Chapter 18: Shi Dazhuang's Speculation

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Shi Dazhuang knelt before Chen Lin, deeply moved, showing no hesitation despite the grave crime of exterminating nine clans that Chen Lin bore on his back.

Chen Lin was a bit confused; he didn’t recall having much of a relationship with Shi Dazhuang. Why was the man so emotional?

Could it be that Shi Dazhuang had developed feelings after taking Xiaolan as a slave?

“Brother!!”

Chen Xiaolan finally noticed her brother had returned. The siblings reunited after a long separation, both bursting into tears.

Chen Lin grew impatient. “Enough, let’s go inside first.”

At the young master’s command, Shi Dazhuang immediately told the villagers to disperse, then respectfully escorted the young master into the house.

After recalling past events, Chen Lin learned that the siblings had lost their parents while still minors.

If it weren’t for this idle prodigal son, Chen Lin, who had taken a liking to Chen Xiaolan during his aimless wanderings in the countryside and made her his personal maid, the siblings might have starved to death.

Chen Lin vaguely remembered this; he had given five taels of silver at the time, never expecting it to change the siblings’ lives so profoundly.

Then Shi Xiaolan became Chen Xiaolan of the Chen residence, changing her surname to match her masters.

Shi Dazhuang also used those five taels, along with his own hard work, to get through the toughest times. Within a few years, he had married and fathered a son and a daughter.

Chen Lin couldn’t help but reflect: for the wealthy in ancient times, a casual act might mean little, perhaps not even considered charity.

But for some desperate poor souls unable to survive otherwise, it could change their entire lives—it made them benefactors.

After understanding the general situation, Chen Xiaolan briefly explained Chen Lin’s current condition and the purpose of his visit.

Shi Dazhuang was shocked to look at Chen Lin—the savior of the Crown Prince and Empress, a great benefactor of the royal family!

This was tremendous fortune!

Once again, Shi Dazhuang knelt before Chen Lin. “Young master, you saved me and my sister’s lives. Even now, in great trouble, you have not forgotten to rescue Xiaolan.”

“Such great kindness, I have nothing to repay but to dedicate my life to you.”

Chen Lin stepped forward and helped Shi Dazhuang up. “Don’t kneel so easily. Stand and speak.”

“Thank you, young master!”

Then Shi Dazhuang asked, “Young master, if you need household guards, I will do my utmost to select loyal and honest strong farmers for you. How many do you want?”

“Pick ten for now. Here are one hundred taels of silver. If it’s not enough, I’ll give you more.”

Shi Dazhuang hurriedly waved his hand. “That’s too much. Three to five hundred wen per month is enough. Plenty of people will fight to get the job.”

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“Brother, the young master isn’t looking to hire guards; he wants to sign slave contracts.”

Shi Dazhuang was stunned. “I see. Farming can sustain oneself, so few would sell themselves as slaves. It does take some money to recruit, but not a hundred taels!”

Chen Lin added, “Then help me pick some maids and housekeepers too. They’ll be needed in the inner residence.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Dazhuang glanced secretly at his sister but saw no unusual expression.

Could it be that after all these years, the young master still hadn’t favored her?

Ah, why think about such things!

The young master is a nobleman who has just faced great hardship. His clan is imprisoned, leaving him utterly alone. It’s indeed necessary to have people in the inner residence.

With this in mind, Shi Dazhuang respectfully took the money pouch. “I understand.”

“Cuìhuā, you haven’t started cooking yet, right? Quickly slaughter that big rooster. The young master rarely comes— we must treat him well.”

Cuìhuā was Shi Dazhuang’s wife, Chen Xiaolan’s sister-in-law.

A perceptive young woman, she immediately responded to her husband’s call. “Alright, I’ll go slaughter the chicken. Young master, please wait a moment.”

Chen Lin waved his hand. “No need to eat now. We still have business.”

He then beckoned to the two little kids hiding behind the door.

But the kids were shy and didn’t dare come out.

Seeing this, Chen Xiaolan quickly pulled her nephew and niece up to Chen Lin.

Chen Lin patted their heads and gave each a silver ingot weighing one tael. “Be good. Uncle will bring you some treats in a few days.”

“Xiaolan, let’s go!”

“Farewell, young master. Take care.”

Shi Dazhuang was overwhelmed with emotion, kneeling with his whole family, choking with sobs as they saw off their benefactor.

Chen Lin turned his back and waved, then rode off with Xiaolan in the carriage.

“Husband, the young master has gone far!”

Prompted by his wife, Shi Dazhuang stood up and wiped his tears. “The young master is truly our family’s benefactor!”

But Cuìhuā frowned. “Husband, Xiaolan has been with the Chen family so long, yet she remains untouched. Could the young master have some physical issue?”

Shi Dazhuang was suspicious. “That must be it. The young master should be about twenty-three now. Other sons of noble families at this age would have married and had concubines, surely a family by now.”

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“But the young master remains unmarried. When the master and mistress were alive, they arranged marriages for him, but he always refused. Could it be a problem in that regard?”

Cuìhuā nodded. “That’s my guess too. But he still wants you to arrange maids. Why would that be?”

Shi Dazhuang scratched his head. “Whatever the case, these maids must not be pretty—at most, just not unattractive—so they won’t compete with Xiaolan for favor!”

“Yes, yes. I see the young master treats Xiaolan well, but if one or two beautiful maids come into the inner residence, with Xiaolan’s innocent nature, she probably won’t stand a chance.”

The couple had no idea that Chen Lin did indeed have a hidden illness before, but after his first transmigration, the system repaired it. Now, all his faculties were at peak condition.

The only reason Xiaolan remained a virgin was because of that troublesome monthly visitor!

Meanwhile, guided by Chen Lin, the carriage arrived once more at the riverbank where the pickup truck had stopped earlier. It was only five li from the village.

“Xiaolan, do you know whose land this is?”

He asked her because Xiaolan was his most capable steward maid.

Chen Lin was unwilling to marry and acknowledged only Xiaolan. His step-parents, wanting their beloved son to manage the family estate well, focused on cultivating Xiaolan’s skills in accounting and household management.

After several years, Xiaolan’s status in the Chen family wasn’t that of a formal wife, but surpassed one.

Chen Lin spent his days idling but never caused trouble outside or mistreated women. He only recognized Xiaolan, though he did play around with her in a somewhat twisted way.

Because of the step-parents’ training, Xiaolan was familiar with the layout and ownership of various fields nearby.

Stretching out her arm to draw a large circle, she explained, “This whole area belongs to the Cao Duke’s estate; across the river is the Minister of Rites’ family, and over there...”

Chen Lin interrupted quickly. “You said this is the Cao Duke’s land?”

“Yes, young master. If you want to buy this land, it shouldn’t cost much. It’s too close to the river, and part of it floods every rainy season, so it’s not ideal for farming.”

“But the half farther from the river might be pricier since it’s near irrigated land.”

Chen Lin stroked his chin. “If I buy all of it, would that be a compromise?”

“It should be, but the Cao Duke’s family is powerful. I’m afraid they won’t sell!”

Chen Lin sneered. “Whether they sell or not is not up to them.”

Cao Duke Li Wenzhong, the War God of Ming, Li Jinglong—heh, now we have a target...