From Folly to Fortune：I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth!-Chapter 897 - 893: Stepping on Old Mrs. Mu’s Back (Part 2)
"Nobody gets it!" Mu Dashan mumbled, then added, "Our family has what it has today all because of Shuangshuang’s hard work."
Mu Dashan had never imagined that one day, the most rundown house of the third branch could have the whole family sitting together, eating meat.
Even less had he imagined that the third branch, which once had nothing, could one day have several acres of paddy fields in the village, several acres of dry fields outside the village, a fish pond, a tavern, a private school...
Half a year ago, even with tenfold the courage, Mu Dashan wouldn’t have dared to dream of this.
But half a year ago, when their daughter took out the first earnings she made selling wild vegetables and mushrooms—sixteen coins—and said she wanted to transform this household, the third branch began to move towards a better future.
Just like now, under her tireless efforts, the third branch has what it has today.
"Shuangshuang is a good daughter, because of her our days are peaceful. Shuangshuang’s father, from now on let’s treat Fengzi and Yuanbao as our own sons. Whatever Shuangshuang, Xiao Han, and Little Zhi have, these two boys should also have."
Mu Dashan laughed heartily, "I’ve long considered Fengzi and Yuanbao as my sons."
Yu Si Niang also laughed, "Me too. Ever since that boy stood beside Shuangshuang, I felt he and our Shuangshuang were a pair.
Since Shuangshuang likes him, he is also our treasure. In my cabinet, I even have new shoes made for them."
Yu Si Niang was filled with pride, her face showing a bit of satisfaction.
Outside the kitchen, intending to grab a fire pot, Lu Yuanfeng heard every word.
He paused his knocking and slowly released his clenched fist.
A sense of being valued washed over him.
Just like back when he was falsely accused by Chen Hong on the street, everyone blamed him, but only Shuangshuang believed him and helped him out.
His heart warmed beyond words.
Lu Yuanfeng retreated and went back to Mu Shuangshuang’s room.
Upon hearing the sound, Mu Shuangshuang looked up to see Lu Yuanfeng grinning foolishly, his hands empty.
"What’s wrong? Isn’t the fire in the stove ready yet?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.
Lu Yuanfeng shook his head, "No, I’ll take care of it later."
Mu Shuangshuang guessed that her parents were in the kitchen showing affection, and Lu Yuanfeng might have been embarrassed to interrupt.
"No need to go, I’m almost done here!"
At night, hot dumplings filled their stomachs and chased away the cold.
The only thing that puzzled Mu Shuangshuang was Mu Dashan and Yu Si Niang—two people who usually didn’t eat much—each eating two large bowls of dumplings that night.
Even when full, they didn’t stop.
It made her regret cooking so many dumplings.
Mu Dashan, clutching his round belly, eagerly asked, "Shuangshuang, what are those playing cards?"
The kitchen was already tidied up by Yu Si Niang while the dining table was cleared. Mu Shuangshuang spread a piece of old cloth on the table and displayed the playing cards everyone had been eagerly awaiting.
"This is it!" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Mu Shuangshuang began introducing the playing cards, spending a long time explaining the rules and teaching how to recognize them. By the time everyone got the hang of it, it was midnight.
But in the long night, true entertainment had just begun.
*
Early the next morning, everyone got up to honor their ancestors.
The sound of firecrackers crackled continuously, it was Lu Yuanfeng setting them off for the third branch.
In the third branch, he didn’t forget to bow to the old Lu family’s ancestors, even though he had severed ties with them before. He never forgot this duty.
He never failed to burn incense for the ancestors.
During Qingming, he also climbed the hills for gravesite cleaning, everything a descendant should do, he missed nothing. In fact, he did extra.
The rules for the first day of the first lunar month were many, but the third branch continued to follow previous specifications, abiding by all customs, quietly waiting for the second day of the month.
However, Old Mu Family was bustling from the first day itself.
Mu Dade had plans to take the imperial examination this year. Wanting to go to the Capital and catch the examination, preparations had to start on the first day itself.
By the third day, he would leave through the main gate of Old Mu Family, in front of the whole village, heading to the Capital for the exam.
The time was pressing, leaving Old Mrs. Mu and Mr. Mu busy on their feet.
All necessary items couldn’t be forgotten.
The Capital was over a thousand miles away from Er Gui Village, the round trip taking several months. Without preparing things ahead, how could they manage such a journey?
But in the family, the only one not sharing this view was Mrs. Jin.
Ruan Xiao Jiao spent the New Year at Old Mu Family, ate the New Year’s Eve dinner, and even stayed for the vigil last night.
On this first day of the New Year, early in the morning for ancestor worship, Ruan Xiao Jiao was still around.
At this moment, Ruan Xiao Jiao practically became Old Mu Family’s daughter-in-law, while she, Jinyin’er, felt like the trash everyone ignored despite being the one who helped place Mu Dade in his position.
All of this was orchestrated by Old Mrs. Mu.
The New Year’s Eve dinner was approved by Old Mrs. Mu.
So was the vigil, and the morning’s ancestor worship—Old Mrs. Mu called Ruan Xiao Jiao!
Mrs. Jin swore that this time she would seize the opportunity to make Old Mrs. Mu face consequences.
The tentative plan for going to the Capital had Mu Dade and Mrs. Jin on the list, with Mrs. Jin taking care of Mu Dade’s living needs along the way, while Mu Dandan and Mu Yingying stayed home so as not to burden their brother during the exam.
Mrs. Jin understood Old Mrs. Mu’s nature; if she wasn’t there, Old Mrs. Mu would definitely bully her daughters. Mrs. Jin aimed to raise her daughters as elegant young ladies, not to let them become country bumpkins after falling prey to Old Mrs. Mu.
So early on the second day of the month, Mrs. Jin sent Mu Dandan and Mu Yingying back to her own family.
When Mu Dade returned, the daughters would be brought back.
Early on the second day of the month, Mrs. Jin dressed up and headed to the town, saying she’d find someone for fortune-telling, determined to ensure Mu Dade’s success as Champion Scholar.
She was gone all day, returning at dusk with news.
She received information from Wang Banxian, the most accurate fortune-teller in town.
For Mu Dade to succeed as a scholar, he had to do as instructed.
"Sister-in-law, are you serious? In front of the whole village, have elder brother step on Mom’s back to board the carriage?" Mrs. Lin listened to Mrs. Jin’s story with her mouth agape.
Of course, there was a bit of schadenfreude mixed in.
Mrs. Jin recounted Wang Banxian’s advice: for Mu Dade to claim victory this year and become a scholar.
He must step high, only by stepping high can he climb high, which means reaching the peak.
This height refers not to terrain but to individuals.
Which means the two parents.
Mr. Mu was the head of the house, the backbone of this family, but Mu Dade couldn’t step on his back.
That left only Old Mrs. Mu.
