"I'm sure that Lu Ting wouldn't do anything outrageous.

"I will try to help if there is any threat from Lu Ting, but right now, my hands are tied with other matters," Sima Ye said with an apologetic expression.

He had to deal with Ruo Zhi from the Six Pulse Sword Sect and the Governor for the time being.

And from what he knew, Lu Ting and the Lu Clan were reputable, and he was pretty sure that Lu Ting wouldn't try anything nasty.

"Thanks, Master Sima Ye," Lin Xuan Qi nodded and said.

He knew how deadly it was with cultivators from the encounters he had so far.

One mistake and it might cost you your life.

So, Sima Ye making use of the disciples from Qing Feng Sect to help him was already too much.

And to top it off, Sima Long and Zhang Jie helped him so much with the wedding.

He wouldn't be so shameless as to ask more from the Sima Family.

As of now, at least he knew for a fact that he and the servants were safe if they were in the compounds of the mansion.

If Lu Ting was after his life, there would be a big surprise for her in the mansion.

Lin Xuan Qi couldn't help but think that maybe he should start having a habit of inviting his enemies to the mansion.

And the Lin Clan must get more powerful to stand on its own soon.

While he thought, he glanced out of the entrance and saw some of the falling leaves floating onto the ground, many of which had started to turn red.

It was turning autumn soon.

And that reminded him of his plan about the autumn tax.

He glanced at Sima Ye and asked, "Master Sima Ye, you have access to the Governor?"

"The Governor? Yes. What do you need from him?" Sima Ye took a sip of his tea and replied.

"I have a proposition to make," Lin Xuan Qi leaned forward and said. "With all the turmoil happening, I can help relieve some of it for him.

"But on the condition that the autumn tax can be reduced for me.

"In a way, the tax would be used directly on Hong Feng City's population instead of it being sent to the emperor and siphoned off by corrupted officials in the capital."

Sima Ye nodded his head along to what Lin Xuan Qi had said.

It made so much sense.

"How would you help?" Sima Long interjected and asked.

"I will set up charity porridge stalls all over the city for the poor and unfortunate."

"What about your rice business?"

"Don't worry about that," Lin Xuan Qi said with confidence.

His plan was to be able to catch a tax rebate from the Governor, and at the same time be able to have access to some of those skilled men out of a place to live and work right now.

"You've got to be careful about that...the other rice merchants might not be pleased," Sima Ye reminded Lin Xuan Qi of what the other rice merchants might do.

They were already jacking up the prices of rice, ready to make a killing.

"Don't worry about that, I've got my own ways," Lin Xuan Qi replied.

Seeing how confident he was, Sima Ye didn't pursue it anymore and trusted that Lin Xuan Qi knew what he was doing.

"Then, I shall bring your proposal to the Governor when I meet him tomorrow."

"Thanks, Master Sima Ye," Lin Xuan Qi cupped his hands at Sima Ye and thanked him profusely.

With that out of his mind, they continued to chatter about other matters while they waited for Madam Sai to finish.

"By the way, the land for the new factories has been secured," Zhang Jie said with a smile.

"That's great news."

"They will be in the northern and southern areas of the city. I know you would want them separated," Zhang Jie said, and he nodded to it.

It was such a timely piece of news.

He felt so poor after knowing how much it cost for the Spirit Herbs required for the Five-Element Concentration Qi Pill.

The factories going into production would be able to bring him more money when the soap and MSG started selling.

"I will have a look at the new factories and come up with the plans soon," Lin Xuan Qi said.

Zhang Jie smiled and reminded him, "So soon? Wouldn't you want to spend more time with your new wife and concubine after you get married?"

"Trust me, you'll want to do so after you..." Sima Long wanted to tease him but stopped when he felt the elbow of Zhang Jie on the side of his chest.

"What did I do this time..." He rubbed his chest and mumbled.

"Master Lin is a debonair man, unlike you..."

"What do you mean? I can recite poems like he does," Sima Long protested.

"Yes, brother Sima Long is as talented too," Lin Xuan Qi came to his buddy's rescue, but it wasn't convincing enough for Zhang Jie.

She knew what her husband was good at.

Womanizing and making her angry.

Lin Xuan Qi glanced at her tummy, hinting to Sima Long to change his strategy.

Sima Long got his cue and said, "Dear wife, one thing I am sure that I'll be good at is being a good father to our child."

He rubbed his hand on her tummy, and she simmered down.

"You'd better remember your promise," she said and held onto his hands.

Sima Ye, who was sitting by the side, shook his head at them with a smile.

He was used to their banter, and it never got boring for him.

Sometimes, maybe being a cultivator wasn't the best.

He had to give up on many mortals' pursuits to focus on his cultivation.

And for him, it might be hard to get over it when Sima Long and Zhang Jie aged and died before he did.

Their lifespan was, after all, like a mortal's.

Sima Ye cherished the moment they had now, and he knew that years later, it would all but be a distant memory for him.

After a long sigh, he picked up his teacup, took another sip of tea and glanced out of the entrance.

Leaves rustled outside when the cold wind blew across the mansion.

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