"I heard from Shunzi that this was a huge blow to my older brother. He fell seriously ill after returning home and almost didn't make it through. But even when he was sick, it was still my sister-in-law who took care of him. After he recovered, he rarely went out and aged incredibly fast, probably because he was too heartbroken."

"It's rare for my uncle to be so genuine with people, so he probably never expected it to turn out like this," Zhao Xiaoyu commented.

"Yes, he wouldn't have given her all the money if he wasn't sincere, letting her run away. But in the end, he still misplaced his trust. Actually, it can only be said that the elder brother himself was clueless and didn't know his own limitations."

He didn't even consider that she was so young and beautiful; how much could she possibly like him? It was all just a fling. Every man looks down on his wife who's been through thick and thin with him. In the end, they find that only their wives have stayed with them until the very end.

"Father, you see things very clearly."

"Of course, your mother is the only one in my heart. I will never find another one."

Zhao Xiaoyu couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Even now, he doesn't forget to put down his uncle and brag about himself. Dad is really awesome!

Song's eyes narrowed; the head of the household was indeed as he had said, and had not harbored any wicked thoughts all these years.

"Xiao Lei, let's go."

Xiao Lei held Zhao Xiaoyu's hand and said, "I won't look for anyone else. Having you is enough for me for the rest of my life."

"Wow, I never thought you'd be able to say sweet nothings, even though you're like an iron tree blooming!"

Xiao Lei coughed a few times. The day before yesterday, his father-in-law had told him that he had no sense of romance and that he should talk more, spend more time with his wife, and make her happy.

The next day, the old clan chief found Zhao Dashu again and told him that the happy occasion should not be left unresolved. If he did not want to hold a grand celebration, he could simply hold a ceremony at the ancestral hall, with only close relatives and clansmen in attendance.

They say their ancestors were all waiting to hear good news.

After discussing it with his wife, Zhao Dashu thought it was a good idea and decided to use it as a way to bring good luck to his mother.

He even asked Old Madam Sun about this, “Mother, you’re not feeling well. I didn’t really want to hold a banquet, but the clan chief and the villagers are so insistent that I couldn’t refuse. They said they’d like to help you have some good luck on the side. Do you think that’s alright?”

The old woman was flattered; she hadn't expected her son to ask for her opinion. Before, didn't he always make his own decisions?

After not seeing her for several years, I never expected my son to value her even more.

Since her son values ​​her, she should also be an understanding and reasonable wife.

"The clan chief and the others all want you to do it, so let's do it. Your being granted an official position is already a great joy, and your father would be happy if he knew that the family's status had been changed. Our ancestors were the same; our Zhao family has lived in Old Sow Village for a hundred years, and you are the most successful among us. It's time to do it."

If you ask me, we should hold a grand celebration, even bigger and more lively than when you passed the imperial examination.

Zhao Dashu chuckled.

"Let's skip the big celebration. We'll have a big celebration for your birthday after Mother recovers. Right now, your health is the most important thing. I'll just have a small celebration to appease the clansmen."

Old Mrs. Sun was deeply moved. "Third son, I never expected you to be so filial. Of all your brothers, you are the most filial. I didn't give birth to you in vain."

"I will be even more filial to you in the future, and your days of enjoying happiness are yet to come."

The coffin and funeral arrangements are much better than when Dad was alive. She'll definitely be a wealthy old woman in the afterlife, living a life of luxury!

Old Mrs. Sun nodded repeatedly, "Where is the doctor?"

"I'll come over this afternoon to give you acupuncture." Let's see if we can postpone it until after the New Year.

While Zhao Dashu was busy preparing for the banquet, Zhao Xiaoyu took the children back to the farm for two days.

"Mom, this place is wonderful! It feels just like home!"

"Right? This is Mother's third home here."

"Grandpa and Mom are really capable; they've built an ever-growing house!"

"You're the best talker!"

Zhao Xiaoyu called the housekeeper and asked him for the account books from the past few years.

"Xiao Lei, we should check the account books of the shops in the county town tomorrow."

Every year, someone would deliver the account books to her, but since she was back, she still had to personally check the goods inside.

"Okay, I'll go with you tomorrow."

They don't need to worry about the banquet; this time, the villagers will take care of it.

With Zhao Dashu absent, Xiao Lei and Zhao Xiaoyu went over the accounts together.

"The housekeeper keeps very detailed accounts."

"Yes, he has managed the household very well these past few years, keeping very detailed accounts, and I haven't noticed any problems at all."

Zhao Xiaoyu admired the housekeeper; the accounts were very detailed, with all income and expenses clearly listed. Following the bookkeeping method she taught them, they reconciled several years' worth of accounts in just two days.

Zhao Xiaoyu praised the steward highly and rewarded him with fifty taels of silver.

The fact that he did such a good job shows that he really put in a lot of effort.

"Thank you, Master. Isn't the Master coming back to stay?"

"It will probably be a while. My grandma's health is too poor, so we may have to stay in the village."

Despite his apparent disciplining skills, it was still he who wrote the letter to the master. He had asked the doctor carefully to confirm that the old lady was truly critically ill before sending the letter to the master.

"Don't worry, Miss and Son-in-law, this old servant will take good care of the farm. You can come back to stay anytime."

"Thank you for your hard work, housekeeper."

After finishing her business at the village, Zhao Xiaoyu went to the shop in the county town, where she saw Erzhuzi, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.

"Second cousin!"

"Xiaoyu, have you gone back to the village?"

"Yes, I just got back a few days ago."

Erzhuzi felt a little awkward around Zhao Xiaoyu, unsure how to interact with her, since she was now the boss and he was just a worker.

Zhao Xiaoyu noticed that Erzhuzi had changed a lot. He was wearing clean clothes, was tall and strong, and had a much better demeanor. He had lost his former simple and honest air.

Living in the county town, I've seen a lot and people have indeed changed, or rather, improved.

While checking the bills, Zhao Xiaoyu asked the shopkeeper, "How's my cousin doing with his work?"

"He's great. He's hardworking and reliable, and he doesn't slack off at all."

Zhao Xiaoyu nodded, "As long as he's honest and capable, that's fine."

After checking the accounts, she got up to leave and told Erzhuzi about the banquet to be held the day after tomorrow.

"I will take the child home tomorrow."

Although they rarely go back to their home, the room they used to live in still belongs to them.

They are doing very well in the county town now. Their children are sensible, and their wives no longer live under their mothers' noses. They are much happier and more carefree than before.

If there's anything to complain about, it's that his three old rascals come to his house every now and then to freeload.

Not only did he freeload, but he also stole things. Fortunately, they had hidden their silver in the backyard all these years, so he didn't steal much silver, otherwise the losses would have been severe.

Lately, I don't know where people have gone, so not many people have come.

They felt at ease as long as he didn't come.