Chapter 74 is completely blank.

Rong Xie glanced at Wang Mu, seemingly lost in thought.

Indeed, Lu Yinglin did not state his surname just now, but the doorman knew his surname was Lu and called him Master Lu, which shows that the doorman already knew him.

Yuanbao Auction House belongs to Liujin Sect, and its main business is not in Shengjing. Even so, Lu Yinglin has such a big reputation in the inn on Lanyuan. Even a small doorman recognizes him. It can be seen that he often comes here. If it is not for business, then what is it for?

Rong Xie recalled Lu Yinglin's description of the elegant people, delicious food, and fun places in Shengjing when they were on the cruise ship in Qinghe County—the answer was self-evident. Lu Yinglin was a person who loved to play and enjoy life, and he certainly wouldn't miss such a representative place as Tangquan Villa.

Although Wang Mu was unaware of these matters among adults, he was very astute and could always notice the subtle information revealed in their actions, which was often more reliable than what people said.

Rong Xie thought to herself that bringing Wang Mu along on this trip was definitely the right decision.

The three entered the hot spring villa and settled on their accommodations. Lu Yinglin originally wanted to pay for everything, but Rong Xie declined. So the two of them booked separate rooms. Lu Yinglin's room had a courtyard, while Rong Xie's room was just a regular double room, which he shared with Wang Mu.

Now that I'm living independently, I have to be careful with my money. However, that doesn't mean I have to rely on others, especially old foxes like Lu Yinglin.

Rong Xie knew what was going on, but on the surface he still smiled. When Lu Yinglin invited him to sit in his courtyard, he declined, saying that he had a lot of things to do and would go when he had time.

There were indeed many things to do next.

The most important thing is to decide on the house where he will live permanently in the future.

At noon, Rong Xie treated Lu Yinglin to a meal at Tangquan Villa. Lu Yinglin was bothered by Rong Xie's formality towards him, so he deliberately ordered several particularly expensive dishes. Rong Xie paid the bill with a smile, which made Lu Yinglin feel a little embarrassed.

However, Lu Yinglin was a picky eater. He had eaten all sorts of delicacies while doing business, so ordering these strange and expensive dishes was partly a way of showing off.

Rong Xie saw through it but didn't say anything. He would need Lu Yinglin's help later, so it was better to make him feel embarrassed than to let him be smug.

Sure enough, Lu Yinglin's usefulness became apparent when they went to see the house in the afternoon.

Lu Yinglin could tell at a glance the feng shui layout of the courtyard and the hidden pitfalls in the architectural details. He pointed them out one by one to the broker, making the broker think that Yuanbao Auction House was coming to Lanyuan to steal his business. He dared not be negligent in the slightest and served Rong Xie diligently throughout the process, saying everything that should and should not be said.

By nightfall, Rong Xie had seen most of the houses and had a good idea of ​​which one to choose, but he didn't make a decision immediately. Following Lu Yinglin's example, he gave the broker some money for his service and decided to decide which one to buy in a couple of days.

The broker wiped his sweat and said with a forced smile, "Master Rong is indeed cautious, and the escort you've hired is quite capable. However, the price has been pushed down to the lowest possible level. I need to go back and discuss it with the landlord. Please make a decision as soon as possible, Master Rong."

"Don't worry, I'll get back to you as soon as possible," Rong Xie said with a smile.

After seeing off the broker, Rong Xie, Lu Yinglin, and Wang Mu walked along the gradually quieting bluestone street. The sky turned a breathtaking deep blue, and a crescent moon rose from the end of the street. The three of them walked towards the moon.

“I was worried that Junior Brother Rong, being out for the first time, would lack experience and be easily deceived, but it seems I was overthinking it,” Lu Yinglin said with a smile.

"Thanks to Young Master Lu's guidance, no one dared to deceive me," Rong Xie said with a smile.

“Junior Brother Rong is too modest. With your expertise in house construction and courtyard layout, you can spot the problems after a few more looks.” Lu Yinglin opened his folding fan. “However, I did come in handy. The broker from Lanyuan Brokerage thought I was trying to steal his business, so he lowered your price even further. This round actually wiped out the expenses for treating you to lunch.”

Rong Xie smiled and said, "That's right, Young Master Lu can eat with a clear conscience."

"And it's more than worth the price." Lu Yinglin shook his folding fan, turned his head slightly, and looked closely at this beautiful woman who had just entered the world of mortals, his eyes revealing appreciation.

For the next few days, Rong Xie didn't make any decisions. He just strolled around the streets of Lan Yuan, seemingly choosing a street to walk on at different times each day.

Lu Yinglin had originally intended to invite him to soak in the hot springs, thinking that since he was free during the day, he should be free in the evening. However, he didn't expect that Rong Xie would be out and about at every time of day, and he had a very good reason for it. He was going to live here in the future, so he would definitely be living here all day long. He needed to know what it was like here during the day and at night, whether there were any sources of interference, and whether there were any difficult neighbors. He was really serious about looking at the house.

Therefore, Lu Yinglin had to put aside his plan to soak in the hot springs with Rong Xie and instead accompanied him through the streets of Lanyuan several times. He became so familiar with the roads from the candidate residence to the market that he knew which way to turn even with his eyes closed.

After three days of meticulous investigation, Rong Xie finally decided on a house with front and back yards. It wasn't the largest in terms of area, but the layout was exceptionally good. The flowers, trees, ponds, and corridors were cleverly arranged. After visiting it, one couldn't even perceive its actual size; it just felt like a small garden where every corner was a scenic view.

The real estate agent told Rong Xie that the house originally belonged to a government official in the capital. Later, the official was transferred to another prefecture to serve as governor. Since the house was no longer of any use, the agent decided to sell it. Hearing that the buyer was a Taoist priest, the governor was willing to give it a discount to establish a good relationship with him.

Thus, Rong Xie bought a very desirable house for only four-fifths of the expected price. Rong Xie immediately paid the deposit, the broker issued a contract, and when he saw the big red seal on his name, Rong Xie felt relieved and everything was going in a good direction.

On the other side, Huanxue Mountain Villa.

Half a month after Rong Xie left, the main peak of Lingjing Sect welcomed its first snow. The heavy snow covered the surrounding mountains in white, and when it fell into the valley, it turned into a drizzling rain that lasted for a day and a night. The temperature dropped rapidly, and at night, even breathing outdoors would produce white smoke.

This was the three children's first winter at Huanxue Mountain Villa, but they weren't panicked. Their brother Rong had written them a long, detailed letter, instructing them on how to get through the winter, how to keep warm indoors, how to stay warm outdoors, what aspects of villa management were necessary in winter, and what they needed to pay attention to...

After reading the letter, the three children had a pillar of support.

The only drawback was that the letter was delivered to the head of the estate first; he brought it back from the mailroom and gave it to them.

So, while they were reading the letter, the head of the manor stood to the side, looking impatient, and waited for them for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, until even the youngest, Fang Renji, had finished reading the letter, before finally asking:

"...What did the letter say?"

"Brother Rong said that if we get cold, we can move to the back room, where there's a stove for heating the kang (a traditional heated bed) under the bed..."

"Move it!" Shen Bingsi said quickly. "Anything else?"

"Also, the roof tiles are drafty, so we can prepare some dry grass to cover the tiles for warmth..."

"Cover it up. Besides these things, what else is there?" Shen Bingsi walked over, stood against the table, and leaned forward slightly. It seemed that if Shen Yan didn't get to the point, he would snatch the letter and read it himself.

"Also, Brother Rong said he bought a house in Lanyuan. It's a small house with a yard, white walls and blue tiles, and he's planted a lot of bamboo and orchids, as well as a small pond," Shen Yan said while reading the letter.

Shen Bingsi thought of the Southern State-style mansion behind Xiangji Temple and said, "Didn't you say you liked mansions like Huanxue Manor? Why did you buy a Southern State-style mansion?"

Shen Yan looked up and glanced at Shen Bing Si with a puzzled expression.

"Anything else? Let's skip the trivial nonsense. Did the letter... cough... mention me?" Shen Bingsi asked directly.

He was already prepared. When Rong Xie asked to borrow money, he would initially refuse, saying he needed to think about it. Then, he would suddenly fly there on his sword, and upon arrival, he would say that he could lend the money, but it had to be spent on practical matters. This kind of cramped house was definitely not suitable; Rong Xie would certainly not be used to it. Changing places later would be too much trouble, so it was better to go all out and use a larger budget to buy a large, Shengjing-style mansion.

"No." Shen Yan decisively cut off Shen Bingsi's fantasy.

"..."

The room fell into a deathly silence.

Shen Bingsi added, "Take another look. Did you miss something? This letter is so long..."

"Indeed, there isn't." Shen Yan held the letter up to Shen Bingsi. "Please take a look, Master."

Shen Bingsi was slightly taken aback when she saw Rong Xie's tiny handwriting. She rubbed her fingers on her clothes a couple of times before taking the letter. From the middle line, it seemed to be about some trivial matters related to keeping warm. The writing was simple and concise, yet it was as if one could see the person who wrote these words, under a soft lamp, patiently and gently instructing him on what he had been doing all along.

Shen Bingsi's gaze became blank, as if she saw Rong Xie sitting at his desk in the void, looking at the ancient book fragments he had brought back with a serious expression. Rong Xie had his head down, his fair face was flawless, his long eyelashes fluttered occasionally, but most of the time they remained still, his shadow quietly cast on his cheeks... Shen Bingsi could count them one by one, and then count them back, tracing his outline a thousand times with her eyes.

Now, he has nothing to describe, he can only imagine while looking at the letter.

"Master of the Manor?" Shen Yan's questioning voice rang out.

Shen Bingsi snapped out of her reverie and tucked the letter into her bosom: "It's too long. I'll read it carefully when I get back."

"this……"

"What's the rush? It's not like I'm not going to give it to you," Shen Bingsi paused, "After I've finished reading it, you can bring the copying talisman and make a copy to use."

Shen Bingsi didn't give Shen Yan and the others a chance to object, and turned and left as fast as she could.

After Shen Bingsi walked away, Shen Yanzhi felt annoyed. He should have used the overwriting spell to make a copy first and given it to the manor lord, so that Rong Ge's handwritten letter could still remain with him.

Thankfully, everything is going well for Rong Ge in Lan Yuan, and his new life has started smoothly. Knowing this is more important than anything else.

It was late at night.

In Rong Xie's bedroom in the backyard of Huanxue Mountain Villa.

On the long-empty bed, Shen Bingsi leaned against the headboard. A luminous pearl hung from the silk netting hanging from the ceiling, its light illuminating the letter in Shen Bingsi's hand.

He bit his knuckles and read the long letter from beginning to end more than a dozen times, even searching the back and the inner layers, but he still couldn't find what he wanted to see.

Rong Xie's letter did not mention him at all.

A profound sense of emptiness washed over me.

"Smack!"

Shen Bingsi slapped the letter paper onto the bed board, and many sheets of paper scattered, some even floating to the ground.

The light from the luminous pearl cast Shen Bingsi's shadow on the wall, and the shadow remained motionless for a long time.

After a while, he bent down, picked up the letters one by one, folded them again, and put them in his pocket.

The night is still long.