IDWBE -Chapter 494 Mistakes

When Yu Xiaoshi heard this, he just kept grinning foolishly—neither confirming nor denying.

His wife had repeatedly warned him: never reveal the family’s wealth. No matter how much money was at home, it must not be disclosed to anyone.

“Hmph,” Lin Yi frowned at his pitiful behavior and scolded, “No wonder you’re constantly being bossed around by your wife.”

Having money at home but being personally poor—this was all too common in real life.

Several of his university classmates were like this: ask their parents—multiple apartments in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, assets worth millions; ask them personally—they had to borrow money even for cigarettes.

But at least they had a fallback and no worry about marrying; their descendants would continue the line.

Better than an orphan or a rural exam-taker like him.

Rural exam-takers had to buy a house, pay a bride price, care for parents with no pension.
Every step forward felt like climbing a mountain. Lying flat?

No way!

“Exactly, exactly,” Jiao Zhong teased from the side, “You’re lucky to have found such a good wife. I’m jealous just seeing it.”

He himself was still worried about finding a wife.

Lin Yi suddenly looked at Jiao Zhong curiously. “You’re not young either. Picking and choosing, and yet haven’t settled on one?”

Though Jiao Zhong wasn’t officially a government officer, he was the commander of the Lord He’s personal guards!

He was top-tier elite in Daliang!

Moreover, his father was a wealthy big shot—money was no problem.

Jiao Zhong was a prime bachelor.

He might not marry a daughter of nobility, but marrying a young lady from an official family would be no problem at all—and he could choose freely!

There was absolutely no reason for him to be single until now!

“Thanks for your concern, Lord He,” Suddenly being asked about himself, Jiao Zhong panicked slightly and awkwardly smiled. “After reading Your Lordship’s novels, I firmly believe in love. So I’d rather remain single than settle for less.”

“Hm?”

Lin Yi frowned. “Love?”

He had never experienced it!

“I know it’s wishful thinking, but I still want to try—what if I meet her?”

Jiao Zhong shivered under Lin Yi’s stare but held his ground. “Besides, I’m used to being alone. More people supervising me would feel restrictive.”

“Used to being alone?”

Lin Yi gave him a sharp look. “Then why do you run off to Xinghua Tower every day?”

“….”

Jiao Zhong had no reply.

Could he possibly have learned that from me? Would he get beaten to death?

“What was the name of that courtesan again?”

Lin Yi slapped his forehead, trying to remember.

“Du Qingyi!”

Yu Xiaoshi beat Jiao Zhong to the answer, excitedly saying, “Very beautiful!”

Lin Yi asked, “From your tone, you’ve been there?”

Yu Xiaoshi shook his head. “One night costs 100 taels of silver—I don’t have the money!”

Jiao Zhong’s face darkened. Must you reveal my secrets in front of Lord He? He wanted nothing more than to beat Yu Xiaoshi on the spot.

“One hundred taels?”

Lin Yi couldn’t help but comment. “That’s really not cheap.”

He often treated the pleasure houses like clubs, KTVs, enjoying being surrounded by women while chatting, and even at most spent only a few dozen taels.

A hundred taels?

Impossible!

Jiao Zhong couldn’t quite understand Lin Yi’s meaning. Cautiously, he said, “Your Lordship is wise and mighty. With peace reigning across the land, merchants constantly traveling north and south to Ankang City, business thriving, and especially wealthy merchants from Jiangnan spending freely, the madams and courtesans at the pleasure houses have become even more demanding.”

“I see,” Lin Yi smiled. “It’s fine to have fun, but you still have to marry a proper wife. Later, if love comes along, you can take a concubine.”

“Your Lordship is right,” Jiao Zhong hesitated but smiled politely. “It’s easier if she’s a common girl. But if she’s from a deep, noble household, would she even want to become a concubine?”

“Up to you. Your business, I don’t bother,” Lin Yi stood, stretched lazily, and looked at the sunset sinking behind the green hills. “Let’s go home.”

“Yes.”

Everyone began packing up the fish and fishing gear, helping Lin Yi onto his donkey.

Back at the manor, Lin Yi casually washed up, then headed straight to the rear residence.

Seeing his daughter toddling in the yard, he squatted and clapped his hands loudly. “Little one, come to Daddy.”

The maids surrounding the little princess bowed to Lin Yi and quickly stepped back.

The girl was over a year old, holding onto a begonia tree. Hearing Lin Yi, she slowly turned her head, babbling, and tried to rush toward him.

Her body moved, but her feet hadn’t caught up—she nearly fell.

Before the maids could react, Hong Ying floated forward, caught the little princess, squatted, and slowly guided her to Lin Yi, smiling. “Little Princess is remarkably clever. At such a young age, she can walk—truly remarkable.”

“Aiya, you’re already so heavy—I can’t hold you much longer,” Lin Yi scooped up his daughter, one hand supporting her, the other teasing her nose. “You didn’t even learn to walk yet but want to run—so stubborn!”

The little girl babbled meaningless sounds.

“Daddy… quickly tell me, when will you talk? Then I’ll take you fishing.”

In this era, there was no prenatal screening.

Having a child was like opening a blind box—all luck.

His daughter was born complete, limbs intact, features normal, but he remained cautious.

Landowners didn’t lack foolish sons, and imperial families didn’t either.

He worried about brain damage or autism.

So he persistently taught her to speak and walk.

Early detection can’t fix everything, but at least it allows one to experience despair early.

From the looks of it, the girl could hop, jump, and play—nothing seemed wrong.

He was very relieved.

“Your Lordship,” Hu Miaoyi approached gracefully, covering her mouth and smiling. “She’s so little—give her some time, she’ll be fine.”

“But she still needs to be taught. You all should talk to her more,” Lin Yi smiled. “The less you speak, the worse it gets.”

Hu Miaoyi said, “Your Lordship, don’t worry. I spend an hour or two with her every day.”

“One person alone is tiring,” Lin Yi glanced at the maids. “You all should talk to the little princess too—don’t just all act mute all day.”

“Yes.”

The maids immediately knelt in a line.

“Tell the kitchen: crush the sea fish, make it into a paste, no bones at all,” Lin Yi frowned. “If the princess chokes, I won’t forgive it.”

“Your Lordship, the kitchen staff are being supervised—there will be no mistakes.”

Mingyue frequently touched her growing belly.

Lin Yi scolded lightly, “You—stay in your garden, enjoy the sun, no need to run around.”

Hu Miaoyi’s face stiffened. She quickly knelt. “This is entirely my fault. I was careless.”

“Mingyue advised the servant, but I insisted on going out.”

Mingyue went to kneel out of habit, but seeing Lin Yi’s stare, she had no choice but to straighten up.