KNOCK KNOCK—

Not long after Fang Han returned to the Class A-10 Martial Arts Room, a soft knock came from outside.

He opened the door to see the servant who often delivered messages for Elder Fang Yuan.

"Young Master Han, Elder Fang Yuan requests your presence."

The servant bowed respectfully.

"Did the Elder say what it was about?"

Fang Han asked.

His routine monthly tasks were already completed, so he couldn’t think of any reason why Elder Fang Yuan would summon him.

"The Elder didn’t say, but he looked very pleased. It should be good news."

the servant replied in a low voice.

Fang Han nodded and followed the servant to Elder Fang Yuan’s Quiet Chamber.

Inside the Quiet Chamber, sandalwood incense swirled in the air. Elder Fang Yuan wore a gratified smile he couldn’t hide, and upon seeing Fang Han enter, he gestured with a laugh.

"Fang Han, come quickly."

"Elder." Fang Han bowed.

"No need for such formalities." Elder Fang Yuan stroked his beard and smiled. "I just reported your breakthrough to the Patriarch. He was overjoyed to hear it, saying you have outstanding talent and are the future hope of the family, deserving of our full support."

He paused, his voice rising a few notches with the solemnity of a major announcement.

"The Patriarch has issued a special decree, making an exception to bestow upon you a boutique courtyard named ’Tingyu Pavilion’!"

"A boutique courtyard?"

Fang Han’s heart leaped upon hearing this.

Within the Fang Mansion, courtyards were graded. The side yard his family currently lived in was merely the most common type of residence for branch family members.

It was small, and they didn’t even have a single servant.

Boutique courtyards, on the other hand, were typically reserved for family Elders or core members who had rendered great merit to the family.

Their size, environment, and facilities were far beyond what an ordinary side yard could compare to. This wasn’t just a material reward, but a symbol of status and position!

"This... I have only just begun and have not been here long. I’m afraid I am unworthy of such an honor..."

Although Fang Han was thrilled, he knew that his contributions to the family were far from enough to qualify for such a fine courtyard.

"Don’t feel unworthy."

Elder Fang Yuan cut Fang Han off with a wave of his hand, his tone decisive.

"With your talent, you are more than deserving of this reward. The matter is settled, so don’t refuse."

"’Tingyu Pavilion’ has already been prepared and is fully furnished. You can move in anytime. The Patriarch also specifically ordered four maids and two male servants to be assigned to you, to tend to your daily needs in the courtyard."

"Thank you, Patriarch, for your generous gift! Thank you, Elder, for your guidance! I will continue to cultivate diligently and will not disappoint the family’s high expectations!"

Fang Han took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of gratitude in his heart, and gave a deep bow.

"Good, good!" Elder Fang Yuan nodded in satisfaction. "Go on. Share this wonderful news with your parents and let them be happy too."

"Yes, I shall take my leave!"

Fang Han bowed again and exited the Quiet Chamber.

Even after walking a good distance, the immense surprise still filled his heart, and his steps became unconsciously lighter.

It was like an ordinary office worker from his previous life suddenly being awarded a large, luxurious apartment in the heart of a city where every inch of land was worth a fortune. It was impossible not to be ecstatic.

He didn’t return to the Martial Arts Room but instead headed straight home.

Just as he pushed open the courtyard gate, his mother, Lin Wan, who was hanging laundry in the yard, looked over in surprise.

"Xiaohan? Why are you back so early today?"

His father, Fang Zheng, who was off from the restaurant today, also walked out of the house holding a ledger, a puzzled look on his face.

With an irrepressible smile on his face, Fang Han hurried over to his parents.

"Dad, Mom, the Patriarch has issued a special decree! He’s made an exception and rewarded our family with a boutique courtyard called ’Tingyu Pavilion’!"

"What? A boutique courtyard?"

The wooden basin in Lin Wan’s hands fell to the ground with a CLATTER, scattering clothes everywhere, but she seemed not to notice.

She just stared at Fang Han with wide, incredulous eyes.

Fang Zheng also shuddered, completely unaware that the ledger had slipped from his hand and fallen to the ground. His voice trembled.

"Xiaohan, you... what did you say? The Patriarch rewarded... a boutique courtyard? How... how is that possible?"

A boutique courtyard was a reward that only Elders or those who had performed great merits for the family could receive.

How could a disciple like Fang Han, who was still studying in the family’s Martial Hall, be qualified for such a reward?

"It’s absolutely true!"

Fang Han nodded affirmatively and repeated what Elder Fang Yuan had told him.

"I’ve advanced to the Middle Stage of Bone Refining and am now ranked third in the Inner Hall. The Patriarch said this is an exceptional reward in light of my talent."

"The courtyard is already prepared, and it even comes with four maids and two male servants. We can move in anytime."

"Middle Stage of Bone Refining? Third?"

Fang Zheng muttered. As a member of the Fang Family, he naturally understood what a remarkable achievement this was. A tremendous wave of surprise washed over him.

"Heavens... the ancestors are watching over us... My son has made it. My son has really made it..."

Lin Wan was so happy she was babbling incoherently.

Just then, Fang Ying, dressed in her Little Red Coat, ran out of the house. Seeing her mother, brother, and father all looking so emotional, she cluelessly tugged on Fang Han’s sleeve.

"Brother, brother, what’s wrong?"

"Xiaoying, your big brother earned our family a huge new courtyard! It’s much bigger and prettier than this one, and you’ll have lots of big brothers and sisters to play with. Are you happy?"

Fang Han bent down, scooped up his little sister, and touched his forehead to hers, a radiant smile on his face.

"A big courtyard?"

Fang Ying blinked her large, grape-like eyes. Though she didn’t quite understand, seeing her brother so happy, she started giggling and clapping her small hands too.

"Happy! Xiaoying is happy!"

Watching their laughing children, Fang Zheng and Lin Wan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with immense relief and pride.

All their hardships, all their hopes, were rewarded in this single moment.

The next morning, Fang Han, having already requested leave from the Martial Hall, walked with his parents and little sister toward a section deep within the mansion they had never set foot in before.

The deeper they went, the more serene the surroundings became. Lush trees, pavilions, and towers were nestled within the landscape, a stark contrast to the noisy side yard they had lived in.

After passing a grove of green bamboo, the view suddenly opened up.

An extraordinary courtyard with white walls and blue tiles came into view.

The gate was wide, and above it hung an elegant plaque inscribed with three characters—’Tingyu Pavilion’—written in a strong, vigorous hand.

Pushing open the heavy gates revealed a spacious and clean forecourt paved with bluestone, with delicate rockeries and lush ornamental plants adorning the corners.

The main structure of the courtyard was a two-story building with upturned eaves and ornate carvings, far more imposing than the house they used to live in.

There were also east and west wing-rooms to the side.

"This... this courtyard is huge..."

Lin Wan stood at the entrance, almost afraid to take a step, her voice filled with awe.

Fang Zheng also took a deep breath, trying to appear calm, but his slightly trembling hands betrayed his inner excitement.

Holding his little sister, who was looking around in curiosity, Fang Han smiled and led his parents inside.

Inside the courtyard, six servants were already waiting respectfully with their hands clasped.

The four maids wore clean, blue cloth dresses and were quite comely. The two male servants were dressed in practical short coats and were both young and robust. Seeing Fang Han’s family enter, they all bowed in unison.

"We welcome Young Master, Master, Madam, and Young Miss to Tingyu Pavilion!"

Their voices were synchronized, their attitude deferential.

They understood that from now on, the power of life and death over the six of them lay in the hands of this family of four.

Moreover, they were quite pleased to become Fang Han’s attendants. After all, Fang Han was currently the most sought-after genius in the Fang Mansion, with immense future potential.

Following such a master, their own futures were bound to be bright.

This was evident from the envious gazes the other servants had given them after they were chosen to serve at Tingyu Pavilion.

"No need for such formality, no need..."

Lin Wan and Fang Zheng, having never experienced such a reception, were at a loss and quickly told everyone to rise.

Fang Han, however, was calmer. He gave a slight nod. Given his current status, he had grown accustomed to the deference of servants.

Guided by the servants, they toured the various rooms.

The main hall was spacious and bright, with furniture crafted from fine wood.

The bedrooms were clean and tidy, with soft, comfortable beds.

There was a study, a quiet chamber for cultivation—everything was provided.

There was even a small, cleared-out space in the backyard specifically for practicing martial techniques.

Every detail highlighted the extraordinary nature of the courtyard, far beyond what their former, humble yard could ever compare to.

"Not bad at all..."

Fang Zheng ran his hand over the smooth surface of a table in the hall, nodding repeatedly with a satisfied smile.

Meanwhile, Lin Wan pulled a maid aside and quietly asked for the kitchen’s location, already starting to plan their family’s first meal.

Fang Ying had long since wriggled out of her brother’s arms and was now curiously running all over the spacious courtyard, her silver-bell-like laughter filling every corner.

Fang Han stood in the center of the courtyard, watching the unprecedented satisfaction and pride on his parents’ faces and the joyful figure of his sister. This new life, earned through his own efforts, filled his heart with a profound sense of security and relief.