Lin Mansion.

When Lin Xuan Qi got back, he was just in time for dinner.

"Master Lin." The servants greeted him with a smile.

They had gained more respect for him after they had dispensed the charity porridge.

All of them came from poor backgrounds, which was why they were forced to be sold as slaves after a misfortune had struck them. Sometimes due to bad luck and sometimes self-inflicted.

Nevertheless, they empathized with those needy and were glad that Lin Xuan Qi was willing to give a helping hand.

They were, however, unaware of the fact that he was getting a tax rebate and employing new workers at a cheaper rate.

Xue Cong welcomed him back but was shocked when she saw his bloodied hand.

"What happened?" She came up to him and held his hand, inspecting it to see if he was hurt.

Yue Jie, Yue Xin and Liu Shi Shi also got anxious when they heard her and they quickly came over to check on him.

"I'm fine. We met with some thugs, and they were quickly taken care of."

Before she finished checking on him, Liu Shi Shi glanced over at the three guards, and she stared at them.

She raised her hands, wagged her finger at them, and wanted to shout at them.

The three guards lowered their heads and waited for the lashing out.

Lin Xuan Qi was glad and happy that she was concerned for him and that she was willing to be authoritative with the guards when the situation arises.

But, the guards followed his instructions and it wasn't their fault.

And besides that, the blood on his hand wasn't even his.

He quickly came over to Liu Shi Shi to stop her and said, "It's not their fault, they did what I've instructed them to do."

He held her hand pointing at the three guards and lowered it down.

"You've done well, go back and have a good rest." Lin Xuan Qi glanced at the three guards and let them go have their break.

The guards were more than happy to have recognition from him and that they were treated with fairness.

Other masters might have just lashed out at them.

"I'm sorry." Liu Shi Shi glanced at him and said.

She didn't know what had happened.

Normally, she would ask the guards what had happened before getting so angry at them.

There was something simmering inside her.

And it was more than the anxiety she had for the safety of Lin Xuan Qi.

Lin Xuan Qi figured that it had something to do with the marriage, so he kept quiet.

They were cordial among themselves but that doesn't mean that it didn't matter to them that they would be serving the same man.

The most that he could do was to try and be good to them in the best possible way.

Every one of them had their own minds after all.

Some would like to be treated in certain ways, and some might prefer to be treated in the opposite manner.

Xue Cong, Yue Jie, and Yue Xin couldn't let go and came over to continue inspecting his hand.

All of them gave out a huge sigh of relief when they saw that he was indeed unharmed.

Then, Xue Cong asked one of the servant girls to bring everyone a cup of tea.

"Have some tea and calm down." She said to Yue Jie, Yue Xin and Liu Shi Shi when the servant girl came back with a plate with teacups on them.

After they downed the cup of tea, all of them glanced at Lin Xuan Qi and said in unison, "We know you have your plans and wouldn't take unnecessary risks, but still..."

They frowned at him and lowered their heads.

Lin Xuan Qi sighed and promised them, "I will. I promise I wouldn't let all of you so anxious next time."

Seeing how concerned they were for him, a part of him finally felt that he wasn't alone in the Da Qian Dynasty anymore.

He has many people concerned about him now.

"It's dinner time, no point standing around here." Yue Jie suggested they go take a seat at the dining hall.

All of them nodded.

...

When dinner was served, Lin Xuan Qi checked with Auntie Sue, "Would you mind if we do the same thing again?"

To make the claim that there would be an increase of rice supplies incoming, he had to continue with the charity porridge.

And this time, he would need to make some adjustments.

Auntie Sue gave him a smile and said, "Sure, Master Lin. Always at your service."

"Good. But for tomorrow, put in more rice than today in the porridge. Double the quantity of the porridge too." He said.

That surprised Auntie Sue and she asked to confirm, "More rice?"

"Yes, more rice, keep it diluted still.

"And don't worry about the rice, there will be more rice supply tomorrow." Lin Xuan Qi replied.

It would make those needy be convinced and spread the word.

That would help to make the rice merchants waver and hopefully one of them would change their mind.

And when the person releases his rice supplies, others would follow quickly.

"What about the thugs?" Liu Shi Shi asked.

"There will be men from the Governor with us tomorrow.

"The Governor might even show up if I'm right.

"I believe they wouldn't be so dumb to attempt something stupid again." Lin Xuan Qi said.

But she wasn't convinced and said, "I will go with you."

Zhi Yong also thumped his chest and said, "Master, me go!"

Seeing that they were persistent, he nodded his head and said, "Listen to my instructions tomorrow."

He wouldn't want them to risk themselves and chase after the thugs.

The Governor and the Governor's men would take care of it.

"Thanks for all the hard work." Finally, he glanced at everyone and said.

Everyone else at the dining table nodded and replied, "It's our duty, Master Lin."

Lin Xuan Qi thought of something and he said, "After this is over, I will bring you outside of the city to the seaside."

He had promised them earlier to go and pick up clams and crabs by the seaside.

It would be an opportunity when he goes to check if there was kelp in the Da Qian Dynasty.

Yue Xin was excited at the news and she said, "Great! This time I shall be able to beat you."

Lin Xuan Qi shrugged his shoulders and said, "You don't know who you are facing up against."

"We shall see." Yue Xin wasn't too convinced.

Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Liu Shi Shi shook their heads at her.

They envied her ability to overcome negative things so quickly.

It was always livelier with her around.

Lin Xuan Qi also felt the same and even though he sometimes wished that she could be like Yue Jie, he let her be herself and treasured the carefree nature of hers.

Lee He Song chuckled and had a mouthful of wine from his wine gourd.

He liked the cordial atmosphere, but his mind was on something else.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.