The next day, everyone from the main branch of the Chen family was home. According to their usual custom, Xu Suying would have Chen Song running ragged as the couple prepared a good meal for their sons. They had to soothe their poor stomachs, which had been miserably tormented by the food at the academy.

But not this time. Early in the morning, the whole family was heading into the county seat.

And why were they going to the county seat?

To buy a house!

That’s right—the house that was selling for one hundred taels, the one belonging to the old couple.

Speaking of which, we have to mention what Chen Song accomplished the day before yesterday.

The day before yesterday, the treasure chest unearthed on Xiaoao Mountain was transported out of Qingshui County by a thousand elite soldiers.

Also on that day, Chen Song was appointed County Magistrate’s Assistant and took up his post immediately.

And still on that same day, after lunch, Chen Song found time to visit the old couple’s house, which was located in the Weaving Workshop district.

He whispered something to the old couple. They were initially shocked, then grew excited, and finally became filled with righteous indignation. In the end, they tearfully agreed to do as Chen Song instructed. After he left, they went to find their heartless son-in-law.

Armed with the leverage Chen Song had given them—the fact that the son-in-law had an affair with his older brother’s wife and fathered a son with her—they had the man right where they wanted him.

Terrified of being beaten to death by his older brother, and even more afraid that his son would be branded as illegitimate, forever mocked, and barred from taking the civil service exams, the man gritted his teeth and agreed to the divorce.

The old couple’s daughter was finally free. Chen Song had already paid the deposit and was planning to pay the remaining balance today and get the deed transferred.

Buying property in the county seat was a major event, so the entire family naturally had to be there. That’s why they all set out together today.

Along the way, both Chen De’an and Chen Yaoan were lost in the thought that their family would now be living in the county seat.

They asked over and over again, afraid their parents were just tricking them.

They asked so many times that Xu Suying got annoyed. She shot Chen Song a reproachful look. "Look at these sons you’ve raised! I buy one little house in the county seat, and they’re this shocked. What’s going to happen if I buy a mansion in the Capital City one day? Are their eyes going to pop right out of their heads?"

Chen Song said good-naturedly, "It’s all my fault. As their father, I’ve clearly done a poor job raising them. It’s all on me."

Holding back a laugh, Chen Wanqing leaned on her mother’s shoulder. "Dad is such a punching bag."

"Don’t you stick up for him. Your father is secretly thanking his lucky stars he married a wife as capable as me. What’s wrong with me saying a few words? He enjoys it."

"That’s right, I am happy. And I love hearing it. Say a little more, darling."

The two of them actually started flirting, leaving Chen De’an utterly speechless.

Afraid he would annoy his mother again, he quickly shuffled over to his sister’s side.

Every time his mother saw the two of them on their days off from the academy, she’d be incredibly affectionate at first, calling them her "precious treasures" and being as doting as could be. But the affection wouldn’t last fifteen minutes before she’d start rolling her eyes at them. By the next morning, the brothers would have become a complete nuisance.

’He had no idea what kind of creature his mother had been in a past life to be so mercurial!’

"Sis, if we move to the county seat, it’ll be harder for us to see each other."

"What’s so hard about it? It’s barely a stone’s throw away. If I miss Mom and Dad, I can just come home for lunch or even stay the night."

"I guess so. But this means it’ll be hard for me to see Jing."

Yao’an mimicked his sister. "What’s so hard about it? If you want to see your brother-in-law, you can just stay at our place when he comes to the county seat."

Chen De’an ruffled his little brother’s hair. "Copy me again and I’ll smack you."

"Dad! Mom! Come and see! It’s true, I’m the youngest in the family, so I have no rights at all! Not only did nobody tell me about something as huge as my sister getting engaged, but now I can’t even speak my mind!"

Xu Suying, having had quite enough, roared at Chen De’an, "Shut your mouth! One more word out of you and you can get yourself right back home!"

Chen De’an fell silent. So did everyone else on the ox-cart.

Chen Yaoan saw his older brother make a fist at him and quickly burrowed into his sister’s arms, from where he shot his brother a defiant smile.

Chen De’an: ’My fists are getting itchy again. That little rascal Yao’an is just asking for it.’

As they were about to enter the county seat, Xu Suying said to Chen Song, "Avoid the main street. Find a quiet alley for us to take."

Most of the medical clinics in the county seat were located on the main street. The street was always bustling with people, making it a great place for business. The old residence’s sesame cake stall was also on this street.

Last night, DaHe and Dahai had returned to the village late, bringing news. They said Chen Lin had broken a bone in his lower leg, and the doctor recommended he rest for two months. Furthermore, he had been badly frightened, breaking out in a cold sweat and getting thoroughly chilled. By the time he reached the county seat, he had started to run a fever.