The closer they got to the capital, the colder the weather became. Li Yaonan was a Beijinger in his previous life, and Lin Yixuan grew up in the capital, so they both adapted well to the journey and even had time to stand at the bow and enjoy the scenery.
Lin Yixuan suddenly remembered that when he first took a boat ride with Li Yaonan, that guy couldn't let go of the beauty on the pleasure boat and even pulled him aside to criticize her, which made him depressed for a long time. At that time, he thought that he only needed to do his duty as a mistress and then have a child and he would be satisfied. Who would have thought that in just one year, Li Yaonan turned into a good husband, and he never thought he could be so happy. It really is true that things are unpredictable.
"What are you thinking about?" Li Yaonan couldn't help but ask curiously when he saw his young husband smiling happily.
Lin Yixuan glanced at him and raised his eyebrows: "I was thinking about a certain person who seemed to be staring at the pleasure boat when he went to Suzhou."
Li Yaonan was choked. It was a dark history, absolutely a dark history.
Lin Yixuan smiled lightly, turned around and went back to the cabin, leaving him alone in the wind.
Li Yaonan hurriedly caught up and found that Xiao Fulang's temper had worsened since he had eaten him. Why did he always settle old scores? Li Yaonan scratched his hair and thought carefully about how much of his dark history he had. He had to clean it up quickly and confess to get leniency. Bringing up old scores was not a good habit.
The relationship between the couple grew stronger and stronger, and they got along more and more naturally. Lin Yixuan was no longer so cautious, and seemed to have become more cheerful.
Lai Yaonan witnessed the transformation of his husband with his own eyes. While he was happy, he couldn't help but sigh. No wonder modern people say that love is made. After they have a relationship with each other, their hearts seem to be closer. The young husband also becomes more cunning, which is really a headache.
Li Yaonan was having a headache in his heart, but he had a gentle smile on his face, without a trace of worry. He must have liked Lin Yixuan's transformation.
Xiao Xu'er is very well behaved. The rocking feeling on the boat makes him extremely happy. Now he has gradually learned to recognize people. Whenever Lin Yixuan comes, Xiao Xu'er will snuggle into his arms and throw Li Yaonan aside.
Li Yaonan felt sour in his heart and was jealous about this.
But the good news is that Xiao Xuer did not get sick or catch a cold along the way. The cabin was comfortably decorated and there was a gap in the window so that the air would not be stuffy and she would not feel uncomfortable because of the excessive burning of charcoal.
Li Yaonan was very glad that he had foresight. He laid a thick and soft blanket on the floor for Xiao Xuer to roll around on. He also placed a lot of toys next to it. The overall design of the cabin was a prototype of a modern game room.
Xiao Xuer rolled around on the blanket. Sometimes he couldn't roll because he was wearing too thick clothes. He would get anxious and keep shouting, as if he would not give up until he achieved his goal. Then he fell into a deep sleep when he was tired of playing.
In November, the temperature dropped suddenly, and the howling cold wind was freezing cold.
Li Yaonan, wearing a fur coat, frowned as he looked at the gloomy sky. He asked the boatman to speed up and buy enough supplies at one time so that they would not have to stay for at least a day each time.
Lin Yixuan raised the price of renting a boat by 20%. With the high price, the journey that originally took more than a month was finally completed in just 26 days with the concerted efforts of the boatmen. It was already mid-November.
The docks in the capital city were bustling with people coming and going. The shouts of hawkers and laborers looking for work could be seen everywhere. Of course, there were many wealthy families as well. The grandeur and luxury of these families formed a sharp contrast with the disparity between the rich and the poor.
"Master, son-in-law, here—" Someone shouted at them from a distance.
Lin Yixuan took a closer look and slowly laughed. When someone came to him, he smiled and said, "Yongkang, you're here so early?"
Yongkang nodded and said while panting, "Knowing that the master was coming to Beijing, I waited at the dock for the past few days, and now I am finally here."
"Okay, I'll reward you with one string of silver when I get back. Is the carriage ready?" Lin Yixuan answered very readily. Maybe it was because she finally arrived in Beijing that her mood improved. She thought she would be melancholy and conflicted, but she felt calm and relieved that she didn't have to take a boat. It seemed that as long as her husband was by her side, she could go anywhere.
"Everything is ready. Please get in the car, sir. It's so cold, don't let the young master get cold. I will take care of the rest." Yongkang was in high spirits. His words were appropriate and his attitude was respectful, which made people feel comfortable.
Li Yaonan admired in his heart that he was indeed not as good as his husband in training servants.
The group returned to the mansion quickly. The house had been tidied up long ago, and the floor heating was turned on in the main courtyard. As soon as they entered the house, a wave of warmth hit them, instantly dispelling the cold outside. The maid quickly served them tea to warm their bodies. After a cup of hot tea, they felt warm all over. It was indeed better to be at home.
Xiao Xuer moved to a new place and didn't feel uncomfortable at all. As soon as he got off the boat, his little head started looking around. Now he is sleeping soundly.
Lin Yixuan rested for a while, arranged a place for Li Youyan to live, and then wrote a letter to Lin's mother.
Li Yaonan walked around the yard to familiarize himself with the environment. This house was his husband's dowry. It was located on West Street in the capital. It was a five-courtyard house covering a large area with rockery, pools, pavilions and towers. Mother Lin must have put a lot of thought into this son. Although West Street was not as good as South Street and East Street, it was also where wealthy people lived, just that their status was slightly lower.
Li Yaonan made up his mind that when he became successful, he would beat gongs and drums to welcome his husband to South Street. The East Street was inhabited by the nobility, and ordinary people were not qualified to live there. Only South Street was for the rich and powerful, while West Street was mostly inhabited by people who were neither rich nor poor, and North Street was a mixed bag.
Li Yaonan didn't walk around for long as the weather was too cold and it was more comfortable to stay indoors.
Back in the main courtyard, Lin Yixuan had almost arranged everything. After a while, the meal was ready. Looking at the fresh vegetables on the table, the husband and wife had a good appetite and both ate one more bowl than usual. Although the food on the boat was not so difficult to swallow, eating too much meat and fish every day would make one feel sick of it.
The next morning, Li Youxin came to visit. Li Yaonan was very happy, as they were reunited after a long separation. Li Youxin had changed a lot. The experience in the capital made him look more gentle, and he exuded a scholarly demeanor. There was no trace of his former shrewdness. However, Li Yaonan knew his temperament very well. A fox would never turn into a house cat no matter what. It would only hide its tail deeper.
Li Youxin told Li Yaonan that he planned to take the imperial examination again in three years. He originally thought that he was well prepared, but after coming to the capital, he realized that he still had a lot to learn. He would have to do his best in the next imperial examination. The most important thing at the moment was to accumulate strength, accumulate knowledge and strive to get his name on the list of successful candidates next time.
Li Yaonan also agreed with his idea. Although it would be glorious to pass the imperial examination, it would be a loss of the big picture. It was not easy to enter the Imperial College.
They talked for a long time that day, until the evening, when Li Youxin took Li Youyan back home.
Over the next few days, the couple quickly settled the house in tidiness. All the things they brought from Yangzhou were stored in the warehouse, and the servants also became organized.
After finishing his work, Lin Yixuan was frowning. He sent a letter to Lin's mother, but there has been no news since then. He also sent people to inquire but could not get any information. He felt a little worried.
Li Yaonan was also considering whether or not to visit Jingyang Marquis Mansion. After all, to outsiders, he was the brother-in-law of Jingyang Marquis Mansion. It would be unacceptable if he did not go to pay a visit.
The couple discussed and prepared some valuable gifts, and sent a letter to Jingyang Marquis's Mansion. Without waiting for a reply, on the morning of November 28, Li Yaonan and his husband took a carriage to Jingyang Marquis's Mansion.
The Jingyang Marquis Mansion is a century-old noble residence. Standing at the door gives people a feeling of grandeur. The stone lions at the door are solemn and dignified, revealing an indescribable coldness that makes people afraid.
Of course, Li Yaonan was an exception. He had been to the Forbidden City many times in his previous life, so this aura could not scare him. He turned around and gave an order, asking the servant to go and knock on the door.
Lin Yixuan was very silent all the way. When he saw the stone lion at the door, his eyes were as cold as ice. Li Yaonan hadn't seen him like this for a long time. He patted his hand and comforted him, "Don't be afraid. I'm here. Your mother-in-law might have been delayed by something. Don't worry."
Lin Yixuan lowered his eyes, raised his head again, a faint smile appeared on his lips, but the smile did not reach his eyes: "I know, I will know the importance of each." At present, he has no qualifications to challenge Jingyang Marquis Mansion, so he can only smile in response.
Li Yaonan originally thought that it would be difficult to enter the mansion, but when the maid went forward and knocked on the door, someone came out and greeted them. He bowed to them first and said with a smile, "Hello, Ninth Young Master, Ninth Uncle."
Li Yaonan nodded and looked at him calmly. Lin Yixuan smiled nonchalantly and said, "Hello, Manager Wang. Why are you so busy today?"
Steward Wang was amiable and answered respectfully, "Knowing that the Ninth Young Master was coming back, the Second Madam specifically asked me to wait here."
Lin Yixuan's eyes darkened. It was no wonder that he thought too much. His second aunt was a very scheming person. He never believed that his second aunt had good intentions.
"Mr. Nine, Mr. Nine, please follow me in." Steward Wang said as he led the way. They did not go through the main gate that was right in front of them, but went around to the side door on the north side of the marquis' mansion.
This behavior was not considered rude. When a new son-in-law came to the house for the first time, most people would open the front door wide, but not everyone would do that. Manager Wang's behavior was expected. Li Yaonan remained calm instead, as he was afraid that Wang would put on a smiling face and people would not be able to figure out his true intentions.
Steward Wang took them directly to the North Garden Flower Hall in the Marquis's Mansion.
Lin Yixuan's face turned ugly. Beiyuan Flower Hall was not a place to entertain serious guests.
"Mr. Nine, Mr. Nine will wait a moment. I have to go and get busy now." Manager Wang turned around and left quickly without waiting for their reply.