NOVEL NEXT Chapter 65: The Simple Youth
Chapter 65: The Simple Youth
Xu Lian rode his black horse, following Lin Chengyu’s chestnut horse to the city gate. He dismounted, led his horse, and queued up to enter the city. After paying ten coins, they were allowed to enter. Of course, Lin Chengyu paid because Xu Lian was the “guest”.
From this, it was evident that the Lin family was not particularly powerful in Pingyang County; otherwise, the guards at the city gate would have recognized Lin Chengyu and wouldn’t have required him to pay.
Upon entering the city, Xu Lian’s eyes lit up. In the center of the city, there was a towering tree that looked like a huge canopy. Its branches were robust, resembling dragons, and its leaves were colorful, each with a unique shape. Some leaves resembled lying silkworms, others flying birds, and some walking beasts, a truly wondrous sight.
From a distance, he could smell the fragrance, feeling his pores relax and his spirit refreshed. This was undoubtedly the Spirit Tree.
The streets were circular, like spring rolls, wrapped in concentric rings around the Spirit Tree.
“Manager Xu, follow me.”
Lin Chengyu remounted his horse.
Xu Lian also followed on his horse.
After passing through a few circular streets, they stopped in front of a house with a vermilion-painted gate.
Xu Lian looked up at the plaque above the gate, which read “Lin Residence” in bold, powerful characters, the strokes as strong as iron and silver, exuding a grand presence.
“This is my home.”
Lin Chengyu handed the reins to the gatekeeper and led Xu Lian inside.
Xu Lian curiously examined the Lin family’s mansion, with its green trees, emerald grass, artificial mountains, lotus ponds, pavilions, and corridors reminiscent of the ancient Jiangnan gardens.
They arrived at the living room, where they drank tea for a while. An old man dressed like a butler came in, and Lin Chengyu asked, “Grandpa Fu, where are my parents and elder sister?
The old butler replied, “Young Master, Madam, and Miss have rented a spirit house on First Street and won’t be back for a few days.”
First Street, rented spirit house?
Xu Lian keenly noticed that First Street must be the street closest to the spirit tree. It seemed that the houses there weren’t ordinary, and even a family like the Lin family couldn’t afford to buy one, and only rented a room for cultivation.
Lin Chengyu gestured toward Xu Lian, “This is a friend who returned from Green Bamboo Town with me. He will stay at home for a few days. Grandpa Fu, please make the necessary arrangements.”
The old butler replied, “Very well.”
After chatting with Xu Lian for a while, Lin Chengyu left. He and Xu Lian weren’t very familiar, having only met once during the hunt in Green Bamboo Town and shared a drink on the boat back. There was no need for him to stay with Xu Lian all the time.
Xu Lian thanked the old butler and followed him out of the living room.
The old butler led Xu Lian to a small courtyard on the west side of the mansion. The courtyard housed guest rooms, a common feature in such large households, making it convenient for guests.
The old butler looked quite old, around seventy, with dim eyes and a slow gait, but he was very talkative. He asked Xu Lian various questions about his name, age, and hometown.
Xu Lian answered one by one, “Xu Lian, seventeen years old, from Green Bamboo Town.”
“You’re not one of those who returned from Green Bamboo Town, but a local there?”
The old butler paused, his gaze a bit strange. “Aren’t the locals in Green Bamboo Town not allowed to leave town?”
Then he seemed to remember something, and lightly tapped his wrinkled forehead. “I forgot that Master has a pass. You must have snuck into town with Master to find work, right? To earn money?”
Self-interpretation can be quite fatal… Xu Lian didn’t know what to say, but his trip was indeed to “make money”, the kind used by cultivators. “Something like that.”
The old butler smiled. “I heard that the men in Green Bamboo Town work hard every day to earn food to support their families, and the women have to bleed every night for the night patrol. It’s not easy. You’ve been lucky to sneak into the county with Master, such a noble person.
Work hard in the city for a few years, save some silver, and when you return to Green Bamboo Town, you’ll be a wealthy household. You can choose any woman you like, and good times will come.”
“..”Xu Lian replied, “You’re right.”
The old butler kindly said, “But it’s not easy to find work and make money in this county. Every profession has its challenges. Our young master is a good man. I think you should ask him to let you stay at the Lin residence as a servant or gardener. Work for seven or eight years, save some silver, and when you return to Green Bamboo Town, you’ll be able to live a prosperous life.”
Does this old man have poor eyesight? I’m a handsome young man, not a servant… Xu Lian’s face darkened and he didn’t want to speak anymore.
They arrived at the west courtyard, which was empty with no other guests. The old butler took out a key and casually opened a room, “You can stay here.”
Xu Lian looked around. The furniture was immaculate, and the bedding was clean and neat, obviously maintained by the maids on a regular basis. “Alright, thank you.”
However, the old butler didn’t leave. He followed him inside and closed the door, as if he had something confidential to say.
Xu Lian was speechless. How long has it been since this house had guests… The old man seemed to be overly enthusiastic.
The old butler said, “I’ve been in this family for decades, starting as the old master’s butler. I’ve watched the young master, the second lady, and the young lady grow up. To me, they’re like my own grandchildren.
The young master has a good cultivation talent and has already reached the Muscle Refining Stage in his early twenties. He has the potential to become a disciple of the Yi sect and doesn’t need to rush into marriage.
The second lady married into a family in the city and became a young lady. Once the old master and madam of that family pass away, she will be in charge, and her future looks promising.
The one I’m most worried about is the young lady. She was once a dao companion of a talented wandering cultivator. But without the support of a family, cultivation is not easy. He fought his way through a critical stage with insufficient resources and ended up dying. The young lady was left alone and had to return to her family.”
Old man, stop talking!
If you continue, I’ll know all the secrets of the Lin family… Xu Lian said suspiciously, “Old man, why are you telling me all this?”
The old butler pointed at Xu Lian’s head, “You country people are so simple-minded and slow to understand.”
“..”Xu Lian could only bow, “I really can’t understand the meaning behind your words, old man.”
The old butler said, “The young lady has already been with one man, so she can’t marry into a wealthy family in the city. Besides, she looks down on ordinary workers. She’s already twenty-eight and still lives at home.
I see you as a handsome young man with good looks. If you work hard and are quick-witted, perhaps the master and madam will take a liking to you and take you in as the young lady’s son-in-law. It’s not impossible.”
Xu Lian finally understood. It seemed like the old butler was thinking too much. It’s understandable for old people to worry like that.
Seeing that Xu Lian didn’t show much reaction, the old butler thought that he had some reservations. “Don’t look down on the young lady just because she was with a man and is eleven years older than you. She has been practicing martial arts since childhood and has an excellent figure. If you, a poor boy, were to marry her, it would be a great thing. You’ll smile in your dreams.”
When you’re young, you don’t appreciate the advantages of a wealthy woman and mistakenly value a young girl… Xu Lian understood that, but he had just come to stay with the Lin family, and it didn’t feel right to start thinking about the young lady.
Xu Lian sternly said, “Old man, I understand your concern for the young lady who lives alone without a husband. However, I’ve never met her, and she’s never met me. You don’t know me very well either. It’s not a good idea to arrange such a marriage without proper understanding.”
The old butler had his own reasoning, “The young master is well-educated and principled. The people he brings home must be of good character. I’m not blind, and I can see that you are dressed simply and behave properly. You look like a simple and honest person, not a scoundrel. That’s why I thought of introducing you to the young lady.
When the young lady returns in a few days, you’ll see her. She often practices martial arts in the courtyard. You can go there and meet her.
After you see her, you can think about it while you sleep. Raise your pillow a little and think about it carefully.
When you’ve made up your mind, let me know, and I’ll talk to the master and mistress. I still have some influence in this family.”
Isn’t it possible that the young master didn’t bring me here, but I came on my own? Xu Lian said, “All right, all right, old man. I understand. You can go now.”
Watching the old butler open the door and walk out unsteadily, Xu Lian was truly afraid that he might fall. At his age, it’s not easy to worry about the younger generation.