Miao Yuhua led them all the way to Anxin Garden, which was bustling with activity. Nearly all branches of the Yun family had gathered there.
As soon as Yun Shuyue and Jiang Chengyuan entered, the noisy room fell silent. Even the children who had been playing quickly retreated to the side. No wonder—Jiang Chengyuan was the Prime Minister, his very presence radiating authority and solemnity.
Only Yun Hongyi greeted them cheerfully: “Son‑in‑law, you’ve finally arrived! If you hadn’t, we were about to send everyone out to welcome you.”
Jiang Chengyuan stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Old Madam. She beamed: “Good, good! We’re all family now—no need for such formalities.”
Everyone understood that, as a Prime Minister, his courtesy was not something just anyone could receive. That he offered it to the Old Madam and Yun Hongyi’s household showed he valued Yun Shuyue.
In the corner, Yun Ruoning pouted in annoyance. Watching her cousin bask in joy made her uncomfortable. Finally, her mother, the second madam, nudged her to remind her not to lose composure.
After the greetings, Jiang Chengyuan finally sat down. Yun Shuyue, meanwhile, stayed close to her mother, watching the lively scene. Just as Jiang Chengyuan settled, her younger brother Yun Chengsheng swaggered forward, bowing stiffly and declaring in a loud, serious tone: “Chengsheng greets Prime Minister Brother‑in‑law.”
The room erupted in laughter at his clumsy earnestness.
Yun Chengsheng was only six years old, still a child at heart. He truly meant to show respect to his brother‑in‑law, but the teasing from his family embarrassed him. His eyes reddened, and soon he burst into tears.
Yun Shuyue moved to comfort him, but unexpectedly, Jiang Chengyuan scooped the boy up and seated him on his lap.
Everyone was stunned. The entire capital knew Prime Minister Jiang was famously aloof and unfeeling. When the Jiang family had first discussed the marriage, the old madam worried that someone so cold would not care for her delicate, sensitive granddaughter—that the match might not be suitable.
Seeing this, the Old Madam’s opinion of her grandson‑in‑law began to change.
Miao Yuhua nudged her daughter with her elbow and whispered: “To find such a distinguished husband is your blessing. From now on, you must strive harder—bear children early for the Jiang family, and help your mother‑in‑law manage the household affairs carefully.”
Yun Shuyue replied softly: “I understand, Mother.”
The lively time passed quickly, and soon it was midday. In the Yun family’s main hall, three large banquet tables were set. The cook had been brought in from the Yun family’s restaurant, and the dishes were both beautiful and delicious, including several regional specialties—showing how much the family valued their new son‑in‑law.
At the table, everyone chatted as they ate. Yun Hongyi occasionally discussed court matters with his son‑in‑law. The Yun family’s business stretched far and wide: from banks and restaurants to cloth shops and pawnshops. Even the palace lanterns came from the Yun family’s lantern workshop.
As the conversation flowed, Yun Ruoning, ignoring her mother’s disapproval, carried a wine cup to the main table where Yun Shuyue sat:
“Cousin, today is your return‑home day after marriage. I offer you a toast.”
The room fell silent. Everyone in the Yun household knew Yun Shuyue never touched alcohol.
Jiang Qiuyue quickly stood and pulled her daughter back: “Your sister is frail, with a heart condition. She absolutely cannot drink.”
At these words, the table grew quiet again. Miao Yuhua, suppressing her anger, cast a cold glance at her sister‑in‑law but said nothing. After all, today was her daughter’s return‑home day—she didn’t want to cause unpleasantness and let her son‑in‑law see a joke.
But Yun Ruoning refused to listen, insisting on offering the toast: “Mother, it’s precisely because Sister is weak that she should train herself more. She used to think too much, worrying herself into illness.”
Seeing her mother’s temper about to boil over and her father’s face darkening, while her second uncle sat timidly without a word, Yun Shuyue realized the meal would collapse into discord if the stalemate continued. She rose, took the wine cup offered by Yun Ruoning, and made as if to drink.
But just as the cup reached her lips, it vanished. Looking up, she saw Jiang Chengyuan had already drained it in one swallow.
“Shuyue is frail and unfit to drink. I’ll take this wine in her place.” His tone was calm yet firm, carrying a weight that brooked no argument. From start to finish, he hadn’t spared Ruoning a glance. He set the empty cup back on the table.
Old Madam frowned and scolded Yun Ruoning: “At your age, clinging to others for a drink—what kind of behavior is that? You won’t eat here today. Go back to your room and reflect.”
Yun Ruoning’s plan thwarted, her face grew uglier still. She had no choice but to let her mother drag her away, sulking as she left the hall.
With the Old Madam’s word final, Miao Yuhua held her tongue. Still, she felt guilty that her daughter’s return‑home banquet had been spoiled.
After lunch, Jiang Chengyuan was called to the study by Yun Hongyi, while Yun Shuyue returned with her mother to the east wing.
Once inside, Miao Yuhua eagerly clasped her daughter’s hands: “Yue’er, I never imagined you’d have such fortune. Seeing you and Chengyuan so close and affectionate, I can finally rest easy in this life.”
Yun Shuyue nestled against her mother, speaking sweetly: “In my heart, no one is more important than you, Mother.”
Miao Yuhua embraced her, emotions swirling. For seventeen years, she had raised her daughter in constant fear, watching her fragile health, terrified of losing her. To her, Yun Shuyue was a precious treasure, carefully protected.
“In the past, getting you to say a few words was harder than climbing to heaven. But now that you’re married, you’ve suddenly grown up—your little mouth is as sweet as honey.”
Yun Shuyue smiled: “Before, I truly was immature. But I won’t be anymore, Mother. From now on, I’ll honor you well.”
Miao Yuhua sighed: “That’s good. I’m fine here, but with your father‑in‑law and mother‑in‑law, you mustn’t forget your duties as a daughter‑in‑law. Do you understand?”
Yun Shuyue nodded in reply, then deftly shifted the topic: “Mother, has Second Aunt been upsetting you again lately?”
Miao Yuhua sighed: “It’s still about that estate in the western part of the city. Your second aunt has long coveted it, wanting to reserve it as dowry for Ruoning. Because I gave it to you instead, she’s been displeased.”
Yun Shuyue frowned: “But wasn’t that estate part of your own dowry, Mother?”
Miao Yuhua nodded: “Indeed, it was. But you know your second aunt—always feeling her branch of the family is treated unfairly, scheming daily about how to gather more wealth.”
Not wishing to dwell on such vexing matters, she shifted to asking about her daughter’s life in the Jiang household. Mother and daughter chatted happily, and time passed quickly until evening fell.
Preparing to check on the dinner arrangements, Miao Yuhua asked Yun Shuyue to go to the study and invite her father and son‑in‑law. As Yun Shuyue approached the study door, she heard her father’s booming laughter.
“Ah, Chengyuan, you must be too busy with official duties to play chess often. You’ll need more practice in the future!”
Jiang Chengyuan replied politely: “Father‑in‑law’s skill is superb. I cannot compare. In the future, I hope for your guidance.”
Standing outside, Yun Shuyue thought to herself: In the original story, Jiang Chengyuan was not only a capable and decisive official, but also a master of chess—said to have defeated even the envoy of a neighboring kingdom, famed as a chess king.
When she entered, Yun Hongyi rose cheerfully: “Your mother must have sent you. Is dinner ready?”
Yun Shuyue smiled: “Yes, Mother asked me to call you both.”
Still basking in the thrill of his afternoon victories, Yun Hongyi strode happily toward Anxin Garden to fetch his mother. After a few steps, he turned back to praise Jiang Chengyuan: “Chengyuan, don’t belittle yourself. Chess is only a pastime. What I truly value is your vast learning and genuine talent.”