How could things not go well for him in the future? As the Empress’s maternal uncle, countless people would be currying favor with him, like carp crossing a river. Of course, that was all for later.

“Daniu, pack your things. We’re leaving now.” Xiao Yunjing, who had accompanied Gu Dalin to see Gu Chang’an off, said immediately upon his return, calling for Daniu.

Daniu responded with an “EH!” and happily started packing.

Dashuang and Xiaoshuang immediately went to help.

Gu Qingli saw that Wuyou and the others had already tidied up the kitchen. It was indeed time for them to return. They had mostly finished the necessary conversations for the afternoon and had learned what they needed to.

She said, “Dad, Mom, we’re heading back too. The little ones need to sleep.”

Ms. Wu, holding Xiaoyuanzi, was reluctant to let go. She kissed Xiaoyuanzi, nodded, and then returned Xiaoyuanzi to Gu Qingli.

“You all head back. It’s been a tiring day,” Gu Dalin said, entering the room.

“Alright, we’ll go back then and come over again tomorrow.” Just as Gu Qingli finished speaking, Daniu emerged with the packed things.

Gu Dalin conveniently used the waiting carriage to send Gu Qingli and her party home.

「Meanwhile, after Gu Chang’an returned」

He was escorted to his room by his four sons, and his daughters-in-law quickly prepared a bowl of sobering soup for him to drink.

Everyone was worried about his health. After all, he wasn’t young anymore, and they feared his body couldn’t take it.

More importantly, the box Gu Qingli had given them today actually contained a silver banknote for one hundred taels.

This gift was so valuable, the brothers felt their hands almost burned from holding it.

After drinking the sobering soup, Gu Chang’an heard his sons mention it and waved his hand. “It’s fine, just accept it. Tomorrow, we’ll invite their family over for a proper meal. Also, Eldest’s wife is good at needlework. Have her make a set of clothes for each of the three little ones. Oh, and make a set for Daniu too.”

His sons and daughters-in-law listened and nodded repeatedly. Their father’s idea was excellent. Xiaoli’s family was clearly not short of money, so any reciprocal gift they offered wouldn’t compare. It was better to be practical. This approach wouldn’t seem aloof and would better demonstrate the closeness between the two families.

Relieved, everyone went to bed with their respective spouses.

「On the other side, after Gu Qingmei returned」

Ms. Liu and her husband were still waiting and eagerly took their grandson from her.

Their attitude towards Gu Qingmei had changed dramatically; they now treated her like their own daughter.

Gu Qingmei, however, maintained her usual attitude towards the two elders—neither cold nor warm. She fulfilled her duties but offered nothing more.

Gu Qingmei fetched hot water for Chen Erlang to wash up, helped him to bed, and then tended to their son.

Once in bed, she finally opened the box Gu Qingli had given her. She was startled by its contents.

She quickly shook Chen Erlang awake.

Chen Erlang, sleeping soundly, was jolted awake. Thinking something had happened to their son, he shot up, looking at Gu Qingmei anxiously. “Mei’er, what’s wrong? What happened? Is it our son?”

Gu Qingmei, tears welling in her eyes, shook her head and handed him the box.

Chen Erlang took it and looked inside, too shocked to speak.

Inside the box was a child’s gold lock and a silver banknote for one hundred taels.

Chen Erlang and his wife had never seen such valuable items or so much silver in their entire lives.

“C-Cousin… they…” Chen Erlang was so shocked his tongue felt tied.

Gu Qingmei leaned against Chen Erlang’s chest, nodded, and said with a choked voice, “Husband, you can go to school in the County Town next year. We have money now.”

She had never imagined that after her awakening, happiness would be so readily within reach. Her husband dreamed of passing the imperial examinations to become a scholar and pursue an official career. She was determined to help him achieve it, no matter what.

“No,” Chen Erlang said firmly, stroking her hair. “If I go to study next year, I’ll go to the school in town. Master Qi and Master Xu there are both very learned. It’s closer and more economical. This gift is from our cousin for our son. Mei’er, put it away safely and don’t tell anyone. I’ll figure out my tuition myself.”

Gu Qingmei nodded obediently. She got up, hid the box carefully, then returned to bed. She kissed her son and husband before finally falling asleep, her heart at peace.

Gu Dalin was also far from calm, staring blankly at the silver banknote for two thousand taels. My daughter and son-in-law… they’re truly rich! He was immensely grateful now that Gu Qingli’s reminder had made him see sense back then; otherwise, he would be regretting it for an eternity. He thought about how the Master Gu family had treated him, and the current miserable state of old Mr. and Ms. Hua. Wasn’t that precisely the fate that would have awaited him had he remained with the old Gu Family?

Gu Dalin sighed deeply. It’s truly like one thought leading to heaven and another to hell. A person can be foolish for a time, but not for a lifetime.

He hugged Ms. Wu tighter. Everything I have today is because of this kind woman. If she hadn’t always treated Li’er well, given Li’er’s clear distinction between love and hate, our family probably wouldn’t have received such blessings. Oh, and our two sons too. When it comes down to it, I was the only one who treated Li’er poorly back then.

Gu Dalin was overcome with shame, nearly slapping himself.

“What are you spacing out for? Are you that surprised?” Ms. Wu asked.

Gu Dalin nodded.

Ms. Wu said, “Li’er really went to great expense this time. This set of head ornaments alone is worth at least five thousand taels. Li’er is securing a future for us.” She knew the value of this set of head ornaments very well. After all, she was born and raised in the Capital City and had seen her share of fine things.

“What? Five thousand taels?” Gu Dalin had thought this set of head ornaments would be worth a thousand taels at most. He hadn’t expected it to be worth one and a half times more than the silver banknote.

“Mm-hm. And these jade bracelets are probably worth even more than the head ornaments. They say gold has a price, but jade is priceless. Jade bracelets of such fine quality don’t come cheap.” Ms. Wu dropped another bombshell, leaving Gu Dalin utterly stunned.

Gu Dalin took several deep breaths, patting his rapidly beating heart. He was truly speechless now.

Ms. Wu smiled, quickly put the items away securely, then pulled the still-dumbfounded Gu Dalin down to lie on the bed.

「The next morning」

Gu Qingli rose and divided the items she had brought back yesterday into four portions. She had servants deliver them to Gu Dalin’s family, Gu Chang’an’s family, Gu Qingmei’s family, and Gu Dayou’s family.

She wasn’t familiar with the other families and hadn’t interacted with them, so she didn’t bother.

After breakfast, Xiao Yunjing took Daniu to the County Town to handle the household registration matters.

After her meal, Gu Qingli had Wuqing and the others watch over the three little ones while she went to the back mountain.

The path to the back mountain had been repaired and was much easier to traverse than before.

Once up the mountain, she headed straight for the fields.

Seeing the medicinal materials thriving in the fields, Gu Qingli felt a surge of excitement.

While she was away, she had constantly worried about the fields at home, unaware that Xiao Yunjing had managed them perfectly.

All the soil from the previous landslide on the mountain had been leveled out, raising the land by three feet. However, this didn’t affect cultivation at all.

Furthermore, the greenhouse stood where it had originally been built.

Gu Qingli went over to inspect it. Inside, summer seasonal vegetables were growing.

There were also many chili pepper seedlings, about a foot tall, nearly ready to flower and bear fruit.

Search the NovelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.