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  Zheng Peng was in his forties, of medium build, with a handsome face and bright eyes. However, probably due to years of carrying a pole and walking the streets, his skin was dark and leathery, his back slightly hunched, giving him an older appearance. When he saw Ye Zhuo come out to open the door, a habitual smile immediately floated onto his face as he said: "Is that Zhuo?"

  "Uncle." Ye Zhuo had always heard good things about this uncle from the Zheng family, so he also had a pretty good impression of Zheng Pengjie.

  "All these years, your uncle hasn't been able to take good care of you and your mother, letting you suffer. Here, this is a small gift from your uncle for our meeting, a few pearl flowers, wear them." Zheng Peng didn't want to say these words in front of the Ye family members, but now that he saw Ye Zhuo come to open the door alone, it was just what he had in mind, and he handed over the exquisitely crafted box in his hand.

  "Uncle, you'd better leave it for my cousins, I have some." Ye Zhuo hastily pushed it away. Then she turned her head to greet Liu Shi and Zheng Fangjing and several other siblings. Seeing Zheng Shi standing at the back, her eyes suddenly lit up. She thought Zheng Shi was unwilling to enter the Ye family's place, so she wouldn't come today. But here she is, she was worried for nothing.

  "They all have it, you take it and hold onto it." Zheng Peng forcefully stuffed the box into Ye Zhuo's hands.

  "Yes, although your uncle is poor and your cousin is still an employee of your grandfather's, this is at least a token of goodwill from your uncle. Take it. As for your female cousins, they can't compare to your noble status, just pin two flowers on them and that's enough."

  "What are you talking about?" Zheng Peng frowned at Liu Shi.

  She had high standards for her appearance. She would rather go without any adornments than wear those cheap and tacky things on her head, so she usually only wore a single hairpin. Only when going out did she fear that others might think her too plain, so she would add two pearl flowers to her hair. However, since Uncle had put thought into the gift, she didn't want to refuse it for fear of hurting Zheng Pengju's feelings. She was thinking of accepting it and then returning it as a gift when visiting the Zhengs later.

  At this moment, however, she heard Liu's words and immediately changed her mind. She took the box from Zheng Pengju's hand and stuffed it into Liu's bosom: "Auntie, why don't you keep it for my cousins to wear?" Turning back to Zheng Pengju with a smile, she said, "Uncle won't mind me borrowing flowers to worship Buddha, will he?"

  Liu's temper. Zheng Pengju has always known about it. But he often stays outside to sell goods, and the family is all managed by Liu. Moreover, when the Zheng family encountered a great disaster that year, Liu did not abandon him and his children, and they bit their teeth together to support the family. So for this wife, he doesn't want to be too demanding, as long as he can let his sister stay at home, he won't have any other requirements. Therefore, seeing Ye Zhuo's refusal, Liu's face turned bad, so he had to compromise: "Zhuo, you're being too polite, it's embarrassing for your uncle."

  "Uncle and Auntie are able to come today, I'm delighted," said Ye Zhuo. "Please come in quickly."

  "Yu'er, who's there? Why are you standing at the door for half a day without coming in?" A voice came from inside, it was Ye Yuqi.

  "It's my uncle, aunt and cousins. My mother is also here." Ye Zhuo replied. Seeing Zheng Pengju and others walking inside, knowing that Ye Yuxi would be inside to greet them, he had no time to take care of them anymore. He squeezed out sideways, holding onto Madame Zheng's arm: "Mother, I'm so glad you could come today."

  "Hmph, it's not that I don't trust you, but I want to see how you're living here and what you're eating. Otherwise, even if you invited me, I wouldn't have entered the Ye family's door." Zheng closed the large gate with a complex expression. She knew that walking a few more steps down the alley would lead her to the side gate of the second house.

  Ye Zhuo's heart was moved, and she leaned her head on Zheng Shi's shoulder: "Yes, I know Mother loves me the most."

  "Alright, go ahead." Zheng saw that both Zheng Fangzi and Zheng Fangping had entered the door, patted Ye Zhuo, and walked towards the courtyard.

  The mother and daughter entered the hall, seeing that all the Zheng family members were already seated. Ye Yuqi was sitting in the main seat, greeting Zheng Pengju, while Guan Shi was serving tea with Qiu Yue. Zheng Shi stood at the door, hesitating, unsure of how to address the two elders after entering. Guan Shi noticed her and hurriedly called out: "Manwen, you're here? Come quickly and sit down." She personally came forward, pulled Zheng Shi in, and arranged for her to sit below Liu Shi, saying: "Although you have no relation with that side anymore, you are still the mother of Zhuo'er. Zhuo'er is my own granddaughter, and you are my daughter, so we shouldn't be formal with each other."

  Zheng's heart warmed up and asked: "Uncle, Auntie, are you both still in good health?" Still using the same old address.

  "All right, all right. You don't know, our family's fortunes have changed since we got this child. Everyone in the family is getting healthier and more energetic. This kid really brings people joy. Look, your uncle is getting old, but he even bought a workshop, planning to work hard and save up some dowry for her."

  "I've troubled Uncle and Aunt."

  "Where is the tiredness? Without her, we would be the ones who are tired. One by one, lacking spirit, just getting through today without thinking about tomorrow, and there's no warmth at home. With her, we have something to strive for." Guan Shi said with a smile.

  However, she chatted with Zheng's family without neglecting them, and praised the appearance of several siblings in the Zheng family. She also asked how old Zheng Fangjing was and if he had gotten married. Liu's family became enthusiastic and said: "In the future, our Fangjing and Fanghui will work in your workshop, please take care of them."

  "We are all family, and it's only right that we take care of each other. The Fang brothers are diligent and honest, and the workshop will have to rely on them even more in the future." said Mrs. Guan with a smile.

  Just then, Autumn Moon came in to report: "Old Master, Huang Shifu and his family have arrived." Ye Yuxi hastily stood up and went out to greet them. Huang Shifu was the master of the Zheng brothers, and if it weren't for his careful instruction, how could Zheng Fangjing and Zheng Fanghui have learned this skill that brought in a living? Therefore, the Zheng family also held Huang Shifu in high esteem. They were guests, but they also went out together to greet them.

  However, only Huang Shifu came in, and the others at home did not come. Ye Yuxi asked: "What's wrong with you, Huang Shifu? Didn't we agree yesterday that your whole family would come over for a meal? You, Fang Jing's parents are all here, why didn't they come together, wouldn't it be more lively?"

  Huang Shifu smiled stiffly: "The young master's mother's family has arrived, so it's inconvenient for him to come over."

  "What bad luck!" Guan sighed, and warmly invited, "Come on in, sit down. Another day, I'll invite your wife and child to come over and sit for a while."

  Huang Shifu glanced at Zheng Fangjing and Zheng Fanghui, then stepped into the hall.

  Huang Shifu and Zheng Fangjing's family were all familiar with each other, so Liu Shi didn't avoid them either and followed them into the hall. However, Zheng Shi wasn't too keen on chatting with a strange man, so she said to her daughter, "Zhuo'er, take your mother to our living quarters." Seeing Ye Zhuo frowning and lost in thought, seemingly not having heard, she raised her voice slightly, "Zhuo'er!"

  "Ah?" Ye Zhuo finally reacted, beckoning to Qiu Yue, "Qiu Yue, come here." Then, holding onto Zheng Shi's arm, she whispered, "I feel that Huang Shifu's expression is not quite right, I'm afraid he's not very willing to work at Yu Zhuo Fang. Let me go listen to what they're saying first, and then I'll come back to accompany you, okay?"

  Daughter, don't be polite to yourself, Zheng would only be delighted in her heart, waving her hand and saying: "Go, go." She pulled Autumn Moon's hand, "Come on, take me to the room and sit down, let's have a good chat about my daughter's affairs." She was just thinking of getting rid of Ye Zhuo to understand Ye Zhuo's life from the side. She worried that Ye Zhuo would report happiness but not worry. And Autumn Moon, if there was something, she wouldn't dare not to say it.

  Ye Zhuo saw Qiu Ju carrying a teapot and was about to go inside to add tea, so she quickly took it over and carried it in herself.

  As he entered the house, he heard Huang Shifu say: “... Originally I promised you, but now I'm changing my mind again, it's not right. But this Langyuan Pavilion has a monthly salary of 10 taels of silver, and the guests' tips are also theirs. You also know that my old mother is ill, and the cost of medicine is like flowing water. My children below me, and the whole family relies on me for support. I can't just talk about righteousness without considering practical benefits, and let my family suffer from hunger and cold. So, I'm afraid I can only apologize to you.”

  Ye Yiqi's face didn't look very good. This workshop was bought back, of course, it should start making money as soon as possible; besides, today is a good day to open for business tomorrow; yesterday when entertaining guests, he had already spread the news. But unexpectedly, at this critical moment, Huang Shifu refused to cooperate!

  "Huang Shifu finished speaking and then said to Zheng Fangjing and Zheng Fanghui, "As for the two of them, although they are my disciples, Fangjing has already graduated and you are relatives. If Fangjing wants to stay and help you, it's no problem. But Fanghui hasn't graduated yet and can only do some odd jobs. If he is willing, I can take him to Langyuan Hall, I have already discussed with Old Man Qian. Of course, if Fanghui wants to follow Fangjing and stay at Yuzhenfang, I won't force him. It was also for Fangjing's sake that I took Fanghui as my disciple in the first place."

  “Uh...” Zheng Fangjing looked embarrassed. As a member of the Zheng family, he naturally wanted to help Ye Yiqi, after all, his cousin still needed him to take care of her. Moreover... towards this cousin, although he didn't dare think about it, he had a little private intention to get closer to her. On the other hand, Huang Shifu was his benefactor, if not for him recognizing his talent and taking him as an apprentice, he would still be doing menial tasks in the workshop. One day as a teacher, lifelong as a father. He couldn't just abandon his teacher after leaving the sect, could he? Moreover, he didn't want to part with Fang Hui either.

  Zheng Fanghui looked at his father and then at his brother, but said nothing. Whether to stay or leave was not something he could decide for himself.

  On one side was his benefactor, on the other was his niece's grandfather, so Zheng Peng didn't dare say anything. Liu, however, didn't care about that and said: "Fang Hui has learned a trade from you for a year, he can't just give up halfway, of course he will continue to learn from you. As for Fang Jing... I'd like to ask, the Luan Yue Pavilion pays Master Huang ten taels of silver per month, what about when Fang Jing goes there? Is there any rule?"

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