Who Could Blame Us When She's the Only Precious Darling in Our Family?

Lu Lan's face turned red with anger; in fact, most of her reputation as a talented woman was fabricated.

But now she's definitely not going to back down:

"Zhou Wanwan, what makes you think you can be so patient?"

You cheated, otherwise how could a five-year-old pass the county-level exam? I just don't believe it."

Zhou Wanwan smiled faintly and said, "Whether you believe it or not, I passed, you didn't, so what are you being so arrogant about?"

Lu Lan's face flushed with anger. "Hmph! Zhou Wanwan, do you dare to come to my birthday banquet? I'll show you what a talented woman is like."

Zhou Wanwan raised an eyebrow and looked at her, saying:

"What's there to be afraid of? You don't mean you want me to give you a birthday present, do you?"

That's impossible; I don't have the money.

Zhou Wanwan is quite stingy. Lu Lan stomped her foot in frustration and said, "No need. I'll send you an invitation. I don't expect you to bring anything good."

Zhou Wanwan quickly nodded in agreement; she was naturally happy to have food and fun to do.

That evening, Lu Lan sent over an invitation. The birthday banquet was three days after the prefectural examination, and she was invited not only to Lu Lan but also to her brothers.

Zhou Wanwan rolled her eyes and said, "Inviting me to the birthday banquet is one thing, but inviting you all too? Is that appropriate?"

Liu Su'e said softly:

"I heard that this is not an ordinary birthday banquet; all the prominent families in our county have been invited."

There are both men and women; it's basically a matchmaking event. It would be a good thing for your brothers to go and check it out.

Who knows, I might meet the right one.

Zhou Wanwan hadn't thought of it that way. She nodded and said, "Let's just treat it as a way to relax! There should be lots of good food at the blind date banquet."

Liu Su'e chuckled and said, "You little rascal, you're not worried about the prefectural and provincial examinations, all you think about is eating."

Zhou Wanwan chuckled and said, "I'm only five years old this year, so it's normal for me not to pass the exam. It would be extraordinary if I passed."

Liu Su'e looked at her and said, "Anyway, we'll just do our best."

They had barely finished speaking when they heard the voices of several of the Liu Family's uncles.

The Liu Family has a total of six maternal uncles and five paternal aunts.

These uncles were previously sent to the capital.

The eldest uncle first took out a red gold hairpin with a lotus scroll pattern, handed it to Wanwan, and said with a smile, "Wanwan, do you like this?"

The second uncle stepped forward, holding a set of mutton-fat jade jewelry, and said, "Wanwan, this is a jade bracelet and pendant that your second uncle bought for you. They look beautiful and are good for your health."

Uncle San, holding a box of books, said, "Wanwan, Uncle San brought you a lot of storybooks. I know you like them."

Fourth Uncle took out a gold necklace inlaid with rubies and said, "This is what your fourth uncle bought for you. Rubies are auspicious."

Fifth Uncle had someone bring over several bolts of fine silk, saying, "Wanwan, Fifth Uncle has brought you some good material to make you new clothes."

The younger uncle held up an exquisite dressing box and said, "Wanwan, your sixth uncle bought this box for you, especially to store your jewelry."

Liu Su'e looked at them and said, "Oh dear! You're being so wasteful."

The eldest uncle smiled and said, "What do you mean by wasteful? We just love buying things for Wanwan."

Liu Su'e said helplessly, "You always spend so much money when you go out, just to buy these jewelry pieces. It's not like we don't have jewelry at home."

The uncle smiled and said:

"Sister, this is a token of our appreciation. Besides, what girl ever complains about having too much jewelry?"

You haven't seen how much money families in the capital spend on jewelry every year for their children. This jewelry will become the girls' dowry.

Liu Su'e sighed, "Whatever you want!"

Zhou Wanwan smiled and said, "Thank you, Uncle. You are all so kind."

Zhou Qingchen coughed and said, "Uncle, you bought so many things for Wanwan, you didn't forget to buy any for us, did you?"

The uncles looked at each other, and the eldest uncle looked at the second uncle and said:

"Second brother, did you buy anything for your nephew?"

I figured you guys would eventually buy them something, so I didn't."

The second uncle waved his hand guiltily and looked at the third uncle.

My third uncle forced a smile and said, "Oh? You didn't bring them anything? I thought you did!"

My uncle coughed and said, "I was in a rush! I'll bring you some next time."

Zhou Qingchen rolled her eyes and looked at them, saying, "Uncles, you said the same thing last time you came back. You never bring us gifts, it's so perfunctory."

Zhou Qinghe sighed and said, "It seems you only care about Wanwan! Oh dear! We nephews are dispensable!"

Zhou Qingyan looked at them with a smile, and all the uncles smiled.

The younger uncle hugged Zhou Wanwan and said:

"Who told us to only have this one precious child in our family?"

Oh, by the way, we visited my second sister on our way back.

Liu Su'e looked at her and asked, "How is your second sister?"

The younger uncle said, head bowed:

"They're doing pretty well now. My second brother-in-law is now in charge. Maybe it's because our clothes are too shabby."

When I went to my second sister's house, her mother-in-law kicked me out.

Liu Su'e frowned and asked, "What did your second sister say?"

Third Uncle sighed and said:

Before we could even speak, my second sister came out and looked at us with that cold gaze.

They say we're all poor and shabby, so why do we have to come here and embarrass ourselves?

Don't they know everyone living here is rich and powerful? They say we embarrassed her.

Liu Su'e frowned and said, "Now the second child has become like this?"

My uncle nodded and said, "They gave us ten coins when we left, and told us not to go there again."

Liu Su'e trembled with anger. "Has Liu Suyun become like this now?"

Liu Suyun was also raised by Liu Su'e, and she never expected Liu Suyun to become so snobbish.

My uncle sighed and said:

"I think we should go see Third Sister. She's always lived a very hard life."

We've been busy lately and haven't had time for her.

Liu Su'e nodded and said, "Okay, let's go today. It's not far from here anyway."

Zhou Wanwan boarded the carriage and, after a half-hour journey, finally arrived at her third aunt's house.

Liu Su'e looked at the village road:

"This is called Falling Rosy Clouds Village. Your third aunt, Liu Sufen, married the only scholar in this village."

I wonder how she's doing these days?

There were more than a dozen bags of grain, as well as some meat and eggs on the carriage.

They all changed into very simple clothes and then went into the village.

At this time, Liu Sufen was also suffering greatly, as her mother-in-law was yelling at her:

"You good-for-nothing! You can't even cook a proper meal! You think I won't beat you to death?"

There's not a single sign of pregnancy; she's such a useless child.

What sins has my Wu family committed to marry someone like you, who has no family line?!

Look at your belly, it's harder than a rock! I've raised you for so long, and you can't even produce a son or daughter. You're just a jinx, destined to die young!