As Li Qingyao and Gao Chuan entered the prefectural city, they were stopped by the Gao family.
If Gao Chuan were to go to the Li family, the Gao family would truly lose face; it's not like he's marrying into the Li family.
It just so happened that the people Li Qingruo sent were also there. The two said their goodbyes directly, and Li Qingyao returned to Shao County alone.
Gao Chuan first went home to see Li Qingruo and her son.
He felt guilty towards the two of them after Li Qingruo gave birth alone at her parents' home during his trip.
"Master is back!"
"Madam, Master is back!"
As soon as Gao Chuan stepped off the carriage, the servants in the mansion called out to him. The Gao family was now a family of officials. The master of the house had become a scholar who had passed the imperial examination, and good days were ahead for them.
Li Qingruo was playing with the baby with the wet nurse. Today, Bao'er was unusually energetic and not sleeping. He opened his big eyes and looked left and right, as if he had also noticed that he was in a different place.
They had just arrived home the day before yesterday, and yesterday they were busy all day with people coming and going to give gifts. Li Qingruo had to receive them and sort out the gift list so that future social interactions could be conducted according to this list.
Hearing the sounds outside, her heart clenched, her eyes lit up, and just as she stood up, Gao Chuan rushed in from outside.
"Qingruo!"
Gao Chuan embraced Li Qingruo, buried his head in the crook of her neck, took a deep breath, and filled his nose with the fragrance of Li Qingruo's hair. Suddenly, his heart calmed down.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable in front of a group of servants, Li Qingruo blushed and gently nudged him.
"People will laugh at us later."
Her voice was soft and gentle, her breath sweet as orchids.
Gao Chuan smiled, knowing his wife was shy, and then stepped aside.
He then carefully examined Li Qingruo from top to bottom.
Because she had just given birth, Li Qingruo was plump and had delicate skin. Now, when he looked at her, her cheeks flushed red, and she couldn't help but feel a little distracted.
"You've worked hard. How are you feeling? We owe you a lot for this trip. Once this is over, I'll definitely visit you to express my gratitude."
"My husband has also worked hard. I am well taken care of at home. It was hard for you to take the provincial examination. When we heard that you passed, the family was overjoyed. The clan has come to visit several times. They are all looking forward to your return."
Li Qingruo avoided Gao Chuan's burning gaze and waved to the wet nurse.
“My husband, look at our son. Did you remember when I wrote to you asking you to name him? I’ve given him a nickname these days: Ping An (Peace).
Gao Chuan had already noticed the wet nurse holding the child, but Li Qingruo was the one who was having the hardest time, and he wanted to know if she was alright.
When Li Qingruo asked him to go see, he excitedly stepped forward, wanting to hug her but not daring to, because she was so small, and he was afraid of hurting her.
"Ping An, that's a good nickname. Ping An, I'm your father."
Ping An seemed to hear Gao Chuan calling him too. He opened his eyes and looked in Gao Chuan's direction. His eyes were like black glass beads. His little face was chubby and he inherited Li Qingruo's fair skin. He was as adorable as a New Year's picture doll.
"Like you."
Gao Chuan spoke softly, afraid that his voice would be too loud and frighten the child into crying.
“Hold him, he’s so much bigger now than when he was born. I didn’t dare to hold him at first, but now that he’s grown up, it’s easier to hold him.”
The wet nurse shoved Ping An directly into Gao Chuan's arms, and Gao Chuan hurriedly took it, holding it in his arms as if he were holding a priceless treasure.
Not daring to lift his hands too high, Li Qingyao and his wet nurse couldn't help but chuckle and quickly guided him to find a more comfortable position.
"My family is safe and sound, so well-behaved."
Gao Chuan held the child, finally in the right position, with the child's head resting against his chest, and his beautiful wife beside him, chatting and laughing happily.
Home is the best.
As Li Qingyao approached Lijia Village in his carriage, he was greeted by enthusiastic villagers who called out to him.
At first, Li Qingyao was a little embarrassed by the villagers calling him "Master Juren" repeatedly. But when he realized that they could tell he was shy and were calling him even louder to tease him, he turned cold and became aloof.
I finally felt at ease after enduring the ordeal all the way to the Li family's door; they were just too hospitable.
Upon hearing that Li Qingyao had returned, the clansmen hurriedly gathered at the Li family home.
Wang Jiao was the first to rush out and hug Li Qingyao, his eyes filled with excitement and envy.
"Brother Yao, you did a great job!"
"Living up to expectations."
Li Qingyao patted him on the shoulder, and the two went to the main hall together.
Before long, the hall was filled with clansmen, including Yan Min.
"Mother, your son is back."
"It's good that you're back."
Nothing more was said; a mother and child are of one heart, and there was no need for further words.
"Congratulations, Young Clan Leader!"
The tribespeople greeted him with smiles, their eyes filled with pride as they looked at Li Qingyao.
Now the Li family has successors: Li Qingyao in literature, Li Qingtong in martial arts, not to mention the fourth branch has also taken root in Kyoto, the future is bright.
Li Qingyao bowed and thanked them one by one. When Pan Jinhua arrived, Li Qingyao solemnly went forward to help her to a seat.
Pan Jinhua, unaware of what was going on, simply sat down in the main hall.
Li Qingyao faced Pan Jinhua, lifted his robe, and knelt down.
"Qingyao's success today, and Li's success today, are all thanks to the efforts of my great-aunt. Please accept my three bows."
Li Qingyao looked serious and kowtowed three times earnestly.
The other clansmen, seeing this, were filled with emotion and turned to kneel down as well.
This scene was extremely shocking, at least for Pan Jinhua herself.
The entire Li clan knelt before her, their eyes filled with respect and admiration.
"Get up quickly."
Pan Jinhua quickly called out to stop her. At first, she only wanted to live a good life, enjoy herself, and die peacefully in her old age. In this era, it was difficult to succeed alone; only with her clansmen together could she rise up.
In the beginning, everyone in the Li family was just a tool for her, and the recipe for braised meat could be easily given to Fang Da, which was partly due to this.
Later, after spending more time with her adopted son and daughter-in-law, as well as her grandchildren, she truly began to see herself as the matriarch of the family, and a sense of closeness and distance developed between them.
Once you truly integrate into this era, you'll understand how precious this scene is. With such grateful family members, how can the Li clan not prosper!
“Sister-in-law, the Li family will always remember your kindness. You deserve these three bows.”
Li Shida from the fourth branch of the family spoke up, telling Pan Jinhua not to refuse anymore.
His wife, Yuan, didn't say anything, but knelt silently to the side. Although she could be difficult and unreasonable at times, she was clear-headed when it came to important matters. Just as her husband had said, these three bows were what his sister-in-law deserved.
"Auntie, please let us thank you."
"Grandmother, hehe, we, the younger generation, kowtow to you."
Pan Jinhua said nothing more and accepted the three bows.
Li Qingyao was very devout, and each of his kowtows was resounding. It is no exaggeration to say that his great-aunt saved his life.
"Qingyao has lived up to expectations and has achieved the title of Juren today. He will continue to work hard and strive for even greater success, taking the glory of the Li family as his own responsibility and living up to the expectations of his clan."
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