In the evening, the children came back from school and learned that Mother was going to the Prefecture again. The four siblings stood in line in front of Qin Yao, looking at her with hopeful eyes.

Qin Yao knew immediately that they were still thinking about last year’s trip to the Prefecture, hoping she’d make up an excuse to let them skip school and go along.

Unfortunately, this year was different from last year.

Last year, there were six of them; when the two adults left, she couldn’t rest easy with only the four siblings left behind. Besides, taking them out into the world was a great opportunity.

But this year, there were Ah Wang and Mrs. Li at home, so everything was taken care of, and she could leave without any worries.

This year, the academic pressure was heavy, unlike last year’s playful beginner stage.

With Liu Ji, this moping helper, gone, who would help with tutoring?

That’s absolutely impossible. She wanted to live a few more years.

"Mother~" Si Niang called softly, full of yearning for the Prefecture.

Da Lang and Second Lang said nothing, but their fiery eyes could melt a person.

Qin Yao tactically took a sip of tea, already thinking of excuses.

Putting down the teacup, she said, "I’m only going for a few days this time and will be back soon. Your Uncle Ah Wang and Aunt Li are at home, so there’s nothing to worry about."

Upon hearing this, Si Niang pouted, turned angrily, and dragged her book box back to her room to do homework.

Da Lang and Second Lang exchanged glances; it was expected, so they weren’t too disappointed.

But if Mother had agreed, that would have been awesome!

Only Sanlang burst into tears, sobbing, "I’m so upset, boo hoo hoo..."

This silly child—Qin Yao helplessly slapped her forehead, picked him up, and stuffed him into Da Lang’s and Second Lang’s arms, "Go do your homework, lunch will be ready soon."

Second Lang poked his brother’s tear-streaked face, "Cry again, and I’ll bite you."

Sanlang immediately held back, sniffling and puffing, still upset, wanting to go to the Prefecture, not to school...

Qin Yao glanced over, and the three brothers quickly disappeared.

The village school construction project was assigned to Uncle Jiu, the home renovation was supervised by Old Liu, and the stationery factory business was arranged by Song Yu.

Early the next morning, after sending the children off to school, Qin Yao and Song Yu drove the factory’s carriage, joining the crew delivering stationery gift boxes to Bai Shan.

Until they reached the fork outside Kaiyang County, they went separate ways.

The convoy headed west, while Qin Yao went north.

Qin Yao had traveled this route from Kaiyang County to the Prefecture many times.

This time, she brought Song Yu along, and as they stopped at each cooperative station along the way, she introduced him to the people there, ensuring her staff would be taken care of.

At night, Qin Yao no longer camped outdoors, carefully timing her journey to stay in inns.

Thus, she reached the Prefecture smoothly by evening three days later.

No one was informed of Qin Yao’s arrival this time.

After the two checked into the inn, cleaned up, and had dinner, Song Yu realized Qin Yao had no intention of going out, so he tentatively asked, "Madam, aren’t you going to see the Master?"

Qin Yao rubbed her sore wrist, yawned big, and shook her head, "I’m tired today; I’ll rest first and talk about it tomorrow when I wake up."

Song Yu nodded and wisely refrained from asking further questions.

But after Song Yu’s suggestion, Qin Yao couldn’t fall asleep in her guest room.

She tossed and turned on the bed, irritably sitting up.

Looking out the window, she saw the crescent moon high in the sky, mingled with the lively sound of the downstairs market.

The lights just came on, signaling the beginning of nightlife for the people of the Prefecture.

But visiting the He Family at this time seemed inappropriate.

On impulse, Qin Yao changed into the powder white floral brocade skirt Mrs. Li had just made for her and left the inn.

She walked through the bustling market, buying various snacks along the way, giving the undesirable ones to beggars on the street.

When she looked up again, she was at the elegant courtyard of the He Family.

Tiptoeing over the tiles like a cat, making no sound, she searched room by room, jumping down from the roof and standing in front of a brightly lit room with large open windows.

Someone was seated at the desk, absorbed in writing.

Qin Yao peeked in, seeing the densely written words on the pale yellow paper—Silver, silver, silver!

"Liu Laosan, are you mad for silver?"

Startled, Liu Ji looked up, flinging his pen away and retreating, shouting in terror, "Ghost!"

He clutched his head and tried to bolt outside, but a pink figure blocked the door, pushing him back into the chair and covered his mouth.

Qin Yao said exasperatedly, "Shut up! It’s me."

Recognizing the voice, Liu Ji squinted, peeking from his closed eyes—the familiar face was hers; however, in that pink dress...

He quickly closed his eyes again, pushing away the person in front, "How dare you, demon, impersonate my wife to seduce me! I warn you to back down at once, or I’ll show no mercy!"

Despite being frightened, he thought: If you’re transforming, do it right. How could my fierce wife possibly wear a pink dress? It’ll never happen! 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The room suddenly grew silent, except for the soft breathing still hovering above.

Liu Ji sat curled in the chair, heart pounding.

People fear ghosts threefold; ghosts fear people sevenfold. His fierce act hadn’t driven the spirit away, indicating its strong power, tough to handle.

Qin Yao’s eyes narrowed, watching the trembling man muttering incantations to heavenly deities, her fists clenched and unclenched, unable to resist punching his paled handsome face.

The punch wasn’t strong, harmless to the frequently beaten Liu Ji.

But the familiar feeling...

"Open your eyes and look at me!" Qin Yao growled, lowering her voice.

Liu Ji immediately sobered up, eyes widened in shock, "Wife! It’s really you?"

"You wearing this skirt, I thought it was some demon mimicking you!"

He suddenly stood, retreating two steps, pointing at her dress, "Pink and vibrant, now that you’re... " The words ’how old’ got stuck in his throat by Qin Yao’s icy glare.

"Hahaha, I was just thinking how there could be such a lovely lady in the world, turns out it’s you, no surprise," Liu Ji laughed dryly, trying to explain.

"By the way, Wife, why are you here?" And not through the front door, but from the roof.

Qin Yao sneered at him and didn’t bother answering stupid questions, sat on a chair, pointed at the paper full of ’silver’ and asked:

"So this is your confident assurance of making the list? With this, you’ll make it on the list?"