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Hearing someone outside the door, Mrs. Li hurriedly wiped the tears from her eyes. Then she signaled Wang Hu to step outside. She herself took the sobbing Duo’er into the inner room.

“I’m here, sister-in-law.” Seeing Mrs. Li enter the inner room, Wang Hu quickly went to the door, feeling very puzzled, not knowing why this woman had come.

Opening the door, they saw Mrs. Meng had entered the courtyard uninvited, holding something in her hand.

“Sister-in-law, what brings you here?” Seeing Mrs. Meng, Wang Hu asked.

Mrs. Meng looked at Wang Hu with disdain and said, “Isn’t it obvious? My son is filial; he bought some meat in the city to honor us old folks. But there’s too much for us to eat, so your brother-in-law asked me to bring some over to you.” As she spoke, she lifted her hand, and Wang Hu noticed she was carrying meat.

Wang Hu hurriedly said nervously, “Sister-in-law, you are too kind. I feel undeserving.”

Hearing this, Mrs. Meng felt much better. She hadn’t wanted to come at first—no matter how poor the meat, it was still meat, and she would rather eat it than give it away. But her husband, Wang Cai, insisted she come. One reason was to win favor; another was because he heard that Wang Hu’s second son, Wang Bo, had also come to the city. This stirred Wang Cai’s competitive spirit, so he wanted to show off how excellent and filial his own second son was.

“There’s no need for such courtesy. You’ve helped my family quite a bit this year. By the way, where is your little Bo? I don’t see him around.” Mrs. Meng curled her lips arrogantly, feeling smug. She had heard that little Bo hadn’t been home for over two months and wanted to take this chance to annoy Wang Hu.

Sure enough, hearing the name Wang Bo, Wang Hu’s face turned bitter.

Just as Wang Hu was caught in this dilemma, a series of exclamations came from outside.

“Whose carriage is that? How can such a magnificent, splendid carriage come to our little village?” The speaker was Wang De, an ordinary villager whose home was just a few steps from Wang Hu’s. He had come out to relieve himself when he saw a luxurious carriage slowly approaching his house.

Both Wang Hu and Mrs. Meng heard Wang De’s exclamation and curiously stepped outside.

Stepping out of the courtyard, they indeed saw a luxurious carriage. At this time, a carriage was a symbol of status and identity. Such an extravagant carriage was probably something the whole village would never see in a lifetime.

Seeing the carriage, Mrs. Meng’s eyes went wide, especially when she noticed the smaller carts behind it, piled high with goods. Jealousy welled up within her. Comparing the meat she was carrying to the excellent pork behind the carriage, the woman’s heart turned sour. She glanced first at the meat in her hand, then at Wang Hu, thinking, “If you don’t want it, then it’s not my problem.” Thinking this, she shifted the meat she was carrying a little further back.

Wang Hu did not notice Mrs. Meng’s small gesture. At this moment, he was also in shock. Wang Hu was a simple farmer; this was his first time seeing such a lavish carriage. “Just those horses pulling the carriage are so strong, they must be worth quite a bit,” he thought. He didn’t dare hope to have any connection with the carriage’s owner.

Indeed, this carriage was the one Zhou Meng used to bring Wang Bo back. When they reached the village entrance, Wang Bo wanted to get off and walk home, but the coachman firmly refused. Reluctantly, Wang Bo pointed out his home’s location and got back on the carriage.

The carriage moved slowly and stopped right at Wang Hu’s doorstep.

Seeing the carriage stop at his door, Wang Hu’s eyes widened in shock. Even Mrs. Meng standing beside him was dumbfounded.

The coachman swiftly jumped down, pulled back the curtain, and respectfully said, “Second Young Master, we have arrived.”

There was some movement inside the carriage. Soon, a young man, supported by the coachman, jumped down. Seeing Wang Hu at the door, he said, “Father, I’m home.”

At that moment, Wang Hu’s mind went blank; he didn’t know what was happening. Mrs. Meng, standing beside him, was even more astonished, her mouth wide open as if it could hold an egg.

Wang Bo did not realize the shock he had brought. He hurried to Wang Hu’s side and said, “Father, why are you not speaking? Your son is back.”

“Ah, ah, little Bo, you’re back.” Hearing Wang Bo’s words, Wang Hu finally snapped out of his stupor, confirmed the young man who had stepped down from the carriage was indeed his son.

“Yes, Father, I’m back.” Looking at Wang Hu, Wang Bo’s eyes brimmed with tears, the longing of two months weighing on his heart.

“Come, let’s carry the things inside.” The coachman did not disturb the father and son but ordered the servants to carry the goods from the carts into the courtyard.

Wang Hu regained his composure and looked at Wang Bo, asking, “Little Bo, what’s going on?”

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“Father, let’s talk inside.” With so many people around, although they were all villagers, Wang Bo didn’t want to make too much of a scene. But little did he know, ever since he arrived in the village, it had already caused quite a stir.

Hearing the commotion outside, Mrs. Li also came out of the inner room and was delighted to see Wang Bo accompanying Wang Hu into the courtyard.

“Little Bo!” Mrs. Li called out and quickly ran toward Wang Bo. The tears she had just wiped away immediately returned to her eyes.

“Mother!” Seeing Mrs. Li, Wang Bo hurried to her side.

Mrs. Li embraced Wang Bo tightly, gently stroking his head.

Feeling his mother’s deep love, Wang Bo’s heart was filled with warmth.

“Little Bo, what’s going on?” Recovering from the surprise of seeing her son, Mrs. Li couldn’t help but ask, noticing the activity inside and outside the courtyard.

“Mother, let’s talk inside.” Wang Bo helped Mrs. Li into the house, followed closely by Wang Hu.

Once inside, Wang Bo told his parents everything. Of course, he didn’t mention Li’er’s situation. At first, Wang Hu and his wife found it hard to believe that Wang Bo had bought such a brother instead of just meat. But after Wang Bo’s repeated insistence, combined with all that was happening outside, the couple had no room to doubt. In the end, Wang Hu simply urged Wang Bo that once he achieved success, he must properly repay Zhou Meng, though Wang Hu thought this unlikely. Even Wang Bo felt it was improbable but could only say so.

After the three of them went inside, Wang Cai’s wife came to her senses. Seeing Wang Bo’s family inside, Mrs. Meng didn’t know what to do. Holding her meat, she took a few steps forward and approached the coachman. With a sharp voice, she asked, “Brother, I heard you call that Wang Hu’s son ‘Second Young Master.’ What’s going on?”

The coachman was watching the servants move things when he suddenly heard that sharp voice. He felt annoyed and turned to look at the woman. Her appearance only deepened his disdain. But since they were in a small village and everyone around was related to Wang Bo, he could only coldly answer, “Yes.”

Sensing the coachman’s impatience, Mrs. Meng grew angry and shouted, “Even a mere coachman looks down on me? You should know my son is an official in the city.”

Hearing that the unpleasant woman’s son was an official, the coachman was somewhat surprised. But seeing her attire, he wasn’t afraid. With such clothing, even if she were an official, she wouldn’t be a high-ranking one—just a minor clerk, no match for the mighty Zhou family. Though just a coachman, Zhou Meng’s character meant he was not to be trifled with.

Seeing the coachman unfazed, Mrs. Meng’s anger grew. She placed one hand on her hip and pointed at the coachman, shouting, “A mere driver dares to look down on me? Know that my son is the city gate officer of Zhen Ding City. Offend me, and my son will have you arrested at the county office.”

The coachman was stunned.

Seeing the coachman frozen, Mrs. Meng thought her threat worked and became even more arrogant, sneering triumphantly, “How about that? Scared now?”

The coachman couldn’t help but laugh aloud at the woman’s ridiculousness. With a proud expression, he said, “So that’s it. Just a gate guard. Even the prefect of this county would show my master respect, let alone a mere city gate officer.”

The argument outside grew louder and reached the house. Wang Bo realized it was the coachman and the woman arguing, while Wang Hu thought of Wang Cai’s wife still lingering outside. Father and son both stepped out together.

Outside, Mrs. Meng was trembling, her face red with fury, finger-pointing at the coachman. Wang Hu quickly stepped forward.

“Sister-in-law, what’s wrong with you?” Wang Hu’s question, meant to help, only sparked more trouble. Mrs. Meng’s pent-up rage finally found an outlet.

She glared at Wang Hu with a hateful expression and began to curse: “What kind of a thing are you, daring to bully me?”

Countless filthy words poured from Mrs. Meng’s mouth, leaving everyone speechless.

Seeing his father so insulted, Wang Bo couldn’t contain his anger. He stepped aside to shield Wang Hu and shouted with all his might, “Enough, you shrew! Get out of here!”

Though physically slender, Wang Bo’s voice was full and forceful, very intimidating.

Mrs. Meng was stunned by Wang Bo’s shout. She could hardly believe such a small boy had such a commanding voice. But seeing it was Wang Bo shouting at her, her anger flared even higher. “Just a little brat trying to boss me around. You won’t get far.” With that thought, she paused and then turned her insults toward Wang Bo.

Wang Bo ignored the woman’s babbling and simply said, “Guards!”

At Wang Bo’s command, the household servants set down their loads and gathered behind him, glaring fiercely at Mrs. Meng. They had seen everything that happened and were truly angry at Mrs. Meng’s behavior.

Seeing the angry men behind Wang Bo and their burning gazes, Mrs. Meng felt afraid but still stubbornly said, “What? You want to assault me in public? Know that my son is—”

“Enough!” Wang Bo interrupted loudly.

Cut off, Mrs. Meng wanted to continue yelling but, seeing the fierce servants behind Wang Bo, had no choice but to swallow her words.

“I respect you as an elder, which is why I allow you to stand here. If it were anyone else, I would have had them beaten to death with sticks.” Wang Bo’s gaze was icy, his whole body radiating a cold, murderous aura that was terrifying.

Seeing Wang Bo’s deadly expression, Mrs. Meng was truly scared. Her plump body trembled. Though she tried to appear composed, her teeth chattered. Wang Bo suddenly stepped forward.

“What are you trying to do? Don’t come closer!” Mrs. Meng backed away, trembling as she spoke.

“Now get lost. I don’t want to see you again. This is your only warning. If next time I catch you insulting my father or family, I won’t be so lenient.” Wang Bo’s face was stern as he glared fiercely at Mrs. Meng.

“Alright, continue working.” Without paying Mrs. Meng any more mind, Wang Bo turned and led Wang Hu back inside. The servants obeyed and resumed their work.

Seeing Wang Bo leave, Mrs. Meng exhaled deeply, patted her chest, and tried to calm herself. Today had truly frightened her. Wang Bo’s gaze had been as if he wanted to kill her, nearly scaring away all her souls.

After Wang Bo and his father went inside, Mrs. Meng wanted to say something to save face but saw the servants glaring at her. She dared not say another word and slunk home dejectedly.

After Wang Bo led Wang Hu inside, Mrs. Li hurried over, asking what had happened. Wang Hu only coldly replied, “Nothing.” His face was grim, and Wang Bo also wore a serious expression. Mrs. Li wisely said no more and turned back inside, leaving the two alone.

Wang Hu and Wang Bo stared at each other, the atmosphere inside the room oppressive.

“Little Bo, don’t you think you went too far today?” Wang Hu broke the silence first.

Hearing his father’s words, Wang Bo felt resentful and said unhappily, “Too far? How? I didn’t have anyone beat her. I gave her a lot of face.”

“How can you be like this?” Wang Hu was annoyed. He thought Wang Bo had already gone too far, and now he wanted to hit someone.

“So what?” Wang Bo retorted. “She insulted my father in public. What do you want me to do as a son?”

“But after all, she is a fellow villager,” Wang Hu’s tone softened, and his anger dissipated with Wang Bo’s words. “Yes, son, you did it for me.”

“But is that shrew a fellow villager?” Wang Bo asked sharply.

Faced with Wang Bo’s fierce question, Wang Hu was silent for a long time. Finally, he muttered, “Then how do you expect me to face your uncle Wang Cai?”

Wang Bo waved his hand, thinking of Wang Cai’s annoying face, and said impatiently, “If I can’t face him, then I won’t. Anyway, I’ve decided that once I save enough money, I’ll buy a new house in the city and bring you and mother there.”

Seeing Wang Bo so assertive, Wang Hu felt a flicker of doubt. “Is this really my son? The Wang Bo I knew was obedient.” But seeing his son so strong-willed gave him some comfort; his son had grown up.

Indeed, Wang Bo’s days in the city had broadened his horizons and increased his knowledge. He had also learned brewing, making him more confident. Once he masters distillation, he could rise.

While father and son pondered, the coachman’s voice came from outside, “Second Young Master, all the goods have been put away.”

“Oh,” Wang Bo replied and pushed the door open. In the courtyard, everything was neatly arranged, and it seemed to have been swept clean. Wang Bo nodded in satisfaction. Then he went to the carriage, took out his bundle, and from it handed over about a hundred copper coins to the coachman. “Well done. Give each of them 50 coins.”

“Thank you, Second Young Master! Thank you!” The coachman and servants hurried forward to express their thanks. Although delivering Wang Bo here in the bitter cold had some complaints, they were just doing their job. But they hadn’t expected this Second Young Master to be so generous. Fifty coins each wasn’t much, but it was free money, so the servants were all smiles.