abnabooks Chapter 98: Rewards! A luxurious mansion! A warm bed!
Chapter 98: Rewards! A luxurious mansion! A warm bed!
Chapter 98: Rewards! A luxurious mansion! A warm bed!
Su Yu took the heavy Flying Tiger Order with both hands and handed two ten-tael ingots of official silver to Commander Xue.
"Thank you for the good news, Commander Xue. This small token is for the brothers to drink."
Xue Ting's smile widened as he handed over the brocade box. "Captain Su, we're all on the same side now. Haha, you must come find me for a drink sometime. This is your mansion key and land deed, as well as the Black Stone Skill. I have to go to my next place, so I won't stay any longer."
"Commander Xue, you're too kind. I'll definitely invite you for drinks and get-togethers sometime."
Su Yu watched the Black Stone Army leave, before he could even turn around and return to the martial arts school.
Congratulations, Senior Brother Su!
"Congratulations, Captain Su!"
Congratulations poured in like a tide, and Su Yu responded with a smile, his heart filled with excitement.
Rank 9, Commandant of Jing'an!
I'll be an official in the future!
Although the imperial power of the Great Xia Dynasty is now weak, it is still the legitimate dynasty.
This official status remained the best protection. The privileges of establishing one's own residence and command, and exemption from corvée labor, were all real and tangible benefits.
"Brother Su! Go take a look at your house! Anlefang is a great place; not just anyone can afford to live there."
.
A fragrant breeze wafted by, and Yang Ai appeared out of nowhere. Today she was wearing a pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), looking like a delicate little butterfly.
Behind her, Yang Zhen walked slowly. Although she was reserved and dignified, the smile in her beautiful eyes could not be hidden.
"Okay, let's go together." Su Yu didn't stand on ceremony.
Anpingfang, East District of Outer City.
As the carriage entered the gate, the noise immediately ceased.
The streets here are wide and clean, lined with ancient trees, and filled with people dressed in fine clothes. Compared to the sewage-filled Que'er Hutong in the west of the city, it's like night and day.
-
The carriage stopped in front of a vermilion gate.
The lintel is towering and imposing, but there is no plaque.
"This is the place, let's go."
After getting off the carriage, the three of them came to the gate. Su Yu took out the key, unlocked the door, and pushed open the vermilion gate.
"Creak—"
A dull, resonant creaking sound rang out, and a massive screen wall depicting pine trees and cranes symbolizing longevity came into view.
The three of them walked around the screen wall and came to a wide front yard. The yard was paved with blue bricks and had a special training ground and weapon racks, which were obviously prepared for martial arts practice.
In the center of the courtyard stands a towering ancient tree.
It was a century-old iron-hearted bronze locust tree, as thick as three people could hug.
The tree trunk is as strong as a dragon, its bark rough and dark, gleaming with a cold, metallic sheen. Although it is the dead of winter, the leaves have not all fallen; golden leaves hang from the branches like a tree full of coins, rustling in the cold wind.
"What a magnificent ironwood tree!" Yang Zhen exclaimed. "This tree symbolizes a bright future and is probably over a hundred years old. Brother Su is truly blessed!"
Su Yu's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward to pat the tree trunk, making a dull "thump" sound, and a few golden leaves fell from the tree crown.
The three of them crossed the training ground and arrived at a gate with intricate carvings.
"Brother Su, this house is truly magnificent!" Yang Ai exclaimed, lifting her skirt and twirling like a butterfly on the green carpet. "It's more spacious than many of the mansions I've ever seen!"
Yang Zhen walked slowly to the hanging flower gate, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. He turned to Su Yu and explained, "Brother Su, this house is a two-courtyard house. Passing through this hanging flower gate, you will reach the inner courtyard where the main house and side rooms are located."
The term "double courtyard" refers to this layout where there is a gate within a gate and a courtyard within a courtyard.
Su Yu listened to Yang Zhen's explanation and strolled through the hanging flower gate.
The inner courtyard offers a completely new view.
The winding corridor connects the main house with the east and west wing rooms. Running water is channeled into the courtyard, creating a small lotus pond where several koi carp swim.
Although no one lives there, the serene and luxurious atmosphere of the inner courtyard still wafts over you.
As the group stepped into the inner courtyard, a warm feeling washed over them, and Su Yu looked around in surprise.
At each of the four corners of the courtyard stood a ferocious bronze lion-shaped incense burner with a mouth that swallowed the flames. The burners did not emit smoke, but instead emitted billowing heat waves, making the entire inner courtyard warm as spring.
"This is----"
Seeing Su Yu's curiosity, Yang Zhen smiled and explained, "Brother Su, that bronze furnace contains fire yang stones. These things come from underground fire veins and can emit heat for a long time without needing to be lit. In addition, there is an underground heating system laid on the blue brick floor. When silver charcoal is burned, even if it snows heavily outside, you only need to wear a single layer of clothing in this inner courtyard."
Su Yu felt a surge of emotion.
In the past, in Qingxi Village, people could only shiver in winter wrapped in moldy blankets. But here, even the bricks on the ground are warm.
He stood in the center of the courtyard, looking at the towering walls all around, and felt an unprecedented sense of security welling up inside him.
From now on, this will be his new home in Blackrock City.
Yang Ai, like a happy little bird, circled each room before running back: "Brother Su, the house is fully furnished, but it's too quiet. How can such a big house be without a few people around? You need to quickly find some quick and efficient servants."
At this point, her eyes darted around, and she suddenly leaned close to Su Yu, winking playfully: "Servants are easy to find, but I think what this house lacks most is a mistress."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she said, half-jokingly and half-probingly, "How about—my sister and I move in to help you warm your room? There are plenty of rooms here anyway!"
"Cough! Cough!"
Su Yu quickly coughed twice to cover it up.
This girl is getting bolder and bolder.
"You brat! What nonsense are you spouting!"
Yang Zhen's pretty face flushed red instantly. She reached out to pinch her sister's mouth, but her beautiful, watery eyes glanced nervously at Su Yu, with a hint of barely perceptible expectation and shyness.
An ambiguous atmosphere seemed to permeate the air.
Su Yu remained silent for a moment.
Looking at these two charming beauties in front of me, it would be a lie to say I wasn't tempted.
But he was more worried. The world was so chaotic these days, and he might encounter some danger one day. So he always thought about becoming stronger.
The saying goes, "A gentle embrace is a hero's home."
He is not yet in a position to indulge in romantic love.
Perhaps he'll consider it when he's strong enough.
"Miss Yang is joking."
Su Yu didn't try to evade the question. His voice was gentle yet clear-headed. "The world is in chaos these days. Although I managed to break through by chance, I still feel like I'm walking on thin ice. I'm focused on martial arts and haven't considered starting a family yet."
The light in Yang Zhen's eyes dimmed for a moment, but she was a smart woman and knew that what Brother Su said might be true.
She quickly covered it up, changing the subject: "Brother Su, let's not talk about this anymore."
"Look at that weapon rack, it's a bit empty. And some living supplies also need to be replenished."
The three of them tacitly changed the subject from what they had just discussed and began to talk about the layout of the house.
"Brother Su."
Before leaving, Yang Zhen suggested, "I'm not entirely comfortable relying solely on the servants we bought for this house. If you have relatives outside the city, why not bring them in to live with you? They know your background, and you'll feel more at ease using their services."
Su Yu's heart stirred, and he thought of his older brother and the others.
He had some ideas before, but he was all alone and had no foundation.
Now we can give it a try.
Let's go back to Qingxi Village tomorrow.
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