Gu Qingli descended the mountain with excitement. Upon returning to the courtyard, she finally had time to examine their current house.

The house was a connected quad-style compound. They had stayed in the main building the previous night and hadn’t planned on staying with Mr. Xiao and his family. After all, they wouldn’t be returning.

The covered walkway was very wide, much like the circular corridors found in the city, connecting the east wing to the west wing. However, an opening in the main building provided convenient access. The outer edge of this walkway was protected by railings and furnished with long wooden benches, perfect for sitting and enjoying the cool breeze in summer. There was no such walkway at the entrance; instead, a flowerbed flanked each side of the door. The flowers within had mostly withered by now. In the center of the courtyard, the stone slab platform remained.

The courtyard had been built on the original foundation, so it wasn’t very large. Gu Qingli had initially wanted to create a garden within it, but there simply wasn’t enough space. She had thought about expanding it herself when she returned, building it according to her own designs, perhaps even a villa. She hadn’t expected Xiao Yunjing to act so quickly.

“Miss, Afu just returned and said the Village Chief has invited us for lunch,” Wuqing said, approaching her now that she was back.

“Alright, I understand. Let’s prepare then. We’ll go over when Yunjing returns,” Gu Qingli nodded.

“Miss, it would be best if just you, the Young Master, and Daniu go for lunch. We can stay home and look after the little masters.”

“That works too. In that case, you can cook for yourselves.”

It was fine if Wuqing and the others didn’t go. They wouldn’t be seated at the main table anyway, so they might as well eat more comfortably at home. Xiao Yunjing had even had a large round table made specifically for the servants in the kitchen.

Wuyou and the nanny went to cook. Meanwhile, Gu Qingli gathered the clothes they had changed out of the previous night, washed them in the Space, and then took them out to dry in the courtyard.

It was nearly noon, and Xiao Yunjing still hadn’t returned.

“Afu, go to the village entrance and see if Yunjing is back,” Gu Qingli called out to Afu, who was tending to the flowerbed.

Afu put down his tools and dashed out.

“Xiaoli, still drying clothes, are you?” At that moment, Gu Chang’an walked into the courtyard, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Ah, Second Grandfather, please come in and have a seat,” Gu Qingli said, putting down the clothes in her hands to welcome Gu Chang’an.

Gu Chang’an waved his hand, opting to stand by the door and observe. He had seen the courtyard during its construction; now completed, it was both beautiful and practical.

“Yunjing isn’t here?”

“No, he went to the County Town with Daniu to sort out his household registration. We’re going to have Daniu live with us from now on.”

“With Daniu meeting you two, this old man can finally rest easy,” Gu Chang’an said with a smile. That boy wouldn’t starve living on his own in the village, but it’s hard to say if he’d have any significant opportunities for advancement later on. Staying with Xiaoli and her husband, at least he’ll have the chance to study. If he can learn to read and write, then even if Xiaoli and her husband no longer look after him in the future, he’ll have the ability to support himself and survive.

“Second Grandfather, you’re jesting. The child is in a pitiful situation. If he likes being with us, then let him. It’s not as if we’ll be short one mouth to feed,” Gu Qingli said with a smile. While speaking, she returned to finish hanging the clothes to dry. The clothes hung outside were the outer garments of the three little ones and Xiao Yunjing. Her own and Xiao Yunjing’s undergarments were being dried inside the Space.

Just as they were speaking, Xiao Yunjing returned, driving a horse-drawn carriage. He tossed the horsewhip to another servant, Liu San, then called Daniu down from the carriage, and the two of them entered the courtyard.

“Second Grandfather,” Xiao Yunjing and Daniu called out to Gu Chang’an in unison.

“Haha, you’re back! Perfect timing. Wash your hands, and let’s go eat,” Gu Chang’an said.

“Eat? Oh, right,” Xiao Yunjing quickly understood.

Gu Qingli called Liu Er to fetch water. After Liu Er quickly brought it, Xiao Yunjing and Daniu washed their hands, then went to check on the three little ones. Emerging, Xiao Yunjing made a peculiar gesture towards the sky, and only then did the three of them follow Gu Chang’an to his house.

“Did everything get sorted out smoothly?” Gu Chang’an asked. Normally, as the Village Chief, he should have been the one to help with the household registration. However, Xiao Yunjing was much faster at it than he would have been.

“It’s all taken care of,” Xiao Yunjing replied. He had also made arrangements regarding the Imperial Examination during this trip. Previously, Magistrate Xu had been in charge, and he was familiar with the Imperial Examination. Now, he had been replaced by Yun No. 10 from the Secret Sect, who was unfamiliar with many procedures. So, Xiao Yunjing had arranged for Magistrate Xu to be brought back to assist Yun No. 10 for a period. Fortunately, there wasn’t a major examination this year. The major triennial Imperial Examination was scheduled for next year, by which time the current issues would likely be resolved. By then, Xiao Yunjing believed, Daqian would already be unified.

“That’s good.” Gu Chang’an wasn’t bothered that he hadn’t been called upon for this matter. On the contrary, he inwardly speculated that Xiao Yunjing’s identity must be far from simple. Previously, Xiao Yunjing had seemed like an ordinary hunter from the village. Over the past two years or so, his transformation had been nothing short of remarkable. His entire demeanor exuded an indescribable noble air, so natural and inherent it seemed to have been with him always, showing no sign of being a recent development. Just walking beside him, one could feel an oppressive presence.

When they arrived, Gu Dacheng and the others were already waiting.

“Yunjing, Xiaoli, Daniu, quickly, come inside!” Ms. Qiao and the other wives of the Gu brothers greeted them, their demeanor like that of hosts welcoming their most esteemed guests.

Xiao Yunjing, Gu Qingli, and Daniu greeted each of them in turn before entering the house and taking their seats. The tables were separated for men and women. After Gu Qingli sat down, she observed that the lunch spread was very lavish, a clear testament to the effort they had expended.

“Xiaoli, don’t stand on ceremony here at Second Grandfather’s house. Try some of the dishes your Eldest Aunt made and see if they’re to your liking.” After some initial pleasantries, Ms. Qiao, who was seated beside Gu Qingli, gently used the serving chopsticks to place a piece of steamed pork ribs with glutinous rice powder onto her plate.

“Alright, thank you, Eldest Aunt. Eldest Aunt, all of you, please eat as well.” Gu Qingli glanced at everyone and spoke softly. She had a very favorable impression of this sensible and kind-hearted Eldest Aunt. She immediately took a bite. Mmm, the rice flour was soft and glutinous, fragrant, and the pork rib meat was cooked just right—tender and delicious. Ms. Qiao’s cooking skills were indeed excellent.

“How is it?” Ms. Qiao asked, smiling as if eagerly awaiting her opinion.

“Eldest Aunt, it’s delicious,” Gu Qingli praised.

“Haha, if it’s good, then eat more.” Ms. Qiao breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing the style and resources of Xiaoli’s family, she knew their lives were no longer the hard ones of the past; they could afford all sorts of delicacies. She had been worried that Xiaoli might not be accustomed to rural fare. She had truly pulled out all the stops to prepare these two tables of dishes.

Seeing Ms. Qiao let out a breath as if a great weight had been lifted, Gu Qingli pursed her lips and said, “Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt, and all the sisters-in-law and younger sisters here, actually, the most delicious food in the world is a simple home-cooked meal. Eating together as a family is about the feeling, the warmth. It’s different from those formal banquets one might attend elsewhere. When you eat at home, you’re tasting kinship, and that makes everything delicious.”

She hadn’t eaten out much here, nor had she attended any grand banquets in this era. But in her modern life, had she eaten sparingly? No matter how exquisite the feast was when dining out, she would, at most, eat until she was only half-full. The atmosphere during those meals was always so oppressive; when people ate together, the conversation invariably revolved around money and power.