Chapter 419: Chapter 184: Longing for Return

The Bai Family’s wife let her smile fade and lowered her voice:

"Remember how Chen Hao and the Wang Family’s wife sold Old Chen to that Vegetable People Shop? I heard his ghost came back to claim their lives..."

"The Wang Family’s wife was scared stark raving mad! One of the old neighbors saw it with their own eyes. She was crouched by a gutter in the slums, scooping up filth and eating it..."

The Bai Family’s wife paused, then continued:

"Chen Hao’s fate was even worse. After marrying into an old woman’s family, he was often kept in bed for days on end... He was completely wrung dry."

"Later, the ghost scared him so badly he became impotent... and that old woman actually sold him to a secret brothel to service clients. Apparently, quite a few gentlemen took a liking to him..."

The Bai Family’s wife sighed, her voice dropping to a near-inaudible whisper as she added:

"I heard... he was fucked to death in the end..."

"...If they’d known it would end like this, they never would have started."

After listening, the Li Family’s wife also let out a long sigh:

"These past few days, Lady Sun has been telling me that everyone has their own destiny... Many things are decided from the very beginning..."

As they were speaking, a few more people walked in carrying gifts.

It was Lady Sun and several officials’ wives. After setting down their gifts, they all rushed to help the Li Family’s wife.

Even though they all had maids with them, they insisted on doing things themselves, showing no concern even when their lavish dresses got dirty.

This was far from the first time such a scene had occurred. At first, the maids were always dumbfounded, but now they were used to it. They simply stood in a neat row, waiting at the side.

「Some time later.」

Yu Feng also arrived, supporting Zhuang Hui Xian, and they brought plenty of gifts as well.

Almost immediately after, Shen Mi and Wu Ziyu arrived in the same carriage. Several attendants started carrying large and small boxes of gifts into the courtyard.

The courtyard erupted in another burst of excitement.

The officials’ wives, in particular, were abuzz, one moment paying their respects to Yu Feng, the next busy trying to curry favor with Shen Mi and Wu Ziyu.

And so, amidst the lively atmosphere, two large tables of food were brought out.

The dining hall couldn’t fit everyone, so the tables and chairs had been moved into the courtyard.

Everyone gathered around and took their seats.

The Li Family’s wife, however, made no move to let everyone start eating. Her eyes kept glancing toward the courtyard gate.

「After a long moment.」

A figure as stout as a small mountain came dashing in, sweaty and out of breath. His forehead was scraped, and his mouth was clearly bruised.

"Oh, you poor boy! What happened to you?"

The Li Family’s wife shot to her feet and hurried over to check on him.

"I’m fine, I’m fine..."

Fatty Fang grinned and said:

"I was just sparring with someone today and got a few scrapes. Don’t you worry, Godmother."

"You silly boy..."

The Li Family’s wife looked him up and down, and after confirming he wasn’t seriously hurt, she took his wrist and led him toward the main table:

"Hurry and sit. We were waiting for you."

"Hah, who am I to make so many distinguished guests wait...?"

Fatty Fang’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he repeatedly bowed and apologized to the crowd.

Everyone just chuckled, not minding in the slightest.

They all knew that ever since the Li Family’s wife had returned to Zhao City, Fatty Fang had been visiting the Chen Mansion almost daily. For nearly three months, rain or shine, he had cared for her as if she were his own mother.

One day, when Lady Sun happened to be there, she casually suggested that Fatty Fang become the Li Family’s wife’s godson. Both readily agreed, and so the relationship was formalized.

The banquet then began.

Everyone present was an acquaintance, so there wasn’t much need for formality.

After a few cups of wine, with the officials’ wives livening things up with their chatter, the entire courtyard filled with laughter and cheerful voices.

Even the newly planted osmanthus trees in the corner seemed to tremble, showering their fragrance with the vibrations.

「Three rounds of drinks later.」

Fatty Fang couldn’t hold it in any longer. Wiping his greasy mouth, he craned his neck toward the Li Family’s wife and leaned in:

"Godmother, what’s the happy occasion today? Hurry up and tell everyone."

As soon as he said it, the entire crowd fell silent. All eyes fell upon the Li Family’s wife, waiting for her to speak.

"...It’s like this."

The Li Family’s wife composed herself, set down her chopsticks, and rubbed her hands on her knees.

She was visibly excited, unable to suppress the smile on her lips. It was as if a warm current was rushing from her heart to her face.

"Cheng had someone deliver a letter."

She paused, her voice trembling slightly, but she enunciated each word with perfect clarity.

"He has successfully become an Outer Disciple of the Northern Border Mountain and Sea Sect. Everything is fine. His cultivation is going smoothly, he gets along with his fellow disciples, and his masters are kind..."

Before she could finish, the Li Family’s wife’s eyes turned red.

Tears welled up, and after a moment, she could no longer hold them back. They streamed down her cheeks.

She quickly raised a hand to wipe them away, but her lips were still curled in a smile. She was crying and laughing at the same time.

"I knew it! With Brother Cheng’s skills, he’ll do great no matter where he goes!"

Fatty Fang was the first to react. He slapped his thigh, making the dishes on the table jiggle and clatter.

He raised his cup, stood up, and boomed in a voice loud enough for half the street to hear:

"Come on, let’s toast Godmother! And a toast to my Brother Cheng!"

Chen An, sitting to the side, slowly broke into a grin, his own eyes turning red.

He raised his wine cup without a word, tilted his head back, and downed it in one gulp. His Adam’s apple bobbed.

The Bai Family’s wife had already run to the Li Family’s wife’s side, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, though she started crying herself. She kept saying:

"Second Sister-in-law, this is a wonderful thing! What are you crying for? Cheng has leaped over the dragon gate! From now on, our lives will only get better and better..."

The officials’ wives shot to their feet, each scrambling to be the first to offer a toast. They all began with, "I’ll drain my cup, Sister Li, you drink as you please."

Surrounded by them all, the tear tracks on the Li Family’s wife’s face hadn’t even dried, yet her smile had already blossomed. It was like the sun after a spring rain, warm and bright.

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