Everyone in the Fang family was excited for Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu’s arrival. The party for their arrival was even more ceremonious than the one they threw for New Year. Almost every single male from the Fang family was at the wharf to greet them while the females waited for them at the second gate. Ye Jiayao felt like she was an imperial concubine returning to her village.
Accompanied by almost everyone, Ye Jiayao and Chunyu went to see her grandparents at the Weishan Hall.
Her grandmother cried as soon as she saw her, and Ye Jiayao couldn’t help but cry with her. She knew that her grandmother loved her very much. Her mother was their only daughter and since she lost her life at such a young age, they poured all their love to Ye Jiayao. She knew that Jinxuan’s fondest memories were those with her grandparents.
Everyone in the house was delighted at the reunion, but they also couldn’t help but feel sad that Jinxuan’s mother wasn’t there to witness it.
When Ye Jiayao and her grandmother pulled away from each other, Chunyu stepped forward to pay his respects.
Grandmother had already heard from her oldest son Fang Xiaolian that her grandson-in-law was an upstanding man. Fang Xiaolian told her that Xia Chunyu was an Heir-son Lord and that he seemed to truly love Xuan-er. Now that she was finally able to meet him in person, she was even more impressed. To show her approval, she handed him a big red packet.
Xia Chunyu was too shy to accept it so the Grandmother pretended to be upset and said, “You cannot refuse gifts from the elders. This is given with good intention, how dare you not accept it?”
Xia Chunyu’s eyes widened. He could now see where Yaoyao got her temper from. He had no choice but to take the envelope handed to him.
Ye Jiayao jokingly pouted. “Grandma you are playing favorites. How come he has a gift and I don’t?”
Grandmother laughed and took off her jade bracelet, putting it on her granddaughter’s wrist. “You petty girl. Did you really think I forgot about you?”
“No, no, Grandma, I was just joking!” Ye Jiayao protested. Ever since she could remember, her grandmother has been wearing this bracelet.
Grandmother looked at the bracelet with a sad smile. “That was your mother’s. It’s only right for you to have it now.”
After her talk with her grandparents, Ye Jiayao was pulled away by the ladies while Chunyu was taken to the lounge room by the men.
It was only then that Ye Jiayao was able to properly look at her family. She recognized her aunties and the cousins she used to play with when she’s in Zhenjiang. However, there are a few new faces that she doesn’t recognize.
Big Auntie introduced them to her one by one and Ye Jiayao couldn’t be any happier to find out that her family’s getting bigger and bigger.
After she met with everyone, her grandmother asked her about her life at the Jing An Marquis’ mansion. Grandmother was afraid that since they have such a prestigious status, the Old Marquis and the Madame would be snobbish towards her.
“Relax, Grandma,” Ye Jiayao said with a laugh. “My parents-in-law are nice people. Plus, how can they not like me? I’m such a delight.”
Grandmother laughed at her and chided jokingly, “When did you become such a peacock, Xuan-er? Is this what you’ve been up to for the past years?”
Fang Wen chimed in, “Mother, Xuan-er has grown so much. She’s more capable than we know!”
“She was pushed to be capable. She’s supposed to be our spoiled princess! She shouldn’t have been put through so much!” Grandmother cried.
Ye Jiayao was touched. It really feels good to be around people who genuinely loved her.
“Grandma, hard work is only temporary,” she consoled her grandmother. “By the way, my mother-in-law sends her greetings to you and Grandpa. She’s also hoping that you come for a visit whenever you’re free. She’s prepared great gifts for you.”
Grandmother was relieved to hear that. It showed that they value Xuan-er as their daughter-in-law.
After a fun and big dinner, Ye Jiayao gave out the presents that they brought.
Chunyu has prepared a lot for her family. As she gave the gifts out, she did some calculations in her head and realized that these must’ve cost him at least a few thousand. Now that he’s giving all his earnings to her and he never asked her for any money, she figured that he must’ve used his savings.
Xia You also prepared a present for her grandmother – two ginsengs that are more than two-hundred years old. It was very precious and Ye Jiayao couldn’t even imagine how much these costs.
Ye Jiayao stayed with her grandmother until it was time for the old woman to rest. Even then, they were reluctant to part.
The room that she and Chunyu were staying in was really beautiful. It was top-quality, warm, and homey. After she washed in the bathroom, she plopped down on the aromatic bed with a deep sigh. She had a lot of fun but all that socializing has exhausted her.
Xia Chunyu surprisingly came in later than her. He’s in good spirit, though, and he didn’t even look the least bit tired.
Qiao Xi handed him a cup of tea and Xia Chunyu waved it off. “No, thanks. I drank a lot.”
Qiao Xi nodded politely and retreated.
“What were you guys talking about? It took so long I was afraid that you’d grow bored,” Ye Jiayao asked.
Xia Chunyu laid down beside her and said with a smile, “I wasn’t bored. Grandfather’s really lively, I already know Big Uncle, Second Uncle’s chatty and funny, and Third Uncle’s very smart. Your cousins are nice too! I’ve enjoyed talking to them very much.”
“I’m glad that you got along with them,” she said, pleased. This side of her family was the complete opposite of the Yes.
“I wish our family’s just like them,” Xia Chunyu said. “Oh, I also met your cousin, Fang Minrui. He’s a prime scholar material. Even though he’s only thirteen, the literature he writes is as good as grown-ups’. I told him he could go to the Jin Ling Imperial Academy so he can accompany Zhongyuan.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard compliments about him from Grandma too. It’s nice of you to offer him that opportunity.”
Xia Chunyu squinted at her and laughed. “You are happy that I’m helping Minrui, but you protested when I did the same with your brother.”
She pouted. “Yes, Zhongyuan’s my brother, but he’s still Ning’s son.”
Chunyu sighed. He didn’t like his normally kind-hearted wife to be burdened with this kind of hate. “Don’t be so petty. Ning is Ning, and Zhongyuan is Zhongyuan. Don’t paint them with the same brush. He could be different from his mother just like you are different from your father.”
“That’s a different story. It’s nature versus nurture. I grew up in the Fang family and they are all great people. Zhongyuan was raised by my father and Ning.”
“Your dad is being strict on Zhongyuan because he wants him to be a government officer. That means he cares about him a lot and doesn’t want him to be spoiled by his mother. He’s been living separately since he was six so he’s not affected by Ning’s values. Zhongyuan’s polite and educated. If you ask me, he’s the only thing your dad did right.”
Ye Jiayao understood that she was being prejudiced, but she just couldn’t help it. “Let’s hope you’re right.”
“I am. You might be better than me in some areas, but don’t forget I have a lot of expertise too,” Chunyu said smugly.
Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. “The only thing you’re good at is finding a wife. Tell me again, who hired Manager Lu?”
He fell silent. Why would she bring that up?
It was now Ye Jiayao’s turn to be smug as she looked at him, waiting for his rebuttal.
“I’m gonna go shower and sleep. Big Uncle’s gonna take me to the Fang’s vinegar workshop tomorrow,” Xia Chunyu said before walking off.
Ye Jiayao laughed as she watched him walk away.
When Xia Chunyu came out of the bathroom, Yaoyao was already asleep. She was wrapped up in a quilt and her face has the prettiest pink flush due to the warmth. She has been sleeping so much lately and Chunyu figured that it was because she was exhausted from all her running around for the Jing An Marquis mansion and the restaurant.
He quietly changed his clothes and turned the light off before jumping on the bed with her, carefully cuddling her close.
The next morning, Xia Chunyu followed the three uncles to the vinegar workshop while Ye Jiayao met with more Fang family members. Some even traveled to Zhenjiang just to see her. Of course, they were also curious because of her new status. They didn’t ask for any favor, but it’s always good to have connections like that on the back burner.
Ye Jiayao was hoping to cook a nice meal for her grandparents but that’s not happening anytime soon since she couldn’t even get away from people for one second.
She’s been smiling so much, her cheeks felt like they were going to split.
Man, socializing’s hard work!
