CHAPTER 843: CHAPTER 841: SHI YU FEELS A BIT AWKWARD

In a friendly and harmonious atmosphere, the ceremony acknowledging the daughter-in-law by the in-laws proceeded very smoothly.

Ye Xinyan served tea, offered sewing as a gift from a daughter-in-law to her in-laws, and received jewelry and red envelopes given by her in-laws in return.

Jiang Yiyuan, with a cheerful personality, accepted the gifts from Ye Xinyan and happily called her sister-in-law, as the eldest lady of Duke An’s Mansion once again became the daughter-in-law of the Jiang Family.

Lady Qin had previously come to the capital specifically for Jiang Yifan’s engagement matters and had met Ye Xinyan many times, changing her view of her current daughter-in-law. If nothing else, at least she is a woman who understands propriety and has a sense of the bigger picture.

Though Miss Ye does not conduct herself like other women in a conventional manner, as the old saying goes, the greater the ability, the greater the temperament. For women, if they have significant abilities, perhaps their temperament won’t be bound by etiquette.

Though Lady Qin did not agree with this, as long as her son liked it, and what the child did was proper, even commendable, she just let it be.

Yesterday, seeing the bride in full dress, she was extremely amazed at her beauty after makeup, thinking she understood why her son was so captivated by Ye Xinyan, probably not only for her personality but also for this extraordinary beauty.

Facing such extraordinary beauty, Lady Qin felt a bit uneasy, wondering whether such enchanting beauty could settle down into everyday life?

But upon seeing her daughter-in-law again today, she was surprised that her appearance was not as extraordinarily gorgeous as yesterday. Though her beauty hadn’t diminished, it appeared modest and serene, without losing liveliness in her brows and eyes. Thus, she was still the generous and sensible woman, which was very good.

Meeting is good; living together is difficult. Only after genuinely starting to live together can one truly understand a person’s character. Just like the old master said, it’s best to trust his son’s judgment and perception.

After Jiang Yifan got married last time and returned briefly to the ancestral home, Jiang Chen only met his daughter-in-law a few times and didn’t feel quite favorable. Today, seeing his daughter-in-law’s dignified behavior and great respect for elders, she was completely different from before.

Just... with such looks, he couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Yifan once more, somewhat doubting his previous faith in his son. Could it be that this chap was simply infatuated with the beauty of the Ye Family’s lady, insisting on reconciliation and making it a proper marriage?

However, as a fellow man, the fact that his son has a beautiful wife is also a reflection of his capabilities, isn’t it?

Jiang Chen thought about this, feeling a bit guilty as he glanced at Lady Qin. Fortunately, Lady Qin didn’t look at him, otherwise, if she guessed what he was thinking, would she twist his ear when they returned to their room and ask if he was dissatisfied with her appearance.

Though the family had their thoughts, there was no sense of estrangement in their conversations, and they were very harmonious and close.

...

As promised to Ye Yuan before getting on the sedan chair, Shi Yu nearly covered her face and went to Duke An’s Mansion to pick up little Ye Yuan to play at the Jiang Residence.

What kind of situation is this? Just married the granddaughter yesterday, and after just one night, while the marriage’s heat is still fervent, a servant from the groom’s family comes over to pick up the grandson... Seems unprecedented in his memory.

But upon reaching Duke An’s Mansion and stating his purpose, unexpectedly, he received a warm welcome.

Though Duke An did not appear, the head steward Qiao Laiyun and Lian Gui, who closely followed Duke An and awaited instructions at all times, both came out to meet him, accompanying him in the drawing-room, speaking warmly.

The one who sent Ye Yuan out was Maternal Aunt Zhao, who, after exchanging pleasantries with the three in the drawing-room, apologized very sincerely to Shi Yu, expressing her gratitude profusely.

Shi Yu, who served Jiang Yifan, had been to Duke An’s Mansion many times, and naturally knew tonight’s unique identity of Maternal Aunt Zhao. Not only managing the mansion’s affairs, but she was also the biological mother of Ye Yuan, who was cherished by Duke An, and Ye Yuan was being brought up by her side.

As Ye Hongyang currently had no formal wife, Maternal Aunt Zhao, being a Decent Concubine from a good family, would naturally become the mother of the next Duke An, barring any unexpected events.

However, was it necessary for Maternal Aunt Zhao to be so formal with him, a mere servant?

Looking at Qiao Laiyun and Lian Gui, Shi Yu’s heart raced. How eager was Duke An’s Mansion for their little young master to go to their place and find their lord and madam?

Shi Yu quickly expressed his thanks, feeling assured. It seemed his task was not only not awkward but was actually very welcome. With critical figures from Duke An’s Mansion coming out to support, it illustrated how prestigious this errand was.

...

Qi Jiaer was brought up under Ye Xinyan’s care and guidance, and since childhood, he had been in contact with Jiang Yifan. He knew that anything agreed upon by these two would definitely be fulfilled.

On this day, he was thinking early on about Ye Yuan going to his elder sister and brother-in-law’s house and was eager to go along. But Nanny Jin and Qi Younian strongly restricted him, and Qi Sanshun did his best to coax and persuade him, so he pouted and didn’t come to Duke An’s Mansion.

At the street corner of the back alley, Qi Jiaer jealously watched as Shi Yu took Ye Yuan in the carriage, with six guards moving away, feeling sullen, and mumbled to Qi Sanshun: "If I had known that just crying would let me go to my sister’s house, I would have cried loudly yesterday."

Qi Sanshun, a teenager now, though also reluctant to part with his cousin getting married, knew what was important.

Hearing Qi Jiaer’s words, he tapped his head lightly, saying: "How old are you, still shamelessly crying?"

Qi Jiaer twisted his neck, saying: "Sister got married and became someone else’s family, how can I not cry? Yesterday, auntie even cried on the carriage outside the street." He had seen it personally, but was too busy to go forward then, and the carriage left.

Qi Sanshun slapped him gently again, "Are you the same as aunty? You are the youngest in the family, and Great Uncle, Nanny, and our eldest cousin sister always look at you as a child. You are already grown up; your sister got married, and you are now the pillar of Great Uncle’s household. You not only have to take care of Great Uncle but also help our eldest cousin sister bring Brother Yuan. At eight years old, how can you compare with girls and not feel ashamed?"

He was already studying in a school, and besides academic studies, he practiced martial arts with Guan He and learned weaponry and martial skills under the arrangement of Duke An’s retired officers.

Although he had an average talent for academics, poetry, and classic literature, he had a knack for martial arts.

Duke An and Protectorate General both looked forward to his future military service. As a future military general, he couldn’t be as weak as Qi Jiaer. He had to act with the grandeur of Duke An and the Protectorate General to earn merits for his grandparents and parents.

Though Qi Jiaer was still young, he was the sole successor of the second branch of the Qi family, and even if not taking the path of a military officer, he must uphold the family’s business established by Great Uncle.

These were cautions his eldest cousin sister and brother-in-law frequently gave him. As he ventured out for prospects with his eldest uncle, he must not only seek his own future glory but also bear the responsibility of guiding his cousin.

"Hurry back, your eldest cousin sister is married, and Great Uncle must feel even more unwilling. Accompany Great Uncle well on behalf of your eldest cousin sister; that’s the right thing to do. You can’t always think of playing, got it?" If he weren’t considering his young age, Qi Sanshun would have pinched his ear and dragged him back.

Qi Jiaer glared angrily at Qi Sanshun, then, with resigned momentum, said sulkily: "Alright, I got it. You always said you’re going to be a general; would a general nag like you do? You are more chatty than Nanny."