Changlian had no interest in anything. He was not only afraid of his father but also even more afraid of his mother. His mother was ruthless. Anyway, it was warm inside, so standing was fine!

Zhao Shi and Dong Shi lowered their heads even further. If it were before, Dong Shi would have felt some dissatisfaction, but now she felt none. She only wanted to please her mother-in-law, hoping that her mother-in-law would protect her more before she was married. Dong Shi’s heart ached at the thought of her mother telling her that Changlian might have a concubine in the future. At this moment, she only wanted to please her mother-in-law; she would kneel if she could, let alone stand.

Time passed slowly. Steward Ding entered without looking to either side and said, “Mistress, the luggage of Second Master and Third Master has been delivered to their respective courtyards, and the mountain produce they brought has been stored in the storeroom. The houses are all heated now, and the hot water is ready.”

Zhulan asked, “Is the pot ready?”

“It’s ready and has been brought up.”

Zhulan stood up and said, “Go and eat first. After you eat, Second Master and Chang Lian can stay. Zhao Shi can take the two children back to bathe and change clothes. Dong Shi can go back to unpack her luggage. Chang Zhi can take Rong Chuan and Ming Yun back. The three of you will stay in one courtyard.”

Zhulan led the way to the main hall to eat. The pot on the table was already boiling. There were still a few green vegetables in winter, only radishes and cabbage. The table was mostly filled with meat, and the kitchen had also rolled out some noodles.

Zhulan saw that everyone was seated but didn’t start eating. They were waiting for her to speak. “Don’t just look at them. Eat quickly. After you eat, rest. We can talk about everything later tonight.”

Only after she finished speaking did Second Zhou and the others dare to pick up their chopsticks and start eating.

Zhulan had already eaten lunch and sat down to serve food to her grandchildren. Despite being cold, little Mingrui had a good appetite, even specifically picking out the meat. “Slow down, slow down; no one’s going to take it from you.”

Mingrui swallowed the meat in his mouth. “Naǐ nai, I haven’t eaten meat in ages.”

Zhulan looked at Second Zhou, who said, “Mom, don’t listen to his nonsense. He ate meat buns this morning!”

Mingrui said, “I mean, I haven’t eaten this much meat in ages.”

Zhulan was speechless. Well, Second Zhou didn’t need to laugh at her eldest son for having such a troublesome son; he had one now, too!

Second Zhou gritted his teeth. This kid was a real rascal; his intended meaning and what he actually said were always very different. Later, he figured it out: the kid did it on purpose, especially when he was unhappy.

The kid was angry because he hadn’t been given lunch, and seeing how powerful his naǐ nai was, he was definitely doing it on purpose—look at his excited little eyes!

Steward Ding arrived with the doctor, and Zhulan had the doctor take the pulse of each of Second Zhou’s group.

Only Mingrui was a little chilled; everyone else was fine. The doctor prescribed medicine and left.

After the doctor left, Zhao Shi explained, “This boy is stubborn. We told him to put on a thicker cotton coat, but he wouldn’t, so he got chilled.”

Zhulan held her teacup, looking at Zhao Shi. Zhao Shi felt uneasy under her mother-in-law’s gaze. “Mother.”

Zhulan realized that Ming Rui wasn’t simply stubborn. Over the past year or so, Zhao Shi hadn’t disciplined the child strictly. Ming Rui not only had been picky with food but had also put the food he didn’t like into Zhao Shi’s bowl. Just now, he had even provoked his own father. A good child, if indulged like this, would be ruined.

Second Zhou also couldn’t eat much. He hadn’t realized his son was being spoilt so much. He actually enjoyed playing mind games with him. But now that they were home and there were more children, his son’s bad temper and disobedience immediately became apparent.

Second Zhou couldn’t help but look at Mingteng, the most mischievous one. Mingteng sat obediently with his back straight. Even when he wasn’t eating, his eyes didn’t wander. He hadn’t uttered a sound while they were eating.

Second Zhou pursed his lips. “Mother.”

Zhulan put down her teacup. “Ming Rui is young, but we can’t neglect his education. Children need to be taught even more when they’re young. Pack up Ming Rui’s things and move them to Ming Teng’s room. The two brothers can live together. Chang Zhi will tutor Ming Rui in the future.” Chang Zhi was dumbfounded. How could this involve him? He was enough to tutor Ming Teng. Before he could say “Mother”, he met his mother’s eyes and immediately changed his mind. “I’ll listen to you, Mother.”

He deeply understood his mother’s absolute authority. Thinking of his beloved books, he agreed to many of his mother’s conditions!

Zhulan hummed in agreement, stood up, and said, “I’m going back to my room first. Second Brother and Changlian, come over after you’ve finished eating. Everyone else, you can leave now!”

After Zhulan left, Second Zhou hurriedly said, “Big Brother, tell me about the situation in Lizhou.”

Boss Zhou inwardly scoffed. This time, he was calling him “Big Brother” so affectionately, unlike the stiff attitude he’d shown at the door earlier. What a troublesome younger brother! He smiled and said, “Sure, I’ll tell you.”

Boss Zhou recounted everything that had happened, how much money the family had invested, and how much they had earned—everything was detailed. Boss Zhou spoke with great satisfaction; he could handle things independently and help their mother.

Second Zhou’s heart sank. He had been hoping to take over the work from his eldest brother, but it seemed his eldest brother was already managing it very well. His only advantage was over his eldest brother. There was no need to compare with his third and fourth brothers; both were aiming for the imperial examinations, which he couldn’t match. Now that even his eldest brother had risen to prominence, what advantage did he have left?

Ignoring his second brother’s deep thought, Changlian, who always looked down on his eldest brother, felt obligated to give him what he owed now that they were home. He took out a silver note from his purse. “Eldest brother, this is all the money your wife earned from selling her recipe.”

Boss Zhou didn’t understand at first, so Changlian explained again. Finally, Boss Zhou understood—a thousand taels! Although it belonged to his wife, it was still the eldest son’s property. After his initial joy, he realized his mother hadn’t mentioned it, meaning his two younger brothers hadn’t written anything down. Boss Zhou chuckled; this was jealousy!

He even had moments when his brothers envied him—it felt so good!

Li Shi was practically ecstatic. “A thousand taels?”

Boss Zhou answered, smiling. “Yes, a thousand taels.”

Li Shi quickly put it away. “This is the greatest joy I’ve experienced since I became pregnant.”

With a thousand taels, she could finally save some for her daughter’s dowry!

Zhao Shi and Dong Shi exchanged a glance. Their attention had been entirely on their mother-in-law, and only now did they realize their sister-in-law was pregnant again. Looking at her sister-in-law’s jewellery—a complete set—and a newly made cloak, they glanced at their sister-in-law. Their sister-in-law’s attire was in no way inferior to hers. A pang of envy shot through them. Did their mother-in-law treat their sister-in-law like her own daughter?

A quarter of an hour later, Zhulan received the Zhou brothers, Second Zhou and Chang Lian. Seeing Second Zhou carrying an account book, Zhulan admired his meticulousness. “Let me see,” she said.

Second Zhou handed over the account book and then produced some silver notes. “Mother,” he explained, “this is the money from selling the house. We spent some of the money from selling grain these past two years hiring caravans and bodyguards, and some on mushrooms and mountain products. After deducting the expenses along the way, there’s not much left.”

Zhulan responded without looking up, gesturing for Second Zhou and Chang Lian to sit down. “Have some apples,” she said, “from our own garden.”

The two brothers responded happily; they had been eyeing the apples for a while—they were a good thing. Each took one and slowly ate it. The two brothers exchanged a glance, realizing how comfortable it was to be home.

Zhulan trusted Second Zhou; he wouldn’t falsify the accounts. Second Zhou was shrewd enough not to care about such petty gains. Zhulan skipped the expenses and focused more on the gift list from their hometown. Second Zhou had meticulously remembered every gift: how many vases, how many paintings and calligraphies, their origins, and their estimated values.

Zhulan raised an eyebrow. Second Zhou was shrewd; he was trying to use the account book to demonstrate his abilities!

Zhulan estimated the money; the main items were books and calligraphy. During the war, many people made a fortune if they were bold enough. Those who didn’t recognize calligraphy and paintings thought they were worthless, but in the hands of scholars, they were treasures.

ZhulLan asked, “Did you bring everything?”

Second Zhou put down the apple he was holding. “I packed it all up and brought it. Everything back home has been arranged as Mother instructed.”

Zhulan closed the account book. “I know you’re meticulous; I trust you with your work. Tell me how your eldest sister’s family is?”

(End of Chapter)

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