anything from his face. Everyone¡¯s eyes fixed on Yan Shengrui now.


    Yan Shengrui just ignored His Majesty who was still waiting for his answer, but slowly turned to look at Censor Zhu, making the latter¡¯s legs shaking like a sifter. Only when his face turned liver-colored did Yan Shengrui say slowly, ¡°Since when does it need to bother the censor to care about my family thing? If you are too idle, I don¡¯t mind transferring you to the army to supervise and correct the atmosphere there. So you won¡¯t act like a nosy yenta on the court. My wife has just been in the capital. What is wrong for him to reward some beauties to those big families? Or you are not satisfied about him not sending you one? Then you should tell me earlier. I will let him pick some and send them over for you after I go back. I promise you will be contented about it.¡±


    If it hadn¡¯t been that Ling Jingxuan told him not to root them out once for all, he really didn¡¯t want to waste any saliva with them. It was his luck, today he¡¯d like to play a game with him.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Hearing that, Censor Zhu got so mad. Stammering with the word you for quite a few times, he straightened his neck and argued back, ¡°Only those holding ill intentions will maintain relationships using women! Crown Princess is a monster since he can even give birth as a man! And now he even kills people as he wants and abuse his power. That¡¯s a disaster to the whole kingdom and its people. He should be removed from his title! Highness Sheng really shouldn¡¯t destroy your own career for a monster!¡±


    Finally, he even tried to tell Yan Shengrui what to do righteously. A lot of people applauded for him in their hearts, while those military officials all glowered at him. Most of them were Highness Sheng¡¯s subordinates. The crown princess their Highness Sheng acknowledged crown princess was their only crown princess. Censor Zhu even dare to find fault with their crown princess! Today he couldn¡¯t go back home in a whole piece!


    ¡°Ha ha ha¡­¡±


    Surprisingly, instead of getting mad or what, Yan Shengrui laughed. Almost everyone was looking at him strangely, including both the emperor and empress. They all couldn¡¯t understand why he could still laugh out for someone called his wife a monster who would only bring disasters to the kingdom and its people.


    ¡°Shengrui!¡±


    Censor Zhu was so scared. His Majesty darkened his face and his eyes couldn¡¯t be sharper. Before the court, he would he allow him to act wild here?


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s funny?¡±


    The laughter gradually stopped. Yan Shengrui lifted his head to take a look at Yan Shengzhi, and then his deep peach blossom eyes turned to Censor Zhu again, ¡°According to Censor Zhu, anyone who offers beautiful women to others is not a good one. I have a list here. If Your Majesty doesn¡¯t object, please let Zhang Dezi to read it out before all officials here. And after that, you¡¯ll know why I laugh.¡±


    A brand new booklet slipped out of his sleeves. Yan Shengrui threw a look at Eunuch Zhang, while the latter went down the steps and respectfully took it from is hand, returned to his position, unfolded the booklet and read aloud, ¡°In the second year of Tianwu, Zheng Weiqing sent two beauties and four maids, Xiao Heshan offered four beauties, four maids. In the third year of Tianwu, the Empress Dowager granted three beauties, three maids, Chu Xiangrong offered two beauties and two maids. His Majesty granted four beauties and maids each. And in the sixth year of Tianwu¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡±


    As Eunuch Zhang read more and more names, nearly half of the officials down there included. And His Majesty¡¯s face got so distorted. He really didn¡¯t expect that Shengrui would feel out such a booklet! Although this kind of thing was an open secret, with Censor Zhu¡¯s words head, Yan Shengrui was like telling them, you want to declare my wife guilty only for this? Fine, then declare others, including His Majesty and the empress dowager¡¯s guilty first! The seemingly mild means actually left them no back door. If they insisted using this as an excuse to abolish Jingxuan or seven declare him guilty, then Yan Shengrui would take on the side of justice. And whatever he did, others would have nothing to say. A man trying to defend his wife. What is wrong with that?


    ¡°Censor Zhu, anything else?¡±


    Yan Shengrui was apparently giving him a warning. Before, he thought even if he couldn¡¯t abolish Ling Jingxuan, at least he could cut Yan Shengrui down to size. But¡­finally he got himself set up.


    ¡°I¡­I¡­Your Majesty, even if granting beauties to others is a normal thing, what about him breaking into Your Highness¡¯ mansion using force? Where did he put the dignity of the imperial family? And killed tens of maids and servants for no reason! And throwing those beauties out of the mansion is what a jealous woman would do. So many sins! He deserves to be abolished!¡±


    As things came to this step, Censor Zhu also had no way back, so he could only toughen his scalp and list Ling Jingxuan¡¯s ¡®sins¡¯. The left prime minister who had stayed silent suddenly stood out, ¡°I support his proposal. Your Highness, please take those beauties you sent to my mansion back. I didn¡¯t do anything to deserve it!¡±


    ¡°Me too!¡±


    Under his leadership, other officials who received beauties from Ling Jingxuan all stood out. It was not the honey-trap itself was not good. In the world, few men aren¡¯t lecherous. But Crown Princess didn¡¯t offer those beautiful women to them, but as a reward. So after receiving those beauties, they couldn¡¯t even say some harsh words at them. How would the first wife of the mansion regulate the whole back yard? And once the backyard got in a mess, how could their husband do things outside? Most importantly, the background of all those beauties was not simple.


    Almost all civil officials knelt down, while those military officials didn¡¯t move. And Yan Shengrui sitting up there felt so thrilled in his heart, but still maintained his composure there, and the hand holding the armrest was tapping lightly, as if he was considering something. And the atmosphere of the whole court instantly fell into dead silence. The most strange thing was that the always dominant and headstrong Highness Sheng still hadn¡¯t had a cow yet.

 Chapter 489

    The atmosphere of the whole court was weird to the extreme. Half of the civil official¡¯s support boosted Censor Zhu¡¯s momentum. And his trembling body gradually got steadied down. His Majesty¡¯s expression also looked kind of eased. Chu Yunhan on the side lightly frowned. After noticing Yan Shengrui so poised, his former worries quietly disappeared. No one cared about Jingxuan more than him. Since he could still stay so poised, then he didn¡¯t have to over-worried.


    All civil officials usually subjected to the left and right prime ministers, and all military officials took Yan Shengrui as the lead. As Duke Zeng had retired to the backstage for many years, actually the one only who was still in power was Yan Shengrui alone. Before he showed his stance, no one else dare stand out rashly. They were all waiting. Not only them, even those civil officials kneeling on the ground and His Majesty sitting up in the dragon chair were waiting for Yan Shengrui¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°What else? Anyone who has any accusations, bring it on. I¡¯m in a good mood today. So, you can say whatever you want.¡±


    It would be a lie if he said he was not mad at all. He even had never said any harsh words to his wife, when was it their turn to jib-jab about his wife? But, Yan Shengrui was never a man of patience. Such kind of situation, he only allowed it to happen for once. SO this time, he¡¯d destroy all of them once for all!


    All the civil officials kneeling on the ground could not help but frown. Why was it different from what they had expected? What tricks was he up to?


    ¡°Since you have finished, it¡¯s my turn then.¡±


    With his sharp eyes sweeping over at them one by one, his dominance nearly flooded out like crazy. No one saw how he moved. When everyone reacted, Yan Shengrui was already standing before Censor Zhu, and the latter who was kneeling on the ground cowered subconsciously, with his face stained with undisguised nervousness and fear. He even forgot to breathe, only looking up at him there dully like a statue.


    ¡°My wife knocked open the gate of my mansion. What does it have anything to do with you? As long as he is happy, I can ask tens of my people to knock open the gate everyday. And as the first wife, it is his job to lesson those maids and servants. And you also have a problem with that? Censor Zhu, I guess you really have nothing to do all day, do you?¡±


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    As the last word fell, Yan Shengrui threw a kick at him, while Censor Zhu¡¯s body, like a kite with its thread broken, knocked onto the giant pillar a few meters away. And his anguish filled the whole hall, and the blood spitted out made a bloody arch in the air. The moment his body touched the ground, Censor Zhu tilted his head and breathed his last. Maybe until he died, he didn¡¯t expect that Yan Shengrui would really kill him. Seeing that scene, everyone on spot gasped, eyes wide open only staring at the dead Censor Zhu there, and then the overwhelming Yan Shengrui. Those timid ones even started to shudder. So scary! Over a year, Highness Sheng was still that Highness Sheng, who wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to challenge him.


    ¡°Shengrui!¡±


    With a slap on the armrest of his dragon chair, Yan Shengryi sprung up, with those wide opened eyes rendered with naked anger and dissatisfaction. How dare he kill someone before the court??? Did he still have him the emperor in his eyes?


    When Yan Shengzhi lost control before, Chu Yunhan would try to soothe him symbolically, so would Seven, but today, obviously they didn¡¯t mean to do anything. Not only because he held some ill intention against Ling Jingxuan¡¯s background, but also because Yan Shengrui had been paranoid to a sickly extent. Letting them stand out now to speak for those civil officials. He really couldn¡¯t. But if they spoke for Highness Sheng or Jingxuan, Yan Shengzhi might not say anything on spot, but after this, he¡¯d definitely guard against them, after all, he knew something, right? So, their only choice was to stay silent.


    ¡°Imperial elder brother, don¡¯t so loud, I can hear you.¡±


    Totally thinking he had done nothing wrong, Yan Shengrui turned to throw him a casual look, and then paced back slowly. When he stood before those officials kneeling down there, everyone couldn¡¯t help holding their heart in the throat. Even Yan Shengzhi popped out his eyes. Would he lose his sense and kill everyone here like years ago?


    That was what all civil officials and His Majesty were thinking. While on the side of those military officials, Duke Zeng who had always slightly narrowed his eyes there acted like nothing that happened today had nothing to do with him. Even when Yan Shengrui killed Censor Zhu, he only slightly lifted his eyelids and threw an eye at it, and then resumed his composure. As he made no move, of course those military officials behind dare not make any move. Everyone was staring at Yan Shengrui with expectations. Yeah, expectations. Since ancient times, civil officials and military officials were incompatible like fire and water. Plus they had offended their god of war. So now they only wished Yan Shengrui could teach them a good lesson today.

 Chapter 490

    ¡°Are you kidding me? Only you can send me women, while my wife can¡¯t send you back? Who made such regulations? My wife sent you women as a reward is to give you face. Finally, I like my wife being jealous because of me. Even if he is a farmer, so what? Even I don¡¯t mind, why you care so much? You can abolish his title, as long as you all repudiate your first wives, including you, my imperial elder brother!¡±


    Suddenly turning back, with his slender and long finger pointing at Yan Shengshi sitting up there. At this moment, Yan Shengrui¡¯s clean-cut tough face was rendered with undisguised unreasonableness, ¡°If you all can do it, I will agree to abolish his title.¡±


    In other words, as long as one of them couldn¡¯t do it, they shouldn¡¯t ask him to do this and that. Trying to force him to repudiate his wife? Not even next life!


    All officials, except Yan Shengrui, no one dare say such words. All people, including Yan Shengzhi, couldn¡¯t help shuddering. They had never expected that Yan Shengrui would care about his crown princess so much. For him, he could even go against the whole court, including His Majesty! So, trying to remove his wife¡¯s title would be impossible now. His tough attitude had already secured Ling Jingxuan¡¯s first wife¡¯s title.


    No one noticed that a smile flashed across the eyes of four people. The first one should be Chu Yunhan of course. The second one, Yan Xiaoming apparently. The third one Duke Zeng, and the last one was Duke Yuan. As early as when receiving the letter from Yan Shengrui and knowing that his eldest son was in his wife¡¯s place, he had sent people to investigate it. Except his farm background, Ling Jingxuan was good enough for Highness Sheng in every aspect, no one was more appropriate than him to be Crown Princess Sheng.


    ¡°Your Majesty, I have something to say.¡±


    As Yan Shengrui couldn¡¯t hold his anger and unable to get out of the embarrassing situation, Duke Zeng who was in his late fifties but still in fine fig stood out. And Yan Shengzhi¡¯s anger immediately decreased over a half. Like noticing his discomposure, after trying to press down his annoyance, Yan Shengzhi sat back in the dragon chair and then looked down at Duke Zeng, ¡°Please go ahead, imperial uncle-in-law!¡±


    People of the imperial family could control their emotions to perfection. In a blink of an eye, Yan Shengrui not only regained his quiet tone, but even revealed a faint smile. And the way he looked at Duke Zeng was with a slice of respect and gratitude. Taking this opportunity, Zheng Dezi asked some people to carry Censor Zhu¡¯s body out. He could only blame for his own bad luck. Through the whole Qing Kingdom, who dare declare Highness Sheng guilty?


    ¡°Your Majesty, Highness Sheng¡¯s behavior may be rash, but it¡¯s pardonable. Anyone who insults anyone of the imperial family must die! The late emperor¡¯s father gave the censor the power was to more deeply understand the hardships of the people, so to bring better benefit to them, but not to let them act beyond their power to frame the imperial family. I am not clear about before. But after today, I see it clearly. If Crown Princess Sheng is really like a monster who only brings disasters to the kingdom and its people, I have no objections of Censor Zhu reporting him, maybe I will also echo him. But from the very beginning, what he accused of is all his family things, even things between their husband and wife thing. Your Majesty, if everyone brings others¡¯ family affairs or even things between husband and wife to discuss before the court, will we still have time for the state affairs and about how to benefit the people?¡±


    Duke Zeng was so sharp, totally not giving them any face, even implicitly being sarcastic that Yan Shengzhi is a fatuous emperor for parroting with his officials. It were someone else, Yan Shengzhi had already lost his temper. But the one who said that was Duke Zeng, official to three emperors, the guardian angel of the whole Qing Kingdom, and also an old bandit who was famous for being justifiable and tough. If he dare challenge him today, without any doubt, the old man would definitely take out the gold sword the late emperor rewarded him, which could be used to beat any fatuous emperor and kill those treacherous officials.


    ¡°I agree. To put it bluntly, he is only Highness Sheng¡¯s wife. Even Highness Sheng doesn¡¯t care, what position are we in to make gestures? If we interfere wantonly, we will only add trouble. And once Highness Sheng¡¯s backyard gets in a mess, how would he have the heart to go to wars? Your Majesty, please don¡¯t generate any gap with your own brother for some treacherous official¡¯s words!¡±


    Before Yan Shengzhi said anything, Duke Yuan also stood out. His eldest son had become more and more outstanding under Crown Princess Sheng¡¯s teaching, how could he not lend a hand?


    ¡°I agree!¡±


    The next second, all military officials knelt down. Seeing that, those under the lead of the right prime minister Sun Liang also knelt down, ¡°I agree.¡±


    Most of the civil officials chose to stand Highness Sheng¡¯s side, which meant that Crown Princess Sheng did nothing wrong. Maybe Yan Shengzhi had a lot of flaws, as an emperor, he had one merit no emperor had¡ªhe would accept others¡¯ admonitions. Even someone shouted abuse while pointing at his nose, as long as what he said had some sense, though mad on spot, he¡¯d reflect on himself after going back.


    ¡°What you two said is reasonable. I¡¯m too narrow-minded and nearly misunderstood Crown Princess Sheng. Shengrui, hope you wouldn¡¯t take it to heart. Censor Zhu deserves it. And I also won¡¯t sentence you to crime of killing the censor before the court. Crown Princess Sheng has done a good job managing your mansion. I¡¯ll reward him a pair of jade ruyi.¡±


    Although he felt kind of upset for not being able to frustrate Yan Shengrui¡¯s sharpness, as he could cease the fire in time and found himself a step down, he already had nothing to be unsatisfied with now. His imperial uncle-in-law said right. As the emperor, how could he set his eyes on the backyard such a minor place? Even not wanting to, he had conferred him the title. Why still care about his doings in his own mansion? Besides, the more unreasonable he behaved, the more favored the situation was to him, right? Because only those who moved would make mistakes. The more moves Yan Shengrui¡¯s crown prince made, the great chances he made mistakes. Some day, he¡¯d become the perfect Yan Shengrui¡¯s only fatal spot!


    But was that really the case? Would Ling Jingxuan give him that opportunity? Soon, Yan Shengzhi would learn how naive his idea was.

 Chapter 491

    Before the court, things were ever-changing. Although Ling Jingxuan could guess some things out, it was impossible for him to know the whole process. After Yan Shengrui and others left, he also got busy with his things. First, things at home. According to the list Yan Yi gave him, whether it was those experienced maids or servants with some minor titles on the list, they were all sent to those yards to do some tough work. In case those people found his motive, he got to be extra careful. In each yard, he had planted some of his trusted servants. As for the main yard they were living in, except Lady Zhang and others he brought with him, he asked Steward Zhu to gather those maids and servants and picked thirty from them. But, still, they could only do things in the front part of the main yard. As for the resting area in the back, except they themselves, Ling Yun and the other two, no one else was allowed to get close, even including Steward Zhu.


    When Ling Jingxuan was busy, the little bun also didn¡¯t stay idle. Ling Wen, like a little adult, supervised the servants doing their jobs, some moving things here and there, some doing the woodworking, some digging holes, what lively scenes, and Ling Wu and Tiewa were comparatively a lot of idler. Their only job was to take wolf daddy and his two sons, and Chubby and Plump to explore everywhere. Of course, wherever they went, it¡¯d be accompanied with people¡¯s screams and panic. The small bun was no longer like when in Yuehua Manor. If he met those not behaved servants, with a wave of his hand, Dahei and Xiaohei would growl at them. And the next second, all sounds would disappear neatly, because those people would pass out in horror.


    As the whole family was having a busy and touch-and-go day, unexpectedly, a bunch of eunuchs came with the imperial decree from the empress dowager. Having no choice, Ling Jingxuan could only ask the kids to go greet them.


    ¡°Order from Her Empress Dowager, His Highness Sheng¡¯s eldest son, Duke Wu and Duke Ling go to the palace!¡±


    In the hall, the eunuch holding a horsetail whisk announced the empress dowager¡¯s imperial decree with his shriek voice. Ling Jingxuan slightly frowned and asked tentatively, ¡°Please hold on a second. I¡¯ll go get changed and then go with you.¡±


    Since it was an order from the empress dowager, they had to go. But, the empress dowager only summoned the kids but not him. Did he take it wrong, or¡­


    ¡°Please hold on, my crown princess. Her Empress Dowager only summons the eldest son and two little dukes, not you. I will take good care of them. You can rest assured.¡±


    Sure enough, as his words fell, the leading eunuch immediately stopped him. Phoenix eyes squinting¡­Her Empress Dowager was so funny. Only summoned two six years old kids and a newly born baby, but not their daddy. To put it lightly, Her Empress Dowager was telling everyone that the imperial family still hadn¡¯t admitted his identity. Even if he was already the crown princess, it was only a disfavored one by the imperial family. Even a fool could tell how difficult the road would be in the future. Apparently she tried to isolate him completely. That was only things on the surface. To put it heavily, three kids, the biggest one of whom was only six years old, went into the imperial palace alone, it was as easy as a piece of cake that something happened to them. If so, who would pay for it? Maybe some unlucky eunuchs and maids. What a good plan! Sending someone to announce the imperial decree while Yan Shengrui was away? Did he really think he¡¯d just give in?


    ¡°I can rest assured? How? They are all so young. If something happens, even if you grow a hundred heads, it¡¯s not enough for me to cut!¡±


    Holding the two little buns in each hand, Ling Jingxuan withdrew the former gentle appearance and gradually revealed his tough side. Anyway, he had already had no dignity to keep. Whether they¡¯d impose charges like vulgar, or unreasonable or cubbish, he just wouldn¡¯t give it a sh*t. But trying to calculate his kids? Not a chance!


    ¡°You must be kidding, my crown princess. Her Empress Dowager missed her grandson, so she summons them into the palace. Hope you won¡¯t misunderstand Her Empress Dowager¡¯s good intention.¡±


    Obviously not expecting him to have such a sharp side, the leading eunuch froze there, but soon resumed his smile and tried to soothe him, in and out of his words was obvious warning. Ling Jingxuan totally didn¡¯t show him any face, ¡°You must be kidding. I only arrived in the capital yesterday and haven¡¯t seen my mother-in-law, everyone in the capital knows that, right? How would Her Empress Dowager not know? Since she said she missed us, why not summon me the son-in-law she has never seen before? Or Her Empress Dowager¡­holds some dirty intentions to embarrass me? Or do harm to my kids while I am not around?¡±


    In the end, Ling Jingxuan¡¯s lips opened with a sneer of sarcasm. Does she really think she is second to none as she is the empress dowager? Trying to use the imperial authority to force him? Then it still depended on if he¡¯d like to cooperate.


    ¡°How impudent!¡±


    ¡°It is you who are impudent!¡±


    ¡°Pa~¡±


    The leading eunuch was Her Empress Dowager¡¯s people. Hearing him insult Her Empress Dowager, he snapped without thinking. But Ling Jingxuan was even faster. As his words fell, he already flashed before him and threw a big slap in his face. Ignoring others¡¯ shock, Ling Jingxuan only said dominantly, ¡°How dare you misbehave in Highness Sheng¡¯s mansion? Someone! Detain all of them! I highly doubt they are not sent by Her Empress Dowager! Who doesn¡¯t know Her Empress Dowager is so good-hearted and virtuous? How would she ever issue such an imperial decree that a bad mother-in-law tries to isolate her own daughter-in-law? How dare you to come announce a false imperial decree of Her Empress Dowager? You not only insult me, but also tarnish Her Empress Dowager, and even try to sow discord between me and Her Empress Dowager my mother-in-law! I will never spare you! Someone! Tie them up! After His Highness comes back, I¡¯ll ask His Highness to decide!¡±


    As the saying goes, before you hit the dog, look at the master. Today he¡¯d just beat up those dogs of Her Empress Dowager and see what she would do?


    ¡°Yes!¡±

 Chapter 492

    The guards outside instantly ran in and soon tied all those people from the imperial palace up. And that leading eunuch shouted, ¡°How dare you! I¡¯m from Her Empress Dowager¡¯s palace and I am here to announce the imperial decree! How dare you make those irresponsible remarks here? If you dare touch a hair of me, Her Empress Dowager will never let you go!¡±


    ¡°Is Her Empress Dowager¡¯s virtuous name that people like you who have lost your men¡¯s thing could stain? Someone! Pull them out and give them fifty heavy spanks each! Anyone dies, it¡¯s all on me! Today I will punish those bad servants who even have the balls to announce the false imperial decree on behalf of Her Empress Dowager!¡±


    They tried to move out Her Empress Dowager¡¯s title while he tried to remove it. Even if Her Empress Dowager confronted him some day, he was not afraid. What? Would Her Empress Dowager really dare admit that she doesn¡¯t like him? And by then, her good name she had accumulated for herself would be tarnished by the name of a bad mother-in-law! Dirty moves couldn¡¯t be brought under the sunlight, especially for those who cared about their feathers. So the conclusion was, it was not a thing even if those people all died. Her Empress Dowager would never get her own feathers tarnished for them. Maybe, she¡¯d even offer her a big reward to let others see.


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t do this! Her Empress Dowager won¡¯t let you go¡­¡±


    The guards had already seen what their crown princess was capable of yesterday. So, almost the second he gave the order, they already pulled the leading eunuch out. Apparently the leading eunuch didn¡¯t expect he really had the balls to touch him. Now he only made shrieks there out of fear, but still didn¡¯t forget to use threats. If it were someone else, one would really reconsider it. But Ling Jingxuan especially hated tricky servants! With a glance at the few eunuchs shaking there, Ling Jiingxuan coldly said, ¡°Before the execution, cut off his tongue first!¡±


    No one expected that a farmer from the countryside would be so tough, so heartless and so resolute! Receiving the order, the guards instantly pulled that eunuch out.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Not long after, the horrible shrieks sounded outside. Thinking with butt, one would know what happened. A bloodthirsty smile crawled upon Ling Jingxuan¡¯s face. He cast a glance at the remaining eunuchs, ¡°Take all of them down and wait for His Highness¡¯ decision.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    No one dare have a second¡¯s hesitation. With things before, no one dare bluster again. Soon the hall resumed its quietness. At first, one or two screams were heard. Gradually, the screams disappeared. Then Ling Jinghan and others came out of the screen, they all looked at Ling Jingxuan bitterly. This was only the second day. How to live in the following days? Those people wouldn¡¯t give up so easily.


    ¡°Wen, Wu, Tiewa, do you know why I killed that eunuch?¡±


    Turning back, Ling Jingxuan looked at the three kids lining in a row. These were only some appetizers, firstly, to sound out, secondly, to try to get to the bottom of him and see what he is capable of. In the future, their moves would only upgrade, so it¡¯d be more difficult to deal with. So, his education of the kids should also upgrade.


    ¡°The empress dowager refuses to admit you and will also indirectly harm us. If we go to the palace with them alone, we¡¯ll be put in danger.¡±


    Facing their daddy¡¯s sight, Ling Wen said with a stern face and his small hands behind his back clenched into fists. Ling Wu also withdrew his usual lively and simple manner and frowned with displeasure, ¡°They are risking their necks. Anyone who dares to look down on daddy will be damned!¡±


    As getting along with Yan Shengrui more and more, Ling Wu¡¯s temper was more and more like his. Any principle before him was bullsh*t. Now he also had a line in his heart. Whoever crossed it was so dead.


    ¡°You are worried that they¡¯d do harm to Wen and Wu. But adoptive daddy, will that empress dowager in their mouth come back at you?¡±


    Tiewa had also become a lot smarter. The three little buns all had their own temper and bottom line. Actually, at their age, they were not supposed to know those things. But yesterday Yan Xiaoming came, and told them all these things in and out of the imperial palace last night, only wishing that they could be on guard anytime. Besides, Ling Jingxuan had been teaching them to think on themselves, and also told them things that kids were not supposed to know. As time went by, whatever they saw or heard, they could always draw references.


    ¡°That¡¯s also what you¡¯re worried about?¡±


    Squatting in front of Tiewa rubbing his head, Ling Jingxuan then looked at his sons, and the two buns looked at him without blinking and the nodded at the same time.


    ¡°What you are worried is reasonable. If daddy didn¡¯t say anything but only killed them, whoever¡¯s fault it is, daddy will be punished. His Majesty and Her Empress Dowager¡¯s power doesn¡¯t allow anyone to challenge, at least not now for us. As long as daddy has a little tiny mistake, they¡¯d hold on to it and try to kill me. But before I killed that eunuch, I used two little tricks. First, I tried to give Her Empress Dowager tall hat, and then lured that eunuch to say something wrong, and then accused of him for slandering me, and also exempted Her Empress Dowager from this whole thing. And those survived are the witnesses. Then even if Her Empress Dowager knows that I killed her eunuch, instead of punishing me, she¡¯d only reward me. Wen, Wu, Tiewa, remember, being lenient to your enemies is to be cruel to yourself. This is not like our countryside. Killing happens anytime. Even if others may not offend us, sometimes, for our own interests, we have to know that the best defense is offense. And whatever we do, we should try to exempt ourselves from it and leave the enemies nothing on us. When smashing the enemies, we should also protect ourselves. You own noble identities, so you should know how to make use of it. When facing the enemies, try to use your identity as much as possible, do you understand me?¡±


    If possible, he really didn¡¯t want to teach them these. As parents, who don¡¯t want their kids to live purely and happily and have a carefree childhood? But, their noble identities had decided that they could never be like those common kids. The situation in the capital was more severe than he had expected. So, the kids also needed to learn how to protect themselves and how to fight the enemies.


    ¡°Hmm, we remember that.¡±


    Three buns nodded, perhaps they did not fully understand him, but at least they knew they couldn¡¯t be like before. They should toughen up like their daddy. Last night, Brother Yan also said not only the imperial palace, there were also other big families. A lot of people would kiss their a*s on the surface and try to win their father¡¯s favor, but behind their back, they¡¯d only play some dirty tricks. So they must learn to distinguish truth from falsehood.

 Chapter 493

    ¡°All right. Go help wolf daddy to build their house. Later, your father and Brother Yan will be back.¡±


    The kids were already sensible enough. Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t want to push them too hard. He stretched out to touch their heads separately, with both affection and resolution in the eyes. He would never allow those people to touch a hair of his kids!


    ¡°OK.¡±


    The three little buns gave each other a look and then turned to leave hand in hand. Ling Jingxuan then sat in the main seat and asked others to sit too. Han Fei said worriedly, ¡°Jingxuan, what should we do? They won¡¯t let it go so easily! I guess there will be endless dirty tricks of them next. Really hard to defend!¡±


    They were farmers, but it didn¡¯t mean they were stupid. Plus they had been through so many things with Ling Jingxuan. So they were already not that bunch of people who had been looked down upon one year ago.


    ¡°Now they are only trying to test us. Don¡¯t worry, Brother Han, After lunch, you move into the new house. Don¡¯t step into this mess. Tiewa is Knight Xiaoyao now. Everyone knew that he comes to the capital with me. So I¡¯ll keep him by my side temporarily. No worries. I won¡¯t let anything happen to him.¡±


    Touching his chin for a little meditation, Ling Jingxuan looked up at them, some already budding ideas quickly took root in his heart.


    ¡°Why should I worry about him? I¡¯m worried about you, Jingxuan.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, I know. There is nothing to worry about. Since I dare come here from Ling Village, I am not afraid of those people. But you, Brother Zhao and Brother Han, Shopkeeper Zhang, it¡¯s not that easy to make a living in the capital. Now, for your safety, I can¡¯t help you too much on the surface. So, if there is anything, you can find Duke Zeng.¡±


    If he would get tricked by those as*holes, how would he still have the face to stay in the capital? Better go back to Ling Village soon!


    ¡°But big brother, better an open enemy than a false friend. You and Brother Rui can¡¯t steer by the enemies¡¯ stabs in the back everytime.¡±


    Zhao, Han and others were easy to pacify, but not Ling Jinghan. His eyes was filled with undisguised worries. Yesterday, his doing of sending those beauties to those big families had already offended all those people. Today, even Her Empress Dowager tried to set him up. In the future, maybe more enemies were waiting for him. One can¡¯t afford a single mishap. After all they still had a few kids.


    ¡°If I can¡¯t avoid all of them, then I¡¯ll drag them all out under the sun. Jinghan, I know what you are worried about. Do you think I will give them that chance?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s source of confidence came from his tough capabilities from his previous life. Of course he could think of what they thought, and even had assumed all kinds of situations and how to deal with them. It was not that he was being blindly arrogant, at least, seen from now, Her Empress Dowager¡¯s means was not so brilliant. If the kids really died in the palace, they could find some maids or what as the scapegoat, but they would also grow a seed of hatred in their hearts. And finally, who would die without an incomplete body was still unknown!


    ¡°Then I will feel relieved. Big brother, I know if I blindly stand out for you, I will only be your drag. You can count on me. I will definitely top the exams in the next spring.¡±


    Ling Jinghan knew about his big brother. Without certain confidence, he wouldn¡¯t say those words. Now the only thing he could do was study hard and get a title next year, like Jingpeng could only try to expand their business as much as he could. When he entered the official circle while Jingpeng had accumulated a huge wealth, they could be their big brother¡¯s back. So, others had to weigh it before touching him.


    ¡°Hehe¡­Still those words. Don¡¯t give yourself too much pressure. Just treat it with usual mind. Shaoqi, you got to take care of Jinghan then.¡±


    Halfway through the conversation, Ling Jingxuan suddenly turned to Yuan Shaoqi. If his younger brother exhausted him too much, he would be worried, so he could only place his hope on Yuan Shaoqi, who would move out with Jinghan.


    ¡°No problem, I will certainly urge him to rest more. Big brother, you can rest assured.¡±


    Shameless taking his words as a pun, Yuan Shaoqi said, with a serious expression on that handsome face he had never had before. Seeing that Ling Jinghan just pretended he didn¡¯t understand and totally had no intention to correct him, Ling Jingxuan slightly nodded with a faint smile, ¡°Hmm. But since you have come back, you have to find a time to go back home. About that shelved engagement, shouldn¡¯t you also solve it?¡±


    Since Jinghan was not a cold-hearted one, as his big brother, of course, he could never watch him become the third person in people¡¯s eyes. Ancient people attached great importance to marriage. Whatever Yuan Shaoqi thought himself, that engagement that hadn¡¯t been settled was still effective.


    ¡°An engagement?¡±


    Ling Jinghan slightly frowned, as his eyes turned to Yuan Shaoqi. Why had he never heard of it before?


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s not true. Don¡¯t overthink things. I¡¯ll explain to you later.¡±


    Yuan Shaoqi hurriedly tried to appease him, then turned to Ling Jingxuan and said prudently, ¡°I have never agreed about that engagement. I will find my old man and get it cleared.¡±


    The old man in his mouth was not his sanctimonious father, but the man who was really in charge of the mansion.


    ¡°I just want to remind you. But what to do is your own business.¡±


    In short, he couldn¡¯t let his younger suffer!


    ¡°I know.¡±

 Chapter 494

    In his nineteen years of life, Yuan Shaoqi had never been so serious like this before. If his feelings for Ling Jinghan was just out of curiosity at the beginning, now it had turned into love.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Zhang, I originally was going to let you be the shopkeeper of the head shop of Xinyuan in the capital, but as you can see, now my relationship with Brother Zhao and Han can¡¯t get revealed. And they are not that familiar with the business thing like you. How about you train them for a year and then go to Xinyuan? Don¡¯t worry. I will pay as the general shopkeeper. Later after your family is all here, I will take care of it for you.¡±


    After resolving his personal things, Ling Jingxuan focused his attention on businesses. This time after coming to the capital, he had grasped most of the things in his hand already. Only some things were kind of out of control, and he needed to make responding adjustment.


    ¡°Jingxuan, what are you talking about? I never planned to go to the head shop. I meant to consider about it after I move out. I guess your alcohol business in here would go virus definitely. Don¡¯t say that we are so close, even we are simply employment relationship, I will choose Ling Winery. I have faith in it. I believe it¡¯d bring me a lot of accomplishments.¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang was not stupid, even merely in terms of employment relationship, he also wouldn¡¯t go to the head shop of Xinyuan as the shopkeeper. A branch shopper here as the head shopkeeper? Totally not convincing at all. But Ling Winery was different. He could grow with it. And some day when he would become the senior shopkeeper. Besides, he and Ling Jingxuan were good friends. And Jingxuan was also someone he¡¯d like to work for.


    ¡°Hehe¡­That¡¯s great. Then I will say no more. Let Shaoqi and others move things into your new house. In the afternoon, we¡¯ll go to the shop together. Those goods we mailed have arrived. If possible, I hope we can open it these days.¡±


    Only after the winery thing was settled could he begin work on the hospital and other projects.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m used to living in the countryside. To tell the truth, I¡¯m really not used to it as I have nothing to do all day like now.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, days in the countryside are so much substantial. Now suddenly having nothing to do all day, it¡¯s so torturing.¡±


    Shopper Zhang and Han Fei both said. For someone who had been used to a busy life, resting all day was more tiring. Ling Jingxuan still wanted to say something, but with his split vision, he saw that Zeng Shaoqing, Yan Shengrui and Yan Xiaoming came in wearing a gloomy face. Should be that had known what happened at home. Body tilted, Ling Jingxuan looked over at his man with a grin.


    ¡°Tut, tut! That old witch is really fast enough! But Jingxuan, as expected, you are the best! Won¡¯t you drive that old witch crazy this time?¡±


    Already hearing the whole thing from the servants¡¯ mouth, Zeng Shaoqing gave him his thumbs-up. Damn old silly witch! See if she dare make trouble for them again!


    ¡°Are you all right?¡±


    Yan Shengrui paced up and sat next to his wife, peach-blossom eyes checking him up and down, only felt quietly relieved after making sure he was totally fine.


    ¡°Yeah, if she summoned me together, maybe I will show her some face. But only summoning the kids? What is she thinking? Really thinks that we are that easy to fool?¡±


    A women who could survive in the harem and climb to the peak, that was never a stupid woman, but she¡­Maybe having lived peaceful days for too long, she had already forgotten about those dark harem-struggling days?


    ¡°You stay out of it. Leave it to me. Today, someone said you are a disaster to the kingdom and its people before the court, and I have killed him.¡±


    One hand holding him, Yan Shengrui said apologetically. All because of him, his wife would have suffered such a groundless frame.


    ¡°Haha¡­of course he is a disaster, but only to those who hold ill intentions.¡±


    Looking for a place to sit down, Zeng Shaoqing laughed, but in the heart, he felt so sorry for not being able to the whole scene with his own eyes.


    ¡°Who said I¡¯m a disaster to the kingdom and all its people? I am only a ¡®disaster¡¯ to someone, and that one happens to you-know-who. Is it all dogsh*t in those people¡¯s heads? Or those books they have ever learned all got thrown into the belly of a dog? They even used the wrong rhetoric. They must have cheated!¡±


    Throwing a hard stare at that black-bellied guy, Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes. Him? A disaster to the kingdom and its people? Strictly speaking, he led the civilians of Cangzhou to grow two seasons of rice, reclaimed the saline-alkali land, offered advice for Yunhan, hadn¡¯t he have performed meritorious service to the kingdom?


    ¡°That¡¯s a good one.¡±


    Yuan Shaoqi couldn¡¯t help giving his thumbs up, yeah, he was the only ¡®disaster¡¯ to Yan Shengrui!


    ¡°Why put the words of someone who has died already to heart?¡±


    Yan Shengrui said holding his wife. He had never put those people in his eyes at all.


    ¡°He should feel lucky that he is dead already.¡±


    A touch of evil feeling climbing on the mouth, the narrow and charming phoenix eyes quickly flashed a trace of maliciousness. But if falling to his hands, it would never be simply death.


    Except Yan Shengrui who saw the strangeness on his face, everyone subconsciously made a shudder. Fortunately they were his friends but not his enemies, otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t even know how they died. Meanwhile, they also mourned silently for those who were still hiding the dark playing a waiting game. Offending him should be the most unwise thing in their life!

 Chapter 495

    Taking advantage that the kids were taking a noon nap, the two Ling brothers took action separately. One brought people to move their things to the new Ling family, while the other brought Zhao&Han couple and Shopkeeper Zhang to check on the shop they newly bought. In case of being exposed, YanShengrui and Zeng Shaoqing didn¡¯t go with then. Those shops situated in the most prosperous section of the south street. In the front was a huge storefront that covered about two hundred square meters, in the back was a small quadrangle courtyard, in the middle was a patio, eight rooms in total, together with the kitchen and a basement and other facilities. Three of those rooms had been piled with the grape wine. The gatekeeper was an old man in his fifties, who really maintained the whole courtyard clean.


    In general, this place was very large, also very suitable for doing business. Buying such a huge house in the capital where one cun of land values one tael of gold. Only Zeng Shaoqing had such abilities!


    ¡°Jingxuan, I see that the backyard is huge. Maybe you don¡¯t need to worry about how to make arrangements for my family. After they come, we will live in the back. Don¡¯t laugh at me if I tell you this. All these years, I have been the shopkeeper in Datown town, while my wife and kid were left home in the village. In a year, we could only get together when my wife brought my kid to town for the Spring Festival. When they knew that I would take them to the capital with me this time, you could imagine how excited they were. So, what I am thinking is, after they come, I will be busy in the shop during the day, while spend time with them at night, and we can guard the shop at night by the way, in case of burglars or what.¡±


    After checking the whole yard, Shopkeeper Zhang suggested unnaturally. At home, he still had his aged parents, an elder brother, a younger brother, and two younger sisters who had been married. In those years, they were very poor. His parents got married late, he planned to bring them to the capital with him, but they refused. Their thoughts were simple. Fallen leaves should return to the roots. Even if they die, they¡¯d want to die in the land where they were born. And his elder brother and his wife also decided to stay supporting them. So this time, only his younger brother, wife and kids would come. His younger sister-in-law was in bad healthy, so they only had a son, while he had two sons and a daughter, so this place was big enough for them.


    ¡°Hmm, OK. When they are arrived, you got send someone to inform me. Although, our relationship shouldn¡¯t get exposed, at least I should treat them a big one for their arrival.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan nodded without thinking, originally he had planned to let Shopkeeper Zhang live in here. As for his family, he meant to buy a two-yard house for them. But seen from now, it was impossible to find anyone near here. Since he¡¯d like to live with his whole family here, of course he wouldn¡¯t oppose. But he still had to buy a house for them. As Shopkeeper Zhang had helped him so much, he should replay him. After some time, he¡¯d buy a three-yard house for them!


    ¡°All right, all right, it¡¯s settled then.¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang thanked him. Then Ling Jingxuan brought them to check the storefront ahead, and talked about how to decorate this place by the way. And finally, they all agreed to display their grape wine, sorghum wine, waxberry wine, jam, fruit vinegar and other things they produced themselves on those customized shelves.


    ¡°We¡¯ll use Ling Made as our shop sign. No need to be that luxurious. Only a plain and catchy name could impress people. We will make things we produce ourselves into a famous brand. Last year when we first made jam, I had already made plans. Each can of jam I sold out has been printed with the trademark Ling Made. And before we left, I have specially told Jingpeng to continue. After our Ling Made gets popular, those who have ever eaten our jam and who have ever drank our grape wine, they would naturally link those two things together.¡±


    Standing outside the shop, Ling Jingxuan touched his chin while looking up at the huge gate with nothing hanging there. Ling Made? If he did it well enough, they could occupy the market fast and become the only shop that specialized in brewing wine, and then taking the capital as the center, they could open branches in all prefectures soon, plus the winery Ling Jingpeng run which took the countryside as the main market, the business of their Ling family would be basically steadied.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking if you have such an idea.¡±


    Shopkeeper Zhang said with his eyes full of admiration. Back then, he was only a young man from village. Never thought he had already had such ambition at the time!


    ¡°If we decide to do it, we got to make it the best! Brother Han, for those big jar jam, except Xinyun, don¡¯t sell it to anyone. We will sell it all in exquisite small jars. And change the sorghum wine and waxberry wine into ten-jin jars, also at retail, but the customers have to use their own jars. So is the fruit vinegar. As for the grape wine, time-limited, quantity-limited, and on the opening day, we will only take out five hundred jars for sale. Each one could only buy one jar. Ask someone to spread the news. And from now on, sell twenty jars everyday at most, don¡¯t break the rule whoever it is. If anyone has a problem with it, go find Lord Zeng. He knows how to deal with it. A thing is priced when it¡¯s rare. Grape wine is one of the specialties of Ling Made. We will make it a luxurious brand.¡±


    Anything had brand effect. If too many supplies, it would only make their grape wine as cheap and the celery cabbage, of course the price couldn¡¯t be high.


    ¡°So what price will be most appropriate?¡±

 Chapter 496

    Before, they only made supplies for Xinyuan, never sold to any outsiders. Of course the retail price shouldn¡¯t be like mass purchasing. Thinking about it, Ling Jingxuan brought then into the storefront, ¡°How about this? The price for Xinyun stays unchanged. Their price is five taels of silver for each small jar, and we will also sell it at that price. Usually, rice wine and flower wine is eight copper coins for one jin the lowest, and the highest price may even reach hundreds. Our sorghum wine belongs to the middle. So we¡¯ll set it at the price of ten copper coins for one jin. After we occupy the market, we could raise the price by launching high-grade packaged ones. Any place has rich and stupid people. Even if it¡¯s the same quality inside, they¡¯d still like to pay. And waxberry wine will take the mid-to-high end, one tael of silver for one jin. In a month after the opening, anyone who buys a whole jar enjoys ten percent off. Ordinary vinegar is seven cooper coins one jin. Then we will set the price of our fruit vinegar at the price of twenty a jin. As for the grape wine, last year, Lord Zeng sold it at the price of one thousand taels of silver for one jar in the capital. Anyone who has a big purchasing, we could lower the price a bit, in case someone is jealous of us and purchases from us and then sell it at a lower price of destroy our business on purpose.¡±


    ¡°Will it do if it¡¯s so expensive?¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s offer was far beyond their imagination, sorghum wine was acceptable, and forget about the grape wine, but why even the fruit vinegar was so expensive?


    ¡°Is it? Brother Han, you shouldn¡¯t measure the consumption level here using the standard in the countryside. The prices here are all, I still think the price of the sorghum wine is low. It¡¯s only for occupying the market here.¡±


    How could the consumption level compare with the capital? Compared with Han Fei¡¯s worries, Ling Jingxuan was quite confident.


    ¡°I agree with Jingxuan. Let alone the capital, even other towns¡¯ consumption level is much higher than our Datong town. Look at Xinyuan. Any dish is at least a few taels of silver. So, what they eat is not the dish itself, but their face. But Xinyuan only targets at those rish people. The reason Jingxuan sets the price of the grape wine, waxberry wine and the jam so high while the sorghum wine so low is to occupy all the low, middle and high end of the market. Those rich people who cares about their face would buy the grape wine or something else, and those who have no money could buy the sorghum wine. After they taste it, I guess they¡¯d all become our loyal customers.¡±


    After all, Shopkeeper Zhang had been doing business for so many years, of course, he was a lot more insightful than Han Fei and others. Plus he was quite familiar with things Ling Jingxuan produced, so he had a lot of confidence.


    ¡°What you said is reasonable. Sorry, although we are already here in the capital, I still feel it¡¯s so unreal.¡±


    Hearing that, Han Fei scratched his head embarrassedly, while Zhao Dalong on the side also gave an awkward smile. One year ago, how would they have ever thought that some day they¡¯d stand at the foot of His Majesty!


    ¡°Hehe¡­Brother Han, no need to feel embarrassed. I¡¯m also not used to it. However prosperous it is in here, it can never compare with our Ling Village with such beautiful mountains and clear waters, right? After our kids grow up, we will leave everything to them and go back to Ling village to live our life in retirement.¡±


    Since the business thing was settled, Ling Jingxuan also joked with them. But it was true that he planned to spend his last years in the village. As for whether it¡¯d be Ling Village or not, still not decided yet. After all, when he left, he had taken everything he could take with him away. Ling Jingpeng and his wife were fine with him living his last years in there. What if their kids had a problem with it? Besides, his man¡¯s mansion was in Cangzhou. It was not that he had no place to go.


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s a good idea. Then we¡¯ll go back together.¡±


    It was obvious that Han Fei missed the Ling Village very much. Although that place had brought them a lot of helplessness and pains, it was also the place where they were born and raised.


    ¡°OK. Shopkeeper Zhang, things like the decorations, booking the shelves and signboard, and worker hiring thing, I will all leave them to you. Brother Han, tomorrow, you go check out those kilns and find the best one for a long-term cooperation and let them make small jars for us. Brother Zhao, your reward hasn¡¯t been issues. I still haven¡¯t gotten time to ask Shengrui what reward it is and whether there¡¯d be a title or what. So, these days, you stay here acting as the assistant of Brother Han and Shopkeeper Zhang first. Tomorrow I will make a yard specially forging iron for you. I have a batch of equipment that needs your to forge.¡±


    Zhao Dalong was an expert on forging. He could forge anything, which would exactly meet his demands. So for those tools he needed for the hospital, who could he count on except him?


    ¡°OK.¡±


    Zhao Dalong had always been not so talkative. What he didn¡¯t say was that even if His Majesty rewarded him a title, he wouldn¡¯t accept it. It was not that he had no ambitions, but that he wanted to learn more things from Ling Jingxuan. The title His Majesty rewarded him was asking him to refine quality steel or forging things, and he would only march on the spot, while everyone else, including his six years old son, was making progress.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯ll go bac, then. We can start tomorrow morning.¡±


    Speaking of which, Ling Jingxuan stood up, and after saying something to the old gatekeeper, they walked toward the two carriages waiting not far away. And then they went to check that row of storefronts that belonged to Crown Princess Hua. Not knowing why, a row of nearly twenty storefronts was still empty there. In such a prosperous East Street, it was some kind of luxurious thing, really.


    And only after seeing the storefronts with his own eyes did Ling Jingxuan feel so appreciated of Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s eyes. Indeed, such a row of storefronts was very suitable for opening a hospital, good daylighting, good environment, good section, Ling Jingxuan secretly made up his mind that he¡¯d try to get this row of storefront no matter what.

 Chapter 497

    Her Emperess Dowager¡¯s Resting Place, Fuling Palace


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    ¡°How dare he even kill my people?¡±


    A slap in the armrest of her chair, the empress dowager trembled with anger, with coach juice with the corners of the mouth twitching uncontrollably. No wonder those people she had sent to summon Yan Shengrui¡¯s sons still hadn¡¯t come back, so¡­not only that farmer killed her person eunuch, Yan Shengrui even had the balls to send the rest of them who were covered in blood back! And that farmer said her personal eunuch announced the fake imperial decree of her, otherwise, how would she who had always enjoyed a good name dislike her own daughter-in-law? For this, not only she couldn¡¯t get mad, she even had to kill those people Yan Yi sent back before him and had to say some nice words of that farmer and gave a lot of things as the reward. But after Yan Yi left, she instantly exploded.


    ¡°Someone! Go get Consort Yun for me! I¡¯d like to let her see what kind of vicious demon-like daughter-in-law she has! I don¡¯t believe as his mother-in-law, she really doesn¡¯t care!¡±


    Her Empress Dowager was so mad. Ever since her son become the emperor, no one had ever dare disobey her like this! Even when she was only the empress, no one had never ever dare to challenger her authority like this. As a farmer, instead of obeying her imperial decree, he even had the balls to kill her people! Did he still take her the empress dowager in his eyes???


    ¡°My Empress Dowager, please stay at ease. Could you please listen to your humble maid first?¡±


    The old mammy serving by the side waved off those people, then stepped forward to support Her Empress Dowager while gently patting her back to guide her qi downward for her. She was the maid Qiuzhu who had been sent into the imperial palace when the empress married into the palace. Now she was already the oldest mammy in Fuling Palace. Her Empress Dowager trusted her. Sometimes, Her Empress Dowager even preferred to trust her words than His Majesty. Under her comforting, Her Empress Dowager calmed down a bit, but still mad.


    ¡°Qiuzhu, do you know what to do? You must let Consort Yun to let her son repudiate that farmer! That kind of demon thing doesn¡¯t deserve to be a wife of our imperial family!¡±


    ¡°Yes, I understand, but¡­¡±


    Mammy Qiu hesitated for a moment, then leaned close by her ear and whispered, ¡°But My Empress Dowager, don¡¯t you think maybe it¡¯s a good thing? His Highness Sheng has already done things cautiously and never left others a chance. To say something you may not like hearing, he is almost perfect. These years, it¡¯s not that you and His Majesty have never tried to seize the military power from his hands. We¡¯ve almost used all possible means but still couldn¡¯t hurt him a bit, instead, his prestige only grows stronger. And for years of wars outside, he has accumulated unimaginable authority in the army. Even if some day His Majesty seizes the military power form him, as long as he wants, a lot of people will still only obey his order. On this point, we have to admit it. But, that was also before yesterday. Now as he marries such an unbelievable wife, maybe it¡¯d be a good thing to you and His Majesty. Abolishing his title might ease your momentary anger, but it¡¯s far no better than let him keep his title. When he ruins His Highness Sheng¡¯s big name little by little, their days are over.¡±


    More importantly, what if he divorced that farmer and married a woman with a powerful background? Would they be like penny wise and pound foolish?


    ¡°You are right. I just lost my thoughts. We really shouldn¡¯t touch him. Not long that, I will secure her title. It¡¯s just he¡¯d take a huge bargain from me!¡±


    Her Empress Dowager was not stupid, it was just having been in that position for long, she had been used to calling the rune and wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to go against her. And suddenly Ling Jingxuan came out of nowhere who not only defied her order but also killed her persona eunuch, it was only normal that she got so mad.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it easy if you want to get it back at him? Think about it. He is only a farmer, no background, and once he arrived, he has offended almost all big families. You can take the chance to confer His Highness Sheng two concubines and pick some beauties and maids for him by the way. You are also his mother-in-law, of course you can send two concubines to teach him the rules here and help him rule the mansion. Isn¡¯t it only reasonable? As a man, it¡¯s normal to have three wives and four concubines, let alone it¡¯s His Highness Sheng? And then, people not only wouldn¡¯t say you don¡¯t like your daughter-in-law from the countryside, but also compliment you for being so magnanimous instead.¡±


    Really a maid having been immersed in the harem for so many years, her brain was extraordinarily smart.


    ¡°That sounds good. But what if Shengrui refuses? You know, if we push him too hard, he is really capable of anything. I really don¡¯t understand his temper. And that farmer, since he even dare kill those beauties in the mansion once he arrived, obviously he is a stupid, ignorant and shameless one. And if he also rejects no matter what, wouldn¡¯t I be that one that got humiliated?¡±


    After pressing down her anger, Her Empress Dowager also resumed her usual shrewdness. Both she and His Majesty were kind of afraid of Yan Shengrui, not only because he held the military power in his hand, but also because of his bad temper.


    ¡°I can tell Your Empress Dowager is really pissed. Isn¡¯t it His Highness Sheng has never tasted the wonderfulness of that thing between a couple before? Besides, of the palace banquet two days later, His Highness Sheng will definitely bring him with him. And those madams with titles would also attend. Then you can call His Highness Sheng and his wife before and confer His Highness Sheng the marriage. What? As a farmer, dare he say no? And by the time His Highness Sheng knows, it¡¯s already settled. Even if he doesn¡¯t want it, it already leaves him no chance. Side concubines are different from beauties who have no titles. They can¡¯t kill them as they want like last time.¡±


    Mammy Qiu was Her Empress Dowager¡¯s most trusted one in the harem, only she dare make fun of her sometimes.

 Chapter 498

    ¡°You are so thoughtful. I guess that farmer dare not say no. I have to choose two tough women. Then it¡¯d be lively after they marry into their mansion. And after they give birth, do we still need to worry about their whole mansion wouldn¡¯t fall in a mess?¡±


    In front of her eyes, it seemed that before her eyes already played that messy scene. And her dissatisfaction about Ling Jingxuan already nowhere to find. Now she totally felt lucky that Shengrui had married such a wife, otherwise, she still couldn¡¯t find any weak point of him!


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Tomorrow is another day. You are not only his mother-in-law, but also the empress dowager. Are you still worried you can¡¯t tame him? Isn¡¯t it like you can do whatever you want.¡±


    The more Her Empress Dowager heard it, the brighter her eyes were beaming, ¡°Exactly! I just lost my mind because of him just now. How would a farmer like him have the balls to do that? It should be Shengrui behind. As a big man, it¡¯s impossible for him to watch his backyard all the time. I have enough time to teach him a lesson!¡±


    The anger in the chest dispersed, and Her Empress Dowager laughed out and also restored her usual superior nobility. After destroying Yan Shengrui, she had plenty of time to torture him!


    At the same time, inside Fuyan Palace, the palace His Majesty rewarded Consort Yun to live in. Under normal circumstances, after the emperor passed away, those consorts with titles of him would get promoted as Noble Consorts, and those who had offspring for the imperial family could even go spend the rest of their live in the fief of their sons. Consort Yun had ever been the Able Consort, top of the four leading consorts, and had such a capable son Yan Shengrui. Normally, she could go to Cangzhou or Highness Sheng¡¯s mansion. But since Yan Shengrui was little, he wasn¡¯t so close to her. And Consort Yun also didn¡¯t want to leave the palace, saying that she didn¡¯t want to live too far away from her husband. As for what the real reason was, no one knew, including His Majesty and Her Empress Dowager. But her staying in the palace was obvious a threat of Yan Shengrui, of course that was what they¡¯d like to see.


    ¡°Madam, His Crown Princess Sheng killed the one Her Empress Dowager sent over, and His Highness even sent one of the four personal guards of him to send the body back!¡±


    In the garden, a palace maid reported respectfully, while Consort Yun, who was pruning the flowers, was momentarily stunned, and then handed the scissors to the maid, and her face, which was almost too beautiful to be true, had an inexplicit smile, ¡°What was Her Empress Dowager¡¯s reaction?¡±


    ¡°What else could it be? I guess she should nearly explode.¡±


    Before the maid answered, the old mammy beside said jokingly. She was Mammy Wei, who was rewarded to Consort Yun by the deceased emperor, who was very loyal to her.


    ¡°Watch what you say.¡±


    Under her support, Consort Yun sat down on the bed aside, and those maids all stepped over with a faint smile. Consort Yun was quite mild, even to those maids, so everyone in Fuyan Palace liked her a lot.


    ¡°So what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, at first Her Empress Dowager was mad at it, and people could even hear her yelling outside, but soon, Manny Qiu waved those maids out, and no yelling was heard again.¡±


    The maid replied. Then Consort Yun slightly made a frown, but soon lay down as she resumed her gentle smile, ¡°Cui, what do you think of my daughter-in-law?¡±


    ¡°As far as I¡¯m concerned, he is a little reckless, and does things without caring about the consequences. If it goes on like this, it¡¯s easy to get himself in trouble.¡±


    Mammy Wei replied as she tucked her in. Personally, his tactics were very successful, but seen from the long run, it¡¯d be unfavorable to His Highness Sheng.


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong, Cui. He¡¯s not reckless and cares no consequences when doing things. Sometimes, you can¡¯t see things on the surface only. You think he is still in a whole piece till now only because of Shengrui¡¯s protection? Even if my son is not close to me, no one knows about him more than I do. If he really wants to protect him, it wouldn¡¯t be simply killing some servants and throwing those beauties out of his mansion. Him staying silent was obviously someone¡¯s meaning. Otherwise, given his mad bull like temper, what¡¯s bothering those big family is not how to settle the beauties he has rewarded them, but their whole mansion would be in a mess already. In my opinion, this Ling Jingxuan is not simple.¡±


    Slightly narrowing her eyes while lying on her side, Consort Yun said gently. Her appearance always gave one the feeling that she was a pushover, plus, after the deceased emperor passed away, she had never stepped out of her palace. Maybe a lot of people had already forgotten about her presence. She was one of those who survived from the cruel internal fights in the harem these years. And since she already kept herself out of those things, so on a lot of things, she could hold a clearer mind. Don¡¯t see that she had always echoed His Majesty and Her Empress Dowager on this and that, actually, for all those years, they basically hadn¡¯t gotten anything from her.


    ¡°So His Highness finds the right one?¡±


    Others might not know about their Consort Yun, but how could Manny Wei not know about her? Since she said so, she should have her reason.


    ¡°Hehe¡­it is so seen from now. But as for how he is really like, I¡¯ll only know after seeing him in person. These days, keep a tight eye on Her Empress Dowager. I guess she wouldn¡¯t let this go so easily. When necessary, lend him a hand.¡±


    Her not caring about things outside didn¡¯t mean she¡¯d allow anyone to harm her daughter-in-law. Finally his son got married. Whatever his wife was like, she¡¯d protect him. Besides, he had given birth to three sons for her son!


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go handle it now.¡±


    Mammy Wei was not a too curious person. Since the ma¡¯am had such arrangements, she should have her own reason, so she only needed to do as what she was told.


    Not only Fuyan Palace, all other palaces had heard about it, including Chu Yunhan and Yan Shengzhi. Like Consort Yun, they all decided to stay put. Anyway, they¡¯d like to see in this war between Her Empress Dowager and Crown Princess Sheng, who would be the final winner.

 Chapter 499

    Zhao&Han couple moved out, and since Tiewa had been living in Yuehua Manor when in Ling Village, so when they left, Han Fei told him that they¡¯d be busy doing business outside and had no time to take care of him, so Tiewa had to stay in the mansion. So, Tiewa didn¡¯t cry or what, instead, he even promised that he¡¯d listen to adoptive father and daddy¡¯s words, even Han Fei himself nearly shed tears himself.


    Falling Rain Yard was completed that very night under the little buns¡¯ supervision. And the new tatami nearly took up half of the room, big enough to Dahei and Xiaohei to roll and play on it. At first, Ling Jingxuan even planned to make a single room for Chubby and Plump, after they were pandas while wolf daddy and his sons were wolves. But they totally didn¡¯t appreciate it at all. And now, two different species got along so well. Dahei and Xiaohei took care of Chubby and Plump like they were their younger brothers, and Chubby and Plump also liked acting cute before wolf daddy.


    Outside in the courtyard, in imitation of a modern zoo, it had the panda enclosure, a lot of realistic artificial trees, amusement facilities, and what made wolf daddy and others most satisfied was that it was a pond in the middle. As long as the workers finished, Dahei and Xiaohei ran to the main house to invite Ling Jingxuan over. After quite a while, Ling Jingxuan finally understood that they wanted him to pour some water from his Crescent Spring into it. While finding it so amused, Ling Jingxuan couldn¡¯t help saying they were so smart!


    With Zeng Shaoqing¡¯s covering, it wouldn¡¯t be a big problem to make the business big. And Shopkeeper Zhang was so experienced. In the past year, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei had learned a lot from him. So, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem leaving it to them. So, Ling Jingxuan planned not to interfere anymore. Now, he had plenty of money, but if he just left it there and didn¡¯t spend it, money would lose its use. So, opening a hospital became the first thing he wanted to do after coming to the capital.


    For this goal, Zhao Shan and others had all been studying hard, so they¡¯d be competent to receive patients when the hospital was opened. But the priority now was to get those storefronts and then let Zhao Dalong forge a batch of medical devices. Most importantly, he had to make some propaganda shocking enough for the whole capital.


    ¡°My crown princess, someone sent by Her Empress is here.¡±


    In the morning, Yan Shengrui had to attend the morning court meeting, and for Ling Jingxuan, after making arrangements at home, he asked Steward Zhu to buy a few reliable maids and servants, twenty in total, all for Ling Yun to train. Just as he sat down in the hall and considered how to contact that Crown Princess Hua and buy the storefronts from him, Steward Zhu came in.


    Someone from Yunhan?


    Hearing that, Ling Jingxuan raised his head and then looked over him and then saw a woman and an eunuch standing outside. Then he slowly stood straightly and he waved at Steward Zhu signaling him to let them in.


    ¡°Chunxiang(Zhao An) pay respect to your crown princess!¡±


    As the two of them stepped in the middle of the hall, they got on their knees. The women called Chunxiang was thirty years old tops, while that eunuch called Zhao An, wasn¡¯t he that one who announced the imperial decree when in Ling Village last time? Was his Yunhan¡¯s people? Shouldn¡¯t he be His Majesty¡¯s people?


    ¡°Save it. Any order from His Empress?¡±


    Picking up the tea cup and slightly pushing the tea leaves floating on the surface of the tear with the lid, Ling Jingxuan was in no hurry to take a sip. His eyes looked casual, but actually swept over at them with calculation. Someone sent by Yunhan, but also the eunuch who announced the imperial decree on behalf of His Majesty, interesting!


    ¡°My crown princess, here is the thing. The imperial banquet will be held the day after tomorrow. His Empress is afraid you may not be clear of the etiquettes and manners in the palace since you are new here, he specially sent me to teach you and the little dukes.¡±


    Chunxaing was an old mammy in the palace. Of the eight maids of Chu Yunhan when he married into the palace, four of them had died in the harem fight. The other three were Xiaxiang, Qiuxiang and Dingxiang. The reason Chu Yunhan could have run out of the palace was their credit. At the time, none of them had ever thought that they could survive. After His Majesty found that His Empress had gone, he blew his top and ordered to kill all people in Fuqing Palace. The eight servants Chu Yunhan brought from his family when he married into the palace all died. They were lucky, for His Majesty suddenly stopped the punishment and let them wait in Fuqing Palace for His Empress to come back and sealed Fuqing Palace that day. Now His Empress had been back and resumed his position as the empress, of course they became his trustworthy people.


    ¡°Thank His Empress for me then. What are you doing here? I don¡¯t think teaching etiquettes needs a eunuch.¡±


    After days of his iron hand doings, now people outside all said that he is a demon, a monster. But Ling Jingxuan didn¡¯t give it a sh*t at all, but only tried to consolidate it. Instead of letting others respect him, he¡¯d rather let them fear of them from deep of their hearts. Anyway, he never planned to keep on good terms with anyone here. They more scared they were of him, the quieter life he could live.


    Although Eunuch Zhao had ever seen him once, it was just a quick glance. Now seeing that he still acted so arrogant before someone sent by His Empress, his body shouldn¡¯t help shivering and he immediately forced a smile and said, ¡°His Majesty sent me here to serve the little dukes. His Majesty said that it¡¯s the first time the little dukes will go into the palace, so they¡¯d be scared, so His Majesty specially sends me here to serve them.¡±


    Of course, also tried to sound out what Crown Princess Sheng was like. But before him, of course he wouldn¡¯t say that.


    ¡°No need. As the little dukes are going into the palace, of course they¡¯ll stay by my side, they don¡¯t need a eunuch to be around. You should go. And convey my thanks to His Majesty.¡±


    However, Ling Jingxuan refused His Majesty¡¯s ¡®kindness¡¯ without thinking. Eunuch Zhao couldn¡¯t help freezing there. This crown princess is so arrogant! He even dare turn down His Majesty¡¯s good intention! And so straightforwardly! Couldn¡¯t he be a little euphemistic? Now he even didn¡¯t know how to respond!


    ¡°My crown princess, Eunuch Zhao is a senior in Fuan Palace. Since he was young, he has stayed by His Majesty¡¯s side, and he is even much more familiar of those palace etiquettes than I do. So, I¡¯m begging you to let him stay and help me train the little dukes.¡±


    Chunxiang suddenly cut in. Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes flashed as he waved his hand, ¡°All right. Anyway, it¡¯s His Majesty¡¯s good intention. Steward Zhu, take them down to have some rest. Later, let the kids go greet them after they come back from their adventure.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my crown princess. Please come with me.¡±


    Steward Zhu on the side respectfully moved forward. Chuxiang still wanted to say something, but shut up under Ling Jingxuan¡¯s stern look, and then backed out with Zhao An after thanking him.


    ¡°Shifu, someone from the palace again?¡±

 Chapter 500

    After they left, Zhao Shan came out from the inner room. He meant to come to ask his shifu some of his doubts on medicinal herbs and happened to see that his shifu was entertaining the guests.


    ¡°Yeah, from His Majesty and His Empress. What brings here?¡±


    Not wanting this pure and hard-working young man to know those nasty things, Ling Jingxuan tried to switch the topic. Zhao Shan was a good kid. If possible, he¡¯d like to teach him all the medical skills and poison skills he knew and then he could pass it down. Now after the big win at the boarders, the nomads in the north would dare not come offend them in three or five years. Then they could take such an opportunity to improve their medical skills. And when the wars came again, they could put it into use.


    ¡°Shifu, isn¡¯t His Empress your friend? Why doesn¡¯t he help you?¡±


    Rarely, Zhao Shan didn¡¯t get distracted, but asked out his doubts. He was not familiar with His Empress, only met twice. But from others¡¯ mouths, he more or less heard about their friendship. In his heart, His Empress was the noblest person through the whole kingdom. Why couldn¡¯t he let his shifu stay in peace?


    ¡°Hehe¡­a lot of things are not that easy as you see. Shan, people are capricious, people¡¯s hearts are the hardest to predict, including His Empress. He also has his helplessness. In the future, after you learn all things from me, you will definitely become the most famous magic doctor. But I wish that before you save people, you need to think if that person is worth you saving. Although it¡¯s our job to save people, if the one you are gonna save would backbite you, why waste your energy saving him?¡±


    The boy was still a little too simple, and he only had medical skills in his head. It was his bad. He seldom taught him some other thoughts but only things about medical skills.


    ¡°Is this the reason why you have such superb medical skills but still don¡¯t want treat people?¡±


    Zhao Shan frowned at him, not to refute, but simply puzzled. He never understood why his shifu who was so good at medical skills but never treated any patients.


    ¡°Not really, I just simply don¡¯t like saving people. Rather than being a saint to restrain myself on this and that, I¡¯d rather be a bad person who can do whatever I want. Medical skills to me is only an accessory for survival, like poison skills and shapeshifting skills. I can save people, but also can kill people, it depends on my mood. But letting me to save people for the so-called moral criteria, it¡¯s impossible.¡±


    In fact, in his previous life, the first thing he had learn was to kill people using poison, medical skills were only an accessory. Later, after he made his name in killers¡¯ circle, he had only started to work on all kinds of medical skills. So he had never thought he was a doctor, so he had no obligations to save anyone. If he was not in the mood, however others paid, he wouldn¡¯t lend a hand. On the contrary, he¡¯d like to save the other side even if he only paid on copper coin. That was also why he was like a combination of good and evil. And between killing people and saving people, it was only a moment¡¯s thought.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Zhao Shan lowered his head murmuring. Ling Jingxuan laughed and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to imitate me. Everyone¡¯s experience and way of doing things are different. Just follow your heart.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I know, shifu. But I think what you said is right. Saving people is a doctor¡¯s job. But a doctor shouldn¡¯t save people against his heart sometimes. Shifu, how about you teach me shapeshifting skills?¡±


    Maybe even Ling Jingxuan himself had never thought he would say such words today. In the future the Qing Kingdom would have a famous magic doctor, but unlike others, he often hid himself and always didn¡¯t play by the conventional wisdom, which would definitely give those who came for his help a big headache.


    ¡°OK. Strictly speaking, shapeshifting skills are interlinked with medical skills and poison skills. I will teach you some other day.¡±


    The commitment now also indirectly became the foundation for Zhao Shan to become a wandering magic doctor through the whole world.


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    Zhao Shan¡¯s eyes were beaming as he nodded firmly. Yan Shengrui happened to come back. Ling Jingxuan gave a faint smile to end the topic between them. Seeing that, Zhao Shan decided to solve his doubts some other day.


    ¡°What are you two talking about?¡±


    Sitting by his side, Yan Shengrui asked casually. Today¡¯s court meeting was a lot quieter. After yesterday¡¯s thing, those people quite behaved now.


    ¡°Nothing, we were just discussing about some medical skills. Oh right, Yunhan sent his personal maid over, and Eunuch Zhao An from His Majesty. I saw that Chunxiang seemed to have something to say to me, in case Zhao An might suspect, I shushed her.¡±


    Handing a cup of tea to him, Ling Jingxuan chuckled, then as he thought of those people from the palace, he resumed his shrewdness on the fac. After taking a sip, Yan Shengrui only said slowly, ¡°Chunxiang is my imperial sister-in-law¡¯s personal maid when he married into the palace, who is very loyal to him and would even sacrifice herself for him. Since he sent her here, he should have something wanting her to convey. Zhao An has served my imperial elder brother since he was young. Although he hasn¡¯t got a promotion these years, he has never annoyed my imperial elder brother, so he should be a smart one. Since my imperial sister-in-law sent them together, maybe Zhao Shan is already my imperial sister-in-law¡¯s people now. If he doesn¡¯t do anything suspicious, we don¡¯t need to be hard on hm.¡±


    Having stayed out of the palace didn¡¯t mean he wasn¡¯t clear of things in here. For those trustworthy servants or maids of those important figures, he had paid extra attention.


    ¡°Hmm. At first, I meant to let that Zhao An get out of here. It was Chunxiang who spoke for him. So I was thinking if Eunuch Zhao has thrown himself under Yunhan¡¯s shelter. Later we¡¯ll summon Chunxiang alone.¡±


    Both of them were so shrewd, so what they thought was more or less the same.


    ¡°You make the decision. At home, I am no longer the highness, but only your own Shengrui.¡±


    Taking his hand and leaving a kiss on it¡­For his nearly thirty years¡¯ domineering life, Ling Jingxuan was the first one who could let him admit to the second, then the kids.


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    Ling Jingxuan¡¯s smile was infected with sweetness and happiness. Was there anything he was not satisfied with having such a husband? Even if he had to fight for him, so what? Even if he had to fight for him for the rest of his life, he¡¯d love to!

 Chapter 501

    After the noon nap, Ling Jingxuan let the little buns to hold Zhao An while he secretly asked Chunxiang to go to his inner study. Whether Zhao An was really His Empress¡¯ people now, before getting the conformation, they should be over cautious. Now the little buns grew so smart. After receiving their daddy¡¯s order, they not only held Zhao An by their side, but also asked wolf daddy and others as their ¡®company¡¯. So, a long time after that, Zhao An dare no longer go to their mansion again. Even if he had to, he¡¯d immediately slip away after announcing the imperial decree before the hall, not even making any eye contact with those little demons. Of course, that was the after story.


    ¡°Greetings, Your Highness, Your Crown Princess.¡±


    In the inner study, Yan Shengrui sat in the main seat wearing a cold face, while Ling Jingxuan sat next to him with a faint smile. Chunxiang bowed in humble reverence. Those from the imperial palace may have no other advantages, but really flawless in etiquettes and manners.


    ¡°Save it. Aunt Chunxiang, please sit.¡±


    Under such occasions, Yan Shengrui usually wouldn¡¯t speak. So, Ling Jingxuan acted as the master. Compared with his coldness in the morning, now apparently Ling Jingxuan looked a lot milder.


    ¡°Thank you, my crown princess.¡±


    Logically, even if the mastered granted a seat, as the maid, she couldn¡¯t really sit. But before coming here, the master told her that the crown princess was not that kind of ceremonious person. If she overstressed their identity gap, he¡¯d only blame him. So Chunxiang sat down after thanking him.


    Really a smart one!


    Seeing that, a trace of satisfaction flashed across Ling Jingxuan¡¯s eyes. Worthy to be someone trained by Yunhan, well-mannered, modest, and from every move, one could tell she never forgot she was a maid, but also wouldn¡¯t look so petty and lose His Empress¡¯ face.


    ¡°So, anything His Empress asked you to tell us.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan was always a straightforward person. And Yan Shengrui also would like to leave everything for him to handle. As long as his wife was happy, even if it might jeopardize some of his manliness?


    ¡°Yes, His Empress asked me to tell you that you should be extra cautious at the palace banquet the day after.¡±


    ¡°Oh? So is it possible that old witch tries to make trouble again?¡±


    Slightly picking his eyebrows, Ling Jingxuan hooked his lips, from his tone, you couldn¡¯t tell whether he cared about it or not. Chunxiang also dare not surmise it herself, so she only nodded, ¡°Yesterday, you killed Her Empress Dowager¡¯s person eunuch, and she was super mad at first. But after staying the room with Mammy Jin alone for some time, her face immediately changed from cloudy to sunny. And she said she¡¯d grant marriages for those marriageable sons at the banquet. She especially asked the servants to get the portraits of all those girls who has reached the marriageable age. His Empress always thinks there must be something fishy behind it. So he specially asked me to get you notified in advance.¡±


    Now everyone in the palace heard of it. As filial as His Majesty, of course he had no objections.


    ¡°Grant marriages?¡±


    Hearing that, Yan Shengrui frowned. Ling Jingxuan cast a meaningful glace at him, and gave an evil smile while touching his chin. Was she trying to find someone to disgust him? He had seen a lot of such plots in those TV series. At the imperial banquet, the emperor or the empress dowager liked doing such things. But never expected that some day he himself would become the protagonist. Though it could never be him, but his man, hard to say¡­It was only normal for a man to have a few concubines, especially those with a high position. But, he would never share his man with anyone else.


    ¡°OK, I got it. Please thank His Empress for me after you go back.¡±


    Before it happened, he didn¡¯t want to guess it. Just roll with the punches. If it were something else, he was totally fine with it. But granting his man a marriage? Not even a chance!


    ¡°That¡¯s too much for me. His Empress is looking forward to having a reunion with you. He¡¯d definitely make the arrangement to meet you. Please wait patiently.¡±


    Speaking of which, Chunxiang stood up. Ling Jingxuan nodded, ¡°No problem. I¡¯m also looking forward to that day.¡±


    ¡°If there is nothing else, please excuse me. Today I will stay in the mansion to teach the little dukes and will go back with Prince Seven tomorrow afternoon. My crown princess can rest assured. The etiquette man will lead the way in the palace. No mistake will be made.¡±


    ¡°Then I need to trouble you.¡±


    Ling Jingxuan stood and sent her all the way to the door and didn¡¯t mean to turn back after her figure disappeared leaning against the door frame. Yan Shengrui walked over and held him gently, ¡°Are you mad at me? This is none of my business. You can¡¯t put the blame on me.¡±


    He¡¯d never stand guard outside again! Besides, who knew if his wife wouldn¡¯t figure out some even worse move than that? Heaven knew how scared he was now.


    ¡°Heihei¡­don¡¯t afraid. Do I look like a devil?¡±


    With a bad smile, he turned around and held his neck, with all ridicule in his eyes. Ling Jingxuan subconsciously wanted to nod, but the words that came out of his mouth were, ¡°Of course not!¡±


    Yes, you are, you are worse than the devil! Of course, he would never have the balls to say that out loud.


    ¡°Save it! Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you are thinking. So, you also think the empress dowager acts weird, right? So granting marriage is only an excuse, right?¡±


    A joke is a joke. But business still needed to be taken seriously. Originally, he really didn¡¯t plan to do anything, but only meet Yunhan secretly at most. Never expected that before he calculated others, someone asked for his abusing now. If he didn¡¯t do something, wouldn¡¯t he just ¡®let them down¡¯?


    ¡°Even thinking with my butts, I know it¡¯s just those old tricks in the harem. They really take you as a woman in the backyard.¡±


    Yan Shengrui said with disdain. Ling Jingxuan leaned to give him a kiss and then said evilly, ¡°Then how about we play a game?¡±


    ¡°Oh? How do you want to play? Need my cooperation?¡±