In the fourteenth bridal chamber, the eldest brother came to settle the payment.

The simpleton received the order and immediately transformed from a gentle puppy into a fierce wolfhound.

Jin Shan and Zhou Yaru, hearing the sounds from the east wing, covered their mouths in delight before tears of joy streamed down their faces.

“This is a good thing, why are you crying? Perhaps in ten months, the young master will already be on the way,” Jin Shan said, embracing his wife.

“I’m crying because I’m happy. I thought Chuan’er didn’t understand matters of men and women, and I wasn’t sure how to teach him. It seems men are naturally self-taught in these things,” she said, rolling her eyes at Jin Shan.

“Haha, then madam, take another look and see if my skills have improved,” he said, drawing close to her.

“Oh dear, keep your voice down. Don’t let the children hear,” Zhou Yaru whispered softly.

“I know,” Jin Shan laughed heartily.

That night, the main room and the east wing were filled with harmonious music and love.

Naturally, the simpleton was oblivious to everything else, happily busy. Meng Yun, however, heard everything clearly. It seemed that no matter the age, men and women all needed the nourishment of love.

Under the high moon, Jin Yanchuan finally stopped. He carefully cleaned his wife and then held her close as they drifted to sleep.

A night of peaceful rest.

Meng Yun rose early and offered tea to her father-in-law and mother-in-law.

Jin Shan and Zhou Yaru each handed her a red envelope.

“Thank you, Father, thank you, Mother.” No matter the amount, it was an expression of their affection, and Meng Yun accepted them.

Breakfast was prepared by Zhou Yaru and Meng Yun together, still simple mixed grain porridge, with some leftover dishes from the previous day—enough to get by.

“Father, Mother, Fourth Brother and I will go up the mountain to see if we can find any game and gather some firewood,” Jin Yanan said, setting down his chopsticks.

“All right, be careful. There are wild vegetable buns in the kitchen; take two with you,” Zhou Yaru reminded them.

“Got it, Mother,” Jin Yanan and Jin Yanzhe packed up, took their machetes and baskets, and headed off.

Meng Yun tidied the dishes. “Mother, I’ll go to the back mountain later to gather some wild vegetables.”

“No need for you to go. You just got married yesterday, there will be plenty of time later. Besides, your body is so weak. Rest for a while, get stronger, and then go,” Zhou Yaru immediately opposed.

“Mother, it’s fine. Don’t be fooled by my thin frame—I have strength. Didn’t you see yesterday how quickly I—”

“Go early and come back early,” Zhou Yaru cut her off, truly fearing this daughter-in-law would say too much.

Guessing at things is one matter; saying them openly is quite another.

“Hehe, I understand, Mother,” Meng Yun chuckled softly.

“Mother, I want to go too. I want to go with my wife,” Jin Yanchuan quickly caught up.

“All right, you two young ones go together. Just gather some vegetables at the foot of the mountain; don’t venture deep into the woods,” Zhou Yaru instructed.

“Understood, Mother,” Meng Yun responded quicker than anyone.

The couple changed into old clothes, slung on their baskets, took their machetes, and headed to the back mountain.

Meanwhile, Jin Shan was busy working the fallow land.

Zhou Yaru, having finished her tasks, sat down to embroider with her youngest daughter.

“Mother, why do you look unwell? Is it because Grandmother and the others caused trouble yesterday?” the observant Jin Qiao’er asked, noticing her mother’s pale face.

“No,” Zhou Yaru shook her head.

“Then what’s wrong? I think my brother and sister-in-law seem fine; you don’t need to worry. Could it be because of Third Sister?” Jin Qiao’er inquired.

“Hmm,” Madam Zhou nodded. She had sent word to Wan’er. Since the eldest brother had married, how could the younger sister not attend?

As mother and daughter spoke, the front door was suddenly kicked open with a loud crash.

Startled by the noise, both mother and daughter jumped in fright.

“Zhou Yaru, you wretched woman! You made Mother fall ill. Who gave you the courage?” a coarse voice bellowed, followed by the sounds of crashing and things being knocked over.

“Big brother, what are you doing?”

The visitor was none other than Zhou Yaru’s elder brother, Zhou Shiren, a forty-year-old ne’er-do-well who wasted his days on drinking, gambling, and womanizing—known for nothing good.

He had spent the previous day out carousing and, upon hearing that their mother had been wronged at the Jin household, couldn’t bear it. Having drunk more than half a bottle early that morning, he came over emboldened by the alcohol.

“What are you doing? You’re an outsider now. How dare your whole family bully our mother? I think you don’t want to live anymore,” Zhou Shiren snarled.

“Smack!” With that, he slapped Zhou Yaru hard.

She spun around three times where she stood, stars flashing before her eyes.

“Uncle, why are you hitting her?” Jin Qiao’er rushed to shield her mother.

“You little brat, grown bold enough to defy me. In two years, I’ll sell you to some big official in town. With your looks, ten or twenty taels is a bargain,” Zhou Shiren sneered at Jin Qiao’er, already scheming to sell her for money. If it weren’t for the blood relationship with Zhou Yaru, he might have taken her in himself. At just ten years old, she was truly pretty.

“Big brother, she is your niece. Saying such things makes you less than an animal,” Zhou Yaru shouted, shielding her daughter behind her.

“Dare to insult me? I’ve been kind to you!” Zhou Shiren responded with two more slaps, sending Zhou Yaru crashing to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

Without even glancing back, Zhou Shiren strode straight into Zhou Yaru’s room.

Jin Qiao’er hurried to the back yard. “Father, come back quickly!”

Jin Shan, sweating heavily in the fields, saw his daughter’s anxious face as she ran back.

“Father, hurry! Big brother came, hit Mother, and went into your room,” she said, implying he was after the money.

Jin Shan rushed home, just in time to see Zhou Shiren leaving the courtyard.

“Yaru, are you all right?” Jin Shan helped his wife up.

“Sniffle, A Shan, all the silver we had was taken by big brother. That was all borrowed money!” Zhou Yaru wept bitterly. The wound at her mouth’s corner made her sob even more.

“I’ll kill him,” Jin Shan growled, anger flaring. Over the years, he had endured like a grandson, fearing that if they left the village, someone might recognize Chuan. Otherwise, he would have long since taken a knife to that rotten Zhou family.

“A Shan, don’t go! Sob...” Zhou Yaru cried in despair, naturally fearing the consequences.

Meanwhile, on the back mountain, Meng Yun was overjoyed. Besides gathering several rare herbs, the deeper she went, the stronger the spiritual energy she felt flowing through her body.

Lost in the sensation, Meng Yun breathed deeply—it felt wonderful.

Jin Yanchuan didn’t understand why his wife was closing her eyes and breathing so deeply, but he mimicked her.

After another half hour, Meng Yun found a spot brimming with the most abundant spiritual power nearby. She was certain there must be a jade mine close by, perhaps fine Nanyang jade, or Lantian jade, maybe even Hetian jade.

Unfortunately, she had no supernatural ability to locate it now, but that was fine. She could cultivate first. If she awakened wood elemental power, that would be even better.

“Chuan, I’m going to meditate here. You come too. If you get tired, stand up and walk around, but don’t go far,” Meng Yun said, worried she might forget about her little husband once she began cultivating.

“I know, wife. I’ll behave and stay right here,” he replied, sitting down beside her.

Meng Yun silently recited the incantation and began absorbing the spiritual energy, circulating it within her body.

Jin Yanchuan obediently sat nearby, closed his eyes, and followed suit, doing his best to imitate her.