"I never thought there was anything wrong with the way I taught Yin Le to improve her memory skills, but if madam you are unhappy with it..."

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow, thinking he was afraid of being beaten to death by her, so he chose to say he would no longer help Yin Le.

Unexpectedly!

Ah Wang said, "Then there’s nothing I can do."

"Hiss—" Qin Yao took a deep breath, feeling really annoyed!

Yet she had no desire to punch this infuriatingly stubborn man in front of her.

Her mind suddenly cleared, and Qin Yao suspiciously asked, "Are you sure she has martial art potential?"

Ah Wang nodded confidently, then squatted down, picked up his manure scoop, and continued tending to his beloved vegetable garden.

"Wife, why is your face so dark?"

Liu Ji appeared in the garden out of nowhere, glanced at Qin Yao’s gloomy expression, then at Ah Wang watering the plants like nothing happened, his eyes widened, and without understanding the situation, he pointed at Ah Wang and angrily asked:

"Did this kid Ah Wang make you unhappy?"

Faced with his master’s unjust blame, Ah Wang was full of question marks, wasn’t it Yin Le who made the madam unhappy?

Qin Yao waved it off, not wanting to mention the matter anymore, and questioned Liu Ji, "What are you doing here?"

Liu Ji had to put away his curiosity, replying, "Jinbao just came over, saying we should go to the old house for dinner tonight."

After speaking, he pursed his lips, rubbed his forehead, and said, "My head is still spinning."

In other words, he didn’t want to go to the old house for dinner.

Seeing his reaction, Qin Yao understood. It must be because of Liu Ji’s current scholar status.

"Even if you don’t bring up the land tax issue, it will come up sooner or later. Since they’ve invited us over for dinner, let’s go. Just as you’ve been home these two days, let’s get it over with."

Hearing Qin Yao’s words, Liu Ji sighed helplessly and didn’t complain about his headache anymore.

The couple returned to the front yard, and Qin Yao asked Mrs. Li to continue preparing dinner for the children at home.

Since it’s a serious discussion and interests are involved, disputes are inevitable; it’s better not to take the children.

When Jinhua and Jinbao came to call, Qin Yao and a reluctant Liu Ji finally left.

They had just had a feast yesterday, yet the old house’s dishes prepared today were just as impressive, cooking an old hen, a fish, and half a pig leg.

The aroma was even richer than that at New Year; anyone would think the people at the old house had struck it rich, being so generous like this.

Qin Yao and Liu Ji exchanged a glance, with Liu Ji entering first and Qin Yao following two steps behind.

This was a rare occurrence; normally, Liu Ji would follow behind Qin Yao.

Mrs. Zhang, who was setting up the bowls and chopsticks in the main hall, glanced over, secretly exchanged a look with Old Liu, reminding him to notice this detail.

But Old Liu just laughed, very confident in today’s plan.

Honestly, he really couldn’t handle Qin Yao, but Old Third is his own son after all, and since Old Third is taking charge today, there’s a great hope for success.

"Dad, Mom." Qin Yao smiled and greeted.

Liu Ji reluctantly nodded at the elderly, didn’t need anyone to invite him as usual, and plopped down in what he felt was the best spot for the dishes.

In the past, Old Liu would have already whipped him with his shoe sole.

Today, the old man turned a new leaf; he didn’t glare or scold but instead warmly invited Qin Yao to sit.

He even had Mrs. Zhang rearrange the dishes, placing all the good ones in front of the couple.

Liu Bai and Liu Zhong brought out the wine, enthusiastically saying, "Old Third, yesterday you focused on others, today you must drink a couple of good glasses with us."

He brought out the last dish of stir-fried eggs with chives, slapped away Jinbao and Jinhua’s sneaky hands, and smilingly placed it in front of Qin Yao and Liu Ji, whose bowls were already full.

"Yao Niang, go ahead and eat to your heart’s content today. Your second sister-in-law even cooked an extra pot of rice, enough for everyone!"

Qin Yao just smiled, hummed in response, and said nothing more.

She seemed neither too enthusiastic nor indifferent.

It was always like this with her, and no one found it odd.

Just Jinhua, Jinbao, and Da Mao were banished to the small table in the kitchen today, not allowed to dine at the main table.

Children are the most sensitive; they immediately knew the adults were going to discuss something big, each got a chicken leg, and acquiesced obediently, holding their bowls at the kitchen door, eating while curiously looking towards the main hall.

With dishes served, except for Mrs. Qiu who was looking after Da Mao, everyone from the old house took their seats.

No one moved their chopsticks, all looking at Liu Ji.

This kind of treatment, he had never received before, and Liu Ji felt quite proud. But he knew this treatment was aimed at his scholar status, so he didn’t lose himself.

Old Liu cleared his throat, picking up his wine glass first, signaling Liu Ji, "Old Third, say a few words."

Liu Ji lifted his head, looked over every person at the table, every face, every expression, all of which carried joy with a hint of goodwill.

Old Liu’s was the most striking, his eyes full of pride and congratulations.

Liu Ji was touched, stood up, didn’t say a word, downed his glass, then sat down and picked up his chopsticks, "Let’s eat."

Everyone was taken aback, just like that?

Last night he wasn’t like this at all, his eloquence on full display, making quite an impression.

Old Liu, quick to react, smiled and said, "Let’s eat, let’s eat, we’re all family, no need to be polite."

Everyone laughed and started eating.

Mrs. He picked up a golden well-cooked chicken wing for Liu Ji, "Old Third, Big Sister-in-law remembers you always loved these chicken wings. Back in the day, when the family was poor, you secretly killed a laying hen just for this taste, causing your big brother to get a beating from Dad. Do you remember?"

Chewing on the chicken wing, Liu Ji nodded, "I remember that old hen was meant for laying eggs for Big Sister-in-law’s postnatal meals, but I ate it and framed Big Brother for it. He couldn’t defend himself, got a few beatings from Dad, and was scolded by you for a whole year."

With that, Liu Ji chuckled, looking at Mrs. He’s now-stiff smile, asking, "Big Sister-in-law, you still remember, don’t tell me you’re still mad about it?"

Mrs. He’s temples throbbed twice, her expression a bit unnatural as she waved it off, "Forgotten long ago, we’re family, how could we hold grudges!"

"Yes, exactly, we’re family, no need to mention it, let’s eat quickly, wouldn’t want this great meal to go to waste," Old Liu urged.

Mrs. Zhang also said to Qin Yao, "Yao Niang, eat more. If you like it, after moving back, Mom and Sister-in-law will make delicious food for you every day."

"Move back," she emphasized.

Mrs. He immediately signaled to Liu Bai, who hesitated a moment and, after Old Liu stepped on him under the table, had to awkwardly probe:

"Old Third, do you think you might pick a day to move back again?"

Mrs. He quickly added, saying she had already prepared Liu Fei’s new room in the backyard, plenty of space to live in.

With everything out in the open, Old Liu also mentioned he asked the Clan Leader yesterday, sons who moved out could return, as long as Liu Ji agreed, they would still be one family.

Hearing this, both Liu Ji and Qin Yao put down their chopsticks simultaneously.

After so much setup, they finally got to the main point.