After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

"Mother!" Xue Xu and Xue Yu stood up at the same time, and Aunt Li also stood up to pay her respects.

"Oh, alright, it's just the four of us, let's not stand on ceremony."

Back in their hometown of Puyang, Xue Yu and Aunt Li would pay their respects to her every day, without fail, except when they were sick.

No matter what Madam Xue said, the two of them insisted that "propriety must not be disregarded."

Now that they've arrived in the capital, the two haven't changed their old habits and remain very courteous.

"Mother, it was my elder brother, my aunt, and me who talked about the young master of the Jiang family, as well as the Jiang family's several scholars."

My elder brother said that the Jiang family might have a great harvest during next year's imperial examinations; he's found himself a very good marriage prospect!

That's why we said we'd make sure you were happy when you got up.

As soon as Xue Yu finished speaking fluently, Madam Xue's eyes lit up.

"really?"

"Based on my interactions and relationships with the Jiang family over the past few months..."

There's a high probability, if not all of them, that at least two people will be correct.

Xue Xu was referring, of course, to Li Haisheng and Jiang Changshou, the landlords who had the best scores in the provincial examination.

Of course, Jiang Wenqing and Dong Jin, father-in-law and son-in-law, were not without a chance.

After all, everyone had been working hard during this period, and everyone was very diligent, so naturally everyone made great strides forward from their original level.

"Then you'll have to step up your game, brother. If a few more high-ranking officials come from that family, won't your future sister-in-law have you completely under her thumb?"

Xue Yu became a little worried. Although she had not yet met Miss Jiang, she had already decided that the other party was her sister-in-law.

But she was conflicted. She hoped her older brother wouldn't become a henpecked, bullied husband in the future...

Upon hearing Xue Yu's words, Madam Xue gently patted her hand and scolded her, "How can a young lady say such things so casually?"

Besides, you met Madame Chiang yesterday. Tell me yourself, is the Chiang family the kind of family that uses its power to bully others?

Xue Xu simply smiled gently and said, "Sister, there's no need to worry. If you can truly marry Miss Jiang, you will naturally treat her with respect and live in harmony with her."

Furthermore, husband and wife should respect each other; how can there be any talk of one suppressing the other?

At this moment, Aunt Li, who had not spoken until now, said, "Since the young master is so insightful, Madam and I can rest assured."

However, the eldest young master really needs to prepare diligently for next year's imperial examination. The Jiang family has produced many talented individuals, and our Xue family cannot afford to fall behind.

Xue Xu nodded in agreement; he still had confidence in himself.

He used to be so weak, but he still managed to finish the provincial examination. Now he's much stronger.

"Please rest assured, Mother and Aunt, your son will absolutely not slack off or be lazy. I will definitely be on the list of successful candidates in next year's imperial examination!"

To put his elders at ease, Xue Xu knew that with the imperial examinations approaching, he wouldn't relax even as the New Year drew near.

Before they knew it, the New Year had arrived. After some discussion, the Xue family decided to stay up all night and move to a house on the same street on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Of course, after a heated yet reserved tug-of-war between Madam Xue and Madam Jiang, the rent was finally included in the betrothal gifts, despite Madam Xue's insistence and Madam Jiang's refusal.

By this time, fireworks manufacturing technology had greatly improved, and wealthy families would set off fireworks on New Year's Eve.

The Jiang family is not short of money now. Jiang Xiaoqi didn't get to play around with it a few years ago, and he wants to make up for it this year, since there is no "fireworks ban" at this time.

They prepared a large quantity of fireworks and firecrackers well in advance and had someone keep a close watch on them to prevent any accidents from happening before the New Year due to the dry weather.

On New Year's Eve, the entire sky over the capital was lit up with fireworks. Even if there really was a "Nian monster," it would have been scared away long ago.

After the New Year's Eve dinner and the fireworks, it's time for the younger generation to receive red envelopes.

This year, the Jiang family gathered the largest number of people, making it the most lively gathering. The landlord, Jiang, was also very happy and prepared large red envelopes for each of the younger generation.

"I have it too?"

Madam Xue was somewhat at a loss. Why was Old Master Jiang giving her "lucky money"?

"Yes, yes, they're all kids!"

Madam Xue glanced at Lin Yueniang, who smiled and nodded.

Madam Xue felt that she had received more goodwill from outsiders in the past two days at the Jiang family than she had in the previous ten years combined.

At this moment, my heart was warmed, and I bowed deeply to Landlord Jiang with the deepest respect due to a junior.

Both Aunt Pan and Aunt Li were present at this family reunion, but their red envelopes were handed over by Lin Yueniang on their behalf.

Even so, Aunt Li was still shocked, and felt even closer to the Jiang family.

Of course, since Xue Yu was from a younger generation, Lin Yueniang was the one who issued the red envelope.

The brothers Li Chunsheng and Li Qiusheng were not left out either, but they were in the same batch as Li Haisheng, Xue Xu, and Dong Jin. Their father-in-law/future father-in-law, Jiang Wenqing, was in charge of distributing the red envelopes.

Of course, he himself had no money...

The red envelopes were all prepared in advance by Lin Yueniang; he only went through the process once.

However, he's quite happy to accept the respect and gratitude from the younger generation and to act like an elder. He's content being this "passing-through benefactor."