Chapter 151: Moving into the New Home

The results for the academy examination were released, and as expected, Lin Yanbei passed successfully, securing the first-place position.

Master Ge felt this was only natural, but Master Huang was overjoyed, even setting off firecrackers at the entrance of the school to celebrate. With the closure of the Ruwen Academy, the children in town who needed schooling were naturally sent to the Haixing Academy. With an influx of new students and the addition of a genius, Master Huang was naturally in high spirits.

A few days later, Lin Sangqian’s cake shop held its grand opening. The shop operated under the "McKenji" brand, offering a wide array of treats including fruit cakes, egg tarts, cream puffs, and cookies in various flavors, drawing in a bustling crowd.

The Lin family also spent six hundred taels of silver to purchase a large residence on Donglan Lane, near the McKenji shop. When discussing the price, Lin Sangqian had been shocked. She had previously asked a page from the Haixing Academy, and he had claimed that one could buy a house for just over a hundred taels! However, the page was unaware that those prices were from over a decade ago. Nowadays, buying a courtyard would cost at least three or four hundred taels.

Furthermore, the courtyard they purchased was newly built and had never been occupied before, so there was no risk of it being a "haunted house." It was truly spacious—a three-courtyard layout with six rooms, bright and airy, complete with a main hall, a dining hall, a kitchen, and a backyard. In the town, perhaps only the Yu residence could compare. Lin Sangqian was very satisfied. Since she had sufficient funds, she gritted her teeth and bought it.

After moving into their new home, she immediately sent a letter to Lin Hongda. She had obtained his address from General Xiao when he left. However, the location was quite far from the town, and it would likely take a month for Lin Hongda to receive the letter.

The Lin family spent two days moving in with great excitement, followed by a housewarming party. Almost all their friends and relatives attended, including Aunt Wu and Uncle Qin, who brought their families along. However, Guan Yanqing was notably absent.

"Young Master Yu, why isn't Master Guan here?" Lin Sangqian couldn't help but ask.

Yu Jingsiao spat out a chicken bone and said, "He had some business and left town."

"He’s no longer in town?" Lin Sangqian was stunned. "Then... will he come back?" After all, Guan Yanqing was from the capital; his home was not in this town. Perhaps he would never return. Did that mean they would never see each other again?

"I’m not sure," Yu Jingsiao replied. "He has been very busy lately."

Lin Sangqian nodded and said nothing more. With so many people and a feast of dishes, the dining hall was incredibly lively. Uncle Qin was drinking with Aunt Wu’s husband, Lin Wenyan and Zhao Laner were whispering to each other, and Lin Beitao and Xiao Yawen were bickering. Xiao Yawen even slipped a piece of ginger into Lin Beitao’s bowl, tricking him into thinking it was chicken. Lin Beitao’s hands itched with irritation, wanting to pull her braids, but he decided against it—he wouldn't lower himself to the level of a little girl.

Amidst the joy, Liao Shuxia couldn't help but sigh. Their lives were improving, they had moved into such a fine house, their business was flourishing, and her three sons were all dependable. If only Lin Hongda were here.

"Sangqian."

Lin Sangqian turned around to see Wu Kuan standing behind her with a small wine cup. Seeing her look back, he grinned at her.

"Brother Wu Kuan, long time no see," Lin Sangqian said with a smile.

"Indeed," Wu Kuan looked at her. "You seem to have grown a bit taller."

"Is that so? You’ve grown taller too, Brother Wu Kuan; you seem taller than my eldest brother now."

Lin Wenyan, upon hearing this, protested, "I’m still growing!"

"Alright, alright."

"Sister Sangqian, I’ve heard from my mother that you’ve become quite capable, running such a booming business in town. I’ve always wanted to come see you, but I never had the time," Wu Kuan said. "Seeing you move into such a wonderful house, I am happy for you. Let me toast you."

"Thank you, Brother Wu Kuan," Lin Sangqian picked up a cup of red bean milk tea. "If you have time in the future, feel free to come visit us."

"I will."

Yu Jingsiao watched from the side, suddenly feeling annoyed that Guan Yanqing hadn't come today.

"By the way, Third Lin family," Aunt Wu said to Liao Shuxia, "On the day your grandmother was buried, I saw a jade pendant in her house. It looked quite valuable. I meant to keep it and bring it to you when I had the chance, but in the blink of an eye, I don't know who took it."

"A jade pendant? What did it look like?" Liao Shuxia asked. She knew that Old Mrs. Lin had some money, but she had never heard of any jade pendant.

"I didn't get a good look, I just felt it wasn't an ordinary object."

Hearing this, Liao Shuxia didn't pay much mind. "We don't want her things; if someone took it, let them have it."

Aunt Wu nodded and asked, "Has your Third Lin written back yet?"

"Not yet. We just sent a letter to him; it will take at least two months for him to receive it and send a reply," Liao Shuxia said disappointedly.

Aunt Wu sighed. "You have to wonder why he had to leave... My boy Wu Kuan is the same; he’s been clamoring to join the army these past few days. If I hadn't stopped him, he would have run off already! But I’m terrified—I can stop him for a moment, but can I stop him for a lifetime?"

Aunt Wu’s worries were well-founded. Two months later, on the day Lin Sangqian received the reply from Lin Hongda, Wu Kuan snuck out of his home, leaving only a letter for his parents saying he had joined the army and asking them not to worry. Aunt Wu was so angry she cried and cursed at home, eventually resorting to praying daily for her son’s safe return.

"Mother, Father has written back!"

As soon as Lin Sangqian called out, Liao Shuxia rushed out of the room, impatiently taking the letter and tearing it open.

Lin Hongda wrote that he had arrived at the border between the Great Yao Kingdom and Yidian with General Xiao. He had adjusted well and told them not to worry about him, to live their lives well, adding that he missed his family and the food his daughter cooked. The war had not broken out yet, but the Yidian people had become increasingly arrogant, even sending troops to launch sneak attacks several times, all of which had been repelled.

Liao Shuxia cried again. Lin Hongda’s letter was very long, and she read it over and over again.

Lin Sangqian was wiping away tears with Liao Shuxia when she suddenly heard a knock at the door. Xiao Yawen wiped the corners of her eyes and ran over to open it, only to be startled by the crowd outside, instinctively calling out, "Sister Sangqian!"

"What is it?" Lin Sangqian wiped her eyes and walked over.

"Miss Lin! Oh my, I thought I had come to the wrong door."

The person who arrived was none other than Madam Cheng, one of Kang Ya’s fair-weather friends, and behind her were nearly a dozen other people.