Those who came to pay their respects were Madam Zhang and her three daughters. At this time, Liu Yuan was still on duty, and Liu Nan was at the village school, so neither of them came.

As soon as she entered the room, Madam Zhang keenly sensed the unfriendly atmosphere.

The few people present, young and old alike, all had long faces, looking for all the world as if they had come to collect a debt.

Madam Zhang felt very uncomfortable.

To be honest, she didn't want to deal with her husband's family at all. Perhaps in the past, she had held a sliver of hope that they would help her own family get ahead, but that hope had long since been worn away by the day-after-day cold shoulder. What's more, now that Liu Yuan had a good post and might rise even higher, there was no need to rely on the main family branch. For Madam Zhang, paying respects every five days had become even more of a routine torture.

Who would be happy to come and be subjected to their long faces every few days?

But she couldn't show it.

Not only that, but she also had to bring her children to bow respectfully.

Madam Zhang's expression could hardly be called pleasant, but Liu Xin's was even uglier. He didn't even bother with cold pleasantries, asking bluntly, "I heard your husband got a new post?"

He didn't even say his son's name, directly substituting it with "your husband." Even a fool could hear the displeasure in his words, let alone Madam Zhang.

She answered very carefully, "I only heard him mention it yesterday..."

Liu Xin said coldly, "He's all grown up, so capable now. He was only a Constable for a few months, and now he's about to be promoted to Prison Warden. I, his father, have yet to congratulate him!"

Madam Zhang forced a smile. "This matter isn't settled yet. Where did Father hear this from?"

Liu Xin slammed his hand hard on the low table, startling everyone, including Madam Lou and Madam Yu. A torrent of curses immediately followed. "You still want to hide it from me at this point?! Have I become so deaf and blind?! Since Liu Yuan has latched onto a powerful backer, why did he bother coming to beg me in the first place? Could it be that making a fool of his old father is a game to him?! Such an unfilial son is a rarity even in all of Qin! All of you, get out! And don't bother coming in the future! Get out!"

And so, Madam Zhang, Liu Zhen, and the others were all driven out.

Liu Wan and Liu Zhuang were young, and their grandfather's furious outburst scared them into wailing. Liu Zhen, meanwhile, watched her stepmother sympathetically, who was being used as cannon fodder for his tirade.

Being a daughter-in-law really meant taking a lot of abuse...

Madam Lou followed them out, frowning. "Don't let them cry here. Anyone who didn't know better would think you've been terribly wronged. Madam Zhang, take them home at once!"

Madam Zhang was so angry her face turned pale. She couldn't even be bothered to say goodbye; she just turned and left, afraid that if she delayed another moment, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from lashing out with harsh words.

Long after leaving the Liu residence, Madam Zhang still couldn't suppress her seething rage.

She knew her family had never been well-received, but they had never been treated like this. Were they born inferior to others?! Her son had prospects, yet his father, far from being happy, pointed and cursed him for being unfilial. What kind of logic was that!

"Ah Zhen, next time, you can bring your younger sisters to pay respects!"

Liu Zhen knew these were just her stepmother's angry words, spoken in a fit of rage. It was considered natural for parents to scold and beat their children, but if the children made the slightest misstep, they would be deemed unfilial. In five days, Madam Zhang would likely have to swallow her grievances and come back to take more abuse—oh, no, that is, to pay her respects.

In this era, before Confucianism came to dominate the world, the principle of filial piety was already deeply ingrained in people's hearts. Even the laws of Qin had explicit statutes against unfilial conduct. Madam Zhang didn't dare challenge the law, let alone the judgment in the eyes of the townspeople.

Seeing her like this, however, Liu Zhen could only offer consolation, "Mother, you needn't be angry with Grandfather and Grandmother. Father is a man of great prospects, and one day they will regret their poor judgment and how they've wronged him!"

"You're right!" Madam Zhang said, gritting her teeth, her chest still heaving. "They will definitely regret it one day!"

After venting and being consoled by Liu Zhen, Madam Zhang's mood improved slightly, but she still couldn't suppress her indignation. As soon as Liu Yuan returned, she eagerly poured out every detail of the cold reception she had received from her parents-in-law.

At the same time, she worriedly clung to a sliver of hope. "Husband, you didn't accept the Assistant Governor's recommendation, did you?"

Ever since learning that her husband's promotion came at the cost of offending Xiao Qi, she had lost all joy in the matter. On the contrary, she hoped Liu Yuan would give up the position at once. To them, Xiao Qi was a local tyrant they could not afford to cross.

But Liu Yuan shook his head, shattering her fantasy. "No, I accepted."

Madam Zhang's face turned pale in an instant. "You... you're not afraid of offending the Xiao family's eldest son? What if he holds a grudge..."

Liu Yuan nonchalantly scooped a spoonful of meat stew into his mouth, only then saying, "Compared to Xiao Qi's resentment, shouldn't you be more worried about how you're going to face Father and Mother in five days?"

The family's situation was improving at a rate visible to the naked eye. Now, Liu Zhen and the others could occasionally afford to eat meat stew, which, by later standards, would be understood as a thick congee with chunks of meat.

Seeing his nonchalance, Madam Zhang was becoming exasperated. "Husband!"

Liu Yuan laughed heartily. "Alright, alright, Ah Yun," he said, using Madam Zhang's given name. "There's no need to worry so much. I have my own plans!"

Madam Zhang sighed. "Then what should be done about Father's side?"

"What do you mean, 'what should be done'? If I don't become the Prison Warden, will Father suddenly treat me nicely?" Liu Yuan sighed and patted Madam Zhang's hand. "I've dragged you all into this. In the end, it's just a few harsh words from him. You'll just have to bear with it for a while."

Madam Zhang gave a bitter smile. "I suppose that's all that can be done. I was so provoked this morning, and Ah Zhen had to comfort me, saying you would have great prospects in the future, and that Father and Mother would one day regret this. To think that at my age, I would need Ah Zhen to console me!"

Liu Yuan looked toward his daughter, who was unhurriedly spooning meat stew into her mouth. Noticing his gaze, she unhurriedly swallowed her food, then looked up and smiled at her father. "Father, was I wrong?"

"Right! You're absolutely right!" Liu Yuan laughed heartily, his resolve hardening even more.

This Prison Warden position—he had to get it, and he had to be better at it than anyone else!

Before many days had passed, the news that Liu Yuan had jumped from Constable to Prison Warden had spread throughout the town. Everyone envied his good luck, while those who had always looked down on 'Liu the Useless' waited for him to meet with misfortune.

But as the days went by, what Madam Zhang feared and others hoped for did not happen. Liu Zhen didn't know what method her old dad had used, but Xiao Qi was surprisingly well-behaved from start to finish. Not only did he not come looking to settle scores with her dad, he was even as friendly and chummy as before, slinging an arm over his shoulders. Even An Zheng, who had initially planned to persuade him to give up the Prison Warden post to avoid becoming a target, was astonished.

In just one short month, Liu Yuan had firmly established himself in the position of Prison Warden. He went to the county office early every day for his duties and only returned when night was about to fall. Liu Zhen had also heard that when Liu Yuan first took office, several jailers at the county prison had ganged up to play tricks on him, hoping to embarrass him, and he had been completely unable to command them. But now, a month later, not only had he whipped them into submission, but he even frequently used part of his own salary to give extra food to the inmates. The prisoners were therefore deeply grateful to him, and no one could find an opportunity to stir up trouble anymore. Those who had been waiting to laugh at Liu Yuan's expense all sheepishly shut their mouths.

Finding an opportunity, Liu Zhen humbly sought her father's wisdom. "Father, you snatched the position that should have belonged to Xiao Qi. Isn't he angry?"

Liu Yuan said, "Of course he's angry."

Liu Zhen: "Then why is your relationship with him still the same as before?"

Liu Yuan smiled. "Firstly, although Xiao Qi is domineering, he is by no means foolish. Secondly, I treat him as warmly as always, not changing my attitude because of my sudden promotion. Thirdly, I am on good terms with the jailers and treat the prisoners well. Even if Xiao Qi wanted to cause trouble, he can't find an opportunity."

It dawned on Liu Zhen. She then asked, "But what if Xiao Qi insists on making things difficult for you? Does Father have a way to handle him?"

Liu Yuan let out a roguish chuckle. "If he were truly capable, how could the Assistant Governor keep him in check? This shows he's just a man who runs rampant in the town relying on brute force. My being on good terms with him is simply to avoid trouble, not because I fear him. If he pushes me too far, he won't just be offending me, but also your two uncles, and the Liu Family behind me. He's not so stupid that he wouldn't understand that."

Liu Zhen couldn't help but see him in a new light. In an era teeming with illiterates, how could an ordinary village farmer utter such insightful words? Her own father might look coarse, but he was inwardly astute. Not only did he know how to deal with people, he could even see into the human heart with such clarity.

Seeing the adoring, sparkling look in his daughter's eyes, Liu Yuan burst out laughing. "So, did Ah Zhen understand?"

Liu Zhen nodded. "Father, you're so amazing! But why does Grandfather still dislike you and only like Elder Uncle?"

She truly couldn't understand it. Her grandfather had such an intelligent and wise-looking face, yet he only valued the eldest son born of his principal wife, casting his younger son aside like a worn-out shoe. After all, Confucius's own parents had an unsanctioned union, and didn't he still become a sage for the ages!

Liu Yuan's smile vanished. "When I was born, your grandfather fell gravely ill and almost didn't recover. For that reason, he considers me an ill omen."

Liu Zhen was rather speechless. She had originally assumed her grandfather disliked her dad because he was born of a concubine. But in truth, while there was a distinction between a son born of the principal wife and one born of a concubine, it wasn't yet considered that important. The real reason her grandfather detested her dad was superstition!

She had forgotten how superstitious the ancients were. No, never mind the ancients; even in later generations, a remotely superstitious person encountering such a situation would surely suspect that their son's birth chart was incompatible with their own.

With this innate prejudice, coupled with Madam Lou and her eldest son fanning the flames from the sidelines, one could imagine that for this father and son to reconcile, Liu Xin would have to come to his senses on his own.

However, that seemed like a slim hope no matter how you looked at it.

Furthermore, one could imagine that when Madam Zhang took them to pay respects in the future, they would have to endure round after round of verbal venom. Judging by her grandfather's behavior today, even harsher words likely awaited them next time.

Liu Zhen felt that her father and stepmother were being tormented so much by her grandfather's family that they could win an award for the most tragic couple of the year.

She suddenly thought of a possibility. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Father, might Elder Uncle speak ill of you to the County Magistrate behind your back?"

After all, her elder uncle was a county official himself and surely saw the County Magistrate often. If he were to say a bad word or two in front of the magistrate, her dad's promotion might just be ruined.

Liu Yuan smiled. "He won't. I was recommended by the Assistant Governor. Even your elder uncle wouldn't dare to cross the Assistant Governor. If he offended him, wouldn't his own future prospects for promotion be ruined?"

Alright, this father of hers really had things figured out. She didn't need to worry about him at all.

Liu Zhen grinned and sidled up to him. "Father, when you come home tomorrow, could you please stop and buy some of the Lin family's hai from the east side?"

Liu Yuan glanced sideways at her. "Is my little girl feeling greedy again?"

Liu Zhen made a face. "Maybe after I see it, I can learn to make it myself. To be honest, Mother's cooking skills are a little hard to talk about, so I have no choice but to take matters into my own hands!"

Hai was a meat sauce made from fish or other meat, mixed with various spices. She had heard Liu Yuan, An Zheng, and the others mention it, and it was said to be a rare delicacy. The best hai in the vicinity was made by the Lin family to the east, but the price was a bit steep, so Madam Zhang had never been willing to buy it. She didn't feel comfortable pestering her stepmother about it, but she had no qualms about asking her father.

Liu Yuan couldn't help but laugh, ruffling her hair. "Alright, alright. I'll bring you a small jar tomorrow. You'd better hide it well. If your older brother and little sisters find it, it'll be gone in two or three bites."

Liu Zhen couldn't help but cheer.

Life was good now, Liu Zhen thought, even with all the small difficulties and conflicts.

To describe it in a single phrase: the years were quiet, and the world was at peace.

If one ignored the storm that was set to sweep across the land in a few years, that is.