Wang Qingchen deeply regretted missing the room-inspection revelry (nao dong fang) when Wang Qingyun got married. Now that Wang Qinghua was marrying, Wang Qingchen was determined not to miss the opportunity to see the proceedings up close.

Wang Qingchen’s wish was noble, but reality was harsh. After desperately squeezing into the bridal chamber by catching everyone off guard, he found none of the boisterous scenes he’d imagined. The well-wishers merely went through the motions before letting Wang Qinghua and Luo Qing off the hook. This left the newly arrived Wang Qingchen sorely unsatisfied, wondering how they could have passed through so easily.

Although Wang Qingchen still hoped to push things further, everyone else was starting to leave, forcing him to follow suit. In truth, the tricks played during the room inspection in this era, while dull to Wang Qingchen, were considered quite something by the locals—wasn't Wang Qinghua and Luo Qing’s faces flushed red from the teasing?

The next morning, Wang Qingchen headed to the academy. Meanwhile, those from the old residence and the third branch arrived early at Wang Youfu’s house, as the newly wed Luo Qing was scheduled to formally pay respects and serve tea to the elders.

Wang Qinghua and Luo Qing first bowed and served tea to the Old Madam, and then separately to the elders of the first, second, and third branches, receiving four separate gift envelopes in return. When greeting the younger generation, Luo Qing, following Luo Yin’s example, had prepared candies to distribute, which left a very favorable impression on everyone.

However, Luo Yin was absent for the new bride's formal reception today. It was presumed the Old Madam and Tian Shi, worried about her pregnancy, had forbidden Luo Yin from leaving the house. Wang Youfu and Yang Shi were somewhat displeased by this. Luo Yin’s absence yesterday could be excused due to the crowd and the risk of accidental bumps, but her absence today, when it was just family, truly suggested she didn't take it to heart.

Lunch was, as customary, cooked by the new bride. While Luo Qing’s culinary skill might not match Luo Yin’s, her speed was comparable; she quickly produced a table full of dishes, clearly an experienced hand, which quite satisfied Wang Youfu and Yang Shi.

Tian Shi tasted a few bites and remarked with a smile, “The food is well-made, though not as good as what Qingyun’s wife cooks, but this is quite commendable.”

Luo Qing instantly felt a knot of anxiety in her stomach, as she knew her skills were inferior to her cousin-in-law’s.

Wang Youfu and Yang Shi grew inwardly annoyed at Tian Shi. After all, today was Qinghua’s wife’s formal reception; did an auntie truly need to elevate her own daughter-in-law while suppressing her niece-in-law?

Just as Yang Shi was about to speak, the Old Master cleared his throat and said, “The food is good, almost as good as what Qingyun’s wife makes. Let’s all eat quickly; why so much talk?”

Zhang Shi couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Only Tian Shi had spoken at the table, meaning the Old Master’s words were clearly aimed at her—a blatant public rebuke. Indeed, Tian Shi’s face darkened upon hearing this, but she dared not say another word.

Luo Qing stood by, going through the motions of serving dishes to the elders. Soon after, Yang Shi invited her to sit and eat. Having been a bride herself, Yang Shi understood the difficulty of a daughter-in-law’s position and had no intention of making things hard for her.

Luo Qing felt deeply grateful for her mother-in-law’s words, now believing what her own mother had told her: her mother-in-law had a kind nature.

After the meal, Luo Qing began clearing the bowls and dishes. Yang Shi, being pregnant, did not help; moreover, she stopped He Shi, Zhang Shi, and Wu Shi who had come forward to assist, determined to observe her daughter-in-law’s true character. Fortunately, the results of the test were highly satisfactory; at the very least, Luo Qing was a capable worker, quick and efficient.

After lunch, the people from the old residence and the third branch departed. Wang Youfu and Wang Qinghua busied themselves returning the stools, bowls, and chopsticks borrowed from the villagers the day before.

When Wang Qinghua returned after finishing his tasks, he found Luo Qing sorting through the trousseau she had brought.

Seeing Wang Qinghua return, Luo Qing shyly asked him when would be a good time to deliver the shoes she had made for everyone in the family.

Wang Qinghua considered for a moment. He figured his parents were resting and it wasn't appropriate to go now. “Wait until tonight. Mom and Dad are likely resting now.”

“Mmm!” Luo Qing agreed.

Wang Qinghua searched through a cabinet, pulled out a small wooden box, and handed it to Luo Qing. “This is the money I’ve saved up myself. You can keep it from now on.”

Luo Qing froze for a moment, then was filled with sudden joy. She hadn't expected Wang Qinghua to entrust her with managing finances so soon after marrying. Luo Qing looked up at Wang Qinghua’s expression before accepting the wooden box.

When Luo Qing opened the box after receiving it, she saw over three taels of silver inside, but she didn't find the amount lacking. She knew that from now on, half of the monthly income from the family shops would go to their branch, and since they had no personal expenses—their room, board, and everything else covered by their parents—all the money they received could be saved. Their wealth would only grow.

Seeing Luo Qing merely looking at the silver without speaking, Wang Qinghua worried she thought the amount was too small and became anxious. “Qing’er, don’t worry. Although the money isn’t much now, we’ll have income every month going forward.”

Luo Qing realized Wang Qinghua had misunderstood her, so she quickly explained, “No, no, you misunderstood. I was just surprised that you would hand the money over to me right after I married you. I certainly don’t mean it’s too little.”

When Wang Qinghua heard that Luo Qing wasn't complaining about the sum, he felt a strange sense of relief for reasons unknown.

In the evening, Luo Qing prepared dinner. Yang Shi was gratified to see her daughter-in-law voluntarily take on cooking duties, but she didn't intend to dump the entire burden of housework on Luo Qing at once, so she asked Wu Shi to assist.

With Wu Shi’s help, Luo Qing had an easier time. Luo Qing had already known about Wu Shi before she married; she was both pleased by Wu Shi’s efficiency and happy about the kindness shown by her mother-in-law.

When Wang Qingchen returned from the academy, he could tell from Yang Shi’s expression that she was very satisfied with his new sister-in-law. He was happy for his elder brother in this regard, as it meant he wouldn't be stuck uncomfortably in the middle anymore. Still, Wang Qingchen couldn't help but wonder whose side his elder brother would take if Yang Shi and Luo Qing ever had a conflict. After thinking about it, Wang Qingchen felt his thought process was identical to an old conundrum from his past life: who would you save if your girlfriend and your mother both fell into the water? Wang Qingchen instantly felt awkward.

Before eating, Luo Qing presented the shoes she had made for everyone in the household; each person received a pair. Wang Qingchen took his, examined it first—hmm, the handiwork is good—then discreetly tried it on. Sure enough, the size was perfect. Wang Qingchen immediately awarded his sister-in-law ninety points.

Yang Shi was also very pleased with the quality of the sewing. Her daughter-in-law’s needlework was certainly presentable.

Yang Shi’s satisfaction with Luo Qing was demonstrated through action. When the day came for Luo Qing’s formal return visit to her parents' home (hui men), Yang Shi prepared generous gifts and sent Wang Qinghua to take his wife back to the in-laws’ house via the family’s ox cart.

Chen Shi knew her daughter and son-in-law were coming today and prepared a table full of delicacies, eagerly awaiting their arrival. When the couple finally came and presented the return gifts, Chen Shi couldn't stop smiling; with such generous return gifts, she certainly had something to boast about in the village tomorrow.

Knowing her maternal home would have prepared many dishes today, Luo Qing proactively went to the kitchen to help Chen Shi, leaving Wang Qinghua in the main hall to socialize with the elders of the Luo family's third branch.

Luo Laoda’s wife had developed a habit of competing with Luo Lao Er’s family ever since her daughter and Luo Lao Er’s daughter were both betrothed to the Wang family. Seeing the abundance of return gifts prepared by Luo Lao Er’s family today made her face turn green. Originally, when her daughter Luo Yin returned home, the Wang family had already prepared a substantial gift, and being patient, she hadn't shown off, waiting instead for Luo Lao Er’s return gifts, hoping they would be slightly superior. Who would have thought that Luo Lao Er’s family would receive gifts far more lavish than theirs? This completely ruined her chance to show off, filling her with resentment and fury.

In the kitchen, Luo Lao San’s wife had also come to help, but Chen Shi had things she needed to tell her daughter privately, so she asked Luo Lao San’s wife to go outside and wash vegetables while she stayed in the kitchen with her daughter.

“Daughter, tell Mother, are your in-laws treating you well now that you’ve married into their home?” Chen Shi asked.

Luo Qing nodded. “Mother, don’t worry, my in-laws treat me very well.”

“That’s good. I was afraid they would make things difficult for you,” Chen Shi said, relieved.

“How could they? My mother-in-law is very kind and hasn't forced me to observe strict rules or anything. Even for housework, Aunt Wu helps me share the load!” Luo Qing said.

“Aunt Wu? Who is that?” Chen Shi asked, puzzled.

“Aunt Wu is the person Father-in-law hired to look after Mother-in-law after she became pregnant,” Luo Qing explained.

“Really? Oh, my dear daughter, you are truly fortunate! It’s already wonderful that your mother-in-law hasn't given you a hard time right after you arrived; I didn't expect your mother-in-law would even arrange for someone to help you with household chores. Your mother-in-law seems like a truly good person!” Chen Shi praised happily.

Luo Qing felt the same way. “Yes, Mother, my mother-in-law is even better than Cousin Yin’s mother-in-law!”

Chen Shi didn’t understand and asked why. Luo Qing then recounted Tian Shi’s behavior during the formal reception. Chen Shi was first indignant upon hearing it, then let the anger subside, and advised her daughter, “She isn't your proper mother-in-law, and she can't command you. Just avoid provoking her in your daily life. However, your sister Yin has landed herself such a mother-in-law; her life won't be easy.”

Luo Qing nodded in agreement. “Of course, I won’t provoke her daily, Mother, don’t worry!”