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"Father, we haven’t even bought the house yet, where did you run off to? The whole family is waiting for your decision..."

The middle-aged man found his elderly father at the vast Jiangnan Academy, his face full of complaints.

But it must be said that Jiangnan Academy is really large, having been expanded several times; now it looks like an Imperial Palace, and you could get dizzy if you’re not careful.

The middle-aged man was named Tian Yannian, who had just fled from the Southeast Seaway. He was the man who had been scolded by his own father on the boat.

"What’s the rush about buying a house? With money, are you afraid there won’t be a place to live?" The old man glanced disdainfully at his foolish eldest son: "The key is that our family no longer has any properties, how do we establish ourselves here!"

"Father, without a house, how can we establish ourselves? Let’s go back and choose a house first... The whole family has nowhere to live!" Tian Yannian said with a wry smile, trying to persuade his father.

"Having a place to live isn’t the same as establishing ourselves.

.." The old man glared at him with a look of disappointment. "These are chaotic times; money is something that can devalue at any moment. Our family used to have land to keep its value, but now it’s different. In Jiangnan, jadeite is used as currency, but what if it changes again in the future? Wouldn’t all our jadeite become useless metal?

If we don’t hurry to find some property that can generate money, do you think you’d be able to sleep at night even if you bought a house? "

"Eh..." Tian Yannian scratched his head, finding his father’s words reasonable, so he replied, "But Father, why come to the academy to look for properties?"

"Saying you’re negligent in proper affairs, even I, an old man nearing seventy, understand that the greatest business opportunities in Jiangnan are here in this academy. And you, all you know are some opportunistic tricks. What will become of our family when I’m gone if you..."

"Father..." Tian Yannian was at a loss for words; was he really that hopeless?

"So, Father, have you found any business opportunities after being here for so long?"

"Do you think you’re in the market looking for crickets?

" The old man sighed helplessly: "Most of the things in Jiangnan Academy are extraordinarily novel, and each student can talk well, making their own projects sound as attractive as flowers, but it’s completely unclear whether they actually deliver the promised effects. .."

"Doing business, after all, is like being in a completely different world; many businesses look very profitable, but if you don’t understand the industry and dive headlong into it, most end up losing their entire capital.

We can’t make a hasty decision; it’s best to find someone who understands the industry. .."

"Where can we find someone who understands the industry?" Tian Yannian also furrowed his brows. On his way here, he had seen many new and unique things and certainly agreed with his father, but if you talk about understanding the industry, could they find someone on short notice?

"That is indeed a problem..." The old man looked around, his eyes suddenly lit up: "That boy... is he from the Jiang Family?"

Upon hearing this, Tian Yannian followed his gaze and nodded immediately: "Yes, from the Jiang Family, ah, it’s also tragic. The Jiang Family... just to protect this child, all the males died, and the women, too..."

"Indeed... all the males are dead, and he’s just a five-year-old child, what is he doing here?"

"Eh?" Tian Yannian was taken aback.

"You fool, the Tian Family is doomed to collapse if it relies on you..." The old man couldn’t be bothered to look at his son and walked briskly towards the Jiang Family’s boy.

At that time, wandering around the academy was Jiang Xiaoling.

He had been in Jiangnan for only three days, but he had already visited the academy several times; after all, the task assigned to him was to observe Jiangnan Academy.

The academy wasn’t without a patron deity of faith—it was said that the Great God Ziwei was worshipped here.

Yet the atmosphere of the academy was very liberal, and not everyone engaged in worship.

Based on what he learned over the past couple of days, at least two-thirds of the students didn’t worship the Great God Ziwei.

Indeed, it would be suitable for the Federation to establish its first stronghold here, but would Chen Qing really be willing?

Honestly, Jiang Xiaoling had enjoyed the past two days. The free academic spirit, the relaxed environment, the absence of politically motivated attitudes—he really liked it here. Wasn’t this the life he had always dreamed of?

If the Federation really interfered and brought in a bunch of people, would the atmosphere here change so much that he wouldn’t recognize it anymore?

Of course, he also understood that his own will didn’t matter at all in the official game between the Federation and Chen Qing; he was just a messenger... irrelevant to the greater scheme...

"Is that Young Master Jiang?"

A refreshing voice came through, Jiang Xiaoling turned around and after a short contemplation, he recognized the other party; he quickly greeted him: "Elder Master Tian..."

"What brings Young Master here?" Elder Master Tian said with a beaming smile.

In fact, he had wanted to visit much earlier. When they were boarded up together, big households and even Sorcerer Families lived packed in a single room, dozens of people together. Yet his Jiang Family had a separate partition, surely there was a reason for that.

"Elder Uncle is too polite, just calling me by my given name is enough..." Jiang Xiaoling replied, embarrassed: "It’s like this, the academy pre-recruited me, and these past two days I have been invited over to familiarize myself with the environment."

"Pre-recruited?" Upon hearing this, Elder Master Tian’s heart skipped a beat, and Tian Yannian also widened his eyes.

The reputation of Jiangnan Academy had preceded its name even when they were still in the Southeast. The competition for a spot was so fierce that major families from the Southeast would beg their elders and acquaintances for connections in the Capital City, running themselves ragged solely to send a few scions to take the exam.

And now this boy was telling them he’d been pre-recruited?

No wonder he had been afforded a room alone on the boat—it turned out he was a rare talent!

Considering the unconventional recruitment style of Jiangnan, the two from the Tian Family glanced at Jiang Xiaoling with eyes shining brightly.

"You haven’t been betrothed yet, have you?" Tian Yannian quickly asked.

Jiang Xiaoling shook his head slightly, "No, but... there’s already a direction, please forgive me."

"Already a direction?" Tian Yannian frowned. You’re a five-year-old kid who’s just arrived here, what kind of direction could you possibly have?

His words clearly aimed to deflect, and he was about to speak again but was pushed aside by Elder Master Tian who said bluntly, "Hey, your Uncle Master Tian is a straightforward man, he speaks his mind, don’t be offended. .."

After saying that, he hurriedly turned around and shot a bewildered look at Tian Yannian, vexed at his son’s cluelessness.

This child’s promising future naturally led one to think of securing a powerful father-in-law.

How could he be interested in families like theirs?

They truly didn’t know their place. It seemed he would have to find a way to live a few more years after all, to let his grandson grow up and take over the household.

His one and only foolish son definitely didn’t have the capacity to lead the family.

"You flatter me, Young Master Jiang," Jiang Xiaoling replied with a slight smile, though his tone had become markedly more distant than before.

Elder Master Tian inwardly cursed his mistake and hastened to say, "You see, my legitimate grandson has just turned twelve this year, and his character and conduct are both excellent. He is also a formidable student. Although I don’t know if he has the chance to enter Jiangnan Academy like you, Xiaoling, he will surely be able to pass the Imperial Examination and achieve a title without any issue in the future. "

"Elder Master Tian means to suggest?" Jiang Xiaoling’s eyes brightened upon hearing this, the intention behind introducing his legitimate grandson was easy to guess.

"It’s like this... we all hail from the Southeast, in unfamiliar territory.

It would be best to look out for each other.

Your father and my family have some connections, and as you, Xiaoling, are still young, it’s inconvenient for you to handle many matters.

If we were to become relatives, we could help each other out with many things, couldn’t we? "

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaoling lowered his head in thought. He had made a promise to his mother, determined to secure a favorable marriage for his sister. While it was easy to say, it was difficult to accomplish.

His sister’s incident could not possibly remain completely secret.

Even with his great prospects, it would be hard to demonstrate them in the short term.

Even if a marriage was arranged now, once some matters became exposed in the future, should the groom’s family get cold feet and call off the marriage, his sister likely couldn’t withstand a second blow.

On the other hand, a well-informed Scholarly Family that could accept this from the start might reduce future risks.

Moreover, the Tian Family was a major household in Baiyun City, recognized for generations of service in officialdom. Though Elder Master Tian’s generation had seen a decline, the family’s foundation still persisted, and they were a household name.

Such a marriage proposal would likely please both his mother and sister immensely.

But...

"I hope I’m not being presumptuous in asking..." Jiang Xiaoling lifted his head to address the other party: "Your grandson... are you sure he wouldn’t mind?"

"Young Xiaoling, be at ease. Since my family has brought it up, we won’t be dwelling on that matter. After all, Miss Jiang was compelled by others’ actions. We’ve both been victimized by those Southern Barbarians—it’s pointless to hold any grievances, isn’t it?"

"Then I shall await Elder Master Tian’s news," the boy responded.

"Good, good, good..." Elder Master Tian clapped his hands and laughed, quickly signaling to his son as they prepared to leave first.

Already contemplating how to explain the situation to his grandson, Elder Master Tian thought about seizing the opportunity before others noticed such a treasure in Jiang Xiaoling; a deal must be struck as soon as possible.

Unlike the other old characters zealous about scouting projects at the academy, he was very clear that without someone knowledgeable to lead the way, the money from selling their land would quickly run out.

To establish a foothold, one must invest in reliable prospects.

What could be a better potential stock than a pre-recruited magician?

Watching the blissful old man depart briskly, Jiang Xiaoling also let out a sigh of relief, murmuring, "If I report this back to my mother, should it not bring my sister out of her gloom?"

"You seem rather concerned about your NPC family members," remarked a hoarse voice, giving Jiang Xiaoling a shiver. The term NPC was not something the average person could utter!

Turning around, he saw a kindly-faced little old man in white behind him.

"You are..."

"Around here, people usually call me Mister Tianji," the old man said with a gentle smile.

Jiang Xiaoling’s heart skipped a beat.

Number Three!!