Mid-Autumn Festival

The four had finished their plan and were about to sit down for their meal when they heard light footsteps outside the courtyard. Lin Qingyao, accompanied by her personal maid Ju'er, lifted the curtain and entered.

She quickly walked to the head of the table, curtsied to Master Lin, and said softly, "Father." Then she turned her head slightly and nodded to Lin Shan and Lin Yue, who were standing beside her, "Eldest brother, second brother."

After greeting her father and brothers, she turned around and gracefully bowed to Shen Jingchuan:

"Young Master Shen."

Shen Jingchuan stood up to return the greeting and asked:

"Miss Lin, is your injury fully healed?"

"Thank you for your concern, young master. It's all taken care of now."

Lin Qingyao spoke sincerely:

"If it weren't for your timely rescue and the meticulous treatment with those miraculous medicines and methods that day, I would probably be dead by now."

She had practiced martial arts since she was young and was always physically strong, with a foundation far superior to that of ordinary people. After a month of rest, she was already able to move around normally.

Ju'er chimed in with a smile:

"Greetings, Young Master Shen."

"I just heard that you, young master, have acquired a four-wheeled carriage. My young lady couldn't sit still after hearing that, so she came here specifically to see it."

Lin Qingyao's cheeks flushed slightly upon hearing this. After speaking, she looked up at Master Lin with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

Looking at his daughter, Mr. Lin was both amused and annoyed. He waved his hand, his tone full of doting affection:

"You silly girl, you always love to get involved in these kinds of things. Go on, go on."

Lin Shan and Lin Yue chuckled softly, already used to their younger sister's mischievous and curious nature. Lin Shan stepped forward and said:

I'll go with you.

Shen Jingchuan smiled and said, "Please, young lady, I'll show you around." He then led Lin Qingyao, Lin Shan, and Ju'er to the front courtyard.

Upon arriving at the front yard, two magnificent Whirlwind Horses were pulling a uniquely designed carriage standing under the eaves.

Lin Qingyao was first taken aback by the appearance of the car, then frowned and said:

"Young Master Shen, why are you using Whirlwind Horse to pull the carriage? This is such a waste!"

Shen Jingchuan said:

"I think it's great, and Little Black and Treading Snow are happy about it too."

Lin Qingyao clicked her tongue in amazement. "This is truly rare. Whirlwind Horses are proud and rarely willing to pull carriages. I never expected that you, young master, could make them obey you so obediently."

Shen Jingchuan waved his hand. "Only those two are easy to talk to. My Big Black just absolutely refuses, and I can't force it."

Lin Qingyao chuckled upon hearing this:

"Big Black? Your Big Black is called Big Black? Young Master Shen, you certainly know how to make names easy for yourself. Such a handsome horse is called Big Black, and this one is called Little Black —oh, and the one with white hooves is Treading Snow, right? These names are alright, though a bit common, but much more pleasant to the ear than Big Black Little Black. I really don't know if it's a blessing or a curse for these Heavenly Horses to follow you."

She chatted and laughed as she admired the view for a long time.

After looking around, the group returned to the second courtyard. The food and wine were already laid out in the main room. Lin Weiyuan invited Shen Jingchuan to take a seat. Since they were familiar with each other and had a past favor, there was no need for formalities. Lin Qingyao also joined them for the meal. Everyone took their seats according to their order and ate together.

Halfway through the meal, Lin Qingyao suddenly put down her chopsticks, looked at Shen Jingchuan, and smiled:

"Young Master Shen, the Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner, and I've just remembered something exciting."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jingchuan's heart stirred slightly—this other world also had a festival on the fifteenth of August, just like the Mid-Autumn Festival on Earth. He showed no emotion on his face, only nodding to signal Lin Qingyao to continue.

"The Hongwen Academy in Chang'an, the provincial capital, holds a poetry gathering every Mid-Autumn Festival, which is the most prestigious literary event in our Great Qian Kingdom."

Lin Qingyao's tone carried a hint of longing:

"Not only scholars and literati from all over the country flock there, but also talented individuals from neighboring states like Chu and Qi travel from afar. Its fame has been renowned for hundreds of years. Yuxi Prefecture is only three or four days' journey from Chang'an. Now that you, young master, have such a comfortable four-wheeled carriage, would you be interested in taking a look?"

Shen Jingchuan lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment. Since he was able to travel to other worlds, it had been almost two months, and he had only been wandering around Yuxi Prefecture. He had never been to other places. Hearing her describe such a magnificent scene, he thought it would be a good opportunity to go out and see it.

Only by going to more places and meeting more people will you have a greater chance of finding Spirit Stones.

He did not immediately agree. He looked up at Lin Weiyuan, who was in the main seat, and then glanced at the Lin brothers, Lin Shan and Lin Yue, beside him, his eyes filled with a questioning look.

Lin Weiyuan stroked his beard, having already noticed his expression, and laughed heartily before speaking:

"Since Young Master Shen is interested in broadening his horizons, then this is quite convenient. Our Weiyuan Escort Agency was already planning a trip to Chang'an before the Mid-Autumn Festival to escort a shipment of red goods. It's perfect that we're traveling together, and we can look out for each other."

Lin Shan nodded in agreement.

"That's right, having brothers from the escort agency with us along the way makes things safer."

Lin Yue's lips curled slightly, and he added:

"The poetry gathering is indeed very lively. My younger sister has been talking about it for quite some time now. If Young Master Shen would like to come along, it would be just what she wanted."

Lin Qingyao's cheeks flushed red upon hearing this. She glared at Lin Yue and spat lightly.

"Second brother, you're talking nonsense! I was just thinking that since Young Master Shen is new here, I wanted to use the poetry gathering to let him see the literary style of our Great Qian and broaden his horizons. It didn't happen to fulfill my wishes."

Lin Yue chuckled and said slowly:

"When did you, a self-proclaimed swordswoman who wields swords and calls herself a knight-errant, become interested in the musings of poets and writers? Can you even write poetry or paint?"

"I..." Lin Qingyao choked on her words, immediately becoming anxious and sitting up straight to argue:

"Even though I can't write poetry or paint, does that mean I can't enjoy poetry and literature? Besides, poetry gatherings are so lively, can't I just go and join in the fun?"

Lin Shan, standing to the side, shook his head, suppressing a laugh. Lin Weiyuan, stroking his beard, sat in the main seat, watching his two children bicker, his eyes full of indulgent smiles.

Lin Weiyuan stroked his beard and laughed heartily, waving his hand:

"Alright, stop teasing your sister. You young people can go to the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering and join in the fun. The family's carriage workshop has just started, and there are a lot of things that need someone to keep an eye on, so I'll stay home and oversee things. I won't join in the fun."

He paused, looked at Lin Shan and Lin Yue, and his expression became more serious:

"This shipment of red goods isn't heavy, and the journey isn't too far. It's more than enough for you two brothers to handle. The important thing is to keep a close eye on Young Master Shen's safety on the road, understand?"

Lin Shan and Lin Yue nodded in unison. "Father, rest assured, your sons understand."

Lin Qingyao realized that her father hadn't mentioned her in his words and wasn't sure if she could go. She had to make sure it was a done deal.

She leaned close to Lin Weiyuan and gently shook his arm, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons.

"Father, I'll go too! My eldest and second brothers' martial arts skills are mediocre, I'm worried about them, I need to go with them to protect them."

Upon hearing this, everyone at the table laughed. Did this silly girl not realize she was being asked to come along? Or was she just too worried to think straight?

Lin Yue deliberately pointed at her and sighed with a smile:

"Your injury hasn't fully healed yet, so don't go. Your brother and I are fine. Are you still worried about us...?"

Lin Qingyao's cheeks flushed red again, she pouted and lowered her head, interrupting her second brother:

"Alright, alright, I'm ignoring you all. I'm definitely going."

After saying that, she stood up and skipped away. Ju'er covered her mouth to stifle her laughter and quickly followed her out.