Feng Lin respectfully answered, "I will definitely do my best!"

Ms. Yang had already said that after the new house was built, they should continue with the construction of the school; this was Ms. Yang's trust in them, and they naturally had to give their full effort, especially since they would not want to let the prince down.

"Dad, I didn't lie to you, did I? Aren't these pieces of furniture very unique?"

"Indeed, they are very unique; I've lived a long time and have never seen such furniture, especially this... a sofa, right? It's so soft and comfortable to sit on, and that wardrobe, your mother will certainly like it. You are really smart to have reserved it early."

"Of course, I'm very smart! As soon as I saw Uncle Yang make them, I hurried to reserve it, but Mengchen said that she had originally planned to give our family and Magistrate Xiao's family a few sets. It was only after much persuasion that Mengchen agreed to accept the silver."

"The little girl is just so filial and sensible, and she's so lovable."

Excited voices suddenly came from the room next door, and everyone, filled with curiosity, made their way over. They saw all kinds of furniture neatly arranged in the room, each person touching and looking at everything, unable to stop praising them.

Long Xuanmo, however, had an expressionless face, with deep and inscrutable eyes, his thoughts unknown.

At that moment, Yang Chengrong arrived and said, without arrogance or humility, "Please, honored guests, return to the front courtyard. It's time to eat."

The crowd made their way back to the main hall, where they saw over twenty dishes on the table, full of color, aroma, and flavor, much to their surprise and admiration.

"These are just some simple home-cooked dishes, I hope you don't mind," said Yang Mengchen, preparing to turn around and go back to the courtyard to eat.

Today, with many guests, she arranged for Doctor Luo and Xiao Hongtao to accompany the guests in the main hall. Aunty Luo and Aunty Xiao didn't want to be separated, so she set up a few tables in the courtyard, with her family and a few neighbors, as well as guards and maids sitting separately, of course with the same dishes.

"Wait," Nangong Lingfei suddenly spoke up, picking up a piece of tofu and asked Yang Mengchen, "Ms. Yang, what is this dish?"

Yang Mengchen answered indifferently, "Tofu."

"What's it made from?" Seeing Yang Mengchen's gaze turn stern, Nangong Lingfei quickly rephrased, "I mean, is this dish also available at the Drunken Immortal Tavern?"

"The Drunken Immortal Tavern also has a share of my investments; do you think I would not consider its interests?" Yang Mengchen gave him a cold glance.

"Let's pretend I never said anything." Nangong Lingfei bowed his head and devoured the tofu. Ms. Yang was truly his bane; he never had any luck with her.

"Later, I have something to discuss with you, remember to ask your brothers to stay as well," Long Xuanmo said deeply, gazing at Yang Mengchen.

Yang Mengchen nodded, "Alright." She then turned and left.

One of the elders chuckled and said, "The young lady has quite a character, just like me."

"With ability comes pride!" the elder remarked with admiration, "Not to mention this tofu is really fresh, smooth, and tender, melting as soon as it enters the mouth; it's perfect for old people like us to eat."

"Old Hai's words are sensible," the elders chimed in one after another.

They were all erudite scholars occupying high positions and had no desire to teach in this remote and impoverished area. But they couldn't refuse, given Prince Chen's request, especially since even Imperial Teacher Old Hai had come.

Once they arrived and saw the dire situation, their reluctance eased somewhat. The locals were honest and united in brotherly affection.

Observing that the young men of the Yang family carried themselves with an extraordinary air, and the Yang family's young lady was dearly cherished and protected by the Luo family, with Prince Chen also seeming to value the young lady highly, their initial unwillingness had somewhat diminished.

After lunch, Yang Chaowen and his two brothers, along with Wu Xuehua, went to the factory. Grandpa Yang, the village head, and the Lizheng went to consult Engineer Luo about constructing a cement road to the town, with the cost to be split between the Yang family and the villagers. Liu Xiuyun and Shen Qiulan accompanied Lady Luo and Lady Xiao, while the rest attended to their own matters.

Bringing her brothers and seven cousins to the main hall, Yang Mengchen said to Long Xuanmo indifferently, "Prince, please speak frankly if you have something to say."

"This is Old Hai, Song Bochao, Xia Minglang, Yan Shuheng, Qiu Bingshen, Luo Xunwen, and Jiang Qiaoxu," Long Xuanmo introduced them one by one to Yang Mengchen. "I promised to find you a teacher. What do you think of them?"

Yang Mengchen raised an eyebrow at Long Xuanmo: These individuals clearly were no ordinary people, yet they were willing to come to this small mountain village to teach. Are you kidding me?

Reading the meaning in Yang Mengchen's eyes, Long Xuanmo responded nonchalantly, "They've already been idle at home for a while, and idleness could breed trouble, so I found them something to do. Moreover, the pristine mountains and clear waters here are perfect for cultivating their minds and moral character."

As he finished speaking, Old Hai's hand, stroking his beard, paused slightly, and the six other men looked shocked, though they quickly regained composure. Yang Mengchen still saw it clearly. "The countryside is simple; I'm afraid it would be a disservice to the seven seniors."

"Ms. Yang is too kind," Old Hai said with a smile. "The Prince's words are very true: we've indeed been idle for too long. This is a good opportunity to get out and about, to prevent ourselves from getting moldy, haha."

The other six nodded and agreed.

It was clear that Old Hai had an extraordinary status and high esteem, for if not, Song Bochao and the others would not show such respect. Apart from Old Hai and Song Bochao, Yang Mengchen could see that the other five were not eager to come, but she didn't mind at all; after all, she had other plans.

"We wholeheartedly welcome and are grateful for the seven seniors' willingness to stay and teach the children of our village," she said. "I'll go and discuss the accommodation arrangements with the village head and the Lizheng for the seven seniors."

"There's no need to trouble yourself; we will be perfectly content staying at your place," Old Hai said, turning to Long Xuanmo. "Prince, we'd like to have a private chat with these youngsters."

Long Xuanmo stood up and approached Yang Mengchen, "Old Hai and Song Bochao are learned men. Hearing of the talents of your brothers, they wish to examine them. If they are pleased, they will take two of them as Closed-door Disciples. Please don't take offense."

He may not fully understand the young girl's temperament, but he was familiar with at least half of it. It was better to make things clear, or else she might misunderstand him again.

Prince Chen, usually proud and uninhibited, was unexpectedly explaining himself to a young lady. Old Hai and the others were taken aback and looked at Yang Mengchen with curiosity and scrutiny.

"If my brothers could become Closed-door Disciples of Old Hai and Mr. Song, I would be overjoyed. How could I possibly object?" Yang Mengchen said with a smile.

Long Xuanmo secretly breathed a sigh of relief and, along with Yang Mengchen and the others, walked out of the main hall, gathering around a table in the courtyard.

Gently waving her Brocade Fan, Nangong Lingfei raised an eyebrow at Yang Mengchen. "Ms. Yang, we've all followed you in purchasing quite a bit of property on Donglin Street. You owe us a thorough explanation of your transformation plans."

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