Dong Xin Yuan crawled into her older sister’s bed, hugging her arm and grinning mischievously, her facial expression as if she were dreaming. Meanwhile, Dong Huiying was pondering another matter... "Xin Yuan, how is our mother... How is her health? Is she alright?" What was supposed to be a joyous occasion suddenly stiffened Dong Xin Yuan, who then wilted, despondently saying, "Initially, mother met our third brother-in-law in the mountains, but he was in very poor health. Mother thought to get some meat to help him recuperate, yet while hunting, she was bitten and lost a leg..." If not for that, this task of sneaking to the Liang family to deliver grain wouldn’t have fallen on Dong Xin Yuan. Dong Huiying said, "Mother lost her leg? How did it happen exactly? Tell me in detail." Dong Xin Yuan described the incident; Dong Feiyan’s leg was indeed broken, but it was not amputated. Dong Huiying felt somewhat relieved and gently patted Dong Xin Yuan’s shoulder, "Sleep, and when day breaks tomorrow, I will accompany you home." "Ah?" Dong Xin Yuan was somewhat stunned. At daybreak the next day, Dong Huiying, taking Dong Xin Yuan along, decided to make a trip back to Daliu Village. It was her first time returning to her maternal home, and she felt a bit nervous inside. Liang Zhichen led two horses out of the stables. Dong Xin Yuan, wild by nature, was uncontrollably eager when she heard they would ride horses back to the Dong family. As the eldest brother of the family, Liang Zhichen had prepared to accompany Dong Huiying on her return to her maternal home. The Dong family had helped in secret; although all the silver and grain had ended up with the neighboring Wang family, the sentiment was genuine. He was going to extend his thanks in person. The trio rode over a mountain; the distance between Daliu Village and Kaoshan Village was much farther than from Kaoshan Village to Taihang Town. Although they set out at dawn, by the time they arrived at Daliu Village, the sun was setting. Sitting on the horse, with Liang Zhichen’s arms around her, Dong Huiying felt quite uneasy. All along the way, she replayed the memories the original owner had of relatives and friends from the Dong family. "Hey isn’t that Er Yuan? Er Yuan’s come back!?" As the two horses entered the village one after the other, they attracted attention in the sizable village, which likely had over a hundred households. An auntie at the village head greeted Dong Xin Yuan, who replied warmly. "Auntie, my older sister and brother-in-law have come back for a visit; we can’t talk long. We’re off!" Dong Xin Yuan snapped her whip, leading the way for her elder sister and brother-in-law riding behind her, all heading towards their home. But the auntie was momentarily stunned. "What, Er Yuan’s sister has returned? Good gracious, Da Bao has actually come back, what are we going to do about this!" The auntie ran to and fro, quickly spreading the news throughout the village, creating a sense of danger among the villagers, everyone ready as if facing a great enemy. Most villagers in Daliu Village lived in modest thatched huts and mud houses, but at the edge of the village, near the base of the mountain, there was a grand courtyard house built from blue bricks and tiles, with three sections front and back. This courtyard was most impressive and certainly unparalleled in the village! Dong Xin Yuan dismounted, pushed open the solid wooden gates, and hurriedly rushed into the courtyard. "Father, mother, San Nian! Older sister is back, come out!" Xin Yuan’s loud voice echoed throughout the courtyard. A middle-aged man dressed in a crescent-colored cheongsam, who looked like a scholar, supported Mother Dong as they walked out of the house. The man’s eyes held a hint of skepticism as if he couldn’t believe it. But when he crossed the threshold and saw the young girl following behind Xin Yuan, he suddenly paused, and his eyes began to redden...