"Alright," Lian Manman readily agreed, simultaneously reaching out to Lady Zhang, "but I can't go for nothing. Mother, you'll have to give me wages."
"I'll give," Lady Zhang laughed, "whatever you ask, I'll give. The little money I've saved will all be yours eventually."
The next day, after Lian Manman's family finished breakfast, they got everything ready. By the early Hour of Si, Zhang Qingnian arrived driving a carriage. Inside the carriage were Lady Li with her two grandsons, Xiao Long and Xiao Hu, along with Lady Wu Wang and Lady Hu, the two daughters-in-law. The group, dressed in new clothes, looked extremely radiant.
Xiao Long and Xiao Hu, being around the same age as Xiao Qi, were obviously delighted. Even Lady Wu Wang and Lady Hu, both still young, were happy about heading into town to see the lantern festival.
After rearranging the carriages, they set off and met the four members of the Wu family in town, then headed together to Jinyang County Town.
