Moving into a New Home

Knock, knock—

Not long after Fang Han returned to Grade A No. 10 Martial Dao Room, a light knock came from outside.

He opened the door and saw the servant who had often delivered Elder Fang Yuan's messages before.

"Young Master Fang Han, Elder Fang Yuan requests your presence."

The servant bowed respectfully.

"Did the Elder say what it was about?"

Fang Han asked.

The regular monthly task had already been completed, and he could not imagine why Elder Fang Yuan would summon him.

"The Elder did not say, but he appeared quite pleased. It should be good news."

The servant replied quietly.

Fang Han nodded and followed the servant toward Elder Fang Yuan's Quiet Room.

Inside the Quiet Room, sandalwood incense curled through the air. Elder Fang Yuan wore an unconcealable smile of gratification. When he saw Fang Han enter, he smiled and beckoned.

"Fang Han, come quickly."

"Elder." Fang Han bowed.

"No need for such formalities." Elder Fang Yuan stroked his beard and smiled. "Just now, I reported your breakthrough to the Clan Head. The Clan Head was greatly delighted upon hearing it. He said that your talent was exceptional, that you were the family's hope for the future, and that you should be cultivated with all our strength."

He paused, raising his voice slightly with the solemnity of announcing major news.

"The Clan Head has specially decreed that, as an exception, you are to be rewarded with a premium courtyard named Rain-Listening Pavilion!"

"A premium courtyard?"

Fang Han's heart jolted at those words.

Within the Fang Clan residence, courtyards were also divided into different ranks. The side courtyard where his family currently lived was merely the most ordinary residence for collateral clan members.

It was cramped, and they did not even have a single servant.

A premium courtyard, on the other hand, was usually reserved for family elders or core members who had rendered immense service to the family.

Its size, surroundings, and facilities were far beyond any ordinary side courtyard. This was not merely a material reward, but a symbol of status and position!

"This... I have only been a Beginner stage disciple for a short time. I fear I am unworthy of such a reward..."

Though Fang Han was excited, he knew that his contributions to the family were nowhere near enough to merit such a premium courtyard.

"There is no need to feel unworthy."

Elder Fang Yuan waved a hand, cutting Fang Han off, his tone firm as nails.

"With your talent, you are worthy of such a reward. This matter is settled. There is no need to decline."

"Rain-Listening Pavilion has already been properly prepared, and everything is fully furnished. You may move in at any time. The Clan Head also specifically ordered that four maidservants and two male servants be assigned to you, to attend to the courtyard and your daily needs."

"Thank you, Clan Head, for your generous reward! Thank you, Elder, for your cultivation! This disciple will certainly cultivate diligently without cease and never disappoint the family's high expectations!"

Fang Han took a deep breath, suppressing the surging gratitude in his heart, and bowed deeply.

"Good, good!" Elder Fang Yuan nodded in satisfaction. "Go. Tell your parents this happy news and let them be happy as well."

"Yes, this disciple takes his leave!"

Fang Han bowed once more and withdrew from the Quiet Room.

Even after walking a long way, that immense surprise still filled his heart, and his steps unconsciously became lighter.

It was like an ordinary employee in his previous life suddenly being rewarded with a spacious apartment in the city center, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold. How could he not be happy?

He did not return to the Martial Dao Room, instead heading straight home.

The moment he pushed open the courtyard gate, his mother, Lin Wan, who was hanging laundry in the yard, looked over in surprise.

"Han? Why are you back so early today?"

His father, Fang Zheng, who was off duty today and had not gone to the restaurant, also emerged from the house with an account book in hand, his face full of puzzlement.

Unable to suppress the smile on his face, Fang Han hurried over to his parents.

"Father, Mother, the Clan Head has issued a special decree. As an exception, he has rewarded our family with a premium courtyard called Rain-Listening Pavilion!"

"What? A premium courtyard?"

The wooden basin in Lin Wan's hands fell to the ground with a clang, clothes scattering everywhere, yet she seemed entirely unaware.

She merely stared at Fang Han with wide eyes, unable to believe it.

Fang Zheng's entire body shook as well. He did not even notice the account book slipping from his hand and falling to the ground. Even his voice trembled.

"Han, you... what did you say? The Clan Head rewarded us... a premium courtyard? How... how is that possible?"

A premium courtyard was a reward only elders or those who had rendered great service to the family could receive.

How could Fang Han, a junior still studying in the family Martial Hall, possibly be qualified to receive such a reward?

"It is absolutely true!"

Fang Han nodded firmly and repeated Elder Fang Yuan's words.

"I have advanced to Bone Refining Mid-Stage and rank third in the Inner Hall. The Clan Head said this was an exceptional reward in recognition of my talent."

"The courtyard has already been prepared, and it comes with four maidservants and two male servants. We can move there whenever we wish."

"Bone Refining Mid-Stage? Third place?"

Fang Zheng murmured. As a member of the Fang Clan, he naturally understood how remarkable an achievement this was. Immense joy rushed over him like a tide.

"Heavens... blessings of the ancestors... My son has made something of himself. My son has truly made something of himself..."

Lin Wan was so happy that her words tumbled out in a jumble.

At that moment, Fang Ying, dressed in a little red padded jacket, ran out of the house. Seeing her mother, brother, and father all so excited, she tugged at Fang Han's sleeve in confusion.

"Big Brother, Big Brother, what happened?"

"Xiao Ying, Big Brother earned our family a big courtyard, much bigger and prettier than this one. There will also be lots of older brothers and sisters to play with you in the future. Are you happy?"

Fang Han bent down and scooped up his little sister, pressing his forehead against hers with a radiant smile.

"A big courtyard?"

Fang Ying blinked her large, black grape-like eyes. Though she did not quite understand, seeing her brother so happy made her giggle and clap her little hands.

"Happy! Xiao Ying is happy!"

Watching their laughing children, Fang Zheng and Lin Wan exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with incomparable gratification and pride.

All the hardship, all the hopes they had carried, received their finest reward at this moment.

Early the next morning, Fang Han, who had already taken leave from the Martial Hall, headed with his parents and little sister toward the area deep within the residence that they had never set foot in before.

The farther inward they went, the quieter and more secluded the surroundings became. Lush trees flourished, while pavilions and towers stood hidden among them, completely unlike the noisy side courtyard where they had lived.

After passing through a grove of emerald bamboo, the view suddenly opened up.

A grand courtyard of white walls and gray tiles came into view.

The courtyard gate was broad, and above it hung an elegant plaque bearing the three vigorous characters: "Rain-Listening Pavilion."

Pushing open the heavy courtyard gate, they first saw a spacious, spotless front yard paved in bluestone, with exquisite rockeries and verdant flowers and trees adorning its corners.

The main structure was a two-story building with upturned eaves, carved beams, and painted rafters, far more imposing than the house they had once lived in.

There were also eastern and western side wings.

"This... this courtyard is far too big..."

Lin Wan stood at the entrance, barely daring to step inside, her voice full of amazement.

Fang Zheng also drew a deep breath, trying his best to appear calm, but his faintly trembling fingers betrayed the excitement in his heart.

Holding his little sister, who was looking around everywhere, Fang Han smiled and led his parents inside.

Six servants were already waiting respectfully in the courtyard with their hands lowered.

The four maidservants wore clean dresses of blue cloth and were quite attractive. The two male servants wore fitted work clothes and were both strong young men. When Fang Han's family entered, they all bowed in unison.

"Welcome, Young Master, Master, Madam, and Young Miss, to Rain-Listening Pavilion!"

Their voices were orderly, their attitudes respectful.

They understood that from now on, the power of life and death over the six of them would rest in the hands of these four people.

Moreover, they were quite pleased to be Fang Han's attendants. After all, Fang Han was now the most sought-after genius in the Fang Mansion, with enormous potential for the future.

Following such a master, their prospects could not possibly be poor.

This was clear from the envious looks the other servants had given them after the six of them were selected as servants of Rain-Listening Pavilion.

"No need for such formalities, no need..."

When had Lin Wan and Fang Zheng ever received such a reception? For a moment, they were at a loss what to do and hurriedly told everyone not to stand on ceremony.

Fang Han, however, remained relatively composed. He merely nodded slightly. Given his current status, he had long grown accustomed to servants' respect.

Under the servants' guidance, they toured each area one by one.

The main hall was spacious and bright, its furniture all crafted from fine wood.

The bedrooms were bright and spotless, with soft and comfortable beds.

There was a study and a Quiet Room for cultivation, with every amenity provided.

There was even a patch of open ground specially cleared in the rear courtyard for practicing martial techniques.

Every detail displayed the extraordinary nature of this courtyard. It was utterly incomparable to their former crude little yard.

"Not bad..."

Fang Zheng stroked the smooth tabletop in the main hall and nodded repeatedly, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

Lin Wan, meanwhile, took hold of a maidservant and quietly asked where the kitchen was, already beginning to plan their family's first meal here.

Fang Ying had long since slipped from her brother's arms and was running about the spacious courtyard with curiosity, her silver-bell laughter scattering into every corner.

Fang Han stood in the center of the courtyard, looking at the unprecedented satisfaction and pride on his parents' faces, watching his sister's joyful figure, and feeling this brand-new life that he had earned with his own efforts. His heart was filled with steadiness and comfort.