Zhuangzi, everything at the shop has been settled, and things in the county town are almost done as well.

"Second brother, second sister-in-law, it won't be easy for us to meet again after you leave."

Li Qiuniang was a little reluctant to leave. She and Mu Yi'an got along well, especially in the last six months. She and her child stayed with her second sister-in-law, and the child learned from her and became even better.

"The prefectural city isn't too far away, and it's quite convenient to take a boat. When you're not busy, you can go and visit."

Mu Yi'an's invitation was genuine. Since arriving here, she has spent the most time with Jiang Qi, followed by Li Qiuniang.

"Second sister-in-law, have you settled on a house yet?"

Jiang Qi thought that if there wasn't a suitable place, she would let her second brother and sister-in-law stay at her own house first, as her doctor, Dr. Chu, had mentioned it several times.

"Butler Li returned yesterday, and my third aunt helped look at a few houses. After we go back to the old house to say goodbye tomorrow, we will head to the prefectural city. Once the house is settled, Butler Li will be responsible for transporting the things we need to take from here over."

After looking at several houses, Butler Li returned and described the general layout and location of the houses. Mu Yi'an and her family wanted to go and see them in person to buy one that suited their taste.

“Then let’s go back together tomorrow, have a meal together, and get together again. We’ll have to wait until the New Year.”

Jiang Shuwen felt reluctant to part with them, as his second brother and sister-in-law had helped him a lot along the way.

The food stall now earns over a hundred taels of silver a month, all thanks to his second sister-in-law.

After agreeing to return to the village together the next day, Jiang Shuwen and his group said goodbye.

Mu Yi'an thought that after they left, she would ask Shuwen and the others to take care of the courtyard in the county town.

Jiang Qi's child is young, so it's inconvenient for her to come out.

The next day, not only Jiang Qi's family and Jiang Shuwen's family returned to Jiangjia Village, but also Jiang Lan and her husband.

"Lan'er, you're only three months pregnant. Is it safe for you to come out?"

Jiang's mother was happy to see her children return, but she was also worried about her youngest daughter.

"Mom, it's alright, I'm perfectly healthy."

Jiang Lan recently found out she was pregnant, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

She got married earlier than her sister, who already had a son, but she hadn't had any children yet. She was afraid that she might end up like her sister. What should she do?

Fortunately, she is alright.

Seeing that she looked well, Jiang's mother didn't say anything more.

"Shuyun, when will you set off?"

"Dad, let's leave tomorrow and settle on a house first. Everything in the county town is packed, and Steward Li and the others can transport it over."

Jiang Shuyun told her parents about her plans. They wouldn't be back until the end of the year.

"Father, Mother, once the house in the prefectural city is ready, you can go and stay there for a while. As for the house in the county town, the key is with Shuwen. If you go to the county town, you can stay there."

Mu Yi'an extended an invitation, saying that since Jiang's parents no longer concern themselves with family matters and have nothing to do, they could go out for a walk.

“Alright, once you’re settled, I’ll take your mother to see her. She’s never been far from home in her life, so thanks to you, I’ll take her out for a stroll.”

Jiang's father really had this plan. Now that Shuheng and his wife were doing well, they didn't need to worry about them anymore. While they were still in good health, they wanted to go out for a walk.

Although Jiang's father was a rather serious person, he was not rigid or inflexible.

Mu Yi'an felt that Jiang's father was a rare insightful person among the patriarchs of ancient times, and he genuinely loved his children, treating sons and daughters equally.

Most importantly, Jiang's father did not have the ancient Chinese mentality that the eldest son and grandson were the most important, and that everyone else had to make sacrifices for him.

The meal at the old house was a joyful occasion, and remarkably, everyone was there.

After the meal, Jiang Shuyun and the others were going back to the county town. They would take a boat directly to the prefectural city the next day.

Watching the carriages depart, Sister-in-law Jiang felt a strange relief, no longer as bitter as before. Li Qiuniang didn't mention it, but Mu Yi'an had changed completely, making her uneasy.

Looking back at his four children, Shao Qin was already almost up to his father's shoulder.

Chu Tong has also started to look like a young girl; she has grown taller and her appearance has changed somewhat.

The two younger ones are still quiet and reserved, but they've gained weight and aren't as thin as before.

"Go inside. We're not the best off, but we're not the worst off either. Relax, think about the children, and see if there's anything else you can't let go of."

Looking at his wife, who had gained some weight and was no longer young and beautiful, Brother Jiang gently comforted her.

"I know, it won't happen again."

Since Brother Jiang returned from the county town, the atmosphere at home has improved a lot. The two of them have had several deep conversations, expressing their true feelings, and their relationship has become much better than before.

Meanwhile, Mu Yi'an and her group arrived in the county town.

"We're setting off for the prefectural city tomorrow. If you have time, go and have some fun there."

"Second brother, second sister-in-law, have a safe journey!"

"Bon Voyage!"

"See you then."

Jiang Shuwen and the others wished their second brother a safe journey once again, and said they would not go to the dock to see him off tomorrow.

"See you later."

Jiang Shuyun and the others went back, and the others dispersed and went home.

The next morning, Jiang Shuyun and her group, along with Fang's wife and daughter, Zhao Wu, Li Li, Jiang Mo, and Jiang Yan, boarded the boat. The others would join them later.

I don't know when the house will be settled. There are too many people, so it's not comfortable to stay there.

Since it was Mu Yi'an's first time visiting the prefectural city, she would definitely have to visit Uncle Mu's house and perhaps stay there for a few days. Therefore, she couldn't bring too many people with her.

The children were quite excited about their first boat ride, especially Shao Yun and Chu Yue.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!