Shen Yuan held the porcelain bottle in his hand, pondering for a long while before speaking: "Shi Tou, you're quite grown up now, your father has some thoughts to share with you."

Shen Wenxing paused, not saying a word, waiting attentively for him to continue.

Shen Yuan sighed and said, "As the eldest son in the family, there's nothing wrong with cherishing and caring for your younger siblings."

"But your father hopes that your vision can be more long-term."

"For instance, this Qi Nourishing Pill, you are at the Peak of Postnatal Realm now, and consuming it may allow you to break through to the Innate Realm."

"Use good steel where it's most needed. When you become stronger, you can bring us better resources in the future."

Shen Wenxing listened and was silent for a moment before saying, "Father, I understand your intention."

"But the Immortal said that this Qi Nourishing Pill has better effects on those below the Body Tempering Realm, I am already at the Peak of Body Tempering, eating it would be a waste."

"Please don't worry too much."

"Ah!" Looking at the son in front of him, Shen Yuan sighed helplessly.

"Here's the plan, four Qi Nourishing Pills, let me allocate them."

Saying this, he unplugged the stopper of the bottle and poured out one, handing it over: "Take this one first, and we'll decide after seeing the effect."

"Father..."

"Hmm!?" Seeing him want to refute, Shen Yuan immediately displayed the authority a father should have.

Shen Wenxing dared not disobey, he could only obediently take the Qi Nourishing Pill and put it into his mouth.

The pill dissolved immediately upon entry, a surge of medicinal power instantly poured into his limbs and bones.

"Father, I'll go and cultivate first."

Not wanting to waste the medicinal power, Shen Wenxing immediately went to the side to cultivate the Breathing Technique.

Seeing this, Shen Yuan glanced at the porcelain bottle in his hand before slowly walking towards Shen Wen'an, who was practicing swordsmanship.

"Wen'an, come here."

He called, and upon hearing, Shen Wen'an sheathed his sword.

"Father, what's the matter?"

Shen Yuan hesitated for a moment, then poured out a pill from the porcelain bottle and handed it over.

"The Immortal's pill, rewarded to your eldest brother, take it."

The young fellow glanced at the pill, then turned to look at Shen Wenxing who was meditating and cultivating the Breathing Technique, obediently taking the pill and putting it into his mouth.

Surging medicinal power dissolved within his body, a trace of joy flashed in his eyes, then he silently found a place to start cultivating.

He didn't rush to distribute the remaining two pills.

Upon returning to his room, Shen Wenyan was tending to Lu Zhiyuan.

Shen Yuan approached, hesitating slightly upon seeing this scene.

For a long time, he stepped forward and said: "Last time during the flood disaster, the master's courtyard was destroyed. I was thinking of assisting in the repairs, but I don't know the master's preferences, so I thought to wait until you returned to find someone to help."

"Would it be necessary to find craftsmen tomorrow?"

Before Lu Zhiyuan could respond, Shen Wenyan spoke up: "Father, I wish for the master to live with us."

"He needs someone to take care of him."

Shen Yuan frowned, the new house by Black Water Pool was a three-entry courtyard with many rooms, letting Master Lu live together would be feasible.

Just uncertain about Lu Zhiyuan's own thoughts.

Lu Zhiyuan slowly stood up and approached Shen Wenping, who was practicing calligraphy.

"Big sister, please make way," Shen Wenyan said.

Lu Zhiyuan gestured for him to bring a pen, biting it with his teeth, he wrote a line on paper in slanted writing.

[Thanks to Younger Brother Shen, this old man still has some savings. If Younger Brother Shen agrees, just build a small courtyard by Black Water Pool.]

After writing these words, he looked at Shen Yuan.

"The master prefers that, I'll go find craftsmen tomorrow."

The surrounding mountains and woods by Black Water Pool were his, giving up a piece for Lu Zhiyuan's small courtyard wasn't a big deal.

"Before the small courtyard is completed, the master will live with us first."

Lu Zhiyuan nodded slightly.

The next day.

After Shen Yuan's family finished their meal, they planned to find the father and son of Zhao Shuan to help move the house, but unexpectedly Zhao Shuan and his son arrived first.

"Brother Jinhu, Uncle Zhao."

Shen Wenxing opened the door, saw the two, and greeted enthusiastically.

"Shi Tou!"

Zhao Jinhua hugged him with excitement.

The father and son entered the courtyard, Zhao Shuan carrying several grass carp and a piece of cured meat.

"Brother Shuan, what's this..." Shen Yuan looked at the items puzzledly in his hands.

Zhao Shuan chuckled, "Da Hu has long been clamoring to express thanks, but Shi Tou has been away."

"Shi Tou, Brother Jinhu said that this time on the front line, thanks to you, otherwise not only would he have failed to achieve merit and gain nobility, but even his life might not have been saved."

During the battle between Fengxian County and He County, Zhao Jinhua chopped off barbarian soldier heads, gaining nobility, and was rewarded with some farmland and forests.

After some pleasantries, Shen Yuan accepted the grass carp, whereas the cured meat was declined by Shen Wenxing.

"The young nephew is in the growing phase, this meat is for him to eat and replenish."

"Just so happened father told me to ask you and Brother Jinhu to help with the move, we can stew the fish for lunch."

As the two families were quite familiar, they didn't exchange further pleasantries.

"Da Hu, go back and bring the ox cart, we'll help your Uncle Yuan with the move."

With the help of Zhao's father and son, moving was quick.

Two ox carts, a few trips back and forth, moved everything.

At noon, Hu Yufen cooked a hearty meal in the new house by Black Water Pool, everyone was very satisfied.

After a full meal, Zhao's father and son left, while the siblings started choosing rooms.

The three-entry courtyard should have over twenty rooms, but due to insufficient silver coins, Shen Yuan only built twelve rooms, reserving space for future expansion.

"Dear, you oversee household matters, while Shi Tou and I head to town."

Shen Yuan found Hu Yufen and spoke.

"Alright, let me get you some silver coins."

Hu Yufen hurriedly went into the room, fetched a money bag, looking somewhat worried: "This is all we have at home, not sure if it's enough."

Redeeming the mountain forest land by Black Water Pool and building the new house nearly depleted their savings.

Shen Wenxing also then detailed the expenses incurred to rescue his brother and connections maintained in Royal City.

He and Zhang Bin stayed in Royal City for half a month, including social connections, with a total cost of over three hundred liang silver, all advanced by Zhang Bin.

The three were worrying about how to repay this huge debt when Lu Zhiyuan and Uncle Ya approached leisurely.

Shen Yuan quickly hid the money bag, smiling and greeting: "Master, how do you find the living quarters?"

Lu Zhiyuan nodded slightly, then looked at Uncle Ya.

Uncle Ya understood, pulling out a silver note from his chest and handed it over.

It was a silver note issued by the Imperial Family for five hundred liang, exchangeable for five hundred liang current silver in any county or city walls.

"Master, this..." Shen Yuan did not reach out to take it.

Lu Zhiyuan seemed to have anticipated his thoughts, and again signaled Uncle Ya who took out a promissory note.

The gist was that this money was temporarily loaned to him.

Shen Yuan hesitated repeatedly, finally accepting the silver note, signing and sealing on the promissory note.

With the silver note, the father and son immediately headed to Yunshui Town.

The annual festival was approaching, Huang Yunxiao also returned from Anyang County to Yunshui Town.

At this moment, the brothers were in the living room discussing the court's three debates that had a sensational effect on the Literary Dao.

"Big brother, I always felt that Master Lu's defeat was a bit odd."

Huang Qingzhou sighed deeply, feeling regret for Lu Zhiyuan.

Huang Yunxiao slightly shook his head: "We are both unrefined, not understanding this, nor suitable to comment."

"But I heard, Xun Sheng left the Confucius Temple after leaving the Imperial Extreme Hall, disappearing."

"The rumors say Xun Sheng realized his wrongs that day..."

Huang Yunxiao was speaking when Shen Yuan and his son entered.

After exchanging greetings, seated, Shen Yuan hesitated before saying: "I heard the two elder brothers were discussing...'the court's three debates', is it regarding Master Lu?"

Huang Qingzhou nodded slightly, somewhat curious: "Ah Nu was with Master Lu that day, didn't he tell you?"

Shen Yuan shook his head: "Master Lu's experience affected him greatly, he speaks little to nothing about that day's events."

Huang Yunxiao sighed and shook his head, recounting what happened at Imperial Extreme Hall.

"Ah Yuan, do you think Master Lu's defeat was unjust?"

Shen Yuan listened and smiled bitterly.

"Xun Sheng pressed with the righteousness of the world, Master Lu had no choice."

Huang Yunxiao's brothers exchanged glances, obviously not understanding this remark.

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