On New Year's Day, Lin Kangping also put on a new set of clothes, a dark purple cotton robe, and a rose-red satin jacket. Along with Zhen Qi, he kowtowed to Zeng Ruixiang and Shen Shi, who also gave him red envelopes as gifts. Lin Kangping knelt down and kowtowed three more times, saying: "This Spring Festival is the happiest and warmest one I've ever had since I was aware of things. Thank you, Father and Mother, for accepting me. You not only gave Qi to me but also a home. I will cherish this family affection."

  Shen's family heard this and couldn't help but sigh, quickly helping Lin Kangping up, saying: "Child, from now on, you are also our child, we are your family, don't mention outsiders again. This new year, just follow Zi Fu and the others to recognize some relatives."

  Lin Kangping was very moved after hearing that, and Zifu and Zilu were waiting for Lin Kangping to call them "brother". The two of them teased together, and Lin Kangping felt a bit embarrassed to call out. Zi Qing chased after Zifu and Zilu, saying: "Calling brother requires giving red envelopes, don't be stingy!"

  "This sister is really useless, she hasn't even married in yet and already has her eyes on outsiders. After doting on her for over a decade, isn't that right, Xiao Er?" Zi Fu said with a glance at Zi Lu.

  "Not me, I'm telling you, next time I'll never go catch frogs again. I don't know who it is, but every day they're pulling on me with a pitiful face saying: 'Second brother, I want to eat frogs.' " Zi Lu said in a spoiled tone, imitating Zi Qing's mannerisms, while Zi Lu, Zi Xi and Zi Yu all teased him from the side.

  Lin Kangping grasped Zi Qing, who was running, with one hand. Zi Qing wore a peach-red dress with flowers, which made her face look like a peach blossom. The collar and cuffs were lined with white rabbit fur, making her look bright and charming. Lin Kangping removed the butterfly from her head and replaced it with a pair of peacock-shaped hairpins with emerald green and gold edges, thin as cicada wings. These were slightly larger and more luxurious than the butterflies.

  Those butterflies were originally going to be pinned on Zi Yu's head by Zi Qing, but Shen Shi didn't allow it. She said to Zi Qing: "Qing Er, who gives away betrothal gifts so casually? If Kang Ping finds out, he'll get angry. It's better for children to just wear a few flowers." Zi Yu pouted her small mouth in response.

  The whole family dressed up and went to the old house to pay their respects to Old Master and Mrs. Tian. When Mrs. Tian saw that Shen's mother and daughter all had rabbit hair on their cotton-padded jackets, but hers didn't, Shen knew what she was thinking and explained: "Mother, this is a New Year's gift from Kangping. At the time, your clothes were already made and sent over, so they weren't sewn with rabbit hair. Now there's still some left, and Xiaoyu used it up. Ziqing made a new cotton skirt for her second aunt. She said that last year she saw her second aunt's cotton-padded jacket was leaking cotton wool, and tomorrow when Xiaoyu comes, she'll give her a new one to change into."

  Tian's family could only give up. Anyway, it was for their own daughter. Thinking of this, they put on a smile again, but saw Lin Kangping and Zi Qing standing in front of them, each wearing new silk clothes. It really caught the eye, and had to be said that Lin Kangping was much stronger than Damao, whether in terms of appearance, momentum, height, and of course the most important financial resources, Damao was far inferior. However, Damao was from a clean family background and had studied for several years after all. Thinking of this, Tian's heart felt blocked again.

  The Xiao family is finally together this year. After the Lantern Festival, Old Lady will go to her second daughter's house to live out her days, and it will be hard to see each other again. Zi Qing took Lin Kangping over to kowtow to her, and personally gave the old lady a red envelope with five taels of silver inside. The old lady was moved to tears by the red envelope, and Zi Qing still remembered the warmth of the egg and three pancakes when she first arrived. Thinking about the impermanence of things, she also felt a pang of sadness for a while. When leaving, Zi Qing told Peng Shi that tomorrow, Xiushui will be back, and she must wait for her to find her.

  Originally, Zeng Rui Xiang didn't want to invite guests on the second day of the new year. The behavior of Chun Yu's family had become a thorn in his heart that couldn't be easily removed. Shen Shi said: "Do you think I've gotten over that hurdle? Besides Chun Yu, aren't there also Xia Yu and Qiu Yu? It's been several years, it's already become a habit. If we don't invite them this time, what will those two brothers-in-law think? It won't be good for our reputation if word gets out. Anyway, it's just two meals, you go tell your parents to invite the two younger sisters' husbands, I want to see how she plans to come to my door this year. How thick can someone's skin get? In any case, I'm not planning on having dealings with her family anymore."

  Zeng Ruixiang nodded in agreement, feeling even more grateful for Shen's kindness and rarity. These past few years at home, staying by Shen's side, he had grown tired of his own family's behavior, and yet they still treated him and Shen this way. Thinking about the ten years he spent away from home, Shen and their children must have endured countless hardships, but she rarely complained. Zeng Ruixiang's affection for Shen grew even stronger, while his feelings towards Tian and his sisters cooled down a notch, not to mention that big brother who seemed non-existent.

  This year, because Lin Kangping is at home, Shen Shi also doesn't want Zi Qing to stay at home. Seeing Da Mao and others, in case Chunyu's family really comes to the door with a thick face, according to her estimate, it's not just Chunyu's family that will take the opportunity to come to the door. At that time, who knows how to drive them away? Shen Shi let Zi Qing and Lin Kangping go together to Baitang Village for New Year's greetings, leaving Zi Xi and Zi Yu to watch the house at home. The study was naturally locked up. Before leaving, Zi Fu and Zi Qing also instructed them several times to take good care of the house. Now is not like in the past, there are more and more valuable small items at home.

  Two aunts, Xu and Zhao, met Lin Kangping for the first time. They prepared a gift of introduction, with a silver coin in each red envelope. Kangping shared the pastries he brought from Beijing, giving two boxes to each family. Each of the two aunts received one piece of silk fabric. For his grandmother He, he gave satin fabric and an additional small jade scepter.

  He and several aunts and uncles saw Lin Kangping sincerely acknowledge their relationship, indicating that the matter had passed, and they all let out a sigh of relief. Especially He, who held onto Lin Kangping and wiped away tears for half a day. Originally, the two uncles also felt that Zi Qing's marriage was decided too hastily, and they were somewhat dissatisfied with Lin Kangping's identity. Over the years, they had followed Zi Qing from behind, borrowing light to grow watermelons and sweet potatoes, and every year they had a considerable income. They naturally loved their niece dearly, especially since she was a sensible and understanding child who knew how to advance and retreat. This time, seeing Lin Kangping's performance, his appearance, height, and demeanor, he seemed like someone who had seen the world. At the dinner table, the more the elders examined him, the more satisfied they became, and the smiles on their faces grew more numerous. Lin Kangping's background was thus ignored.

  After the host and guest were satisfied, Zi Qing and her family returned home. To their surprise, Lao Ye Zi and his family had not left yet. Chun Yu's family really did come over. Zi Qing looked at Lin Kang Ping with concern, but he gave her a reassuring glance. She knew he wouldn't do anything rash, but little did she know that what was meant to be done had already been taken care of.

  Chun Yu saw Lin Kangping, and a hint of jealousy and panic flashed in her eyes. It seemed that there was also fear, and then she saw Lin Kangping always accompanying Zi Qing by her side, wearing new silk clothes, while Zi Qing still wore the same peach-red dress as yesterday, with a new hairpin on her head, looking nothing like a village girl. The two of them together were indeed pleasing to the eye. Chun Yu pondered over Zi Qing's outfit and accessories, probably enough for her whole family to eat for two years, and she couldn't help but feel regretful.

  Zi Qing ignored Chun Yu's nod of approval and didn't find Da Mao or Er Mao, nor did she see Xia Yu. When asked, it was learned that Xia Yu hadn't come over, saying she was at home preparing to entertain guests, and tomorrow would invite everyone to her new house for a lively gathering. Zi Qing entered the room and prepared the gift for Xiao Xiu, just about to leave when Zi Fu led Xiu into the room, still holding a child.

  "Xiu Shui shouted as soon as she entered the door: 'Qing Qing, I heard you were looking for me. What good things do you have to show your respect? Hurry up and bring them out. I brought my daughter to give you New Year's greetings. Bring out the red envelopes.'"

  "Ha ha, let me tell you, I'm just her sister. Not a senior, but no gift for not meeting." After that, everyone laughed.

  Shen hastily wrapped a red envelope. Zi Qing led her into his own room to chat, asking about family matters, and immediately took out the pair of silk flowers he had set aside for her. Zi Qing knew she loved beauty, so he also gave her a gold ring with a jade face, a pair of jade earrings. Xiu Shui saw them and couldn't help but praise them, liking them as if they were something precious. Seeing Zi Qing's outfit, she said: "I like your clothes, I'll make a set when I get back, and your headdress is really beautiful, where did you buy it?"

  Knowing that it was a gift from Lin Kangping and bought from the capital, Xiushui stopped pestering him. She put on the hairpin in front of the mirror, wore the ring, changed her earrings, and then asked complacently: "Doesn't it look good?"

  Zi Qing saw that she was still so temperamental, and felt much more at ease. The two of them chatted for a bit longer, and when the old master and his party were about to take their leave, she followed them out as well.

  Zi Qing saw that everyone had dispersed and only then thought of asking Shen Shi: "Mother, how did my elder aunt and the others enter the house? Why didn't I see Da Mao and Er Mao?"

  "Hey, never mind, Big Hair knelt down at the gate not long after you guys left. We didn't know what happened, but later a crowd gathered around the gate and Big Hair voluntarily confessed how he had lost control that day, accidentally breaking the plate and ruining your reputation. He spoke with tears in his eyes, beating his own face and scolding himself for being worthless."

  "I know, I know, sister. I've been listening to you and Big Brother for a long time." Zi Xi laughed and learned from them.

  Originally, Da Mao was kneeling at the door. During the first month of the lunar year, many people in the village came out to visit relatives, and seeing that there were more onlookers, Da Mao opened his mouth and cried: "My second uncle raised me for so many years and let me study for several years. How could I harm my cousin? I really didn't do it on purpose. I just saw my classmate Zhou Jixian and said a few more words. I stretched out my hand to take the dish from my cousin, originally with good intentions. Seeing her come back and forth several times, I wanted to help her, but I didn't expect to lose control of my hands, causing my cousin's reputation to be damaged. How can she hold her head up in the future? I'm really worse than a pig or dog! At that time, I only knew how to be afraid, but I didn't know how to explain things for my cousin in time. I thought it was just muddled through like this. Now my uncle and aunt won't let me enter the house, and I realize that I made a big mistake. Neighbors, please do me a favor and speak up for me. All the mistakes were mine alone, and have nothing to do with my cousin. I really know I was wrong...

  "I'm lazy and heard that many people in the village are discussing this, saying that they didn't expect Zeng's nephew to be a white-eyed wolf. He was raised for so many years without knowing gratitude, and when something happened, he didn't know how to make amends in time. He's also a coward. There were even several children from the school who threw vegetable leaves at him. You don't know, it was really embarrassing. But today I finally got to hold my head high for once." Shen said with a smile.

  "If I had known this would happen, why bother from the start? Now my daughter's reputation is already ruined, what's the use?" Zi Qing thought about this and felt a bit disheartened, afraid that it would affect her own child's growth in the future.

  "Speaking of which, we should really thank your uncles and aunts, as well as your third aunt, for helping to quell the rumors. They didn't hesitate to argue with others on your behalf. The son of Li Zheng's family also spoke up for you, and many students who studied at your father's school helped spread the word out of gratitude towards your father. It was a blessing in disguise that this rumor didn't spread further. That day, Li Zheng and the matchmaker had ulterior motives and exaggerated things. Later, Li Zheng's son got into an argument with his father, but Li Zheng himself stepped in to calm things down, saying that your father was a clean and honest scholar who opened the school for the sake of the village children. He said that all the children in your family were well-behaved, and everyone had witnessed this over the years. From then on, no one in the village was allowed to mention this again, and slowly but surely, things calmed down."

  "How did your aunt and them get in?" Zi Qing asked.

  Later, your aunt and uncle came together with your grandparents. Your father wouldn't let them in, but your grandfather kept persuading him, saying they knew their mistakes, that they were all one family's bloodline, and even if bones are broken, the tendons are still connected. How could you just cut off ties? Besides, Big Mao had already knelt for half a day, and everyone in the village knew what was going on. It was all about making a big deal out of nothing. I wasn't bothered by these things, but since it's almost New Year's, having Big Mao kneel at our door for so long wouldn't look good either. What could be done? If they weren't let in, your aunt would also have to kneel down, and the villagers were still watching. It was all so frustrating, what a hassle!

  "I also know why Big Fluffy left early today, according to Second Fluffy, Big Fluffy was beaten up by someone last year and his body is still covered in bruises, he's even whimpering in pain when he sleeps, serves him right. And, one of his fingers was chopped off." Zi Xi said with a smile.

  "This is a strange thing, your aunt still thought it was us who found someone to beat up Big Mao, blaming us for being too cruel. Your father scolded her at the time, saying we would have taken action long ago if we wanted to, and could have waited until several months later to ask Big Mao about it. But that child refused to say anything, only saying he didn't recognize anyone. Amitabha, I guess this is karma in this life." Shen said, suddenly remembering something - wasn't it around New Year's when Lin Kangping came back? Shen looked at Lin Kangping with a profound gaze.

  Ziying suddenly remembered that day when he told Lin Kangping about the big fur, and Lin Kangping indeed went out for half a day. At that time, Zifeng kept looking outside frequently. When he came back, Ziying saw mud and water on Lin Kangping's feet. Thinking of this, Ziying also looked at Lin Kangping, who smiled and said: "Why are you all staring at me? If it weren't for Ziying stopping me, I would have beaten him up! Don't worry, I won't cause trouble for Father and Mother. As long as he behaves himself in the future and doesn't provoke Ziyin again, I'll let him off. Otherwise, I really will take him down a peg."

  Zi Qing understood the implication of his words, and it was probably him who went to teach Da Mao a lesson. Shen Shi also understood, smiled and said happily: "This matter must not be told outside, don't leave trouble for yourself."

  Thinking that they still had to go to Qiao Village the next day, Shen Shi let everyone rest early. Because Xia Yu had asked Zi Qing and Lin Kangping to go over, Shen Shi had no choice but to let Zi Qing go out. Who could have thought that Zi Qing would suffer another injury?