In the main branch of the Chen family, the atmosphere was peaceful and harmonious.
Xu Suying later discussed with her daughter that there might still be a few big orders to handle before the New Year, which filled them with renewed energy. With such pressing matters at hand, how could they spare any thought for trivial concerns?
Meanwhile, the old lady returned home with a gloomy expression. As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw her granddaughter Wanyue, who was hanging laundry, abruptly throw the clothes back into the washbasin and rush toward her.
"Grandmother, did Aunt agree to the marriage exchange? What about Sister? Did she agree?"
The old lady retreated with a series of "Aiyo, aiyo" sounds, steadying herself by holding onto a pomegranate tree nearby.
"You little troublemaker, at least wait until I’ve steadied myself before pouncing on me. What a handful you are! If only you could run this fast when I’m bedridden and unable to move."
"Oh, Grandmother, may you enjoy good fortune, longevity, and health for a hundred years. You must live long enough to see me give you great-grandchildren."
"Quiet, you shameless girl! How can you say such things so casually? What if someone hears you?"
"No one will hear. There’s not a soul at the door."
Chen Wanyue was dressed in a goose-yellow gown, with her eyebrows delicately drawn and her lips tinted with rouge.
Her face was fair and radiant, her eyes lively and sparkling. In her jet-black hair, she wore a hairpin adorned with various pearls, making her look elegant, charming, and delightfully playful—a sight that brought joy to anyone who saw her.
Yet, for no apparent reason, the old lady was reminded of Wanqing—steady, dignified, clean, and fresh. In comparison, Wanyue’s excessive adornment seemed to lack the natural, unadorned brightness and charm.
The old lady chided Wanyue, "What’s with all this makeup? You’re at home, not going out. Who are you trying to impress with all this fuss? Quickly wipe that rouge off your lips. At your age, fresh and natural is the sweetest and most appealing. With all this excessive adornment, even the loveliest features are overshadowed."
Upon hearing this, Wanyue pursed her lips, her face tightening with displeasure.
"I’m already a sixteen-year-old young lady. It’s high time I started dressing up. It’s not like I’ve gone overboard—I only applied a little rouge and powder. I even bought it with my own saved-up pocket money. Didn’t you always say I look more proper when I dress up? What have I done today to offend you, making you look at me with such disdain?"
When Wanyue threw a tantrum, even the old lady found it a headache.
Not wanting to argue, the old lady simply darkened her expression and fell silent.
Wanyue knew when to stop. She playfully tugged the old lady toward the main room, all the while diligently massaging her shoulders and back as they walked.
Only when the old lady felt comfortable did she glance around and ask, "Is Baoshan not home?"
Baoshan was Chen Wanyue’s second younger brother, whose formal name was Chen Li’an. At fifteen years old, like Chen De’an, he studied at a private school in the county town.
Although they were first cousins, the two did not attend the same private school.
A couple of days ago, Baoshan’s teacher had taken his elderly wife to the prefectural city to visit their daughter, who had just given birth. As a result, Baoshan was granted a few days off and returned to the village.
But even after returning, he was never home, disappearing from sight all day long. Whenever the old lady thought of this, she felt uneasy.
Chen Wanyue felt the few copper coins in her purse—a "tribute" from her younger brother. Having accepted the money, she naturally had to cover for him.
"Baoshan went to Zhao Can’s house to work on his assignments. He left right after you went out."
The old lady said nothing, but her expression visibly softened, her eyes brimming with satisfaction.
Although Baoshan was not the eldest grandson of the Chen family, he was her own flesh and blood. He studied diligently and was bound to pass the imperial examinations before De'an from the eldest branch someday.
The old lady pondered that she ought to give her grandson some extra pocket money in private. Otherwise, a child of his age, constrained in food and expenses, would surely grow stubborn over time.
She would rather have the family eat poorly than let her grandson suffer. However, she couldn't give too much, fearing Baoshan might follow the bad example of those unruly students in the county.
"What about Taian?"
Taian was Chen Wanyue's third younger brother, only six years old this year—the age when even chickens and dogs find him annoying.
This child was a handful; aside from seeing him at night when he slept, he was nowhere to be found at home the rest of the time, always up to mischief.
Whenever Chen Wanyue mentioned this troublemaking brother, she felt displeased, and her impatience inevitably showed on her face.
"Where else could Taian go but those few places? All day long, he's either following the village kids to the back hills picking wild berries and snatching bird eggs, or diving into puddles to catch fish and mud eels. Anyway, he won't starve or get lost, so why bother worrying about him, Grandmother?"
"Of course, being a boy who can carry on the family line makes him precious in your eyes… Are you also going to ask if my parents and grandfather are back? No! There's a big market today, and the hanging-pot baked cakes stall is doing good business. My parents probably won't be home until after dark."
Speaking of the Chen family's life, in Zhao Family Village, it was genuinely prosperous.
Even though the family had fled here as refugees and initially struggled, over the years, the mother and daughter from the eldest branch had been selling incense at the entrances of various private schools. No one knew exactly how much silver they had earned, but a few years ago, the eldest branch had even opened a shop.
The shop wasn't large, and its offerings were simple—just a few types of incense for refreshing the mind, calming the nerves, enhancing mood, praying for blessings, scenting clothes, or casual enjoyment—but the business was genuinely booming.
As for the second branch of the Chen family, there actually wasn't one. The second son of the Chen family had been married off as a live-in son-in-law years ago, to the Qian family in the county who dealt in grain and rice. Although being a live-in son-in-law didn't sound respectable, their life was quite comfortable.
As for the third branch of the Chen family, this couple lived with the old couple.
The old man, Chen Dachang, had a skill for making hanging-pot baked cakes—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—which were quite famous in the county.
Chen Dachang had passed this skill down to the third son, and the third son's wife sold hot soups and rice in the shop. Their morning business was incredibly good.
On market days, they were so busy they could hardly keep up all day long.
Chen Wanyue had no patience for all this messy talk; all she cared about now was whether her grandmother had achieved anything from her trip.
She eagerly served tea to the old lady and took two walnut cookies from her own snacks for her grandmother to nibble on. Then, she pulled over a small stool and sat at her grandmother's knees.
"Now, tell me about what I asked you to do. Did my aunt agree? Did my cousin agree?"
The old lady took a sip of tea to moisten her throat. As for the walnut cookies, she didn't touch them, intending to save them for her two grandsons.
Wanyue's nature was fierce and ruthless; even her own brothers would be beaten half to death if they dared snatch her things.
Yet, she had a sharp tongue. If anyone tried to lecture her, she could cry all through the village, truly embarrassing and humiliating.
Because she was so unyielding, the family dared not provoke her lightly. Otherwise, if any other girl were this selfish and greedy, she would have been beaten eight hundred times over.
After drinking half a cup of tea, the old lady finally spoke under Chen Wanyue's eager gaze, "This matter is hopeless! Your aunt is adamantly refusing. As for your cousin, her parents are still alive, so her marriage naturally depends on your uncle and aunt's decision."
Upon hearing this, Chen Wanyue's rather delicate face immediately fell.
"If my aunt refuses, can't you persuade her properly? Zhao Jing is a talented man, and he might pass the Xiucai exam at any time. His mother is also in poor health, and who knows when she might pass away. There would be no elders to serve above, and his younger sister is already of marriageable age—just find a family to marry her off. Then the household would be left with just the couple living happily together. How carefree that would be."
"If it's really such a good life, would you be willing to give it to your cousin?"
"Oh, grandmother, didn't I tell you before? The other day, I met a blind fortune-teller who said that my Eight Characters clash with Zhao Jing's. If we were to marry, both talent and wealth would suffer. On the other hand, if I marry that young master from the Li family…"
"Don't try to fool me with that. How could you possibly get the Eight Characters of that Li family's son? I won't argue with you about this. Just tell me clearly—in your dream, does that Li family's son have a brighter future?"