Xu Lanyin whispered a few words to Qin, telling her to go back to her room and rest, not to meet the old couple, and to say that she was not feeling well again and could not get out of bed. Tomorrow, they would be asked to return to Xiaozao Village...

Qin was also angry with the old man and didn't want to meet him, so she went back to her room to rest.

The He Dong brothers drank tea with the guards and coachmen, gave them silver ingots, and then sent them to an inn outside the city to rest.

Xu Lanyin asked Ding Xiaoran to go to the shop and invite Xu Dashi to dinner in the evening. When the old couple heard that Xu Lanyin and others had returned, they hurried back.

On the way, Old Lady Xu and Xu Dashi continued to persuade Old Man Xu that Qin was a good woman and asked him not to look for trouble. The second wife had brought Xu Dashi and his wife with her on her business trip to the provincial capital, which was a gesture of gratitude. The second son was gone, and the grandchildren were another layer apart. If they messed up their relationship with their daughter-in-law, their relationship with the second wife would become even more distant.

Old Man Xu also knew this and was satisfied with Xu Lanyin's good behavior, but he was still concerned about Qin's "background" and was afraid that the rumors were true...

As soon as they entered the courtyard, Xu Lanting rushed over and threw himself into the old lady's arms.

The old lady also missed her grandson, and hugged him, calling him "liver" and "meat".

Xu Lanting said sadly, "My mother's illness had improved, but she caught a cold on the road and can't breathe. I just asked the doctor to prescribe medicine."

Old Man Xu was so angry that he cursed, "Let her toss, let her toss, if she doesn't go to the provincial capital, nothing will happen."

Old Mrs. Xu said angrily, "They just came back, why don't you say a few words."

After they entered the hanging flower gate, Xu Lanyin welcomed them directly into the east wing hall and took out the gifts. There was a pile of food, a few pieces of silk, and she also bought two leather jackets and two packets of tonic medicine for the old couple. The old couple was so happy that they smiled.

Xu Lanyin said, "We were delayed for quite a while this time. One reason was that my mother wasn't feeling well, and the other was that I was accompanying Lord Min's daughter. I begged Lord Min to put a word in and get Brother Ershi in when the county government office was recruiting clerks, and he agreed." He added, "I didn't think about it that much at first, but it was my mother who reminded me."

Xu Lanyin's words were vague, and Old Man Xu thought it was Lord Min or Min Can.

In reality, Xu Lanyin could have helped Xu Ershi find a position in the government before Mincan left, but she didn't want Xu Ershi to work under County Magistrate Wang. Once the Yiju Restaurant was shut down, County Magistrate Wang would surely fall, and then she could find a way to get Xu Ershi in. At least until Xu Ershi's situation was resolved, the old man wouldn't dare offend her or Qin.

She agreed to let Xu Ershi work as a clerk for another reason, which was that she didn't want Xu Ershi and Gu to get involved in the business of the shop after Xu Dashi and his wife left.

Old Man Xu's eyes lit up. His eldest grandson would go to the provincial capital to pursue his career, his great-grandson would study there, and his great-granddaughter would marry there. If his second grandson could become a respected clerk in the government, he wouldn't have to worry about him anymore. The old man knew his second grandson had no skills and was unwilling to endure hardships. No matter how good the business was, he wouldn't be able to make it. He would just have to find a place where he could live and wait for death. The best place to make a living and be respectable was in the government.

He laughed a few times and asked, "When will the government office start recruiting people?"

Xu Lanyin said, "That's not certain. Maybe early next year, or late next year. Let's try to get in by the end of next year."

By the end of next year, my family might have moved to the provincial capital.

The old man said again, "Good, good, good granddaughter, I thank you on behalf of Ershi."

Xu Lanyin said seriously, "I have to thank my mother. I'm so busy every day that I don't think about so many things. It's my mother who reminded me." She also warned, "Don't tell anyone about this. If someone tries to do something bad, it won't work. And let Ershi practice his calligraphy. His handwriting is too shameful to be seen by others."

"Yes, yes, I know." The old man assured.

Old Lady Xu was also pleased and said, "I've always said that the second son's wife is a good person and generous. No matter how much money the second son gave to help his brothers, she never said a word. Unlike Gu, who only cares about money and doesn't want to spend. She looks smart, but she is actually stingy. People like her can only hold on to small amounts of money, but they can't make a fortune."

Old Man Xu looked as if he didn't need you to tell him that. "I know, I know what's going on." He added, "Forget about that girl I'm talking to Ershi about. Although her family has more than ten acres of land, she's ugly and no match for the handsome Ershi. Ershi will be a government official in the future, with more respect than a constable. Marrying an ugly wife would make people laugh."

Xu Lanyin twitched her lips. This old man was obsessed with appearance. No wonder both of his daughters-in-law were good-looking. Mrs. Xu must have been pretty when she was young. Li was average-looking, but her family was much wealthier than the Xu family. They had given her two acres of land as a gift.

Old Mrs. Xu nodded. She also felt that since her second grandson had a bright future, he should find a better girl.

After Xu Lanzhou returned and said goodbye, everyone started to eat dinner. The old couple and Xu Dashi also drank some wine. Before Xu Dashi left, Xu Lanyin told him privately about Li and the small shop.

The next day, after seeing the old couple off, Xu Lanyin asked someone to invite Mrs. Hu and her daughter, as well as Mrs. Hu's mother and three daughters, to her house for lunch, and then gave them some food to take back.

As soon as Hu Yi heard the news, she hurriedly brought Mrs. Hu over. She hugged Xu Lanyin and said goodbye, "My father is now handling business in the county town. After the New Year, our family will move to the provincial capital... What should I do? I can't bear to leave you, Xiao Tingting, and Xiao Xingxing."

Xu Lanyin smiled and said, "My family also has business in the provincial capital, and I will go there often in the future."

Xu Lanting particularly disliked Hu Yi calling him Xiao Tingting, thinking it was too feminine. He sternly corrected her, "Sister Yi, call me Xiao Lanting."

Hu Yi chuckled and said, "I just like calling you Xiao Tingting."

Xu Lanting had no choice but to take Xiao Xingxing to the yard to wait for Hu and Fang Jieer.

Later, Mrs. Hu arrived with her two children, and Xiaochan followed behind her. Xiaochan had her hair done up like a woman, wore heavy, gaudy makeup, and wore a satin dress, adorned with jade and red gold hairpins.

Is this a promotion?

Seeing Xu Lanyin's surprised look, Mrs. Hu forced a smile and said, "Now Xiaochan is Aunt Chan."

Xu Lanyin silently sympathized with Hong Zhen and Hu for a second, paying tribute to the heroes fighting on the special front. Then she smiled at Aunt Chan and said, "Congratulations, Aunt Chan."

Aunt Chan smiled brightly and said, "It's all because of my great-grandfather and great-grandmother that I am so caring."

Mrs. Hu was completely unaware of this and she curled her lips.

Everyone sat down, the masters sat on chairs, and Aunt Chan sat on a brocade stool.

Aunt Chan's face flushed with anger, yet she managed to smile cheerfully. She cursed Xu Lanyin inwardly, a country girl with a snobbish eye. At home, she sat on the same chair as the master, and her master valued her even more than Mrs. Hu. She'd keep quiet for now, and deal with this damned girl later when she'd accomplished something great.