Chapter 101: No Longer the Same as Before

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Taking advantage of the younger uncle’s absence, the old clan leader finally asked the patriarch, “Why hasn’t the third brother’s wife come back yet?”

“Well, she’s sick again,” the patriarch replied, coughing lightly.

“Why is she always falling ill? Has a doctor been consulted?” the old clan leader asked with concern.

“Let’s not talk about that now. It’s time to start the banquet!” the patriarch quickly changed the subject.

~~

With the whole family gathered, the eldest sister-in-law brought out a large pot full of old hen soup and served chicken legs to the two elders, officially commencing the birthday feast!

“Come, let’s all toast to Sixth Brother’s health and long life!” Su Daji took charge of raising his glass, and the younger generation joined in to celebrate the patriarch’s birthday.

The wine was a decade-old vintage he had brought, though no one knew if it was from a distillery or homemade...

The younger uncle set down his cup and stared uneasily at the lavish array of dishes on the table.

“Big brother, should we even be here?” he whispered.

“It’s just one meal. What’s the big deal?” The eldest brother maintained his usual confident demeanor in front of the others, but acted more authoritative toward the third brother. “Can’t our family’s fortunes improve?”

“Exactly. Big brother is now the chief banner officer,” Su Youcai said cheerfully, boasting on his behalf. “And he’s taken over the duties from Liu, the chief banner officer of the town!”

“I thought so!” the younger uncle realized. “Such a big deal, and no one told me a word?”

“There are plenty of things you weren’t told,” the eldest brother said proudly. “You’ve been away for half a year, and finally our family has turned things around.”

“As if I’m the one to blame,” the younger uncle said bitterly.

“Well, it might just be the timing,” Su Youcai chuckled.

“Why don’t you just stay in the county town from now on?” the eldest brother teased.

“No way. Even though I live far away, I haven’t missed a single family matter!” The younger uncle hurriedly poured wine for his brother, full of curiosity. “Tell me everything that happened in the past six months.”

The last time their younger brother Chun was ill, he and the eldest brother stayed together for over half a month, but nothing was decided then. Naturally, the eldest brother hadn’t told him anything.

“It all starts from the day you left...” The eldest brother sipped the ten-year-old wine and began recounting the story of Su Youcai’s debt collection...

The younger uncle listened, his face flushed with embarrassment. He lifted his cup to Su Youcai and said, “Second brother, it’s all because of me that you three suffered...”

“No worries, no worries. It’s all in the past,” Su Youcai waved his hand generously and clinked glasses with him. “Besides, we’ve turned misfortune into blessing. The kids now have godmothers, and the family finances have improved.”

The young aunt silently listened nearby and finally understood why the daughter of Scholar Cheng was treated as a distinguished guest.

Realizing they were both widows, she admired the matron’s abilities even more.

The matron also spoke sympathetically to the young aunt, then took off a silver bracelet and placed it on her wrist, holding her hand warmly. “From now on, we’re like sisters.”

“Alright, sister,” the young aunt nodded, instantly deepening their bond.

Su Lu and Su Tai also paid attention to little Tiantian, sandwiching her between them. They served her food while chatting, helping the young girl relax completely.

Everyone was talking, the eldest sister-in-law was still busy attending to the table, while only the old lady and Jinbao quietly gnawed on pig’s trotters.

“Delicious, delicious! Even the New Year’s banquet wasn’t this good!” the old lady praised enthusiastically.

“The New Year’s banquet trotters stink!” Jinbao agreed wholeheartedly.

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Su Daji’s face flushed red as he called out loudly, “That was last year’s distillery running out of funds, had no choice. Try it again this year—you’ll be speechless after one bite!”

“Oh!” Jinbao nodded happily, feeling proud that one sentence had raised the status of the New Year’s Eve meal.

“Don’t just eat; it’s time to toast your grandfather!” The eldest brother glanced at the little girl with her mouth full of grease.

The toasting started from the youngest. Little Jinbao, obeying orders, put down half-eaten pig’s trotter, picked up a medium-sized sweet water cup, and after a long struggle, finally blurted out:

“Grandpa, I wish you a longer life than a turtle.”

“Cough, cough...” The patriarch nearly choked, laughing and crying at the same time. “Well, that’s at least better than what your grandma said last time.”

At the old lady’s last birthday, little Jinbao had wished her to never die. Luckily, the old lady didn’t hear it...

Then little Tiantian also came forward to toast the old man: “Grandpa, may your happiness be as boundless as the Eastern Sea’s flowing waters, and your longevity like the immortal pine of the Southern Mountain.”

“Hahaha, very good!” The patriarch drank the cup happily, taking Tiantian’s hand. “From now on, this is your home. When your mother is busy, you can live here. You’ll have Jinbao for company.”

“Yes.” Though only ten years old, Tiantian was as sensible as a young adult.

Then it was Su Lu’s turn. He was about to awkwardly mumble a toast and slip away, but the patriarch grabbed him firmly and said, “Good grandson, sit beside your grandpa.”

“Alright.” Su Lu obediently sat down.

“How are my grandsons doing?” The patriarch held Su Lu’s hand and asked his old friend.

“They’re all outstanding and successful,” the two men replied sincerely. “We thought having Chun was a blessing enough, but the two from the second brother’s family are just as remarkable.”

“Not just remarkable, each one is excellent!” Su Daji praised. “Take Brother Xia for example. He looks unassuming but is sharp and capable. Everyone’s been worried about him lately, but his second-in-command role is going well. I think in two more years, I can hand over the reins.”

“Of course! Brother Xia has always been talented, and Brother Chun has been outstanding since childhood.” The patriarch, now quite drunk, nodded proudly. “I originally thought my youngest grandson would be the least promising. After all, none of my sons were exceptional. Having two good grandsons is already a blessing.”

Su Youjin, Su Youcai, and Su Youma, who had been chatting and laughing, fell silent at these words, and the eldest brother lost his smugness...

Fortunately, it was just an unintended slight; the patriarch wasn’t referring to them. He held Su Lu’s hand tightly, pride glowing on his face: “But guess what? Since he was brought home after heatstroke in the field last year, Brother Qiu matured overnight!”

He waved a finger in front of his old friend. “From August 17th, he started memorizing the Three-Character Classic and studied day and night for a hundred days, then got accepted into the Taiping Academy!”

He slammed the table and said, “Tell me, isn’t that impressive?!”

“Impressive, impressive,” Su Daxiang and Su Daji nodded repeatedly, not just flattering. Su Dan was the grandson of the former, Su Lang the grandson of the latter; no one in the clan knew Su Lu’s talents better than they did.

“Dan said Brother Qiu went from last place to top ranks within half a year and even helped the entire study hall improve,” Su Daxiang praised. “That kid’s proud and defiant but respects only your Qiu.”

“Our Su Lang is now Brother Qiu’s half-student. This kid is amazing—not only excellent at studying but also able to motivate those around him to progress! Incredible!”

Su Lu sat beside the patriarch, feeling his toes curl. He thought, If you’re going to praise me, can you not do it right in front of me? So awkward...

But the patriarch was happy today, so he could only resign himself to being the object of bragging.

The patriarch, now thoroughly drunk, raised a full cup high and said to the heavens, “Heaven above, you have not neglected our family. I was wrong to curse you before. I apologize!”

Then he poured the fine wine onto the ground, giving thanks for Heaven’s blessings.

~~

That night, the patriarch was drunk to the point of staggering, and the old lady’s belly was full and round. How the guests felt was unknown, but the hosts were certainly pleased...

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The eldest brother and younger uncle supported the drunken old clan leader and Seventh Uncle, escorting them home. Su Youcai was about to leave as well, but the eldest brother gave him a meaningful glance and whispered, “You stay. You have a more important task.”

Only then did Su Youcai turn back and say to Tiantian and her mother, who were also preparing to leave, “Don’t go tonight.”

“Huh?” Mother and daughter both exclaimed in surprise.

“Huh?” The young aunt, eldest sister-in-law, and even Chun and Xia, who were tidying up the dishes, were equally startled.

“This is too sudden, isn’t it?” Eldest sister-in-law blurted.

“What are you saying, sister-in-law?” Su Youcai blushed deeply and coughed. “I mean, on a day like today, it’s better for the two of them to stay.”

“True, true.” Everyone suddenly understood. The fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month is when the gates of the underworld open; it would indeed be eerie for the mother and daughter to return to the empty house in the mountain hollow.

“You’re so thoughtful, second brother. I didn’t even think of that,” the young aunt said quickly, linking arms with the matron and smiling. “Tonight, the two of us will sleep together.”

“What about little Tiantian? Can your bed fit three?” the eldest sister-in-law shook her head. “Leave it to me. Younger uncle, you sleep with Chun for a night. Young aunt, you take the younger uncle’s room. Tiantian and her godmother will sleep in the young aunt’s room.”

The eldest sister-in-law smiled again at the matron. “Don’t worry, young aunt hasn’t been home for half a year, so the bedding is all brand new!”

“I’m causing too much trouble for sister-in-law,” the matron said embarrassedly.

“Stop being so polite. Didn’t we agree we’re family now?” The eldest sister-in-law stamped her foot. “We don’t do fake formalities. If you don’t want to stay, you can leave. If you stay, then stay happily!”

The matron fully realized the eldest sister-in-law’s knack for being both a torment and a delight, and laughed helplessly. “So you’re saying I can’t leave now?”

“That’s right.” The young aunt happily took their hands and said, “Come, I’ll show you your rooms.”

The matron quickly glanced at Su Youcai and saw his beaming smile. He was clearly pleased she would stay.

Actually, she was quite happy too...

~~

None of this concerned Su Lu; after dinner, he went back to his room to study.

After finishing his various chores, Su Youcai also entered the room.

“Oh, you’re sleeping here tonight?” Su Lu teased.

“What kind of question is that?” Su Youcai rolled his eyes. “If I didn’t come back to sleep, where else would I sleep? The street?”

“True.” Su Lu nodded, half-joking, half-reminding him, “The patriarch’s hurdle is passed, but what about Dad? How will he handle that?”

Su Youcai naturally knew he meant Scholar Cheng. He cleared his throat and said, “There are still eighteen months left. No need to rush.”

“Eighteen months?!” Su Lu clicked his tongue. “Then Dad better take it easy. Don’t celebrate the wedding and the birth all at once.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Su Youcai looked exasperated. “We’re affectionate but proper, clean and honest, understand?”

“Uh-huh.” Su Lu nodded perfunctorily. If he believed that, he’d be a fool.