Of course he couldn’t refuse. Da Chun smiled and agreed, “I’ll definitely go.”

Both the Fourth Prince and Chen Yu saw his reluctance, but the two tacitly pretended not to notice and continued chatting. Finally, when the servants saw the time and came to hint subtly, the Fourth Prince suggested leaving.

As soon as he said he was going back, Luo Yu also received word. She couldn’t help but sigh, “Sister, we’ll talk more next time.”

Ying Yu echoed somewhat sadly, “Yes, we’ll talk more next time. Let’s write to each other often. Don’t find my letters too long.”

They were both new brides and shouldn’t go out too often. Unless there was something major at their natal family or on specific holidays, it wasn’t proper to come back. But once they each established firm footing in their husbands’ families, things would be much easier.

They could attend flower-viewing banquets hosted by certain people together, or go to Buddhist temples to offer incense. There would always be opportunities to meet.

Until then, correspondence was a very good means of keeping in touch.

It was Yun Shuyao, along with Ying Yu and Daiyu, who escorted Luo Yu to the second gate. The Old Madam, being of high seniority, must have been stopped from coming.

Luo Yu’s voice was light and airy, carrying an almost inaudible sob, “You all go back. Next time… I’ll come again.”

Yun Shuyao couldn’t bear to blink, forcing a smile, “Mm, alright.”

Ying Yu’s eyes were already red, as if seeing her own future self in a while.

Daiyu’s eyes were also red. “Second Sister, write more letters home.” In the future, they might only have the chance to meet when Father returned or when Grandmother celebrated her birthday.

Luo Yu reluctantly boarded the carriage. On the other side, the Fourth Prince also left. As soon as the Fourth Prince departed, the smile on Da Chun’s face collapsed. With a bitter expression, he looked at Chen Yu, “How can you two discuss these matters about working in the fields with such relish? Don’t you find it too exhausting?”

Just hearing about his brother-in-law’s experiences made Da Chun completely uninterested in working in the fields. Yet the two of them could keep discussing it, and in the end, he himself was forced to share in the “suffering.”

Da Chun didn’t think the Fourth Prince would speak falsely. When he said “next time,” there would definitely be a next time. In other words, he really would get to experience the hardships of farmers next time.

Did he think he would only suffer then?

To avoid embarrassment at that time, he would need to learn some basic knowledge in advance, which meant he would have to work in the fields ahead of time.

Thinking of this, Da Chun’s expression grew even more bitter.

Chen Yu smiled. This was his eldest brother-in-law, and Chen Yu naturally also wanted him to have good prospects in the future so he could receive honors for his wife and children. “I truly feel that going to experience working in the fields and then looking back makes studying even more beneficial.”

He left his next sentence half-finished, “Moreover, you’ll eventually enter official circles too…” With the Fourth Prince’s character, he would certainly have a position as a prince with real power in the future. Leaving him with a good impression would make future prospects even smoother.

This was also an opportunity to perform well. If it were someone else, they might cry and beg for the chance to accompany the Fourth Prince to plant fields.

This reasoning was indeed sound. Da Chun was left speechless.

Really, thank you so much.

On the other side, the Fourth Prince and Luo Yu boarded the carriage and set off to return. The Fourth Prince looked at the redness around Luo Yu’s eyes and reached out to touch them. “Can’t bear to leave?”

Luo Yu responded softly, “Mm. I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back next time.”

After a woman married, frequent returns to her natal family would indeed invite much gossip. For those who married somewhat farther away, it was common never to return after marriage except for their parents’ deaths.

The Fourth Prince said, “This is worth you being so sad over? You can return when there’s an opportunity.”

Hearing this, Luo Yu immediately broke into a smile through her tears. “Thank you, Fourth Master.” Luo Yu knew when to stop while ahead. “Master, were the dishes at the Lin residence delicious?”

The Fourth Prince nodded. “Where did that head chef come from?”

Luo Yu proudly lifted her chin. “They’ve been with our family all along. Their culinary skills were developed over these years. Some recipes were even researched together by us sisters, Concubine, and the cooks. In my heart, I feel their skills are no worse than those of the great restaurants in the capital—each has its own flavor.”

A hint of smile appeared at the Fourth Prince’s brows. “Indeed, each has its own flavor.”

At the Fourth Prince’s residence, the Fourth Fujin looked at the time and knew that the Fourth Master had had a pleasant time at the Lin residence. Otherwise, he would definitely have returned earlier.

After waiting a bit longer, she finally heard someone report that the Fourth Master and his party had returned. She quickly had people prepare.

Not long after, the Fourth Master and Side Consort Lin entered.

Fujin looked over. There was a relaxed demeanor on the Fourth Master’s face, so it seemed he had indeed had a good time. Thinking of her own natal family, Wulanara Shi’s heart sank, but simultaneously her face broke into a smile. “Master has returned…”

Since Luo Yu’s wedding day had been in the twelfth month, and now it wasn’t long until New Year, the corresponding preparations needed to be busied with.

Previously, with two granddaughters helping, the Old Madam only needed to oversee while the two granddaughters could handle matters well. But now she couldn’t be so relaxed anymore. Even though Daiyu was still there, she would only be eight years old after the New Year—still learning.

There were others around, such as advisors and daughters from other Lin clan families. But because the gap between the two families was too great, having them assist and instructing them a bit was fine, but if they were given authority and their ambitions grew, then when they married later and faced such a large disparity, even good intentions could turn bad. So the Old Madam hadn’t previously let them participate in Lin family affairs, and now she wouldn’t do so either. She could only work harder herself, once again longing for a good grandson’s wife to enter the family. That way, she could relax on her end, and the grandson’s wife could also manage the household affairs.

Generally, it wasn’t so easy for a new bride to manage household affairs—each had their gains—but the candidate for this grandson’s wife hadn’t been decided yet.

The Old Madam had received quite a few invitations, either inviting her to view flowers or to watch opera. However, previously because of her granddaughters’ major events, she had been very busy and declined them all. Now she could catch her breath, but it was nearly New Year again.

During New Year, the礼 to be exchanged multiplied. She needed to send New Year gifts to families they were on good terms with, receive New Year gifts, and handle various social interactions in official circles. These things also consumed much energy.

Fortunately, Ying Yu, who was staying for the full month, was still here and could help during this period.

Da Chun had also gained some insight. His wife appeared delicate, but when handling matters she was orderly and busy without chaos, which opened his eyes wide. His compliments made Ying Yu blush.

Seeing his reaction, Chen Yu secretly told Yun Shuyao, “Brother-in-law’s temperament is relatively pure and kind. I thought he would worry that when eldest sister returned, she might compete with his elder sister-in-law for power and put him in a difficult position. He completely didn’t think in that direction.”

If it were someone with a heavy desire for power who was also skilled at household management, such things could entirely happen.

Although the eldest sister-in-law managing the household was proper and justified, with such a large operation, dividing some for sisters-in-law to manage was also very common.

Yun Shuyao asked, “Isn’t being pure and kind good?”

Chen Yu thought for a moment. “It is still good.”

Yun Shuyao was also drafted into service. She had no particular thoughts about going to work. Concubine Mei would be envious, thinking she had authority in hand. But as long as her status didn’t change for a day and the Old Madam was still around, she was just doing volunteer part-time work, equivalent to working for nothing, because no matter how much she did, she couldn’t get promoted.

If she wanted promotion, she needed external help.

Working now was like drawing water with a bamboo basket—all for nothing. She wasn’t foolish, so naturally she wouldn’t be willing.

However, now that the household was this busy, even if she wanted to escape, she couldn’t. She could only temporarily set aside her cultivation, roll up her sleeves, and get to work. At times like this, Yun Shuyao would especially miss Lin Ruhai.

When would the assignment be completed?

Even if Kangxi was stingy, he wouldn’t turn a blind eye to her accomplishments, would he?

Far away in Yangzhou, Lin Ruhai, who was buried in paperwork late at night striving to return to the capital next year, sneezed. Who was thinking of him?

—

Regarding sending holiday gifts, as long as the Lin family and Jia family hadn’t severed relations, these social exchanges were unavoidable.

What the Lin family sent to the Jia family was the same as always—thin, superficial courtesy, presentable but not useful. But this year, what the Jia family sent back was considerably more valuable than before.

Previously, the value exchanged between both sides had been about the same. But when returning New Year gifts, Wang Xifeng had originally intended to follow the usual protocol. However, the Old Ancestor called her over and told her to add more.

She was still surprised. “Old Ancestor, if we’re changing it, this… how should I add to it?”

But since the Old Ancestor didn’t say, she couldn’t probe further. She could only carefully find the original list, add more, and take it to the Old Ancestor for review. But it still wasn’t enough. Wang Xifeng could only grit her teeth and add more. Only then did the Old Ancestor nod.

Originally, these social exchanges, because the Old Ancestor’s seniority was high and her imperial patent rank was also high, gained more than they lost. At worst, unless they were asking favors of others, they would at most break even. Now that the Lin family’s New Year gifts had increased so much, but the storehouse couldn’t produce the goods at once, Wang Xifeng became worried.

Currently, it wasn’t yet to the point where the Jia residence’s coffers were empty. But since she was helping the Second Madam manage the household, she had also figured out the family situation about seventy to eighty percent. Things were still fine now, but if in a few more years the household expenses remained like this, they would have to rob Peter to pay Paul.

When Jia Lian returned and she said this, Jia Lian didn’t believe it. “With our family’s foundation, how could we reach this point?”

Although their family currently had no one in official circles, little salary income, and no gray income like ice or charcoal allowances, they didn’t rely on salaries for living anyway. Among all the civil and military officials who lived solely on their salaries, who didn’t live miserably, unable even to afford buying a residence?

Their income came from those shops and those estates.

Wang Xifeng gave a cold laugh. “My good Second Master, why don’t you look at how large the household expenses are? The money in the family accounts isn’t constantly increasing. If it weren’t for our family’s thick foundation, we couldn’t sustain this lifestyle long ago.”

She was being somewhat exaggerated, but this was also the reality.

“The Elder Master buys antiques and antique fans—which of those things is inexpensive?”

“On the Master’s side, don’t the courtesy guests need support? Don’t calligraphy, paintings, and ancient books cost money? Last time, the Master withdrew eight hundred taels from the accounts for one painting.”

“And at the Old Ancestor’s place, with Baoyu’s food, clothing, and expenses, where can costs be reduced?”

Jia Lian got a headache from her words. “You’re just scaremongering. Fine, Second Madam, I know you’re out of money. What’s the use of telling me?”

He got up and, carrying his anger, lifted the curtain and walked out.

She said all this just to restrict his spending. He was a grown man with only a few coins on him, not even enough to have a good time at a flower house. If word got out, who would believe he was a young master from a Duke’s residence? Despite all this, instead of saying nothing, she cried poverty to him. He had originally wanted to ask her for some pocket money, but now Jia Lian’s mood was spoiled. He walked away, while Wang Xifeng was so angered by Jia Lian’s attitude that she nearly fell backward, her brows and eyes fierce. If Jia Lian had still been here, she would have immediately had a good “reasonable discussion” with him.

Seeing this, Ping’er advised Wang Xifeng, “Second Master doesn’t like hearing these things. Why bother saying such things to him?”

Wang Xifeng cried out in distress, “Do you think I wanted to say it? New Year is approaching, the silver from the estates hasn’t been collected yet, and here the Old Ancestor tells me to increase the gifts for the Lin family. Tell me, where is this money supposed to come from?”

After all, she was unwilling to let the Old Ancestor and Second Madam see her incompetence. She gritted her teeth and temporarily took some from her own dowry to cover the gap.

Hearing Second Madam’s plan, Ping’er couldn’t help but frown.

Old Madam Lin received the New Year gifts sent by the Jia family. Looking at the list, she naturally knew these gifts were excessive. However, she had absolutely no intention of returning them.

The Jia family sent them willingly—why couldn’t she accept them?

Even if they sent over the entire Jia family, she would dare to accept it. She just feared they wouldn’t be willing to give it.

In any case, she would accept the gifts as they came. As for other things, they could dream all they wanted—no matter how beautiful their dreams, they could never be realized!

Thinking of this, the Old Madam selected some items from the Jia family’s New Year gifts and generously declared, “New Year is approaching. Everyone has worked hard this year. Reward these to everyone, and let’s all have a good New Year together!”

The people around immediately beamed with joy. “Thank you, Old Madam!”