Xiao Qi was standing at the gate when he heard the sound of the carriage and went out to look, imdiately shouting in surprise.
"Lady Li is here!"
Following Xiao Qi’s shout, Zhang Qingnian, with Xiao Qi on his back, was already rushing the carriage from outside the gate. Sitting on it were none other than Lady Zhang’s mother, Lady Li, and her cousin, Zhang Caiyun.
"Father, Mother, my grandma has co!" Lian Manman called into the house before running to greet Lady Li.
Lady Zhang, hearing the noise, imdiately ca out of the house. Lian Shouxin also handed over the work in his hands to Erlang, and the couple, along with Wu Lang and Lian Zhizhi, greeted them with beaming smiles.
Zhang Qingnian brought the carriage to a halt, and Zhang Caiyun jumped down, laughing.
"Manman."
"Sister Caiyun."
The young sisters held hands, laughing rrily as they turned to help Lady Li down from the carriage. By this ti, Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin had arrived. Lian Shouxin assisted Zhang Qingnian in unhitching the animals, while Lian Manman, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Zhang Caiyun took care of the bundles, baskets, and bedding from the cart. Lady Zhang approached to help Lady Li.
"Mother, what brings you all this way?" Lady Zhang, so happy to see her own mother, didn’t even know what to say. It was customary for the Zhang Family to bring gifts when Lian Huahua was married off. However, it wasn’t necessary for Lady Li to co in person; Lady Wang, Lady Zhang’s sister-in-law, could handle that. The reason Lady Li ca was naturally her desire to see her daughter, Lady Zhang.
"I’ve wanted to co for a long ti." Lady Li walked inside with Lady Zhang while constantly observing her. Lady Zhang had a healthy glow and looked to be in great spirits, much to Lady Li’s delight.
They let Lady Li, Zhang Qingnian, and Zhang Caiyun into the West Wing Room first. Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi swiftly brought over brown sugar water and a plate of sweets from the town for them to eat.
Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang first inquired about Zhang Qingshan’s health and then asked after the other mbers of the Zhang Family. They also asked what was currently keeping everyone busy.
"Your dad is quite hale and hearty; everyone at ho is fine, you don’t have to worry." Lady Li said while looking around the room, noticing it was cleaner and tidier than her last visit, and the appearance of Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, and the children seed even healthier than before.
"Has Manman grown taller? Wu Lang seems to have shot up, too, and oh, my Zhizhi is almost a grown lady now," Lady Li said joyfully, observing the children.
"My little nephew has also gotten chubbier," smiled Zhang Qingnian, lifting Xiao Qi up high.
Lian Manman glanced around and thought to herself that Lady Li truly cared for them, noticing all the changes in them.
"...Ever since that last visit, I’ve been constantly worried about you all. Now that I see you’re doing well, my mind is finally at ease," sighed Lady Li.
"Aunt, Grandma has been longing for you. She dreams about you and even talks about you in her sleep," revealed Zhang Caiyun.
"Mother, I’m sorry for causing you concern," Lady Zhang said, her eyes welling up.
"I’m your mother; if I don’t worry about you, who will," consoled Lady Li, patting Lady Zhang’s hand. "You’re doing well now. As long as you keep it up, I won’t be concerned about you anymore."
"Mhm," Lady Zhang sniffled and nodded in agreent. "Mother, don’t worry. We’re doing really well now."
Then Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin talked with Lady Li and Zhang Qingnian about recent events.
"Good, good," Lady Li nodded continually. "We heard about you buying land. Your father and I were so happy for you. That evening, your father even drank an extra two liang of liquor."
"The tea leaves you sent us were praised by your father. He said it’s the best he’s tasted in years...Even Scholar Liu from our village said it was rare, fine tea, likely worth more than ten silver...," Lady Li continued with a smile.
Lady Zhang’s face flushed with happiness. Over the years, being penniless and unable to assert herself in the Lian Family, apart from the annual New Year’s gifts arranged by Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, she hadn’t been able to offer Zhang Qingshan and Lady Li anything substantial, relying instead on them for support. This often weighed on her conscience. Now hearing how much Zhang Qingshan enjoyed their gift, how could Lady Zhang not be thrilled?
After chatting for a while, Lady Li asked Zhang Caiyun to bring out the gifts they had brought.
"Here, this is autumn’s harvest, saved especially for you." Lady Li pointed at the baskets full of fruit, which contained dark purple plums, green crisp pears, bright red hawthorns, and large dates.
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