Wang Youfu plowing his own fields with his ox drew the envy of the entire village, and though he kept a placid face, he was inwardly quite pleased.

Once their own plot was finished, several neighboring families tried to borrow Wang Youfu’s ox. He turned them down, claiming he needed it to help plow the fields for Wang Qinghua’s in-laws, dashing the hopes of those who wished to avoid the cost of hiring an animal.

Seeing this, Madam Yang sighed, "We still have fifteen mu of land left to plow, and we can't use the same excuse to refuse others. We have no choice but to use the excuse of the in-laws." She then said to Wang Youfu, "I notice the main ancestral house hasn't even started plowing yet. Do you think they plan on borrowing our ox?"

Wang Youfu certainly knew the main house hadn't rented an ox yet; it seemed this year they intended to borrow theirs. Although the eldest branch had been sharply rebuffed by Madam Zhang the last time they mentioned borrowing an ox during the busy season, given how keen the eldest couple was to take advantage, it likely hadn't deterred them. Thankfully, he had already spread the word about helping Wang Qinghua’s in-laws, but that reason alone might not be enough.

"Go tell the Third Branch and your third sister-in-law not to rent an ox yet. We will let them use ours, but we'll publicly say that we rented it to them," Wang Youfu instructed.

Madam Yang understood immediately and headed to Wang Youtian’s house.

Madam Zhang was just about to rent an ox when she heard Madam Yang’s proposal, feeling a bit sheepish. "I was just about to arrange for a rental. I really should have done it sooner, but a few days ago, my brother brought back some local specialties from his trip, and we went to visit for a few days, which caused the delay. Honestly, I was thinking of renting your ox, but then I figured you’d have to help Qinghua’s in-laws and also deal with the main ancestral house, so I didn't want to cause you more trouble. It’s kind of you to offer to lend it, but I can’t accept it for free. After all, we’ll be saying publicly that we rented it, so I must pay the rental fee. Buying and feeding an ox isn't easy for you." Madam Zhang reasoned that since they were saying it was a rental, they couldn't escape the obligation of payment.

"Third sister-in-law, you mustn't say that. Even if it weren't to fend off the main house, we were planning to lend it to you anyway. What’s said publicly is just talk; we don’t care about that. Putting aside all the times you’ve helped us, just consider the eighteen liang of silver you lent me without a second thought last time—I will never forget that kindness. We were so struggling then; who else would have lent us silver? It could have easily vanished like water down a drain, only you didn't care about that risk," Madam Yang said, her eyes growing misty.

"Oh, second sister-in-law, please don't speak of it like that. I'm not as generous as you think; that money wasn't a gift," Madam Zhang replied self-consciously.

"Even if it was a loan, no one else would have lent us eighteen liang when we were at our poorest! And now you're insisting on paying rent for this ox? Aren't you trying to shame us into hiding our faces?" Madam Yang feigned anger.

"Alright, alright, if you insist on lending it, then we'll take it," Madam Zhang relented.

Only then did Madam Yang break into a smile.

The next day, Wang Youfu sent Wang Qinghua off with the ox to help plow the fields at Luo Lao Er’s house.

In the previous generation, the Luo family’s fortunes were not as prosperous as the Wang family’s. Upon division, Luo Lao Er’s branch received slightly over seven mu of land, of which only two mu were paddy fields.

Luo Lao Er had wondered if Wang Youfu’s family would offer help. He hadn't expected Wang Youfu to come over so soon after finishing his own plowing; this delighted Luo Lao Er’s entire family.

"You child, still coming to help us plow. Our land is so little; hiring an ox would have been sufficient. You shouldn't trouble yourself like this," Madam Chen said with a smile.

"Uncle, Auntie, please don't speak like that. My father said that from now on, our two families are one. Helping with a bit of plowing is nothing," Wang Qinghua replied shyly.

Hearing this, Luo Lao Er and his wife were even happier. This gesture from the groom’s family clearly showed they valued their daughter, suggesting their daughter would have nothing to worry about in her marital home.

Luo Qing, listening from inside the house, was also very pleased. She felt the same as her parents: the Wang family's actions brought honor to her.

Luo Lao Er and his wife took Wang Qinghua to the fields. Madam Chen initially didn't plan to go, but realizing this was a perfect chance to show off, she eagerly followed along.

Along the way, passersby repeatedly asked Madam Chen who the young man accompanying her was. Madam Chen would proudly announce that he was the fiancé of her daughter, here to help with the plowing, inevitably receiving envious glances.

While Wang Qinghua was helping his in-laws, Wang Youliang and Madam Tian came to Wang Youfu's house to borrow an ox. Upon learning that Wang Qinghua had taken the ox to help the Luo family, Wang Youliang and his wife were quite furious.

"Second Brother, forget that Luo Lao Er’s daughter hasn't married into your family yet. Even after she marries in, are the Luo family’s interests more important to you than those of your own brothers?" Wang Youliang demanded angrily.

"Big Brother, you’ve misspoken. Our two families only recently established the engagement. It would be hard to justify not helping them when we have an ox. What would people in the village think of me?" Wang Youfu countered.

"Then tell me, what am I supposed to do about my fields?" Wang Youliang pressed.

Wang Youfu felt a surge of anger. He has fields to plow, and he's asking me what he should do? What kind of logic is that?

Madam Tian noticed Wang Youfu’s expression souring and quickly stepped in with a smile, "Second Uncle, your Big Brother didn't mean it that way. He just thought, since you just bought an ox, maybe not many people will rent it at first. It's just sitting idle anyway, so why not lend it to us for a bit? The ox will get more accustomed to work, and then more renters will come later, right?"

"Big Sister-in-law, that’s not right. My little bull is already reserved for rental. The Third Branch explicitly told us they want to use it once Qinghua's in-laws are done. Besides, other villagers wanted to rent it too, but considering how young my bull is, I can't let it plow constantly. So I turned them down; you don't need to worry about it," Wang Youfu argued.

"Turning them down is even better! Perfect for me to borrow!" Wang Youliang quipped.

"That could work, but since I've already accepted payment from the Third Branch, it wouldn't be fair to you not to charge. We must treat everyone equally. Since you also need the ox, you’ll need to pay the rental fee just like the Third Branch did. After the Third Branch finishes, I’ll send the ox over to you," Wang Youfu stated.

Wang Youliang was dumbfounded. "This... Second Brother..."

"Big Brother, you don't need to say more. I know. You and the Third Brother both want to set a good example for the village so that in the future, no one thinks they can take advantage for free. I thank you both very much," Wang Youfu said, looking at Wang Youliang and Madam Tian with profound gratitude.

Wang Youliang and Madam Tian felt uneasy under Wang Youfu’s gaze, finally experiencing the frustration of having grievances but being unable to voice them properly. They glared hatefully at Wang Youfu and stormed off. On the way back, Wang Youliang berated Madam Tian relentlessly, blaming her for speaking poorly, and then cursed Wang Youfu thoroughly for ignoring brotherhood and refusing to even lend him the ox.

Wang Youfu didn't know how Wang Youliang and Madam Tian explained the situation to the elders when they returned, but by that afternoon, the main ancestral house had indeed gone out and rented an ox.

While Wang Youliang and Madam Tian failed to borrow the ox, Luo Lao Da’s family became agitated upon hearing that Wang Youfu’s family was helping Luo Lao Er’s family plow.

"Oh, why does all the good fortune fall to the Second Branch? We weren't even engaged at first, yet now they’ve found such a good family, and on top of that, they bought an ox and are helping them plow. Look at Wang Lao Da’s branch—they fall short in every aspect, not to mention the ox. They didn't even show their faces when we were busy. If he had just shown up to help for one day, I wouldn't be this angry!" Luo Lao Da’s wife grew increasingly incensed, genuinely feeling that Wang Youliang’s family was vastly inferior to Wang Youfu’s.

Luo Lao Da also felt a prick of discomfort. At first, he hadn't thought much of it; after all, the two families had different foundations, so it was only natural that the wealthier one did better than the poorer one. But the contrast was too stark, especially with his wife constantly whispering in his ear, making him waver. Just as his wife said, even if he couldn't lead an ox over to help, his own appearance, even a show of it, would have made him feel better. Didn't they hear the villagers recently saying that the in-laws chosen by the two Wang brothers were like heaven and earth apart? Clearly, Wang Youliang didn't value their branch highly.

Though Luo Lao Da thought this internally, he still said to his wife, "What nonsense are you speaking? If the in-laws overhear this, how will our daughter ever establish herself in her marital home?"

"I insist on saying it! They are the ones who failed, and I'm not allowed to speak out?" Luo Lao Da's wife shouted. She felt choked with resentment. In the past, everyone praised her and envied her for having such a good daughter—one skilled in embroidery, housework, and appearance. What was Luo Qing from the Second Branch? With such an unreliable mother, she shouldn't have found a good match. And now? Luo Qing had found such an excellent in-law family, one the whole village envied, while her own daughter was matched to a family that fell short everywhere. This intense disparity was unbearable for her.

Seeing his wife like this, Luo Lao Da angrily turned his head away, unsure if he was angrier at Wang Youliang’s family or his own wife.

Luo Yin, seeing her mother's distress, also felt uneasy. "Mother, please don't be like this. Your daughter doesn't care about these things. I'll be married soon enough; why dwell on such trivial matters?"

Luo Lao Da’s wife stroked her daughter’s cheek. "Alas, it’s all my fault for not finding you a good in-law family. Qing'er found such a good one, and you are better than her in every way, yet..."

"Mother... it's alright, I don't care," Luo Yin comforted her.

"Sigh..."

While Luo Yin managed to calm the unrest in Luo Lao Da’s household, Wang Youfu’s family finished plowing for Luo Lao Er’s family and lent the ox to Wang Youtian’s family. Once Wang Youtian finished his fields, and the main ancestral house didn't come to cause trouble, Wang Youfu began plowing his own fifteen mu of land in Yunqiao Village. Outsiders only noticed that Wang Youfu had been taking the ox far away to graze these past few days, without noticing anything amiss.

Once the fields were prepared, all of Wang Youfu’s land was sown with wheat.