Chapter 266: Chapter 233: Xia Zhu’s Choice

Crackling sounds...

Auspicious day selected. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Moving in; no, it should be returning home in celebration.

The newly refurbished Lin Estate gates appeared brand new, as Lin Miao now held an official position, stone pedestals could be installed at the entrance.

These pedestals carry significance; civil officials use square ones, with carvings of patterns. Lower ranks have carp or deer, while higher ranks have lions. Military officials use drum-shaped ones.

Though Lin Miao was just a seventh-rank official in title, he could use these stone pedestals. Indifferent to high-ranking aspirations, he had carp carved for good fortune at the gate.

The carp leaping over the dragon gate is certainly an auspicious sign.

Upon entering, a spirit screen with celestial birds in frolic greeted.

The courtyard, complete with covered corridors, had newly laid blue bricks, with an upgraded drainage system, converting open channels to hidden ones.

The front yard saw little change.

Yet Lin Miao had the well completely filled, sensing misfortune, he deemed it unnecessary and harmful to feng shui.

Above the well, Lin Miao placed an Eight Diagrams Mirror as a psychological comfort.

The back courtyard dramatically changed, nearly rebuilt, incorporating the neighboring Huaye Tower’s backyard, doubling Lin Estate’s space.

This formed the south and north courtyards.

Removing the original subordinate buildings of Lin Estate, he repurposed the space for small buildings, relocating the outbuildings to the larger north courtyard.

With the sides connected, the garden moved to the center, reducing the pool but expanding the flowerbed.

Formerly single-story houses now become two-story buildings, adding more rooms, making living more spacious and comfortable.

Sun Youwei resided alone in a small building, though not entirely alone, accompanied by Yu Zhu and Ling Yu’Er.

The others resided in one building.

The north courtyard’s construction remained incomplete, with two small buildings and an unfinished Lin Miao dedicated martial arts arena.

The project, though small, entailed tedious tasks requiring step-by-step completion, consuming considerable effort.

Having silver in hand, it was fitting to improve one’s living space.

This wasn’t a new dwelling; Lin Miao dispensed with inviting numerous friends and family, opting for a simple ceremony, inviting his master’s memorial tablet back to the home’s Buddha hall, then with Sun Youwei performing triple bows—thus concluding it.

Come evening, it was a family banquet with three tables.

Many came unsolicited: Master Xu An and Xu Qixi, along with Xia Yuan and daughter, even Lady Ah Luo attended, including Xia Zhu’s fiancé Shen Haidong.

Adding Guan Biyun, Lien Yurou and master, Mr. Jia and Huo, followed by Cui Wanquan, who felt somewhat obliged and gracefully declined.

Thus, it was no loss for not everyone to attend.

The Huaye Tower chefs, under Lady Luu Wan’s guidance, prepared the meal for all, which served as a grand rehearsal before the establishment’s opening.

After the feast, Lin Miao personally escorted each guest to the gate.

Standing in the forecourt’s center.

Lin Miao couldn’t help but feel moved; nearly a year had passed since he traversed to this world, now finally possessing a home of his own.

This marked his first established property in this new world.

The beginning of escaping a life of hardship and survival struggles in the countryside.

"Lianxin, the sword!"

"Master!" Without hesitation, Lianxin threw her long sword over.

A burst of cold light.

The long sword was drawn!

"In drunkenness, under the lamp, I watch the sword, dreaming of the bugle calls at the encampment..." Lin Miao, in high spirits, began performing the Drunken Sword routine.

Sword light danced, and starlight shimmered. Buoyed by alcohol, Lin Miao’s performance of the Drunken Sword was unexpectedly masterful.

Lianxin and Liansuo, both adept in swordplay, recognized the extraordinary swordsmanship, spotting hidden lethality in what seemed like chaotic steps, with every move laden with deadly intent.

"Sister..."

"Hush, watch the master’s sword moves!" Lianxin, eyes brimming with brilliance, quickly stopped Liansuo from interrupting.

"Lianxin, Liansuo, watch, I’ll perform the Yue Maiden Sword for you..."

"Has the master had too much to drink today?"

"It’s good that the master has had too much; otherwise, how could we learn such exquisite swordsmanship!"

"But how does the master know so much profound swordsmanship, and she hasn’t practiced..." Liansuo, curious and puzzled, asked.

"The master is a genius of the age, not for us to fathom," Lianxin, with simpler skepticism than Liansuo, preferred not to dwell on incomprehensible matters.

"Enough flattery; have you used the python’s blood?"

"Master, without you to protect, we’re hesitant to use it. Mr. Xie shouted all night; we heard everything..." Liansuo stated.

"Mr. Xie shouted all night?" Lin Miao doubted his ears; when Mr. Xie used it, he was guarding and though Mr. Xie shouted in pain, it wasn’t all night.

"Sister..."

"Regardless, we’re nervous, master, would you protect us?" Liansuo proposed.

As Lianxin went to speak, she sensed her sister’s intention, hesitated and fell silent.

"It’s not quite proper, you’re women, I’m a man, how about I let Xia Zhu protect you?" Lin Miao thought briefly, Xia Zhu was a fitting choice, being a woman, knowledgeable in acupuncture, and adept in martial arts.

"Lady Xia Zhu is only one person, and we’re two..."

"Can’t you go one by one?"

"If we go one by one, wouldn’t each have to endure it twice..."

"Then let’s say I’m protecting you, I am still just one person!"

"You alone can account for two people."

"No, no, there are differences between men and women; let Xia Zhu protect you instead..." Lin Miao shook his head and refused directly.

...

"Sis, what do we do?"

"Sister, might we have been too forward and scared off the young master?" Lianxin asked.

"I think the young master isn’t interested in us. If it were someone else, they would have eagerly agreed by now." Liansuo analyzed.

"The young master is a true gentleman, doesn’t that make him the one we should entrust our lives to?"

"But the young master already has Youwei, and that skilled enchanting girl, so what are we?" Liansuo asked again.

"Consider us concubines."

"You’re the concubine..."

"Sis, I don’t want to live separately from you. It’s nice for us to live in one room."

"No way, from now on, we’ll have to live separately. You’ll sleep in your room, and I’ll sleep in mine. Surely, we can’t spend our whole lives sleeping together?"

"Why not? Anyway, we’ll both be married to the same person in the future. When the time comes, we’ll sleep with the young master together; you on his left side and me on his right..."

"Aren’t you embarrassed!"

...

Lin Miao took the opportunity to eavesdrop on the two sisters and heard such a sensational topic, he nearly missed his step on the stairs, almost stepping into nothing.

These two girls are actually plotting about him.

What should he do?

He’s not stupid; he can tell from the women’s looks around him how they feel about him, but some things, once exposed, can become problematic.

He’s not the kind of person who just greedily monopolizes good women for himself. Besides, feelings can often stem from mere impulse or admiration; during love, everything seems sweet, but when it comes to actually being together, many times things turn messy.

If he were to adhere to the standards of his original world, he’d certainly be a scoundrel, eating from one pot while eyeing another, having an unclear relationship with two women aside from a fiancée.

But in this world, there’s no moral burden like that, yet one can’t simply hoard everything they fancy.

Letting things take their natural course would be best.

However, he could tell Lianxin and Liansuo also had feelings for him; otherwise, they wouldn’t have asked him to be their protector so willingly.

But he could not casually agree.

This matter is not trivial; becoming physically involved during the protection process means he would bear responsibility.

Lianxin and Liansuo are prestigious students from the Snow Mountain Sect; they are not to be married off lightly. Even if they agree to marry you, the conditions probably wouldn’t be easy.

Therefore, it’s best to avoid being alone together and steer clear of suspicion.

...

At the Xia Residence.

After Xia Zhu escorted her father to his room to rest, she went to her mother’s room.

Ever since her mother had a near-death experience last time, her health has been recovering well, thanks to Xia Yuan staying at home for three months to care for her.

With regular medication, rest, and Xia Zhu’s occasional acupuncture treatments, her mother’s condition has actually improved from before.

"Mom, let’s drink the medicinal soup." Xia Zhu brought a bowl of herbal decoction in and spoke beside her mother’s bed.

"Xia Zhu, may I ask you something?"

"Mom, what is it?"

"Xia Zhu, what’s the story with you and Dongzi? While you haven’t formally engaged, the birth dates have been exchanged, it means the engagement has been settled. You are not young anymore; it’s time to finalize the marriage?" Xia Zhu’s mother spoke.

"Mom, I am not inclined to marry now." Xia Zhu thought for a moment and replied slowly.

"Why not, is it because of your master?"

"No, it’s not due to Mr. Lin." Xia Zhu hurriedly denied.

"Xia Zhu, you’ve already become a disciple to Lin Miao, don’t entertain unworthy thoughts. Besides, with your age now, would anyone want you?"

"Mom, what are you talking about, how could I have such thoughts?" Upon hearing this, Xia Zhu realized her mother misunderstood her.

"You claim you have no such thoughts, so why not finalize the marriage with Dongzi? You know, Dongzi grew up watched by your mom, following your dad in learning medicine. His mom is even related to yours. How will I face family about this?" Her mother questioned.

"Mom, agreeing to marry Five Senior Brother was a convenient decision. If it weren’t for Dad’s condition, I wouldn’t have taken Mr. Lin as a teacher, thus I wouldn’t have agreed." Xia Zhu replied.

"Xia Zhu, one cannot stand without trust; since you have agreed, you must fulfill it. You regret now; what face will you give your mom and dad?"

"You know, marriage isn’t a trivial matter. If lacking genuine feelings, two people together won’t find happiness. I only have sibling affection for Haidong, not romantic feelings," Xia Zhu gathered her courage to explain.

"When your dad and I married, we had only met once. Yet, we shared love for decades. This kind of affection can be cultivated."

"Mom, forced relationships don’t develop sweetness naturally. I wouldn’t want to delay Haidong either, I’ll speak to him proactively." Xia Zhu said.

"Xia Zhu, are you trying to anger your mom to death..."

"Mom, Haidong needs a wife who can stay home to support the family, and I am not that." Xia Zhu said emphatically.

This was why Xia Zhu hesitated to be with Shen Haidong.

Although Shen Haidong follows Xia Yuan in learning medicine, in essence, he is a traditional man. While he doesn’t oppose Xia Zhu studying medicine, in fact, he has no right to, still, he hopes Xia Zhu, after marriage, wouldn’t work outside, but stay home as a wife, bearing children as suffice.

It is the duty of a man to earn and support the family.

If that were the case, why would Xia Zhu insist on participating in the medical examination and stubbornly seek apprenticeship under Lin Miao?

She is someone with a passion for medicine, committed to healing and saving lives, and Shen Haidong wishes to bind her to the home, which she absolutely refuses.