Thomas Goodwin looked Samuel Howard up and down for a moment before finally smiling and saying, “Good, good. The journey was fine, but I heard that something happened to you, nephew, and I was worried. Now that I see you’re alright, your uncle can rest easy.”

He laughed again and said, “And it seems that after this incident, you’ve become even more sensible than before.” Ignoring the others’ snickers, he turned and called behind him, “Mary, aren’t you going to come greet your Big Brother Howard?”

The graceful and spirited girl, who was Mary Goodwin, emerged from behind Thomas Goodwin, stepped forward, and bowed to Samuel Howard, saying, “Greetings, Big Brother Samuel.”

This Mary Goodwin looked about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in cotton clothes that couldn’t hide her slender figure. She wore a fur scarf around her neck, her oval face was delicate and pretty, flushed red from the cold, her large, lively eyes full of spirit, and her hair was styled in a young girl’s double buns.

After bowing to Samuel Howard, when her eyes met his, she took advantage of the others not noticing to wrinkle her pretty nose and give Samuel Howard a big, dramatic eye roll. Then she went over to The Young Family and several older sisters, holding their hands and calling them “Auntie” and “Sister” nonstop. The Young Family and the sisters were delighted, holding her hands and chatting, while even the little children crowded around her, calling out excitedly.

Seeing the behavior of this young girl, Samuel Howard found it rather amusing. After all, in his previous life he was already in his thirties, and had seen plenty of these little tricks between youngsters. In his past life, Samuel Howard had been led in circles by Mary Goodwin, but that certainly wouldn’t happen again.

The Young Family took Mary Goodwin by the hand to greet Thomas Goodwin, and after some warm pleasantries, everyone moved into the main hall. Once the servants had served tea and water, Henry Howard asked, and it turned out that Thomas Goodwin, along with his daughter and servants, had arrived at Liangjiaping Fort yesterday evening, rested for the night, and only arrived at Wuzhai Fort this morning. Samuel Howard thought to himself that the timing was about right, but he hadn’t run into them.

After some small talk, Thomas Goodwin asked Samuel Howard about the incident, and also inquired about his travels.

Samuel Howard shared a bit, while Mary Goodwin sat beside The Young Family, holding her hand and listening. Whenever her eyes met Samuel Howard’s, she would give him a playful eye roll. But when Thomas Goodwin asked about the details of the incident, the concern in her eyes was genuine.

After chatting for a while and confirming that Samuel Howard was unharmed, Thomas Goodwin began to chat happily with Henry Howard and The Young Family about trivial matters.

Samuel Howard, thinking of his own affairs, listened for a bit before standing up and saying, “Uncle Goodwin, Father, you two please relax here. I’ll go take a look at the fields.”

Henry Howard smiled and said, “Alright, let Mr. Young go with you.” Thomas Goodwin didn’t quite understand, so Henry Howard explained in a low voice, somewhat proudly, “Since this child returned from his travels, he’s become much more sensible. The garrison’s farming has always been this way, so let him busy himself with it.”

Thomas Goodwin stroked his graying beard and laughed, “Better to be busy than idle. Times are getting harder every year—who knows, maybe our nephew has brought back some true knowledge from Jiangnan and will really accomplish something.”

By this time, the supernatural novel “Journey to the West” had already been out for decades and had a huge influence among the people of the Ming dynasty. Thomas Goodwin, with nothing better to do, would also read such books, and so he spoke with a tone borrowed from them.

The eldest sister laughed and said, “Has our brother changed his ways just because his bride-to-be is here, and that’s why he’s being so diligent?”

Everyone laughed, and behind Samuel Howard, David James and Little William also snickered.

Samuel Howard acted as if nothing had happened, but beside him, Mary Goodwin’s cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and she protested coyly, “Big sister…” The Young Family, full of affection, pulled her into her arms and chimed in, “Alright, alright, our Mary is shy—let’s not tease her in front of everyone.”

After hearing her husband’s explanation, she was also quite pleased. She felt the same as Henry Howard: no matter how well Samuel Howard did, it was enough that he had the heart for it. She said to Mr. Young, who was standing by, “Uncle Young, if Samuel needs anything, just give it to him.”

Mr. Young smiled and said, “Madam, don’t worry. This old servant will take good care of the young master.”

At this, Brian Howard stood up and said, “I’ll go with Big Brother too.”

Samuel Howard patted him on the shoulder and said, “You, kid, should stay home and read more books. Maybe you’ll earn a title someday.”

Brian Howard was frail, and with Samuel Howard as his Big Brother serving in the military, the position of Qianhu wouldn’t fall to him. Given his temperament, managing the The Howard Family in the future would be a stretch. Fortunately, Brian Howard loved reading, so perhaps he could pursue scholarly honors.

Hearing Samuel Howard say this, Brian Howard smiled sheepishly and sat back down. Mary Goodwin, on the other hand, looked excited and curious, saying, “Is Big Brother Samuel going to the fields? Mary has nothing to do—why not go with Big Brother Samuel?”

Chapter 9: Taking the Bride-to-Be to See the Garrison Fields

Amid the knowing glances and smiles of the others, Mary Goodwin’s cheeks were flushed as she followed Samuel Howard and Mr. Young out of the Qianhu residence. David James and Little William hurried to bring out everyone’s horses.