The Grand Secretary's Child-Raising Diary

After the Lin family's case concluded, what people talked about wasn't the fates of the Qin and Zhao families, but rather another name: "Lin Quan."

Wherever you go—in restaurants and teahouses—you can hear people praising Lin Xiucai for his kindness and righteousness.

A middle-aged man dressed as a scholar, wearing a square scarf, said: "I never knew that Lin Quan was an adopted son of the Lin family. Such a grateful person is a model for us scholars."

The person at the table nodded in agreement: "We've heard that Mr. Lin is currently staying at a small temple outside the city. Why don't we go and pay him a visit?"

This suggestion was immediately met with agreement. The group called the waiter for their bill and hurried off towards the city outskirts.

Ning Feiyuan leaned against the second-floor railing and took in the whole scene. After watching the scholars leave, he turned around and muttered to himself, "These people really do believe anything they hear."

Hearing him speak, Yang Jinshu glanced down before saying, "My father said that if this scholar Lin can pass the imperial examination smoothly in the future, he will definitely be a good candidate to become an imperial censor."

Lu Youning asked curiously, "Why?"

Yang Jinshu thought for a moment: "Perhaps it's because he is resilient and unafraid of authority."

Because of his connection with the Qin family, Lu Youning had heard a lot about Lin Quan recently. He wanted to ask him a few more questions, but just then the food and wine were served, so he kept quiet.

Xiao Shubai did not forget the purpose of their gathering at Yaohuang Pavilion today. He took out a prepared calligraphy from his sleeve and unfolded it in front of him: "Xielufang, what do you think of this name? I carefully selected it from more than a dozen options after thinking about it for a long time."

Meng Yue and the others knew that Lu Youning and Xiao Shubai were going to open Xianglufang, but they were still young masters in a greenhouse, and none of them knew that running a business was not so easy.

Everyone was full of praise, with Ning Feiyuan being the most exaggerated and thinking the longest: "Ning, Xiaobai's Dew Gathering Workshop sounds pretty good. It will definitely make a lot of money. In the future, when I join the army and go to the north, if there is a shortage of military pay, you will all be counting on you."

These words almost left the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War of the Great Qian Dynasty speechless.

Xiao Shubai patted his chest: "Ning Feiyuan, don't worry, leave it to me and A-Ning."

Ning Feiyuan laughed heartily and turned to look at Lu Youning expectantly. Lu Youning, never one to spoil the fun, patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, leave it to me and Xiaobai."

Ning Feiyuan grinned as if he were already a war god protecting the peace of the North.

Yang Jinshu was the most earnest in his praise: "Xielufang is both practical and elegant. Shu Bai Aning, your shop will surely be a booming business, making a fortune every day."

Xiao Shubai slapped his thigh: "You have good taste." Then, after searching around, he picked up a piece of preserved plum pork rib and put it into Yang Jinshu's bowl. This was the best way for Young Master Xiao to express his satisfaction.

Lu Youning gave a concluding speech: "The shop still needs some tidying up. When it opens next year, it will definitely be a huge success."

While Lu Youning and his companions were laughing and chatting, Lu Shiyan, who should have been in his residence, was peacefully enjoying hot tea in a teahouse just across the street, with a large, thick-furred dog lying at his feet.

Shouyan came in and whispered, "Master, the person has been brought over."

Lu Shiyan nodded, and Shouyan waved to the outside. Soon, his attendants escorted a middle-aged man and a young boy into the room.

Having not seen his son-in-law for many years, Qin Si looked embarrassed, his shoulders hunched and he dared not raise his head.

Lu Shiyan spoke first: "It's been many years. Father-in-law, would you like to see Aning?"

Upon hearing the word "father-in-law," Qin Si felt not only no joy but also a bit weak in the knees. After all, when Lu Shiyan had just married Qin Wan, he was still a scholar. In order to please his master, he often used his status as the father-in-law to act arrogantly in front of this son-in-law.

Who knew that in just a few years, the world would turn upside down?

"This humble subject dares not presume; I was merely passing by, nothing more."

Lu Shiyan glanced at Yao Huangxie across the street through the open wooden window, then said coldly, "The imperial decree has been issued, and the entire Qin family is to be sent back to their ancestral home. Tomorrow is the deadline. Does Fourth Master Qin still have unresolved matters on his mind?"

Qin Si: His biggest worry was that he had a son-in-law who had risen to the position of Minister of Justice, but he couldn't benefit from it.

"No, I have nothing on my mind. I will go back and pack my things now and set off early tomorrow morning without delay."

As soon as he finished speaking, Master Qin seemed to get excited and pulled Qin Mao to turn around and leave, but they were stopped by the Lu family guards standing at the door.

Thinking that Lu Shiyan was finally going to settle scores with him from years ago, Qin Si, his legs trembling, turned around and knelt down with a thud:

"My lord, spare us! My lord, spare us! We have made a huge mistake, we beg you to spare our family for the sake of Qin Wan, who at least gave birth to your child."

Shouyan turned his face away: What do these guys think their master is?

The entanglement with the Qin family is finally coming to a complete end. Lu Shiyan reached for his purse at his waist and said calmly:

"Ah Ning is not a bargaining chip that your Qin family can manipulate at any time. From now on, this child has nothing to do with you. Remember that."

In fact, from the moment Qin Si saw Lu Shiyan here, he had already begun to regret his momentary lapse in judgment in coming here to ambush Lu Youning.

To show that he was genuinely remorseful, Qin Si nodded his head vigorously, saying, "Yes, yes, this humble subject has remembered, has remembered."

Qin Si nodded and bowed, and seeing the person blocking their way move aside, he didn't dare to linger and pulled Qin Mao away.

With the heavy weight lifted from his heart after so many years, Shouyan visibly relaxed: "Master, shall we take the young master back to the manor together?"

Lu Shiyan reached out and broke off a piece of pastry from the table to feed the gluttonous dog at his feet: "Hmm, wait a minute."

Lu Youning and his companions always maintained good manners when dining out, returning to their respective residences when the appointed time arrived. Today was a satisfying day for them, and as soon as they stepped out of Yaohuang Pavilion, a large dog pounced on them.

Seeing the sudden appearance of the rich, Lu Youning automatically stuck her hands on its head, but her eyes were already locked on the slowly approaching carriage.

He bid farewell to Xiao Shubai and the others, saying, "My father has arrived, I must go now."

As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Lu Youning climbed onto it at Shou Yan's repeated reminders: "Young Master, slow down, slow down."

The cold wind hadn't even been blowing for a moment when Lu Youning quickly slipped into Lu Shiyan's cloak: "Father, what are you doing here?"

Lu Shiyan wasn't particularly afraid of the cold, and was only wearing a thin cloak. He took it off and draped it over him, saying, "I have an appointment to have tea with someone, so I'll pick you up and take you back with me."

Lu Youning didn't ask him why he brought Fugui along when he was having tea with someone. Instead, she talked about his Xielufang with Xiao Shubai.

Unlike in front of Xiao Shubai, Lu Youning couldn't help but worry when she was with Lu Shiyan: "Father, I've already told them I want to be the richest man in Daqian. What if the Xielu Workshop doesn't do well?"