On the 15th of the twelfth lunar month, Shen Jianren and his family arrived first. Shen Jianren's three sons and one daughter were all married, but unfortunately, Shen Wenyu didn't come together this time, and Ziqing hadn't seen her for many years. The Shens arranged for them to stay in two suites in the west wing, while Zilong, Zishou, and Zixi accompanied Lin Kangping to live in the west house, and Ziqing, Ziyu, and He Shi moved back to the east house.

  Mr. He, an old man in his later years, was finally able to reunite with his youngest son and his family, and he was overjoyed. As for Mrs. Shen, it's not necessary to mention that from a young age, her younger brother had always been very close to her, and even after she got married, when he knew about her difficulties, he didn't hesitate to help her out, giving her five taels of silver after they split up, which was enough for their family to live on for a year at that time. Although Mrs. Shen had been looking for opportunities to repay this kindness over the years, nothing could compare to the joy and happiness brought by the reunion of the whole family at this moment.

  The next morning, everyone got up early and was busy. After breakfast, Zeng Rui-xiang took Zi-lu and others to the ancestral hall again. Many female relatives had arrived, crowded in the main hall and courtyard. Fortunately, there were a few uncles and younger brothers outside, while inside, Liu-shi, Shen's wife, and several of Shen's daughters-in-law helped Shen-zhi with the arrangements. Zi-qing only stayed in the house to serve tea. Xia-yu and Qiu-yu arrived early and also helped pour tea.

  Before long, Zǐ Píng appeared with the child. After hearing what Shěn Shì said, she changed into a new outfit made of light purple printed cotton fabric and black cotton pants. Her hair was also washed and styled into a round bun, still secured with a wooden hairpin. Her facial features looked somewhat like those of Qiū Yù, but lacked her refinement. Her eyes remained dull and grey, without any of the vitality that a twenty-year-old woman should have. The child was also dressed in new clothes.

  Xia Yu and Qiu Yu came forward to welcome them, Xia Yu pulled Zi Ping and asked about the situation over the years. She couldn't help but sigh, "It's all right now that you're back. Your parents are also back home, and things will slowly get better from now on. What woman doesn't acknowledge her natal family? A woman without a natal family to rely on is like a child without roots. Wouldn't she be bullied by others at will? If it weren't for your uncle and aunt these years, I wouldn't have made it to today. Although your father's personality is a bit strong, after all, you are his biological daughter, so you should soften your attitude a bit and ask him more."

  Qiu Yu looked at Zi Ping and asked, "Zi Ping, have you been doing well lately? This dress is new, it doesn't seem like the one your aunt gave you last time. This fine cotton fabric doesn't come cheap, does it cost eighteen cents per foot? Is your husband coming?"

  "This was given by Auntie when I came back to see my mother a few days ago, and now I don't have the spare money to buy this." Zi Ping said, tugging at her clothes.

  "Your aunt is really good to you, every time she sees you, she gives you a new set of clothes. All these years, she hasn't made me a single new piece of clothing, I don't know what's wrong with me that I haven't entered her eyes?" Qiu Yu said.

  Zi Ping glanced at Qiu Yu and said, "Little sister, you still need Auntie's help. Your life isn't worse than Auntie's, is it? Look at what you're wearing - silk! I couldn't possibly compare to you. You look younger than me too. People haven't aged yet, but their hearts have. These bitter days, who knows when they'll end?" Zi Ping's eyes reddened again as she spoke.

  Just as the three of them were talking, Zifeng and the others returned. When Zifeng saw Ziping, he was delighted. In the past few days, he had also heard a lot about her and felt some heartache. When they were young, the two of them still had a bit of a sibling relationship and often did things together.

  "Zi Fu said to Zi Ping: 'Sister, after I'm done with these busy days, I'll go visit you at your place.'"

  Zi Ping's eyes reddened as she listened, and she choked back a sob: "That's great." Then, pushing her son forward, she said: "Hui Hui, call your uncle. This is what Mom told you before - the uncle who will become a high-ranking official. In the future, you'll have to rely on your uncle to pull strings for you too."

  Zi Fu furrowed his brow upon hearing, a hint of displeasure flashing across his face, but he quickly regained his composure. At this moment, Old Master, Zeng Ruiqing, and Chunyu's family entered the room together. Zi Ping hurried forward to greet them, but Zeng Ruiqing didn't even glance at her, causing Zi Ping's eyes to redden once again.

  Chun Yu saw Zi Ping and was also somewhat surprised, hastily saying: "Isn't this Zi Ping? It's been four or five years since we last met, I'm afraid even your aunt doesn't dare recognize you. Your son is already so big, but he hasn't seen his grandparents yet? Is your father willing to let you come home? The clothes on your body are new, it seems that your husband treats you quite well."

  Zi Ping hadn't spoken yet, but the old man glared at Chun Yu and said: "Shut up, what nonsense are you spouting? Today, if you cause any more trouble, from now on, don't come to your second brother's house again. Honestly find a place to sit, take care of your family, especially that broken mouth of your husband, and stop pouring so much wine."

  Chun Yu listened and had no choice but to shut up, and indeed found Yan Renda and said something.

  Old man said to Zeng Ruiqing: "Five years have passed, what can't you let go of? You also said that you're afraid that in the future there will be no one to rely on. You only have these two children, and if it's always like this, how do you plan on relying on them? I don't mind you being angry with that man, not seeing him, but Zihong is our own child, and Huihui is our own grandson. Just listen to me, from today onwards, put the past aside and live a good life. Especially today, outsiders are all watching."

  Zeng Ruiqing reluctantly nodded, and Zi Ping quickly picked up Huihui and had the child call Zeng Ruiqing "Grandpa". The child was still a bit shy, burying her head in Zi Ping's chest and calling out "Grandpa" in a muffled voice. Zeng Ruiqing also couldn't bear to scold her, reluctantly responding with a single word. Zi Ping was overjoyed and burst into tears, quickly calling out "Dad". Zhou Shi saw from afar and also couldn't help but cry, instructing Zi Quan to take Huihui away to play.

  Chen's village is relatively close, and the dowry arrived at three o'clock in the afternoon. A large group of guests gathered around to admire it, but actually, it was similar to Liu's dowry that time. Shen had already sent 100 taels of silver to the bride's family during the Mid-Autumn Festival to prepare for the dowry. However, Chen's dowry lacked two sets of floor screens, two large copper basins, and the betrothal gifts that were brought back by the Zeng family. The fabric was reduced by half, and the gift money was naturally kept as well.

  The Shens were busy rewarding the children who had come to see off the relatives, with Zifu and Liu helping out, each giving ten copper coins. The womenfolk also went out to watch the commotion, while Ziqing stayed in the house with her young niece Yonglian. Shen and Lin Kangping wouldn't let her go out and show her face, saying she was already fifteen years old and a big girl. Suddenly, Lin Kangping came in to see her, said a few words, saw that there was no one around, quickly pecked twice on Ziqing's lips, and before Ziqing could get angry, he ran out.

  The women's banquet was set up in the small courtyard, and the male guests were outside in the garden. Before long, the bride was escorted over to prepare for the wedding ceremony. Lin Kangping had prepared a brazier at the gate of the courtyard. He said that he wanted Zi Lu to carry the bride across the brazier, so that their future life would be prosperous and flourishing. The ten or so grandsons of San Bao's family followed Zi Lu closely. They naturally started teasing him, and the surrounding relatives were also watching. Zi Lu's face turned red as he asked what kind of custom this was.

  Lin Kangping laughed and said, "Second brother, what rules are you talking about? As long as you carry Second Sister away, your future days will be prosperous. Won't you be unable to carry her? Do you need everyone's help?"

  Zi Rong listened, rolled up his sleeve, and carried the bride to the hall in one breath. Everyone burst out laughing and applauded to add to the fun.

  After the ceremony, the bride was sent to the bridal chamber, and everyone gathered around, waiting to see the unveiling of the bride's headgear. Zi Ping, however, stood aside with tears streaming down her face, probably thinking about her own miserable past, having not even had a wedding ceremony, and in vain being a woman.

  Ziying quickly pulled her over and looked around for the child, but didn't see him. She said: "Ping jie, you'd better go to the garden and look for Huihui, Wu Mao and a few others are probably playing with firecrackers in the village, it's dangerous. If something happens, it won't be just a joke."

  Zi Ping heard this, hastily wiped away her tears and rushed out. Shen Shi gave Zi Qing a look of approval and also left. Autumn Jade said: "Those female guests outside saw Zi Ping, they must have asked all sorts of questions. It's been many years since we last met, and suddenly she brings back a big son, how can this be explained? My face is burning with shame, it's really miserable, why do these things keep happening?"

  As soon as Zi Qing saw that Shen Shi was not by her side, she quickly pulled Qiu Yu aside. Qiu Yu saw the look on Zi Qing's face and laughed: "What are you sneaking around for? You're still shining with excitement, what's the good news?"

  "Little aunt, what you said that day, the old Zeng family had three generations in a row, each generation had a lady like Aunt Ping, what's going on? I asked my mother, she said she didn't know and scolded me. Little aunt, will you tell me?"

  "You want to die? A big girl like you asking this, if your grandma and mom find out, they'll scold you to death. I don't dare tell you." Autumn Jade said as she was about to leave.

  "Little aunt, you'd better think carefully. If you don't speak up today, I won't want your embroidered pouch anymore, and I'll find someone else to replace your husband's job. Don't say I didn't warn you first." Zi Qing threatened, actually she was just too curious inside.

  "You're really a pesky person, I'm at my wit's end with you, but don't go telling anyone I said that, or else your aunt will find out and scold me to death." Qiu Yu gritted her teeth and glared at Zi Qing, shaking her head.

  It turned out that Er Gu's second aunt had taken a liking to a young man who often came to the village market to sell things. He would always come to their house asking for water, and although he was dressed in tattered clothes, he looked spirited. Back and forth like this, somehow Er Gu's second aunt's sympathetic heart overflowed, and she fell for him. She didn't care that the young man had a wife at home who was bedridden with illness; she insisted on marrying him. Fortunately, during their marriage, his first wife passed away, which worked out well for Er Gu's second aunt. Unfortunately, a good girl like her ended up becoming someone else's stepmother, and Old Lady Ah's heart felt bitter about this.

  "As for your aunt, it was because of your father that they got to know each other. For this reason, your father has been scolded by his parents for many years, which is also why now that Big Hair has done such a thing, your father still hasn't cut ties with your aunt. Back then, when your father was studying in Anzhou City, one day he suddenly had stomach pain and fainted on the way to the doctor's office, vomiting a lot of blood. Coincidentally, your aunt's husband, accompanied by his ex-wife, happened to see your father lying on the ground and sent him to the hospital. After your father woke up, he asked your aunt's husband to send a message to his family. At that time, your grandparents considered him your father's lifesaver and invited them to stay for dinner. Later, when he came to this side of town on business, he would also come visit the family. Your aunt and her husband somehow hit it off, but they had been married for three years without children and were not happy together. They got a divorce, but your grandparents strongly disapproved of their relationship with your aunt. Your aunt was willing to die or live for him, but who knows what she saw in him? He's even six or seven years older than your aunt."

  "What's so special about him, Auntie? If you put it nicely, it's 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', but if you put it bluntly, it's 'a toad looking at a green bean'. Anyway," said Zi Qing. She thought back to Yan Ren Da's appearance - medium build, double eyelids that seemed to be sunken like Western eyes, high nose bridge, protruding cheekbones, pointed chin, big mouth and thin lips. Zi Qing really couldn't think of anything worth Auntie's infatuation.

  "It's all because of you that your grandparents have been resentful towards your father for half his life. If it weren't for him, how would your aunt have met her husband? If she hadn't married him, their lives wouldn't be so difficult now. Otherwise, why would your father have raised those useless people from her family for so many years, trying to cultivate some useful ones, but none of them turned out to be any good." Autumn Jade sighed.

  At this moment, Ziqing finally understood why Zeng Ruixiang would silently endure such a huge loss. Every time he looked at Ziqing's eyes, they were filled with conflict and guilt. Ziqing had always thought it was because of his weakness, but who knew there was such a big secret inside? After all these years, this debt should be paid off by now. This path was walked out by Dagu herself, perhaps Dagufu saw the potential in Father and deliberately dug a pit for her to jump into.

  "No wonder, my aunt always forced my dad to take care of my elder sister's family. No wonder, every time they came to our house asking for things or work, they were so arrogant and self-righteous. No wonder, my dad was basically a yes-man to his parents. But my grandparents are also too unreasonable, even though it's because of my dad that they got to know each other. However, my dad didn't force my elder sister to get married and break up someone else's family, did he? This path was chosen by my elder sister herself, wasn't there any sign at home back then? Didn't my grandparents see anything? They were always doting on my elder sister, what could my dad have known while studying abroad?" Zi Qing said, earning a slap from Qiu Yu.

  "You're going to die, you've even implicated your grandparents. This conversation must not be spoken of outside, if your grandparents find out, it'll be disastrous. It was agreed upon back then that no one would ever mention this again, after all, family scandals should not be spread outside." Autumn Jade warned repeatedly.

  "It's not even allowed to mention going, can this matter still be hidden? The actions of the eldest sister and others are themselves telling others that these relationships are abnormal. Once people associate them with past events, won't they all understand? Otherwise, could Guiying's marriage have failed?"

  "Your grandparents told outsiders that your eldest uncle and aunt had passed away, after all, no one saw them together. Everyone believed it too. If you hadn't threatened me today, I wouldn't have said anything either. Remember next time if there's a good job, think of your youngest uncle."

  Ziying listened without comment, just as she was about to ask again about Guiying, Zhou Yunjiang came in carrying Mu Mu. Ziying had no choice but to give up.