"Oh my, needles aren't cheap. How much money did you waste?"

"It's fortunate that your family is well-off. In any other family, you definitely wouldn't have been able to learn this skill," Zhao Qinshi said.

Huang nodded.

"Yes, back then my father was still alive, and life was indeed good for the family. Now that my parents are gone, the lives of my two brothers on my mother's side are clearly not as prosperous as before."

However, it's not the best, but it's not the worst either.

"Yes, I heard that your two brothers are doing quite well." Zhao Qinshi said politely.

The two sisters-in-law were still chatting warmly when the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen reached the main room.

Zhao Qinshi then realized with a start that it was almost noon.

"Sister-in-law, it's getting late, I should go back now. If I don't go back soon, I reckon the kids at home will come looking for me."

"Why don't you stay for lunch, sister-in-law? My granddaughter-in-law's cooking is quite good," said Madam Huang.

"I've heard that your granddaughter-in-law is a good cook. I'll come and eat there when you have a banquet."

No need for today, my portion has definitely been prepared at home. I'm heading home now.

As she spoke, Zhao Qinshi packed up her belongings and went home.

Huang did not continue with the polite formalities.

Food is precious to everyone, and people generally don't stay for meals at other people's homes unless they are hosting a banquet, even if the other family is doing well.

Zhang Cuicui quickly finished preparing the meal, and Zhao Qingyan helped to bring it to the table.

Liu Xiaohua didn't even pick up chopsticks today.

I've been trying my best to keep my head closed and minimize my presence.

Zhao Qingyan and Zhang Cuicui chuckled to themselves.

Huang glanced at the two of them, then at Liu Xiaohua, who was huddled to the side, barely daring to pick up any food. She glared at her first, then burst out laughing.

"Alright, stop looking at me like I'm going to eat you up. Hurry up and eat your food properly."

Don't just keep eating the cornbread in your hand. I'm not some cruel old woman who mistreats her granddaughter-in-law.

Zhao Qingyan was the first to flatter, "That's right, you're the best milk in the world."

The other two sisters-in-law chimed in, making Huang very happy.

When Zhao Qinshi returned home, she found the village chief already there.

He quickly stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Old man, how did things go?"

The village chief raised his eyelids, then lowered them again. He then stood up, patted his knees, and stood up.

The elderly couple returned to their room, and Zhao Jinfa took off his shoes and coat, then sat up on the bed.

It's obvious at a glance that he's been working hard.

Zhao Qinshi quickly went to the courtyard to fetch water and brought it in for the old man to wash his face and feet.

After serving him, he hesitated to speak.

Zhao Jinfa stopped teasing his wife.

"It's all resolved. That little brat really fell for their tricks. He deserved it."

How could someone be so lecherous? How could they do such a despicable thing?

He paid the other party 10 taels of silver and got his confession back. When he got home, his cousin beat him with a rattan cane.

I reckon it won't get better for at least ten days to two weeks.

Your sister-in-law also said that she will have the final say on the children's marriages from now on, and if Shanhe dares to make decisions on his own, she will sever ties with him.

That kid behaved himself this time.

As for Liu Laizi, well, let's not even mention him; he's just a scoundrel.

He takes the money his wife earns from selling herself and spends it on food, drink, and entertainment, then complains that she's dirty and beats her every day.

I think something bad was bound to happen sooner or later. That wife is really unlucky to have married such a beast.

After saying that, he didn't forget to hand over the five taels of silver that his wife had given him yesterday to Zhao Qinshi.

After hearing this, Zhao Qinshi glared at the old man.

“Comparing him to a beast is an insult to beasts.”

As for the matter of the mountains and rivers, I can rest assured now that it has been resolved.

It's good to learn a lesson; otherwise, who knows what trouble you might cause in the future.

The couple sighed deeply.

On that day, the village chief's family meeting focused on "paying attention to private morality," leaving his sons and grandsons completely bewildered, only able to nod and agree.

I secretly guess that Dad (Grandpa) must have learned something terrible, which is why he came home to educate everyone.

If I find out which bastard has upset my father (grandfather), I'll beat that troublemaker so badly that even his parents wouldn't recognize him.

Qin Shanhe, far away in Qinjiazhuang, sneezed loudly, which aggravated the wound on his buttocks, causing him to grimace in pain.

At dusk, Zhao Qianci led his children and grandchildren back from the mountains.

Although he was initially reluctant to let his wife leave the valley alone, he had become quite fond of it during the days he stayed there.

This time, not a single person was left in the valley; they all returned.

As for the chickens, ducks, geese, and sheep, they have been given a large enough territory to roam freely, where they have enough to eat and drink.

They also found a lot of barnyardgrass seeds in the mountains and scattered them around the valley.

Before long, the valley will be surrounded by barbed wire, making it much safer.

Besides, Zhao Qingyan plans to go back and make wine in a few days. There's no need to worry about the animals in the valley starving.

As for the brown sugar used to feed the horses, it was naturally brought along as well. They were fed well and nourished, just to add some life to the valley.

When Hongtang returned, the first thing she did was ditch her bag and run to Zhao Qingyan.

It lowered its big head and rubbed against Zhao Qingyan's hand. After rubbing it a few times and seeing that Zhao Qingyan didn't react, it rubbed it a few more times and even moved its mouth.

Zhao Qingyan almost laughed at Hongtang's impatient manner.

He quickly took a piece of maltose from his pocket and stuffed it into Brown Sugar's mouth.

Having tasted the long-lost sweet flavor, Brown Sugar felt his life was complete.

He happily spun around Zhao Qingyan, and finally bent down and lay down in front of her.

Zhao Qingyan reached out and patted Hongtang's head, running her hair from top to bottom before patting Hongtang and sending her to the stables in the backyard.

"Go on, there's water and hay in the backyard. Go eat and drink. Oh, and there's a mule too. Don't fight, okay?"

As if it understood, Brown Sugar hissed and ran off to the backyard.

Although she knew that Hongtang was clever, Zhao Qingyan was still amazed by Hongtang's intelligence.

As her older sister's loyal little follower, Qingyi watched her sister feed the horses the whole time.

Brown Sugar ran away, and his little body came closer.

"Sis, sis, what did you feed it? I want some too."

Seeing her younger brother's greedy expression, Zhao Qingyan decided to tease him.

"Qingyi, what are you saying? I didn't hear you clearly... Oh. You're asking what I fed brown sugar?"

No, you must be mistaken. ...You want to eat? What are you thinking about? ..."

The little boy's face was flushed, and his resentful little eyes made Zhao Qingyan feel as if she would commit a heinous crime if she didn't give him candy.

Zhao Qingyan entered the room and gave Qingbi a package of loose candy that she had bought in her previous life, weighing about two pounds.

When he was told to go out and hand out the gifts, the little boy finally smiled broadly. Just before leaving, he turned back and hugged his older sister's leg.