With the whole family working together, on October 28th, Yang Huazhong's house had four tables full of dishes for his birthday celebration in the main hall.

In the backyard kitchen, Big Mrs. Sun said to Mrs. Sun, "We originally planned for two tables of food, but unexpectedly there are two more tables! It's really beyond our expectations."

Sun shi also echoed Da Sun shi's expression, saying, "Indeed, I didn't expect this either. I didn't expect that for our Big An's birthday, so many neighbors would come to celebrate and offer their congratulations."

“Luckily, our Qing’er prepared in advance. There's enough food and drinks for two extra tables. Otherwise, if so many people suddenly arrived, I would have been in a panic!”

Hearing what Sun shi said, Da Sun shi nodded repeatedly, “Our Qinger wants everything to be ahead of us.”

Just then, Yang Ruqing also came from the front yard.

“Mother, the daughter of Baozhu's family broke the spoon in her hand. Why don't you give me an iron spoon? I'll take it to all the children who are attending the wedding feast.”

Yang Ruqing entered the kitchen and said directly.

Sun said, "Good, I'll go now."

>

Mrs. Dazun said, “The iron spoon was mine to put away and I know where it is. I’ll go get it. You talk to Qing'er.”

Old Mrs. Sun turned and left the kitchen, going to the dining hall next door.

Here's the translation:

Here, Sun Shi again pulled Yang Ruoqing and said what she had said when she was with Da Sun Shi earlier.

Upon hearing this, Yang Ruqing smirked.

“It's nothing strange for two more tables to pop out, is it? If we hadn't later made it clear that we wouldn't accept gifts, I'm afraid there would have been even more than just two tables.” she said.

The poor have no one to ask for help in the bustling city, while the rich have many distant relatives in the deep mountains.

Duan'an became a juren, himself a wealthy merchant. Tang Yazi was a general, and Yang Huazhong the local headman...

Officials, businessmen, military...

Of course everyone is trying to curry favor, that's just human nature, that's how the world works. Just understand it and let it be. Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate! ?

Soon, Da Sun took an iron ladle and handed it to Yang Ruqing. Let me know if you have other text you'd like me to translate! ?

Yang Ruoqing took the iron spoon and greeted Sun Shi and Da Sun Shi before turning around to hurry back to the main hall to entertain the guests.

Let me know if you have other text you'd like me to translate!

The next morning.

Yang Huazhong and Sun, along with Xiaohua, escorted Dangan to the road by the courtyard gate.

On Dayan's back was a bamboo woven satchel, filled with heavy scrolls and the four treasures of the scholar.

On the side, Yang Huazhong was holding a wooden box in his hand. Inside the box were Da An's books and manuscripts.

>

On Xiaohua's shoulder, there was also a big bag carried. The bag contained changed clothes, padded clothes, and cotton shoes.

Mrs. Sun's hands were empty, but a woman's had been firmly gripping Daan's arm the entire way out of the house.

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

The mother and son walked side by side, the Mrs. Sun's words of caution along the way, like thousands of words, could not be said enough.

There are some reminders that have been repeated over and over, from last night to today.

Sun Shi was completely unaware, but Da'an had already memorized her every word.

However, even so, Dā'ān was still patient and earnestly listened to everything that Sun Shi had instructed.

"Mother, please rest assured, I will do as you say and eat three meals on time every day. I won't stay up too late at night either."

"When it gets cold, I'll add clothes, and the cotton shoes on my feet will often be sun-dried."

“For bedding and such, there are people who specialize in cleaning and laundry in the academy. You don't need to worry about it yourself.”

"If there's anything I can't handle myself, I'll go to the tavern and find Uncle Five and Third Brother. If there's anything else, I'll also have them send messages home..."

Duan An organized all the rambling instructions Mrs. Sun had given him into concise sentences and re-explained them to her in a clear and simple way.

Sun Shi, upon hearing this, was very pleased and nodded repeatedly.

"That's good, that's good. Since you can remember all these things your mother said, I can rest assured." Mrs. Sun said in a trembling voice.

The woman couldn't help but reach out and gently touch Da An's head: "My Da An, you're a big boy now. Look, you're even taller than your mother."

"You must take good care of yourself and don't let your parents worry at home!" Mrs. Sun said again.

Looking at her eldest son before her, Mrs. Sun felt both pride and heartache.

Dai An held Mrs. Sun's hand and smiled at her daughter, who was shorter than him.

The mother's temples were already starting to show strands of white hair, which caused a pang of sadness in Da An's heart.

"Mother, you don't have to worry about me, your son has grown up."

"As for you and your father, be sure to take good care of yourselves at home."

“The day grew colder step by step, mother. You should do less needlework at night. Sitting on the floor for too long worries me that you'll catch a cold.”

“If one must do needlework, it should be done sitting in a warm tub. And Father, when you are in good spirits, don't drink cold wine, warm it up instead,”

If there's anything, just write me a letter. Don't keep it from me.

>

"When the 15th day of the twelfth lunar month arrives and the academy is on holiday, I will immediately head home for the New Year. Don't worry, parents. Take care of yourselves. Your son won't be so worried then..."

"Oh, just focus on your studies and take good care of yourself. Don't worry about our parents at home, I've got it covered!"

A crisp and pleasant sound came over. Da An followed the sound and saw Yang Ruohua smiling and walking towards him.

"Sister"

A gleam of joy appeared in Dà'ān's eyes.

>

Looking at Yang Ruqing who walked up to him, Dangan couldn't help but say, "Sister, didn't we agree last night that you wouldn't have to come today and should stay with my niece instead?"

Yang Ruqing smiled and shook her head. "Accompanying her is important, but sending my younger brother to school is also important!" Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

She came to Da'an and, lifting her hand, smoothed the robe on his body.

Smoothing the crease on his shoulder, she gently placed her hands on them, her eyes soft as she looked at him.

"In the blink of an eye, my little brother has grown into a big boy. He used to be shorter than me by a head, but now he's taller than me."

“Haha, the little shadow from before has grown into a man now! Sister is truly happy for you!” Yang Ruqing said sincerely.

Hearing this, Dayan also curled her lips and a warm smile appeared on her face.

“Sister, no matter how tall or old I get, in front of you, I will always be your little shadow, never changing.” he said.

Yang Ruoqing was stunned, her heart moved deeply.

This is his own younger brother, a sibling born from the same parents, like vines growing from the same stem.

This blood connection, no matter how long ago or how far apart, will never fade!

"Good!" she nodded lightly and gave Dangan a light pat on the shoulder.

"When it comes to studying, your elder sister, brother-in-law, and our parents have always held the same expectations for you."

"Study your best, don't put too much pressure on yourself."