Chapter 1452
Opening the Mansion
Chapter 1452 Opening the Mansion
"Crack!"
"Crack! Crack!"
Lin Hao took out crab hammers, crab spoons and other tools and started tapping and banging on them, while the three plates in front of him were already full.
"Here, one plate each!" Lin Hao pushed two plates of crab roe and crab meat to Li Wei and Yuan Ying respectively.
"Brother Hao, where's mine? You didn't peel a plate for me, waaaaah!" Song Wu thought that one of the three plates of crab meat peeled by Lin Hao would be for her, but she didn't expect that there wasn't one.
"My sincere heart was ultimately misplaced." Thinking of this, Song Wu burst into tears.
However, although she cried heartily, it all seemed fake, all talk and no action.
"I'll give you this plate. I like to eat it myself, hehe!" Li Wei smiled and pushed the crab roe and crab meat that Lin Hao had peeled in front of her to Song Wu.
"Yes, Song Wu, you can eat Li Wei's plate. It was my fault. I'll peel it for you next time."
Lin Hao quickly apologized; he had really forgotten about Song Wu, only thinking about his two little wives.
"Hmph!" Song Wu snorted and, without any politeness, picked up her chopsticks and started eating.
"Mr. Yuan Ying, stop reading and hurry up and eat some crab!" Li Wei said sweetly to Yuan Ying.
"Hmm~!"
Yuan Ying nodded, took a bite with her chopsticks, and Li Wei asked expectantly, "Is it good?"
"Ok!"
"Jinchuan Linhai, Yuan Ying, you used to eat crabs often, right?" Lin Hao couldn't help but ask, thinking of Yuan Ying's home in Jinchuan Linhai.
Yuan Ying put down her chopsticks, suddenly feeling a little sad, and reminisced about her childhood:
"Indeed, I ate crabs often when I was a child. I was young then, and there were never enough for me. My father and mother knew this, so they gave me all the crabs!"
"They usually keep a strict eye on me, but they only soften their stance and let me off the hook for something as trivial as eating crab!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Hao took Yuan Ying's hand and comforted her:
"From now on, you can do whatever you want. I won't force you, and no one can force you. I wish you happiness and freedom in the future."
“Yes, yes, Mr. Yuan Ying, now that you’re here, we’re all family. We’ll definitely live well and happily every day!” Li Wei echoed.
"Okay, I understand, thank you all." Yuan Ying nodded, somewhat touched, then changed the subject a second later, reminding her:
"However, crabs are cold in nature and should not be eaten in large quantities. It seems that the young master has had a stomach ailment before, so he can only eat half a crab at most!"
"Then can I eat it without worry?" Li Wei asked with a bright smile.
"You can't eat too much either. You've always been a glutton. If you indulge too much, outsiders will guess your preferences, which would be bad!"
Yuan Ying's expression changed instantly, and she exuded the aura of a "teacher," which frightened Li Wei so much that she didn't move.
"Then am I~!" Song Wu happily stretched out her hand, wanting to take a few more.
"What do you think, Miss Song?" Yuan Ying frowned slightly, and Song Wu's movements froze in mid-air.
Seeing this, Yuan Ying began her education again: "Eating is merely a necessity to fill one's stomach; only by practicing moderation can one cultivate one's character!"
Li Wei said nonchalantly, "It's just a few crabs. Don't you like eating them? Eat as much as you want, it won't hurt, right? Don't suppress yourself like that!"
Clearly, Li Wei still wanted to eat, but she needed Yuan Ying's permission.
These days, Yuan Ying "lectures" her every day. The teacher's authority has long been ingrained in her mind, so it's normal for her to be afraid.
Yuan Ying replied, "This is not just about crabs, it's about self-control."
"Alright, Yuan Ying, it's alright. Let them handle this little thing. It's fine." Lin Hao quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"Young Master, you—!"
"Alright, Yuan Ying, it's alright. Listen to me on this!" Lin Hao said earnestly.
"Self-discipline is a good thing, but what's the point of living if you're too repressed?"
By the way, we don't actually lack supplies at home, so there's no need to be overly frugal. As long as there's no waste, we should at least make sure everyone has enough to eat!
“It’s not just us masters who should treat the servants the same way, otherwise outsiders will say we mistreat our servants, which will damage our family’s reputation!”
“Yes!” Yuan Ying thought for a moment and nodded helplessly. Her husband had already spoken, so how could she not agree?
Seeing that Yuan Ying agreed, Lin Hao smiled and looked at the two of them: "Eat quickly!"
"Yes, thank you, Sixth Young Master."
"Thank you, Brother Hao!"
Seeing the two women smile again, Lin Hao chuckled and looked at Yuan Ying, saying:
"You should eat too. Since you like it, eat more!"
"Thank you, young master!"
Lin Hao waved his hand with a smile: "Haha, no need, we're all family, don't call me young master anymore!"
“In private, I still hope that you and Li Wei will both call me husband. I like that title!”
Suddenly, Lin Hao remembered something and looked at Yuan Ying, asking, "By the way, how are the preparations for the opening banquet going?"
When asked about the important matter, Yuan Ying replied with a serious expression: "It's all done. All the procedures have been planned out, and there won't be any mistakes."
Lin Hao shook his head: "None of this matters, since no one will come anyway!"
"Young Master~," Yuan Ying was about to speak when Lin Hao glared at her, and she immediately changed her words, "Husband, what does it mean that no one is coming?"
"If the second brother doesn't come, who else dares to come?"
"Is the situation in North Korea really that serious?"
"It's nothing, just a child's game!" Lin Hao didn't take Yin Song seriously at all.
"Then let's have a grand opening banquet!"
"The list will be sent out as is. Whether they come or not is their business. Whether we invite them or not is our attitude. In short, we cannot lose face, and we cannot allow anyone to find fault with us on this point!"
"Yes!"
"No need to prepare so many dishes. I'll calculate roughly how many people will come. That old fox, the third brother, won't be coming!"
However, his wives will probably come out of respect for Li Wei, and Fifth Brother and Shangguan Jing will also come, Hao Jia~!
At this point, Lin Hao looked at Li Wei and said, "Don't let Hao Jia come to the opening banquet this time!"
"Why? Sister Hao Jia is my best friend, I~!" Li Wei asked in confusion.
Knowing what Li Wei was about to say, Lin Hao quickly patted her hand to comfort her:
"Alright, this is for her own good. The second brother, Yin Song, is a violent and unpredictable man. If he finds out that Hao Jia is here, she'll probably suffer a lot!"
"Well, okay then!" Li Wei wasn't stupid; she quickly figured out the key point, but she was still a little down.
"Alright, I know you and Hao Jia are close, but it's fine for you to do whatever you want in private!" "However, it's best not to have too much contact in public, otherwise, given the Second Brother's temper, Hao Jia might not have a good time!"
"Oh, why?" Li Wei asked, puzzled. "Even though you and the Second Young Master don't get along, he shouldn't be like this!"
Lin Hao shook his head and cautioned, "Yin Song is truly arrogant, but in reality, he is cruel and ruthless!"
"Moreover, he is suspicious by nature and does not allow anyone to question his words in the slightest. Even his wife, if she displeases him, will either beat or scold him!"
"If you don't believe me, you'll see how many people come tomorrow, the day I open my residence!"
"Ah, so you mean, my husband, no one will come tomorrow because of the Second Young Master's intimidation?" Yuan Ying said, frowning.
"That's not necessarily true, but there will be very few people coming!" Lin Hao thought for a moment, considering Yuan Ying's preparations for establishing his own residence, and then continued:
"The eldest brother is at the border and will definitely not come back. The second young master will definitely not come back either, and the fourth and tenth young masters will not come either."
"Although the third brother is hesitant and undecided, his wife and concubine have a good relationship with Li Wei and they need something from me, so he should come back."
"Fifth Brother has no power or influence, but he will be establishing his own residence next month. He already has a good relationship with me, and with Shangguan Jing's connection, he should be coming back!"
"The seventh brother and his wife will also be opening their own residence next month. Whether they come or not is uncertain, but based on my understanding of them, I reckon they will come."
"The Ninth Prince probably wants to come, but given the Second Prince's threat, he likely won't!"
"As for Little Eleven, it depends on what Madam and I decide to do!"
At this point, Lin Hao looked at Yuan Ying and said, "That's about all the people, but you still need to prepare some extra materials in case of unexpected guests!"
"Yes, I understand!" Yuan Ying nodded in response, already having a good idea of what was going on.
"By the way, you're in charge of the backyard, so make sure to carefully check the food in the kitchen!" Remembering the fifth brother's food poisoning incident in the original series, she reminded him.
"I believe you can definitely make the arrangements, but how well the people below will execute them is another matter!"
"Yes, I understand!" Upon hearing this, Yuan Ying also became wary.
Given what Lin Hao had mentioned before, and the fact that he had given such a clear warning, she definitely had to be careful, otherwise it would be difficult to explain if something went wrong.
······
next day
Lin Hao arrived at the Imperial Study; it was the new Sichuan Emperor who had summoned him.
Seeing the new lord of Chuan writing, Lin Hao bowed and said:
"Greetings, my lord!"
"No need for formalities!"
After Lin Hao stood up, the new Chuanzhu asked, "How has the manor been lately? Are you getting along well with Princess Yuanying?"
"Thank you for your concern, my lord. I am well!" Lin Hao said calmly.
"That's good. Ever since the Danchuan incident last year, I have placed high hopes on you. With your talent, you will surely become an important minister in the court and uphold the rule of the dynasty!"
"That's why I specially betrothed Yuan Ying to you. I know her talents, and it's naturally best that you two get along well now!"
Lin Hao was speechless. Jin Chuan had taken a liking to me and took the initiative to ask me to marry Yuan Ying to him. Is this your achievement?
Moreover, your technique for making empty promises is, tsk tsk, really too low-level.
Although Lin Hao was inwardly complaining, he lied and said, "Yes, it's all thanks to the master. Thank you for your favor!"
Seeing Lin Hao's obedience, Shinkawa nodded in satisfaction and continued:
"Well, your opening banquet is coming soon, but apart from your second brother's opening banquet, I have never attended any of them in person, so I cannot show favoritism to you!"
"Consider this calligraphy a gift for your establishment of your residence, and also a small token of my appreciation!"
At this point, the new Chuanzhu gestured to Liang Shi beside him, and then Lin Hao saw the head eunuch bring him a painting.
Lin Hao accepted the gift with both hands, feigning delight, and bowed to the new Sichuan Lord, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Seeing Lin Hao's submissive demeanor, the new Sichuan chieftain laughed heartily and then said:
"There is one more thing. Your fifth brother is getting old, and your seventh brother has been hardworking and diligent since childhood. I plan to establish their own residences and attend court next month. You should help them out more. This is also your most important task!"
Lin Hao secretly cursed, but the new Sichuan Lord didn't send anyone to help him. Instead, he made Lin Hao, who was suppressed by the second son, help other young masters open their own mansions.
However, Lin Hao still pretended to be a good student and said, "Yes!"
Later, when Lin Hao returned to his new residence, "Jingyuan," the second brother and the fourth brother were discussing how to deal with Lin Hao.
"How dare he, a mere illegitimate son and the sixth son, interfere in my household registration office?" the second son said disdainfully.
"He merely used the excuse of repaying Jinchuan's debts to get Father's approval for his proposal. Second Brother is planning to attend Sixth Brother's opening banquet?" Yin Jun said with a gloomy expression.
He had already heard that Lin Hao had badmouthed him to his second brother, and since he had no way to prove his innocence to the second young master, he could only try to deal with Lin Hao.
"Does he deserve it?" The second brother had an arrogant expression, not taking Lin Hao seriously at all.
Yin Jun nodded in agreement: "Yes! It's just a concubine's son opening a residence, how can he be worthy of the eldest son of the legitimate wife personally going there?"
As the second brother's loyal lackey, fearing that the second brother would become more suspicious of him, he dealt with the situation cautiously, not only despising Lin Hao but also secretly praising his master.
At this point, Yin Jun continued:
"Second Brother, I reckon Sixth Brother will use the opening banquet as an opportunity to get everyone to support the night market!"
After the fourth brother finished speaking ill of Lin Hao, Yin Song had an idea. Remembering Lin Hao's disregard for him yesterday, he hatched a plan and gave the order:
"Spread the word that I'm not going to his banquet!"
"If the eldest son doesn't go, naturally no one will dare to set foot in the Sixth Young Master's residence, otherwise they'll be going against you. Second Brother's plan is indeed brilliant!"
Looking at Yin Jun's admiring expression, Yin Song wondered how much of that admiration was genuine and how much was feigned.
······
When the day of establishing his residence arrived, Yuan Ying still arranged the seats even though he knew no one would come.
On the one hand, it was to teach Li Wei how to handle such a situation next time, and on the other hand, it was to prevent someone from actually coming over, in case things weren't handled properly, which would be extremely impolite.
"Open your residence!" Su Shen shouted.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The sound of firecrackers rang out.
Then, under Su Shen's direction, the maids and servants began to arrange the red lanterns and prepare for the banquet.
However, thanks to Lin Hao's reminder, not too many dishes were prepared.
Although he knew no one was coming, Lin Hao still had to come out and make a show of welcoming the guests with the ladies.
After waiting for a long time, Li Wei pouted and said unhappily, "No one's really coming!"
"Yes, didn't I tell you already? The second brother has a very complicated network of connections. If he doesn't come, who would dare to?"
Lin Hao smiled and didn't seem to care about the situation at hand.
"Even so, why aren't the other young masters and mistresses here?" Li Wei frowned slightly, still somewhat puzzled.
"Hmph, don't you always hang out with them? I thought it was all good, but it seems they're not all that great after all?"
Song Wu finally seized the opportunity to give Li Wei a good scorn.