Dabao took the rubbings and the brush and ink, bowed and said, "Thank you, Uncle Chu. I will work hard and not let you down."

Chen Afu also expressed his gratitude.

Chu Lingxuan smiled slightly and said, "Master Chen, you are too polite. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. It is all thanks to Master Chen that Yan'er is where she is today."

The mother and son said goodbye and walked for a while. Dabao looked back, pulled Chen Afu and said, "Mom, Uncle Chu is still watching us."

Chen Ahfu listened, stood up and turned around. Except for the falling snow, the door of the study was empty. He said, "No."

Dabao blinked his eyes and indeed saw no one. He said uncertainly, "Did I see it wrongly? But Uncle Chu was clearly there just now."

Chen Ahfu laughed and said, "It was dark and snowing, so it was possible that the pillars were mistaken for people."

"Maybe." Dabao said dejectedly.

Two guards were waiting at the corner gate of Tangyuan. They were responsible for escorting Chen Afu and his mother to Luyuan.

After exiting Tangmen Corner Gate, you can see the wall of Fuyuan from afar. After going around Fuyuan, you will reach Luyuan.

The snow was still falling, the wind was so cold that you couldn't see your hand in front of you. A guard holding a lantern walked in front, and another guard walked behind them.

Fortunately, someone came to see me off. Although it was not late, the area was so quiet that it seemed as if there was no one around.

When we arrived at Lu Garden, Old Man Zeng opened the door.

Chen Afu smiled at the two security guards and said, "Thank you for your hard work, brothers. Wait a minute, I'll get some braised food for you to go back with your wine." She went to the kitchen and brought out a small pot of braised chicken and meat for them.

The two guards thanked him with a smile.

These two people often picked up and dropped off Chen Afu, and she would often send them some food.

When they went to the upper room, Chen Ming and the other two were still waiting for them to eat.

When Chen Ming heard that Dabao had obtained a rubbing of Wang Youjun's works, he was so excited that he didn't even eat. Instead, he washed his hands and looked at the rubbing in his hands.

Everyone waited for a while, and seeing that he was still reading, Wang smiled and said, "It's so late, why don't you come to eat? Are you going to let the children go hungry?"

Chen Ming came over to eat after hearing this. He also said to Dabao, "Let me borrow it for one night today, and I'll return it to you tomorrow."

Dabao said generously, "Grandpa likes it, then..." He wanted to say "I'll give it to Grandpa", but when he thought that it was Wang Youjun's rubbings, nothing else, he changed his words and said, "Just look at it for a few more days." Then he felt that he was being too stingy, so he added, "You can look at it as long as you want."

Chen Ming smiled and said, "You seem to be very petty. Don't worry, Grandpa will only watch you for one night."

Dabao blushed and generously said that he would give his uncle a pen and a bottle of ink, both of which were produced by Wenshangzhai in the capital.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the second branch of the Chen family hosted a dinner party.

The guests today were not picky eaters, so Aunt Mu and Aunt Zeng were the chefs, and Chen Afu had a rare day of relaxation.

Old Mrs. Chen came with her first and second wives.

Luyuan had servants, so all the women didn't need to help in the kitchen. They all went to the upper room to leisurely eat melon seeds and listen to the men's loud laughter. Chen Atang, Alu, Dabao, Dahu and other boys were playing wildly with Zhuifeng and Wangcai in the yard.

Chen Aman pulled Chen Afu aside to whisper, saying that Chen Aju had touched her clothes, accessories, and balm. Although she didn't steal, she was still very unhappy. Zhang kindly told Old Lady Chen to take good care of the girl and told her not to touch other people's things at will. But Hu didn't know how to appreciate kindness. Instead, she was dissatisfied with Zhang and her daughter, saying that they had wronged Chen Aju and said that she could leave if she didn't want to live there. How could she eat and drink at her house and still wrongly accuse her daughter...

"...Grandma was afraid that my uncle would beat someone during the New Year, so she didn't dare tell him. She just cursed my aunt and sister Aju in secret. I don't want to live in the countryside anymore. I want to go back to the city as soon as possible." Chen Aman pouted.

Chen Afu glanced at Chen Aju who was sitting in the corner. She was only thirteen years old after the Chinese New Year. In her previous life, she would still be in the first grade of junior high school. This stage was the most important period for the formation of character. If she was not properly guided and allowed to be led astray by Mrs. Hu, this child would be ruined.

As the two were talking, Old Lady Chen came over with Chen Aju and said with a smile, "You girls are all about the same age, you should get closer to each other." Then she said to Chen Afu, "Afu, you are a good and sensible child, take care of our Aju more."

Chen Aju was not as proud as a peacock as usual. She sat next to Chen Afu very obediently and called out, "Sister Afu."

This is really the sun rising from the west. Chen Ahfu also greeted her with a smile.

Chen Aju was quickly attracted by the clothes on Chen Afu and said, "We went back to my uncle's house yesterday, and cousin Hong also came back from the county town. She was so arrogant. I think she is not as pretty as sister Afu, and her clothes are not as pretty as sister Afu's. She is not even as good as Aman, and she looks down on us country people..."

The eldest daughter of the Chen family returned to the Hu family yesterday. Except for the fourth sister of the Hu family, the other three sisters went to the kitchen to work as soon as they arrived, and even Chen Aju went to light the fire. But Xia Hong and Hu Cuicui were very close, but she didn't pay much attention to the other cousins including Chen Aju. She tried her best to get close to them but failed, which made her very angry.

Chen Ahfu said, "She thinks she is better than you, so she looks down on you. If one day you are stronger than her, she won't dare to look down on you like this."

Chen Aju rolled her eyes and said, "But we are country people. No matter how strong we are, we can't be stronger than her." Her tone was very harsh, as if Chen Afu owed her something.

Seeing her unpleasant look, Chen Ahfu really didn't want to say more. But for the sake of Chen Ye and Old Lady Chen, he still endured it. He said patiently, "Your uncle is also a country boy, but she doesn't dare to look down on Hu Cuicui. This is not only because your uncle is capable, but Hu Cuicui herself is also smart and knows how to please. Now, our Chen family will get better and better. If you can be more capable and learn more about being a good person, will she still dare to look down on you?"

After hearing this, the old lady also said, "You should listen to Ah Fu's words. Now your second uncle has become a landlord, and your third uncle has a big restaurant in the capital. We are no worse than the old Hu family. If you are more sensible and learn needlework from your third aunt and eldest sister-in-law, you can find a good husband in the future, and they will even support you..."

At this time, Chen Shi came over and pulled Chen Afu aside. It turned out that he wanted to expand the business further and asked Chen Afu if he had any other ideas. Chen Afu glanced at Chen Ming who was chatting and laughing with Chen Ye in the distance, and thought that he should also do the same business in the name of Chen Ming.

Even if she has it herself, it is better to let Chen Ming and the others have it themselves.

Then he smiled and said, "There is one thing. Uncle San, do you want to open a real big restaurant? If you do, I can ask someone to help you find a good chef and a good manager. But the prerequisite is that my father must invest in it."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Brothers fight together, and fathers and sons fight together in battle. It would be even better if my second brother joins. I don't know much about the restaurant business, but if Ah Fu can help me find a chef and a shopkeeper, I'd be willing to help."