On the first morning of the third watch, Shen's family finished packing the things to be sent to Qiu Yu and instructed Kang Ping to take good care of Zi Qing before letting them leave. The old house went to pick people up first. When Tian saw Zi Qing, she was slightly angry, glanced at her, and after a moment asked: "Zi Qing, why didn't you give the hairpin you made yesterday to Guiying and the others? And what about the ring and earrings? I'm afraid they're worth a lot of money. Why did you casually give them to outsiders? Don't you know who is close and who is far?"

  "But my aunt, Xiushui's mother, used to give me buns to eat when I wasn't full, and even bought me things to eat. Who is really good to me, I still know." As soon as Zi Qing said this, Tian Shi didn't want to listen anymore, looking at Lin Kangping standing aside, this eyesore, asked sharply: "Kangping, was it you who beat up Da Mao? Your heart is too cruel, actually cutting off one of his fingers, you wicked thing."

  "Granny, I only met Big Mao once when the engagement was set, and now I still can't recall what he looks like. Why would I hit him? I don't even know where Eldest Aunt's house is. Did he do something that deserved a beating? Why did he get his finger cut off? Could it be that he touched something he shouldn't have? It's not surprising if others blame him, but if he doesn't improve his memory, it's possible that one day he'll even lose his hand entirely." Lin Kang said slowly and calmly.

  Tian's face changed, he wanted to say something, but it wasn't good to make a scene on New Year's Day, so he urged everyone to hurry up and get going.

  This time, Zhou Tianqing led the way and said that they could take a shortcut to bypass the single-plank bridge, which would save them from having to go through Anzhou. Lin Kangping was driving the horse cart, but there were too many people, so it was impossible to squeeze everyone in. They had to send the women and children first, and then Autumn Jade's family saw that there was a ready-made horse cart, so they followed along, saying they wanted to see Summer Jade's new house, which would also be convenient for them.

  Lin Kangping and others got on the carriage and sat down, then picked up Zi Qing and Zi Yu to put them on the horse cart. Second Uncle Zhou Tianqing and Lin Kangping sat outside the horse cart, one driving the horse and the other directing the way. Third Uncle Zhou Yunjiang led a few bigger men walking slowly behind, waiting for the horse cart to come back and pick them up. Zi Qing took a glance at Da Mao, except for his bandaged fingers, she didn't see any external injuries, but it seemed like he was having some trouble walking.

  Because there were Guiying and her sister in the car, Ziqing didn't say much. When they arrived at Qiaocun Village, Ziqing saw that her second aunt was still waiting at the village entrance, wearing the same red cotton-padded jacket she had worn a few years ago. Xiaoyu smiled when she saw Lin Kangping carrying down Ziqing and said: "Originally, people are beautiful, and with these clothes, they look even more beautiful." Then she said to Lin Kangping: "Kangping, you're so tall, have you grown taller again? You must be at least a head taller than your uncle!"

  Ziying smiled and said: "Second Aunt, you also have beautiful clothes, don't rush."

  As soon as they entered the courtyard, Lin Kangping began to unload things. Xia Yu saw that there was pork and mutton, as well as dried fruits and pastries, and hurriedly said: "You've gone to a lot of trouble again, Second Aunt."

  "Your second sister-in-law is just heartbroken for you." Qiu Yu said with some resentment.

  Lin Kangping tidied up Zi Qing's hair and reminded her not to go out casually before turning around to take them away.

  Autumn Jade said: "This Lin kid is really good to you, considerate and willing to spend money. I heard from your aunt that he brought half a cart of New Year's gifts, all good things. Your aunt said she had never seen such things before, let alone eaten them. The new hairpin you're wearing was also bought by him, it's really not bad, one look and it's worth more than the previous one. This set is enough for us to live for two or three years, your luck is really good, you're walking in dog shit luck."

  "What's with all this nonsense? It's Chinese New Year, can't you say something auspicious for once?" Xia Yu shot a sideways glance at Autumn Jade.

  Ziying took out the new cotton-padded jacket, skirt and cloak she had made for her second aunt. Xi De Xiaoyu was overjoyed and wanted to put them on immediately, but Ziying called out from behind: "Second Aunt, these are the ones I made for you." Guiying and Guihua stared at them with wide eyes, not blinking.

  Qiu Yu asked from the side: "Why doesn't Zi Qing make a dress for Xiao Gu as well? Xiao Gu also likes beautiful clothes. Why do you only have Er Gu in your eyes and not Xiao Gu?"

  "Little aunt, your clothes are made better than mine. Second aunt's illness has just improved a bit, the doctor said not to overexert herself, so I made her some new clothes."

  "Can it be the same? Your second aunt's clothes are made of satin, how can I afford to wear them?"

  "Even if Auntie takes out a piece of clothing to entertain guests, there aren't any decent clothes. You have plenty of clothes, don't try to fool me, I saw you had several pieces of satin at the wedding." Zi Qing said with a smile.

  When Xiaoyu changed into her new clothes and came out, Ziqing put the flower crown on her again. Just as Xiaoyu was busy making tea, she suddenly thought that wearing new clothes while cooking wasn't convenient, so she wanted to change into an old apron. Ziqing helped her put on a prepared apron. After all this, Autumn Jade's heart felt even more sour.

  Because Qiu Yu was there for the first time, Xia Yu took everyone to visit the new house. In the yard, more than 20 tangerine and orange trees were planted last winter, and a vegetable garden was also enclosed. There is only one well in the yard, which was said by Shen Shi when the beam was raised, saying that she was afraid that if her brother-in-law was not at home, Xia Yu would not be able to carry water, so Shen Shi added three strings of cash as a gift for digging the well.

  Qiu Yu asked about the expenses of building a house and buying land, saying: "I would be content if I could live in such a courtyard one day. Why do you think Er Sao favors you alone among us sisters?"

  "Now that I think about it, maybe it's because I helped her take care of the kids for a few days in the past. Second sister-in-law was really struggling back then, a woman taking care of a bunch of kids and also serving her parents-in-law. You and I basically didn't do any housework at home, my body wasn't good and you were even lazier than me. Second sister-in-law is someone who remembers old favors." Xia Yu sighed.

  "Who would have thought that after she got married, she became prosperous." Autumn Jade hadn't finished speaking when the horse carriage arrived at the gate. At that time, Zi Qing was inside the house selecting vegetables with Zi Er.

  Before long, other guests arrived at Xia Yu's house. This year, when she entertained guests, they were all from the Zhou family side. Zi Qing didn't know them, so she helped with some household chores in the back corridor. Before long, Xia Yu came in and pushed Zi Qing out, saying: "Your uncle is ready, just steam it and you can go out to drink some tea, don't ruin your good clothes."

  Ziying had to walk out to find water to wash her hands. Suddenly, a heavenly-like girl ran out of the kitchen, attracting many curious glances. Xiaoyu quickly explained that she was her niece from her mother's side. Lin Kangping helped her fetch water at the well and also helped her roll up her sleeves, revealing shiny gold bangles. At this time, Zifu walked over and whispered: "Look, Guiying is staring at you with dead eyes, be careful later."

  Zi Qing took Zi Yu for a walk in the courtyard, and then it was time for lunch. Because there were too many people, they set up two tables, with men and women seated separately. Zi Qing sat down next to her younger sister-in-law, several seats away from Gui Ying. The meal passed without incident.

  Originally, Ziying wanted to say goodbye and go home, but Xiaoyu tried her best to persuade him to stay, and asked Zifu to take everyone to the temple gate to join in the fun. Let the villagers see Ziying's fiancé and see if there was anything else to gossip about. Damao and the others disappeared in a flash, Lin Kangping, Zifu and the others gathered together to have fun, Ziying saw that it didn't make much sense, so he took Ziyu back to the house, where Qiuyue was hugging Mumi around the fire pit and chatting with Xiaoyu about family matters.

  Ziying sat down by the fire pit, just having brewed a cup of tea. Guiying stormed in and sat beside Ziying, Xiaoyu asked her why she was angry, but she didn't answer, picked up the teapot next to her and was about to pour water, the pot tilted, scalding hot water poured into Ziying's boots.

  Only a mournful cry was heard from Ziqing, and Ziyu ran out crying to call for help. Xiaoyu quickly came forward to help Ziqing take off her boots. Just as they were about to remove her socks, Lin Kangping rushed in. He scooped up Ziqing in his arms, hastily found a room, closed the door, and carefully pulled down Ziqing's wet socks. Her feet were bright red with large and small blisters all over, and Ziqing was in so much pain that tears came out.

  Xia Yu went out and said to find some soy sauce to apply, Qiu Yu came in and took a look, saying: "It's okay, there is a layer of socks. Otherwise, wouldn't it be burnt? I scolded Guiying, she was so careless, she's crying now, saying it wasn't intentional."

  Zi Qing saw Lin Kangping's ugly face, so she pulled his sleeve and was about to speak. At this time, Zi Fu and others rushed in after hearing the news, asking: "How is the burn? Let me see." After seeing it, they scolded: "I told you to be careful, but you still didn't dodge."

  Then, Zi Fu and others didn't have much interest either, but they also didn't want to leave immediately, so they just went through the motions of having dinner.

  The next day, Lin Kangping pulled his family away with a sullen face, taking Autumn Jade and the child with him, and leaving Big Mao's family behind. When they arrived at their old house, Autumn Jade wanted to persuade Lin Kangping but didn't dare to speak up, so she quietly told Tian Shi about it. Tian Shi listened and said to Lin Kangping: "Guangying said she didn't do it on purpose, who hasn't made a mistake before? Kangping, don't hold it against her anymore. I'll scold her later. Your younger uncle is still on the road, why don't you go pick him up?"

  "Grandma, I need to take Ziqing to apply medicine, really no time, Ziqing is still waiting in the car." After finishing speaking, she didn't even look back and left. Tian Shi was so angry that she gritted her teeth.

  Back home, Shen's family saw that their hearts were broken and scolded: "This whole family is a bunch of ungrateful white-eyed wolves, not one good thing."

  "It's all my fault, I didn't take good care of Qinger. If it weren't for fearing that Erjie and the others would be uncomfortable, I'd have poured that hot water into her shoes to let her taste this feeling too. I really didn't think she would vent her anger on Ziqing, blaming me, thinking all along that she was a girl, who knew there were such thoughts."

  Zi Qing heard this and thought there was more to it, so she asked if something had happened.

  After Zi Qing and Zi Yu left, Guiying deliberately walked back and forth beside Lin Kangping. After listening to Qiu Yu's words, she was somewhat moved. Originally, she was one year older than Zi Qing and was almost at the age of marriage, so she understood a bit about relationships between men and women. That day, she heard her parents teaching Damao to take advantage of Zi Qing, knowing that if a girl is looked at or touched by a boy, he must marry her. She had this thought in mind. However, after walking around Lin Kangping for half a day, seeing that he didn't even glance at her and was still chatting with Zi Fu, she thought for a moment before approaching Lin Kangping, pretending to be wronged and asking in a low voice: "Why did you touch my butt?"

  Lin Kangping was initially stunned, and after reacting, he asked back: "Who touched your butt? In my heart, all of you put together are not worth a single toe of Zi Qing's. Don't think everyone is a fool, thinking I don't know what you're up to? Get away from me as soon as possible, or else the one who will suffer damage to their reputation is you."

  Fortunately, there were no outsiders around, otherwise this face would have been lost even more. However, despite this, Guiying's face was still flushed red, and she ran into the house with shame and anger, probably because of this sentence, which hurt Ziying's toes.

  "Shen's family heard the scolding and said: 'This family is completely rotten, even to the roots. Da Mao tried to cheat you but didn't succeed, and now Guiying is trying to cheat Kangping too. From now on, when we see anyone from their family, let's keep a distance. This whole year, our family hasn't gained anything good from them, who knows what evil they're hiding.'"

  Zeng Ruixiang was also angry when he knew about it, and his heart was thoroughly chilled. Such a relative is not wanted anyway.