CHAPTER 35: CHEN LIANG

The servant girls that were under Sima Long opened their eyes wide when they saw Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Yue Xin sit down.

Zhi Yong stood and glanced at Lin Xuan Qi, not very sure of what to do.

"Sit down and eat. You are included too." Lin Xuan Qi gave him a smile and said.

Lowering their heads, the servant girls under Sima Long thought about what they’d said to Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Yue Xin earlier.

And now, right in front of their eyes, they were the ones standing instead.

They could only look on with envy when Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Yue Xin started to pick up food from the plates.

Sima Long wasn’t as surprised by Lin Xuan Qi’s behavior.

As the guest, he knew it was best to keep quiet.

After all, there were plenty of talented men that he had seen who had many different quirks.

It wasn’t that out of the world for Lin Xuan Qi to have one.

Or maybe Lin Xuan Qi had three tong fang servant girls.

It would make him so envious of Lin Xuan Qi’s stamina if it was the latter.

As he munched on his food, Sima Long started to feel that Yue Jie and Yue Xin looked familiar.

"Pardon me, but you two look like someone I’ve met before." He said and scratched his head, trying very hard to recall.

"Our father was one of the clerks for the registrar, Liu Ju Zheng. Not sure if Master Sima Long knows him well?" Yue Xin said, trying to see if she might get help from Sima Long.

Yue Jie wasn’t too pleased, and she nudged at Yue Xin.

How could Yue Xin do so in front of Master Lin? she thought.

She quickly glanced over at Lin Xuan Qi.

To her relief, Lin Xuan Qi didn’t look angry, and he was glancing at Sima Long, waiting for Sima Long’s reply.

Lin Xuan Qi didn’t think much of it.

He was eager to find out what had happened to their father.

To him, it was best for him to know about it and prepare for their father’s enemies if they decided to come after Yue Jie and Yue Xin.

He felt that since their lives and deaths were now under his purview, it was naturally his responsibility to ensure their survival.

Sima Long nodded and he gave out a sigh.

"I’ve heard about what had happened to your father." He pondered for a moment before he continued.

"I think you are lucky to be here under Master Lin.

"It’s best for you not to know more."

Sima Long tried to make them realize how fortunate they were now, and they might not be safe anymore if they tried to do something.

Yue Jie gave him a polite smile and nodded at him.

Her sister, on the other hand, wasn’t as calm.

She told herself that she must work hard and learn from Lin Xuan Qi to try and help her father out.

They continued to have their lunch, and when it was finished, Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Yue Xin cleared the table while Lin Xuan Qi and Sima Long moved back to the main hall.

As they sipped on tea to aid in digestion, Lin Xuan Qi asked, "So, what had happened to their father?"

Sima Long saw that Yue Jie and Yue Xin had cleared the table and walked towards the kitchen. He told Lin Xuan Qi what he knew.

"Their father was upright and kept the records to his best ability.

"However, the registrar, Chen Liang, wasn’t the same.

"The registrar had been changing the details of the records to minimize the land held by other officials and merchants.

"Helping them to pay less taxes."

Lin Xuan Qi nodded and noted the name Chen Liang.

He would be on the lookout for Chen Liang if he tried something funny later.

"Thanks so much for the information," Lin Xuan Qi replied.

Sima Long waved his hand and said, "It’s nothing.

"And if you insist, the best way to be thankful to me is to pay a visit to Sima Mansion.

"My father is interested to see someone talented like you.

"He had been reciting your poem every night since he knew about it."

"Please tell your father that I definitely would when I have the time." Lin Xuan Qi bowed and said.

And with his reply, Sima Long bid Lin Xuan Qi farewell and left the mansion.

It was mission accomplished for Sima Long.

"Master Lin, he is right. It’s best not to dig around for now," Lee He Song said when he saw Sima Long gone from the mansion.

Liu Shi Shi nodded her head.

She wouldn’t risk her life if she were Lin Xuan Qi right now.

Lin Xuan Qi sighed, and he watched Zhi Yong carrying some of the heavy furniture up to wipe the dust underneath them.

He had a thought about what he should try and do next, now that there was a new pair of hands in the mansion.

Experiment and try to come up with a new business.

With his knowledge from the modern world, he believed that he could pull it off easily.

One thing came into his mind, and Lin Xuan Qi started to try and recall the steps and ingredients involved in making it.

Soap would be a popular product if he sold it in this world.

"Zhi Yong, come with me." Lin Xuan Qi said and stood up.

Zhi Yong stopped what he was doing and replied, "Yes, Master Lin."

He followed Lin Xuan Qi to a spacious room with some furniture.

"Move the tables together, and these chairs, put them over there."

Lin Xuan Qi started to give out instructions on rearranging the furniture to make it resemble a lab he had seen from Earth.

"Yes, hurry." Zhi Yong thumped his chest and said, trying to impress Lin Xuan Qi.

The meal and how Lin Xuan Qi had treated him so far made him eager to stay in the mansion.

He feared being asked to leave like what Hun Xion Kun had done.