Xue Cong didn't know whether it was better to treat Lin Xuan Qi the same or to treat him even better.

She stole glances at him while she tried to walk closer to him and drifted away repeatedly.

Things still seemed complicated to her even when they went her way.

Lin Xuan Qi saw what she was doing, and he shook his head.

Out of nowhere, his hand wrapped around the waist of Xue Cong.

Xue Cong startled and glanced around quickly to see if anyone else was looking.

"What are you looking around for? You prefer to be seen? Didn't know you had such kinks." Lin Xuan Qi whispered into her ears and teased her.

"You..." Xue Cong's face turned red when she heard him.

He was always so much more open than others in the Da Qian Dynasty, and in certain ways, he was more restrained than them.

Lin Xuan Qi's behavior was an enigma to her, and in a good way.

He always surprised her for the better.

Glancing at her, Lin Xuan Qi felt great every time he managed to tease her.

Soon, it wouldn't be just teasing, and he couldn't wait for the day to be with her and consummate their marriage.

But for now.... He was patient enough to wait.

"Alright, enough teasing. Here's something serious..." He glanced at Xue Cong, came closer to her face, and said, "I'm thinking of getting a gift for Sima Long's child. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Suggestions?" Xue Cong startled.

It was the first time he had spoken to her in such a manner.

And she was more than happy.

She thought for a moment and said, "I could ask my father whether he could make something that would be fitting for the occasion.

"I'm sure the thought matters more for Master Sima Long."

Sima Long was living in abundance to her, and she thought that more valuables that could be bought might not mean too much to him.

Lin Xuan Qi nodded and said, "Thanks."

He accepted the suggestion immediately.

For him, it would be great for Old Shao too.

Otherwise, he knew that Old Shao would be trying to show gratitude for taking Xue Cong as his wife.

And that would be a bit awkward for him, so it was best to get it over with and be done with it.

Xue Cong glanced at him and replied with a smile, "Then, I shall get it done soon."

"Don't worry about the materials required. Let me know, and I shall get them acquired." He said, and they entered the dining hall.

Xue Cong quickly took her seat and poured him a cup of tea, hoping that no one had seen him holding her waist.

The others who were in the dining hall waiting pretended not to have seen, and they kept quiet about it.

"Here are the dishes." Auntie Sue entered the dining hall at the right time with two plates in her hands.

Mei Jiao was still helping her, and she was glad to be busy and productive.

After the dishes were placed onto the dining table, Lin Xuan Qi picked up his chopsticks and said, "Let's dig in."

He had a busy morning and was already starving.

Before he could pick up a piece of meat, Xue Cong and Yue Jie had already done so for him.

And this time, they knew to stop afterwards.

Lin Xuan Qi glanced at them, gave them a smile, and picked up the pieces of meat they'd gotten for him.

This is life, he thought silently to himself while he munched on the savory braised meat.

Imagery of them feeding the meat to his mouth while he lay on the bed came into his mind.

Now he understood the enjoyments that the young masters had.

And as long as he didn't go around being an arrogant one, he would be able to enjoy this for a very long time.

Before he could have another bite, one of the guards came into the dining hall, disrupting him again.

"Master Lin, Master Hun Xiong Kun requests a visit." The guard bowed at him and said.

"Let him in quickly." Lin Xuan Qi was excited to hear from Hun Xiong Kun so soon.

He stood up and followed the guard to the gates.

"Master Lin." Hun Xiong Kun waved at him when Hun Xiong Kun saw him approaching.

"What brings you here?" he asked, and Hun Xiong Kun pointed to his side.

Two of his men were carrying a chest.

When he saw the chest, Lin Xuan Qi quickly gestured for Hun Xiong Kun to enter the mansion.

They got to the main hall and sat down.

Hun Xiong Kun couldn't wait and instructed his men, "Open the chest."

His men opened it, and inside were taels of silver.

"Here's one hundred and fifty-six taels of silver." Hun Xiong Kun said with a huge smile.

Lin Xuan Qi was pleasantly surprised by the amount.

It was more than what he had expected.

"Why the increase in the amount?" he asked.

"The price of rice has doubled, and even though I've got seventy-eight taels of silver left for the remaining payment, I felt that it would be appropriate for me to double it for you."

Hun Xiong Kun's face lit up while he explained.

His business was booming with the shortage, and some of the rice merchants had started to keep the rice so that the price would increase, even though they had supplies.

Making Hun Xiong Kun one of the rare ones left selling the rice.

Lin Xuan Qi nodded and poured a cup of tea for Hun Xiong Kun.

He poured one for himself afterwards, picked up his teacup, and proposed a toast.

"Here's to our great fortunes."

"Heh, indeed. To our great fortunes."

Hun Xiong Kun said and downed the cup of tea with Lin Xuan Qi.

They sat down, and Lin Xuan Qi gave him an update.

"Things are going as I've thought.

"Those rice merchants are greedy enough to keep raising the prices.

"And I will make it so that they wouldn't be able to get much leverage out of it."

"How?" Hun Xiong Kun frowned and asked.

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