The mother-daughter duo’s little "show of wealth" was really just a way to tell Zhao Jing that the Chen family truly didn’t need the betrothal gifts. Instead of exhausting himself earning silver for them, it would be far better to focus on securing the title of Scholar, allowing Wanqing to become a Scholar’s wife.

’Jing is so clever. He must have gotten the message, right?’

But Zhao Jing showed no reaction the entire time. In that case, Xu Su Ying would just have to wait until they got back to the village to speak with Mrs. Zhao.

The three of them started walking back together. Dashan’s ox-cart had already left long ago, so they had to rely on their own two feet for the entire journey.

Xu Su Ying was truly exhausted from the day’s work. It might have seemed like the silver was easy to make, flowing into her pockets SWISH SWISH SWISH like she was raking leaves, but spending all day bent over doing people’s makeup was taking a toll on her old back and legs.

Halfway there, Xu Su Ying started to gasp for breath. In contrast, Chen Wanqing and Zhao Jing’s steps were steady and their eyes were bright. They both clearly had excellent stamina.

Seeing her struggling, Zhao Jing asked, "Auntie, would you like to rest for a moment?"

Although they were engaged, they weren’t yet married. Yuzhu could call him "Brother-in-law," but Zhao Jing simply couldn’t bring himself to say the words "Mother-in-law." It wasn’t that he was tongue-tied; it was a matter of propriety.

Xu Su Ying waved her hand. "Let’s not. The sun is already setting. If we stop to rest, it’ll be pitch black by the time we get home."

Zhao Jing wanted to offer, ’What if I carry you?’

But the mere thought of it made him feel embarrassed, so the words remained unspoken.

Chen Wanqing seemed to read his mind and said, "Don’t try to convince Mother. She won’t rest on the way. As she always says, the more you rest, the less energy you have, and the less you want to move. Better to just push through and get home in one go than to dawdle."

And so, they pushed on and returned to the village without stopping.

Just as they reached the village entrance, they ran into a few fellow villagers who were returning from visiting relatives.

Seeing the trio, everyone began to tease them. "Well now, is this the mother-in-law taking her daughter and son-in-law to the county town to buy wedding outfits?"

"Oh my, look how well-matched the young couple is! Can you imagine how adorable their children will be? They’ll surely charm all their grandmother’s private savings right out of her hands!"

Xu Su Ying laughed heartily and replied, "You all better come to the wedding banquet on the big day! No excuses!"

"We’ll be there for sure! We might skip someone else’s celebration, but we’d never miss yours."

When they reached the fork in the road to part ways, Xu Su Ying handed Zhao Jing a packet of pastries they had bought that afternoon. "Take these for your mother and Xiang’er."

"How can I possibly accept this?"

"And why not! Qing’er bought these pastries. Just take them back as a gift from her to your mother. You silly boy, didn’t you just buy a red plow yesterday as a gift for your Uncle Dasong?"

At her words, Zhao Jing glanced at Chen Wanqing. Her head was bowed, her gaze fixed somewhere on the ground; she didn’t look up at him.

But Zhao Jing’s heart swelled as if it were steeping in a warm spring.

He accepted the pastries with great solemnity. "In that case, thank you, Auntie. And thank you as well, Sister."

"None of this ’thank you’ business. We’re all family. It’s getting dark, so you should hurry home. Don’t make your mother worry."

The deep blue of the sky bled into inky blackness. As night fell, Chen Song and his party returned from the mountain.

These days, the constables no longer needed to eat at the Chen family’s home. The Lord County Magistrate had specially assigned two old clerks from the warehouse to cook for them.

Whether the food was any good was another matter entirely. The main thing was that hot rice, soup, and ginger tea were available all day long. At the very least, when they were tired and thirsty, they could get something warm to eat and drink. For that, the constables were already quite content.

The constables were only lodging at the Chen family’s home now. If not for the time it would take to travel back and forth, and the fear of information leaks, the men would have much preferred to be in their own homes.

Fearing they were being a nuisance, the men would wash up as soon as they returned and quickly retreat to the east room.

Chen Song, however, quickly slipped into the kitchen to help his wife stoke the fire.

His wife wasn’t one to sit around enjoying a life of leisure. If their family had to rely on his meager salary, they would have been starving long ago.

His wife was the one who supported their family. Therefore, he had to be utterly devoted to her and treat her with all the kindness in his heart. He couldn’t let her feel unappreciated. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

When Chen Song entered, Xu Su Ying was tending the fire while Chen Wanqing was chopping vegetables.

As soon as Chen Song took over, Xu Su Ying gave up her "throne" and went to the cupboard to get bowls for the rice. Chen Wanqing, in turn, skillfully poured oil into the wok to start stir-frying.

With outsiders still in the house, they naturally wouldn’t discuss any private matters. The only thing they could talk about was their visit to the Qian Family.

But Xu Su Ying couldn’t help herself and ended up letting slip a few words about Chen Lin’s conduct.

This was news even to Chen Wanqing. For a moment, she furrowed her brow and looked at her parents, her eyes filled with deep concern.

Her parents, however, were a study in contrasts. Xu Su Ying was so filled with righteous indignation she looked ready to explode, while Chen Song was frighteningly calm, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.