dognovel Chapter 678 The Vastness of the Capital
Chapter 678 The Vastness of the Capital
"What a filial son, much better than your father." Huang Jiayu glared at Lin Hao, but the more she looked at Lin Ping, the more comfortable she felt.
"Listen to your aunt, boy. I'm leaving now," Lin Hao said sternly, which could be considered his final instructions to Lin Ping.
"Don't worry, I won't let this child suffer any injustice," Huang Jiayu replied earnestly, which could be considered a promise to Lin Hao.
After saying that, Lin Hao left in a hurry, but he did not display his martial arts skills.
"Aunt Huang, it's windy outside, let's hurry back to the mansion," Lin Ping said obsequiously, winning Huang Jiayu's approval once again.
"After all, he is Qing'er's child, a thousand times better than Lin Hao. I don't know how Qing'er could have fallen for him back then." Huang Jiayu became more and more angry as she spoke.
"I think my father is not bad, so why is Aunt Huang so dissatisfied with him?" she asked indirectly, trying to find out about her parents' past.
“He’s a poor boy who hasn’t been able to buy a house in Shuntian Prefecture to let Qing’er follow him to wander the world. I also heard that he abandoned you for twenty years.”
Women are always soft-hearted, and as she spoke, Huang Jiayu wiped away tears.
She not only sympathized with her best friend's plight, but also felt wronged for Lin Ping.
“What kind of irresponsible father would abandon you like this?” Huang Jiayu’s eyes became red and swollen, and her voice was choked with sobs.
Lin Ping felt a warmth in his heart and developed a great liking for Huang Jiayu, even having the illusion of her being his mother.
"This is my mother's good sister, and the person I will protect with my life!" Lin Ping thought to himself.
As a seasoned actor, he knows that some emotions cannot be faked.
Huang Jiayu and Lin Ping are not related by blood, but she shed tears because of his experience. This is a relationship that Lin Ping is willing to protect with his life.
"I suppose Aunt doesn't know Father's true identity. He's the man who owns the entire Lotus Palace, how could he not have the money to buy a property in Shuntian Prefecture?"
Since Lin Hao did not take the initiative to confess, Lin Ping did not say anything more.
"Aunt Huang, don't worry. I was adopted by a kind family, and I've been doing quite well these past few years," Lin Ping comforted her.
Huang Jiayu calmed herself down and continued, "Auntie knows that you were adopted by a farmer in Wu Kingdom. Although you have no worries about food and clothing, you have neglected your studies."
These tattered clothes are irrefutable proof that, in Huang Jiayu's eyes, Lin Ping is an uneducated farmer.
Lin Ping didn't want to refute, but simply smiled faintly, expressing his respect for Huang Jiayu.
As they spoke, the two had already entered the capital city, and to the north was the entrance to the imperial city: the Daming Gate.
Lin Ping was once again captivated by the magnificent atmosphere and couldn't help but admire the ingenious craftsmanship of the ancients.
Ordinary people were not allowed to enter the imperial city, so the two walked west along Xijiangmi Lane.
When you reach Xuanwu Gate, turn north and you'll be dazzled by the magnificent buildings on both sides.
“This is Da Shi Yong Fang. It’s not only a bustling commercial area but also close to the capital. Only princes, nobles, and a few first-class families can live here,” Huang Jiayu said, pointing to the residential area on the right, her eyes filled with envy.
"Da Shi Yong Fang? Are the houses here very expensive?" Lin Ping muttered to himself, memorizing the place.
Although his voice was soft, Huang Jiayu still heard it. She smiled faintly and said, "The cheapest house costs 500,000 taels. Aunt Huang can't afford it in her lifetime. She'll just have to wait for Lin'er to become successful and buy it for me."
This was clearly a joke, and Huang Jiayu, in an attempt to encourage Lin Ping, felt it was inappropriate afterward.
Even with the combined resources of the Meng family, they couldn't afford a house. Lin Ping was just a country boy who had wasted a lot of time. Even if he tried his best to catch up, he wouldn't achieve much.
Huang Jiayu's encouragement undoubtedly put pressure on Lin Ping, who quickly smiled and said, "Lin'er, please don't take it seriously. As long as you are safe and sound, that will be the greatest comfort to Aunt Huang."
"Don't even mention a house, I'll buy you the entire Da Shi Yong Fang!" Lin Ping secretly resolved.
Beyond Da Shi Yong Fang lies Xiao Shi Yong Fang, still the best location, not only separated from the Imperial City by only a wall, but also situated between An Fu Fang and Da Shi Yong Fang, making it an extremely prosperous commercial area.
A mansion here costs at least 300,000 taels of silver, and only a few second-rate and first-rate families can afford to live there.
The Meng family had only just risen to the ranks of second-rate aristocratic families, and it was already quite a struggle for them to afford a residence in the capital. They certainly wouldn't dare dream of such prime locations.
"Madam, we've arrived at Rizhongfang," the coachman said softly.
Along the way, Lin Ping was dazzled by the magnificent buildings, and like a bewildered little monkey, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Rizhongfang is located in the northwesternmost part of the entire capital city. The houses in the neighborhood are much lower, and glazed tiles have become a rarity.
After entering the neighborhood, the two walked on foot and soon arrived at a low courtyard with the words "Meng Mansion" written on the gate plaque.
"Is this the Meng residence?" Lin Ping wondered.
Regardless of how big the house is, the low lintel alone doesn't suggest it's a wealthy household.
It's more like a courtyard than a mansion; if it were in Yingtian Prefecture, it wouldn't even be worth ten thousand taels of silver.
Even though every inch of land in Shuntian Prefecture is incredibly valuable, it's only worth 50,000 taels of silver, which is not commensurate with the status of a second-rate aristocratic family.
“Your uncle and I live in the east courtyard; the old house there is much more impressive than this,” Huang Jiayu explained.
As a second-rate aristocratic family, the Meng family naturally had many relatives. After their children and grandchildren came of age, they would each start their own families and careers, so they naturally could not stay in the old house.
Although the building was of average quality, it was guarded by four doormen day and night, which fully demonstrates the cheapness of labor.
"This is Young Master Lin. He will be staying at the Meng residence from now on. You must take good care of him," Huang Jiayu said earnestly.
She knew the nature of these gatekeepers all too well; they were typical bullies who preyed on the weak and feared the strong. If she didn't tell them in advance, they might speak coldly to Lin Ping one day.
"Greetings, Young Master Lin!" the four men said with obsequious smiles, bowing low.
After Lin Ping had walked away, he said behind his back, "Where did this poor boy come from? He actually managed to get on the good side of the madam. I'm afraid your life won't be peaceful."
Lin Ping was a master of the Black Lotus Realm, with hearing far exceeding that of ordinary people, and could clearly hear their conversation.
He was a great general of the Wu Kingdom, with a magnanimity far beyond that of ordinary people. How could he possibly argue with a few gatekeepers? That's right, he would find an opportunity to settle scores later.
"Lin'er, go to the guest room and wait. Your aunt will go and call your uncle and Qingge over so the whole family can have a good time." Huang Jiayu smiled kindly, having already prepared a room for Lin Ping.
The room wasn't large, but its furnishings were quite exquisite. Lin Ping lay on the bed, his thoughts somewhat chaotic.
He hadn't yet recovered from the pain of separation, and now he had to face a brand new life. He was truly upset, and his mind was filled with images of Jiang Yunying.
"My wife, how are you? Are you thinking of me too?" Lin Ping murmured, then drifted off to sleep lost in his memories.
He was not woken up by Huang Jiayu until evening, and thus began his first meal at the Meng residence.