Ah Xu was incredibly impatient, but he dared not eat until the young master started eating.

Her eyes turned to Nangong Qing, the message being, "Young Master, you should eat first."

Nangong Qingcai didn't want to pay attention to him. Yesterday, he came here to eat alone and then went back to brag to his master, making him think about it all day.

Nangong Qing gestured with his hand, saying to Zhao Ruyun and Chen Ping'an, "Auntie, please; Uncle, please..."

"Okay, let's all eat together."

Zhao Ruyun and Chen Ping'an were surprised that Nangong Qing, who looked like a rich young master, not only didn't look down on them, but also let their elders start eating before he did.

These were simply habits ingrained in Nangong Qing's bones; he had no idea that these simple habits could increase Zhao Ruyun and Chen Ping'an's goodwill towards him.

After tasting the Eight Treasure Duck, it was indeed as Su Luo had said, each layer had a different flavor, even the glutinous rice layer had a strong duck meat flavor.

Eight flavors come together in one dish—this dish is truly wonderful!

“Miss Su, if you were to become the head chef at our Fu Man Lou, Fu Man Lou would surely be your empire.”

Su Luo smiled and shook her head, saying, "Although I enjoy studying food, I have no interest in being a chef."

For Su Luo, she prefers the breeze in the fields, and now that she has a family, she can give everything for them. Nothing could be better than her current life.

"What a pity."

Although Nangong Qing said that, her chopsticks never stopped moving.

Ah Xu was so engrossed in his food that he barely had time to talk. He just wanted to eat as much as he could, since he couldn't eat here every day. It would be best if Su Luo's recipes were all sold to Fu Man Lou, since it was a pity that the chef there couldn't cook as well as Su Luo.

Even Nangong Qing, after consuming it, didn't know what the problem was; perhaps it was due to the different methods used by each person.

When they were almost finished eating, Nangong Qing asked Chen Ping'an, "Uncle, how have the crops been these past two years? How are the rice ears growing?"

Chen Ping'an was surprised that Nangong Qing knew these things. He said, "We all depend on the weather for our livelihood. These past two years have been quite dry, and many rice ears in the fields have died. Everyone is having a hard time. In addition, the imperial court continues to levy grain, so everyone is eating broken rice. If we can eat until the lean season, that's considered a good life."

At this point, Nangong Qing could no longer eat: "The imperial court has to support tens of thousands of soldiers, and there are wars on the border. It's hard on the people."

"Alas, it's just that the year is bad. If God has mercy on all living beings, things will get better."

Nangong Qing also understood the national situation. If the country wanted to be strong, it was necessary to enrich the people first. However, he felt powerless about this. Sometimes, he would place his hopes on the lucky star mentioned by the Grand Preceptor.

The Imperial Advisor said that as long as the Lucky Star is found, the situation in Nanning Kingdom will be completely different. At that time, the country will be prosperous and the people will live in peace, and every family will have surplus grain.

But where is this lucky star? He has a record of every baby in Yongle County. Who is the lucky star of their Nanning Kingdom?

The only baby born differently is Wang Dayong's son, who was found to have been born via cesarean section. Will he be a lucky star?

"Uncle, things will get better someday."

Nangong Qing was sent to Yongle County to find the so-called lucky star. A year has passed, and he is getting anxious. He wonders if the imperial advisor has made a mistake. If there really is one, that would be wonderful.

Yi Huan had finished eating and pulled Su Luo aside, whispering, "Mom, I know why Grandpa was injured. He was beaten by Grandma."

Su Luo squatted down and looked at Yi Huan, saying, "Huanhuan, who told you all this? Your great-grandmother has a very good temper and never used to hit Grandpa."

Yi Huan knew her mother wouldn't believe her if she said that, but since it concerned her mother, she had to tell her.

“Mother, it was Aunt Xiaoxiao who told me. She said her parents were arguing because of money, and that it was because of the two taels of silver you gave me, Mother. Anyway, it was a lot of money. Aunt Xiaoxiao couldn’t explain it clearly, and I don’t know why either.”

Two taels of silver?

Su Luo snapped back to reality and realized what had happened. She must have forgotten to return the two taels of silver to their family, while she had already returned five taels to Luo Mei. The two of them had been feeling resentful for so many days.

"Sigh, it's my fault. I've been too busy these past few days and forgot about it."

Yi Huan didn't understand: "Mom, why did Aunt Xiaoxiao say it was because of you?"

Su Luo gently rubbed Yi Huan's round head and said, "You're too young to understand the ways of adults."

Su Luo waited until Nangong Qing and A Xu returned before seeing Chen Ping'an off. Only then did Su Luo understand his troubled expression. Such an honest person must have been struggling and in pain all day.

"Uncle, here's two taels of silver for you."

Su Luo wasn't good at saying nice things, but she handed the loose silver to Chen Ping'an with both hands.

Chen Ping'an hesitated to speak, but Su Luo gave him the money, which made him even more ashamed.

"Su Luo, I... I can't take this money!"

“Uncle, I’ve already returned the silver to Luo Mei, but I absolutely must return these two taels to you. You and Aunt have taken such good care of us all these years. If I don’t return them to you, it would be my fault. You should take them back. We’re relatives; let’s not let these two taels of silver create any rift between us.”

Chen Ping'an was embarrassed to accept the money. After Liu Fangfang's outburst today, taking back Su Luo's money would likely be another form of mental torture for her.

“Uncle, consider this money as a loan from Huai Xu to you. If you accept this money, I will no longer be considered a wife you bought. We will still have to keep in touch with Aunt in the future.”

Although Su Luo did not see Chen Huaixu's face, she knew the name of the person who had a child with her.

"Well, alright then. I just feel sorry for you all, and for Huai Xu too."

After seeing Chen Ping'an off, Su Luo returned to the kiln. Zhao Ruyun washed all the dishes and chopsticks, while Su Luo had some free time. She used the moonlight to teach Yan Chuan and Yi Huan how to write.

"Yan Chuan Yi Huan, can you all recite the Three Character Classic?"

The two children sat on a low stool and nodded in unison, saying, "Mom, we can recite it now: 'At birth, people are inherently good; their natures are similar, but their habits differ...'"

The two children's clear voices echoed in the kiln at the end of the village. Zhao Ruyun was sorting firewood she had cut from the mountain, afraid that if she made too much noise, she would disturb the mother and her two children.

"You need to be able to write them after you've memorized them. Have you all learned all these characters?"

Yan Chuan stepped forward and said, "Mother, I practice writing with a twig every day, and I can recognize them all."

Su Luo nodded: "Very good. Next time we go to the county, I'll buy you real brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones to practice with."

When she looked at Yi Huan, Yi Huan lowered her head and said, "Mom, I play with Hua Hua every day, but there are still a few words I can't write."

Su Luo didn't blame her, but said seriously, "Yi Huan, in this era, people say that girls don't need to study, but learning is the foundation of being a person. Only by enriching yourself with knowledge can you have more foresight than others. We shouldn't be bound by the times."

Yi Huan was confused; she probably only understood that her mother was saying this to make her smarter.

"Yes, Mother, I will study hard."