Little Bruiser pulled the three little lads to the village to look for their companions. It was a must to do this since the little village tyrants had returned.
The family chatted happily for a while. Uncle and Aunt went to the kitchen to work on lunch. Yu Shaoqing followed them in, making Aunt glare at him and chase him out. Yu Shaoqing couldn’t stand it anymore and turned to feed the horse.
Yan Jiuchao didn’t say much, nor did Madam Jiang. The two of them sat in the central room, and Madam Jiang smiled at Yan Jiuchao.
Yu Wan was puzzled. “Mom, why are you staring at him?”
Madam Jiang smiled. “He’s good-looking.”
Yu Wan : “…”
Yan Jiuchao talked about Yu Shaoqing’s plan to move next door with Madam Jiang and Little Bruiser. Back then, Yu Wan had bought the Ding Family’s old house. Because it was cheap, the house was actually dilapidated and small. The roof was leaking, and it was cold in winter and hot in summer. Of course, he was worried that they would be uncomfortable staying at his son-in-law’s house. Yan Jiuchao’s intention was to let them stay there temporarily so that the old house could be renovated. After it was renovated, the two houses would be connected.
Although it was not a permanent home, it was still a home. Yu Wan was happy from the bottom of her heart that she could combine it with her maiden family’s mansion. However, Yan Jiuchao looked like he had married into the family.
Yu Wan took advantage of his carelessness and pinched his palm. Afraid that he would say that she was unruly in broad daylight, she quickly let go.
Yan Jiuchao felt a warm softness in his palm. It was as soft as a dragonfly touching the water. He looked at her, but she had already gone to talk to Madam Jiang.
“Mom, what do you think?” Yu Wan asked.
Madam Jiang said gently, “I’ll listen to Ah Wan.”
Her father listened to her mother, and this matter was decided.
When Yu Wan spoke to Madam Jiang, Yan Jiuchao only listened most of the time. His temperament and background determined that he was incompatible with this poor village, but there was no impatience on his face. From time to time, the children in the village would run over to see him curiously. He was not angry when they were surrounded. He just sat patiently and quietly. Self-cultivation sometimes had nothing to do with reputation. He was the most notorious person she had ever heard of, but he was also the best person in self-cultivation she had ever seen.
While Yu Wan was talking to her family, the Luo family came to visit. This was really too unexpected. Back then, the Luo family didn’t even come when they were invited. What was wrong today? Why did they come looking for them themselves?
The Luo family did not know that the Yu family was with Old Third. They entered the village in a carriage and went straight to the Yu family’s old residence. They had also been to Lotus Flower Village before. In the past, when they came, there would be a large group of country bumpkins surrounding them to see how strange it was. The Luo family was already prepared to make people envious. Unexpectedly, the children at the village entrance were all busy playing and did not even lift their eyelids.
“Didn’t they see it?” Guo Yun’niang muttered.
There was no one in the Yu Family’s old residence. After asking next door, they realized that they had gone to Yu Shaoqing’s house.
When the Luo family went to Yu Shaoqing’s house, they saw rows of brand new houses on the original field. Guo Yun’niang muttered again, “Which country squire moved in?”
The people who came were Guo Yun’niang and her youngest son, Luo Cheng. Guo Yun’niang was the sister of Aunt and Guo Dayou. She was more eloquent than Aunt. She married a businessman from the city, but it was not from the nearby county. However, in the eyes of the villagers, the county was already a good place to climb up the social ladder. Otherwise, how could she sit in a carriage? Her sister and brother could not even afford an ox cart.
The carriage stopped in front of Yu Wan’s house.
Guo Yun’niang got out of the carriage with a noble expression. She thought that she was arrogant, but when she looked up, she saw a bigger and more luxurious carriage parked at the door—a gilded canopy, a rosewood body, and four tall and mighty Ferghana horses, making her mule horse tremble in fear.
Guo Yun’niang was stunned. She suspected that she had come to the wrong place.
Coincidentally, at this moment, a well-dressed noblewoman came out of the room. She really did not understand why there would be such a well-dressed woman in such a poor and remote place. She was much more luxurious than the satin on her body and the pearl hairpin on her head was also full of gold. That style could not be bought in a small county. It must be from the Capital.
She did not dare to put on airs in front of such a noble lady. She composed herself and walked forward. She asked humbly, “May I ask if this lady…” Is this Yu Shaoqing’s house?
Before she could finish speaking, the noble lady said in surprise, “Guo Yun’niang?”
Guo Yun’niang was stunned when she heard this familiar voice. She looked at the other party in disbelief and said, “Big… Big Sister?”
The person Guo Yun’niang recognized as the wife of a noble was the Yu family’s Aunt.
Aunt had changed too much. She was no longer the sallow-faced woman with a face full of vicissitudes in Guo Yun’niang impression. She looked younger than Guo Yun’niang and her bearing was also better than Guo Yun’niang. In Guo Yun’niang’s memory, this big sister always hid behind others with an inferiority complex. Because she looked mediocre, was burly, ate a lot, and aged quickly, she secretly laughed at her for being a pig. A pig that was not presentable.
Guo Yun’niang never dreamed that she would see her sister’s glamorous side. This was definitely not done with a few gorgeous clothes. Guo Ahxiang was… different!
Guo Yun’niang was dumbfounded.
“What happened?” Uncle walked out.
Guo Yun’niang only recognized her brother-in-law after hearing his voice. Her gaze landed on his leg that was fine and she was dumbfounded. “Brother… Brother-in-law’s leg… isn’t crippled anymore?”
At this moment, Yu Feng and Yu Song returned from buying groceries in town. They no longer cared about chicken, duck, and fish. The two of them bought seasonal vegetables and fruits. They bought five pounds of mutton, two mutton legs, ten pounds of donkey meat, one big white goose, and two fat and delicious crucian carp.
Someone was delivering the vegetables later on. The two of them were anxious to see their sister so they entered the village with a basket of fruits.
The two of them changed into the new clothes bought from the cloth shop in the Capital. The new clothes were extremely expensive, but in Aunt’s words, they were now considered relatives of the royal family. They could not embarrass Ah Wan, so they had to buy them no matter how expensive they were!
The two of them were rare pretty boys in the countryside to begin with. Moreover, they had interacted with Master Qin, Shopkeeper Cui, and the others. After seeing the world, the shabby aura on their bodies and the low-class’s appearance had gradually faded. Coupled with their decent clothes, they were like two young masters from rich families!
Guo Yun’niang was completely speechless.
“Come in and sit,” Aunt said. Ah Wan just came back. She did not want to make things too ugly.
Guo Yun’niang brought Luo Cheng into the house. The house was still so dilapidated. Could it be that they were pretending to be rich? This guess made Guo Yun’niang feel better.
Since she was young, this sister had always been her foil. She was a cloud in the sky, and her sister was mud under her feet. When she was used to seeing a person being lowly, she could not accept her climbing over her head.
Aunt did not want Guo Yun’niang and her son to dirty the new son-in-law’s eyes, so she asked Yu Wan to bring Yan Jiuchao back to the room. Yu Wan found the room stuffy and pulled Yan Jiuchao to the backyard.
Uncle and the brothers went to the kitchen, and Madam Jiang went to help. The lively central room suddenly became empty.
Guo Yun’niang, who was suddenly neglected, was a little stunned. Her youngest son, Luo Cheng, had long lost his cool and pulled a long face.
Guo Yun’niang did not forget why she was here. She smiled and looked at her aunt. “Big Sister, I heard that Ah Wan is married. Why didn’t you tell me about such a big matter?”
Aunt mocked, “Oh, this is my fault. Hasn’t our family invited you many times? Guo Yun’niang, tell me, how many times have you been here? Didn’t I get someone to bring you news when we built the house last time? Did you come?”
Guo Yun’niang was embarrassed. She had always been too lazy to care about the Yu family’s banquet. Firstly, she felt that the journey was long, and secondly, she felt that the Yu family was poor and had no future. Earlier on, she still gave congratulatory money. Last time, she had ignored it, causing Aunt to be embarrassed. If it were her, she would have a grudge against Aunt for the rest of her life. However, Aunt had always been the one who was humiliated. Guo Yun’niang felt that even if she really offended her sister, her sister would forgive her unconditionally.
Guo Yun’niang said perfunctorily, “Didn’t I hear Brother and Sister-in-Law’s nonsense and misunderstand that you don’t want to interact with us?”
Aunt said coldly, “If I don’t want to interact with you, why would I invite you to a banquet? Am I crazy? But you’re right. I really don’t want to interact with you now. The Yu family can’t get close to relatives like you.”
Guo Yun’niang did not expect her sister, who had always swallowed her anger, to say such ruthless words. Could it be that the rumors she heard were true? The Yu family had now climbed up the ladder of a rich family, so this sister no longer cared about their Luo family?
In the backyard, Yu Wan listened to Guo Yun’niang and her aunt’s conversation while gossiping about the relationship between the Guo family and the Luo family to Yan Jiuchao. “…It’s not that Aunt is unreasonable, but don’t misunderstand her.” She was beginning to care what he thought of her family.
Yan Jiuchao nodded. The dignified young master of Yan City was actually sitting in the backyard of a farm, listening to this kind of gossip between aunties with a serious expression.
“What exactly do you want?” Aunt said angrily.
Guo Yun’niang looked in the direction of the backyard. “Ah Wan came back today, right? Why didn’t I see her? Did she not come back or…”
Aunt interrupted her. “Do you want to see Ah Wan, or do you want to see our new son-in-law?”
Of course it was the new son-in-law. Guo Yun’niang’s eyes flashed.
Aunt said coldly, “I can tell. Did you come over to take advantage of Ah Wan when you heard that she married a rich person?”
Guo Yun’niang pulled a long face and said, “Big Sister, don’t make it sound so ugly! We’re all family. What do you mean by taking advantage? I… I’m just here to see you!”
“You’ve seen me now, so you can leave!” Aunt ordered them to leave.
“…” Guo Yun’niang choked on the spot.
Yu Wan felt extremely relieved when she heard this. She thought of the anger her aunt had suffered in the Luo Family. She deserved to be thrown out.
“Big Sister, Big Sister! Let’s talk nicely! Don’t make things so ugly. You’ll make a fool of yourself in front of the new son-in-law!” Guo Yun’niang was not stupid. No matter how rich the Yu family was, how could they afford to ride such an expensive carriage? How big of an official was he to ride four horses? Ah Wan, that wretched girl, had really flown up the branch and become a phoenix!
Guo Yun’niang was right. She could not let Yan Jiuchao see her family as a joke. Aunt suppressed her anger.
Guo Yun’niang struck while the iron was hot and said, “Big Sister, it was all my fault in the past. I shouldn’t have listened to my brother and sister-in-law’s slander and distanced myself from you. It’s only right for you to blame me, but no matter what, we’re biological sisters. Our relationship can’t be broken.”
Aunt looked at her coldly.
Guo Yun’niang thought that her sister had been moved by her, so she wiped her nonexistent tears and said, “To be honest, I’m not having a good time in the Luo family either. It’s all on the surface, but who doesn’t laugh at me for being an ignorant village woman in secret? Big Sister, I’ll be like this for the rest of my life. I admit it, but my sons can’t be like this! Zhong’er and Cheng’er are both good seedlings for school. They’ve only studied for a few years, but they’re Confician apprentices! Zhong’er is sick and can’t follow us. I brought Cheng’er over today because I hope you can help my two sons find a way out.”
Aunt said, “Since they’re so powerful, do they still need me to plan a way out? Besides, how can I plan? You think too highly of me.”
Guo Yun’niang said embarrassedly, “Isn’t it almost time for the Autumn Palace Gate? I was thinking…”
Aunt sneered. “You’re thinking that I asked my new son-in-law to find a connection for you so that they can successfully pass the Autumn Palace Gate?”
Guo Yun’niang eyes lit up. “Your son-in-law still has some ability, right?”
It was as if Yan Jiuchao was useless if he couldn’t do this well. Yu Wan was so angry that her cheeks puffed up like a little hamster.
Yan Jiuchao looked at her angry expression and a smile inadvertently flashed across his eyes.
Aunt said angrily, “You asked my new son-in-law to use his connections for your son? What kind of person do you think he is?!”
Guo Yun’niang exclaimed, “Big Sister, don’t be angry. Look at us three siblings. We only have Zhong’er and Cheng’er who are studying. When they become successful in the future, won’t they also make you proud?”
These words hit Aunt’s sore spot. She had given birth to two sons, both of whom were country bumpkins. Of all things, studying was the best. It was no wonder that Guo Yun’niang suppressed her in everything.
“Could this matter be settled with connections?” Yu Wan asked Yan Jiuchao.
“No,” Yan Jiuchao said firmly.
Results could not be bought unless it was a substitute who took the exams or there’s a leak of the examination papers. Of course, if Young Master Yan was willing, this would not be a problem. However, Yan Jiuchao would not do that.
Guo Yun’niang continued, “Alright, alright, alright. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have thought about this. Then… that new son-in-law is from the Capital. It shouldn’t be a problem for him to find a good teacher for Zhong’er and Cheng’er in the Capital, right? Tell the new son-in-law to let Zhong’er and Cheng’er stay at his house…”
Aunt could not stand it anymore. Not to mention that Ah Wan was only her niece, even if she was her biological daughter, she would not let her family have such ideas.
What did Guo Yun’niang think of the new son-in-law? Was he a sucker? Would he agree to let her sons stay at his house just because she said so? Or would he hire a teacher just because she said so? She even said that she was not trying to take advantage. What is she doing now?!
Aunt did not care if Yan Jiuchao would laugh at her. She grabbed Guo Yun’niang’s shoulder and pulled her out.
“Hey! Big Sister! Big Sister!”
“Let go of my mother!”
Luo Cheng went to push Aunt, and the Yu brothers rushed out with sticks. Luo Cheng was so frightened that he ran out and jumped onto the carriage!
Aunt pulled Guo Yun’niang out of the Yu residence. “Guo Yun’niang, if you’re really here to see me, I’ll treat you with good wine and dishes. But if you have designs on Ah Wan and our new son-in-law, don’t blame me for turning against you!”
Guo Yun’niang was furious. “Guo Ahxiang! Do you not care about your relatives now that you have money?!”
“Didn’t I learn that from you?” Aunt asked.
Guo Yun’niang choked again.
Aunt shouted, “Get lost! Do you want someone to chase you away!”
Yu Feng and Yu Song raised the sticks in their hands. Guo Yun’niang hurriedly jumped into the carriage and left dejectedly.
The villagers laughed.
Guo Yun’niang was furious that she could not take advantage of them and was also seen as a joke by the entire village.
Today, she had vented her anger, but Aunt was worried that she and Guo Yun’niang would embarrass Ah Wan, so she walked to the backyard and explained to Yan Jiuchao, “I’ve embarrassed myself in front of Young Master.” She did not know how the city people resolved such a matter, but it was definitely not like her.
“It’s fine,” Yan Jiuchao said. Then, he looked at the Yu brothers who had also walked to the backyard. “Let him study in the Capital with me.”
Him? Everyone followed Yan Jiuchao’s gaze. Yu Song?
“Are you mistaken? This is my second brother. This is my big brother,” Yu Wan said as she pointed at Yu Feng.
The Yu brothers had also entered the village school to study in their early years. Unfortunately, they did not study and returned home to farm. They were not cut out to study, but if they did not have to choose one, it would definitely be Yu Feng.
Yu Feng had a calm personality and was sensible and obedient, but Yu Song could not even sit still.
“That’s right, it’s your second brother,” Yan Jiuchao said firmly.
Aunt waved her hand. “Little Song isn’t cut out to study. He won’t be able to study.”
Yan Jiuchao asked Yu Wan to take a book and casually flipped to a page. He pointed at a word and said, “Read it.”
The powerful royal pressure and aura made Yu Song not dare to lie. Yu Song read honestly, “Ze.”
“Read it.”
“Nai.”
Yan Jiuchao pointed out a few more words, and Yu Song read them all accurately. Yan Jiuchao had asked him to memorize the Thousand Character Classic, and he could memorize them more smoothly than Little Bruiser.
The Yu family was stunned. Aunt couldn’t even close her mouth. Her youngest son could read? When did this happen?!
Yu Wan asked, “Second Brother, when did you learn it?”
Yu Song scratched his head. “When… when you’re teaching Bruiser. I heard you…”
He could remember it after hearing it a few times… Who said that her second brother wasn’t good at studying? He was simply made for studying!
