"Just tell me what you want," Shen Wanli said, sounding somewhat impatient.

He waved his hand, signaling his two daughters-in-law to take the children and go home first.

Only Shen Liuliu refused to leave.

Seeing that Shen Liuliu refused to leave, An'an insisted on staying with her.

An'an was an outsider, while Liu Liu was his precious darling, so Shen Wanli didn't say anything.

"Wanli, your second aunt is our elder after all. Do you think you could go and plead with Magistrate Zheng to release her?"

Shen Baili's tone was relatively mild, probably because he knew that he was asking for a favor.

Tian Guifen found it utterly absurd, but her husband clearly didn't want to either, so there was no need for her to take the lead.

Just as Tian Guifen had expected, Shen Wanli retorted without any politeness, "Are you out of your mind? Can't you tell the difference between close and distant relatives? I'm not going."

Who do you think he is?

He should go and plead with the county magistrate on his behalf. Does the county magistrate even know who he is?

He said it was utterly useless.

"Wanli, of course I know we're closer now, that's why I came to tell you. If Second Aunt really has something going on, it won't be good for your family's reputation. Sanlin is currently getting engaged, so it might have an impact."

Shen Baili believed that his earnest advice was entirely well-intentioned.

But Tian Guifen was not appreciative at all, and said bluntly: "If anyone who wants to become our in-laws thinks we should plead for that old man, then no matter how powerful, rich and influential that in-law is, I, Tian Guifen, will not agree!"

joke.

She would never be related to such a disgusting person by marriage.

"Brother, what Yishan's mother means is what I mean. I will absolutely not forgive this. Besides, I'm not someone important. Do you think I can get away with this by pleading with the county magistrate?"

Shen Wanli told the truth.

Shen Baili talked for a long time, but Shen Wanli and his wife still refused to compromise.

"Ah, Mom, Liu Liu is sleepy."

Shen Liuliu yawned out of boredom.

She insisted on staying, originally worried that her parents would suffer, but after her uncle talked for so long without getting to the point, she couldn't be bothered to wait any longer.

Tian Guifen kicked the old man, who immediately said, "Brother, we'll head back now."

"Wait a moment."

"What's wrong now?"

This sinking of thousands of miles is really annoying.

Shen Baili glanced around and, making sure no one was paying attention, whispered, "Wanli, it's fine if you don't care about your reputation, but my Pengfei is going to take the imperial examination. His reputation must be protected!"

"What does it have to do with us if he defends his position?"

"No, we're all one family. Your family's reputation is ruined, and then Pengfei..."

"Tch, brother, you're making it sound like your sister-in-law stirred up trouble before, ruining the Shen family's reputation. You haven't even bothered to maintain your own family's reputation, so why should you expect us to?"

Tian Guifen rolled her eyes, picked up her daughter, and strode away.

After taking a few steps, he turned back and called out, "Chen Wanli, if you're not leaving, you don't need to come back."

Shen Wanli quickly followed.

He didn't say a single kind word to Shen Baili, which angered the latter so much that he started cursing.

But there was nothing we could do about it.

Having no other choice, Shen Baili stamped his foot and went to find the village chief.

——

Upon returning home, Tian Guifen immediately filled a large pot with water and had the whole family take a bath to get rid of the bad luck.

An'an was initially unwilling, but Sanlin and Wutiao forced her to wash in a large basin!

As they washed, it turned into a water-splashing game.

Listening to the children's noise outside, Tian Guifen dried her daughter's hair while scolding Chen Wanli:

"You were there at the time, why didn't you refuse? The gold necklace is so valuable, why did you accept it?"

"If the child is willing to give it, then give it. Why are you interfering in the children's affairs? I know my daughter. If Liu Liu feels it's not appropriate, she definitely won't accept it."

"Bullshit," Tian Guifen put down the towel, speechless as she looked at her giggling daughter. "Don't you know how much your daughter loves money? If you gave her that gold necklace, would she refuse?"

"Mommy~ I'll buy you gold necklaces too, lots and lots of them~"

Shen Liuliu hugged her mother and started to act coquettishly.

A sweet-smelling baby nestled softly and affectionately in your arms is irresistible to anyone.

"You're even better at making empty promises than your father! Your father at most says he'll take care of me and give me a good life, but you've already promised me so many gold necklaces."

Despite saying that, Tian Guifen was still very happy and hugged her daughter, kissing her repeatedly.

Shen Wanli smiled broadly, his gaze towards his wife and children gentle.

"Hey, what are you asking your two wives to cook?"

"Let's make dumplings tonight."

"Why did you suddenly decide to make dumplings?"

Tian Guifen said, "You forgot? Lin Qing is coming back today."

Fu Linqing lived across the street from the Shen family and had a fairly good relationship with them.

Most importantly, Fu Linqing was a very good student and was sent to study at the city government.

He's only ten years old this year, and he's already been recommended to become a child scholar!

But he is the god of literature in the surrounding villages.

Fu Linqing studies at the Chengfu Academy and comes back to stay for three days every month.

For the past three days, Fu Linqing has been coming to the Shen family home to teach Wu Tiao and Xiao Lou to read and write. The children all like Fu Linqing very much.

Therefore, to express her gratitude, Tian Guifen would always prepare delicious food.

"So soon? Speaking of which, shouldn't we send the children to school too?"

Shen Wanli smacked his lips and began to consider it.

"Read it! Read it all!"

Shen Liuliu clapped her hands excitedly and rushed into her father's arms: "Daddy, you have to go and study too, and get hit by the teacher, hit on the hand! Hahaha!"

"You naughty girl!"

Shen Wanli held the naughty girl tightly and refused to let go. He opened his mouth wide and bit his daughter's little foot with a loud thud!

"Ah, Mother, save me!"

Shen Liuliu screamed excitedly.

The father and son were playing wildly, and the baby's excited screams almost lifted the roof off.

“We have more than thirty taels of silver in hand now. The autumn harvest is coming soon, and we will have another sum of money... So after the autumn harvest, we will send Wu Tiao and his two grandsons to school.”

"good!"

After chatting for a while, Tian Guifen heard the commotion and realized that her two daughters-in-law had already prepared the filling, so she got off the kang (a heated brick bed) to make dumplings herself.

Every time we make dumplings, the whole family pitches in.

Shen Liuliu insisted on making dumplings, but the dumpling wrappers were bigger than her palm, and all the filling fell out!

Tian Guifen said a few words, and Chen Wanli became even more agitated.

"If your daughter likes it, let her do it. It's no big deal. You can still eat the filling even if it falls on the board. Why did Liu Liu do that?"

"You, you just keep spoiling me!" Tian Guifen was so angry she wanted to hit someone.

"But doesn't Auntie spoil Liu Liu just the same?"

A clear, slightly childish voice rang out, and the Shen family members all showed expressions of joy.

Shen Liuliu ran out and rushed into his arms. Then she looked up and sweetly called out, "Brother Qing, you're finally back! Look down, Liuliu has a treasure for you."

Fu Linqing helped Liu Liu squat down obediently and looked at her.

"hey-hey!"

Shen Liuliu slapped the other person's face with both hands, and seeing the two flour handprints left behind, she laughed so hard she bent over.

Seeing Liu Liu so dependent and excited, An An felt as if her heart was being stabbed with needles.

Even though he had read Xiao Liu's fate book about her tribulations in this life and knew that she was only dealing with Lin Qing because they were like siblings, he still couldn't help but feel jealous when he saw how much Xiao Liu depended on him but was so distant from him.