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Liu Zhiguang really had a knack for martial arts.

Although he wasn’t much interested in reading books, he took great pleasure in studying military treatises.

Moreover, anything he read once, he could integrate and apply effortlessly.

There was an instance when Liu Siliang was working the fields with his sons, and during a break, Liu Zhiguang arranged cornstalks into a formation.

Were it not for this slip that exposed him, perhaps Liu Zhiguang would never have discovered his older brother’s secret.

However, the military treatises that Liu Zhiguang read were mostly purchased from street stalls, some were damaged and incomplete, while others had faded writings that were hard to discern.

There wasn’t much choice; these old books were much cheaper than the new ones.

The silver that Liu Zhiguang saved by skimping on food each month wasn’t enough to buy even one new book, but it could get him several old ones.

That’s why he cared so much about the New Year’s red envelopes.

With them, he could finally purchase a new book he had long set his eyes on, one that was a mandatory possession for everyone in the formidable Xia Family Army.

His greatest wish was to join the Xia Family Army, and even if he was just a lowly soldier, he would be overjoyed.

Upon returning home, the adults were still discussing Liu Zhiguang’s pursuit of martial arts.

Zhao Suxin looked at her husband with not a small amount of resentment, insisting incessantly that learning martial arts was useless, and that it was only through studying and passing the imperial examinations to become a Literary Champion and a high-ranking official that one could truly succeed.

Although they had agreed to their son’s wish to learn martial arts, deep down, they still did not fully approve.

In their view, the outcome of learning martial arts was nothing more than becoming a mere house guard.

If their son studied hard, even if he couldn’t become a Literary Champion like their second son, he could still recognize characters and become a Mr. Accountant.

How could protecting a house compare to the prestige of being an accountant?

Moreover, even if everything went as their son said, and he went to battle, achieving merits and establishing a career, were enemies that easy to kill? Was serving in the Imperial Court’s army that simple?

Lin Yuan sighed inwardly. The Imperial Court only recognized the Literary Champion, not the Military Champion. If only there was a Military Champion—it certainly would have been a path many officials in the past followed to rise through the ranks.

After Liu Zhiguang’s issue was settled, following lunch, several of Lady Liu’s old friends from before came to visit her and catch up.

In the blink of an eye, those young girls of yesteryear were now wives and mothers.

Naturally, there was much to talk about when they met again.

To let their mother enjoy her time, Lin Yuan and Lin Wei, the two sisters, volunteered to take over the task of looking after Xiao Yongyan.

However, before they could even hold the child, Lady Fan and Zhao Suxin snatched him away.

"You two are still children yourselves. How could you take care of a child? Let grandma take care of him. Grandma knows best," they said.

Fearing that Lin Yuan and her sister might take the child again, Lady Fan took Xiao Yongyan into the inner room and refused to come out.

The Lin Yuan Sisters exchanged looks—this grandma was becoming as petulant as Xiao Linshuang’s child.

After preparing some pastries and tea for Lady Liu and her friends, Lin Yuan went to Jeng Ruyue’s room to chat with her.

Lady Liu’s old companions varied; some married into neighboring villages, some remained in their own village, and one was particularly fortunate: due to her extraordinary looks and sweet tongue, her family spent a considerable sum on a highly skilled matchmaker to find her a husband in the town.

It’s said her husband worked as a Long worker in a wealthy family, earning a considerable monthly wage.

Although not from a family of wealth and nobility, her standard of living, in terms of food and clothing, was the best among her friends; of course, if Lady Liu was excluded.

This woman had always felt somewhat superior among her friends. In previous years, every time she visited the village, she would bring gifts to her companions, part out of nostalgia, part out of showing off—which one it was, who could say?

But this year, upon returning to the village, her sense of superiority was greatly diminished. The one who once had the toughest life had suddenly surpassed her.

Liu Mei, while discontent swirled within her, maintained her composure with seamless grace, holding Lady Liu’s hand with a brimming smile, and engaged in warm conversation, "Xianshu, you’re really lucky.

Your past life was so bleak, with no sons and oppressed by your mother-in-law.

But now, everything is looking up for you.

Not only do you have a son, but you’ve also separated from your mother-in-law. Your good days have finally come."

Lady Liu smiled, sensing that there was a hint of malice in the woman’s words, but, after all, they had grown up together, and she understood what kind of person she was. She casually responded without taking it to heart.