A day's work was complete.
Though many things had happened today, Lin Xiao did not care about any of them.
His current state of mind was to sit back and watch the storms sweep across the world.
The fiercer the storm, the more advantageous it was for him.
After all, only in troubled times would he have the chance to rise.
Since he had come to this other world, he had to make something of himself.
Otherwise, would he not have come into this world for nothing?
The residence where Lin Xiao was staying had been arranged for him by Chang Le.
He had heard that this residence had once belonged to a wealthy gentleman of Dingzhou City.
Later, that wealthy gentleman's business had failed, leaving him stripped of all his possessions, and the residence had remained empty ever since.
Using Lin Xiao's name, Chang Le had directly purchased it from the Stability Prefecture yamen.
When the yamen officials heard that Lin Xiao wished to buy the residence, not one of them dared make things difficult. After symbolically paying a small sum, he obtained both the property deed and land deed for the residence.
Ordinary residences normally came only with a property deed, while the land deed belonged to the imperial court.
But if one possessed both the property deed and the land deed, then that plot of land belonged entirely to a private owner.
The residence stood in an excellent location, right in the central district of Dingzhou City.
It was not far from either the Stability Prefecture yamen or the Jinyiwei Pacification Office.
This also showed that the residence's former owner had been no ordinary man.
Everything in the residence had long since been put in order, and Chang Le had thoughtfully recruited ten servants for Lin Xiao to handle the daily affairs within the estate.
Five maids and five male servants.
Lin Xiao was very satisfied with Chang Le's meticulousness in handling affairs.
He had only just sat down in the main hall with a cup of tea when a servant ran in from outside and reported, "Reporting to Master, someone outside claiming to be the head of the Su Family says he wishes to visit you."
"Su Cheng?"
Lin Xiao took a light sip of tea and said calmly, "Mm. Let him in."
Not long after, the sound of footsteps rang out as Su Cheng entered with the Su Family's steward and several servants.
"Head Su is certainly well informed. I only bought this residence today, yet Head Su has already come calling."
"Please, Head Su, have a seat."
Lin Xiao set down his teacup and gestured in invitation.
Su Cheng sat down with a smile. "Lord Lin is now a figure who stirs the winds and clouds in Stability Prefecture. Countless people are watching your every move. As Stability Prefecture's richest man, how could I possibly fail to pay some attention to you, Lord Lin?"
Lin Xiao nodded. "Mm. Since that is so, what business does Head Su have with me today?"
"Could it be that you have encountered some difficulty again and wish to seek my help?"
Su Cheng hurriedly waved his hands. "Lord Lin misunderstands. I have come today because there is a joyous matter I wish to discuss with you."
"Oh? What joyous matter?"
Lin Xiao raised a brow, surprise flashing through his eyes.
"Well..."
"Lord Lin, may I ask whether you are currently betrothed?"
Su Cheng asked somewhat awkwardly.
"I am not. My father has only recently passed away, and I have always been devoted to my work. I have not yet decided whether to find a companion."
"It is good that you are not betrothed. Good that you are not betrothed."
Hearing that Lin Xiao was unmarried, Su Cheng let out a breath of relief, delight appearing on his face as well.
"What does Head Su mean by that?"
"Why does it seem that Head Su is so pleased that I have no marriage arrangement?"
Lin Xiao frowned slightly.
Seeing Lin Xiao's displeasure, Su Cheng hurriedly said, "Lord Lin, please do not misunderstand. This is the matter: I came today to arrange a match between you and my beloved daughter."
"Head Su means...?"
Lin Xiao had already guessed something in his heart.
"Mm, just as Lord Lin has guessed. After Lord Lin left last night, I saw that my daughter seemed somewhat enamored of you. Moreover, I greatly admire you myself, Lord Lin, so I came to ask whether you hold any favorable feelings toward my daughter."
"If Lord Lin does not mind that I, Su Cheng, am merely a merchant, I am willing to marry my daughter to you."
As Su Cheng spoke, he secretly watched Lin Xiao's expression.
If Lin Xiao showed even the slightest reluctance, he would put an end to this marriage alliance.
After thinking for a moment, Lin Xiao said, "Head Su, Miss Su is a lady of a distinguished family, born into wealth and status, and one of Stability Prefecture's famed beauties."
"I, Lin Xiao, am merely a martial man of humble origins. What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve Miss Su's favor?"
"If Miss Su truly is willing, then I, Lin Xiao, naturally will not refuse."
Upon hearing Lin Xiao agree, a wave of joy rose in Su Cheng's heart.
"Rest assured, Lord Lin. Since I came to arrange this match today, I have naturally already discussed it with my daughter. Since that is the case, Lord Lin, let us settle it. We shall choose an auspicious day and complete the marriage agreement between you and Wan'er."
But Lin Xiao suddenly waved a hand, interrupting Su Cheng.
"Wait, Head Su."
"Mm?"
Su Cheng looked at Lin Xiao in confusion, not knowing what he meant.
"Head Su, there is no need to rush the matter of the marriage agreement. However, Head Su knows my circumstances. We may need to have a proper discussion about the bride price and dowry."
"I, Lin Xiao, have neither background nor family property, so I may not be able to offer much in bride price."
"But Head Su possesses a vast family fortune. Surely the dowry will not be as meager as mine?"
Su Cheng froze for a moment, then hurriedly said, "Rest assured, my lord. I, Su Cheng, have only this one daughter. In the future, the entire Su Family will belong to you and Wan'er. After I, Su Cheng, pass on, I cannot take anything with me anyway."
"Excellent. Then I shall trouble Head Su to return home and speak with Miss Su. As long as Miss Su has no objections, I, Lin Xiao, will naturally come to your door on another day to formally propose marriage."
"Then it is settled."
"My lord is busy with official matters, so I shall not disturb you further."
Su Cheng hurriedly departed with his people. Naturally, the gifts he had brought were left behind.
Su Cheng's gifts were all of the finest quality: superior tea leaves that cost ten taels of gold per gram.
There were also high-grade fabrics, which could be used to make Lin Xiao everyday clothes.
As well as all sorts of tonics and the like.
In short, Su Cheng had been exceedingly generous this time.
Elsewhere.
Within the Su Family residence.
Su Wan'er paced back and forth in the main hall, her face full of worry.
She feared that if her father went to arrange the match today and Lin Xiao rejected it, what then?
How would she ever face Lin Xiao again afterward? Not only would they fail to become husband and wife, they would not even be able to remain friends.
These past two days, whenever the night grew still and quiet, Lin Xiao's figure would always rise uncontrollably in her mind.
Now she felt that if she left Lin Xiao, she would surely never be happy again.
Su Wan'er did not know that this was, in truth, the sign of being in love with someone.
Since ancient times, beautiful women loving heroes had been an inescapable law.
Especially a man like Lin Xiao, young yet already high in rank and power, with formidable strength.
Not to mention Su Wan'er—even those women of famed sects and wandering heroines in the martial world would likely be unable to control their feelings upon meeting Lin Xiao.
When she saw Su Cheng return, Su Wan'er hurriedly went forward and anxiously asked, "Father, what did Lord Lin say?"
Seeing his daughter's anxious expression, Su Cheng laughed heartily. "Ha ha, daughter, Lord Lin agreed."
"He said he would come to our Su Family on another day to formally propose marriage."
"Daughter, let me tell you, you have found our Su Family a son-in-law like a dragon riding the clouds. I am exceedingly satisfied, exceedingly satisfied."
"Judging from what Lord Lin has achieved at such a young age, our Su Family will surely cast off the name of merchants in the future and establish the reputation of a powerful clan."
"L-Lord Lin agreed?"
At that moment, a shy look appeared on Su Wan'er's face as she said joyfully.
"Mm. My daughter possesses beauty bestowed by heaven itself, and Lord Lin is a vigorous young man. How could he possibly resist your charm?"
"Oh, Father, how could your daughter possibly be as beautiful as you say? I am ignoring you."
After saying that, Su Wan'er fled away in embarrassment.
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