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

The guest's buttocks were heavy, so he didn't leave.

The host couldn't go up and kick them out, so they were worried.

It was already dark, and we had drunk quite a bit of tea.

Jiang Xiaoqi didn't want the other person to stay for dinner, but Zhao Hongsheng, whether because he needed to urinate or because he finally had a change of heart, said goodbye.

"Master, this young master of the Jiang family is far too impolite. He didn't even invite you to have dinner! You've been drinking a bellyful of tea all afternoon!"

"Shut up! Who told you to talk about Brother Jiang like that? He's just not familiar with me yet. We'll get to know each other better later!"

"Yes, Master. It was this servant who was bad at speaking. Young Master Jiang is a handsome young man from a scholarly family. He is indeed worth befriending."

"Well, I'll let you off this time, but don't speak recklessly again."

Although Zhao Hongsheng said this, he was actually a little disappointed.

Qiqi, do you know that because of you, I have to spend two extra hours in my study every day, and even going out is restricted?

Sigh, no rush, there's still time. At least for the next two years, Father will have to take care of his brothers' weddings first, and then it will be his turn.

Jiang Xiaoqi saw off the heavy-backed guest, unaware that the other party stubbornly believed he was a woman.

But so what? It won't change his opinion of this person, nor will it change his plan to visit famous mountains and rivers.

Since he is a prince, he can't just leave the palace all the time.

This is actually their third meeting, and each time it's been several months apart. It's alright, they just need to leave the capital before this person leaves the palace next time.

If you can't afford to provoke, you can afford to avoid!

Since the other party did not reveal their identity, I should pretend I don't know. Someone I've only met three times can't be considered a friend.

So he left Beijing quietly, and there was no question of him leaving without saying goodbye.

Well, it's time to help with my second sister's wedding. After the wedding, I'll send my second sister to my senior brother's side, and then he'll take my mother to the ends of the earth.

Three days after arriving in Beijing, the Xue family came to propose marriage, and the two families set a wedding date for Xue Xu and Jiang Lan'er.

"In-laws, please stay for dinner today."

“In-laws, I also want to stay, but the house at home hasn’t been settled yet, and I can’t put my mind at ease. The matchmaker is coming this afternoon, so we can get together after everything at home is settled.”

"I see. Well, that's good. With the children serving as officials in Beijing, they need a stable place to stay. Runzhi has been busy looking for houses these past few days."

Li Haisheng is about to marry Jiang Xiyue. He just bought a few servants from the brokerage firm these past two days: a gatekeeper, a cook, and a servant boy. These three will be a family of three.

When Jiang Xiyue gets married, she will bring a maid and servants to accompany her. It's just the young couple, so these people will be enough for now.

"Oh? I wonder how the house search is going, Mr. Li? My family is planning to buy the one we were renting before, but we haven't finalized the deal yet."

"Runzhi and his family plan to buy a smaller one, which is a bit far from our street. After all, this place is near the Imperial Examination Hall, so the prices are not low, and there aren't many empty houses. They really can't find anything suitable."

There are many elegant and quiet houses a few streets away. Xi Yue has visited them, and apart from being a bit small, she can't find any fault with them.

Lin Yueniang has been busy these past few days, and Li Haisheng consults his mother-in-law's opinion on every house he looks at.

"It's small, but it's enough for the two of them. I heard that Young Master Li's siblings don't want to come to the capital. That whole family is worried about Xiyue."

"Yes, the Li family is so considerate of Xiyue, so we can't help but think about the Li siblings. Once Runzhi and the others are settled, we should ask his family for their opinion again."

"A single tree cannot make a forest; having family around always provides support, doesn't it?"

Lin Yueniang wasn't just putting on a show of generosity in front of Madam Xue; she was thinking that when she left with her son, her daughter would have no one to help her and no one to talk to.

She had it all planned out: her parents-in-law would live in a large mansion in the capital with their three granddaughters, and two female tutors would continue to teach them.

The husband was sent to Tongzhou to take up his post, while the eldest daughter, Xiwen, had already gone to Linhai with her husband, along with her grandson and in-laws.

After her second daughter, Xiyue, and her second son-in-law got married, they lived in a small house a few streets away. With this in mind, it seemed that no one needed her to worry about anything anymore.

After personally seeing off the Xue family mother and son who had come to propose marriage, Lin Yueniang began to take stock of her private savings. Apart from setting aside money for her daughters' dowries, she planned to bring more cash this time.

Just as they were making plans, their second daughter, Jiang Xiyue, and Li Haisheng returned from outside. Seeing the happy looks on their faces, it seemed that the house was finally settled.

"Mother, we visited several places today, and finally, our efforts paid off. The house isn't small, and it's not expensive either."

Most importantly, although it's a few streets away, it's very close to our current house in a straight line.

If we were in a hurry to get home, Haisheng and I could just fly back together!

"What nonsense are you spouting, girl? Why do we have to fly back to our parents' home? Do you think you two are some kind of notorious bandits?"

"Haha, Bonnie and Clyde, Mother, we might have the skill to be Bonnie and Clyde, but we don't have the guts!"

"Alright, stop fooling around. Quickly tell your mother which house you've chosen and how much it costs. If you don't have enough money, your mother will make up the difference."

“Auntie, no need, I have enough money. I went to the jewelry store today and sold a few more stones (gemstones). That will not only raise enough money to buy a house, but also enough to buy some new furniture.”

Li Haisheng quickly stopped his future mother-in-law from taking out money. How could he expect her to contribute money to buy a house when he was marrying her? Otherwise, he would be seen as a gigolo.

"That's good. But don't rush to buy furniture. Did you forget? Xiyue's dowry includes dozens of pieces of furniture, which should be enough for you two for now."

"After you're married and settled in, we can see what's lacking in the house and then replace it, saving us money."

"Oh, I forgot about that. Well then, I'll listen to Auntie and we'll add the rest later."

"Yes, it's not easy to live in the capital. Even though you have some savings, you still need to live frugally."

We're just ordinary people; we don't compare ourselves to others. We just focus on living our own lives well behind closed doors.

Lin Yueniang's words were meant for Li Haisheng, but also for her daughter.

Although the second son-in-law had accumulated some wealth on his own, it was still no match for the Dong and Xue families, who had been in business for many years.

However, the second son-in-law was all alone and had managed to get to where he is today, even becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination. He is already an outstanding person, and we should not criticize him because of his family background.

Most importantly, Lin Yueniang did not want her second daughter to develop a competitive spirit, thinking that she, as a legitimate daughter, was not as well-married or as happy as her half-sister.

Once people develop a competitive mentality, what was originally good turns bad, and what was originally happy turns into trouble.

Since Li Haisheng was able to become the top scholar in the imperial examination, he was naturally not stupid. Now, after listening to his future mother-in-law's words, he felt even more grateful for his good fortune.

His fiancée is a good girl, his mother-in-law is also a good mother-in-law, his brother-in-law is his own fellow apprentice, and he also has a lot in common with his two brothers-in-law.

And there was my enlightened grandfather, my kind grandmother, my understanding wife's sisters... Oh right, I almost forgot, and also... my magnanimous, well, optimistic father-in-law~

Even if you run to the ends of the earth, I will still catch up with you!