As soon as Mother Qin heard her mother her name, she knew that Third Aunt Ding had told her something.

A wave of annoyance washed over her.

Although her mother loved her, and when there were good things to eat at home, she would save them for her first, she had never been like other girls who had to work every day.

But she didn’t know what her mother would say to her this time.

With a restless heart, Mother Qin walked outside.

From the outside, Grandmother Ding looked like a kind old lady.

She was different from Grandma Qin, who appeared shrewd and a bit fierce but was actually a very warm-hearted old woman.

Grandmother Ding gave the impression of being very easy to get along with, lacking the cleverness of Grandma Qin.

“Mother,” Mother Qin said as she approached Grandmother Ding, “Aren’t you chatting with everyone? Why did you come over? Are you leaving now?”

These words interrupted what Grandmother Ding had originally wanted to say.

She believed her daughter already knew why she had come.

In fact, before the Qin family became prosperous, she thought it would be great for her granddaughter Siya to get engaged to Tadpole, as Siya was her granddaughter, and Tadpole was her grandson, making it a perfect match.

But back then, the third daughter-in-law disagreed, insisting that Tadpole was still too young.

And now, the Qin family had prospered, and Siya’s biological brother was a great general.

Although she hoped well for her grandson, she had to recognize the facts: Siya was now the daughter of an official family, while Tadpole came from a poor family; the two simply didn’t match.

However, the third daughter-in-law kept insisting, saying that they could give it a try, and if the Qin family disagreed, they would drop the matter.

She thought trying it out was acceptable.

But just now, the third daughter-in-law had come, saying that Mother Qin looked down on her maternal family, that she disdained Tadpole’s poor conditions, and that she had to speak on her behalf.

She didn’t want to come, but the third daughter-in-law moved the third son, who was pleading and pitiful, so she had no choice but to come and give it a try.

However, at that moment, seeing her daughter’s expression, Grandmother Qin understood what it meant.

Grandmother Ding smiled and said gently, “I’m going home later; there are still things to do at home, and the farm work isn’t finished yet. Are you going to Ah Fang’s place the day after tomorrow?”

Seeing that Grandmother Ding didn’t ask about the earlier matter, Mother Qin didn’t bring it up either.

She followed up on Grandmother Ding’s topic: “That’s right; the family’s fields have been entrusted to the second branch. After the harvest, the fields will be rented out, and we have already found tenants.

These past few days have been delayed due to the fields and the banquet, so if we don’t leave the day after tomorrow, Ah Fang will start to worry.

Besides, the people around Ah Fang have been here for a while, and they might be busy over there.”

Grandmother Ding sighed, looking at Mother Qin with a complex expression.

Her daughter was living a good life, and she genuinely felt happy for her; no one would have expected her daughter to reach this point today. “When you were born, you were such a tiny thing; I was so happy to see you. In the blink of an eye, you married Tieniu, and I saw that the Qin family was doing well.

Your in-laws were also reasonable people, so I agreed to your marriage. Later, you also brought me pride, giving birth to a son right away. Ah Fang is a filial child who can replace his father to serve in the army. Who would have thought that a filial child would be rewarded and would reach this point today?”

Hearing this, Mother Qin felt happy too: “That’s right. Back then, he secretly enlisted in the army without telling us. When his grandmother and I found out, we almost cried our eyes out.

But this child was determined; he was only sixteen at the time, how did he have such determination to enlist?

Fortunately, he was so resolute; that’s why he is where he is today. But as elders, we still feel distressed.

Our family has no one to rely on and no connections. For him to reach this point has not been easy. Therefore, neither his father and I nor his grandparents will allow anyone to tarnish his reputation or affect his future.”

Grandmother Ding replied, “That’s true; it’s not easy for a poor family to have a successful descendant.”

In any family, they wouldn’t allow anyone to ruin their child’s future.

After all, he is a great general, bringing glory to the family and elevating their status.

Mother Qin smiled again: “Mother, Ah Fang is your grandson. Now that he has achieved success, you will have more support in the future. If the brothers and sisters in the family do not treat you well or if your daughters-in-law are unfilial, just let me know. You can come and live with us if it comes to that.”

Grandmother Ding laughed and scolded playfully, “Pah, pah, pah! What nonsense are you talking about? Where is there an old woman with sons living with her daughter?”

Mother Qin retorted, “Isn’t it allowed for a daughter to be filial to her own mother?”

Listening to this, Grandmother Ding felt happy but sighed heavily again, “Back when Ah Fang hadn’t become successful, I thought about getting Siya engaged to Tadpole. I thought it would be good for Siya to marry into our family, where no one would bully her.

But time dragged on, and now Siya has become the daughter of an official family, living with her elder brother and sister-in-law. Yanyan is a clever and knowledgeable girl; she must have taught Siya well, right?”

She had met her granddaughter-in-law and thought she was genuinely good: beautiful, gentle, and instantly likable.

When this topic came up, Mother Qin’s face lit up with joy. “That’s right! Yanyan is knowledgeable, and Siya will definitely benefit more from being around her than from us.

When she sent the letter back before the New Year, she mentioned that she had learned quite a few characters, her embroidery skills had improved, and she even used her pocket money from her sister-in-law to buy me a gift. That child really wasted her money; I don’t lack for these things!”

Although she said this, there was a gradual pride in her tone. “In the end, it’s still Ah Fang’s wife who is good. Siya and Shoucheng are living there, and all their food, clothing, and housing expenses are taken care of by Ah Fang and his wife.

Ah Fang is a man and doesn’t manage the household; he doesn’t know how hard it is to earn money these days. So, it’s really Ah Fang’s wife who is generous.

However, once we get to Yunxiang County, Siya and Shoucheng will have to come with us.

We will be in charge of the fields around the military camp there. I still receive a monthly stipend, and I have my salary from my official position.

Whether it’s supporting Shoucheng’s education, saving some money for Shouye to marry, or preparing more dowry for Siya in the future, it will all be enough.”

Fifty taels of silver a year is indeed sufficient.

In rural areas, marrying a wife doesn’t even cost five taels.

But now that the family is in better shape, regardless of whether it’s for a son or a daughter, she doesn’t want to skimp.

When the New Year comes and she receives this year’s salary, she’ll need to add some to Daya’s dowry; she can’t just focus on Siya’s dowry and leave Daya behind.

Speaking of this, Mother Qin smiled again: “As a mother, I always hope for the best for my children. When I married Ah Fang’s father, you worried about this and that.

At that time, I was young and didn’t understand, always thinking your concerns were unnecessary.

Now that I’m a mother too, I understand your feelings back then. As for Ah Fang, I feel at ease now.

The remaining concerns are Shouye, Shoucheng, and Siya.

Although they have an elder brother to rely on, they must stand on their own feet; otherwise, how can they rely on Ah Fang and his wife for their whole lives?

If that’s the case, even the closest brother will eventually cause conflicts.”

After getting married, everyone tends to focus on their own family.

Listening to Mother Qin, Grandmother Ding felt a wave of emotions.

Her daughter’s words conveyed that she wanted the best for her children, regardless of whether they were sons or daughters.

Grandmother Ding was neither reckless nor ungrateful.

She understood that Tadpole wasn’t suitable for Siya and was aware of the third daughter-in-law’s temperament; how could her daughter possibly marry her granddaughter back to her maternal family?

Still, she felt some disappointment.

However, she also knew that if she forced the issue, the family ties would be broken.

Not only would her daughter’s relationship with her maternal family sever, but her relationship with her own daughter would also be strained.

If anything were to happen to her and her husband in the future, what would happen then?

But if she didn’t force it today, those family ties would remain, and when the maternal family needed help from her daughter in the future, they wouldn’t decline.

In the end, Grandmother Qin didn’t voice her thoughts.

As one ages, they tend to think more about the future. “When you’re out, you all need to be careful. The journey to Yunxiang County is somewhat far, so prepare what you need to bring.

You don’t need to worry about things at home; knowing my eldest grandson is so capable, we will manage well at home.”

This was the truth; their Ding family was indeed the direct family of a great general.

Hearing her mother say this, Mother Qin’s eyes turned red.

Don’t blame her for being selfish; even if her maternal family needed to borrow money, she would be willing.

However, gambling her children’s happiness was absolutely out of the question.

She knew that today’s words might hurt her mother, but what could she do?

With red-rimmed eyes, Mother Qin said, “Don’t worry about me. We’ll have Ah Fang’s subordinates looking after us on the way, and once we get to Yunxiang County,

Ah Fang and his wife will be there. I’ve heard from Ah Fang’s subordinates that he has the highest rank there, and no one will give us a hard time.

Rather, I’m more worried about you and Father. Yunxiang County is so far away; if something were to happen to you, I wouldn’t be able to take care of you.

Mother, you and Father must take good care of yourselves; you still have to enjoy Ah Fang’s blessings.

Once I settle down there, I’ll talk to Ah Fang about sending someone to bring you and Father over to stay for a while.”

Grandmother Ding was overjoyed to hear what Mother Qin said.

She was happy but also hesitant to go out; as one ages, they don’t like to travel.

After talking for a while, Grandmother Ding suggested to Mother Qin, “Then we’ll take our leave. I’ll go say hello to your mother-in-law and won’t disturb you any longer.”

Mother Qin didn’t insist; they truly had a lot of matters to attend to: “Let me accompany you.”

Grandma Qin and Aunt Qin were still chatting, and upon hearing that Grandmother Ding had come to say goodbye, Aunt Qin hurriedly said, “In-laws, sit for a while longer. We don’t know when we’ll see each other again next time.”

Grandmother Ding politely replied, “No need to sit any longer; you’re busy, so we won’t disturb you. In-laws, thank you for coming to propose back then; without you, my daughter wouldn’t have the good fortune she has today.”

Grandma Qin humbly responded, “Not at all. If it weren’t for Yue Ying giving birth to such a smart Ah Fang, our Qin family wouldn’t be where we are today, so I must also thank you for giving birth to Yueying.”

The two old ladies exchanged compliments, and seeing that Grandmother Ding was determined to leave, Grandma Qin personally accompanied her out.