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Qiao Mai looked at Liu Mei and Madam Liu Sun, then took out a gift box prepared in advance from a nearby table.

“I’ve already given one to Liu Ye. This one is for you!”

Liu Mei and Madam Liu Sun quickly received the gift and opened it, looking amazed.

“Isn’t this too valuable?”

“It’s not that extravagant. It’s silver jewelry with some pearls. Enjoy it, and don’t deprive yourself too much as the days go by.”

The two women’s eyes welled up with tears. “Thank you, cousin.”

On the men’s side, Yuan Jiaqi asked Yang Shulin, “Where is your family from?” “Pan Zigou!” “That’s within the jurisdiction of County She and not too far from the city!”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Don’t be nervous. We’re relatives. How much land do you have?”

“Ten acres of land, all cleared from the wilderness.’

“How’s the harvest?”

“We get about two to three hundred catties of grain per acre. The government takes a hundred catties. It’s not enough for our family.”

“After the New Year, I’ll have some work at my place. Would you be willing to come to work with us?”

Yang Shulin eagerly nodded. “I’m willing. I’m strong and can do any work. Can I bring my older and younger brothers? They are good workers.”

“After the fifteenth, come to the court to find me. I’ll take you to register.”

“Thank you, brother-in-law!”

Yuan Jiaqi thought, “You’re much older than me, yet you call me brother-in-law so fluently.”

In fact, Liu Mei’er was not much younger than Qiao Mai, being born a few months later.

Yuan Jiaqi inquired about Yang Shulin’s situation and asked about Liu Hai and Liu Dashan. The three of them were overjoyed. If it weren’t for these family ties, they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to sit here and converse with the county governor.

The Liu family enjoyed a happy lunch at Lucky Garden. Afterward, Old Master and Mistress Wang returned to their courtyard.

Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi accompanied them and didn’t find it bothersome.

Upon leaving, they had their cart filled with various goods – grains, meat, and snacks for the children. Qiao Mai also gave Liu Mei’er one hundred taels of silver.

Not only Qiao Mai but even Madam Liu Qiao secretly gave her eldest daughter one hundred taels of silver.

With this money, whether they engaged in small trade or bought some farmland, Liu Mei’er’s life wouldn’t be as challenging in the next ten years.

When it came to helping people in need, it wasn’t just about temporary relief. To escape poverty, they needed to address the root causes.

Liu Mei’er’s family returned to their home on a carriage provided by the Qiao family with a cart following behind, full of goods.

Qiao Mai’s provisions were even more generous than the Liu family’s.

Upon entering the village, they caused quite a commotion. Liu Mei’er didn’t like to show off, so once the two carriages had delivered the goods to her doorstep, they quickly began unloading them. Liu Mei knew the ropes and took several taels of silver from her pocket to share with Qiao Mai’s servants.

While they might not have appreciated it, it was still a token of her gratitude.

Seeing a courtyard full of goods, Liu Mei had her children call her in-laws and her brothers’ families.

Previously, they had treated her well. She wanted to share the goods with them.

When the Yang family arrived, Liu Mei blocked the courtyard gate. The villagers outside began to gather and watch the spectacle.

After splitting up the family, Liu Mei took charge of the household. “Dad, Mom, these items were given to me by my mother and cousin. You guys treated me well, so I wanted us all to share and have a good year together.”

The Yang couple wiped away tears. “Mei’er, you’re considerate. Thank you.”

“There’s no need to be so polite. Even if we’re separate households, we’re still one family..”

So Liu Mei distributed the items fairly among everyone, reserving only a slightly larger share for her own family, which wasn’t significantly more.

The other two families quickly retrieved two pieces of meat from their share, saying, “This is for your family. It shouldn’t belong to us, so this can’t be divided equally.”

Liu Mei felt particularly relieved. “Take it; my mother also gave me some silver.

I won’t split it with you.”

She put the meat back in their pile, and the two families happily accepted it.

Afterward, Liu Mei took her mother-in-law inside and handed her ten taels of silver.

“Mother, you can use this money to buy whatever you like. Don’t be reluctant.

In the future, our family will get better.”

“Alright, thank you!”

People gathered outside the walls looked at the family’s warmth and couldn’t help but be touched.

If their own families were as united as this and shared both good and bad times, wouldn’t that be wonderful?

After the Yang family left, Qiao Mai finally breathed a sigh of relief, took off her shoes, and lay down on the bed.

“Hosting guests is exhausting, even more than practicing martial arts!” Yuan Jiaqi brewed a pot of tea and poured a cup for her. “My dear, care for some tea?”

“No thanks; I need to lie down for a bit!”

As he sipped his tea, he looked at Qiao Mai. They had been together for a long time, but why hadn’t she shown any signs of pregnancy yet?

He longed for a child with her — she was skilled in martial arts, and he was knowledgeable. A child who excelled in both would be perfect.

Unlike Chuan’er, who had a good mouth but was average at martial arts.

As for the twin brothers, he saw all their efforts. However, he knew Feng’er leaned towards martial skills while Yun’er was more inclined towards scholarly pursuits. Ling’er was a girl, and neither path seemed quite suitable.

It’s not that he didn’t like them. It’s just that in his mind, he yearned for the fruit of his love with his wife, a child that combined their shared essence.

Qiao Mai was eager to have a child. She had stopped taking contraceptives, yet she hadn’t conceived. It wasn’t her fault.

She wondered if she had been injured when she gave birth to the previous host’s child. She needed to find a reputable doctor for a thorough examination.

Although she didn’t mind, having a child would be ideal to bring them even closer during their time together.

At this moment, the children were riding ponies on the official road. Despite the cold weather, the sun was shining, and there was little wind.

From time to time, carriages and horses passed by, and people couldn’t help but look at them.

They were a rare sight in terms of attire and appearance, whether in this small town, the county city, or even the capital.

Feng’er and the others had been traveling from south to north. Along the way, they had a string of candied hawthorns to enjoy.

Behind them were Yue Hong and Yue Xia, who had learned to ride horses for the sake of the young masters. Several guards followed.

They didn’t have much to do at home, so they accompanied them on this outing.

Tian Sanzhuang was riding a tall horse from north to south. When he saw them, especially Ling’er, he felt she was his daughter.

There was a voice inside him constantly shouting that.

His horse slowed down, standing still, with his eyes fixed intently on Ling’er.

Ling also noticed him. Her mother had mentioned that this man was once her ex-husband. He had always believed she was his child. A blood test was even done, which confirmed they weren’t biologically related. Hence, there was no need for greetings and no reason to get close, especially since her mother didn’t like him.

She glanced at him and then turned away to chat and laugh with her brothers.

Yue Hong and Yue Xia glared at him fiercely. Even the guards behind cast a disapproving look.

Though they were guards, who they served made all the difference. These guards were sent by the magistrate.

For someone like Tian Sanzhuang, a minor official, they would not hesitate to take action if he dared to act inappropriately.

Tian Sanzhuang had some sense and knew it wasn’t wise to provoke these men. He looked back, raised his whip, and rode away on his horse.

He often traveled this official road and frequently passed by Lucky Garden. However, he rarely saw Ling’er.

Every time he did, he felt she was his flesh and blood..