"Oh, you didn't have to bring so many things when you came! Just keep them for Quan'er to eat. I have plenty of food and drink here," Wang Guifang said urgently, looking at the basket of items He Shi was carrying.

"Little Aunt, you mustn't refuse. These are our heartfelt intentions, mine and Qingshan’s. You must accept them!" He Shi smiled.

"You’ve bought so much; it’s too extravagant. How about this: I’ll keep a portion, and you take the rest back for Quan'er to nourish himself, which would be good," Wang Guifang suggested.

"Oh, Little Aunt, please don't worry. These didn't cost much money. Besides, our household is much better off than before. Qingshan earns five hundred wen a month working at Second Uncle's mill. And since Father-in-law gave the previous shop to Second Uncle to manage, we receive around one tael and five hundred wen in profit monthly. Combined, our family earns nearly two taels of silver a month! Furthermore, I still do embroidery to supplement the household income, and most of the vegetables I grow myself. I've also started raising chickens and ducks recently. Qingshan and I are even discussing building a pigsty in a few days and buying a small piglet to raise! So, you don't need to worry; we can certainly afford these things," He Shi explained.

Wang Guifang nodded upon hearing this. "That's good to hear. I'm much more relieved that you and Qingshan are living so well now. By the way, why didn't you bring Quan'er? I haven't seen him in ages."

"Oh, when I came, he was playing with Gou Sheng, so he didn't fuss about coming along. His Second Aunt is also home and can keep an eye on him, so I left him there," He Shi replied.

"That boy, it's been so long, he probably forgot his old Auntie. If I weren't confined to bed these days, I would certainly go ask him if he’s forgotten me!" Wang Guifang feigned anger.

He Shi immediately showed concern when she heard this. "You haven't been able to get out of bed these days? Did the doctor say anything specific?"

Seeing He Shi ask, Wang Guifang sighed. "Alas, it’s because I didn't properly recover after giving birth to Qian'er. Then, while at the Liu family, I worked from dawn till dusk every day, which ruined my constitution. Even after recuperating for so long, I still haven't fully recovered, so the doctor told me not to leave the kàng for the first three months; we'll see after that when the fetus is stable."

"So that's it. Your body still hasn't recovered after all this time? That Liu family was truly… Good thing Heaven has opened its eyes and brought their family to ruin now," He Shi said with satisfaction evident on her face.

"Actually, no matter what happens to their family now, it has little to do with me, as I am now the wife of the Li family. The Old Madam visited me yesterday, and what she said was very true: I must look forward now and let go of everything that happened before," Wang Guifang mused sentimentally.

"That's true; dwelling on those things is useless. It is enough that your Father-in-law treats you so well now," He Shi commented enviously.

"You don't need to envy me. Qingshan treats you very well too! Speaking of which, the men of your generation in the Wang family all take after the Master’s temperament; they treat their wives very well. Qingshan, Qingyun, Qinghua—they are all like that. Even the younger ones, Qingtong and Qingchen, I suspect they are similar," Wang Guifang teased.

He Shi smiled and said nothing.

Wang Guifang paused in thought and then asked, "By the way, how is Qingyun's wife's pregnancy going?"

"It’s going wonderfully. Now that Second Uncle manages the food shop, they two earn quite a good income every month, so they don't need to ask my mother-in-law for money for whatever they want to buy. And you know how the Old Madam dotes on her, so Mother-in-law doesn't dare to pick on her much. As for household matters, they are mostly left to my mother-in-law to handle," He Shi reported.

"Did your mother-in-law get upset, and did she ever call you over to help with chores?" Wang Guifang inquired.

He Shi shook her head. "No, she didn't. I suppose Mother-in-law sees that I have plenty of my own things to keep me busy, so she hasn't asked me for much help. Besides, since Qingshan and I moved out, she probably fears gossip if she oversteps!"

"Most likely. Speaking of which, have you and Qingshan planned to move out of the old residence and build your own house? Quan'er will grow up eventually; you can't all be crammed into one room, can you?" Wang Guifang asked.

"Qingshan and I originally planned to build a new house and move out! It’s not just for the reason you mentioned. Another reason is that Little Uncle is fifteen now; he could get married any day. Then everyone will be crowded in the old residence! If Qingshan and I hadn't separated, it would be one thing, but since we have, it’s improper to squeeze in with them," He Shi explained the other reason.

"That makes sense. Have you discussed when you might build the house?" Wang Guifang asked.

"We have to wait until after the autumn harvest at the earliest. The wheat hasn't even been reaped yet!" He Shi stated.

"It’s coming soon. In a few more days, the wheat will be harvested. Then they’ll plant the next season’s crops, and after that, it’s just waiting for the autumn yields. By the way, if you two need more money for the construction, come to me. I can scrape some together," Wang Guifang offered.

"Okay, if the money runs short then, I’ll trouble Little Aunt to help us gather some," He Shi said with a smile.

"Go on! Why are you talking about trouble with me? Just come directly when the time comes," Wang Guifang said with a feigned stern look.

"Alright, I won't be polite then!" He Shi replied cheerfully.

Not long after, the farming families busied themselves with the wheat harvest. Although this year's yield wasn't as good as the preceding few years, it was still decent. The farmers weren't greedy; as long as it wasn't a year of disaster and they could eat their fill and stay warm, that was enough. Thus, even though the harvest was less abundant than before, it did not dampen the joy the farming families felt upon gathering the grain.

Wang Youfu’s family’s yield was also not as high as in previous years, but since they had more land, the total amount was quite substantial. Therefore, the entire family was very happy; with so much grain stored, their hearts felt secure.

Following this, the family simply observed the Duanwu Festival. Afterward, Wang Youfu took the long-term and seasonal laborers and immediately set to planting the next season's crops. Only after all the fields were sown did the family breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, in the capital city, Master Xia and Madam Xia finally brought forth a clan relative to announce their decision to formally register Xia Wanyu under Madam Xia's name.

The clan members felt some confusion as to why they would wait until the daughter was so grown before deciding to record her under the principal wife's name. However, the clan members wisely held their tongues, as this was a private family matter. Moreover, merely being registered under the principal wife’s name, and being only a daughter, wasn't a major event that warranted opposition. They certainly had no reason to antagonize others over such a trifle.

When Xia Wanyu learned of this, she finally couldn't help but burst into laughter. Xia Wan-ting, oh Xia Wan-ting, what good is it that you are the legitimate daughter? What good is it that your mother is the primary wife? I am now a legitimate daughter too, and your elder sister at that! I have finally ascended to a higher position than you. I wonder who will dare to look down on me now?

Xia Wan-ting had anticipated this day, so she remained relatively composed. These past few days, although thoughts of Brother Fu and her half-sister still brought sadness, she could at least control herself from breaking down in tears. Moreover, Brother Fu would soon marry her half-sister. No, now that she was about to become a legitimate daughter, thinking of him was useless; it wouldn't change anything. It was better, as her mother suggested, to forget him. Perhaps it was just that time hadn't passed long enough yet; once more time elapsed, she would surely forget him, forget the wrongs he and Eldest Sister committed against her.

After the clan members offered no objection to registering Xia Wanyu under her name, Madam Xia had been somewhat worried about Xia Wan-ting's reaction. Thus, she kept her daughter close for several days. Fortunately, Xia Wan-ting, fearing her mother's worry, suppressed her own sadness during this time, which brought Madam Xia a measure of relief.

The matter of the Xia family registering their concubine-born daughter under the principal wife’s name caused some confusion among a few families friendly with the Xias. The wives or madams of these families were familiar with Madam Xia, and she had never brought her concubine-born daughter out to social functions before. Why the sudden decision to register that girl as her own? Could it be that the Xia family was arranging a political marriage for their daughter?

Even Madam Fu found it strange. The Fu family and the Xia family were old family friends. They hadn't heard anything about the Xias planning a marriage alliance with any prominent house! Furthermore, wasn't that concubine-born daughter already engaged to a juren? Why go to such lengths to change her status to a legitimate daughter?

Madam Fu arrived at the Xia residence carrying these doubts. Madam Fu had originally planned to find an opportune moment to quietly question Madam Xia. However, whether it was her imagination or not, she felt that Madam Xia seemed to be deliberately avoiding her today. But she must be mistaken. They were in-laws now; why would Madam Xia avoid her?

Convinced she was overthinking, Madam Fu found an excuse for Madam Xia: surely, there were too many guests today, and Madam Xia was simply too busy to attend to her. Yes, it must be that.

Having settled this thought, Madam Fu turned and went to chat with a few acquaintances.

A short while later, the day's focus, Xia Wanyu, dressed elegantly, slowly approached. Madam Xia watched the slowly approaching Xia Wanyu, went over affectionately, took her hand, and then introduced Xia Wanyu to the assembled guests.

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