The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law

It was only the day before yesterday that we received the letter, thinking she wouldn’t make it back for the festival. To our surprise, she arrived so soon.

Gu Youyou performed a curtsey and said, "Aunt, how have things been at home recently?"

The aunt, presumably anxious to see her daughter after such a long absence, had noticeably more wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

Madam Lin watched Gu Youyou with tears of joy and said, "Everything is good, good. The festival might be celebrated properly now. With you back, and Daya returning too, the house hasn’t been this lively in a long while."

Gu Youyou, arm in arm with Madam Lin, spoke affectionately, "I’m just afraid Aunt might find us too noisy."

Madam Lin hurriedly said, "Not noisy at all, alas! When all of you were at home, I always thought you were restless, always causing me trouble. Now that you’ve all been gone for half a year, at first, I thought it was peaceful, but as time passed, I’ve come to miss the noise, the liveliness!"

To hear Madam Lin speak so sincerely and earnestly about this, Gu Youyou was deeply moved.

Xiang Chun and Searcy disembarked from the carriage behind them, and Gu Youyou introduced them to Madam Lin, saying, "This young lady is called Searcy, she’s also a doctor. Her medical skills are quite noteworthy, and she has returned with me."