"Oh." Liu Ran nodded obediently and did not probe any further.

He also believed he must have misheard it.

After a quick wash, Ye Mo went to help Ye Ling prepare food in the kitchen, while Ye Liu peeled garlic with Liu Ran.

Liu Duo did not come down for breakfast. The others were already used to it, including Liu Ran who did not question why.

He knew his sister had developed the habit of sleeping in some time ago, and her husbands paid no mind to it, so naturally he did not find it odd either.

"Brother Liu, can I come with you to purchase tomatoes later?" he suddenly asked.

Even though he intended to take the government exam in the future, he thought it would be a good idea to learn a thing or two about business from his brothers-in-law.

However, Ye Mo disagreed. "Why? You should stay home with your books!"

As far as he was concerned, if the boy had the chance to go to school, he should not be wasting time and energy on other activities.

On the other hand, Ye Liu held a different opinion. Smiling, he said to Liu Ran, "Mo, if Ran Er wants to go, he can. We're going in the morning. He can study after we return in the afternoon."

Ye Yang did not comment on it. After breakfast, he gathered his farming tools and went to sharpen the blades of his sickles and hoes.

Ye Ling shared Ye Liu's idea, but he understood why Mo would not permit it. Hence, he found himself facing a dilemma, not knowing whom to side with.

He chose to look on in silence. Either way, both brothers were considering what was best for Liu Ran.

"Liu, how can you say that? There's never enough time to study! Time is precious, we can't just waste it!"

Ye Mo put down his chopstick and gave Liu Ran a serious lecture. "Kid, all this time you've been at school, I believe you've thought about taking the exam three years from now, haven't you? If so, then there's no time to waste! Whether you go out for fun or to run some errands, you have to come back to your studies and focus!"

He knew that anyone who could go to school had great ambitions, because he used to be one of them.

Of course, he also knew why Liu Duo wanted to send him to school. The government exam came naturally, but she mainly wanted him to be literate. But after Liu Ran had been exposed to the world of academia, it was almost impossible not to have big dreams!

Listening to Ye Mo's serious speech was a first for Liu Ran. He was not as smug or self-centered as before. In fact, he was patient and everything he said seemed to make sense.

"Yes, I understand." Liu Ran nodded obediently and dismissed his plans to follow them.

Ye Liu also stopped speaking for him. He had not been to school before, so he could not empathize with Ye Mo's talk about hopes and dreams.

Very soon, Li Wazi arrived with his family to begin another busy day.

"Ling, if Liu Duo doesn't wake up later, bring her breakfast to her. Let her have some before she sleeps some more," Ye Liu reminded his youngest brother before leaving the house.

"Yes, I got it." Ye Ling nodded. He guessed that she must have been exhausted from the night before, hence why she slept in so long.

In town, Dongfang Ming finished his meal and requested that Ming Yan prepare a carriage for him, which he would take to Liu Duo's house.

"Master, after you bid farewell to Madam Ye, will you be leaving for the capital in the afternoon today, or at daybreak tomorrow?" Ming Yan asked.