In the blink of an eye, the day for the return to the bride’s family arrived. After washing up, the couple headed to the Zheng courtyard for breakfast.
“I’ve already had the servants load the gifts for the return visit onto the carriage. Finish your breakfast early and set off soon,” said Hou Furen, setting down her chopsticks after taking a few bites and looking at Liu Qingwu with a gentle expression.
When the incident in the West Courtyard occurred yesterday, servants had come to report it, so she already knew how Liu Qingwu had handled the situation.
Hou Furen hadn’t held high expectations for Liu Qingwu herself—as long as she could take good care of her husband and children, that was enough. After all, as the daughter of a second-rank official and a concubine at that, she couldn’t possibly match the status of Chang Princess, nor was she even on par with the standing of Yongning Hou.
Although her impression of Liu Qingwu was decent, she hadn’t expected her to manage household affairs. The way she handled things yesterday was quite good—servants who made mistakes should be punished without unnecessary words. If a master couldn’t maintain authority, they couldn’t blame some servants for feigning compliance while acting otherwise.
The two acknowledged her words. After finishing breakfast and leaving the Zheng courtyard, Liu Qingwu asked with some confusion, “Husband, why did Mother look at me with such a pleased expression this morning?”
Jiang Yueheng glanced sideways at the person beside him, his lips twitching slightly. “Perhaps you did something that made Mother happy.”
Something that made her happy? Liu Qingwu was momentarily puzzled. She hadn’t done anything special. If she had to name something, it would be punishing the two maids from the study in the front courtyard of the West Courtyard yesterday. Could it be that?
As Liu Qingwu sank into thought, the two had unknowingly reached the front gate. Noticing the person beside her suddenly stop, Liu Qingwu looked up in confusion. The carriage for the return visit was right ahead.
Seeing that she had snapped out of her thoughts, Jiang Yueheng stepped onto the carriage, turned around, and held onto the carriage frame with one hand while extending his palm to Liu Qingwu.
Liu Qingwu was momentarily speechless. The moment her hand touched his, a steady, powerful force transmitted from his palm. Relying on this force, she smoothly boarded the carriage.
Lifting the curtain, she saw that more than half of the carriage was filled with various gifts. Liu Qingwu’s eyes widened as she exclaimed, “There’s so much!”
Navigating through the gaps between the gifts, the two took their seats in the back row. There was no other choice—the gifts were so numerous that only a narrow aisle remained.
Jiang Yueheng explained, “This is the standard allocation for the Shizi Furen’s return to her family.”
Liu Qingwu: .
She really hadn’t seen enough of the world yet.
The space was cramped, and raising her arm inevitably bumped into the person beside her. After a moment of silence, Liu Qingwu smiled and asked, “Husband, aren’t you riding a horse today?”
Jiang Yueheng noticed her retracted arm, then looked up at her flawless smiling face and replied in a muffled voice, “I will.”
Liu Estate, Furui Hall.
Liu Laofuren sat in the highest seat, with Mr. and Mrs. Liu seated on either side. Aside from the second young master, Liu Qingzhang, who was studying diligently at the academy, all of Liu Qingwu’s other siblings were present.
As soon as they entered, a young child ran over joyfully, calling out, “Auntie, Auntie, I missed you so much!”
Liu Qingwu looked down and saw it was Jing Ge’er, the only son of her eldest brother. She bent down to pick him up. “Auntie missed you too.”
Ever since transmigrating, Liu Qingwu had tried to learn the arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting—aside from painting, she couldn’t master any of them. Embroidery was even more out of the question—one stitch and she’d prick herself, leaving a bloody mark.
Without a phone and with few leisure activities, she had made a few small toys in her spare time and sent them to her elder sister-in-law. Unexpectedly, Jing Ge’er adored them, and she ended up gaining a little follower.
Recently, the weather had been hot, so Wang Shi, her elder sister-in-law, hadn’t allowed him to go out much. Later, fearing he might disturb Liu Qingwu’s wedding preparations, she forbade him from visiting altogether.
Thus, the two had not seen each other for over a month. When fellow townsfolk meet, tears well up in their eyes.
Jing Ge’er clung to Liu Qingwu’s neck, looking up and asking, “Little Aunt, where have you been? I’ve been wanting to play with you, but Mother wouldn’t let me.”
Jing Ge’er was already five years old and would begin his education next year. Wang Shi, knowing his playtime was limited, usually did not restrict him much. But after being confined for over a month, the little fellow was utterly aggrieved.
Hearing this, Wang Shi smiled awkwardly and stepped forward to take Jing Ge’er, murmuring, “Come here now, don’t disturb your aunt on her return visit.”
Jing Ge’er crossed his little arms, pouting with clear displeasure. He had finally met his little aunt and hadn’t even finished asking his questions.
Though young, he was perceptive enough to read the room and did not rush over again. Instead, he sat alone in his seat, nibbling on snacks.
Everyone’s attention returned to the newlyweds.
“Third Sister/Huaijin pays respects to Grandmother, Father, and Mother. We greet you.”
The two bowed in unison.
“Good, good, good. Rise now,” Liu Laofuren said with a beaming smile, urging them to stand.
After some pleasantries, the men followed Liu Shangshu to the front courtyard to discuss court affairs.
“Is Hou Manor treating you well?” Zhang Shi inquired.
Liu Qingwu smiled and nodded. “Thank you for your concern, Mother. Houye’s wife treats me well, and my husband treats me well too.”
Liu Qingwu’s complexion was rosy, her eyes bright. Before Jiang Yueheng left, he glanced back at her. Without even asking, everyone could tell she was thriving in Hou Manor, though formalities still had to be observed.
With the men gone, the conversation became more relaxed. Eldest sister-in-law Wang Shi patted her son’s head and said, “Weren’t you always saying you wanted to play with Little Aunt?”
Jing Ge’er’s eyes lit up. He slid off his chair and toddled over to Liu Qingwu, clasping her hands and blinking his eyes to signal his desire to play together.
Liu Qingwu reached out and stroked his head, then pulled him into her embrace, speaking gently, “Shall we play with Great-Grandmother together?”
As the firstborn of the next generation, Jing Ge’er was dearly loved by the Old Madam, even though he was a child of a concubine.
“Play with Great-Grandmother!”
Jing Ge’er nodded eagerly, then nimbly climbed onto the Old Madam’s chair, snuggling close to her side, demonstrating through action that he would keep her company.
Everyone watched and laughed, covering their smiles with their hands.
Liu Qinghuan, who had been sitting quietly without a word, found the scene of familial harmony grating. Anger surged in her heart, and she spoke without thinking, “Third Sister, when Shizi married Eldest Sister before, everyone called him ‘Eldest Brother-in-Law.’ But now that you’ve married into Hou Manor, what should we call him?”
Wang Shi’s smile froze. Why bring up such a sensitive topic?
Liu Qingwu paused for a moment. Given Hou Manor’s status, whether he was called “brother-in-law” or not made no difference—the Liu Estate would not dare slight Jiang Yueheng. But such words could not come from her lips.
The one directly affected by the shift from “second younger brother” to “second elder brother,” with an additional half-sister as sister-in-law, was Jiang Yueheng. She had no habit of making decisions on others’ behalf.
The atmosphere instantly turned chilly. Wang Shi gritted her teeth but, remembering this was her husband’s full sister, forced a smile and changed the subject: “Third Sister, have you seen Hao Ge’er in Hou Manor?”
“I have. He eats heartily, his face is round, and his little legs kick with great energy,” Liu Qingwu replied, following Wang Shi’s lead.
“That’s good,” Zhang Shi at the head seat sighed in relief after listening, then asked about another matter of concern, “Has Hao Ge’er moved to your courtyard yet?”
“Not for now, probably waiting until after the homecoming visit.”
…