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Aunt Chen took out a small cloth bundle from her bosom and unfolded it layer by layer.

"Yuanyuan, you’re a good child. I had always hoped that one day you could marry into our Chen family and be my daughter-in-law.

But, alas. This silver hairpin was part of my dowry when I was young.

I know that your status has changed now and that you have more jewelry, so you might not fancy something like this from me.

Still, I hope you can keep it as a memento from me. "

With that, Aunt Chen pressed the silver hairpin into Lin Yuan’s hand.

Lin Yuan didn’t plan to accept it, after all, it was someone’s dowry with special significance. But seeing Aunt Chen’s hopeful gaze, and considering her words just now, Lin Yuan found it hard to refuse.

"Auntie, how could I disdain it? The hairpin is very beautiful, and I will take good care of it." Lin Yuan gripped the silver hairpin tightly in her palm, feeling the warmth still lingering on it from Aunt Chen.

Aunt Chen, seeing that she accepted it, became so happy that even her cloudy eyes brightened considerably.

She rambled on, holding her hand, "Yuanyuan, thank you for taking care of us all these years. Without you, I’m afraid this old body of mine couldn’t have held up.

Ah, your Brother Zhuzi, he’s not blessed enough to have married such a good wife like you.

It’s our Chen family’s misfortune as well.

But now you’ve got an even better young man by your side, and I’m happy for you. "

Glancing at Xia Zheng, who was standing behind Lin Yuan all this while, Aunt Chen sincerely blessed them.

Xia Zheng, who had been somewhat resentful of Aunt Chen giving Lin Yuan a gift, now couldn’t help but touch his nose, realizing he might have misunderstood the old woman.

Lin Yuan patted Aunt Chen’s hand, which was cold from the chill, and gently advised, "Auntie, once you get to Yecheng, you’ll have Brother Zhuzi to take care of you, and you’ll be able to enjoy your life.

However, you must still take good care of yourself.

If something displeases you, don’t look at it, if something bothers your ears, don’t listen, and don’t let yourself suffer in silence, alright? "

Aunt Chen smiled and nodded, repeatedly telling Lin Yuan and her family to take good care of their health. Since it was almost time to go, she didn’t have the time to go back into the house to bid farewell to Lin Jiaxin and his spouse, so she asked Lin Yuan to convey her parting words to them.

As the two were conversing, the large door of the neighboring courtyard opened, and Aunt Chen hurriedly said her goodbyes to Lin Yuan before walking to the carriage that was waiting for her at her house’s front door.

The door opened, and the first ones to come out were two women dressed as maids, each carrying a nearly empty bundle. As the wind blew, the bundles swayed back and forth in their hands.

Lin Yuan narrowed her eyes, recalling the conversation she had heard during the meal, and couldn’t help but laugh.

This Chen Zhu really had transformed into Chen Shimei, discarding everything at home as if it all were beneath him, tossing this aside, tossing that away, even neglecting to take The Sage Book he had studied for many years.

As she pondered, Xia Zheng suddenly poked her arm from behind. Following his gaze, she saw Old man Chen wearing a tall hat, supported by Chen Shimei, slowly making his way out.

It truly was a tall hat! Dark and towering, so high that when Old man Chen exited, he hit the door frame with it. The hat tilted and Old man Chen hurriedly, and with care, straightened it up, even tenderly flicking at imaginary dust with his fingertips.

Lin Yuan and Xia Zheng exchanged looks, nearly bursting into laughter. Chen Shimei really was too hard on his own father, digging up such an absurdly big hat for him to wear. From a distance, it looked as if a headless man had placed the hat directly on his neck.

Chen Shimei, supporting Old Chen, called out to Aunt Chen before disdainfully handing off Old Chen to her care.

Although invisible, Old Chen’s ears were exceptionally sharp, and he had already heard Lin Yuan’s voice. Knowing that the young girl was nearby just made him put on even more airs, as if he had somehow already become a grand official.

Xia Zheng cast a disdainful glance, thinking that just because Old Chen was wearing a nice old robe he considered himself a grand official? What a delusion!

Aunt Chen, seeing no choice, helped Old Chen onto the carriage. But then Old Chen, his stubbornness coming out, refused to budge.

"Wang Qiaoxin, Wang Qiaoxin, she’s all you can think about!

" Old man Chen, frustrated that his son didn’t meet his expectations, poked his walking stick onto the ground as if he wished it was Chen Shimei’s head he was waking up rather than the dirt.

"When dealing with your woman, you can’t spoil her like this!

Look at your mother, you need to make that Wang Qiaoxin listen to you the way your mother listens to me!

Keep her under your thumb, make her obey your every word, look for your approval in everything! Utterly useless!"

Chen Shimei frowned in annoyance. Ever since he could remember, he watched his mother live under his father’s tirades and beatings.

Although he thought his mother rather pathetic, he did not want to become like his father.

Besides, it was Wang Qiaoxin they were talking about, the daughter of Master Magistrate.

He wouldn’t dare to lay a finger on her, not to mention raise his voice!

Aunt Chen, helplessly supporting Old Chen, had him get into the carriage while he stopped in front of it, turning around.

Facing the old house where they had lived for nearly four years, he addressed Chen Shimei, "Shimei, we escaped from the South and have been living here for four years.

Although this house is dilapidated, it has sheltered your life and studies for many years.

It has done us good service. Now that we are leaving, Shimei, bow to this house as a way to thank it for its years of support. "

What?!

Chen Shimei was taken aback by his father’s absurd request, to bow to a rundown house? And in front of so many people–wasn’t that a joke?

"Father, why are you being so eccentric again! Hurry up and get on the carriage, Qiaoxin is waiting for us in town!" Chen Shimei said impatiently, wrinkling his brow and giving Aunt Chen a meaningful look to quickly help him onto the carriage.

Aunt Chen, with no other option, tried to guide Old Chen onto the carriage, yet he was so stubborn he wouldn’t move.