That afternoon, Lian Manman, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi were in the Upper Room, following Old Master Lian in reading and practicing calligraphy, when they heard the sound of carriages and voices outside the main gate.

Old Master Lian immediately lit up with joy, putting down the book in his hand.

"It’s your uncle and his family; they’ve returned."

Sure enough, they then heard Lian Shouren instructing people to move luggage.

That day, Lian Shouren’s family, along with Lian Shouyi and others had followed the Song Family’s wedding convoy to Jinyang County Town. Here, there was a custom for the bride to return home three days after the wedding. Lian Shouren and Lady Gu had already spoken with the Song Family, and since Jinyang County Town was far from Thirty Mile Camp, they decided not to go back to the camp for the three-day return visit, and instead to conveniently "make do" in the town.

The three-day return visit of Lian Huahua was said to have been held at the home of Lady Zhou’s eldest daughter, Lian Lanlan. Lian Shouyi and his two sons had been sent back early, but Lian Shouren’s family stayed on in the county town. Lian Shouyi had told Old Master Lian upon his return that Song Hailong wanted to introduce some Graduates and officials to Lian Shouren to help him acquire an official position, and that was why they needed to stay a few more days in the town.

Now, more than ten days had passed, and Lian Shouren had returned—did that mean there had been some progress regarding the official position?

Seeing Old Master Lian’s happy demeanor, Lian Manman knew their studies for today had come to an end. She exchanged glances with Lian Zhizhi and Wu Lang, and the children began to tidy up the papers and brushes on the table.

"Grandfather, we’ve put away our things. Let’s go welcome Uncle and Auntie."

"Yes, yes," said Old Master Lian, his mind no longer on teaching as he saw his eldest son had returned, and his delight increased at the sight of Lian Manman’s sensible manner, nodding repeatedly. "When your uncle has rested, let him teach you. He’s a Scholar, better than me."

"We still prefer to learn with you, Grandfather," said Wu Lang.

Old Master Lian assumed Wu Lang was trying to please him and laughed heartily.

By the time Lian Manman had finished tidying up and they left the Upper Room to go to the courtyard, Lian Shouyi, Lady He, and their two sons had already greeted Lian Shouren who was coming in from the main gate. Following them was a coachman, a servant, and several large and small parcels and gift boxes.

Lian Shouren was beaming, a picture of success. But absent were Lady Gu, Lian Duoduo, Lian Jizu, Lady Chiang, and Niuniu.

Had only Lian Shouren returned?

The group escorted Lian Shouren into the Upper Room. Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang also left their work in the workshop to follow.

In the Upper Room, after Lian Shouren had greeted Lady Zhou and Old Master Lian, everyone sat down to chat.

"How come it’s just you returning by yourself? Where’s your wife and Jizu and the others?" Lady Zhou was the first to ask.

"Mother, here’s the thing. The Song Family’s business and property are considerable, and now that Huahua’s married in, she’s set to be the young mistress in charge," Lian Shouren said with confidence. "Huahua is young, so I left her mother and Jizu’s wife in the city to help her out."

The Song Family had a significant business, but could Huahua take charge upon marrying in? Lian Manman found this hard to believe. Even if Huahua were in charge, didn’t the Song Family have people of their own? Would they really let the bride’s mother and sister-in-law meddle in their affairs?

They had been completely out of the loop about what transpired with Huahua marrying into the Song Family. Lian Manman felt it best not to speculate rashly. However, she was certain about one thing: Lady Gu and her kin had long been unable to adapt to rural life, and once in the county town, would naturally find any excuse not to return.

But for their family of five or six, where would they stay in Jinyang? Surely they wouldn’t be staying with the Song Family, would they? It was absurd to have a mother-in-law move in alongside her daughter-in-law, bringing her younger sister, older brother, his wife, and a niece no less! That was just too comical; would the Song Family agree to this? Didn’t Lady Gu and her lot feel this was disgraceful? Lian Manman felt bewildered.

"Are Lady Shouyi and your sister-in-law living with Sister Huahua?" Lian Manman asked on purpose.

"You’re a child, you don’t understand these things. Don’t ask such questions," Lian Shouren said, seeming somewhat displeased, though the displeasure wasn’t entirely directed at Lian Manman.

"Then, are you still staying at your sister’s place?" Lady Zhou’s eyes flickered as she pressed on.

"They insisted on finding a place to stay. My sister said we should look around slowly and insisted we stay with them for the time being," Lian Shouren explained, pointing to the parcels and boxes on the floor and in the cabinets, "These are the return gifts from the Song Family. I left half of them with my sister and brought these ones back for Father and Mother."

"Why would you leave Huahua’s return gifts with your elder sister?" A smile appeared on Lady Zhou’s face.

"Bring the gifts over, let Father and Mother see," Lian Shouren told Lian Shouyi, and pointed to two smaller bundles, "These are from my eldest sister as a gesture of respect for Father and Mother."

Lian Shouyi and Lady He started moving the gifts to the kang bed, and Lian Manman stepped forward to help.

"Be careful; these are all valuable items," Lady Zhou instructed continuously, unwrapping and inspecting each item with Old Master Lian, commenting on each one.

The gifts were numerous, consisting of fabric and food. The fabrics were all extremely luxurious, while the food included two exquisitely crafted snack boxes filled with fresh fruits such as pomegranates, apples, tangerines, chestnuts, grapes—rarities in villages—and some dried fruits, including pineapple and betel nuts which only Old Master Lian and Lian Shouren recognized. None of the other Lian Family members had ever seen them before, though Lian Manman was an exception.

Lian Shouren kept on bragging about how grand and honorable the Song Family’s return event had been.

"Oh dear, if not for Huahua, I would never have laid eyes on these things in my life," Lady He’s eyes shone as she examined one thing after another, eventually, she couldn’t help but reach out to touch the fruit.

"What are you doing? Your father hasn’t even touched them yet," said Lady Zhou, quick to slap Lady He’s hand away.

"Mother, I just wanted to feel it; these things are so appealing," Lady He said, rubbing her sore hand and grinning sheepishly.

As Lady Zhou felt good about everything, she just gave Lady He a stern look and didn’t scold her further, instead, she rewrapped each item and instructed Lian Xiuxiu to store them properly in the cabinet.

"Just put them outside," Old Master Lian said. As Lian Shouren had returned, naturally, people from the village would come to talk, and having these gifts displayed outside would present a good appearance.

Lady Zhou understood Old Master Lian’s intention and nodded at Lian Xiuxiu, "Just put them on the shelf."

"Eldest son, about that matter..." Old Master Lian asked Lian Shouren.

The whole room fell silent, all eyes on Lian Shouren. Everyone knew what Old Master Lian was asking about.

"Father..." Lian Shouren was once again full of elaborate praises. Lian Manman listened carefully, but it was all talk of meeting someone on a certain day, dining somewhere, discussing several national affairs. As for obtaining a government post, "Hailong has already started working on it, but these things can’t be rushed. Even the back-and-forth of the documents, at the very least, will take several months."

Old Master Lian nodded repeatedly, seeming very satisfied. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Big brother," Lian Shouyi, also excited by the conversation, leaned closer to Lian Shouren, "Did our nephew-in-law mention what kind of official position it will be? The least would be a Magistrate or something, right?"

Lian Shouren’s expression became serious.

"Younger brother, you don’t understand. It’s not that easy to become an official in the Imperial Court. Even for an Imperial Scholar who has just passed, those selected for office must start from being a Magistrate," Lian Shouren explained.

"A County Magistrate is not a small official either. I’m just hoping for big brother to hold a higher position," Lian Shouyi said with a smile, trying to backpedal.

Old Master Lian then asked Lian Shouren about his next plans.

"...Staying in the county town is more informative. I will return there in a couple of days," Lian Shouren replied.

"Big brother plans to buy a house in the county town, right? Are you going to move our parents there too?" Lian Shouyi asked.

"Oh..." Lian Shouren pondered.

"Certainly," Lian Shouyi didn’t wait for Lian Shouren to say anything and immediately continued, "Big brother, when we move to the county town, let us know early so we can prepare... I heard that in the homes of large families, a single person occupies an entire courtyard. Big brother, if there’s not enough room, we can make do; me, my younger siblings, and the kids, can manage with just two or three rooms..."

...

In the west wing room, the family sat together discussing Lian Shouren’s return.

"I think that Uncle and his family don’t plan to come back. Once Uncle takes up an official position, they will just move directly from the county town to his post," Lady Zhang said.

"Uncle’s family also wants to move to the county town," Lian Manman nodded in agreement.

"Grandfather seems not too pleased," Wu Lang said.

"Your grandfather definitely won’t agree," Lian Shouxin said, "Without any income, what will they eat and spend in the county town? Do they really expect Huahua’s in-laws to support them all? Your grandfather will surely not agree."

It was right for Old Master Lian not to agree. Song Family had taken in Lian Huahua for marriage, but that didn’t mean they were obligated to support the entire Lian Family. That was not reasonable.

"Uncle probably isn’t happy about it either. When Uncle spoke, Uncle’s face didn’t look good," Lian Manman said.

"How are Aunt’s family going to fit in their house which isn’t very spacious?" Lian Zhizhi suddenly said.

A shadow passed over Lady Zhang’s face.

...

The next day was another market day in Qingyang Town, and it happened to be the day when Shopkeeper Wu sent a coach to pick up pickles. Lian Manman, along with Lian Zhizhi and Xiao Qi, followed the coach to the town. It was still early, and they had nothing much to sell this time, so they weren’t in a hurry to go to the market. Instead, they decided to visit Jisheng Hall to see Wang Youheng first.

Wang Youheng asked them to sit down before inquiring about their progress in their studies.

"Writing... it’s a bit tiring," Lian Manman sighed. Traditional characters have many more strokes than simplified characters, and writing with a brush requires wrist suspension. Lian Manman found it harder than when she was in school in her previous life.

Learning at first is somewhat dull, but as you persist, you’ll begin to discover the fun in it," Wang Youheng smiled, walked over to the desk, and spread out paper and brush. "What have you all learned? Write something for me to see."

"Brother Youheng wants to check our homework!" Lian Manman said.

Wang Youheng smiled and didn’t say anything but dipped his brush in ink, indicating for Lian Manman to continue.

Lian Manman took the brush, had just written one character when a servant brought in a letter for Wang Youheng.

After looking at the envelope, Wang Youheng immediately opened the letter and read a few lines, his face breaking into a smile.

"Manman, there’s good news." (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)