CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: ANCESTRAL HOME

Qin Xiao got out of the car, followed closely by Xiao Li. Someone immediately came over, "Second Master. Second Young Madam."

After handing the car keys to the person, Qin Xiao held Xiao Li’s hand as they headed towards the ancient building that had stood for hundreds of years on the mountainside...

After hearing the person’s address, Xiao Li asked, "Is this our home? I don’t think I’ve seen that person in the house before..."

Qin Xiao nodded, "This is the ancestral home of the Qin Family.

They all stay here to look after the ancestral home, which is why you haven’t seen them before..."

Xiao Li was shocked, "The ancestral home, I know our family has an old residence left empty, is it here?"

Qin Xiao shook his head, "No, that place was just the first residence Grandpa moved to in the city when he was alive, which is why it’s called the old residence.

This is the ancestral home where our Qin family’s ancestors lived.

Only Qin Family members who are on the family register can live here. In my generation, those on the register are only my brother and sister-in-law, myself, and soon-to-be-you on the register."

Xiao Li pointed to herself, "Me..."

Qin Xiao chuckled, "You’re my wife, is it strange for you to be on the Qin family register?"

Xiao Li shook her head...

As they talked, they arrived at the large door made of golden silkwood. Xiao Li looked up and saw a plaque hanging above the door bearing "Righteousness and Trust Pass Down."

Staring at the plaque, Xiao Li spoke, "Did the ancestors make it a priority to pass down through righteousness and trust?"

Qin Xiao nodded, "Yes, the Qin Family anthem: these two words, righteousness and trust, must never be abandoned."

Xiao Li nodded again and then followed Qin Xiao through the door...

As soon as they entered, two women wearing qipaos greeted them with a bow...

"Second Master, Madam asked us to escort Second Young Madam over."

Xiao Li looked at Qin Xiao after hearing this, "Mom is here too..."

Qin Xiao laughed, "Two days from now is your good day to be on the family register, so of course Mom is here.

Not only Mom, everyone else is here.

Mom is waiting for you, so you go ahead first. I’ll show you around the old residence later..."

Xiao Li: "Ah... Aren’t you going with me?"

Qin Xiao laughed, "Mom called you, not me... so you have to go by yourself. I’m going to find Dad."

Xiao Li: Eh...

You’re just going to leave me here?

I’ve just arrived at an unfamiliar place, and you’re just letting me go with people I don’t know?

Qin Xiao, you’re not this inconsiderate!

Despite Xiao Li’s inner grumbling, she obediently followed the people, since Qin’s mother was waiting for her.

Once Xiao Li left, Qin Xiao also left, heading up another corridor to the courtyard below...

Following them, Xiao Li went through several corridors before arriving at a courtyard named "Boya Residence."

Upon entering, Xiao Li saw Qin’s mother and He Jie sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, drinking tea...

Xiao Li quickly called out, "Mom, big sister-in-law."

Seeing Xiao Li arrive, Qin’s mother smiled and invited her over, pouring her a cup of tea, "Come, you must be thirsty after walking all the way here. Have some tea..."

Sitting at the stone table, Xiao Li took a sip of tea before speaking, "Mom, when did you all arrive?

Where are Mianmian and Little Stone?"

Qin’s mother laughed, "Right after you and A Xiao went out the door, we came here. Getting you on the family register is a big deal, and preparations need to be made early.

Mianmian and Little Stone are playing in Tingyu Building right now. Someone is watching them, so don’t worry..."

Hearing this, Xiao Li hesitated, "Is going on the family register troublesome?

Are there many procedures?"

He Jie laughed, "You could say it’s troublesome, but it’s not, since we don’t have to do much. Others are busy...

But it’s not entirely effortless, because the involved parties do have to take part.

When I went on the family register, that’s how it was, and it was all done after a few busy days back then."

But back then, I only had to deal with the family register matters. You’re not just dealing with that, so you may be even busier, He Jie thought to herself...

Qin’s mother smiled warmly, "Getting on the family register might be tiring, but it’s a joyful kind of tiredness!

Not everyone has the opportunity to be on the register.

People from those two branches of the Qin family couldn’t get on the register, and neither could the old man’s last wife, who tried very hard back in the day.

And she still didn’t get in...

Those who aren’t on the family register can’t inherit the Qin family power and have no chance to voice opinions in the Qin family."

Surprised, Xiao Li said, "Are none of them on the register? I thought all direct members of the Qin family had access."

Qin’s mother shook her head, "Certainly not... Their status isn’t up to the criteria for the register.

Eventually, even though Grandpa married her, those two branches were born when she was just a lover, so in the end, they’re just two illegitimate children.

If they could bring some merit to the family, or use their thin bloodline, they might have succeeded in getting on the register, but unfortunately, they haven’t stepped up, so naturally, they lost the opportunity...

Now that Grandpa is gone, they have no hope for the family register in their lifetime.

From the day you married A Xiao, you should have been put on the register then.

But the Qin family has ancestral rules: a newly married daughter-in-law must wait a year before joining the register.

When entering the register, family elders must be present. A Xiao’s uncles are like old relics, each rule remembered by heart.

Grandpa’s last wife couldn’t enter the register because the uncles firmly adhered to the rules.

Joining the register is a happy event, and it wouldn’t be right if something went wrong, so A Xiao was eager but had to wait...

After a year, you just had Mianmian, making it inconvenient in many aspects, so it was postponed to now."

Xiao Li nodded to show she understood.

She thought she probably knew why new members wait a year to join; it’s likely to observe their character.

After finishing the tea, Qin’s mother led Xiao Li into a room filled with clothes. Qin’s mother smiled, encouraging Xiao Li to try them on...

Faced with the row of clothes, Xiao Li blankly turned to Qin’s mother, "Mom, do I have to try all of these?"

Qin’s mother nodded, "All of them..."

Xiao Li laughed awkwardly, "Do I need to change into so many outfits on the day of going on the register?"

Qin’s mother nodded calmly, "Just about! Since each stage needs different outfits, that’s about it!"

Of course, it’s not just for the register day, but I can’t tell you the other purposes just yet...

For the remaining time, Xiao Li seemed like a puppet, changing from one outfit to another, listening to Qin’s mother and the others criticizing and discussing with designers about any tweaks needed...

After nearly twenty outfits, Xiao Li felt too tired to even raise her arms.