Back then, Ma Liu felt that he had once been glorious, but glory was nothing compared to the boundless loneliness he felt when no one was around at night. In the deep palace, how many people could he truly confide in?

Everyone is wary of each other. Even those who fawn over him during the day turn around and show a completely different face. You can't think too much about this kind of person. He thought from the beginning that he should leave this place as soon as possible. Enough is enough. He really had enough of staying here.

Compared to the past, now he is surrounded by children who are all sincere to him. He no longer worries about anyone stabbing him in the back or when he might lose his life.

Therefore, compared to the past, he is enjoying this period of time the most.

Qiao Jie patted his brother's head and said, "You don't need to keep talking about enjoying life. Just keep it in your heart. Let's live each day to the fullest."

The two old men chatted over tea. Jiang Qiao continued reading the next letter. The address was unfamiliar, but when she saw the contents, she couldn't help but frown. This letter was actually written to her by Jiang Jinyu. The gist of it was that he was telling her that he had sent people to take care of the orphans and to protect her secretly. He told her not to treat these two people as outsiders, but as his own people.

Jiang Qiao herself couldn't quite describe her feelings towards Jiang Jinyu. She was happy to know that the Jiang family still had descendants, but she hadn't spent much time with this brother, and their relationship was much weaker compared to that of her other two brothers.

But even if this person is her own brother, so what? She can't acknowledge him. Her brother isn't just her brother; he also has a sister-in-law, nephews, and grandnephews. She has too many secrets, too many to keep. It's best to just maintain the status quo.

Knowing that her brother was doing well, she felt at ease. As for her revenge, she would take it herself. Although her second brother, Jiang Jinyu, had some power, he also bore the greatest responsibility. She didn't want him to bear too much burden because of her.

Jiang Qiao's heart skipped a beat when she opened the letter from Gu Zhengfeng. She had heard Song Shutian mention it before, but she didn't know the specifics. However, through her father's letter, she finally understood the current situation.

“Girl, I’ve mailed all the medicine you left here. What else can you scrape together to mail to your Eighth Uncle?”

Jiang Qiao understood that position. She wasn't an innocent young girl; after all, she had been a soldier in her previous life. The conditions at her Eighth Uncle's location were truly harsh, but also the most important. He was similar to her father, guarding the border. That was the only characteristic; if anything happened, they would be the first to be on the front lines.

Seeing his granddaughter's expression, Qiao Jie asked with concern, "What's wrong? Is something bothering you again?"

Jiang Qiao sighed, "My dad asked me to mail some things out. Grandpa, what's the situation at the Jiang family's place?"

When it came to Wang Dahua's family, Qiao Jie could only give a wry smile, while Ma Liu vividly described it to Jiang Qiao.

"Don't even mention it. The Jiang family has really lost face. They've already accepted all the gifts, and all the neighbors are waiting for the new bride to come out. Who would have thought that after waiting for so long, the groom still hasn't shown up."

Later, I heard from the groom's family that the groom had been arrested. Oh my god, you didn't see the scene! Jiang Mei cried so miserably.

The Jiang family didn't dare leave their house all day. Isn't this a ridiculous situation? The groom himself doesn't know his own condition. This time, everyone's had a good laugh.

Jiang Qiao smiled faintly, "And then?"

Ma Liuyi shrugged and shook his head. "I don't know, because we've come back and haven't had time to pay attention to what happened afterward. I guess Wang Dahua has to take her disreputable granddaughter out to lay low for a while. If she's smart, she should move to a different house as soon as possible. Living in this courtyard is just a joke. Her grandson is good-for-nothing, and her granddaughter is like this. She's probably lost all the face she's built up over the years."

Qiao Jie sighed, "Wang Dahua used to seem like a decent person, but now that her son is back, how has this family become like this? If you ask me, they should separate as soon as possible, otherwise, she'll be driven to death by anger before she even dies of old age."

"Girl, why don't you write a letter to Wang Dahua's daughter and ask her to take her mother away?"

Jiang Qiao shook her head. "Even if her daughter comes, if Wang Dahua doesn't want to leave, no one can persuade her. Just wait and see. I'll go back tomorrow and ask the old lady what she thinks. No matter how much we worry, it's useless. Her son comes first, and her grandson comes last."

"Oh dear, speaking of which, it's truly remarkable that this old lady has gone to such lengths for her granddaughter. That Jiang Mei, she seemed alright before, who would have thought her personality would turn out like that?"

Ma Liu snorted, his eyes full of disdain, and his words were even more venomous: "They're not even as good as those women who sell their smiles in brothels."

Qiao Jie kicked his brother and said, "The girl is right in front of you, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Ma Liu chuckled, "Just pretend I didn't say anything, and Qiao'er wouldn't know. Our kids all understand, they just don't say it. Even though I haven't interacted with Jiang Mei, just from what I've heard of her, I really haven't wronged her."

Would a good woman do this? She's promiscuous and unchaste. Compared to a courtesan, it's unfair to even consider the courtesan as a woman; at least the courtesan sells her art, not her body.

"Girl, just go back and visit them tomorrow. We can't interfere in their family affairs; otherwise, we'll only cause trouble."

Jiang Qiao nodded and looked at the next letter. The handwriting was Ning Hao's, but there was no address. The postmark made her a little suspicious. It was mailed from Beijing. She couldn't figure out if he had returned or what was going on.

She glanced at the envelope again and became suspicious. The letter must have been sent back by someone, but she couldn't tell where that person was from their appearance.

Ning Haoxin's message was quite simple. He told her that everything was fine, and that she shouldn't worry. He said he had received the things that had been sent and that they were very useful. He asked if Song Shutian could send some more if possible. He also sent his regards to her and her family.

Judging from this, it's obvious that he hasn't been able to contact Ning Zhengtao and the others. What has this guy been up to lately? Why is he acting so mysteriously?

Jiang Qiao put the letter away, checked the time, and said, "Grandpa Qiao, you two rest first, I'll go cook for you right away."

At noon, she made meat buns with sauerkraut filling, served with homemade pickled garlic, and drank some thin porridge—a very good meal.

After letting the old man take a nap, Jiang Qiao took Baozi to the cowshed, while her grandfather went to her father's place. Jiang Weihan temporarily took over here.

Jiang Weihan was planning to lock the door and go home to eat, but just as he was about to leave, Jiang Qiao came in.

"Hehe, girl, what are you holding? I can smell something delicious."

Jiang Qiao opened the lunchbox. "Baozi, this is to treat you, Grandpa Jiang. Go back home at noon and get a good nap. I'll stay here and keep watch. Are you still adjusting to this place?"