"Fan Jia really wasn't a good role model, but if she had properly disciplined this girl, things wouldn't have gone so wrong. Now she can't even get married."

Fu Baiman sighed.

Fu Sanjin voiced her lingering question, "Has Sanmei not married yet?"

Tian Guihua sneered and shook her head, "Her past scandals have spread throughout the villages for miles. The lazy boy she likes doesn't look down on her, and the good boy doesn't look down on her either."

"Who would be willing to take a troublesome daughter-in-law like her back home?" Tian Guihua thought Fan Sanmei was all looks and no substance, and she wasn't even helpful.

"Knowing you became an official, you've been causing trouble these days. This child is truly hopeless."

Fu Sanjin gave a cold smile. "Even if I was still the Fu Sanjin from before, I wouldn't have any thoughts for her."

"Sānjīn, what's going on between you and Jiāng Yáo? Mom didn't want to ask just now, but Jiāng Yáo doesn't look like she comes from a poor family."

Fu Baiman nodded in agreement, "I also think she looks different from those wealthy daughters-in-law."

But she couldn't say exactly where it was different.

Fu Sijin knew his parents would ask, but he didn't want them to know about being injured and almost dying, saved by Jiang Yao. He didn't want to worry them.

"Jiang Yao lost her parents when she was young. Her relatives took over her family fortune and even wanted to marry her off to an old man. She ran away, and that's when she met me."

"Oh, that relative is really something else. How could a beautiful young lady like her marry an old man?"

Fu Baimian also sighed, “No wonder that child looked like he was very afraid of people.”

"I don't care what's going on between the two of you, but since you want to marry another woman, listen carefully! Whether you become an official or become successful, you have to treat her well. Our family doesn't allow having several women in the house. You hear me?"

Fu Sanjin didn't have the heart for it either. "Mother, I understand."

The more women there are, the more things happen, and he doesn't have time to deal with them all.

Fujujiao looked at Jiang Yao, even the chickens were afraid of her. I guess piglets would also be scared of her, so I only said it and didn't really take her to see.

Jiang Yao's frame was delicate, and Fu Jiu Jiu worried she would be exhausted from the long journey. He originally intended to take a short stroll and return, but he hadn't expected villagers to see them. They insisted on pulling Jiang Yao around, peppering her with questions.

Luckily, Jiang Yao was gentle and answered their questions one by one.

Fujujijiu, who was listening beside him, felt her head spinning. If she were in his shoes, she would run away.

In the evening, Fu Dajin, Fu Erjin and Fu Sijin, three brothers, returned.

Fu Dajin now has nothing to do, so he helps Fu Erjin look after the business. When Fu Sijin has work, he also goes there to help out.

The two brothers asked their eldest brother for wages, but Fu Dajing refused.

Is he short on money now?

If it had been in the past, Zhou Shi would definitely have held a grudge. Now, although she still thinks about it, she doesn't say it to everyone.

There are also a few smaller ones, they can't all fit in the house.

Jiang Yao had no siblings, and she didn't even have relatives afterward.

With so many brothers together, chatting and laughing without arguing, she never dared to imagine such a scene.

My uncles and cousins at home can't even see each other, as they always end up arguing. I don't know how many teapots and teacups have been broken because of their fights.

Several little ones were also very polite. After receiving the gifts, they all came over to thank Jiang Yao.

"Liu Jin, you've grown taller." Fu Sanjin patted her younger brother on the shoulder. "Study hard, we depend on you."

"Third Brother, Third Brother, look at me, I've grown taller too!" Fu Bajin tiptoed on his toes. He had always been easily overlooked because of his small stature and had long since learned to find his own sense of presence.

"Well, eight gold is high now. I see you made some small cars for Erpang, they're good."

Fu Bajin patted his chest and said, “This is nothing! I’m currently researching mechanisms. The other day, I even helped my sister make a fan for Tang Qi. It was quite fun.”

Fu Bajin thought the fan could be used for self-defense, "Third Brother, when I have time, I'll make something for you too. It will make you invincible in battle, conquering all and leaving none standing."

Fu Sanjin touched his head, "Yes, reading really makes a difference. You speak so eloquently now."

"Hehehe..."

Fu Tianfu also tugged at Fu Sijin's sleeve, "Third Uncle, what about me?"

Fu Sanjin looked down at his nephew and was stumped. He really didn't know how to praise him.

"It's good to be fortunate, well done."

"Fu Tianfu is two months older than Fu Bajin, he must have heard it. "Uncle Three, are you just placating me? I can't possibly give you anything to praise!"

Fu Sanjin looked pleadingly at the crowd, "Tianfu, what abilities have you developed? Tell us yourself, Uncle Three is listening."

"Sigh..." Fu Tianfu took a breath. He wasn't as good at studying as his Sixth Uncle, and he was even worse at carpentry. He had broken several tools and hadn't made anything decent yet.

"Uncle Three, I can eat three bowls of rice."

Mrs. Wu grabbed his ear and pulled him aside, "Are you still talking? Eating like that, sooner or later you'll become a fat pig."

"Little ones, you've finished," Fu Sanjin looked at Fu Sijin, "Sijin, you're back."

Brothers need not say much to each other.

Fu Sijin smiled slightly, "Since you're not here, of course I have to take your place."

"There are so many parents, and I feel at ease."

Fu Sanjin looked around the bustling house, filled with warmth and activity. Yet, there was a distinct absence of someone. He dared not mention it, fearing he might bring up painful memories for his parents.

Fu Sijin saw through his thoughts, "Third Brother, you're back. This year, our family won't be missing anyone."

Fu Sanjin didn't know that Fu Qijin had already found out. He thought since Qijin hadn't been home for many years, perhaps he hadn't been counted.

In two days' time, he would pick a time and discuss with several of his brothers how to get the Qijīn back.

This is the parents' lifelong wish, he must help them fulfill it.

"Oh, you guys are talking, I have to start cooking." Fu Erjin got up. "Sanjin, what do you want to eat? Second Brother will make it for you."

Lunch was cooked by several daughters-in-law, which Jiang Yao thought was normal. How could men be asked to cook dinner?

Meng Yan saw the puzzled expression on her face and whispered an explanation, "Our family is like this. Second brother cooks delicious food, so he mostly does the cooking at home. We only do the smaller tasks."

Jiang Yao couldn't believe what she heard, but she loved the atmosphere of the Fu family so much.

"By the way, I'll take you to see your room. Just tell me what you need and don't be shy."

Jiang Yao nodded. She thought she would have to share a room with someone, but the Fu family had prepared a single room for her.

This was originally intended for Fu Sān Jīn, but since they haven't gotten married yet, they absolutely can't live together.

Even if it's a few days short, that's not acceptable.

The Fu family couple are very principled.

This was prepared by Meng Yan when Jiang Yao and Fu Jiu Jiu went out this afternoon. There are more things used by young ladies in the house, she also moved her dowry makeup box to this room.

Jiang Yao saw the effort that the Fu family had put in, especially the two pots of flowers on the window sill. She was drawn to them and couldn't look away.

First released on the Traditional Novels Website