Hua Yaoyao pursed her lips, feeling aggrieved, and turned around. In the dim light, she saw the man holding a plate of red bean cakes, standing by the bed and smiling gently at her.
Perhaps it was because that smile was so warm that the sullen woman suddenly felt that all her grievances and fears had found an outlet, and tears fell uncontrollably in large drops. She could only vaguely see the man hurriedly putting down the plate before being embraced in a warm embrace.
The man’s slightly flustered voice whispered in her ear, “What’s wrong? Are you scared? Or are you really hungry? I just got you some food. Don’t be afraid. I thought it was too late for you to eat too much, so I only got you a few pieces of pastry. If you’re really hungry, I’ll get you more.”
Hua Yaoyao wrapped her arms around the man’s waist and shook her head. Her grievances had nothing to do with the fear of being alone in a room, but rather with the sudden solitude in this unfamiliar world, where she had been told from the beginning that she would have to hand over her life to someone else. Whether she was fortunate or unfortunate, she had no choice in the matter. Although she tried her best to convince herself to accept it, she could not escape the resistance and panic in her heart.
Si Yiyuan was unaware of her thoughts, assuming that she was worried and flustered as a concubine’s daughter being married in place of another. So he let her cry her heart out, silently holding her and offering her support, occasionally saying, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
While comforting her, he cursed Li Hao inwardly for being such a useless brat! He’d been chasing a woman for two days and still hadn’t won her back! This left him unable to reveal his identity, nor could he expose Hua Yaoyao’s identity or make any promises. He could only vaguely comfort the pitifully crying little woman, and his heart ached for her!
So, on the second night of their marriage, Hua Yaoyao cried herself to sleep in her husband’s arms. It wasn’t until she woke up the next morning and remembered how ugly she looked crying the night before that she belatedly blushed.
Si Yiyuan had already gotten up and tidied everything. Seeing her wake up, he naturally smiled and said, “Get up and get ready quickly. After breakfast, I’ll accompany you on your homecoming visit. We’ll come back early this afternoon!”
Returning to her parents’ home? Hua Yaoyao’s shyness vanished instantly. According to the original owner’s memories, she had always lived a life of complete insignificance in the Hua family. She really had no idea what her situation would be like after returning to her parents’ home. However, it was a necessary courtesy, so Hua Yaoyao could only go along with it.
Lost in her own thoughts, the young woman didn’t notice the man’s last words, “Come back soon.” Since Si Yiyuan knew she was a concubine’s daughter, he naturally didn’t want his wife to suffer. However, since he was now Li Hao’s substitute, he had no reason not to go. So he just planned to go and make a show of it and leave after that.
The two stand-ins, who were only trying to get by, had barely finished breakfast when they rushed out the door amidst Li’s mother’s nagging. Their speed was comparable to an escape. Even after they got into the carriage, Si Yiyuan was still shaken: “Mother is so long-winded!”
Although Hua Yaoyao wholeheartedly agreed, she dared not show it too much, and only smiled slightly with her lips pursed: “My mother-in-law is also worried about her husband.”
Si Yiyuan rolled his eyes at her and said, “You’re just saying nice things against your conscience!” Hua Yaoyao still smiled with her lips pursed, but did not argue. It was true that Li’s mother was nagging, but her son could dislike her without any scruples, while her daughter-in-law might not be able to.
Especially since they were two strangers who had suddenly become husband and wife, the panic and worry still lingered, but most of it had disappeared after last night’s big cry. Now she just wanted to settle down in this world, manage their marriage well, and not let Li Hao misunderstand her because of the mother-in-law relationship, which would affect their relationship.
Si Yiyuan naturally never expected that his unintentional remark would cause this young woman to come up with so many thoughts about the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. After all, although he was clear about his own status, he forgot that in Hua Yaoyao’s heart, Li’s mother was a mother he respected and loved. If she wanted to live a good life, she naturally could not offend her mother-in-law.
Of course, things were completely different when they arrived at the Hua family. These two stand-ins had no sense of responsibility as daughters and sons-in-law. Hua Yaoyao didn’t act like a spoiled little girl when she was with her parents, not to mention Si Yiyuan, who didn’t take the Hua family seriously at all.
From the moment they entered, the two stand-in couples greeted each other politely. Then, adhering to the principle that silence is golden, they answered only when asked a question by the Hua couple, never taking the initiative to speak. After a few polite words, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Looking at Si Yiyuan, who was handsome and gentle, and thinking of her daughter who was destined to be with such an excellent husband, Madam Hua felt extremely frustrated and didn’t want to say a word.
Si Yiyuan and Hua Yaoyao, the two stand-ins who were only there to go through the motions, adopted the attitude that the more they said, the more mistakes they would make, and the less they said, the less mistakes they would make, so they kept to themselves.
As for the other younger members of the Hua family, they had little contact with Hua Yaoyao on a regular basis, and they didn’t know what to talk about with this older sister, let alone where to begin.
So, the group chatted awkwardly for an hour, sometimes silent and sometimes lively, as if they were having a split personality, until finally lunchtime began.
Thinking that the little woman had been hungry last night and hadn’t eaten much this morning, Si Yiyuan kept adding food to Hua Yaoyao’s bowl from the moment the dishes were served, while quietly asking if she liked it or if it was enough.
The younger generation of the Hua family, both men and women, stared at the two of them, forgetting to eat. The man, however, paid no attention and focused on taking care of his wife as if they didn’t exist.
Hua Yaoyao was very embarrassed. If it were just the two of them eating, she would be very satisfied with Si Yiyuan’s thoughtfulness. However, being fed in front of a group of strangers, she was too embarrassed to resist!
So, in front of everyone, the petite woman said coquettishly to the man, “Alright, you eat your own food! Don’t worry about me, I can eat by myself!”
…What happened to your thick skin, Hua Yaoyao? Don’t you care anymore?
Hua Wenye looked at his illegitimate daughter with some surprise. She was usually quiet and reserved at home, but today she was showing such a coquettish and reproachful little girl. Was it because of this man?
Si Yiyuan seemed completely oblivious to his father-in-law’s surprised look. He simply nodded to his wife to indicate that he understood, but he didn’t stop serving her food. He did this partly because he was worried that his wife was hungry, and partly to support her. The Hua family didn’t care about his wife, but he cared about her very much!
With everyone lost in their own thoughts, the homecoming meal finally came to an end. As for whether anyone would suffer from indigestion, that was no longer within Hua Yaoyao’s consideration. She had completed her homecoming mission and was ready to switch to the next scene at any time.
Her husband, Si Yiyuan, who shared her sentiments, also felt it was time to leave safely. So he respectfully bid farewell to the Hua family couple and led Hua Yaoyao out of the Hua family gate.
Madam Hua naturally had to put on a loving mother’s demeanor and give Hua Yaoyao a few words of advice. She then talked to Hua Yaoyao about the ways of being a daughter-in-law, and finally, she looked reluctant to part with her, expressing her hope that Hua Yaoyao would come home to visit often.
Hua Yaoyao, without thinking, tilted her head and asked in confusion, “Even helping Mom wash the chopsticks and dishes?” She completely ruined the sad atmosphere that her mother had created.
Madam Hua’s face instantly turned from red to green, and she shut her mouth without uttering a sound. Hua Wenye also dropped his amiable smile, and the rest of the Hua family were dumbfounded. What did those words mean? Were they meant to mock the First Madam?
Although Si Yiyuan didn’t understand why she would say such a thing, he was afraid that she would be ridiculed or embarrassed because of it, so he quickly came to her rescue, saying, “Qianqian is getting more and more naughty, joking around with her mother-in-law like that!”
After saying that, he turned around and bowed to Hua Wenye and his wife: “Qianqian was just joking because she was afraid that her mother-in-law would be reluctant to part with her. She just wanted to make her mother-in-law happy. Mother-in-law, don’t worry, your son-in-law will bring Qianqian back to visit often.”
The expressions of Hua Wenye and his wife softened a bit. They quickly gave a few perfunctory instructions and then hurriedly put their troublesome illegitimate daughter on the carriage, out of sight, out of mind!
Madam Hua watched helplessly as such a handsome, gentle, and considerate son-in-law was snatched away by such an ill-mannered girl. She felt incredibly aggrieved, and thinking of her own daughter who left a letter to find her own happiness, she felt even more suffocated.
Foolish girl! Happiness is right in her hands. All she has to do is marry him. Why go out and look for happiness? Where can you find happiness outside? There’s only danger and violence in the world outside!
The worried mother’s thoughts jumped from annoyance and resentment to worry. She couldn’t bear it any longer and got up to look for her husband. Why hadn’t she heard from her daughter for so long?
Meanwhile, on her way home, Hua Yaoyao was being interrogated by Si Yiyuan: “Wife, why did you speak to your mother-in-law like that just now? Aren’t you worried about rumors? What will people say about you behind your back?”
Hua Yaoyao lowered her head and remained silent. She was actually quite helpless about her own erratic remarks, but there was really nothing she could do. The song “Come Home Often” was a huge hit back then, and when her mother said that, she naturally wanted to add a line, but how could she tell a man such a reason? So she could only remain silent.
Seeing that she was keeping her head down and not saying a word, Si Yiyuan thought she was frightened by him, so he quickly calmed down and said gently, “My wife, I don’t blame you. I’m just afraid that this matter will damage your reputation. Although rumors have no sharp edge, they can hurt people just as much as swords and spears. I’m worried that you won’t be able to bear it.”
Hua Yaoyao stared at the sincere man before her, feeling a warm glow in her heart. She asked, “My husband is only worried about whether I can withstand the gossip. Why don’t you blame me for speaking out of turn and disgracing the Li family?”
Si Yiyuan didn’t care at all: “If such a small thing can make the Li family lose face, then the Li family is too useless!” Besides, what does it have to do with him if the Li family loses face? He went through all the wedding night, homecoming, and tea ceremony for Li Hao. His wife only lost a little face, so he can just consider it interest he received from Li Hao!
Hua Yaoyao was deeply moved by his protective behavior and explained earnestly, “With my husband protecting me like this, I don’t care about any rumors. Actually, I just remembered a song and wanted to sing it for my mother, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to like it.” Hua Yaoyao looked regretful at the end.