"Young Master, we've arrived."

With the officer's command, the carriage came to a steady stop in front of the Song residence.

On the bustling street, this carriage seemed to have come from the depths of time, carrying the weight of years and the stories it tells.

The curtains were gently lifted by a pair of well-defined hands, which were fair and slender, like a meticulously sculpted work of art.

Then, a seventeen-year-old boy stepped forward.

He was dressed in a white Zhongshan suit, simple yet dignified, like a pure white in the turbulent years of the Republic of China.

The boy's short hair was neat and tidy, with a slight messiness that added to his unruly air.

His face was pale, like a blank sheet of paper, as if bearing the weight of too many vicissitudes and helplessness of this era.

His paleness was a sign of morbid weakness, but his eyes were deep and bright, like stars twinkling in the night sky, revealing a sense of calm and wisdom.

However, within that wisdom, there was also a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of loss.

He stood quietly beside the carriage, his posture as upright as a pine tree.

His white Zhongshan suit fluttered gently in the breeze, and many women around him secretly glanced at him.

His gaze swept over everything around him: the ancient gate of the Song mansion, the mottled walls, and the densely packed pedestrians walking along the street.

In his eyes, the world was both familiar and strange.

Her lips were slightly pursed, and the thin lip line outlined an indifference.

His face was delicate and handsome, with a high nose bridge and slightly raised eyebrows, every feature was just right.

He exudes a unique aura, possessing both the elegance and composure of a noble young master and the unbridled and unruly nature of a military scion.

He was born into a wealthy family and enjoyed a superior life. This trip to the south was all for recuperation.

His steps were steady and firm, each step seemingly resonating with the pulse of everyone in the Song family.

"Zhiqing, come inside quickly, it's so cold outside!" Master Song greeted him with a smile as he entered the Song residence.

The servants around didn't dare to look the boy in the eye, and the concubines only glanced at him secretly from afar.

He walked into the Song residence, looked at the ancient buildings, and felt a strange sense of unease welling up inside him.

The whole town was buzzing with the news that a remarkable young master from the Song family had arrived. He was said to have come from the north to recuperate, as the weather in the north was too cold, while the weather in the south was just right.

"Uncle, I want to go and pay my respects to my maternal grandmother." The boy's words made Master Song's eyelids twitch.

"Zhiqing, you must be tired from your journey. Rest for a night and you can visit me tomorrow."

Chen Zhiqing thought for a moment, "That's fine then. I'll be nagging my uncle from now on."

"What are you saying? We're all family. How is your mother?"

"Uncle, don't worry, my mother is perfectly fine."

Song Zhiqing held the two beads in his hand, turning them back and forth. He had a faint smile on his face and was looking out the window with deep eyes.

There were two concubines in the backyard: one was Concubine Wang named Wang Chunyan, and the other was Concubine Deng named Deng Qiao'er.

Aunt Wang had a son and a daughter, while Aunt Deng had a daughter.

The eldest mistress of the household was the legal wife, and she had a son.

Besides the main family members, the Song family also had some cousins ​​who were sent by members of the Song clan to learn etiquette.

When Aunt Wang returned to her room, she was thinking to herself, "This young master is someone from above. If I marry my daughter to him, won't I be set for life?"

Not only did she think this way, but Aunt Deng thought the same way.

The people in the Song family also had their own ambitions; who wouldn't want to rise to a higher social status?

As night fell, the streetlights gradually came on—the kind of lanterns that contained kerosene lamps.

The lights added a warm touch to the night.

Ma Hehua returned with light steps, a happy smile on her face, a smile as radiant as a blooming flower, seemingly able to illuminate the entire night.

She clutched the five silver dollars she had just received tightly in her hand, her heart filled with joy.

In those not-so-wealthy times, five silver dollars was no small sum.

Thinking that the other old women only had two silver dollars, a sense of pride welled up within me.

She knew that she must have done exceptionally well to earn such a high salary as others.

Ma Hehua recalled every detail of her work; she always did her best and never slacked off.

Mother Ye: "…………………………"

She walked briskly home, as if she were walking on clouds.

She imagined that if she took these five silver dollars back, her mother would definitely praise her highly.

Ma Hehua's smile remained on her face, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Ma Hehua quietly pushed open the back door of the Song residence and walked directly towards their room.

Filled with joy, she hurried yet cautiously pushed open the door to their room.

His robust figure looked exceptionally excited in the dim light, his joy blooming like a flower.

When she finally saw her mother, her smile became even brighter, and she said eagerly, "Mother, I received five silver dollars." Her voice was full of pride and excitement.

Upon hearing Ma Hehua's words, Ma Linghua's face immediately lit up with a smile, a smile as warm and bright as the spring sun.

She looked at Ma Hehua tenderly, her eyes full of relief, and said, "That's good, Hehua. Our lives will be easier from now on."

Ma Linghua was filled with emotion. In this difficult era, every achievement seemed so precious.

She thought she could use the money to buy some necessities for her home, since she didn't know how much longer she would have to stay there.

Ma Lihua, standing to the side, was also overjoyed. Looking at the five silver dollars in her mother's hand, a strong desire welled up in her heart.

She felt that she also needed to go out and find a job to contribute to the family.

Her eyes shone with a determined light, as if she could already see herself working.

Ma Lihua began to think about what kind of work she could do. She thought of her craft; with the New Year approaching, perhaps she could paint door gods.

She secretly made up her mind to paint door gods during the Chinese New Year, not knowing whether she would make any money.

The room was filled with a joyful atmosphere, while Old Madam Song in the Buddhist hall had a droopy face.

That wretched woman! Not only does she try to control her, but she hasn't been able to eat any human flesh for a whole month. She really wants to eat meat!

But remembering Ma Linghua's warning, she sat cross-legged in the Buddhist hall, sulking.

Just then, a sound came from outside the door.

"Mother, Zhiqing is here. She said she'll come to see you first thing tomorrow morning. Please get ready!" Master Song's voice rang out from outside the Buddhist hall.

"I understand," said Madam Song in a cold tone.

In the quiet night, unable to see inside, Master Song's face was gloomy. He glanced at the Buddhist hall several times as he left, hoping that nothing unexpected would happen tomorrow.