Chapter 184 Thank You
Both parties were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations. Lin Changning accepted only half of the silver notes, which he considered as a token of the He family's sincerity.
After all, his younger brother had relied on the other party's escort agency to arrive in Taiyuan safely all the way.
Taking half of it would appease the He family.
After the discussion, some details were finalized. Changning handed the matter over to his second brother, since his brother was idle at home anyway. Giving him something to do would keep him from overthinking.
Her second brother is a strong-willed person at heart. After so many days, he is still a little unaccustomed to it. However, he has always been smarter than others since he was a child. He knows how to find medicinal herbs and is also quite quick-witted.
She felt that it was definitely the right thing to do to leave business matters to her second brother.
After talking to her second brother, he hesitated for a while and asked her somewhat uncertainly if he thought he could do it. Lin Changning naturally thought that her second brother could.
After talking for a while, the second brother agreed to the matter.
As for Lin Changning, he just wants to rest well recently, and at most a month later, they may have to go on another expedition.
So take advantage of this holiday to spend quality time with your family.
After dinner, Lin Changning set up a table in the courtyard, placed the pastries she had bought on it, and had the maids brew several pots of tea.
He invited the family to sit in the courtyard, laughing and joking as he watched the two little girls play there. He talked to his sister-in-law and mother, and asked about Zhiyuan and Hesheng's studies.
Life was peaceful and wonderful.
Looking at the moon hanging in the sky, Lin Changning couldn't help but feel a little melancholy, wondering how her parents, who were still in the modern world, were doing now.
I guess I'll be sad for a while.
Early the next morning
Lin Changning got up early, washed up, and then took his sword to practice his swordsmanship.
I have indeed been a bit lazy lately, but I must continue to practice diligently every day.
After finishing his swordsmanship practice, the door to the side room opened, revealing Zhiyuan, who had just gotten up.
Zhiyuan rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked groggily, "Up so early, little brother?"
Lin Changning sheathed his sword and nodded to Zhiyuan: "Get up and practice your swordsmanship. Why are you up so early?"
Zhiyuan stretched and yawned: "It's time to review my lessons now, otherwise the teacher will punish me when we get back to the academy."
He then went out on his own, splashed some water from the large water vat in the yard and rubbed his cheeks. After he was sober, he walked toward the front yard and said, "He Sheng is probably still asleep. I'll go and wake him up to study. Brother, you can continue."
Lin Changning nodded, wiped the sweat from his brow, and splashed some cool water on his face.
Then she turned around and went back to her room to change her clothes.
Shortly after breakfast, the gatekeeper came to report the news.
"My lord, the families of the prefect and the vice-prefect are requesting an audience outside the gate."
The two sisters-in-law and Lin's mother were stunned for a moment, not understanding how their sixth son could be related to the families of the prefect and the vice-prefect.
Lin Changning understood after a moment's thought: the two young ladies from last time were relatives of the prefect and the vice-prefect.
They must have come to express their gratitude. After figuring this out, Lin Changning stood up and said, "Mother and sister-in-law, come with me to greet them. The prefect and the magistrate are relatives of those two young ladies from last time. They must have come to express their gratitude. Let's go and greet them."
Lin's mother nodded and stood up with her two daughters-in-law: "We should go and greet them; we can't be impolite."
The prefect was a fourth-rank official, while the sub-prefect was a sixth-rank official. The prefect was a fourth-rank official, one rank higher than their sixth son, but it was not considered impolite for the superior to personally greet him.
Lin Changning stepped out of the room and looked at the two carriages outside. Two officials' wives were standing beside two adults dressed in ordinary clothes, and the two young ladies from last time were also standing to the side.
Upon seeing Lin Changning emerge, he nodded slightly to her.
Lin Changning cupped his hands and said politely, "I am so sorry that you two gentlemen have graced my humble abode with your presence. I have not been able to welcome you properly."
Zhou Wendao, the prefect of Taiyuan, returned the greeting to Lin Changning: "I hope you will not take offense at my unannounced visit, Lord Lin."
Prefect Zhao Jinshi bowed to Lin Changning and said, "I am Prefect Zhao Jinshi, and I have come with my family to express our gratitude to Lord Lin for saving our lives."
Lin Changning offered a slight helping hand to Zhao Jinshi: "Oh, it was nothing, Lord Zhao, you're too kind."
After saying that, he gestured for everyone to come in, saying, "Please don't stand outside, come inside. We can talk over tea. We've prepared some good tea, please don't find it lacking."
Lord Zhou waved his hand with a sincere smile: "Of course not."
Lin Changning invited the people into the main hall, and the maids and servants behind the two families followed, each carrying a gift box.
Upon entering the main hall, Lin Changning and her mother sat at the head of the table, while maids served tea to the distinguished guests.
Lord Zhou took a sip of tea and slightly raised his eyes to sized up the newly arrived young general.
In recent days, he has thoroughly investigated this person's background. He came from a farming family, joined the military household in Daxing, and rose to the rank of centurion in less than half a year and to the rank of thousand in a year. He was highly regarded by the second young master of the Prince's Mansion.
After a careful examination, Lord Zhou nodded silently in his heart. He was indeed a young prodigy, and it would be a good thing to befriend him.
Thinking this, Lord Zhou put down his tea: "A few days ago, my second brother's daughter was attacked and killed by villains on the road. Thanks to your brother's protection all the way and your life-saving grace, I was unable to visit because my niece was frightened and was recuperating at home. Now that she is feeling better, I have come to express my gratitude in person. I hope you will not find us bothering."
Lin Changning wore an official smile: "You're too kind, sir. I am a prince and it is my duty to protect my people. You flatter me."
Lord Zhou waved his hand and a group of maids and servants stepped forward with gift boxes: "One thing at a time, but we still have to express our gratitude. If it weren't for your timely arrival, my niece would probably not have made it home alive. We have prepared a small gift and hope you will accept it."
Just as Lin Changning was about to refuse, Lord Zhou said again, "It's nothing valuable. We had an embroiderer in our family who wove brocade, which would be the most comfortable clothes to wear. I hope you won't refuse."
Lin Changning only made a token gesture, as it wouldn't be good to offend the prefect, so he said, "Then thank you, Lord Zhou."
Seeing that Lin Changning had accepted the prefect's gifts, Magistrate Zhao also cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "The Zhao family has also prepared a token of our gratitude, and we hope that Lord Lin will not refuse it."
As he spoke, a maid behind him brought out a box of writing implements. Judge Zhao explained, "These are not anything precious. There is only one item: this ink stick is pine soot ink from a renowned manufacturer. I heard that your brother is currently studying, so I thought I would offer it to you. I hope you will not find it offensive."
Lin Changning nodded, and the maid accepted all the gifts.
It's definitely inappropriate for two people to come together to give a gift, with one accepting it and the other refusing it.
"Then thank you both for your generosity."
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