Upon hearing this, Xu Pu sighed deeply and said, "Grandmother, tell me, why did my grandfather arrange such a marriage for me back then? Even if he had found me a merchant's daughter, at least she would understand some economics. Unlike Chen Shi now, who is about to become a mother-in-law, she is still sentimental all day long. Can't she just live a peaceful and stable life?"

The old lady shook her head and said, "Pu'er, what you need to do now is not to argue with Madam Chen, but to comfort her and make her understand that the Chen family is not a good place. Then let Mian'er go out and see more of the scenery outside, which is different from home. Girls are just too ignorant. Let her broaden her mind and her thoughts will naturally be different from now."

Xu Pu nodded and said, "Grandmother, after Gao'er's wedding is over, I want Chen to take the child to live outside the city for a few days. A few years ago, I bought a small estate outside the city and planted a few acres of land. Let Chen take the child and stay there for a while. I have people there to keep watch. We won't have any more contact with the Chen family yet. Let Chen think it over carefully. If she still wants Mian'er to marry into the Chen family, then if Mian'er suffers any grievances in the future, let her deal with it herself."

The old lady said, "How could you do this? If people see this, they'll think Chen has done something wrong and you sent her to the estate. You should listen to your grandmother; if anyone's going, you should go with her. I have an idea for you. Every year, your Ministry of Revenue sends people to other places to audit accounts and conduct inspections. Discuss with your superiors whether you can be sent this year. If you are, take Chen with you, along with the children, and go see the scenery. Talk to the children more. A child's growth isn't just about their mother. Mian'er is a good child; if you talk to her nicely, she'll understand."

Upon hearing this, Xu Pu's eyes lit up. He quickly stood up, bowed to the old lady, and said, "Grandmother, you are so thoughtful. We were discussing who should go out this year. You don't know, going out means living a life of hardship and the subsidies are not much. Not many people are willing to go."

The old lady smiled and said, "You want to go? Grandma will pay for your travel expenses, okay?"

Xu Pu quickly waved his hand and said, "Grandmother, you're making fun of me. I'm over thirty years old, and I still need my grandmother to pay for my travel expenses when I go out. It's good to go out like this. The children in the family have never suffered much since they were young. It's good for them to go out and see the world."

Xu Pu bid farewell to the old lady, feeling completely relieved. He returned to his own courtyard and saw that the light was still on in Chen's room. Xu Pu had just gone to the old lady's courtyard after arguing with Chen. Remembering the old lady's words, Xu Pu went into Chen's room.

Ever since Xu Pu left, Madam Chen had been sitting at the table, sulking. In Madam Chen's room was a large desk covered with her poems and paintings. Seeing these things, Xu Pu approached and said with a smile, "My lady, it's all my fault. I went for a walk and realized I shouldn't have argued with you. I've come back to sincerely apologize. My lady, please forgive me." He then bowed deeply.

It was rare for Xu Pu to joke with Chen like this, and Chen's tense face suddenly broke into a smile. She said, "What are you doing, Second Master? Actually, I was also at fault."

Xu Pu waved his hand and said, "My wife, we have been married for more than ten years, and I have never taken you on a long trip. This time, I need to send people out to inspect the outside world. I have thought about it and decided to take you and the children with me."

Upon hearing this, Chen hesitated. She would naturally be very willing to go out and have some fun, but she also felt that it would be inconvenient for a woman to leave home and travel to many places like a man.

Seeing Chen hesitate, Xu Pu felt inexplicably annoyed again. He wanted to argue and vent his anger, but then he remembered what he had said to the old lady earlier and patiently said, "We've been married for so many years, and I haven't spent much time with you. This is a good opportunity. They say that traveling is worse than reading ten thousand books. Let's take the children and go out for a stroll to see the beautiful landscape of our Great Liang. Not to mention Zong'er, let's talk about Mian'er. She's about to find a husband. Once she's married and engaged, she won't be able to travel freely. It's not easy for children, and it will be even harder for them to go out after they get married."

Upon hearing this, Madam Chen quickly said, "Husband, I'll do whatever you say."

The couple were talking when Granny Shen arrived.

Xu Pu and Chen Shi hurriedly went out to greet them. After entering the house, Granny Shen gave Xu Pu a signal, and Xu Pu immediately dismissed the maids who were serving tea and water. Chen Shi was stunned by this gesture.

Granny Shen smiled and said, "Just now, Third Master went to see the Old Madam and said he wanted to take Third Madam and the children out to see the world. The Old Madam was overjoyed and said it was a rare opportunity. It's just that she's getting old and can't go out and about as she pleases. Otherwise, the Old Madam would also like to go out and have a stroll with Third Master."

Granny Shen took out a purse from her sleeve and said, "The old lady said that while you're young, you should go out and see more of the world. This is a little something from her. 'Even if you're poor, you should be generous when you're traveling.' When you're out with your children, you must choose the best food and supplies."

Xu Pu felt that it would be a bit coquettish to refuse again, so she happily accepted it and said, "Granny, I will go and kowtow to the old lady to express my gratitude when I come back tomorrow."

When Madam Chen saw the old lady's purse, she knew it must contain silver notes. Although she considered herself superior and looked down on such valuables, she knew that one couldn't do without them when traveling, especially since her family hadn't saved much money. She felt that the old lady's gift was very timely.

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