On the third day of September, at the hour of wei, Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun returned to Zhao Family Village, a place they had left two weeks prior.
With their hearts set on Madam Zhao and Old Madam Yu back home, they cast a distant glance at Mianzhou City and headed straight for Zhao Family Village.
The cart was driven by Li Shugen, a farmhand from the East Estate. Accompanying him was Qin Guo’er, who was literate.
Su Xiaoqi considered that Old Madam Yu had trouble with her legs, and although Madam Zhao’s eyesight had improved under her care, it was certainly not as good as before.
Because Qin Guo’er was literate and clever, Su Xiaoqi brought her back to temporarily look after them for a period.
Once she had time to organize the estate here, everyone would move into the estate, and Guo’er could also be cultivated then.
She was severely short-handed at the moment.
“They’re back, they’re back! Mother, Maternal Grandmother, my elder brother and sister-in-law are back!”
Having received Su Xiaoqi’s letter and knowing they were returning today, Shen Xiaomei bid farewell to the people at the shop and returned home early, specifically to welcome her brother and sister-in-law.
After alighting from the mule cart, leaving Guo’er and Li Shugen to handle the luggage, Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun were led inside by Shen Xiaomei, one on each arm.
“Quick, quick, come along! Mother and Maternal Grandmother have been looking forward to your arrival since this morning.” Shen Xiaomei excitedly led them in and immediately busied herself in the kitchen.
Su Xiaoqi’s face was full of smiles. It felt so good to be back here.
Truly, they say no place is as good as home, no matter how luxurious other places may be.
She could once again showcase her talents here!
In the main hall, Madam Zhao and Old Madam Yu were eagerly awaiting. Hearing the commotion at last, they immediately stood up to greet them.
Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun hastened their steps, supporting the two elders simultaneously.
Su Xiaoqi sweetly greeted them. Just then, the Li Guo’er siblings brought the gifts that the couple had brought back from the prefectural city.
Some of these were purchased by her during her outings with Du Yiyi, while others were gifts from Yu Rong before she left.
There were items to eat, drink, and use; all sorts of things were present.
“Maternal Grandmother, this is a bolt of silk from the Prefect’s wife. It’s light and comfortable to make clothes with.
And these sachets, this bird’s nest, this ginseng, they are all for you to replenish your health.
Do you like this headscarf?
Oh, right, and these jade bracelets inlaid with rubies, these were picked out by my husband and me for you. Do you like them?”
As Su Xiaoqi spoke, she helped Old Madam Yu put on the bracelets, then did the same for Madam Zhao, busying herself with delight.
Old Madam Yu was enlightened. She had always thought her maternal grandson was capable; after just one trip, not only did he pass the imperial examination, but he also brought back so many things. He was truly remarkable.
Words of praise for them poured out incessantly.
However, Madam Zhao heard something amiss. She wondered why the Prefect’s wife treated her so well, sending them so many things for their daily needs.
Their family could not afford such generous gifts.
Su Xiaoqi knew Madam Zhao’s simple nature and that she didn’t like taking advantage of others. She quickly comforted her:
“Mother, don’t worry. We can afford it. The Prefect’s wife is now like an aunt to me, and I’ve also given her many things she likes.”
She had even given away precious spiritual medicine from her space.
“Oh, good, good.” Madam Zhao held Su Xiaoqi’s hand, gently stroking it, and said with some concern:
“Xiaoqi, why have you lost weight? Did Yun Ge’er not treat you well?”
Su Xiaoqi’s heart warmed. She had always known that Madam Zhao genuinely cared for her.
Despite all the delicious and interesting items, she paid them no mind and was the first to show concern for her.
She had not cared for her in vain.
Shen Yun, standing by, did not refute. He merely looked up at Su Xiaoqi, implying, “As for how I’ve treated you, you say.”
Su Xiaoqi gave him a glare and nestled into Madam Zhao’s embrace, affectionately pouting: “Mother, look, my husband is bullying me.”
“Yun Ge’er, treat your wife well. Don’t always put on that cold face.
She’s such a good wife. If you make me angry because of her, I won’t help you appease her.”
Shen Yun casually picked up the bitter buckwheat tea that Shen Xiaomei had brought and offered it to Su Xiaoqi with both hands, saying half-seriously, half-jokingly:
“Thank you, Mother, for your concern. My dear wife, your husband has been neglectful these past days. I offer this tea in place of wine to apologize.”
If she was willing to be pampered, he was willing to dote on her.
Su Xiaoqi was startled. How could she dare accept tea from Shen Yun?
She quickly took it and handed it to Old Madam Yu, who was looking at her with a slightly displeased expression, and said coyly:
“Maternal Grandmother, please have some tea.”
Old Madam Yu’s expression improved somewhat, but she still said to Shen Yun with a hint of disapproval:
“Yun Ge’er, you are a man of eight feet. Why apologize to a woman? You are now a juren. It’s time to carry yourself with dignity.”
Su Xiaoqi disagreed with Old Madam Yu’s sentiment in her heart.
But she knew she couldn’t blame her.
After all, her thoughts were shaped by the prevailing ideology of the era.
Shen Xiaomei watched from the side, covering her mouth with a chuckle.
She couldn’t help but wonder if she would be fortunate enough in this life to meet a soulmate as compatible as her brother.
Alas, she doubted she could find a partner as good as her sister-in-law, no matter how hard she searched.
Perhaps she should consider those around her.
A figure flashed through Shen Xiaomei’s mind.
He had also taken the examination this time but seemed to have failed. Should she make some delicious pastries to comfort him?
Shen Xiaomei was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t even hear Shen Yun calling her.
It wasn’t until Su Xiaoqi subtly pinched her palm that she came back to her senses.
“Ah, Big Brother, what is it?”
Shen Yun gave her a deep look.
His sister was still young. The reason he hadn’t arranged a marriage for her was that he intended to wait until he went to the capital and find a suitable son-in-law for her there.
However, Shen Yun didn’t want to force these matters. If there was someone she truly liked, their background would not matter.
He looked at Su Xiaoqi. As her elder brother, it was inconvenient for him to step in; he could only rely on her.
Su Xiaoqi received his unspoken request and made an “okay” gesture to him.
Seeing Shen Yun’s bewildered look after she made the gesture, she remembered he wouldn’t understand as a native and nodded vigorously, patting her chest to indicate she understood.
At the same time, she pulled Shen Yun into the room to discuss the matter of moving.
Shen Yun’s heart skipped a beat. When he learned that Su Xiaoqi had bought the Li Estate, he knew she would definitely bring up the topic of moving.
“You’ll be heading north in the spring, and Xiaomei often stays at Chen Jin Ji during the day.
It’s quite inconvenient for them. As for the people in the village, you don’t need me to tell you what they are like, do you?”
In short, no matter how she looked at it, Su Xiaoqi felt they should move to the estate to live.
It would be safer and more secure.
Shen Yun also had his own considerations and had to admit that Su Xiaoqi’s thoughts were very thorough.
He was now conspicuous and no longer needed to conceal himself as he had before. He also didn’t need to worry about that person making a move against him now.
Su Xiaoqi was somewhat surprised that Shen Yun was so agreeable.
She had been afraid Shen Yun would disagree and had secretly prepared a whole basket of persuasive words to convince him.
Now, she didn’t need them. With a sly smile, she instructed Shen Yun:
“Since you agree, you’ll be responsible for convincing Mother and the others.”
Shen Yun had been holding her hand the entire time. How could he not know what she was thinking?
So, his agreeing too quickly had caused him to miss out on such an interesting exchange.
No, he had to make up for it.