Heaven rewards diligence; he fought his way through chaos to become a saint.

After leaving the martial arts school, Ye Ci boarded a luxurious carriage. The carriage was inlaid with silver thread, and even the coachman was dressed in a short silk outfit.

Knowing that Master Shen had arranged for someone to pick up Yao Yao and the others, Ye Ci felt very relieved.

Along the way.

Lifting the curtain, one could see some people in fine silks and satins, while others were dressed in rags.

The lively atmosphere of the marketplace gradually subsided, and the number of passersby decreased.

As the carriage headed in one direction into the city, the stone-paved road became smoother, and the buildings on both sides were mostly mansions with upturned eaves. People in armor patrolled from time to time, clearly indicating that this was a residential area for wealthy families in the inner city. The emaciated beggars could no longer be seen.

He gazed at it calmly, just as he had when he bought pastries at "Pinweizhai".

Everything we have now was earned through sheer hard work and sacrifice.

If it weren't for practicing martial arts, his family's elderly, weak, sick, and disabled members would still be dressed in rags, struggling to make ends meet, and even worried about Li Dabiao's threats.

We arrived at the Shen family's residence.

Located in the heart of the inner city, this place occupies a vast area. If a typical residence with four or five courtyards is considered a large mansion, then the Shen family's residence has more than ten courtyards.

It truly is the Grand View Garden.

Passing through the outer hall, one is greeted by a sense of tranquility. Inside, there is a narrow path with pavilions and towers on the side, creating an elegant environment.

Underfoot is a smooth bluestone path, and on both sides are neatly trimmed flowers and trees.

Passing through several moon gates and along corridor after corridor, one finds a complete range of rooms, including side rooms, studies, and flower halls.

Each courtyard is planted with century-old osmanthus trees, and the stone rockeries along the blue brick paths are arranged in a well-organized manner and are meticulously maintained.

"Young Master Ye, I have already brought your entire family here. From now on, they will be living in the Shen family compound. Everyone in the compound is a direct descendant of the Shen family. The residence arranged for you is a private house where you will be undisturbed..."

Shen Wanzhou was very courteous, accompanying Ye Ci, while a steward led the way.

"Master Ye, this courtyard is called 'Tingzhu Pavilion,' originally the place where Master Shen recuperated. It is fully furnished, so you and your family can rest assured and stay here."

The butler bowed respectfully and gestured for them to enter the courtyard.

Ye Ci looked up and saw that the courtyard was elegant, with a smooth and shiny vermilion gate and neatly paved bluestone slabs.

"The left wing room was a place for servants to rest and take care of chores, while the right wing was a small warm room with plenty of light. The window paper was made of the finest mulberry bark paper, making it a good place to sit and enjoy the scenery on ordinary days."

As they walked, the steward explained, "Your main house is in front. Your grandmother and second aunt are in the east wing. The interiors are the same, with blue velvet carpets on the floor, making it warm in winter and cool in summer."

Ye Ci looked around and felt quite satisfied.

According to the steward, Grandma Li was embarrassed to be served by outsiders, so the steward ordered someone to clean up the kitchen in the corner of the courtyard. Although it was not big, it was fully equipped. The stove, water tank, and dishes were all brand new, and even the firewood was neatly stacked.

The manager said that fresh ingredients would be delivered daily by servants, so they didn't need to worry about preparing the meals.

Upon entering the main house, Ye Ci stood at the door and saw her grandmother, Madam Li, and the others. Their eyes were filled with disbelief, clearly still reeling from the immense surprise.

She was dressed in well-fitting brocade clothes, looking no different from a wealthy noblewoman, and was clearly an old lady from a prominent family.

Hearing the noise, Li Shi suddenly jumped and looked at Shen Wanzhou: "Mr. Shen... I..."

"Oh dear! My old auntie!"

Shen Wanzhou rushed forward, bowing low: "Auntie, listen to me, your grandson saved my life, it's all I should do..."

He is a businessman, and his manner of dealing with people is naturally tactful and natural.

The two were of similar age, and soon began to chat as if they were old people.

Finally, Mrs. Li caught her breath and thanked Master Shen with tears in her eyes.

The second aunt's hands were still trembling slightly as she whispered to Ye Ci that Master Shen had given away a certain Master Zhou's property to the Ye family.

Ye Ci nodded slightly.

He never expected that he would become a wealthy man in the blink of an eye.

"Ahhh..."

Yao Yao ran out of the inner room, her mouth still stuffed with pastries, her cheeks flushed. Mu Mu followed behind her, pulling her along and signaling her not to run around.

The "ah ah" sound was made by Mumu.

Ye Ci looked at her and said, "Speak."

"what?"

A hint of nervousness and unease flickered in the girl's eyes.

Ye Ci bent down slightly, looked into her eyes, and said, word by word:

"say."

The girl gazed into those eyes, and tears suddenly welled up uncontrollably.

"Thank you... young master."

She felt that the young master never went back on his word. He had said he would borrow ten taels of silver from his second aunt, and he would definitely repay it.

So everyone is living a good life.

He said he had practiced his internal strength to make Mumu speak, and he must have succeeded now.

"Don't cry."

"Yes."

Mu Mu lowered her eyes, feeling that the young master's tone was a bit fierce, but his voice was very pleasant.

The most beautiful sounds in the world are either one's own or those of the young master.

I wish I could listen to it for a lifetime.

******

The dinner is approaching.

Leaving the Tingzhuxuan courtyard, you can immediately see a bamboo forest with a blue stone path running through it.

A middle-aged man stood by the path, dressed in a royal blue brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist and a jade hairpin in his hair. Upon seeing Shen Wanzhou approaching, he immediately came to greet him.

"Father."

"Um."

"This is my eldest son, Shen Zonghan."

"Young Master Ye."

Shen Zonghan cupped his hands to Ye Ci, speaking warmly: "I am a bit older than you, so please call me Uncle Ye. I am very grateful for your righteous rescue this time."

Uncle Shen.

Ye Ci returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his tone appropriate.

Upon hearing this, Shen Wanzhou narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly, seemingly dissatisfied with his son's performance.

Because the son did not use the term "offering".

Shen Zonghan held a high position in Songjiang County. Although he was the son of Shen Wanzhou, he already owned his own business and had even hired a Taoist priest to serve him. However, the Shen family's business was quite extensive, and as long as the old man was still alive, he would still need to rely on his father's support.

Although I don't know what happened to my father in Jiaozhou, the death of Chen Sanshou, the servant of the household, must have been quite dangerous.

This time, the father's courteous treatment of Ye Ci aroused Shen Zonghan's curiosity and desire to win him over.

"I heard that you suffered some injuries on the road. Last month, when I passed through Jiangling, I happened to obtain a hundred-year-old purple ginseng resurrection herb. I brought it here today as a gift to you."

He gestured to the servants behind him to bring out a gilded lacquer box, opened it, and showed it to Ye Ci: "This is a precious medicine for treating skin, flesh, and bones. It is most suitable for recuperation after injury. I will arrange for the servants to brew the medicine for you later. The dregs can be used for bathing. Taking it internally and applying it externally will lead to the fastest recovery."

Having said that, without Ye Ci having to lift a finger, he had a servant escort him into the Tingzhuxuan courtyard.

Upon seeing this, Shen Wanzhou nodded slightly.

Ye Ci cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you very much for your generous gift, Uncle Shen."

Shen Zonghan smiled and waved his hand, seemingly casually saying, "My son Shen Mo is not much older than you. He is currently studying under a master at the Jinling Sect in the prefectural city, but unfortunately he is not very promising... However, he does have some connections. As for what kind of injury Young Master Ye suffered this time, I will have my son find some precious medicine for you within the sect later..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Wanzhou interrupted him, saying in a nonchalant tone, "What Jinling Sect? It's just an affiliated martial arts school."

"Zonghan, from now on, Ye Gongfeng is family. Don't test him! Go and call Qian'er, Xin'er, and Qi'er to come and join the family banquet..."