"Welcome back, Master Lin."

The guards greeted Lin Xuan Qi when they saw him approaching the wooden gates while humming a tune.

They quickly opened the gates for him.

Lin Xuan Qi gave them a smile, nodded at them, and entered through it.

The guards tilted their heads and glanced at each other.

Master Lin must be in a good mood, they figured.

They were absolutely right.

With the batch of soap selling out, Lin Xuan Qi was the happiest he could be to finally have the huge pressure lifted off his chest.

He could now laze around for a few days before getting back to work again.

A luxury he hasn't had ever since he started to inherit the mansion.

But it was all worthwhile when he glanced at the huge mansion with his lovely servant girls inside waiting for him.

"Master Lin, dinner is ready." Xue Cong's sweet and demure voice even sounded sweeter than usual.

He nodded his head and headed for the dining hall.

Auntie Sue cooked a nine-course meal with beef, fish, duck, chicken, and seafood waiting for him.

The dishes were piping hot, and every dish looked appetizing with its perfect plating.

Xue Cong had never seen anything like it, even for their new year dinner.

It would be a miracle if they could have more than three dishes.

Yue Jie and Yue Xin were no strangers to such a lavish meal, but for them, it was only available when they visited families from richer clans or higher officials.

Their father couldn't afford such a treat.

Liu Shi Shi was reminded of her family and how it was before they were slaughtered.

She didn't expect to have such a warm feeling of family when she decided to join the Lin Clan.

Lin Xuan Qi's talent in poetry was what piqued her interest to do so.

But right now, things have changed more than she would like.

Especially her feelings toward Lin Xuan Qi.

She glanced at him and saw that he wasn't even looking at her, which made her bite her lower lip.

Maybe it's better to thrash things out with him when she has the opportunity.

"Come, let's eat." Lin Xuan Qi was eager to tuck in as he was starving.

He picked up his chopsticks and hovered over all the different dishes.

Everything looked delicious and he couldn't make up his mind.

He did so for a few moments before deciding to go with the most expensive dish first.

The braised beef was done to perfection; the flavor from the braise sauce complemented the taste of the meat.

The meat itself was tender and melted in his mouth immediately.

He felt like he was in heaven.

"Maybe I'm made for this young master's life." He thought to himself, and Lin Xuan Qi didn't wait to move on to the next dish.

The next one didn't disappoint him as well.

When he took a bite out of the roasted duck, the crispy skin of the duck gave out a crunch.

The oil underneath the skin burst out and filled his mouth.

Such a gastronomic delight.

Lin Xuan Qi couldn't help but close his eyes to savor every bite of the duck meat.

Everyone else was glad that he was enjoying the food.

It was the first time they had seen him so happy.

They joined in and were equally impressed with the dishes.

"It's so...good." Yue Xin exclaimed with surprise when she took a bite out of the steamed chicken.

The fat under the skin was clear and jelly-like.

Coupled with soft skin, the meat was savory and easy to swallow.

"This steamed chicken would taste so much better with chili." Lin Xuan Qi said and lamented the fact.

He had longed for it ever since he was here, and that reminded him of his quest to create the rudimentary version of MSG.

"Chili?" Xue Cong asked with curiosity.

She would try to get it for him if she could.

But Lin Xuan Qi shook his head and said, "It's rare and I don't think you can find it anywhere in Da Qian."

Xue Cong lowered her head in disappointment.

"I've never heard of it anywhere." Liu Shi Shi tried to recall from her travels, but it was something she had never heard of before.

Lee He Song concurred and nodded his head.

He poured a cup of wine and passed it to Lin Xuan Qi.

"Let's have a toast for the success today."

Lin Xuan Qi hesitated for a moment before taking the cup of wine from him.

Xue Cong and Yue Jie's heartbeats also stopped for a moment.

They still remembered what happened the other time he had a drink.

Their faces blushed and they tried to look away.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Yue Xin saw Yue Jie's face and ears which were flushed red.

Yue Jie shook her head and said, "I'm fine, must be the heat."

She pretended to fan herself with her palm.

"Yes, the summer night can be stuffy and hot." Xue Cong also joined in and fanned herself with her hand to avoid the embarrassment.

"Have a drink, it will kill the heat." Lee He Song chuckled and passed them a cup of wine each.

Lin Xuan Qi didn't think much and said, "I think everyone should have a drink for a toast."

Lee He Song nodded and said, "As it should be."

He was trying to savor every moment he could in his remaining life.

Soon, everyone had a cup of wine in their hands.

Lin Xuan Qi stood up and held up his hand with a cup of wine in it.

"Here's a toast to the success of the Lin Clan."

He said and downed the cup of wine in a mouthful.

"Toast to the success of the Lin Clan!"

Everyone else at the table shouted and did the same thing.

"Ouch...it burns." Yue Xin squirmed when the wine went down her throat.

She had never expected it to taste like fire burning inside her.

Yue Jie's eyes closed while she tried to maintain her posture.

It was indeed burning.

Xue Cong quickly reached for the tea she had in front of her to quench the burning sensation.

Only Liu Shi Shi was immune to it, and she smirked at their reactions.

It must have been a luxury for them to be sober all this while.

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