Qiao Xin held her hand and walked slowly. “It’s okay if you don’t understand. Just remember it in your heart for now. If there’s anything you don’t understand in the future, come back and ask your father, mother, or grandmother!”

Qiao Sanniang still frowned. “If I say good things about the Child-Giving Goddess, will she give me a little brother? Mother said that my big brother is too lonely and has no companion. Can’t I be my brother’s companion?”

Qiao Xin suddenly turned her head and glanced at Zhang Shi, letting out an ambiguous chuckle.

She crouched down, picked up Sanniang, patted her little head, and looked into the child’s confused eyes, feeling sorry for this sensitive and intelligent granddaughter.

Don’t think that children don’t understand anything just because they’re young.

Even if they can’t express it in words, they can feel the differences in how adults treat them.

“Of course, you can, but boys and girls are different, so they play separately. Look at your eldest and second brothers—aren’t they inseparable from your third brother, eating and playing together? And your eldest and second sisters—aren’t they always with you? If that’s not companionship, then what is?”

Zhang Shi didn’t dare to lift her head.

She felt uneasy and was even more afraid to look at her mother-in-law’s expression.

She never expected this little girl to have such a good memory.

She had only casually complained a few times, and the child had remembered it so well.

Truly, daughters are unreliable!

Was it wrong for her to want more sons?

If she didn’t give birth to them for her husband, would she wait for another woman to do it instead?

Qiao Sanniang tilted her little head, recalling how her brothers and sisters interacted.

It was indeed just as her grandmother had said!

She felt that her grandmother was right and instantly stopped dwelling on the matter.

Qiao Xin teased her, “Do you want to be my companion, then?”

Qiao Sanniang widened her eyes in surprise. “Grandmother, are you afraid of sleeping alone at night too?”

“Of course! Even with three layers of blankets, it’s not as comforting as holding a beloved child in my arms. You and your brothers and sisters are all my dearest ones.”

Qiao Erlang muttered, “Grandmother sure has a lot of dearest ones!”

Everyone: …

Qiao Yunqing saw his mother amusing his little daughter without a care for what she said.

He felt both amused and helpless and called out, “Mother!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing her. But you should keep an eye on your wife. If she keeps acting like this, by the time the children grow up, you two as parents might not even be as dear to them as a piece of roasted pork!”

Qiao Yunqing responded solemnly and reached out to take Sanniang from his mother.

Seeing his little daughter’s face instantly light up with joy, his heart melted.

Little did they know that this scene had already been witnessed by others.

In the guest courtyard near the peach grove, Fan Huairen was playing chess with a dignified middle-aged man.

Through the wall, they had heard everything that had just transpired outside.

“Which household does this lady belong to? She is quite amusing!”

Fan Huairen found the voice somewhat familiar but couldn’t immediately recall who it was.

The steward, Fang Guanjia, quickly stepped forward and respectfully reminded him, “Master, it’s the old lady from the Qiao family—the one who loves farming.”

Fan Huairen paused while stroking his beard. “Qiao Hezhen’s mother? Wasn’t she busy reclaiming land in Lao Hu Town? What is she doing here?”

Qiao Yunqing, courtesy name Hezhen, had turned twenty during their journey as refugees.

It was an important milestone in a young man’s life, but Qiao Xin had been unable to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for him.

She had personally asked Fan Huairen to give him a courtesy name.

“Tomorrow is the imperial examination. The old lady brought her family here to burn incense and pray for peace of mind. Second Master Fan is also here! Master, do you want to meet her?”

“Forget it. Let’s wait until the exam is over to avoid unnecessary gossip. But is the old lady no longer reclaiming land?” Fan Huairen set down his black chess piece, thought for a moment, and decided not to disturb them.

The old lady was probably just taking a break to reunite with her son.

Why should he interfere?

The steward sighed, “She has already finished reclaiming land—except for a few hundred acres in the south, all the land around Lao Hu Town has been cultivated!”

“What? All of it? That was nearly two thousand acres of wasteland! How could she possibly finish it in just a month or two?” Fan Huairen was so shocked that he nearly dropped his teacup.

“When I first heard the reports from the servants, I thought they were making excuses to slack off. So, I rushed there overnight to check—and it was indeed all done!”

Prince Qi, who had been listening, picked up on something unusual. “Why wasn’t the southern land cultivated? Is it unsuitable for farming?”

“Not at all. In fact, the southern land is the easiest to cultivate. The old lady deliberately left it for the forty remaining households in Lao Hu Town. Those people are either government-placed refugees or hunters, and they don’t have the Qiao family’s wealth.”

“Now, they are borrowing the old lady’s tools to continue working. I heard that she made an agreement with them—if they cultivate five acres, they give her one acre in return as compensation for using her tools.”

“She’s quite a shrewd old lady. Since her son has caught your master’s eye, he must be exceptional. Why not meet him?”

Since Prince Qi had spoken, Fan Huairen couldn’t refuse.

He instructed the steward to fetch Qiao Yunqing and waited for his arrival.

As for Prince Qi’s visit, Fan Huairen couldn’t help but worry. “Your Highness, it’s best to return to the capital as soon as your business is done. The number of refugees in Weizhou is increasing, and the situation is becoming unsafe.”

“There’s no need to worry. I am here by imperial decree to investigate a case and track down a bandit leader. He infiltrated Weizhou a few days ago, endangering the safety of its citizens. How could I ignore this? If I neglect my duty, my elder brother will hold me accountable!”

Fan Huairen quickly apologized. “I overstepped, Your Highness. Please forgive me!”

Prince Qi raised his hand slightly. “No harm done. You didn’t know, so there’s no fault.”

Meanwhile, Qiao Xin was preparing to take her family back when she heard someone calling out from behind.

She turned to see Steward Fang hurrying over.

“Oh my, Steward Fang, long time no see! What brings you here?”

Steward Fang quickly greeted them. “Old Madam, I’ve come to find Second Master Qiao. My master saw a familiar figure on the mountain and thought he was mistaken. But when he sent me to check, it turned out to be Second Master Qiao! If he’s not too busy, would he be willing to meet my master?”

Qiao Xin smiled. “What a coincidence! There’s no need to delay. Second son, go up and pay your respects to Master Fan. Give him my regards as well. Jiaquan, take good care of your master. We’ll head back first.”

“Alright! Mother, take care on the way.” Qiao Yunqing nodded.

He followed Steward Fang while subtly inquiring about Fan Huairen’s purpose. “How is the old master’s health? I’ve long wanted to visit him but didn’t want to disturb his peace.”

“He’s doing well. Right now, he is entertaining an important guest from the capital. They overheard the old madam speaking outside just now and found it interesting. The guest took an interest as well—it’s merely a casual meeting.”

Hearing this, Qiao Yunqing calmed down, stopped walking, and formally saluted Steward Fang. “Thank you for the reminder. I am truly grateful.”

Then, he discreetly pulled out a small silver ingot from his sleeve and pressed it into Steward Fang’s hand. “Steward Fang, please accept this for some tea.”

Steward Fang quickly refused. “Second Master, you’re embarrassing me! Your family has been a great benefactor to ours. How could I take money for such a small matter?”

Seeing his sincerity, Qiao Yunqing didn’t insist and followed him to meet the guests.