Chapter 231: I, the Wang Laoyezi, Have Returned

A certain man tiptoed over, pulling her into his arms; the fragrant scent on the certain woman's body made his heart flutter every time he inhaled it.

"After the second day of the New Year, as a husband I will leave."

"Hmm, it just so happens that my aunt's family is coming over for a meal tomorrow."

"As a husband, I will treat them well!"

"Alright then, tonight I'll give you a proper reception."

The certain man couldn't resist her flirtatious glance; a single look set the fire inside him blazing.

The next day, Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi got up early and went to the old lady's place.

These past few days they have been having meals at the old lady's, fearing she would be lonely, and the children could also pet the cats.

Having been here only two days, they no longer seemed shy; in the old lady's house they scurried up and down, overturning boxes and cabinets. The old lady spoiled them, didn't restrain them, and let them run wild.

On the first day, dumplings; on the second, noodles. Early in the morning, the kitchen prepared various braised noodles.

He, as the older brother, truly cares for this big girl; he's willing to spend such costly items—an adult gets a big bowl, the child gets half a big bowl.

She was still nervous, her speech a little stuttered.

"Oh dear, you finally made it. Cold? Come inside and warm up."

Now the two elders each have a cat, and they pet them whenever they have a moment.

"Cat!"

There was tomato egg noodle, pork rib noodle, chicken broth noodle, eggplant meat dice noodle, spicy sauce noodle; Qiao Mai placed the old lady's favorite egg noodle in front of her, while the others didn't pick and each took a bowl.

"Then what gift shall we bring?"

This is to give the Liu family face; we can't afford to lose Liu's reputation and let the son‑in‑law's family cause trouble.

Every time they return it's like this; they can't bear to make their daughter pay for transportation.

"Who raised it?"

"Did you have breakfast yet?"

The kitchen will start preparing soon, while the old master lies on the heated brick bed, comfortably humming.

In the middle of the round table were several tasty cold plates; just after taking a bite, the gate of Jixiang Yuan was knocked.

It seems she isn't the type without a mind; even on the road she constantly teaches the three children.

That sound left everyone both laughing and crying; not to mention the old lady shouting to come back, he also didn't want to stay there. After receiving the necessary guests on the first day, before dawn he sent people to rush the carriage, forcing the gate‑keeping soldiers to open the city gate early, and after a hurried journey finally arrived at Jixiang Yuan.

Qiao Mai had everything arranged here, letting the four spirits of Feng Yunchuan entertain the visiting children, taking them to play at home, and forbidding any mischief.

When a carriage passed, they carefully examined the people on board; the waiting made their hearts race.

That's how villagers are: when you're poor they ignore you; when you're rich they start gossiping with envy.

The three brothers get along fine; they've never had a heated argument.

"That shows my family's goods are good."

Upon entering the house, Liu Sunshi hurriedly brewed tea for them and handed a hand‑held stove to warm the children.

They ate heartily, and the concerned Liu Qiaoshi burst into tears.

"Do you know that indulging in toys ruins ambition?"

The old master sat at the table, "There's no place like home,"

The married couple were sitting in Keting drinking tea when the two elders arrived.

"Mother, is it okay for us to dress like this?"

"Eat yours then; I'm already old enough to be buried, what toys to play with, what ambitions to ruin—what does any of that have to do with me?"

"I don't know; it was the granddaughter who set it up, fearing I'd be bored if I came back alone."

Liu Hai and the others helped unload the carriage, which carried New Year gifts; Liu Dashan voluntarily paid the carriage fee.

"Aha, you didn't expect it, did you? I, the old master, have returned!"

"I don't know why, the food over there I can't eat even a bite, but your home's food I never get tired of."

After breakfast, Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai took the children to the front.

"This is my eldest daughter, Liu Mei'er."

Everyone quickly gave him a seat, and Qiao Mai served him a steaming cup of milk tea to chase away the cold.

"In a moment we'll go to your cousin's house."

"Mother, everything here is ready; you don't need to worry."

Life has been tight ever since the Liu family improved; Liu Qiaoshi continuously supports this eldest daughter.

Liu Mei'er didn't ask for it; in the past two years the natal family gave many things, including jewelry. She never wore it, just didn't want the sisters‑in‑law to make a fuss.

A family of five hired an ox‑cart, left home early, and halfway there Liu Mei'er finally put on the silver bracelet, silver hairpin, and silver earrings from her bosom.

When the courtyard gate opened, Liu Qiaoshi saw the old lady and felt delighted, hurriedly leading the family to bow to the old master and the old lady.

Her husband has a simple, honest look, doesn't speak much; whatever his wife says, he obeys, though he's also nervous inside.

"Father, Mother!"

"It's still better for the servant girl here; next year we won't go back at all. People get old, really too lazy to move."

The Liu family's guests are arriving; they must go over to welcome them.

The old lady scolded him, even in front of so many people, but the old master didn't get angry, just kept laughing foolishly.

Liu Qiaoshi's family finished breakfast and stared longingly at the doorway of their own shop.

The daughter‑in‑law's cousin is a prominent family in Tianshui Town, her cousin‑husband is the County Magistrate; they truly fear being looked down upon and being driven out.

"We're all family, no need for formalities. Come, we'll talk inside; it's cold out."

Liu Mei'er was naturally happy; she made two sets of new clothes for the whole family for the New Year, fearing the cousin would despise them.

"This cat is really beautiful, not cheap, right?"

Just as we were about to ask about this, the door rang; Yuan Jiaqi supported the old master, Qiao Mai supported the old lady, and they came straight out of the Keting to the doorway to greet them.

"They're coming, huh?"

"Hmm!"

The old master suddenly lost his temper, "What the heck is that?"

Two years ago, on the second day of the new year, when they returned to their maternal home, they didn't dare to see Qiao Mai; first, they were embarrassed, second, they thought their family had become like this and feared embarrassing Qiao Mai.

"By the way, the Liu Family people are coming at noon; I promised to show up and give Qiao Niang a supporting presence."

"Is that so?"

"Liu Qiaoshi, Liu Dashan, convey greetings from the old master and the old lady!"

In a moment, the old master lifted the curtain and rushed in.

The old master took a few sips of milk tea, picked up his chopsticks and began eating; hearing a clattering sound from inside the house, he looked toward it.

She had the Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl and the old woman place more food on the table, and also prepared in advance the items they would need when they left.

"She really knows how to be considerate!"

Liu Mei'er is the eldest daughter of the Liu Family; her married home is near Shexian, she has two sons and a daughter, her husband's family has three brothers, and because life was hard, they split early; the grandparents followed the First Branch, and their family is the Third Branch.

Her mother‑in‑law was delighted to hear that and specially lent her a treasured piece of jewelry to Liu Mei'er, hoping she wouldn't disgrace her husband's family.

Qiao Mai placed a bowl of noodles in front of him, "Here, the pork rib noodles you like."

This year Qiao Mai uttered a word, inviting their family to the Qiao Family as guests.

Qiao Mai gave her a once‑over, hmm, "This is our first meeting; later, once we become familiar, we should keep in frequent contact, and if the family faces difficulties, we'll hum."

Liu Mei shook her head embarrassedly, and Liu Hai quickly cooked each of them a big bowl of instant noodles.

Entering the house, Liu Qiaoshi pulled Liu Mei's family and began introductions.

"I"

"Liu Mei sees, has seen the old master, the old lady, cousin, cousin‑in‑law"

Finally, from afar, Liu Mei'er waved her hand toward them.

"I'm also going!"

The old lady placed two kittens on the kang, and the old master even reached out and patted them a few times.

"Why not? Your cousin isn't petty; your cousin is great, you'll know once you meet them."

"Exactly, we'll retire here from now on, we won't go anywhere else!"

Every now and then we send someone to bring things back, and because of this, Liu Mei'er's family gradually improved.

"Yes, cousin!"

Liu Qiaoshi pulled over Liu Mei'er's husband, "This is your cousin‑in‑law, Yang Shulin, not very talkative, don't be surprised."

"Shulin is wishing everyone a Happy New Year!"

As he was about to kneel, Yuan Jiaqi hurriedly helped him up.

(End of chapter)