As soon as the matchmaker left, Mrs. Tian couldn't help but speak up, "Mother, this matchmaker clearly wasn't putting her heart into it. Look at the families she introduced; not a single one is worth mentioning."

The Old Madam didn't see it that way. "This is finding a wife, not marrying off a daughter. If we find a family that's too good for Qing Tong, how will he manage them later? He might end up being controlled by them. If it were marrying off a daughter, I would certainly look for a family with better standing. I know you want to find a good match for your son, but sometimes having a daughter-in-law who is too good isn't a benefit either. In my opinion, as long as she has a good temper, is filial, and hardworking, that will suffice."

Mrs. Tian was somewhat displeased, but if she interfered further, she’d likely face reprimand again, so she had to swallow her discontent. However, she was already thinking that if the daughter-in-law they found wasn't to her liking, she could always discipline her later. After all, she was the mother-in-law! It was only right and proper for a mother-in-law to manage her daughter-in-law; no one could object.

The Old Madam saw Mrs. Tian's expression and knew she hadn't taken the advice to heart. The Old Madam sighed. What was wrong with her eldest daughter-in-law these days? Her handling of matters was always unsatisfactory. She hadn't been like this before. In the past, everything Mrs. Tian did pleased her, which was why she favored Mrs. Tian among her three daughters-in-law—not entirely because Mrs. Tian was her husband's niece, but more because she handled things well, in a way that put the Old Madam’s mind at ease. But what had happened now?

Thinking this, the Old Madam shook her head secretly again. Forget it, forget it. She was old now and didn't have the energy to dwell on every little thing. As long as Mrs. Tian didn't go too far astray, she would just let her be.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Tian was oblivious to the Old Madam’s thoughts, still plotting how she would deal with the third daughter-in-law later.

Over there, Mrs. Zhang arrived at Wang Youfu’s house to announce the engagement banquet for her daughter, Cai Die, and invited Wang Youfu’s family to attend.

"The date for the engagement banquet is set; that’s wonderful news. You can finally relax after the banquet, right?" Mrs. Yang said with a smile.

"Yes, once the daughter is married off, there’s only one son left. Finding a wife is much simpler than finding a son-in-law; I can worry a little less," Mrs. Zhang replied happily.

Speaking of which, Mrs. Yang felt a touch of envy. "The families for your two daughters seem to be settled. I still don't know what kind of in-laws Cai Yun will find later!"

Mrs. Zhang immediately looked displeased upon hearing this. "Why are you worrying so much? Both of Cai Yun's older brothers are promising young men. Are you afraid she won't find a good home? I’m worried the matchmakers will wear down the threshold of your door!"

"It’s not as easy as you say. Who knows how much worrying will be involved then!" Mrs. Yang murmured wistfully.

"If you ask me, you're overthinking things. How old is Cai Yun? You're starting to worry about this so early. If I were you, I wouldn't think about these baseless things; it's better to enjoy your comfort." Mrs. Zhang advised.

After hearing Mrs. Zhang’s words, Mrs. Yang laughed, "What you say makes sense. Thinking about it early is useless; I might as well not think about it! Oh, right, Qing'er mentioned that the main house is arranging a match for Qing Tong again?"

"Yes, I heard that too. It seems the Old Madam is arranging it herself this time. I wonder how Big Sister-in-law will feel about that? And I also heard that after Qing Tong gets married, he won't live in the main house but will build a separate house outside and move out." Mrs. Zhang had heard about these matters in the main house.

"Moving out?" Mrs. Yang was puzzled. "But Qing Shan’s branch already separated and lives independently. Qing Yun and Qing Tong haven't split from the main household yet. Is it really appropriate to let Qing Tong move out like that?"

"Sigh, why bother caring whether it’s appropriate or not? These aren't things we can manage. Even if we wanted to interfere, the main house probably wouldn't appreciate it," Mrs. Zhang scoffed.

Mrs. Yang nodded. Indeed, the main house disliked having the other two branches giving them advice. Thinking of this, Mrs. Yang stopped dwelling on the main house’s affairs.

Mrs. Zhang suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, have you found temporary laborers for your farm?"

"We found them already. My husband was afraid we wouldn't find any short-term workers in time, so he always starts looking quite a bit in advance. What's wrong? Are you looking for temporary help this time too?" Mrs. Yang inquired.

Mrs. Zhang nodded. "Yes. My husband managing all those fields by himself is very tiring, and he’s the quiet type who never says anything. It was only when I heard him groaning with back pain in his sleep the other night that I found out. So, I’m thinking of hiring a few temporary hands this time to help bring in the harvest. After all, if my husband wears himself out, who will my children and I depend on?"

Mrs. Yang wholeheartedly agreed with Mrs. Zhang. "You are right. You should try to persuade Third Uncle more often; health is the most important thing. Speaking of temporary workers, when my husband returns, I'll mention it to him. He often hires them and knows how to find diligent workers. He can help you look for a few."

Mrs. Zhang was grateful upon hearing this. "That would be wonderful. I was worried that since my husband and I have little experience, we might hire slackers. It wouldn't be too bad if we just wasted money, but if it delays the harvest, the loss will be huge."

After discussing a few other matters, Mrs. Zhang took her leave, as she still needed to notify the main house about attending her daughter's engagement banquet.

When the Old Master and Old Madam heard about Cai Die’s engagement banquet from Mrs. Zhang, they nodded repeatedly and agreed to attend that day, but in their hearts, they didn't place much importance on it. After all, Cai Die wasn't particularly close to them usually, and she wasn't the first granddaughter, so as long as appearances were maintained, that would be enough.

Mrs. Zhang naturally perceived the attitude of the Old Master and Old Madam, but she didn't really care much. Since she herself, as a daughter-in-law, wasn't particularly favored by the Old Master and Old Madam either, she felt that maintaining appearances would suffice for these matters; at most, she would just feel a little disappointed inwardly.

Afterward, Mrs. Zhang went to see Mrs. He. When Mrs. Zhang arrived, Mrs. He was helping Quan'er pick beans.

"Oh my, Quan'er is so little and already knows how to help his mother work; how capable!" Mrs. Zhang praised.

Mrs. He and Quan'er then noticed someone had arrived. Quan'er, hearing Mrs. Zhang’s praise, became quite shy. He only called out, "Third Grandma," then lowered his head and continued picking beans.

Mrs. He smiled and said, "Third Aunt looks so happy; is there some joyful news?"

"You guessed right. I came to ask you to attend Cai Die's engagement banquet!" Mrs. Zhang said with a smile.

"Really? Then congratulations, Third Aunt! When is it?" Mrs. He asked with a smile. She was genuinely happy for Mrs. Zhang, as Mrs. Zhang had confided in her about the struggles regarding Cai Die's marriage before, so she knew how much effort Mrs. Zhang had expended.

"Soon, on the ninth day of the month," Mrs. Zhang replied.

"Now that Cai Die’s marriage is settled, you'll have much less to worry about from now on, Third Aunt. Please, come sit down; I’ll pour you some tea." Mrs. He said as she stood up to fetch the tea.

Mrs. Zhang, however, didn't sit down immediately. Instead, she squatted down next to Quan'er and played with him. Speaking of the three children—Quan'er, Gou Sheng, and Qing He—Quan'er had the quietest temperament; he didn't enjoy roughhousing much and was exceptionally well-behaved, which made the family dote on him even more.

Quan'er was very easily embarrassed. A few teasing words from Mrs. Zhang made him blush deeply, and eventually, he didn't dare lift his head. It wasn't until Mrs. He brought over the tea that Quan'er was rescued.

"This child is truly well-behaved," Mrs. Zhang praised.

Mrs. He felt very pleased upon hearing this. "Indeed. His nature means Qing Shan and I worry much less. Whenever I’m busy with something, he sits quietly nearby playing by himself and doesn't fuss. Sometimes when Gou Sheng comes over, he can even entertain Gou Sheng for a while, saving us quite a bit of effort."

Mrs. Zhang was also gratified by this. With such a well-behaved child, Qing Shan and Mrs. He would have someone to rely on in the future.

"Oh, right, are the Old Master and Old Madam really arranging a match for Qing Tong? I also heard that Qing Tong is building a house outside and moving out—is that true?" Mrs. Zhang inquired.

Mrs. He nodded. "That is so."

"Then Qing Tong managed to save up enough money for building that house so quickly?" Mrs. Zhang was slightly incredulous.

"Not exactly. I heard from Qing Shan that the money for building the house is partly what Qing Tong saved himself, and partly what the Old Master lent him." Mrs. He explained.

"The Old Master lent him money? I recall the Old Master lent out a considerable sum when Qing Tong opened his shop before! Now, when it comes to building a house, the Old Master lends money again. This shows how much he dotes on this grandson. When our branch separated from your Second Uncle’s that year, we didn't have any money for building; we didn't see the Old Master and the others offering any financial assistance then, only saying the household funds were low. I had to ask my own brother for help to get the house built. Your Second Uncle’s branch didn't borrow money then, just built a simple house, and had no money left over afterwards," Mrs. Zhang sighed, feeling increasingly that the Old Master and Old Madam had always favored the eldest branch, while they felt neglected by their own parents.

Mrs. He, hearing Mrs. Zhang’s words, knew she was feeling downhearted. She tried to console her. "Third Aunt, thinking about these things is useless. As long as we can manage our own lives well, that's what matters. Don't dwell on the rest, or you’ll just make yourself perpetually miserable!"

Mrs. Zhang laughed upon hearing this. "You are right. Life is pretty good right now. Thinking about such pointless things is just inviting needless anger upon myself. I won't think about it, won't think about it anymore!"