The sickly son died young? After the marriage exchange, I will bring prosperity to his entire clan f

"The magistrate's wife and the magistrate don't have a very good relationship. It's probably because the magistrate brought his family to his uncle's wedding banquet, and she knew that the magistrate valued us, so she wanted to host a banquet to get closer to him?"

“If that’s really the case, I’d feel sorry for her, living off a man’s insignificant love.” After saying that, Du Mingxian felt something was off. “But the invitation includes my eldest sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, third sister-in-law, and even Da Bao’s kids. I don’t think it’s what you’re saying.”

"Why are they all women and children?"

Du Mingxian's expression was solemn. "I'm afraid their real intentions are not what they seem. If we don't go this time, they'll definitely find other excuses to go and meet them, to see what they're up to."

"Be careful in everything. Now I am a scholar, you are a scholar's wife, and your sister-in-law is a royal merchant. I suppose they wouldn't dare to do anything."

"Ah."

Unaware of Gao Min's intentions, not all the invited people went. Wang was unwell, Liu was busy making soap, and in the end, only Du Mingxian and Xiao Zhou went together.

Little Zhou had at least traveled far and wide and seen the world, so at least she wasn't terrified of officials now, which could be considered an improvement.

There weren't three children to bring, just Ling Dabao, Ling Erbao, and Ling Sanbao. The others could be excused by saying they were too young.

On the way, Du Mingxian repeatedly reminded them to be careful and not to act rashly.

The group was very nervous, afraid of causing trouble for Du Mingxian, and they arrived at the Liu residence with trepidation.

The magistrate's wife's personal maid was waiting outside. When she saw the Ling family's carriage arrive, she quickly went forward to greet it. She was very enthusiastic and did not look down on anyone.

Du Mingxian chatted with the other party, with Xiao Zhoushi following behind, and Ling Dabao and his children also following behind, but they did not look around or say anything, appearing calm and composed.

Actually, it was all taught by Du Mingxian. If you don't understand anything, just stay calm. The calmer you appear on the surface, the less the other person can see what you're thinking.

Several children were also taken to the backyard.

Du Mingxian saw that there was no one in the back hall, only the county magistrate's wife.

Is this a flower viewing party?

Could it be that Ling Silang's prediction came true, and he's using the flower viewing as an excuse to host a banquet for them, hoping to curry favor with the county magistrate?

"lady."

"Come and sit down." Gao Min was very easygoing and quickly stepped forward, pulling Du Mingxian with one hand and Xiao Zhoushi with the other.

After the group sat down, Gao Min asked, "And who is this?"

“My second sister-in-law and my eldest sister-in-law are in poor health and need to rest, so they rarely go out. My third sister-in-law is busy with the workshop and can't be left alone, so it was just my second sister-in-law and me who came here.”

Gao Min nodded gently, "That person with exceptional cooking skills, known as a master chef, is really beautiful today."

Mrs. Zhou was so embarrassed by the praise that she felt embarrassed.

"Are these young men all your nephews?"

Du Mingxian didn't know what Gao Min meant, so she simply explained, "The one in the middle is my second brother's family, and the ones on the left and right are my eldest brother's family. The other mischievous kids are being taken in by their fourth uncle to study, so they didn't come over."

Gao Min's gaze was focused on Ling Dabao. "Not bad."

Du Mingxian suddenly realized that the look in his eyes was more and more like... a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law.

It couldn't be what she thought.

The county magistrate's wife only gave birth to one daughter, but she was, after all, the legitimate daughter of an official family. Could she marry into... a commoner family?

"Yes, the kids can do anything else, but they just don't like studying."

Ling Dabao and his friends really didn't like reading.

"Studying is not the only way out; each has its own advantages."

Du Mingxian finally understood that Gao Min was after Ling Dabao; she just didn't know what the girl was like.

Ling Dabao and his companions stood there, completely bewildered. Gao Min, seeing their discomfort, said, "Let's take you gentlemen for a walk. They probably won't feel comfortable if we talk here."

"Yes." A maid immediately led the people away.

As soon as she arrived, Gao Min got straight to the point, "I heard that none of your children are engaged yet?"

“Da Bao was engaged before, but after our family had that accident, the girl didn’t want to and broke off the engagement, so we didn’t get engaged again,” Du Mingxian answered truthfully. “We can wait another two years for the other children, so there’s no rush.”

Gao Min nodded slightly and said nothing more. "My daughter is quite good at brewing tea. Would you like to try some?"

"It is our honor."

Soon Liu Zhen'er was called out. Liu Zhen'er brewed tea, and Gao Min watched quietly without saying a word.

Sitting opposite Du Mingxian, Xiao Zhou was extremely anxious, unable to understand what was going on. Was this how a wealthy family's flower-viewing banquet was conducted? They were just sitting there, and there were no other guests present.

She kept giving Du Mingxian meaningful glances. Du Mingxian saw that Xiao Zhou's eyes were almost twitching, and she wanted to laugh, but she barely managed to hold it in and gave her a look that told her not to rush, and continued to watch Liu Zhen'er brew tea.

The tea was ready, and both Du Mingxian and Xiao Zhoushi received their tea.

Du Mingxian could still taste it, but Xiao Zhoushi was just... guzzling it down, not even tasting the flavor.

"Miss Liu's tea is truly delicious, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth."

Which parent doesn't like their daughter being praised? Gao Min is no exception. "This child likes to research things on her own, which is quite different from my personality."

Du Mingxian didn't respond. Gao Min said to Liu Zhen'er, "Go and find the young masters of the Ling family. The eldest young master of the Ling family helped you before. You should thank him in person."

"Yes, Mother, I'll take my leave." Liu Zhen'er bowed to the group before departing.

Xiao Zhou felt like she had hemorrhoids; no matter how she sat, it was uncomfortable, especially since Liu Zhen'er had bowed to her before leaving, which she found extremely awkward.

Before anyone could ask, Gao Min said, "Last time at the Xu family, someone blocked my Zhen'er's way, and it was Young Master Ling who helped."

“The child didn’t mention it when he got home, so we didn’t know about it.”

Gao Min was slightly surprised, then smiled and said, "Perhaps he didn't tell you aunts, but told his mother instead."

Du Mingxian understood the implication: "Our family has a very good relationship. If Dabao tells my sister-in-law about it, we will know too. If we don't know, he must not have told us."

Gao Min was genuinely surprised this time, "You two used to have such a good relationship?"

"Yes, harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things. That's the good thing about farming. Although there are many people in our family, the relationships are simple."

Gao Min liked Du Mingxian's insight. "I met the master when I was still young. He studied at my family's private school for two months, but later, due to financial difficulties, my family decided not to let him continue his studies."

"But the adults loved reading, so they went to ask my father for help. He was also talented, and my father, who valued talent, gave us all his help. So our relationship developed naturally."

"However, he was young when he was able to marry me. I was the only one in the backyard. As I grew older, I only had one daughter, Zhen'er. The need to carry on the family line was unavoidable, so the master took in some concubines."

"So I thought that my Zhen'er must marry down in the future. As long as the other person is of good character, treats my Zhen'er well, and there are no messy things, I will be satisfied."

If Du Mingxian still doesn't understand, then she has truly lived in vain. "My Ling family does have a family rule that a man can never take a concubine; he can only marry a wife."