Liu Yu'er walked in and said that the wine table was ready, please ask Lin Xuan and everyone to move over to take their seats. Zhao Shuhan looked at Liu Yu'er's beautiful face and quickly stood up to pay his respects: "Mrs. Lin, Shuhan has disturbed you..."

  Liu Yu'er was stunned for a moment, and suddenly her face turned red with embarrassment. She glanced at Lin Xie and saw that he also had a smile on his face, which made her even more embarrassed. She couldn't believe that just before the New Year's festival, she had changed into new clothes but ended up in such an awkward situation. Although it was both embarrassing and shameful, she still lowered her head and quietly reminded Zhao Shuhan: "Young Master is currently single and has not yet married, I am just a maid servant of the Lin family."

  "Ah," Zhao Shuhan only then realized his mistake, and with a smile towards Lin Xie, said, "I didn't expect Brother Lin to be so young and accomplished yet still unmarried. I wonder which family's daughter is worthy of entering Brother Lin's sights?"

  "My parents passed away early, and no one can replace them to take care of me. Besides, I only have the mind to do things now, and I don't want to be bothered with romantic feelings," Lin Fu said.

  At that time, people were still in the habit of marrying early. Girls who were 14 or 15 years old and already discussing marriage were common, and even if their families didn't want to let them go, it was rare for a girl to be over 18 before getting married. Men were only slightly older than women, and someone like Lin Xian who had not yet married at the age of 20 was in the minority.

  Lin Xian's personality used to be weak and timid, but he also had a stubborn streak and refused to marry an ordinary farm girl. He was determined to pursue his studies and seek fame. Now, as a man reborn into a new life, his thoughts were even more incomprehensible to others.

  Firstly, he thought that men marrying at 20 was still too early. Secondly, he didn't feel right about taking advantage of a 16 or 17-year-old girl who had not yet fully grown up. Having been influenced by modern civilization, he appreciated the beauty of a mature woman even more.

  With this in mind, he found Liu Yue'er to be truly captivating. The full and rounded beauty she possessed was something that an immature girl could never match. Thinking carefully, Liu Yue'er would only be 22 years old after the New Year's festival. In modern society, this age would be considered the prime of youth, the perfect time for a woman to showcase her beauty.

  Lin Xian glanced at Liu Yue'er's lightly flushed face under the lamp and smiled as he invited Zhao Shuhan to move to the main hall for dinner.

  Liu Yu'er felt Lin Xie's gaze on her, and her face turned even redder. She didn't dare to look at Lin Xie again; Lin Jingzhong and Qian Xiaowu couldn't help but burst out laughing, making Liu Yu'er even more embarrassed, so she asked Yunniang, Qian Xiaowu's wife, to prepare the wine and dishes.

  Zhao Shuhan didn't feel much embarrassment, he saw that the Lin family treated Liu Yue'er with great respect, and Liu Yue'er came and went in the hall with ease. He was convinced that she had a special relationship with Lin Xuan. In a large household, it's normal for the master to take a concubine before marrying a wife. He thought Liu Yue'er was just too embarrassed to admit it, but he treated her with great respect in his words and actions. This made Liu Yue'er even more shy and uncomfortable, after all, she couldn't explain that she was still a chaste young widow.

  After taking their seats, Lin Xie and Zhao Shuhan also had a lively discussion about the miscellaneous arts and crafts of the world in between their seats.

  Zhao Shuhan was not from a prominent background, otherwise he would not have been kicked out of Yanjing for such trivial matters. However, Zhao Shuhan achieved excellent results in the 4th year of Chongguan's Enke, ranking 7th in the imperial examination and 4th in the second-class examination, which was due to his solid learning and outstanding talent that surpassed ordinary people.

  Lin Jingzhong, even if he didn't pass the imperial examination, was not one to easily yield to others. At the banquet, he listened with admiration as Zhao Shuhan expounded on his grand theories, and couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. He continued to listen intently as Lin Xian discussed with him, unable to interject even a word. On the other hand, Qian Xiaowu, who had entered school at a young age and was exceptionally intelligent, having spent many years mingling in the streets, was well-versed in various skills and crafts. He was dragged into the banquet by Lin Xian, initially feeling somewhat constrained, but later became entranced by the conversation and couldn't help but interject a few words. Zhou Pu and Wu Qi, although not well-read, had seen more of the world than anyone present, and knew to keep a low profile and speak little. However, when they did occasionally say something, it was always remarkably apt.

  A round of wine, the wine has been warmed up four or five times, Zhao Shuhan, a person who is not usually good at drinking, is in high spirits and can't get drunk. He excitedly said: "I originally thought that only Lin brother was a man of great knowledge and insight, but I didn't expect that Lin brother's family members were also extraordinary in their knowledge and learning. In the city of Jiangning, there are countless grand mansions and deep courtyards. If we talk about the number one scholar, no one can surpass Jicunlou..."

  Lin tied up in laughter and said, "They are somewhat experienced, but how can they compare to Brother Zhao's vast knowledge? Please, Brother Zhao, do not hesitate to visit my humble abode often and impart your teachings..."

  "I dare not accept your teachings, but I still want to ask Brother Lin for guidance. As for visiting you, why wait until later...” Zhao Shuhan was also a straightforward person and chatted freely, unwilling to bid farewell and leave. "As for copying the manuscript, I can help with that too."

  The Jiangning Penal Department was originally a deserted government office, and if one didn't go there for several days, no one would ask about it.

  Lin tied up and let Liu Yue'er warm some wine to the wing room, Qian Xiao Wu and Chen Enze continued to copy books, he and Zhao Shuhan, Lin Jingzhong continued to discuss miscellaneous studies.

  The miscellaneous arts and crafts are all-encompassing, and it's true that a person who dabbles in them can't finish discussing them even after several nights. Lin Xie started by having Zhao Hu send his old servant Cheng Bo back with the carriage, while he prepared a guest room for Zhao Shuhan on this side. Lin Jingzhong couldn't hold out any longer and went to sleep first, and Qian Xiaowu and Chen Enze were also too tired from copying books and went to sleep. Lin Xie talked with Zhao Shuhan all night, and by the time the sky was getting light, they still had a strong desire to talk and didn't feel sleepy at all. Liu Yu'er stayed up all night in the next room, trimming the wick of the oil lamp, warming wine, and brewing tea for them. When Zhao Shuhan got up to relieve himself, she couldn't hold out any longer either, and with a few nods, she fell asleep on Lin Xie's body. Lin Xie gently patted her shoulder: "You go sleep first, we can handle things ourselves..."

  Liu Yue'er looked up at Lin Xie's face for a moment, before realizing she was leaning on his shoulder. She sat up straight, feeling embarrassed, and said: "Young Master and Lord Zhao are truly learned men, I was completely absorbed in their conversation - I remember hearing a story about a fox spirit who envied a scholar's knowledge, so she transformed into a human and became his servant, just so she could listen to him discuss learning with others every day. At the time, I thought that fox spirit was really lucky." She hesitated, not wanting to call herself "concubine" again, yet afraid that calling herself "Yue'er" would make Lin Xie think her frivolous. Her eyes fixed on Lin Xie under the lamp, with a hint of inexplicable expectation.

  "You also want to be this fox spirit?" Lin Xuan asked with a smile.

  "Fox spirit is a scolding word..." Liu Yu'er's face turned red as she said, touching the tea cup in front of Lin, feeling that it had gone cold, and said, "Yu'er will brew another cup of strong tea for Master Lin and Lord Zhao." She got up to help Lin and the others boil water and brew tea. Lin looked at her walking away, although her hips were covered by her skirt, but her slender waist was like a willow, elegant and charming, with her hair styled in a high bun, revealing some snow-white skin on her neck, which was very captivating. In his heart, he secretly thought that it's no wonder the ancients would fantasize about the romance of adding fragrance to sleeves, this feeling is really not bad.

  Zhao Shuhan returned from relieving himself, feeling refreshed and said: "The sky outside looks like it's going to snow in the next two days..." He sat down with Lin Fu to continue their previous conversation. On the other side, Yunniang woke up and took over for Liu Yue'er to sleep. After Lin Fu and Zhao Shuhan finished breakfast, they instructed Zhao Hu to prepare the carriage to send Zhao Shuhan back to the mansion to rest.

  Lin tied up Zhao Shuhan and sent him out of the front yard, bidding farewell to him at the gate.

  At this moment, two luxurious carriages drove in from the alley entrance under the escort of seven or eight guards. Lin Xuan and Zhao Shuhan stood curiously at the gate of the mansion, watching as the carriages stopped in front of them, and saw Jin An Hou Jiang Ning's envoy, Xi Wen Zhuang's second son, Xi Fei Hu, get out of the carriage first by lifting the curtain.

  "Lin Juzi is safe and sound, but Fei Hu has come to disturb him. Last night, he said he would visit to thank him, and Fei Hu did not dare forget." Fei Hu wore a suit of brocade clothes and got out of the carriage to bow to Lin Xian. He also took a glance at Zhao Shuhan, but didn't know that there was an even earlier visitor in the Lin residence today.

  At this moment, Song Jia and Xi Mingyue also got out of the carriage with the support of the maid, and came to Lin Xuan to pay their respects: "I, Xi Songshi, and my younger sister Mingyue have come to thank you, Lin Xuan, for your kindness in saving us the other day..."

  Lin Mo didn't expect Xie Feihu and Madam Xie to come visiting so early, saying: "Young Master is being polite," introducing Zhao Shuhan beside him to Xie Feihu and Madam Xie, smiling: "This is the Minister of Justice from Jiangning, Mr. Zhao, Lin Mo was chatting with Mr. Zhao till late at night, just had his family send a carriage to see Mr. Zhao off..."

  "Zhao Shuhan, Lord Zhao......" Xie Feihu asked uncertainly.

  "I've met Young Master Shao," Zhao Shuhan was somewhat surprised that the second son of the Xiao family knew his name, and he replied with a slight bow. He then said to Lin Xie, "I won't disturb Brother Lin's gathering anymore. I'll take my leave now and come back to visit you after I've rested at home. Please don't think I'm being too bothersome, Brother Lin."

  "Lin is tied up at home, respectfully waiting for Brother Zhao." Lin said, he first sent Zhao Shuhan to the horse-drawn carriage, watching as the carriage left the alley entrance, before leading Xia Feihu and the Xia family's sisters-in-law into the house.

  The main hall was the only place to receive guests, where Lin Xie had a conversation with Zhao Shuhan all night. Lin Xie could only invite Xia Feihu and others into the reception room, and let Yunniang clean up the remaining tea, wine, manuscripts, paper and ink on the desk.

  Xue Fei Hu was shocked by all this, he came to Jiangning, Du Rong gave him a list of people who were disappointed in Jiangning but had great talent. Zhao Shuhan, the head of the Criminal Department of Jiangning, was listed third, but unexpectedly, Lin Xie and Zhao Shuhan's relationship had already reached the point of secretly meeting at night. It seems that Lin Xie is not to be underestimated. When Song Jia came over, he insisted on preparing a generous gift, it seems that he has more foresight than himself. Du Rong still underestimated Lin Xie, and did not include him in the list.

  Du Rong's list, Song Jia had also seen it. She looked at Lin Xie and Zhao Shuhan, who had just left, both of whom were in high spirits. It seemed that they had talked all night and were still on a roll. This also indirectly showed that Lin Xie's talent had reached the level where he could discuss with Zhao Shuhan face to face. As she watched the Lin family maid clean up the manuscript and writing utensils, she said: "I heard about Director Zhao's talent when I was in Jinan, but I didn't know what Lin Junzi discussed with Director Zhao all night..." A pair of beautiful eyes stared at the manuscript in Yunniang's hand, eager to read an article by a true Jiangning scholar.

  Lin Xie would not leak the content of his thorough conversation with Zhao Shuhan to the Xi family, and when he didn't understand the gaze of Xi Feihu's wife, he smiled and said: "Drinking wine, drinking tea, and nonsense...not suitable for Young Master Xi's ears..." Yunniang quickly picked up the scattered pages of the manuscript. He thought that after Xi Feihu arrived in Jiangning, he would definitely spend his mind searching for talents for the Xi family, and although Zhao Shuhan was struggling in the cold government office, he was a man with real talent and learning. It was not surprising at all that Xi Feihu knew his name.

  Song Jia wasn't one to give up easily, and Lin Xie didn't want to, which didn't mean she wouldn't take matters into her own hands. She saw a piece of paper on the ground and bent down to pick it up with her slender fingers. On the paper were two different handwriting styles, although she couldn't tell which one was written by Zhao Shuhan and which one was written by Lin Xie. The handwriting was rough, but both had a flowing style, showing that both men had great skill in calligraphy. Song Jia didn't care about such trivial skills as calligraphy, so she carefully examined the text on the paper, only to find that it was discussing the issue of grain transportation and supply. Although she couldn't tell which paragraph was written by Zhao Shuhan and which one was written by Lin Xie, all the paragraphs were very well-written, with unique insights into the matter of grain transportation and supply. Smiling, Song Jia said to Lin Xie, "I'm even more curious now, what exactly did you and Director Zhao discuss?"

  Lin stretched out his hand to take the paper, feeling that Qi Fei Hu's wife had also used force in her hand. If she used more force, she might tear the paper apart. He thought to himself, "This woman is beautiful and strong-willed, why does she want to grab the manuscript away from me?" He didn't let go of his grip, his eyes fixed on Song Jia's captivating gaze, and smiled: "Young Madam is really curious, men's idle chatter about romance, Young Madam also wants to know?"

  Song Jia then let go, smiling and saying: "Lin Junzi really has something that can't be told to outsiders, I won't ask again if you don't want me to know." Her eyes glanced at the large stack of manuscripts in Yunniang's hand, wondering what kind of great knowledge was hidden inside. Of course, she also knew that it would be better to win people over and have them work for the Zhao family than to try to seize the manuscripts by force.

  Lin Tie handed over the manuscript pages to Yun Niang, letting her keep safe the draft of his conversation with Zhao Shuhan last night and Zhao Shuhan's prison letters.

  *****************

  P.S: Seeking red envelopes and collections.