Wufu's carriage ride was awkward, whereas Madam Zhou and Madam Ping in their carriage were in harmonious spirits, chatting merrily.
"I vaguely remember your Wufu came of age in February?" Madam Ping, with a handkerchief in hand, pressed it to the corner of her mouth.
Madam Zhou replied with a smile, "Yes, on the day when the dragon raises its head."
"Then the coming-of-age celebration should be quite the event, shouldn't it?" Madam Ping said with a laugh.
Madam Zhou said, "For a family like ours, hailing from a farming background, how grand can we really make it?" She paused before adding, "Besides, here, apart from your family and Merchant Ma's family, we hardly know anyone else."
Madam Ping's eyes flickered, probing tentatively, "Madam Magistrate visited your home before the New Year, did she not?"
