The next morning, sunlight streamed into the house through the windows, and everyone sat around the table enjoying a delicious breakfast.

After dinner, my uncle and his friends went to the county to buy New Year’s goods, and Zhang Qiao drove a horse-drawn carriage to take them to the county.

Xu Yang drove a horse-drawn carriage and took Shen Rou and others to visit her mother's grave. When they passed by Jiangxing Village, the villagers were curious about whose rich relative they were.

When passing by the Jiang family's door, Shen Xue lifted the car curtain and looked at her former home with a sad expression, with wisps of green smoke rising from the chimney.

"Sister, who lives here?"

"I don't know either. Maybe they are from the Jiang family! Xiaoxue, this is no longer our home. Don't be sad."

"Sister, coming back here reminds me of the past. Although life was hard, having mom here is home. It's a pity that life is better now but mom is gone."

As Shen Xue spoke, her eyes became blurred with tears, and her unwillingness to cry was truly heartbreaking.

Grandma and Shen Rou looked at Shen Xue lovingly and comforted her softly: "Xiaoxue, be good and don't cry. If your mother in heaven could see how happy we are now, she would be happy too."

"Can Mom really see it?"

"can."

At this time, a woman came out from the next yard and said in surprise when she saw Shen Rou and the others: "You are Xiaorou and Xiaoxue, right?"

"Auntie, Happy New Year."

"Are you here to see your grandma and Xiaoyu?"

"We don't have a grandmother, and we passed by the village on our way to visit our mother's grave."

"Xiaorou, come to my house and sit down."

"Thank you, auntie. We still have to go to the grave. Let's go."

The woman watched the carriage slowly pass by with regret. "What a wonderful child! Now she's been personally named a princess by the Emperor, and will soon marry the prince and become Princess Mu. It's a pity that no one in Jiangxing Village gets any of this benefit. They're all ruined by that unfaithful Jiang Zongwei. Otherwise, having a princess in our village would be a great joyous occasion that would bring honor to our family."

Several women saw her talking to the people in the carriage and asked curiously, "Xiaoqing's mother, who is in the carriage?"

"Sister Xiaorou and her brother are here to visit her mother's grave."

"Are they the three siblings abandoned by Jiang Zongwei?"

"Yes, she is quite a big shot now. She opened a factory in Yunzhou and was personally named a princess by the emperor. She is about to marry Prince Mu."

"Who did you listen to?"

"My relatives have a good relationship with her second aunt. She said she would marry Prince Mu after the three-year mourning period for her mother. It's a pity that our village can't benefit from her at all."

The woman hurried to the village entrance.

"Sister-in-law, why are you running?"

"Go find the village chief."

"What does she want from the village chief?"

"I don't know what she wants to do."

Wu heard their conversation and shakily walked out of the yard on her crutches. "Aunt, did you see Xiaorou and her brother just now? Where are they?"

"She went to visit her mother's grave. It will be difficult for you to recognize her now. She is now a princess and will be a princess in the future."

Old Lady Shen Wu was shocked and said, "Princess? When did she become a princess?"

"Xiao Rou is already engaged to Prince Mu. After her mother's mourning period, she will marry Prince Mu. You can only watch her become the princess."

"I am her biological grandmother. She must provide for me in my old age. Otherwise, I will go to the government office and sue her. Let everyone know that she is greedy and vain and does not recognize her biological grandmother. Even if she becomes a princess, she will be scorned by the world."

The woman rolled her eyes and said sarcastically, "How dare you say that? You even went to the government office to sue her. She has already severed all ties with your son, so how can she be your biological mother?"

"That's ridiculous. Back then, your family threw her three siblings away like rags. Now that she's rich and powerful, she's trying to curry favor with you. Do you think you can get close to her?"

"I am her biological mother. This is an unchangeable fact. She can't deny it."

"Only someone like you could say such shameless words."

"Just take care of your own family, why bother with other people's families?"

"Who cares about you? I'm just telling the truth."

Wu said loudly: "Xiaoyu... Xiaoyu..."

After calling out a few times but no one answered, he could only stagger back to his room on crutches.

They could no longer survive in the capital, so in order to return to the village, they sold their granddaughter Jiangxi to someone else as a concubine, and used the money to bring their grandson back to their hometown to live.

After returning to the village, Jiang Yu heard the villagers' mocking voices and sarcastic looks every day. Fourteen-year-old Jiang Yu could not stand everyone's sarcastic looks, so he hid in the room every day and dared not go out.

How proud she was before, how miserable she is now. Now there are only her and her grandson left in the entire Jiang family, and life is even more difficult than before.

Wu returned to the room and angrily shouted, "Xiaoyu, didn't you hear me calling you?"

"Why are you shouting so loudly? Isn't our family embarrassing enough? You still have to publicize it so loudly. If you don't feel ashamed, I do."

"Don't you want to live in the village? Now there is an opportunity for you to live in the city, are you willing?"

Jiang Yu's eyes lit up when he heard this. "I'm willing? What opportunity?"

"Xiaorou brought Xiaoxue to visit your aunt's grave. You should take this opportunity to recognize them. Xiaorou is now rich and a princess. She will soon marry Prince Mu and become his consort. You are her cousin, and as long as she recognizes you, you can live in the palace."

Jiang Yu said timidly, "Will she recognize us? She didn't want to recognize us in the capital two years ago."

"If you beg her softly, as long as she agrees, you will be the princess's brother. With this status, will you have any trouble finding a wife? Even the county magistrate's daughter will be vying to marry you."

"Grandma, I'm afraid she won't..."

"Don't be afraid. It's up to you whether you want to stay in the village for the rest of your life or live in the city."

Jiang Yu paused for a moment, as if he had made up his mind, and said firmly: "I will go, no matter what this time, she must recognize us."

"That's my good grandson. When you have money, study hard. When you become the top scorer in high school, I don't think anyone will dare to look down on us."

"I don't want to be an official. It's too scary to be beheaded at will."

"Your uncle was beheaded because of that girl Xiaorou. If you behave well as an official, you will definitely not be beheaded."

"With money, life is so comfortable. Why should I live in fear? I don't want to be an official."

"Okay, okay, I don't want to be an official."

"Let's go. If it's too late, they'll leave."

Jiang Yu supported Wu and walked out.

The carriage moved slowly, and only the creaking sound of the wheels could be heard, as if telling an ancient story.

Outside the car window, the scenery is picturesque. Wisps of blue smoke rise from the chimneys, adding a touch of warmth to this cold winter. Occasionally, a bird flies by, making crisp calls.

The carriage slowly stopped. Shen Rou helped her grandmother get off the carriage and came to the Shen family's tomb. The grave was overgrown with weeds. Shen Rou looked a little uncomfortable. She took her younger brothers and sisters to clear the weeds. Xu Yang also came to help. Grandma burned paper money for Shen.

The cold wind made people shiver, but the three sisters cleared the weeds with their bare hands without a single complaint of being tired or cold.

Grandma burned paper money for Shen, muttering to herself, "My dear daughter! Are you doing well in heaven? We all miss you so much. Mother has brought your three children to see you; they've all grown up. Xiaorou and Prince Mu are engaged, and the emperor himself has granted them. Our Shen family hasn't produced a scholar in decades, so to have a princess in this lifetime is such a glorious and joyous occasion. It's a pity you won't be able to see it."

"Xiaoxue, she is learning medicine from the miracle doctor and is doing well now. Xiaonan is very good at studying, and the teacher praised him for his promising future in studying."

"Your three children are all very outstanding. It would be so wonderful if you were still alive! It's a pity that you can't see them grow up."

"My daughter, my heart aches!"

Grandma couldn't help but shed tears.

After clearing the weeds, the three siblings kowtowed to Shen. Shen Xue knelt on the ground, tears already blurring her eyes. Looking at the grave, her heart was filled with endless sorrow and longing.

The cold wind blew her hair, but she was unaware and just shed tears silently.

Grandma handed them paper money and asked them to burn it for their mother.

Shen Xue took the paper money, lit the flame, and watched the flame devour the paper money. The longing in her heart became stronger and she cried uncontrollably.

"Mom, is it cold down there? We bought extra paper money to burn for you this time. Please use the money to buy bedding. Don't be reluctant to spend it. Our family is well off now, and we will come to visit you often in the future."

Shen Xue spoke with sobs, her voice sounding particularly desolate in the cold wind, making people feel pity when they heard it.

Shen Rou's eyes became wet as she watched them crying.

Among the three siblings, only Shen Xue has the deepest feelings for her mother. After all, Shen Rou has changed her heart, and her feelings for her mother are definitely not as strong as Shen Xue's.

Shen Nan was still young when Shen passed away. After a few years, his memory of his mother gradually became vague. Seeing his grandmother and second sister crying inconsolably, he also shed tears silently.

Shen Rou looked at the grave and said, "Mom, please bless our family with peace and keep grandma and grandpa healthy. I'll bring your son-in-law to see you when I have time."

After burning the paper money, Shen Xue and her grandmother stood silently in front of the grave, unwilling to leave for a long time.

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