Unfortunately, those two old bastards were too lucky; they weren’t even crushed to death in an earthquake.

Gu Qingyan, standing behind Ms. Yun, watched Gu Qingli and the others emerge and quietly tugged at Ms. Yun’s sleeve from behind.

Ms. Yun understood his intent. Before she could start scolding, Chen Erlang stepped forward, shielding Gu Qingmei behind him. Fixing a furious gaze on Ms. Yun, he retorted, “Starve to death? When I was on the brink of death, Mei’er nearly knelt herself to death at your Gu Family’s doorstep! What did you do then? Don’t come wailing to us. You have two able-bodied sons of your own; there’s no reason to expect support from a daughter you abandoned. There’s no such law in Daqian! Besides, I have the final say in this house. I decide who we support and what we give. This isn’t your old Gu Family. Leave now, before you embarrass yourselves further!”

“You~”

Ms. Yun pointed at Chen Erlang, so angry she was speechless. Seeing this, Gu Qingyan’s face darkened. This Chen Erlang was being unusually assertive today. Just as Gu Qingyan stepped forward, about to speak, Gu Chang’an walked over and began to berate Ms. Yun and her son, “Do you really think this is still the old Gu Family household? Get out of here! Erlang is right. Stop making a scene.”

“Second Uncle, we…” Ms. Yun started to say, but Gu Chang’an’s glare silenced her.

Gu Chang’an looked at Gu Qingyan and said, “Aren’t you going to take your mother back?”

“Yes, Second Grandfather. We’ll leave right away.” Seeing Gu Chang’an intervene, Gu Qingyan knew they wouldn’t gain anything today. He lowered his eyes submissively and pulled Ms. Yun away.

Reaching the courtyard gate, Gu Qingyan glanced back at Gu Qingli’s family standing under the eaves.

When he saw them returning to the village in such splendor, their silk clothes, even their servants dressed in fine cotton, his heart had pounded with a mix of emotions. Back home, he’d racked his brains, thinking of ways to get some benefits from them, which is why he incited Ms. Yun to seek out Gu Qingmei. Unexpectedly, Chen Erlang had shut them down right at the start. Even Gu Chang’an was siding with that wretched girl. Gu Qingli’s family hadn’t uttered a single word. However, they had just returned. There would be plenty of opportunities. He refused to believe he couldn’t extract some benefit from them.

Gu Chang’an patted Chen Erlang on the back. “Well done, Chen lad.”

Chen Erlang took the child Gu Qingmei was holding and said warmly, “Second Grandfather, you’re too kind. This is what I should do. Mei’er suffered so much with me in the past. It won’t be like that anymore.”

Gu Chang’an stroked his beard and nodded. “You’re a good lad, Chen. When you have time, pick up your studies again and aim to take the Imperial Examination.”

He had noticed significant changes in Chen Erlang over the past year and, seeing his potential, decided to offer some encouragement. Chen Erlang was still young, and with his intelligence, he could surely pass as a scholar or something similar, bringing honor to Qinghe Village. As for his own grandsons, he didn’t have high hopes.

Chen Erlang glanced at his wife and child, then nodded firmly.

Their lives had improved somewhat in the last two years, and he had indeed been considering it. This year’s rice harvest was good, and the medicinal materials from the fields would fetch a good price. He should be able to start by the beginning of next year.

Hearing the mention of the Imperial Examination, Xiao Yunjing’s brow furrowed. This matter needed to be resolved quickly.

“Dinner’s ready!” Ms. Wu came out and called.

“Let’s go, time to eat!” Gu Chang’an also called out to everyone.

They all went inside, where two tables were set, one for men and one for women.

Man Niang, along with another nanny and a maid, did not eat at the main table; the three of them took the three little ones away.

Wuyou and Wuqing refused to sit down, instead standing by to refill soup and rice.

Gu Qingli let them be.

The women’s table seated Gu Qingmei and her son, Ms. Wu and her daughter, and Gu Qingli—five people in total.

The evening meal was indeed lavish, filled with all of Gu Qingli’s favorite dishes.

“Mei’er, Li’er, don’t be polite, eat more,” Ms. Wu said, using the serving chopsticks to put their favorite dishes onto their plates.

Gu Qingmei was very touched. “Thank you, Second Aunt,” she said. “Please, eat too. We can serve ourselves.”

Ms. Wu chuckled lightly. “Alright then, don’t be shy, eat up.”

“Elder Sister, don’t be shy, eat,” the little girl beside Ms. Wu, Gu Qingyu, piped up in a sweet, childish voice.

“Little Yu’er, you eat too,” Gu Qingmei replied with a soft smile.

Watching their interaction, Gu Qingli knew their two families must have kept in touch. She turned to Gu Qingyu. “Little Yu’er, do you recognize your elder sister?”

Gu Qingyu nodded, not seeming unfamiliar with her at all. She carefully and earnestly called out, “Eldest Sister.”

Gu Qingli chuckled. “Heh heh… Little Yu’er is so well-behaved.” She was amused by the little girl’s earnestness. This little girl was too adorable.

“Grand Auntie!” Chen Jiale, seated beside Gu Qingmei, not to be outdone, also called out in a sweet, childish voice.

“Oh, you two are just too adorable!” Gu Qingli was truly charmed by the two little tykes.

The children ate with such refined manners and spoke so earnestly, not at all like the mischievous imps typical of their age. They were very well-behaved and clearly well-brought-up. Gu Qingli liked such children.

She took out two gold beans from her Space and gave one to each child.

She didn’t have anything more suitable for them in her Space right now; most things were still on the carriage.

When Ms. Wu and Gu Qingmei saw the gold beans, each as large as a thumb, they immediately tried to return them.

“These are too valuable, Li’er. It’s too extravagant for the children.”

“Keep them,” Gu Qingli said, motioning for Wuyou and Wuqing to hand them over. “They’re not for adults. Just save them for the children.”

She had a whole box of these gold beans in her Space.

Only then did Ms. Wu and Gu Qingmei accept them, and everyone happily continued their meal.

Dinner was a joyous and harmonious affair for both tables, with everyone in high spirits.

Gu Chang’an, overjoyed, drank a little too much. Gu Dalin had to carry him home on his back, with Xiao Yunjing lighting the way with a lantern.

Chen Erlang had also had a fair bit to drink. After Gu Qingmei said goodbye to Ms. Wu, Gu Qingli, and the others, she and Chen Erlang also returned home.

Only then did Gu Qingli call Daniu over.

Daniu had grown taller in the past year or so. Now fourteen, he was in a growth spurt, his somewhat lanky frame trembling slightly as he looked at Gu Qingli.

He was excited.

“Sister Xiaoli.”

“Mm, go and pack your things later. You’ll come back with us and stay with us from now on,” Gu Qingli said gently.

“Ah? Alright!” Daniu was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy, and tears welled in his eyes, threatening to fall.

This surprise was too sudden. He had thought Sister Xiaoli wouldn’t want him anymore.

“Li’er, Daniu’s household registration is still separate,” Ms. Wu interjected, having overheard them.

“Alright, Mom, I know. We’re planning to go to the county town tomorrow to sort out household registrations anyway. We’ll add his to ours at the same time.”

The three little ones also needed to be registered. While they were at it, they would cancel the household registration for Mr. Xiao’s entire family, leaving only their own.

“Daniu is a good boy,” Ms. Wu sighed. “He’s just had such a hard life. Back then, he insisted on coming back with us, no matter what.”

Gu Qingli understood. Daniu was a thoughtful child; how could he have gone with Ms. Yang and the others?

She comforted her, “It’s alright. Things will get better from now on.”

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