Lin Xuan Qi was discussing the details of the charity porridge drive with Sima Ye and Sima Long, if the Governor approved it, when Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Madam Sai entered back into the main hall.

"Master Lin, I'm done with my briefing for the brides." Madam Sai bowed and greeted him.

He quickly stood up and walked over to her.

"Thanks so much for all the help." Lin Xuan Qi took out a tael of silver from his sleeve pocket and passed it to her.

"Oh my, Master Lin, you shouldn't have." Madam Sai tried to push back the tael of silver, trying to be polite.

He gave a smile, and said, "You deserve it for all the hard work."

Madam Sai relented after some pushing back and forth of the tael of silver and kept it.

She wiped her face with her handkerchief and said, "I shall go back and look at the calendar for an auspicious date.

"Most likely the wedding date will be in two weeks' time."

Lin Xuan Qi nodded his head and said, "Thanks so much once again.

"Just inform me when you have decided."

"Great, then we shall take our leave first." Sima Ye said and stood up.

He walked over to Lin Xuan Qi, patted Lin Xuan Qi on his back and said, "I shall seek the Governor's approval about the charity porridge and the autumn tax.

"I will let you know once I have his confirmation."

Lin Xuan Qi cupped his hands at him and said, "Thanks so much Master Sima Ye. And you too..."

He turned over to Sima Long and Zhang Jie and cupped his hands at them.

"This is all but a small matter for us, brother Lin." Sima Long stood up straight with his chest up, proud that he was able to help his buddy.

Zhang Jie shook her head at him and gave Lin Xuan Qi a nod.

Then, she raised her right hand and waited.

Sima Long quickly held onto it and helped her walk towards the entrance of the main hall.

As they walked past Lin Xuan Qi, Sima Long gave him a wink and mouthed the words, remember the booklets I've given you.

Lin Xuan Qi smiled back at him and nodded.

He was sure that he didn't need those but was grateful for the kind gesture from Sima Long.

What more could a man ask for in a buddy?

After they'd left, there was only him, Xue Cong and Yue Jie inside the main hall.

They stood where they were and glanced at him in silence.

Things were different now and they didn't know what to expect from now on.

Lin Xuan Qi gave them a smile, walked up to them, and held their hands.

"Remember when we first met?" He said while he led them over to the tea table by the side and got them to sit down next to each other.

After which, he sat opposite them.

Xue Cong and Yue Jie nodded their heads.

"I do too." Lin Xuan Qi held their hands on the table and brought them together with his hand on top of theirs.

"Some things will change and some things won't." He said while he glanced at Xue Cong and Yue Jie.

They looked at him with their eyes, filled with excitement and anxiety.

Excited for being with him and anxious about becoming the mistresses of the clan.

He patted on the back of their hands and continued, "I would like both of you to be the same, helping me and being cordial with each other.

"And also, some things would inevitably have to change.

"You don't have to be involved in the chores anymore and you will just focus on serving me..."

Their faces blushed and they lowered their heads.

Imagery of what Madam Sai had taught them was still fresh in their minds.

When he saw their reaction, Lin Xuan Qi frowned and said, "I mean serving me with matters of the household, business and clan."

If they were to be his wife and concubine, they would have to take on the added responsibilities now that they were in it together.

"We're sorry Master Lin, we were just...." They tried to explain but Lin Xuan Qi stopped them.

How could he give up on such a chance to tease them?

"You were just thinking about doing it, weren't you?" He said with a sheepish smile.

Xue Cong and Yue Jie gasped and wanted to retract their hands, but he held onto them and gave them a smirk.

"We will be husband and wives soon, there's nothing to be shy of."

They quickly glanced around to see if there was anyone else in the main hall.

"What if others heard you?" Xue Cong said softly.

Yue Jie nodded her head vigorously.

He tilted his head, glanced at them with their blushed faces, and chuckled.

"What? Why are you chuckling?" Xue Cong thought that she had something on her face, and she glanced at Yue Jie for help.

"Yue Jie, is there something on my face?"

Yue Jie knew that he was going to tease them again but couldn't figure it out.

She shook her head at Xue Cong and said, "There's nothing on it..."

Seeing how Xue Cong's face was flushed red, and her ears being red, she figured that her face was looking the same.

Xue Cong frowned and glanced at Lin Xuan Qi, "So, what was that about?"

He patted them on the back of their hands and said, "Well... you didn't deny the part that both of you were thinking about it."

"Master Lin, you..."

They felt so shy for being teased by him again.

He let go of their hands and they quickly covered their faces with their sleeves.

Both of them glanced at each other and thought that one of these days, they would be able to get back at him.

"I thought you would have gotten used to it by now." Lin Xuan Qi shook his head and said when he saw them scheming with each other.

And after they had simmered down, Lin Xuan Qi had other things to brief them.

"Alright, time for serious business."

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