Just a Carriage Workshop

He got up and left the main hall, heading straight for the east wing. Xiaohuan was sitting in the outer room keeping watch; upon seeing him enter, she quickly stood up and bowed.

"Young Master Shen?"

"Is the princess inside?" Shen Jingchuan asked softly. "Did I disturb her cultivation?"

"The princess is meditating in her inner chamber; she's been doing it for quite a while," Xiaohuan said, shaking her head. "If you're not in a hurry, young master, why don't you wait until the princess comes out of seclusion?"

Shen Jingchuan nodded, not wanting to interrupt her cultivation rashly, and turned to leave.

No sooner had her foot touched the threshold than a soft laugh, tinged with languor, came from inside the room:

"What's wrong, you brat? You're already here, are you still leaving?"

Before she could finish speaking, the curtain was lifted, and Xiao Mingshu stepped out.

Shen Jingchuan walked closer and briefly recounted how the Third Prince, Xiao Mingyuan, had come to their door to forcibly buy the carriage shop.

Xiao Mingshu raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, showing no surprise whatsoever. She took a sip of her iced tea and spoke calmly:

"That's just how the third brother is, always greedy and insatiable."

"He is the Empress's legitimate son, and has been pampered by his father since childhood. Although he lacks Spirit Roots and cannot cultivate immortality, he has always been lawless in the mortal realm. What, you've come to me wanting me to intervene on your behalf?"

"I wouldn't dare trouble you, sister."

Shen Jingchuan smiled:

"I'm just not sure how things are handled by the royal family. If this is easy to handle, you could just mention it if it's convenient for you, sister."

"If it's troublesome, then forget it. It's just a carriage workshop, nothing important. My sister knows me."

"To be honest, this matter might be a huge deal for the Lin Household, but it's really not worth your time and effort."

Xiao Mingshu put down her teacup and said calmly:

"In my opinion, we should just let it go. Although we are siblings, we have never gotten along since childhood, and after I joined a sect to cultivate, we had even less of a bond."

"It's pointless to ruin things over such a small matter. If you're really worried about it, I'll just buy you a few bottles of pills."

"Sister, what are you saying?"

Shen Jingchuan laughed:

"It's just a carriage shop, giving it away is nothing. I understand what you mean, sister."

He turned to leave, but Xiao Mingshu spoke again, her tone becoming more serious:

"You brat, I'm warning you. You are now a cultivator. You cannot meddle in the affairs of the mortal court, let alone use your cultivation to kill royal officials or disrupt the order of the court. This is the rule of our sect, and it is the bottom line for all cultivators in the world. Remember this."

Shen Jingchuan paused, turned around, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards her:

"Little brother has remembered, sister can rest assured."

He returned to the main hall, and the three members of the Lin Household immediately looked over, their eyes filled with urgency. Shen Jingchuan raised his hand to signal them to calm down, and only after sitting down did he say:

"Father-in-law, my two elder brothers, I've inquired about this matter. In my opinion, it's just a cart workshop; once it's given, it's given. There's no need to make a fuss."

"Are you just going to put up with this?"

Lin Yue suddenly raised his head, his face full of resentment:

"This is outrageous! They're stealing our business for no reason; it's practically robbery!"

What can we do if we can't bear it?

Shen Jingchuan shook his head:

"The other party is a prince of the current dynasty. If we really fall out, are we supposed to kill him? That wouldn't be a matter of stealing business; it would be murdering an official and rebelling, a crime punishable by the execution of the entire family."

The room fell silent immediately upon hearing this. Lin Qingyao whispered a word of advice from the side:

"Father, Second Brother, just listen to Jingchuan. The royal family is too powerful for us to afford to offend. Besides, Jingchuan said he'll find us other businesses after a while; it's not worth getting into trouble over this one deal."

Lin Weiyuan time before finally sighing:

"Alright, Jingchuan is right. We came mainly to let you know."

"It seems like he took over the workshop, but all the core components were supplied by you. Even if they take over the site, it's useless. The materials they have on hand can only make about fifty more vehicles at most; they definitely won't be able to produce any more after that."

"I'm afraid that if they investigate, it will implicate you."

"Fifty vehicles..."

Shen Jingchuan pondered for a moment, then said:

"It's alright. When they find out they can't build it and ask about the source of the parts, just tell them the truth: the parts were supplied by me, Shen Jingchuan. Tell them to come directly to me if they have any problems."

"That won't do!"

Lin Shan immediately frowned:

"Isn't this just shifting the blame onto you? We're determined not to say anything; do you think they can pry our mouths open?"

"Don't be stubborn, brother."

Shen Jingchuan waved his hand, his tone resolute:

"The truth will eventually come out. If they really want to investigate, they'll find me sooner or later. By telling me voluntarily, you'll be able to get away unscathed. I'll handle the rest. You don't need to worry about it; just live your lives in peace."

Having said all that, the Lin Household father and son knew that further argument was pointless. After sitting for a while longer, the three of them got up to take their leave.

Leaving the Shen Residence and walking back to the escort agency, Lin Yue was still holding his breath. Lin Weiyuan at him and slowly said:

"Don't think your brother-in-law is afraid of trouble. The Shen Household has deep roots; he dared to say that, so I reckon he must have a plan. Let's just do as he says, don't worry about it, and definitely don't cause him any trouble."

Lin Shan and Lin Yue exchanged a glance and nodded. The three of them, father and sons, walked heavily towards the escort agency.

After the Lin Household father and son set off to return to their residence, Shen Jingchuan turned around and went to the west courtyard.

In the Heavenly Horse towards the west yard, making it much more convenient to enter and exit without having to go around the front yard.

He stepped into the second courtyard, which was surrounded by houses on all four sides, forming a square shape, with a flat open space in the very center.

Shen Jingchuan walked to the center of the field, sat down, and whistled a clear whistle.

Hearing the commotion, the three horses that had been resting in the stable immediately swished their manes and galloped happily through the newly opened door, nuzzling and rubbing against him affectionately.

Shen Jingchuan stroked Big Black's neck, took out Spirit Gathering Formation Plate from his pocket, and casually placed it on the ground in front of him. He looked up at the three horses and said softly:

Let's begin our cultivation together.

As if they understood, the three horses obediently lowered their bodies and circled around the array plate.

The next moment, Shen Jingchuan activated the array plate, and the Spirit Gathering Formation was instantly activated.

The surrounding Spiritual Qi converged along the array patterns, forming a thin layer of Spiritual Qi mist in the courtyard.

The three horses instinctively absorbed the abundant Spiritual Qi around them, and Shen Jingchuan also calmed his mind, silently circulating the [Five Phases Spirit Guiding Instruction], immersing himself in cultivation along with the three horses.