Xue Cong nodded, and she went to the kitchen with Yue Jie and Yue Xin following behind her.
Yue Jie and Yue Xin remembered to bow to Lee He Song before they left, just like they used to when they were still young mistresses.
This made Lee He Song feel a sense of melancholy in his heart.
"Their father, Liu Ju Zheng, was an upright official of the imperial court, loyal to the Emperor, and yet..."
Lee He Song couldn't bring himself to complete his sentence.
"Maybe we can figure out a way to get him out?" Lin Xuan Qi asked.
"It's complicated.
"The imperial court is made up of many forces, each trying to bring down the others.
"It will be tough for officials like Liu Ju Zheng, who don't have much support except for an old man like me, to overturn his sentence.
"I will need some time to figure things out."
Lee He Song said as they walked within the compound of the mansion.
Lin Xuan Qi noted what Lee He Song had said, just in case those who had thrown Liu Ju Zheng into jail would come after Yue Jie and Yue Xin.
They were his responsibility now, after all.
After Lee He Song familiarized himself with the surroundings of the mansion, Lee He Song glanced over at Lin Xuan Qi.
"Anything on my face?" Lin Xuan Qi asked and wiped his face.
But it wasn't due to that.
Lee He Song said, "Seems like you've gotten a good deal.
"The mansion is much bigger than I thought."
He glanced at the main building, and to the side, the servant quarters, kitchen and warehouse.
The garden, which was now covered in overgrown grass and plants, was out at the front.
And behind the main building were the study and living areas for Lin Xuan Qi and his future family members.
"And so...?" Lin Xuan Qi wasn't sure what Lee He Song wanted.
Did he want to increase the employment fees to two taels of silver?
He got his answer the next moment.
Lee He Song sighed and said, "I'm afraid that I might not be able to do the job well alone."
He scanned Lin Xuan Qi from head to toe and continued, "It would be best if you learned some martial arts. I can teach you if you want."
Lin Xuan Qi was pleasantly surprised by what he heard.
It fit right into his plan.
He was still wondering how to learn the Cloud-Stride Steps with the manuscript he got.
Now that Lee He Song was willing to do so, he would finally be able to start with it.
Although it wasn't cultivation that granted longevity, it was still useful for Lin Xuan Qi to survive in this dangerous world.
Even if he was undefeatable within the mansion, he would still have to venture out of it sooner or later.
He quickly bowed to Lee He Song and said, "I'll be more than honored to be able to learn martial arts from you."
"We can begin tomorrow morning if you want."
"That would be great," Lin Xuan Qi replied.
Their conversation was then interrupted by Xue Cong's voice.
"Master Lin, dinner is ready," she shouted at the top of her lungs from a distance away.
Lin Xuan Qi waved at her to acknowledge her.
He led Lee He Song to Lee He Song's room to put his baggage down first.
He had decided to allocate some rooms behind the main building for employees like Lee He Song.
When he got more servant girls later, he would also let Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Yue Xin stay in these rooms, which were better furnished and more spacious.
They could then help him be in charge of the new servant girls.
This would free him up to do other things like running the business or making sure the clan would be established and safe.
Yue Jie and Yue Xin's father's plight was a warning to him.
...
In the dining hall, Lin Xuan Qi sat down and marveled at the spread of food.
Lee He Song was also impressed with the food.
But he was more impressed with the fact that Lin Xuan Qi allowed the servant girls to eat with him.
A thought went through his mind, but he rejected it soon as Lin Xuan Qi didn't seem like the type.
"I'm not a man of formalities, so let's dig in," Lin Xuan Qi said, and he picked up a huge chunk of braised meat and put it in his mouth.
The servant girls, after seeing that he started his meal, followed suit.
"This meat is delicious. Braised with flavor, cooked with the right tenderness, keeping all the flavors of the meat in."
Lee He Song exclaimed after he took a bite of the braised meat.
"It's cooked by elder sister Xue Cong," Yue Jie said.
"Glad that you like it. It's nothing special and what we usually cook in all the farming families."
Xue Cong blushed and lowered her head, not used to the flattery.
Lee He Song saw it and gave out a hearty laugh.
"I assure you that it's one of the best I've ever had," he said and glanced over at Lin Xuan Qi. "Seems like you've gotten another bargain. She is as good as a professional cook."
Lin Xuan Qi could only give him an awkward smile and nod.
Wait till you find out about the rice I would get daily from the system, he thought silently to himself.
As the dinner progressed, Lin Xuan Qi called out to Xue Cong.
"Xue Cong, come with me to discuss the budget."
"But Master Lin, the dinner is still...." Xue Cong was surprised at the sudden request.
Lin Xuan Qi raised his eyebrows repeatedly to hint to Xue Cong.
He gave up finally when he saw Xue Cong's confused expression.
"Just come with me." He stood up, held onto her hands and led her out of the dining hall.
Before Xue Cong could say anything, he went close to her ear and whispered, "Shh... Let them have some time on their own."
Xue Cong realized what it was all about and she nodded her head.
Lee He Song saw what happened and he started to doubt himself.
Isn't it a little impatient, even before dinner has ended…?