Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Originally, Grand Tutor Li was supposed to follow Eunuch Li into the palace to meet the Emperor, but Eunuch Li smiled and said...

"Grand Tutor, His Majesty has decreed that you may return to your residence for a day to rest after arriving in the capital, and then enter the palace the next day."

Upon hearing the imperial edict delivered by Eunuch Li, Grand Tutor Li knelt down facing the direction of the palace and respectfully thanked the Emperor for his great favor before parting ways with Eunuch Li.

After all the luggage was loaded onto the carriage, Shen Jingheng said to Grand Tutor Li...

"Grand Tutor, everything at home has been prepared. Why don't you stay at the Scholar's Residence? I still have some matters to discuss with you."

"No need. My house in Mao'er Hutong has always been watched over. I also sent people to clean it before I came, so it's still habitable. Let Luo'er go back to the Scholar's Mansion with you, and Changyun and Xiaxia can stay with me."

Hearing the Grand Tutor's words, Shen Jingheng did not press the matter further and instructed the coachman to head to Mao'er Alley. Inside the carriage, Shen Jingheng showed Grand Tutor Li a piece of paper containing the list of members accompanying the envoy. However, he knew this was not the time to discuss business, and he only gave Grand Tutor Li a copy of the list initially.

In the carriage behind, Changyun, Xia Yu, and Shen Luo rode together. Seeing the bustling and prosperous capital, Xia Yu and Changyun were incredibly fascinated, practically craning their necks to peer through the curtains. Shen Luo, having spent a few months in the capital, knew more about it than the other two. She pointed things out and explained to them along the way, pointing out the best dishes in this shop, which jewelry shop, which bakery specializing in flatbread, and so on. Whether her explanations were accurate was anyone's guess.

The situation in the carriage carrying Da Niu, Shi Jiu, Gou Dan, and Xiao Shi Tou was similar. Xiao Shi Tou was Shen Luo's pageboy, and had been playing with Shen Luo here for a few months. As a servant, he had more opportunities to run around the streets buying things, and thus knew more. When it came to the delicious food and fun things in the capital, he knew even more details than Shen Luo. Listening to him mention those food names she had never heard of before, Da Niu's mouth watered, and she quietly swallowed several times before daring to speak.

"Little Stone, once we're settled, will you take us out to buy all those delicious things you mentioned?"

Just as Little Stone was about to nod in agreement, he suddenly remembered something.

"That depends on where the young master lives. If he lives in the scholar's residence, then it won't be so convenient for us to come out."

Only after he said that did Da Niu realize that Lord Shen was Shen Luo's father. He had a house in the capital, so he would definitely go back to his own home. But then she thought, so what if no one takes care of him? He can ask whomever he wants. Once she understood this, Da Niu became happy again.

Nineteen sat opposite her, watching her excitedly gesturing and dancing, and knew that the aftereffects of her seasickness had passed.

It took the carriage more than half an hour to reach Mao'er Hutong.

"My goodness, this capital city is huge! It takes more than half an hour to walk from the dock to the residence of Grand Tutor Li," Da Niu exclaimed as she got out of the car.

"This is still considered a smooth journey; we didn't encounter any traffic jams. If we had, it would have taken more than half an hour," Little Stone said after hearing Big Girl's words.

"How can such a wide road be congested?" The girl was a little skeptical.

"Yes, if it happens to be a day of the grand court assembly, there will be quite a few carriages and sedan chairs, and traffic jams can easily occur when people leave the court."

Xia Yu, who had just stepped off the carriage, heard Xiao Shitou's explanation and realized that it was just like rush hour in her previous life. She never imagined that such a problem would occur in ancient times.

When they arrived, the gates of Grand Tutor Li's residence were already wide open, and several servants stood at the door with their hands at their sides to welcome their master's return.

Upon seeing the carriage stop in front of the gate, the group approached Li Taifu with both enthusiasm and respect.

"Master, you are back!"

"Yes, you're back. How have you all been in the capital?" Grand Tutor Li looked at the servants he hadn't seen for several years and felt a pang of emotion. These were the people he trusted most.

"We are all well, we are all well. It's just that we miss you terribly, Master." As she spoke, her voice choked with emotion.

"Alright, alright, we've met now!" Grand Tutor Li's eyes were also a little moist as he patted the shoulder of the servant who was speaking at the front.

"Yes, old servants, go and unload the luggage."

"Go ahead, give Wutong Garden to my goddaughter Xiaxia, and Changyun will stay in Qingsong Garden," Grand Tutor Li instructed, to prevent the luggage from being sent to the wrong courtyard.

"Teacher, where do I live?" Shen Luo asked anxiously when she didn't hear her name called from the side.

His question, however, puzzled Grand Tutor Li.

"Where do you live? Aren't you supposed to be staying at the Imperial Academy?"

"No, I don't want to live in the Imperial Academy. I want to live with Brother Changyun here with our teacher." Shen Luo immediately objected upon hearing Li Taifu's words.

"Luo'er, stop being so rude. How can you come to the capital and not go home? Besides, your mother had your courtyard cleaned up a few days ago when she found out you were coming. She must be sad that you're back but not going home." Shen Jingheng scolded Shen Luo sternly.

"Then can I go back and pay my respects to my mother before coming to stay with my teacher? I want to stay with my teacher, Brother Changyun, and Sister Xiaxia. You are always too busy at the manor, and I can't see you for days. My mother also doesn't have time for me. Although I have servants to keep me company, I still feel bored." Shen Luo lowered her head and argued softly under Shen Jingheng's stern gaze.

Shen Jingheng looked at his son's little head drooping and sighed inwardly. He knew that his wife's affection for this son was only superficial and she didn't really care about him. But since he had married him, he still had to give him the respect he deserved. However, thinking of the grievance in Shen Luo's words, he also felt sorry for him.

"There's plenty of room here. If he wants to stay here, let him stay. Just say I'm going to test his studies. Besides, your young mistress is already working very hard managing such a large academy. It would be too much to ask her to take care of Luo'er as well," Grand Tutor Li advised, recalling Shen Luo's appearance when she returned from the capital last time.

"Since the Grand Tutor has said so, you may stay here. However, you should still come with me to the manor today to see your mother and have a meal with her."

"Thank you, Father. I will follow your arrangements."

Xia Yu, who was listening to their conversation, breathed a sigh of relief. She was really worried that Shen Luo, who had finally lost weight, would gain it all back if she moved back to the scholar's residence for a while.

"Grand Tutor, after you meet the Emperor tomorrow, I will be hosting a banquet at the Academician's Residence to welcome you. Several key officials from this delegation will be invited, and I urge you to attend." He then glanced at Chang Yun and Xia Yu beside him and continued...

"We will ask the Grand Tutor to bring his nephews and nieces to the banquet. The guest list also includes the families of the delegation."

"Okay, I understand, I'll definitely be there. Have you taken care of all the items I asked you to procure before I came?"