As soon as he saw the newcomer, Wang Zongsheng hurriedly cupped his hands in respect and said, "Zongsheng greets Sixth Aunt." He then sighed, adding, "I can’t be as dominant as my aunt; so many senior sisters are so formidable."

In other words, it’s not that he doesn’t want to fight, but rather he’s not capable of it.

The woman who arrived, of course, was Wang Luqiu, the sixth of the Lu generation of the Wang Family.

Wang Yong quickly paid his respects again: "I’ve seen Sixth Miss."

"Hello, Brother Yong." Wang Luqiu treated the elder household general Wang Yong with a bit of courtesy too. After all, they had struggled through the hardest times together with the Wang Family.

"Sixth Miss, this Young Master Sheng should get closer to the senior sisters," Wang Yong advised earnestly, "The senior sisters at the Academy are all exceptionally talented. If he could marry one, it would be a contribution to the Wang Family. Moreover, Young Master Sheng still has to sell beauty products; offending the senior sisters wouldn’t be wise."

This argument made sense, so Wang Luqiu turned to Wang Zongsheng and instructed, "Zongsheng, you’ll have to endure this. Try to find a talented senior sister, have several children, and then send them back to the family to be raised."

"Ah, this..." Wang Zongsheng was troubled; women were too much trouble, and not as fun as body refining. But he dared not disobey Sixth Aunt’s words, otherwise, he’d be unjustly beaten.

"Zongsheng, don’t listen to her nonsense." Another woman’s voice sounded, and Wang Luojing quietly drifted in after finishing her tasks, "When it comes to relationships, it requires mutual affection. In any case, you are still young, no need to rush."

"Wang Luojing, why are you everywhere?" Wang Luqiu was annoyed, folding her arms, "I just say, Zongsheng should start dating sooner to contribute to the family earlier. Zongsheng, listen to me."

"I say there’s no rush," Wang Luojing retorted mercilessly, "He’s still young, with a bright future ahead. Zongsheng, Fifth Aunt wouldn’t harm you."

"This..." Wang Zongsheng was helpless, caught between Sixth Aunt and Fifth Aunt.

He couldn’t afford to offend either aunt; it was too difficult! He looked at Wang Yong helplessly, Uncle Yong, help me...

Wang Yong directly turned his head away, joking; he couldn’t afford to offend these two ladies.

In similar situations, only the Patriarch or the lady of the house could suppress them.

Unfortunately, this time, Miss Lici wasn’t seen, and it was heard that Miss Lici and the master went out "traveling."

...

While several young clansmen were enjoying their lives in the Academy.

Ping’an Town of the Wang Family was also changing rapidly.

The flooding during the flood season brought disaster to countless civilians. The Wang Family opened their granaries and took in many refugees. With the Wang Family’s concerted efforts, they involved the refugees in projects like strengthening riverbanks, dredging river channels, and developing terraces.

This avoided merely handing out grain for disaster relief, which would create a group of lazy people. Instead, it provided them with work, allowing them to gain a foothold in Ping’an Town through their labor.

Gradually, the refugees adapted to the rhythm of Ping’an Town.

Now it was nearing winter.

A large number of temporary refugee shelters had harsh environments, with many families having to crowd together. The draughty conditions made this winter particularly harsh.

After overcoming the initial difficulties, many couldn’t help but miss their former homes. Although those homes were in disrepair, they were the foundation of a family’s survival.

The Zhuge Wenyang family was a typical one in the refugee camp.

However, Zhuge Wenyang, who was approaching middle age, had poor health and couldn’t do heavy work. He could only engage in simple labor alongside many frail refugee women and his elderly wife, earning relatively low wages.

Nevertheless, this was relatively low.

In truth, in the Ping’an Wang Family, as long as you were willing to work, even the lowest wage could earn you three Large Copper coins a month, plus an additional fifty Coins for food allowances every month.

If they were frugal, they could save about two Large Copper coins each month on average.

Fortunately, Zhuge Wenyang had a son and a daughter; the son was over twenty and unmarried, while the daughter was only fifteen.

The son, Zhuge Tiezhu, was strong and robust since childhood, living up to his name, and joined the hardest embankment repair team as soon as he arrived at the refugee camp, earning eight Large Copper coins in wages and two Large Copper as a meal subsidy every month. With some thrift, he could save a whole Qian Gold in a year!

Recently, Zhuge Tiezhu signed up to join Wang’s Patrol Team and had passed the assessment and been recruited. Now he only needed to train each day to earn ten Large Copper as allowance, plus considerable yearly bonuses, easily making up to two Qian Gold.

The daughter, Zhuge Cuihua, was a clever girl who joined the weaving team at Silkworm Manor and became an apprentice weaver. Even as an apprentice, she earned five Large Copper coins a month.

The family of four all had jobs, and although their incomes varied, they provided a stable foundation for their livelihood.

However, today.

The whole family took leave and stayed in the refugee camp because it was an important day, and they eagerly awaited a major decision.

There were many similar situations to the Zhuge family.

Many families in the refugee camp were waiting hopefully.

At this moment, a competent man in his twenties, accompanied by several attendants, walked into the refugee camp. Quickly, many people crowded around, "Chief Steward Ouyang, how is the situation?"