They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 187 Inviting Guests to My Home
When Master Qin heard his wife mention Liang Mingxuan, he asked in surprise, "Is that the little prodigy? I heard he came in third place in the children's examination. He's not even eleven years old yet, and the county magistrate is very pleased with him. It seems our Ning'an is truly blessed."

Magistrate Lu is a good official; anyone he commends must be exceptional.

With such talent, he has a bright future ahead of him.

Master Qin was delighted; the 50,000 taels of silver had not been wasted.

“It is him,” Madam Qin said with a smile. “There is also a man named Lu Xiao, who is said to be a relative of the county academy principal. He is also on good terms with Ning’an. Ning’an is quite fortunate.”

"That's right!"

Master Qin smiled and nodded in agreement.

They praise their own son.

When Liang Mingxuan arrived at the market, Xu Zhichun and his group had only been in town for a short while, setting up their stall.

"Sister-in-law!"

"Aunt Zhu'er, Brother Liang, Sister-in-law Xiao Yan."

"Oh, Mingxuan's here!"

"Mingxuan!"

Xu Zhichun greeted her with a smile: "Was it that Qin family classmate who brought you back again? Sister-in-law, you should thank him properly tomorrow."

As soon as Liang Mingxuan arrived, the stall became lively. Everyone was curious and eager to know what it was like at the county school. After all, they would never have the chance to attend the county school in their lifetime, so it would be good to hear about it.

Liang Mingxuan had a gentle smile on his face and answered every question, which the others listened to with great interest.

Xu Zhichun listened and secretly sighed: Campus life is really wonderful.

"By the way, sister-in-law, Qin Ning'an and Lu Xiao said they would be visiting our home tomorrow, and I couldn't refuse, so I've already agreed."

Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "Xiao—cough, Lu Xiao told me earlier that she wanted to come to my house as a guest. Let's go tomorrow then. We'll just do our best to entertain her."

“Hmm,” Liang Mingxuan’s eyes crinkled into a smile, “That’s what I thought too. Besides them, three other classmates overheard this and said they wanted to go as well.”

"Row."

Xu Zhichun readily agreed. Her brother-in-law was popular at the county school, and she was happy for him.

Zeng Xiaoyan and the others were happy for them, thinking that the little prodigy was really amazing, having made friends with so many talented young people, and that he had a bright future ahead of him.

They had just finished building a new house, which was so clean, tidy, and bright that it was a great honor to entertain the young talents.

Aunt Zhu'er laughed and said, "In that case, Zhichun, go and buy some ingredients. It's still early, so you can pick out the best meat. If you wait any longer, it will all be leftovers."

Zeng Xiaoyan quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, Sister-in-law Zhichun, you go ahead, we'll take care of things here."

Xu Zhichun nodded: "Okay, I'll go in a bit. Mingxuan, tell me quickly what your classmates' food preferences and taboos are? I'll know what to expect."

Liang Mingxuan thought for a moment, "Qin Ning'an isn't picky about food, Lu Xiao likes sweets, and Xu Tong and Zhang Miao aren't picky either. As for Dou Zhongli, I don't know what his likes and dislikes are, so normal food should be fine. Qin Ning'an has an older cousin and a younger cousin, so it's hard to say if they'll come along. Dou Zhongli's family is well-off and quite particular, so he might bring servants with him."

Qin Ning'an and Lu Xiaoyue will likely bring their entourages as well.

Xu Zhichun nodded, silently calculating in his mind that preparing food for fifteen or sixteen people would be fine, it wouldn't be troublesome.

We'll ask Aunt Zhu'er and Xiao Yan for help, and Chunfen will be there too; that should be enough.

Zeng Xiaoyan thought for a moment, "Dou Zhongli? Sister-in-law Zhichun, do you still remember this name? Young Master Zeng seems to have mentioned it before, and even mocked us."

Xu Zhichun was taken aback, then suddenly realized: "I was wondering where I'd heard that before. Now that you mention it, I remember too. Young Master Zeng said that Dou Zhongli is the nephew of Miss Zeng's husband's mother-in-law?" Aunt Zhu'er laughed: "This relationship is so complicated it makes my head spin."

Zeng Xiaoyan chuckled, "That's right! People from those families are probably very picky, so it's strange that he would want to go to our rural area. Mingxuan, are you and him very close?"

Zeng Xiaoyan hesitated secretly. If the little prodigy had a good relationship with Dou Zhongli, should she play the villain and remind him to be careful of Dou Zhongli?

Although even bad bamboo can produce good shoots, Zeng Xiaoyan had never liked Zeng Mingzhu. She didn't think Zeng Mingzhu's husband's family was any good either, so who knew if that Madam Qi's nephew was any good?
It's better to be cautious than not to be cautious at all.

Being careful doesn't break the law, right?
Liang Mingxuan shook his head: "I am not familiar with Dou Zhongli. It was just that when Ning An and Lu Xiao were talking about coming to our house, he, Xu Tong, and Zhang Miao happened to pass by and overheard them. He then said he wanted to go too, and I couldn't refuse."

Zeng Xiaoyan: "So you came to me on your own."

Xu Zhichun also understood the implication in his brother-in-law's words. He was probably not only unfamiliar with Dou Zhongli, but they might not have a good relationship. It wouldn't be appropriate to let him speak ill of his classmate in front of others. He would talk about it when they got home and behind closed doors.

Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "I understand. It's alright, more people means more fun. We'll just treat them normally. We'll need to trouble Aunt Zhu'er and Xiao Yan for help tomorrow."

Aunt Zhu and Zeng Xiaoyan both smiled and agreed.

Xu Zhichun then went to buy groceries.

We have chickens at home, so we'll just slaughter a couple tomorrow. So I bought a large piece of pork belly, a rack of spare ribs, and four blocks of tofu.

I bought several pounds of fresh, crisp peaches.

That will do.

We have all kinds of vegetables and dried vegetables at home.

After selling their goods, Zeng Xiaoyan and her husband, along with Aunt Zhu'er, went home. They each ate lunch and then prepared for tomorrow's work. Xu Zhichun and Liang Mingxuan also went home to cook lunch.

They specially bought a pound of freshly rolled noodles from a stall in the city, which should be enough for the uncle, aunt, and Chunfen.

But when I got back, there was a family emergency.

Aunt Zhang was furiously cursing Chunfen through gritted teeth.

Chunfen didn't care or get angry, but he just blocked her way and wouldn't let her pass. Zhang was so angry that she almost jumped up.

Unfortunately, jumping up was useless; she couldn't force her way through.

Hearing the commotion, the uncle and aunt exchanged a glance. Xu Zhichun grabbed Liang Mingxuan, who was about to leave, and said, "Take your things and go home. You're tired. Rest at home. Children shouldn't meddle in adult matters."

Liang Mingxuan: "."

"Don't worry, with the Spring Equinox here, sister-in-law won't suffer any losses."

He is a student who has just entered the imperial examinations and is also a junior; if he intervenes, he will suffer a loss.

"Alright, sister-in-law, don't be angry."

Xu Zhichun felt a warmth in her heart and nodded with a smile, "Go back."

"Ah."

Xu Zhichun walked around the yard towards the field at the back, calling out, "Auntie."

Chunfen waved to her: "Sister-in-law Zhichun! Sister-in-law Zhichun, you're finally back! Aunt Zhang wanted to steal tomatoes from your vegetable garden, but I wouldn't let her go, and she scolded me."

Zhang, embarrassed and furious, retorted, "What theft? You silly girl, what do you know? What nonsense are you spouting!"

(End of this chapter)