At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

Two days later, at the Duke of Zhenbei's residence.

A black plaque with gold lettering hangs high above the door, bearing five large characters!

The Duke of Zhenbei's Mansion!

The brushstrokes are vigorous and powerful, with a magnificent momentum.

However, the mansion's gate was tightly closed, the red silk on the gate had not yet been hung up, and the stone lions in front of the gate did not have red flowers tied around their necks.

The entire mansion was quiet and still, as if no one lived there yet.

Outside the gate, ministers from the imperial court kept coming to visit.

Two days ago, they heard His Majesty say at the morning court session that Su Mu would move into the Duke's mansion in two days.

So he brought gifts and came to visit, to establish a relationship.

After all, the Duke of Zhenbei is a first-rank marquis!

How could one not try to build such a relationship?

Unfortunately, the Duke's mansion was locked and silent. They knocked on the door but no one answered, so they had no choice but to leave disappointed.

The Second Prince, Xiao Yunshan, also arrived.

"Your Highness, the gates of the Duke of Su's residence are closed, and no one answers the door when we knock. It seems like no one is home."

Xiao Yunshan glanced at it and immediately understood the reason.

Su Mu clearly didn't want to entertain the court officials, which is why he deliberately chose to close the door to visitors!

Xiao Yunshan smiled and said to his subordinates, "Leave the gifts outside the door, let's go back."

He thought to himself:

"Su Mu, if you won't see me this time, I'll come several more times. I refuse to believe you won't be moved by my sincerity!"

……

At this moment, Su Mu stood in the center of the courtyard, his hands behind his back, looking around at the mansion that belonged to him, his heart filled with emotion.

More than half a year ago, he was still living in that dilapidated mud house in Qinjiacun that leaked wind and rain, relying on Qingxue for survival, and couldn't even afford a full meal.

Now, he has become the Duke of Zhenbei and lives in this luxurious and spacious ducal mansion.

Life's encounters are truly unpredictable.

"Grandpa! Grandpa! Come quick!"

Su Qingxue's voice came from the backyard, clear and childlike.

"This place is so big! So beautiful!"

Su Mu laughed and called out, "Qingxue, slow down, don't fall."

Then he walked towards the backyard.

This Zhenguo Duke's Mansion covers a vast area, with five courtyards, pavilions, towers, artificial hills and flowing water, and winding corridors, offering a beautiful view at every turn.

Passing through the main hall and around the screen wall, you enter a spacious back garden.

The garden was filled with all kinds of flowers and plants, blooming in clusters and clumps under the sun, even though it was winter.

A rockery made of Taihu stones stands in the center of the pond, with a few water lilies floating on the surface and several koi swimming leisurely in the water.

Xiao Zhixia stood in the pavilion by the pond, holding a handful of fish food in her hand, scattering it into the water one pellet at a time.

Xiao Zhi Qiu, holding Su Qing Xue's hand, ran around in the garden, pointing at the rockery and the flowerbeds, chattering away.

"Qingxue, look! There's a swing over there!"

Xiao Zhi Qiu pointed to a brand-new swing under the corridor, his eyes shining with excitement.

Su Qingxue ran over, sat on the swing, grabbed the ropes with both hands, swung her legs, and laughed happily.

"Sister Zhi Qiu, you pushed me!"

"Okay!"

The swing started to rise higher and higher.

Su Qingxue's laughter echoed through the garden, instantly enlivening the once quiet place.

To the west of the garden is a flat training ground.

The ground was covered with fine sand, and the weapon racks around the perimeter were neatly arranged with knives, spears, swords, halberds, axes, battle-axes, hooks, and forks—all eighteen kinds of weapons were present.

At the far end of the field, there was a small horse farm, with a clean and spacious stable for each of the Akhal-Teke horses at the edge of the farm.

Further on were dozens of side rooms, with blue bricks and gray tiles, bright and clean windows, each room spacious and bright, and fully furnished.

The bed was covered with a brand-new cotton quilt, a bronze mirror was placed on the dressing table, and the Four Treasures of the Study were laid out on the desk. Even the teacups were a set of blue and white porcelain.

Su Mu walked from the main hall to the backyard, and then back to the front yard, his eyes filled with amazement.

"The Third Prince has really put his heart into it."

"Every detail has been perfected."

"Grandpa Su, do you like it here?" Xiao Zhixia walked over and asked with a smile.

Su Mu nodded and said hoarsely, "I love it! It's so luxurious!"

Xiao Zhixia smiled and said, "Father said that Grandpa Su is a meritorious official of the Great Qian Dynasty, and this mansion is rightfully yours."

At this moment, Su Qingxue jumped down from the swing, came to Su Mu, and looked up at him, asking:

"Grandpa, we won't have to move anymore, right?"

Su Mu patted her head, his voice gentle.

"Yes, we won't move anymore."

Xiao Zhixia continued, "Old Master Su, such a large mansion can't be without a steward and maids. My sister and I have been helping you arrange this these past few days, finding some reliable maids and servants!"

"The servants and maids in Old Master Su's mansion are not just any ordinary people."

Just then, a clear and familiar voice came from the rooftop.

As they looked up, a dark figure leaped down from the roof of the main hall and landed lightly on the ground.

"You are... Liu Yuzhou?" Xiao Zhi Qiu was stunned for a moment, looking at the unfamiliar face with a face full of doubt. "You... where's the scar on your face?"

Liu Yuzhou smiled slightly and reached out to touch his face.

"I hired a master of disguise to change my appearance."

"Those scars were too conspicuous, and I was recognized wherever I went. Now it's much more convenient."

Xiao Zhi Qiu leaned closer for a closer look, clicking his tongue in amazement: "It's really gone! Not a trace can be seen! This master of disguise is truly amazing!"

Xiao Zhixia was also somewhat surprised. After examining him carefully, they realized that if they hadn't recognized his voice, they wouldn't have recognized him as Liu Yuzhou.

Su Mu stepped forward, looked at Liu Yuzhou's refreshed face, and asked:

"Yu-zhou, what brings you here?"

Liu Yuzhou clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, his eyes filled with a smile: "Elder Su, I heard that you moved into the Duke's Mansion, so I came here specifically to see you."

"See if there's anything we can do to help."

"Zhixia is right. Such a large mansion as the Duke of Zhenbei's Mansion can't function without a steward."

Xiao Zhixia nodded, "Yes, we're discussing this right now."

"I was thinking of bringing him here yesterday, but Grandpa Su didn't want to make a big fuss and was worried that it would attract too much attention and smugness from the officials in the court."

Liu Yuzhou smiled and said, "If Elder Su doesn't mind, I can be Elder Su's steward and manage all affairs of the Duke's mansion, so that Elder Su won't have to worry about anything."

Su Mu's brows twitched slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"You're from Lingfeng Pavilion, how can you come to my residence as a steward? Aren't you afraid of revealing your identity?"

Liu Yuzhou was full of confidence.

"Mr. Su, this matter is not serious."

"No one recognizes me with this appearance."

"On the surface, I am just an ordinary steward in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but in secret, I am still a member of the Listening Wind Pavilion."

"Moreover, the Pavilion Master knows that I am a close friend of Elder Su, and he is eager for me to cling to Elder Su's coattails."

"He said that Lingfeng Pavilion will fully support the Duke's Mansion in any future needs."

Xiao Zhi Qiu's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands, saying, "That's great! With Brother Yu Zhou as our housekeeper, we don't have to worry anymore!"

Su Mu pondered for a moment, looking at Liu Yuzhou with a deep gaze and some hesitation, before finally asking:

"Yu Zhou, I have a question for you."

"Please go on, Mr. Su."

"Did you take this job as a butler to repay this old man, or for your own sake?"

Liu Yuzhou sighed, then answered decisively:

"Mr. Su, you saved my life."

"I became this housekeeper both to repay a debt of gratitude and for my own sake."

"I don't want to wander anymore in this life, I want a home."

"Mr. Su, please take me in, I'm a homeless person."

After hearing this, Su Mu burst into laughter.

"Alright, from today onwards, you will be the steward of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."

Just as everyone was rejoicing, there was a rapid knocking at the door, followed by a loud voice.

"Han You, a member of the Imperial Guard, has come to pay his respects to General Su! Please, General Su, open the door and grant me entry!"

Xiao Zhi Qiu frowned and muttered, "Are those people from the court trying to curry favor with me again?"

"We already turned the Second Prince away, so what if Han You comes? We'll ignore him!"

Before Xiao Zhi Qiu could finish speaking, Su Mu interrupted:

Go open the door.

Xiao Zhi Qiu was taken aback: "Grandpa Su, you won't even see the Second Prince, why do you want to see Han You?"

"Because it wasn't just Han You who came," Su Mu replied.

Xiao Zhixia understood instantly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Grandpa Su, what do you mean...?"

Su Mu nodded, then walked straight toward the gate.

"Han You is the commander of the Imperial Guards. Without His Majesty's decree, he dares not leave the palace without permission."

"Now that he has arrived, it means the emperor has also arrived."

Xiao Zhi Qiu suddenly realized what was happening and quickly chased after him.

Liu Yuzhou stepped forward, unlatched the door, and slowly pushed the door open.

Outside the gate, a troop of Imperial Guards, gleaming in their armor, stood in two rows on either side.

A bright yellow sedan chair was parked in the middle, and Han You, the commander of the Imperial Guards, was bowing respectfully beside it.

The sedan curtain was lifted, and Xiao Jinghuan stepped out, dressed in a bright yellow casual robe, wearing a golden crown, and with a smile on his face.

"Minister Su, I've come to congratulate you on your housewarming."

Su Mu bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty's arrival is an honor for this old minister. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Xiao Jinghuan laughed heartily and waved his hand.

"Minister Su, you are the Duke of Zhenguo of the Great Qian Dynasty. It is only right that I come to congratulate you in person."

"What, won't you invite me in for a seat?"

Su Mu stepped aside and made a "please" gesture.

"Your Majesty, please."

Just then, a person jumped out from behind Xiao Jinghuan, looked at Su Mu in surprise, and said, "Grandpa, it's actually you?"