After Lin Kangping left, Zilu and the others also started school, and the days at home returned to their usual quietness. Fortunately, Ziqing had a lot of busy things to do, such as raising seedlings for watermelon and cucumber, and inspecting last year's fruit tree seedlings. Additionally, this year Zi Fu was getting married, and Ziqing had to make embroidered items. Shen Shi asked her to embroider a floor screen that was three feet wide and nine feet long, because it was for the wedding, Shen Shi asked her to embroider a hundred sons picture, and she had already asked Zeng Rui Xiang to draw the picture for her before the new year, but just as she started, in the first month of the lunar calendar, she wasn't allowed to move her needle, so it was idle for a month.

  On this day, Zeng Rui Xiang had just finished lunch when Tian Shi came over alone. First, she pulled Zeng Rui Xiang aside and talked about some household chores, praising Shen Shi for being capable and having a good head on her shoulders. "Look at how things have turned out after all these years - your life is getting better and better, and now even my mother-in-law sees it clearly. Your second daughter-in-law is indeed capable, and it's clear that she comes from a stronger background. The children are also well-behaved, and as for good fortune, it goes without saying. Zi Rong and the others all know how to make progress, and Zi Qing and Zi Yu will not be left behind in the future. Especially Zi Qing - from a young age, she knew how to share her mother's burdens. That day at Xia Yu's house, I only found out that she had been learning how to manage the household since she was small. Xia Yu said that during those years when you were away, Zi Fu's mother had to worry about outside matters, and household chores could only be left to Zi Qing. Among all these daughters-in-law, it's really admirable how much hardship Zi Fu's mother can endure - she's diligent, has a good hand at crafts, and doesn't have to worry about making ends meet. It's just that those years were indeed difficult for her."

  Ziying found it very unusual, the old lady wouldn't have come all this way just to praise her own mother, and the words were especially soft, she must be after something. Ziying thought about it with her toes and knew that she was after Chunyu's family.

  Zeng Ruixiang heard his mother mention the past, thinking of the hardships that Shen's family had faced in those years, and his heart also felt sour. He said: "It wasn't easy for several children and their mother. Yumei had to take care of Zilu's busy work, Ziqing had to take care of several months old Zixi, and cook meals and wash clothes for the whole family. She was only six years old at that time and couldn't even reach the stove. Our family can have today thanks to their mother's efforts. I'm ashamed as a father, it's all because of them that our family is better off now."

  Tian's eyebrows furrowed as she listened to this. Somewhat deviating from her original intention, she hastily said: "A family is flesh and blood, how can you distinguish so clearly? No matter what, you are the father of the children, the head of the household. The days ahead are still long, why don't you come back home? Aren't you the mainstay of this family? The children still have to rely on you, and your father and I can only count on you now. Who knows when your elder brother will return?"

  Zeng Ruixiang didn't respond, so Tian Shi paused for a moment before continuing: "Your older sister is now at home and has truly regretted her actions. She knows she was wrong. I'm asking you to forgive her as a favor to me. You're all family, after all. Don't hold grudges against each other anymore. She's been crying and begging for your forgiveness this whole New Year's season. As parents, it's hard for us to see you siblings at odds with each other. To be honest, the situation with Guiying wasn't entirely your sister's fault. That child from a poor family has shallow eyes and was blinded by Ziying's possessions, which led to her mistake. And as for Dawei, he's been taught a lesson by Kangping and even had a finger chopped off. He wouldn't dare cause trouble again even if he had the courage. Son, I'm at an old age now, so just listen to my advice and forgive your sister this one time. Besides, Dawei has also acknowledged his mistake and knelt in front of your house for half a day, saying all that needed to be said. Don't hold grudges against a child anymore. Your older brother hasn't come home in years, and now you siblings are at odds with each other... isn't this just tearing my heart apart?" As Tian Shi spoke, she began to wipe away tears.

  Zeng Ruixiang also felt uncomfortable after hearing this, after all, she was her sister from the same mother, and Tian Shi had mentioned Zeng Ruiqing. A family was made like this, how could the elderly not worry? Looking at Tian Shi's already aged face, Zeng Ruixiang softened at that moment, sighed, and said: "As long as she doesn't do anything wrong again in the future, I won't hold her past mistakes against her."

  Tian's family was overjoyed and said, "This is good, this is good. My son is indeed sensible. Your sister is outside, I'll have her bring the children to come and apologize to you."

  Tian said and hurried out, Zi Qing and Shen looked at each other, both somewhat perplexed. They should have come to apologize long ago, the year is over, the festival is over, everyone in the house has gone out, why did they suddenly come in now? Moreover, didn't Da Mao already kowtow at the door on the second day of the New Year? Zi Qing didn't know that after returning from Xia Yu's house, the old master had already agreed with them to let them come and apologize. Da Mao and Guiying were still afraid of Lin Kangping, and only came over after Lin Kangping left.

  In just a few minutes, Tian led Chunyu and Damao, Guiying into the room. Yan Renda didn't come today, probably because he was afraid of being seen by Zeng Ruixiang and getting angry again, trying to play the family card.

  Zi Qing then entered the house, with the door slightly ajar, wanting to listen and find out which chapter was being sung today.

  "Second brother, I came today to admit my mistakes. All these years, second brother has been treating me well, but I was blinded by my own desires. I had the audacity to think that Da Mao would marry Zi Qing and our family would live a good life from then on. It's all my fault, please forgive me this one time for the sake of mom and dad." Chun Yu said as she really knelt down.

  Chunyu didn't help her up, and instead told Damao and Guiying to kneel down. "The matter with Damao and Guiying is indeed that children don't understand things," she said. "Damao came back and explained that he saw Ziqing chatting with a boy, got angry, and splashed water on her in the heat of the moment. As for Guiying, she was envious of Ziqing's belongings and accidentally spilled hot water. Now, both of them know they did wrong. Come, kowtow to Second Uncle and Second Aunt, and ask for their forgiveness."

  Dahou and Guiying reluctantly knelt down, kowtowed three times, and said: "Second Uncle, Second Aunt, we are entirely to blame for everything, it has nothing to do with our mother. Please spare us for the sake of our mother." Dahou's attitude was somewhat sincere, but probably because he had been intimidated by Lin Kangping, his fear outweighed his remorse. Guiying still had a hint of defiance in her eyes.

  Zi Qing's words seemed to have been rehearsed at home, otherwise, the words couldn't be spoken so smoothly, and there was no hint of shame on her face. Most importantly, what she said wasn't true, which showed that she didn't speak with sincerity.

  Zeng Ruixiang also saw this point, feeling a bit disheartened and lazy to argue with his junior, so he let out a sigh and let them get up. Chunyu still thought she had gotten away with it and couldn't help but show some complacency on her face. In Zeng Ruixiang's eyes, however, she looked even more disappointing. It seems that the old saying is true: a dog can't change its nature of eating feces.

  The Shen family didn't know what Zeng Ruixiang was thinking, but judging from his expression, he didn't seem happy. She also felt relieved knowing that her husband hadn't been moved by them. She could see that Chunyu and the others were insincere, but Zeng Ruixiang couldn't tell, probably because he was more troubled at heart than she was.

  The Tian family saw their son speak up, and didn't expect things to go so smoothly, so they forgot the old master's reminder this time. They just begged for forgiveness from the second family, without mentioning anything else. But when Mrs. Tian looked at the second family wearing gold and silver, eating mountain delicacies and seafood, looking at Chunyu, she was still wearing clothes made from the fabric that Shen had given as a gift during the festival years ago. She had taken it to make a new dress for Chunyu. These past few years, Shen had always sent over beautifully made clothes, but Mrs. Tian couldn't think of anything else, and neither could her children. Every year, she would still make a few sets of clothes from the fabric she bought herself, but what about these grandchildren? Not to mention Zi Qing, even little Zi Yu was wearing new clothes left and right.

  After a comparison, Tian thought for a moment and said: "My son, you know your mother's heart. Your mother saw that you siblings have reconciled, it's sweeter than eating honey. However, to be honest with you, your sister's family is indeed having a hard time. They also understand that marrying Subao is impossible. Damao has already set his eyes on another girl and wants to get engaged on February 6th. Your brother will definitely not show up. Why don't you go instead and help your sister's family save face?"

  Zeng Ruixiang flatly refused, saying: "If we want to support the door, it's also a matter of the Yan family. How can the Zeng family run to support the door for the Yan family? It's not that I don't let people laugh at the Yan family for having no one. I put the ugly words first, if I'm willing to attend his wedding banquet, it's already good enough, and the gift won't be more than a penny, don't have any other thoughts."

  Tian's family listened and was so angry that he fell back, thinking that he had spent half a day persuading his son to be soft-hearted. Looking at his son's attitude, he feared that he had been too hasty. He then remembered the old man's reminder and regretted opening his mouth. He could only give up and angrily pulled them several people back.

  Shen secretly told Zi Qing that he must want to give a more decent gift on this side. The two looked at each other and smiled, and now they can finally reduce the number of visits.

  On this day, after lunch, the four of them sat in the east house chatting idly. Shen's wife was counting on her fingers that it was time for Zifu to take the imperial examination, how many months until the results were announced, how many months until he returned home, and how many months until his wedding, etc. Suddenly, Ziqing thought of a question. "Father, mother, which room will be used as the new house for big brother's wedding?"

  "Isn't there still a vacant suite in the west wing? Is there something wrong?" asked Mrs. Shen.

  "Mother, sister-in-law has just arrived at our home and we have to share the same bathroom with her, it's definitely not convenient. If I were in her shoes, I wouldn't want that either. Besides, two years later, second brother will also get married, where will he live? Why don't we take this opportunity to add four small courtyards to our house, so they can live separately and be comfortable, and it's also convenient for us."

  Zi Qing's words made Zeng Rui Xiang and Shen Shi both stunned, these days busy with no time to think about it, who marries a daughter-in-law doesn't live together, they all came from that era.

  The Liu family, after all, is a family of poetry and books, so they must have some rules and regulations. The boys in the house are also growing up, and living together has many inconveniences. First of all, using the toilet and taking baths are the most inconvenient things. Thinking about these things, Shen said: "It's still Zi Qing who reminded us correctly, our family is not without conditions, how can we have a big sister and a small uncle sharing a clean room? Horizontally and vertically, our family doesn't lack this bit of silver, just one person giving them a small courtyard, twenty taels of silver are enough, plus furniture and whatnot, one hundred taels are almost enough. The dowry includes boxes, cabinets, clothes, and so on. If we're going to build now, we need to start now, and also make new beds, this bed can't be sloppy."

  Zi Qing only then knew that the local custom was that trunks, wardrobes, bedding and mattresses could all be provided by the bride's family, but this bed had to be provided by the groom's side. On the wedding night, the groom's bed and the bride's bedding were both a matter of great importance.

  Shen was a quick-tempered person. Thinking of this, he hastily asked Zeng Ruixiang to consider what kind of house and furniture to make.

  "The kids will eventually move out, but they'll come back to gather during Chinese New Year. The house doesn't need to be too big, just a few rooms are enough. Like our place, five main rooms and two side rooms on each side is fine. Let's wait for Zi Fu to return home and ask for his opinion, then ask the bride's family for their opinion, and set the wedding date for autumn."

  Shen's family also thought this way, as long as the children like it, they can live happily. This matter was temporarily put aside.