On the way to the northwest, Li Auntie took care of Madam He's daily needs, which meant that she would go shopping almost every time they passed through a city.
She noticed that in several cities near the northwest, there were adorable plush dolls being sold.
Having watched He Zhiran grow up since she was a child, Li Auntie's affection for her was no less than that of Madam He, her own mother.
She had been looking forward to seeing the young miss and wanted to bring her a gift.
When she saw those plush dolls, Li Auntie guessed that the young miss would surely like them.
But then she was taken aback when she asked about the price—twenty taels of silver for each doll!
After serving the He family for half a lifetime, it was impossible for her not to have twenty taels of silver.
However, since she was accompanying Madam He on the trip and wouldn't need any expenses along the way, she only brought a few taels of loose silver.
As a result, Li Auntie was deeply impressed by those plush dolls of various colors.
The original host of He Zhiran's soul was also very close to Li Auntie. Just now, He Zhiran was busy catching up with Madam He, and now she finally shifted her attention to Li Auntie.
He Zhiran, who came from the modern world, still held the belief in equality for all in her heart.
Pointing to the single sofas on both sides of the large couch, she said, "Auntie, you've been working hard all the way. Please have a seat and take a rest."
Li Auntie repeatedly waved her hand and said, "Young Miss, I can't do that. I'm just a servant. How can I dare to sit with the master? It would be disrespectful."
He Zhiran felt helpless facing such deeply ingrained beliefs of ancient people.
Just as she was about to say something, Old Lady Mo spoke up.
"Auntie, listen to our young miss. The Mo family is no longer a prominent household now. We're just an ordinary family, and those old customs no longer apply."
She could see that her daughter-in-law valued Li Auntie a lot, so she wanted to help.
Madam He looked at her daughter and then at her mother-in-law. Seeing that they showed no signs of objection, she also understood that the Mo family indeed no longer adhered to so many rules.
She looked at Li Auntie, who was still standing there in an orderly manner.
"Li Auntie, since the mother-in-law and the young miss allow it, you should sit down!"
Li Auntie was indeed a bit sore and tired, and when Madam He spoke, she didn't continue to be coy.
"Then I'll sit."
Seeing Li Auntie sitting down, He Zhiran took out a large panda plush toy and a pink long-eared rabbit plush toy from the empty space on the tea table.
"Auntie, are these the dolls you saw on the way?"
Li Auntie nodded repeatedly, "Yes, these are the dolls. They're really expensive, twenty taels of silver each."
Madam He was seeing such cute and beautiful dolls for the first time.
She asked in disbelief, "Ranran, did you say these dolls are made by the Mo family?"
"Yes, Mother. These dolls being sold in the market are all made by the Mo family."
At this moment, Li Auntie seemed to remember something else.
"There's another kind made with rabbit fur, and the colors are even more beautiful."
"Mommy, that's called a Long-Eared Rabbit Pendant, also from the Mo Family," He Zhiran paused and continued, "After we arrived at Xi Ling Village, we started raising rabbits. This plush pendant is made from the rabbit fur we produce ourselves. Don't be deceived by the high market price; the actual cost is very low."
There was a reason for He Zhiran's explanation.
Currently, the living conditions in the Mo Family are no less than those of wealthy households in the city, or even surpass them. Money must have a reasonable source.
Although selling plush toys and raising rabbits are profitable, it's hard to convince people that they can earn so much money all at once.
Indeed, ever since the Mo Family arrived at Xi Ling Village, their industries have not solely relied on the profits from selling these plush toys. To some extent, they have also benefited from some wealth obtained from the state treasury.
Madam He is not a business person and lacks any economic acumen.
She only heard her daughter say that a doll costs twenty taels of silver, and the beautiful pendant's raw materials are also from the Mo Family. She already firmly believes in the financial strength of the Mo Family.
The Mo Family is not lacking in money, and Madam He is delighted to see them live a comfortable life.
Although she can't see her daughter often, as long as she is doing well, Madam He can be at ease.
Now, seeing Old Lady Mo and her own son-in-law caring for her precious daughter, Madam He finally let go of half of her worries.
Of course, the other half that she hasn't let go of yet is the matter of her carrying two children in her womb. Until Zhang San, the renowned gynecologist, arrives from the capital, she won't be able to stop worrying.
He Zhiran doesn't know what her mother is thinking. Seeing her mother's face no longer filled with worry as when she first arrived, she assumes her mother is relieved to see that she's doing well.
At the same time, she understands that her mother has traveled all the way to the northwest to accompany her during childbirth, so she probably won't leave for a short time.
Old Lady Mo also has the same understanding.
"Mother-in-law, you must stay in the northwest for a few more days. You just arrived here and don't know that our home has many new and interesting things. I guarantee that once you settle in, you won't want to go back."
If these words were spoken when Madam He first entered the village, she would never have believed them.
Now, seeing her daughter's beautiful house and furnishings, she knows that Old Lady Mo wasn't exaggerating.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, everything in front and behind the house feels so comfortable, especially the rooms, which are even more comfortable than the palace.
The seats beneath her are made of some unknown material, so soft that sitting on them makes most of the fatigue from the journey dissipate.
It can be said that Madam He has already begun to like it here.
"Indeed, as you said, I came this time to accompany Ruan Ruan during her delivery. I'm afraid I'll be troubling you for a few days."
"No trouble at all. We are all very happy that you could come."
As they exchanged pleasantries, the sisters-in-law who heard the news also arrived one after another.
Not only did they come, but they also brought watermelons and fruits from their own courtyard, which had been cooled in the well.
Madam He's sisters-in-law warmly greeted their ninth sister-in-law and then proceeded to recommend the delicious fruits they had brought along.
Second Sister-in-law was the most enthusiastic among them. She presented a plate of sliced watermelon to Madam He.
"Madam He, please try this watermelon. It's a unique fruit exclusive to our Mo Family. You won't find it anywhere else," Second Sister-in-law said.
Madam He looked at the watermelon, feeling a bit perplexed.
This red fruit, cut into small pieces, was indeed something she had never seen before. What's more, she had no idea how to eat it.
Old Lady Mo, seeing her confusion, explained, "Dear mother-in-law, you eat the red flesh of this watermelon. It's very refreshing, especially in the hot weather."
Madam He was someone who hesitated to try new things. However, due to the excessive enthusiasm of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from the Mo Family, she reluctantly accepted it.
