Qin Yao stood by the street quietly observing her children, and seeing that they were all adapting well, she really felt relieved and started to purchase furniture.

She didn’t love to shop aimlessly, and since she had a clear goal of what to buy, she basically had an idea in mind. She chose the largest second-hand furniture shop in the grocery market area and walked straight in.

The shopkeeper, experienced in doing business, immediately noticed Qin Yao as she entered. After greeting an old customer, he waved away the clerk and personally smiled while welcoming her, gently introducing the newly acquired sets of furniture in the store.

Noticing Qin Yao’s gaze falling on a pair of silver and red vases, he immediately instructed the clerk to bring them closer for her to see.

Introducing them, "To be honest, ma’am, these are made with fine materials and excellent craftsmanship. They were mostly seized from the government, and although some people think such items are unlucky, I believe that enabling customers to buy the items they like the most with the least amount of silver is worth it. Don’t you agree?"

Qin Yao nodded, "I think so too. Let’s keep this pair of silver and red vases for me. I’ll choose a few more items, and could you give me a good price for them, sister?"

The owner smiled and gestured invitingly, "Feel free to look around, sister. Once you’ve decided, I’ll have the clerk move them together. As for the price, we can discuss it. What’s most important is that you’re satisfied."

Qin Yao noticed a woolen woven flower tapestry hanging on the wall. "Do you have a measuring tape to measure it for me?"

The owner promptly brought a long tape, measured it, and reported the data to Qin Yao.

"I’ll take this tapestry as well." The size fits perfectly in the main hall.

The shop also had several sets of reception tables and chairs; Qin Feng’s house only had one set, and with more than two guests, there weren’t enough seats. Qin Yao decided to measure and order two sets of uniform color and style tables and chairs while measuring.

It’s true that big stores have a complete selection. They even sell lanterns, although those aren’t second-hand but new.

At Qin Feng’s residence, only two paper lanterns hung at the main gate, letting in drafts so much that the candles couldn’t be lit.

Qin Yao clicked her tongue in disdain and told the owner, "Give me four long strings of red lanterns and ten small individual lanterns."

She wanted to light up that small courtyard brightly!

Then, Qin Yao ordered eight flower pots, four large water vats, four wooden buckets, a set of kitchen utensils, eight copper basins, four bath barrels, four beds, and three dressing tables, plus two sets of tableware, ensuring that even if guests came over, there would be enough bowls and dishes for entertaining.

Qin Yao made her selections decisively, taking less than half an hour to choose everything in the store that met her needs.

The owner followed her around with an abacus, calculating as they walked, and both stopped almost simultaneously.

Qin Yao said, "I’ll take these."

The owner said, "The total is fifty-eight taels, six maces, and thirty-seven coins. Since you’re so straightforward, I’ll waive the small change, just fifty-eight taels and six maces for you."

Qin Yao nodded, paid promptly, gave the owner the address of Qin Feng’s house, instructed them to have the items delivered, and continued to the next shop.

In the second courtyard, except for a decent set of bedding in the main house, the other rooms were bare, looking cold and dark, not at all bright and sunny.

A home should be the most comfortable and relaxing place. Qin Yao liked having some color at home, making it bright and cozy.

There was a fabric shop in the grocery market area. Qin Yao also bought a pile of ready-made bed curtains, bedding, and soft cushions.

She even bought embroidered fabric for stools, which she herself didn’t need, but Fourth Sister, being an adorable little girl, should have a room that’s pink and pretty, down to the finely detailed table legs.

Thinking along the lines of decorating a dollhouse, Qin Yao bought a pile of brightly colored soft decorations and ornaments for the girls’ rooms at home.

Having bought a lot of items and feeling the time was about right, Qin Yao prepared to meet up with the children at the end of the street. Suddenly, she paused, realizing she forgot to buy things for Liu Ji’s room.

After a moment of thought, she returned to the first shop, seeking the owner to buy two large bookshelves, an Eight-Immortal table set, and a study desk set.

Since she was buying already, she decided to get him two sets of good bedding too. The weather was indecisive, and not sleeping well could affect his brain.

A bad brain would cause trouble with studying.

This delay made Qin Yao the last to arrive at the end of the street for the gathering. Yin Le and the children had already spent their budget, getting what they wanted.

Carryable items were taken by themselves, while larger items were arranged with the shopkeepers for delivery to Yongtong Lane.

Qin Yao asked, "Got everything?"

One big and four little nodded happily. Sanlang and Si Niang even took off the masks they had on their heads, covering their faces to show off.

Two cute little faces were covered by fierce beast masks, making Qin Yao step back half a step. If their father encountered this at night, wouldn’t he be terrified?

After instructing, "No masks at home tonight," Qin Yao waved her hand, "Let’s go home!"

The mother and children arrived home first. After about half an hour, the purchased items were delivered. The siblings rolled up their sleeves and started arranging, transforming the entire courtyard.

As dusk settled, lanterns in both the front and back yards were lit. Amidst the dim one-story houses, the two-story courtyard shone like a beacon, striving to emit light and guide night returners home.

The aroma of food wafted from the courtyard. A neighboring child sniffed the air and exclaimed, "It’s meat!"

Even in the Capital City, under the Emperor’s feet, not many could afford meat. The aroma from Qin Mansion spread throughout Yongtong Square, making countless children drool.

Sanlang practically anchored himself by the stove, sitting on a small stool, pretending to help with the fire, but actually sneaking a hand out, quickly grabbing a piece of freshly stewed meat and popping it into his mouth.

Chewing, he furrowed his brows, "Senior Sister Le, it’s salty."

Since Master and Uncle Ah Wang weren’t home and it was already dinner time, Yin Le, who was reluctantly cooking, mercilessly kicked this sneaky eater out of the kitchen!

Sanlang licked his lips, wanting to say that he didn’t mind the saltiness, but upon seeing Senior Sister Le’s stern face, thought he better slip away.

He ran out of the kitchen into the front yard, noticing that every room except his dad’s was lit.

His older brothers were happily making their new beds, and his little sister, hugging her beloved instrument, was looking for a place to settle it.

Mother was calmly sitting in the central hall’s newly bought Taishi Chair. The small table beside her was filled with various snacks. One hand was tossing snacks into her mouth while the other lifted a teacup to drink, her eyes dull and her mind vacant.

Sanlang circled around the new large water vat in the courtyard, wondering: When will we be able to eat?

"Mother, I’ll go check if Dad and Uncle Ah Wang are back." He shouted toward the central hall, receiving a sluggish "Mm" in response, and sprinted out to the main gate.

After running out briefly, he rushed back in excitement, shouting to all the rooms: "They’re back, it’s time to eat!"

He gleefully dashed into the kitchen, eagerly setting up bowls and fetching chopsticks.

His shout jolted Qin Yao and the others back to reality. They all promptly put down what they were doing and gathered in the courtyard.