As for the failure of the blind date in May and Qianyue, Old Man Xia still holds a grudge to this day. At first, he was annoyed by the hypocrisy and deception of Xia Ershu's family. Now, he regrets that such a good young man like Qianyue couldn't become the son-in-law of the Xia family.

  Back home, Old Man Xia sat on the kang and called over his three children, Xia Zhi, Xia Qiao, and Xiao Shu'er, to ask them about their time at the Tian's.

  "How come you're back so early? What happened?"

  They didn't even wait for Xia Zhi to speak, and Xiao Hei Yu Er and Xiao Shu Er rushed to tell everything. The first time Xia Lao Ye heard how the Tian family treated the outspoken infant girl and the grown-up daughter, his face changed, obviously very uncomfortable.

  He took a half-day break before he came to his senses. "Your grandfather used to come to our house, and I didn't get along with him very well, but I never thought he was capable of doing something like this! It's not surprising, though - an ordinary person wouldn't be able to do what he did to your family!"

  Xia Lao Yezi's resentment towards Tian Lao Tou burst out, as the children's grandfather, he didn't have as many concerns as Xia Lao Tai Tai.

  "You know why I had a falling out with him back then? I'm not one to praise myself, but my tolerance is still passable. No matter who or what, when facing them directly, I must give them face. But the words he said, if I were to give him face, that would be equivalent to putting our old Xia family's face under his feet for him to trample."

  Old Lady Xia mentioned past events with Old Man Xia and then advised him on the side: "It's all in the past, there's no point in mentioning it."

  "Then I have to say something, I have to let the kids know." Old Man Xia didn't listen to Old Lady Xia's advice and continued to tell Xia Zhi and the others, "That year when your father just passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, our family set up several tables for a banquet. Your grandparents and their family also came."

  "Do you know what he said after drinking two cups of wine?"

  "I don't know." Xia Zhi and several others shook their heads.

  Those things related to the Tian family, everyone has always been silent about it, no one mentions it. The Tian family often talks to them, but they only talk about how difficult the Tian family is, how hard it is for them, or how Old Man Xia treats them badly and looks down on the Tian family.

  Today, Old Man Xia is surprisingly willing to talk about past events, and Xia Zhi naturally wants to listen carefully.

  "Your grandfather drank two cups of wine, and in front of so many people, he said that your father was able to pass the imperial examination as a xiucai because he borrowed his light, it was the green smoke rising from their ancestors' graves, it was the accumulated virtue of the old Tian family that protected your father's success!" Old Master Xia loved dignity and usually remained calm on the surface no matter what was said, but when it came to this matter, his face twisted, showing how deep his resentment ran.

  Xia Zhi was also stunned. She turned her head to look at Xia Qiao and Xiao Shu, only to find that the two brothers had grown up overnight, with a look of astonishment on their faces.

  As expected, everyone's thoughts on this matter are consistent. Lao Tuo is too shameless, and by saying such things, he clearly doesn't take Master Xia or the entire Xia family into consideration.

  "Grandpa, what did you just say?" Xia Zhi asked Old Man Xia.

  "What can I say, I threw down my chopsticks at the time. I told him, my son's surname is Xia, not Tian, that's my son, not his son. No matter how much incense their ancestors' tombs burn, it has nothing to do with my son. Their ancestors' tombs burning incense should be for his son. I'm waiting for his son and grandson to get him a scholar title!"

  If Old Man Xia had endured it at the time, he would have changed his surname to Tian afterwards. Old Man Xia didn't endure it, although he was restrained by his dignity and convalescence, he didn't overturn the table at the time, but what he said was quite impolite, it can be said that he stripped off Old Man Tian's face.

  At that time, Tian Dabao and Xia Qiao were already born. Everyone knew that Tian Dabao was a fool and his elder brother Tian Da couldn't recognize many characters.

  "Grandpa, you're too kind. If it were someone else, they'd have overturned the table and beaten him up on the spot, then chased him out with a stick."

  Xia Zhi's words were refreshing, and Xia San Shu, Xia San Shu, and several others nearby couldn't help but burst out laughing. Xiao Hei Yu, on the other hand, was clenching his fists and rubbing his palms together, deeply regretful that he hadn't encountered such an opportunity earlier, or else he would have been able to put Xia Zhi's words into practice.

  Unfortunately, he wasn't born yet at that time.

  Old Man Xia also smiled, and seemed to have dissipated some of his resentment after hearing what Xia Zhi had said.

  "He was so embarrassed at the time, saying that I was being sarcastic with him. He also said that he had two cups of wine and I shouldn't have taken it seriously. Then, he couldn't stay any longer and left."

  After that, Lao Tiantou never came to the Tian family again. Also because of this matter, Lao Tiantou deeply resented Xia Laoyezi, and it is unknown what he instigated in front of the Tian family, thus burying the roots of the family's misfortune.

  "I don't know if your mother has told you about this, and how she told you." Xia Lao Ye said to several people, but his eyes were only on Xia Qiao. Xia Zhi was a daughter, Xiao Shu Er was still young, born after the separation of the family. Tian Shi had always been sowing discord, it was Xia Qiao. "I reckon, your mother must have told you that I look down on your grandfather, so your grandfather didn't come to visit."

  Xiaqiao's face turned red, he didn't mention Tian Shi, but just admitted to Old Master Xia: "Grandfather, I really didn't know about this matter before."

  Xia Lao Ye Zi didn't force Xia Qiao either. "You know now, Da Qiao. You're growing up too, understanding the principles and having your own judgment. I'll tell you about past events slowly, and you can distinguish for yourself."

  Xia Qiao responded with a low "mm-hm".

  "This attitude is already quite satisfactory to Old Man Xia. 'Da Qiao, you are a child of the Xia family. Our Xia family has no bad people, no cruel people. Grandpa believes you can distinguish right from wrong and good from evil.'"

  Xia Qiao nodded again and murmured in agreement.

  "Grandfather, I want to find my older sister," Xia Qiao said, pausing for a moment before looking up and speaking solemnly to Old Master Xia.

  Old Man Xia was taken aback, then immediately agreed enthusiastically. "Alright, I'll support you. If you need money, I'll give it to you; if you need people, I'll provide them. Good child, this is the kind of filial behavior that brings honor to our family." Old Man Xia patted Xia Qiao's shoulder with satisfaction.

  "Brother, how are you planning to find Da Yuemei?" Xia Zhi asked.

  "Oh..." Xia Qiao made up his mind to find Xia Yue back, but as for how to do it, he actually had no idea. However, the first step he thought of was: "When mom comes back, I'll ask her where they sold Da Yue Jie to."

  Xia Zhi nodded: "Brother, I advise you to be mentally prepared. Mother won't say anything."

  "I'll keep asking, and Mother will always tell me." Xia Qiao said.

  Xia Zhi believed that Xia Qiao had such perseverance and persistence, but apparently his methods were too mild and ineffective. However, Xia Zhi did not point this out at the time.

  "Brother, you ask about Da Yuemei's whereabouts, but don't agree to any other conditions with Mother." Xia Zhi had already made arrangements in advance.

  "Alright." Xia Qiao thought for a moment and then nodded.

  Xia Zhi smiled: "Brother, as long as you can find out from our mother where Da Yue is, I'll help with bringing her back."

  "Alright, sixteen, it seems we'll have to rely on you even more from now on." Xia Qiao's face suddenly had even more radiance. Although Xia Qiao wasn't very worldly, there was one thing he did understand. The Tian family had exchanged Xia Yue for money, and if they wanted to get Xia Yue back, they would probably have to spend even more money. And the money that Xia Xiu had earned, as well as the family's savings, were all in the hands of the Tian family, waiting to be taken back by the Tian family. As for the people left at home who still had some ability and could think of ways to make money, there was only Xia Zhi.

  "I'll naturally lend a hand." Xia Zhi smiled, "However, asking Mother about the whereabouts is entirely up to you. Brother, you have to work hard."

  "I will." Xia Qiao seemed even more spirited now.

  Mr. Xia looked on from the side, a smile also appearing on his face. He was very pleased, on one hand it was Xia Qiao's transformation, and on the other hand it was Xia Zhi's thoughtfulness and consideration.

  Xiaqiao's temperament needs to be tempered. In this regard, Old Master Xia and Xia Zhi have the same view. This matter is a good opportunity for Xiaqiao to temper himself.

  "After all these years, the kids have finally grown up." Old Xia said with emotion, and now he was full of hope for his eldest son's future.

  After finishing with this family matter, Xiao Shu hurriedly told Lao Ye again that Da Ya and Er Ya were coming to their house to live.

  "First, let's have him live at our house and have my mother find a rich family for him to marry into. After receiving the betrothal gifts, we can use the money to buy an engagement gift for Da Bao (older brother) to get engaged."

  Old Man Xia nodded, indicating he understood.

  This time going to Xia Zhi's house in the mountains, the main task is to give a guarantee to his own family, except for those thirty-two silver coins, no more promises are allowed to be made to the Tian family.

  This matter was completed perfectly by Xia Zhi.

  Of course, the result of this matter is that Old Tian began to set his sights on his own granddaughter, wanting to exchange her for a betrothal gift to find a daughter-in-law for his grandson. Da Ya and Er Ya were born in the Tian family, and being exchanged for a betrothal gift by Old Tian was only a matter of time.

  The Tian family took on this matter, or it can be said that Lao Tian arranged such a task for them, which will have more or less impact on the Xia family.

  But this influence is much better than before.

  "Your mother has agreed, just let her go through the trouble herself. We can't control it even if we want to." Xia Lao Ye is now also open-minded, his eldest son and daughter-in-law can do whatever they want, as long as his grandson and granddaughter are good, that's all that matters. "If you don't want to eat in the front yard from now on, just come here to eat. Grandma and Grandpa will always have a bowl of rice for you."

  "I'm with my sister." Xiaoshu leaned in closer to Xiazhi, being extremely sycophantic.

  Xia Zhi glanced at the little tree.

  The little tree had a flattering smile all over its face.

  "Little Shu, don't you think that from now on I'll have to move to the backyard?" Xia Zhi asked Little Shu.

  The little tree didn't say a word, but his expression had already betrayed his thoughts. He indeed thought so and made up his mind to follow Xia Zhi's footsteps closely.

  "That's right." Little Black immediately expressed his opinion, "The two girls from Lao Tian's family have come, and the sixteenth has to move back. Why suffer in the front yard? Sixteen, you can just move here and live with me."

  "Why should I move out and give them space?" Xia Zhi didn't agree with this approach, "That's my home, if someone wants to move out, that's not me. I'll still live in the front yard."

  Xia Zhi said so, and he had made up his mind. Xiao Shu didn't say anything, anyway Xia Zhi was where he was. Xiao Hei Yu was sulking, but he didn't say anything to Xia Zhi either.

  The decision of Xia Zhi, all the little black fish are supportive. "Sixteen is right, this is our own home, why should we give up space for others!"

  Mr. and Mrs. Xia didn't say anything, this matter was a small thing in their eyes.

  Several children were in the backyard, chatting and laughing. Before they knew it, time had flown by quickly. When they heard the sound of vehicles outside the gate, they realized that it was almost dusk.

  It must be Xia Xiuzai and Tian Shi who have returned. Xia Zhi looked up at the sky and found that the sun was still a long way from setting. Xia Xiuzai and Tian Shi had returned earlier than they had originally planned.

  If it were in the past, knowing that Tian had returned, Xia Qiao would definitely go out to greet him at the first time. However, today Xia Qiao heard the commotion outside, but did not take immediate action.

  Xia Qiao hung his head, apparently still unsure of how to face the Tian family.

  Xia Lao Ye Zi and Xia Zhi didn't urge Xia Qiao. Xia Zhi and Xiao Shu Er also didn't go forward, they just waited for Xia Qiao. Until the sound of horse carriage faded away, after a while, Xia Qiao finally stood up.

  "Grandfather, grandmother, Third Uncle, Third Aunt, then we'll head back first." Xia Zhi brought Xiao Shu'er along as they stood up, saying to the crowd of people including Old Man Xia.

  "Go ahead, if there's anything, come and tell me." Old Master Xia nodded, gave a few more instructions to the children, and then let them go.

  The little black fish didn't feel at ease with Xia Zhi, so he followed him over.

  The front yard and back door were open, and as soon as Xia Zhi walked out the door, he heard Tian Shi's voice inside. Tian Shi was talking to Da Ya and Er Ya.

  Xia Xiuzai happened to be walking out of the outer room at this time, and he saw several children standing outside the door at a glance. Xia Xiuzai hurriedly walked out.

  Seeing several children were safe and sound, Xia Xiucai obviously let out a sigh of relief.

  "Big Bridge, when are you guys coming home?" Xia Xiuzai asked with concern.

  Xia Zhi met Qian Yu Lai at the place where they were shoeing horses. During that time, neither Xia Xiucai nor Tian Jia had anyone come looking for them.

  However, Xia Zhi did not quarrel with Xia Xiuzai. When she got on the carriage of Qian Yue's family, she also asked the apprentice from the blacksmith shop to deliver a message to Xia Xiuzai at the Tian's house, telling her that they took a familiar person's carriage and returned to Daxing Village first, so that Xia Xiuzai wouldn't worry.

  It's also because of this that Xia Xiuren saw their first sentence would be this one.

  "It'll be noon when I get home." Xia Qiao replied in a low voice, then he also took another glance at Xia Xiuzai.

  When Xia Zhi asked someone to deliver a message to Tian's house, it was not in the presence of Xia Qiao and Xiao Shu, so Xia Qiao and Xiao Shu did not know about this matter.

  Xia Xiuzai did not notice anything unusual about Xia Qiao's expression and nodded in agreement, saying: "Very good, very good."

  Xiaqiao and Xiaoshu both lowered their heads.

  Xia Xiuzai glanced into the house. Tian Shi's voice had paused for a moment, as if she had heard them talking outside. But in this short time, Tian Shi was already chatting with Da Ya and Er Ya again, her tone still quite cheerful.

  Xia Xiuzai let out a soft sigh, then turned back: "Daqiao, Shi Liu, Xiao Shu'er, I have something to say to you all."