"The son-in-law is truly back!" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Eldest Sister-in-law Mo was the first to rush into the main hall. Seeing Liu Ji sitting inside drinking tea, she exclaimed excitedly to the people behind her.

Old Master Mo and Old Mrs. Mo forced a smile on their old faces and pushed Bao’er forward, "Quickly pay a grand courtesy to your uncle!"

Bao’er was a bit confused and scared, especially when he saw the so-called uncle sitting high on the Taishi Chair, glaring at him with a hostile gaze. With a "plop," he was so scared he fell to the ground in a full prostration.

"What is this?" Liu Ji asked unhappily.

Luckily, there were no outsiders; otherwise, people might think he did something to the child.

Liu Ji’s reaction was within the Mo Family’s expectations.

After all, they all knew how they treated this unruly son-in-law back in the day.

But who could have imagined that the reckless man from those years would become the esteemed Mr. Scholar today?

If they had known this day would come, they wouldn’t have said such demeaning things to him back then.

They wouldn’t be facing a son-in-law scholar today, full of resentment.

The four adults in the Mo Family looked at each other. Finally, Old Master Mo gritted his teeth, knelt beside Bao’er, and followed suit.

"Mr. Scholar, I was the foolish one back in the day. I hope you won’t regard the wrongs of a small man. If you’re angry, be angry with me, an old man with a foul mouth. Don’t hold it against the younger generation; after all, we are family."

Old Master Mo wiped his tears and cried, "The family is truly suffering. For my daughter’s sake and Da Lang’s children, please be kind-hearted and help your brother-in-law..."

The old man knelt, and Eldest Brother Mo and Eldest Sister-in-law Mo hurriedly followed, saying they were wrong in the past and asked Liu Ji not to hold it against them.

Such groveling, such flattery and ingratiation—not to mention Liu Ji—even Qi Xian, a person who cultivates the character of a gentleman, would inevitably feel soft-hearted at this moment.

Furthermore, seeing those who once looked down on him so willingly kneeling at his feet to admit their mistakes, Liu Ji felt utterly delighted!

Truthfully, if he hadn’t caught a glimpse of the fierce woman at the kitchen door with her cold eyes, he would have immediately pretended to be magnanimous, promising that his brother-in-law’s matters were his matters and that everything was on him!

Of course, at the critical moment, he calmed his mind and suppressed his thoughts.

Liu Ji got up, helped the kneeling Mo Family members up, and was very pleased to play the role of a forgiving son-in-law. He patted Bao’er’s little head, picked a piece of pastry from the table for him, and asked warmly:

"How old are you? Have you studied? Do you want to take imperial exams like your uncle and become a scholar?"

He not only asked Bao’er but also helped the elders to sit, saying that he was also immature in the past and asked about their health.

Finally, he instructed towards the kitchen, "Mrs. Li, bring out the best dishes from home. I want to have a good drink with my brother-in-law in the study later!"

"Hahaha, I truly owe you an apology for what happened back then. Now, I must make it up to you. Please stay at our home these days, eat well, drink well, and don’t think about saving any silver for me!"

Mrs. Li was stunned, not expecting the master to change his attitude so quickly.

She first glanced at the lady standing by the door. Seeing her not stopping it, she complied.

But Mrs. Li was still worried, "Madam, are you just going to leave the master be like this?"

Qin Yao recalled the mess in the study, her mouth curling into a wicked smile, "Let the bullet fly for a while first."

"Huh?" Mrs. Li didn’t understand, "What bullet? Does Madam want to eat egg cakes today?"

"Nothing," Qin Yao coughed twice to hide her embarrassment and signaled Mrs. Li to continue preparing.

Qin Yao leaned against the doorway, waiting to watch the drama unfold later.

In the main hall, Liu Ji was surrounded by the Mo Family, listening to their various flattering words, his eyes squinting with obvious enjoyment.

However, regarding Eldest Brother Mo’s proposed job, Liu Ji didn’t immediately agree.

He knew his own limits. Without some silver to grease things, it couldn’t be done. And in his pocket... there wasn’t a single coin.

As for the Mo Family’s pockets, they were probably cleaner than their pale palms.

Helping others without taking any benefit—where’s the logic in that?

Liu Ji laughed heartily, not giving half a definite word.

The elders exchanged a glance, pushed Bao’er forward, and spoke about the child’s schooling.

The school in Liu Family Village was already established; Liu Ji knew this. But he’s not the village head, so what he says doesn’t count?

Liu Ji suddenly froze, just moments ago elevated by the Mo Family, thinking he was omniscient and omnipotent, now calming down bit by bit.

Shaking his head, Liu Ji tried to sober up.

Unexpectedly, Eldest Sister-in-law Mo mentioned a young and beautiful female cousin from her maiden village. If the son-in-law doesn’t mind, she would personally bring her over to chat and relieve his worries.

Hearing this in the kitchen, Mrs. Li was so scared that she almost dropped her iron ladle.

Quickly turning to look at the kitchen door, she found that Qin Yao had, at some point, taken a stool, sitting while eating melon seeds, watching the ’big drama’ in the main hall with great interest, as if it were none of her business.

Even though Madam didn’t turn her head, it seemed like she could see Mrs. Li, raising a hand to indicate she continues cooking.

The "Madam, are you alright?" that was almost out of Mrs. Li’s mouth was forcibly swallowed back.

She perked her ears to listen to the movements in the main hall, secretly praying that the master wouldn’t get carried away and make a grave mistake.

Thankfully, there was no joyful agreement from the master coming from the main hall.

Only the sound of Liu Ji suddenly coughing violently twice, stopping Eldest Sister-in-law Mo’s increasingly enthusiastic chatter.

"Mr. Scholar, what’s wrong?" The Mo Family immediately expressed concern, with Eldest Brother Mo eagerly patting Liu Ji’s back.

It took Liu Ji quite a while to compose himself, pushing away the Mo Family members, who were surrounding him and hadn’t bathed in who knows how long, and got up to ask:

"Mrs. Li, is the food ready?"

Mrs. Li replied, "It’ll be ready soon."

Liu Ji responded with an "oh," avoiding looking at Qin Yao munching melon seeds at the door, inviting the Mo Family to follow him to the study to wait for the meal.

Qin Yao immediately put down her melon seeds and got up to follow.

Liu Ji, very perceptive, immediately noticed she had followed but thought since she’s the head of the family, greeting guests naturally involves her, so he didn’t think much of it.

After being away from home for long, the first thing Liu Ji thought of was the fierce woman at home... the silver in her hands.

The second thought, then, was the study, his personal small sanctuary.

Arriving expectantly at the study door, he found the door open; no matter, it was likely the Mo family had been waiting inside earlier.

Stepping inside, he glanced up.

On the floor were black shoe prints, broken bones, and chairs, stools, and vases arranged haphazardly.

A wrinkled, strangely-scented peony tablecloth draped over the Eight Immortals table he had carefully acquired.

Luggage was strewn everywhere, a dark, sweaty scarf over his favorite bonsai stand, completely covering the small green pine on it.

Inside, his neatly made bed was now a mess of piled blankets, and an extra bed was laid out on the floor, abusing the good wool carpet underneath.

Liu Ji couldn’t believe it and stepped back outside, closing his eyes before reopening them...

Everything in front of him was, in fact, fucking real!

Remembering his collected porcelain bottles, teacups, and rare books, Liu Ji hastily lifted his robe and rushed into the side study.

Here, the neatness from before he left was gone, his treasures scattered in every corner.

Liu Ji took deep breaths, clenching his fists hard as he roared in anger like a groundhog: "Ahhhh!!!"