On a short winter day, the osmanthus tree in the courtyard had also been planted for many years, with lush branches and leaves. Lin tied up in the house looked at it for a while, and soon it got dark. Only then did he remember that there was no oil lamp or candles prepared in the house, and the idle servant who went to buy things at the entrance of the alley had not returned yet.

  It's okay if you don't come back, there will be things to do tomorrow anyway.

  Listening to Liu Yue'er and Zhao Hu walking in the courtyard, Lin Xie got up and walked out, looking at Zhao Hu and Chen Enze holding things in their hands, just back from outside with Liu Yue'er - two lanterns were hung on both sides of the Weihua Gate, presumably they had just hung them when they returned.

  "I see it's almost dark, I couldn't wait to help with the shopping, I just cleaned up the kitchen and all the pots and pans are still usable. So I pulled along Zhao brothers and Chen brother to buy some rice, dishes, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar back. Just now I saw you reading in your room, so I told Master Zhou... should the bill be given to you or Master Zhou?" asked Liu Yue'er.

  "Hasn't that idle person bought things back yet?" Lin looked at the hanging flower gate, which was the second door of the house, and naturally there would be no movement.

  "I told you, these idle rascals are just a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings who don't dare to cheat the wealthy families on this side. We're new here and they won't be polite to us," Liu Yu'er still had some complaints about Lin Xuan not listening to her advice earlier, and now she was feeling a bit smug, thinking that bookworms are just bookworms, and after losing out a few times, they'll learn their lesson. She also thought that it was thanks to him for taking her in and helping her fend off the annoying Gu Si Ming, so she said, "The food hasn't even been prepared yet, let's make Lin Xuan wait a bit longer with an empty stomach, shall we bring the dishes to his room later?"

  Where would Lin Tie let Zhou Pu go to deal with these trivial matters? At this moment, Zhou Pu went out to observe the surrounding terrain and was not in the house. Lin Tie would not let Zhao Hu and Chen Enze waste their time on this either, they had too many things to learn, and there were other things for them to do. He said: "The house is so big, Liu Niang will be more tired, let's see if we can hire another helper in two days, and let Zhao Hu and Enze help you a bit more these two days... I'll leave some money with Liu Niang, just show me the detailed account every month. As for meals, each meal should have meat dishes, buy more fish, eggs, and vegetables, and buy meat dishes for four people per meal. When the meal is ready, don't need to bring it to my room separately, just call me and I'll come over. If Liu Niang is willing, she can also dine with us together."

  "How can this be? Doesn't he have any rules at all?" Liu Yu'er was startled when she heard Lin Fu's instructions. At first, she hadn't thought that she would be in charge of managing the accounts for Lin Fu. She had assumed that Zhou Pu would be the one in charge of the household finances, given how respectfully Zhao Hu and Chen Enze treated him. Shouldn't they find someone trustworthy to manage the accounts? This bookworm really suspects me of embezzling money every month? Moreover, even if Zhou Pu were the head steward, it's not necessary to provide a full serving of meat at every meal. Does this bookworm know how to live frugally? Which master treats his servants and subordinates so generously? A catty of rice only costs four or five cents, and eating one's fill is enough, but a catty of meat costs thirty cents. If the four men were to eat their fill of meat every day, the monthly food expenses would be four taels of silver. Liu Yu'er thought to herself that this bookworm really doesn't know how to manage a household and has no idea how expensive oil, salt, firewood, and rice are. She wondered how much silver he had on him to dare spend so lavishly, or if he was being supported by that rich young miss.

  Liu Yu'er thought about how to remind this old gentleman in front of her that oil, salt, firewood and rice are expensive.

  Lin Ge naturally knew that if they let go and ate meat, their silver would be a bit tight, but Chen Enze was growing his body, and Zhao Hu also had to follow Zhou Pu to learn fist and knife techniques, not eating meat, the body couldn't hold up.

  "Miss Liu doesn't feel comfortable dining with us, so we won't force her. The four of us old men, I and Enze, Zhao Hu, and Zhou Ye, aren't particular about such things, let's just have the food prepared together," Lin Fu said with a smile. "Although County Magistrate Liang will send silver to Miss Liu's family on time, Miss Liu also has expenses in Jiangning, so remember to withdraw 800 taels from the account every month."

  Lin Tie let Zhao Hu go and fetch ten taels of silver for Liu Yue'er. When Liu Yue'er saw Lin Tie's big hands and feet, she thought to herself: "In Shiliang County, I heard that he was just an unimportant collateral descendant of the Lin family, so it's unlikely that he has much money on him." At this point, she felt a little sorry for him. She thought: "Forget it, I'll help you manage your accounts carefully, and hope to be able to hold out for more days in Jiangning City, best if we can hold out until Liang Zuoren is transferred away from Shiliang County."

  Just then, someone outside knocked on the door. Zhao Hu was about to put down what he had in his hand to take a look when the person outside had already entered the front yard and appeared in front of the hanging flower hall. It turned out to be the pawnshop owner who sold them the house. He had a pointed chin, was thin, and wore a leather hat on this cold day. His head poked out from behind the door of the hanging flower hall, smiling slyly as he said: "I knocked on the door for half a day, no one answered, I thought there was no one at home... Ah, Mr. Lin is actually at home..."

  No one should push the door and come in, let alone walk through the front yard to the main courtyard without a greeting. Lin Xiao thought to himself, indeed, being new here doesn't get much attention. He walked over and asked, "What brings Manager Xiao over? I recall that our business with the pawnshop has been settled..."

  Lin Xie arrived at the entrance of the pawnshop and saw two people standing at the gate, looking inside. Lin Xie looked at the pawnshop owner with a puzzled expression, unsure what they wanted by coming to his place at this time.

  "This is our pawnshop's boss Xiao Mi..." The shopkeeper refused to introduce the middle-aged fat man wearing a brocade robe standing at the front door.

  At this time, the middle-aged fat man walked towards Lin Xiu with a bow and said: "Lin Juren, Xiao has come to disturb you. There is something difficult that I hope Lin Juren can help me with." Another young man, probably an apprentice of the pawnshop, also came in.

  Lin Xie was surprised in his heart: Just last night, he had a falling out with Du Rong at the Chaotian Inn on the north bank of the river, and now this news should not have spread so quickly. Even if Zhou Mi heard something, shouldn't he investigate before rushing to come over?

  Listening to Xiao Mi continue speaking, Lin Xuan only then realized he had completely misjudged him.

  "Has Lin heard of Su Mei, the courtesan of Furong Building?" Xiao Mi asked.

  "Suhua Kui is very famous, how could you not have heard of him......" Lin Xuan nodded, unclear what relationship he had with Su Mei. In Shiliang County, almost everyone knew that he had nearly died at the hands of river pirates because of his infatuation with Su Mei's beauty, all thanks to Zhao Neng's propaganda after escaping back to Shanglin. Moreover, as the only high scorer in this year's imperial examination in Shiliang County, anything that happened to him would naturally attract more attention. However, Lin Xuan did not think that anyone in Jiangning would remember him.

  "I have a friend who is very fond of Su Mei, and today when he invited me to drink, I learned that the pawnshop has a house next to Su Mei's garden. He begged me to transfer this house to him, and I agreed. Only after returning did I know that Lin had already taken possession...". Xiao Mi stood under the flower gate, glanced at the courtyard with his eyes, and explained the purpose of his visit, "My friend is very concerned about face, and has announced that he will host a banquet in this house half a month later. Xiao can't bear to go back on his word, so I came to discuss with Lin - the pawnshop still has several other houses, all of which are auspicious and prosperous. If Lin is still not satisfied, Xiao is willing to return the original 300 taels of silver without moving, and also present a thank-you gift."

  Lin Yibei pursed her lips and didn't speak, seeing the fat man's eyes narrowing as he looked at her, wondering if he had already made up his mind about her or was waiting for her to haggle with him. She thought it wasn't right that Du Rong had hastily invited them over to test their intentions, probably because another family had offered a higher price and they wanted to back out.

  Liu Yu'er listened from behind, her face flushed with anger. She thought to herself: Clearly they were the ones who bought this house and paid in full, what reason does the pawnshop have to come and evict them? Even if they want to return the house, what reason is there to refund the original price? She was worried that Lin Xie was being taken advantage of and wanted to jump up and help him speak.

  "Although it is said that a gentleman has the beauty of a mature person, in fact, I didn't hide anything from you. When I first arrived in Jiangning, I came directly to Yongju Lane to find a house, and I also came because of Su Mei's reputation as the 'Fragrant Queen'. Lin Xuan had just fallen out with Du Rong and vowed not to coexist, but he didn't know what kind of person Xiao Mi was. He didn't want to make too many enemies as soon as he arrived in Jiangning, so he politely declined, "This house on Bianjian Lane is not the only one, perhaps Mr. Xiao can go to other people's doors and ask if they are willing to sell their house to your noble friend."

  "This house was also promised to someone else, and even if there were some small mistakes in the shop, they can't be allowed to continue," Xiao said slowly and reasonably, his facial fat trembling slightly. "If Mr. Lin has any other difficulties, he can bring them up for discussion!"

  In front of him, this fat man put on an attitude that was both giving and not giving, Lin Xuan's eyebrows slightly furrowed, glanced at Zhou Pu in the front yard door and gave a signal to come over, then left again. Lin Xuan knew Zhou Pu had a plan, his eyebrows relaxed, smiling at Xiao Mi, the owner of the pawnshop: "Xiao Caizhong suddenly came to say this, it's a bit unexpected, can we sit for a while first? Let me think about it?"

  Liu Yu'er walked over and stood beside Lin Xie, secretly reaching out to tug on his collar. Lin Xie turned around and asked her, "What's going on?"

  "What's wrong with you pulling my clothes?" Lin Xie turned back and asked Liu Yue'er.

  Lin Xian couldn't understand the hint and foolishly turned back to ask, Liu Yu'er was so angry that she almost burst her belly, thinking that someone had crawled onto his face to pull shit, but he still had such a good temper. Even if you're an outsider, even if you're new here, you can't let others bully you like this!

  Xiao Mi smiled slightly, thinking to herself that this young man was indeed sensible. He was just a scholar from outside the city, and in Jiangning City, there were plenty of people like him, so he wasn't anything special. She narrowed her eyes and said with a smile: "Then I'll wait for a while..."

  Lin ordered Liu Yue'er: "You go and brew three bowls of tea... oh, come four bowls, also brew a bowl of tea for this follower of Old Master Xiao..."

  "The water hasn't even boiled yet, so you'll just have to wait a bit longer." Liu Yu'er stormed off towards the backyard, feeling that Lin Xie was too weak, and the rumors in Shiliang County were not wrong at all.

  Lin Jia invited Xiao Mi and others to sit in the guest hall of the front yard for a while.

  The front yard has a guest hall and a gatehouse, as well as servants' quarters. Generally speaking, it is only a place for guests to wait temporarily when they come to visit, and formal receptions are held in the main hall of the main courtyard.

  Xiao Mi saw that he could get the house back, and didn't bother to argue with Lin Xie about these formalities. He went to the front courtyard's guest hall and looked at the dust on the table and chairs that hadn't been wiped clean yet. Standing there, he said to Lin Xie: "I'll just stand here and wait, you go discuss it with your family quickly..."

  "Not busy, sit for a while." Lin said with a smile all over his face.

  They sat for a while, and then Liu Yu'er brought over the tea after boiling some water. The tea was produced in Shiliang County, and Lin Xie had brought some good tea with him when he left Shiliang County. Looking at the tea leaves floating in the cup, he knew that Liu Yu'er was angry with these three people from the pawnshop, but he just smiled and said nothing.

  Xiao Mi was getting impatient and urged, "If Lin Juren can't make a decision himself, please hurry up and discuss it with his family. It's also getting late, we can't just wait here..."

  Just then, a loud noise was heard, and the courtyard gate was pushed open from outside. Several people were heard entering the yard with a great deal of commotion.

  "Who's come looking for us again?" Lin said with a frown to Liu Yue'er, "Go take a look..."

  Liu Yue'er walked to the door and took a look, then turned back with a shocked face: "It's Master Zhou who brought two people in."

  Lin Tie didn't care about Xiao Mi's surprised face, and walked to the courtyard gate. There he saw Zhou Pu grabbing two people by their collars standing in the yard. They were the two suspicious-looking men who had appeared at the alley entrance earlier. Zhou Pu dragged them into the courtyard and handed them over to Zhao Hu and Chen Enze, who took control of the two men and pressed them to the ground.

  "Master, when I came back, I saw these two people sneaking a peek inside from the doorway, are they thinking of coming in to steal something?" Zhou Pu said, his eyes also scanning over Lin's back at Xiao Mi and others.

  "It doesn't seem like they're here to steal anything," Lin Xuan walked over and took a closer look at the two people who were pinned to the ground, shaking his head as he said this. He turned back to Xiao Mi and asked, "Are they with Old Man Xiao's people?" Compared to his warm and gentle tone from earlier, his words now carried a hint of chill.

  "Not really." Xiao Mi also found it strange.

  "Alright," Lin Xian turned back to instruct Zhou Pu, "Drag them to the backyard and ask who sent them to spy on this place - I, Lin, have only offended Master Du of Qingfeng Merchant House in Jiangning, but no other enemies! If they refuse to speak, break their legs and send them to the government office, accusing them of lurking around with ill intentions!"

  Liu Yue'er never thought that Lin Xian, who was still smiling and trying to please the owner of the pawnshop just a moment before, would suddenly turn cold and ruthless, wanting to break the legs of the two men peeking at the entrance. She was stunned, and before she knew it, Zhou Pu, Zhao Hu, and Chen Enze pounced on the two men like tigers and dragged them to the backyard. As soon as their shadows disappeared from the moon gate, the sound of fists and feet hitting flesh and muffled groans could be heard coming from inside, probably because Zhou Pu and the others couldn't wait to ask questions and had already started beating them up. Liu Yue'er's heart was racing with fear as she listened.

  "Alas, they were supposed to ask questions first, but now they've started using their hands," Lin Xuan shook his head and turned around with a apologetic face to say to Xiao Mi, "These three followers of mine are all country braves, used to catching thieves and bandits in the countryside, they don't care that this is Jiangning City, where killing someone would lead to trouble with the authorities... Ah yes, what were we talking about just now?"

  Xiao Mi and the pawnshop owner looked at each other awkwardly, forcing a smile: "Just catch the thief and send him to the government for punishment... Private punishment is not good, breaking his leg is even more unacceptable."

  "It's nothing, just a matter of paying ten or eight taels of silver! Can I still tolerate others peeking around my house? Lin smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth and looked warmly at the middle-aged fat man in front of him. "By the way, Mr. Xiao just said that you have a friend who is also interested in this house. If he's really sincere, can you ask him to come over and talk?"

  "With sincerity, with sincerity, I'll go back and tell him to talk to Lin Juren directly..." Xiao Mi saw Zhang Ke smiling at her, but his spine felt a chill, only then realizing that the young man in front of her was not someone to be trifled with. She also didn't understand what he meant by "In Jiangning, I've only offended Du Lao Ye from Qingfeng Hang". She no longer dared to express her intention to forcibly buy back this house, "Then we'll take our leave first, sorry for the trouble earlier."

  "Where, where? We were able to find a place to settle down on our first day in Jiangning, all thanks to Mr. Xiao's help from the pawnshop. We'll have to return the favor another time, so we won't keep you today..." Lin Mou very politely sent off Xiao Mì and the other three people from the pawnshop, then closed the front gate and said to Liu Yuèr, "We'll also have to trouble Miss Liu to cook some food, it will be even hungrier later..."

  Liu Yu'er listened to the muffled hum of flesh being punched in the backyard, and was also frightened. She looked at Lin Xuan's calm face as if nothing had happened, seemingly unable to hear Zhou Pu and others secretly punishing those two suspicious men in the backyard. She carefully reminded him: "Will they not be too heavy-handed and cause trouble?"

  "It's okay, they know the measure," Lin said with a smile. "We're new here and it's not very suitable to be too heavy-handed, I'll go and tell them to hold back."

  Liu Yu'er looked at Lin Xie's eager expression, clearly wanting to go over and exercise his fists and legs. She didn't know what to say, thinking to herself: How come he looks so different from the rumors in the county? The three people from the pawnshop were obviously scared off by him with this move.

  Lin Yue'er couldn't manage too much, so she went to the kitchen to cook dinner first. Lin Xian directly went to the backyard.

  Lin Tie didn't want to make enemies all around when he first arrived in Jiangning, but neither did he want to be bullied by others without putting up a fight. Anyway, he had already fallen out with Du Rong at the Chaotian Inn last night, and the people Du sent to spy on him could be used to kill the chicken and scare the monkey. However, in order to kill the chicken and scare the monkey for the pawnshop, they would have to stir up trouble for Du Rong's side.

  Lin tied walked to the backyard, Zhou Pu and others did not use excessive means on those two people. The loud noise just now was to scare the owner and shopkeeper of the pawnshop. He walked over, looking at the two faces that were slapped until their mouths were bleeding, and said: "I have only offended Du Rong of Qingfeng Bank in Jiangning. Are you people from Qingfeng Bank?"