In the evening, when the children returned from school and learned that Grandfather and Uncle had come, their surprise outweighed their joy.

The four siblings exchanged glances, their expressions subtle.

Qin Yao sat in the main hall, signaling that they could go to the study for a visit.

"I’m not going." Second Lang picked up his book box and went inside, spreading out his books to study.

Sanlang and Si Niang tilted their heads curiously toward the backyard. The door to the study was open, and inside were some familiar yet unfamiliar faces, drinking tea and nibbling melon seeds, leisurely enjoying themselves.

Eldest Sister-in-law Mo glimpsed the two small faces peeking out from the front yard, excitedly waved her hand, and was about to step out the door when Yin Le, holding a stick, coincidentally danced to the study entrance.

Eldest Sister-in-law Mo’s face darkened, baring her teeth at Yin Le, expressing her disdain.

Yin Le, however, smiled cheerfully, saying kindly, "It’s cold outside, Aunt, better to stay inside. You’re waiting for your husband to return, aren’t you? Take your time, no rush."

Old Mrs. Mo immediately recognized the sarcasm, spat in the room in anger,

"I knew it, why was that shrew acting so polite, turns out it’s the swallows at the red gate, the real trick is here! I will insist on waiting, let’s see what she does when my husband returns!"

Yin Le was indifferent; she practiced martial arts in the backyard every day and night, and if one stepped out of the study and got accidentally hit, it wouldn’t be intentional.

Not muzzled, Eldest Sister-in-law Mo shouted, "Is it Sanlang and Si Niang back?"

The Dragon and Phoenix Twins shrank their heads back swiftly and rushed into the house, joining Second Lang in studying, as if their aunt were a ghost taking possession.

Da Lang sighed helplessly, though he held little affection for his maternal relatives, since Grandmother and Grandfather were here, he still had to greet them.

"Mother, I’m going to take a look in the backyard." Da Lang consulted Qin Yao.

Qin Yao nodded, "Go ahead, your cousin from your big uncle’s family has come too."

She also asked Mrs. Li to bring a new pot of tea, for Da Lang to take along, ensuring hospitality in food and drink.

Da Lang awkwardly said, "Sorry for troubling you, Mother."

Qin Yao lightly tapped the young man’s forehead, not gentle in strength. Da Lang yelped "ow," instantly relaxed, and innocently glanced at Qin Yao before heading to the backyard study with the teapot.

Soon after, Old Mrs. Mo’s wails of lamentation echoed from the study.

It was the same routine Qin Yao had seen before: weeping over her daughter’s misfortune, her grandson’s misfortune, her own misfortune.

Da Lang was held by one hand, watching Old Mrs. Mo in front of him crying as if her life depended on it, feeling irritable as though sitting on needles and thorns.

Gritting his teeth for half an hour, Da Lang couldn’t bear it any longer and found an excuse to withdraw his hand and leave.

Returning to the dining table in the main hall, Da Lang wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling reborn, "Grandmother is really a crying expert."

Second Lang, with a knowing smug look, sympathetically patted his brother’s shoulder, "You’ve had a hard time, brother."

Da Lang shook his head, indicating he was fine.

However, he felt somewhat worried about his own father.

"Mother, is Father returning tomorrow?" Da Lang asked.

Qin Yao, eating her meal, vaguely replied, "He should be."

After swallowing her food, Qin Yao said, "I’ll take you to school in the morning, and also visit the county to report about the village school affairs, hoping to invite the teacher back soon."

The four siblings exchanged glanced secretly and giggled. Mother must be going to pick up Father.

"What’s so funny? Eat properly!" Qin Yao swept them with a sharp look, and the four siblings immediately became obedient, picked up their bowls, and ate heartily.

But the thought of Father and Uncle Ah Wang returning tomorrow couldn’t suppress their lifted mouths.

After dinner, the Mo Family asked for bedding for the floor, surprisingly didn’t cause any trouble thereafter.

The night passed peacefully.

The next morning, the mother and four children finished breakfast and set out on horseback.

Yin Le stayed home to continue guarding the Mo Family in the backyard.

According to the Mo Family’s original plan, Old Mrs. Mo and Eldest Sister-in-law Mo intended to proclaim it throughout Liu Family Village during Qin Yao’s outing.

By then, if the Qin couple didn’t give them some benefits, they would be criticized by everyone.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t even get out the study door now. They could only eat the exquisite breakfast in the house, staring blankly.

But you have to admit, the food at the husband’s house is really delicious!

Bao’er even felt he didn’t need any more gifts from his uncle, just another chicken leg to chew would be enough.

The carriage wheels rolled forward and made a sudden halt at the Ding Family School entrance, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Seeing this sight, others didn’t need to guess; only one person in town drove like this, surely Miss Qin from Liu Family Village.

As the dust settled, surely enough, it was Miss Qin.

"Pay attention in class." Qin Yao advised the children routinely.

Jinhua, Jinbao: "Got it."

The Da Lang Brothers and Sisters: "Mother, have a safe return."

Qin Yao gave an OK gesture, watched the children enter the school, turned the carriage around, and continued towards Kaiyang County’s city.

Arriving early in the city, by the time she finished the village affairs, the sun was high in the sky.

Song Zhang, aware of her visit, sent someone to invite her for a small gathering, but Qin Yao declined.

Driving the carriage to a shady spot by the roadside outside the city, she planned to cover her face with banana leaves for a brief nap when a voice filled with joy suddenly called.

"Ma’am!"

"Is it you, Ma’am?!"

Qin Yao turned and looked towards the back of the carriage, seeing a group of riders approaching steadily from the road.

Leading at the front were Shi Tou and Ah Gu.

The joyful call came from the coach behind them.

Liu Ji initially thought he was seeing things, but as he saw the person on the carriage turning to look over, the face often lingering in his thoughts appeared before him brightly.

He scrambled out of the carriage and eagerly urged the driver, "Ah Wang, hurry up!"

"Ma’am!" Liu Ji stretched his hand long, waving vigorously, fearing she wouldn’t notice him.

However, when Qin Yao truly looked over, Liu Ji’s smile suddenly froze.

He remembered being resentful all this way over the fifty taels in Ah Wang’s pocket, resolved not to give the shrew a good face this time home, to make her realize how angry he was, to make her aware of her mistake!

Yet, just seeing a carriage resembling their family’s had already him smiling uncontrollably with delight.

Because...the shrew personally came to pick him up! She actually came to meet him!

The grudge Liu Ji harbored for half a month vanished instantly.

The carriage pulled to the side of the road, Liu Ji immediately jumped down, swiftly approached Qin Yao, arms open but then hesitated, wanting to be reckless yet timid, finally couldn’t help but spread his arms, intending to hug her tightly. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Unexpectedly, predictably, he received a solid punch to the chest.

Liu Ji staggered back, clutching his aching chest, looked up, and let out a satisfied sigh, "Yes, that’s the feeling!"

On the carriage, Gongliang Liao and Qi Xian: So shameless.