Chapter 161: Chapter 146, The good days are yet to come_1
“What did you say, the eldest brother of the fourth son’s wife was promoted to Prefectural Governor of Xingzhou at the beginning of this year?” Madam Yang asked with a shocked expression.
The butler nodded, “Yes, the butler’s wife from the Yan Family said so herself to the fourth Madam.”
Madam Yang the second muttered, “Such a big matter, why didn’t the Yan Family say a word to us?”
Upon hearing this, Madam Yang the eldest’s face changed, and she thought of the letter about her daughter accidentally falling into the water back in March, and her heart skipped a beat.
Madam Yang was also puzzled. The Yan Family was normally not bad to the fourth son’s wife; they couldn’t possibly have failed to give notice about such a matter. Suddenly, seeing the slight change in her eldest daughter-in-law’s expression, she realized what had happened.
This person who is more trouble than they’re worth!
The butler pondered for a moment then asked, “Madam Yang, shall we prepare a room for the servants from the Yan Family? I observed carefully, and the Zhou Family’s servants were very courteous to that Madam Fang. The relationship between the two families must be good.”
“When the fourth Madam dismissed them, the Zhou Family’s servants even took the initiative to mention their return time, saying they wanted to go back together.”
Madam Yang thought for a while, “You go and get it ready. This is the first time since we arrived in the capital that someone from the Yan Family has come to us. We can’t neglect the proper etiquette.”
…
“This is grape wine, personally made by the eldest Miss. This servant was fortunate enough to taste it once, and it’s incredibly delicious. The fourth Miss can either keep it for herself or give it away as a gift.”
The two jars of grape wine sent over were in large jars, which could be poured into small jars to divide into many portions.
“This is glutinous rice wine, also brewed by the eldest Miss. It’s perfect for sweet soup in winter, very nourishing.”
“These vegetables were personally grown by Madam Yang in the greenhouse, worrying that the north was too cold and the Miss might not have green vegetables to eat, so she sent a large cartload. Unfortunately, many were spoiled on the way.”
“These pots of Hong Mei and winter chrysanthemums were raised by Madam Yang and the eldest Miss, intended for the Miss, the young master, and the young Miss to enjoy.”
Afterward, Madam Li prepared other clothes and objects, and Madam Fang introduced each one in turn, then looked around the room carefully and took out a jewelry box.
As soon as the jewelry box was opened, even the usually composed Yang Xiujun couldn’t help but have her eyes light up.
Inside the box were only four flowers—plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, and peach, each made from pearls of various colors, strung together, lifelike and exquisitely made.
“These are gifts from the Eldest Miss for Yiyi.”
Yan Siyu, “…This is too valuable, Daohua should keep it for herself.”
Madam Fang smiled, “The Eldest Miss has more.” She then took out a complete set of fine writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, “This is for the young master.”
Finally, Madam Fang handed a long box to Yan Siyu, “This is from Madam Yang. What it is, this servant does not know.”
Yan Siyu touched the box and opened it to find a Hundred-Year Ginseng.
In an instant, Yan Siyu’s tears could not help but start flowing again.
Mother… Mother must still be concerned about her health after giving birth, sending her the ginseng from such a distance to replenish her strength!
“Miss, please be at ease, the good days are yet to come! Who knows, maybe one day, the Yan Family will also come to the capital,” Madam Fang suddenly said.
Upon hearing this, Yan Siyu and her mother both turned to look at Madam Fang.
Yan Siyu asked with a somewhat urgent tone, “Really, Sister Fang, are you not deceiving me?”
Madam Fang, “Of course not, our young master has been a Scholar for several years now, and he is currently studying at Wangyue Academy, his success in the imperial examinations is just around the corner.”
“And the third and fourth young masters are training in martial arts at Wangyue Academy, their bodies are strong like bull calves, preparing to take the martial examinations in the future.”
“Our Yan Family will only get better and better. Although the old master’s official rank is still only that of a Fifth-rank Prefectural Governor, he is an honest official and is still young. Who can guarantee that he won’t be promoted further?”
“Miss, take my advice, if in the future the Yang Family, or your husband, makes things difficult for you, don’t just endure it silently. When you came, the Madam said that the Yan Family can now support you too.”
Hearing these words, Yang Xiujun was also uncontrollably excited. If her maternal family really made it to the capital, then her mother and they would have something to rely on.
Afterward, Yan Siyu chatted with Madam Fang for a while until a servant from the grandmother’s side came to say that the rooms were ready. Only then did they let people leave to rest.
After everyone had gone, Yan Siyu found several silver notes with a face value of one hundred taels each hidden in the box that contained the ginseng. She was immediately overwhelmed by a flood of emotions and started to cry, collapsing onto the table.
By that evening, everyone in the Yang Family knew about the visit from the Yan Family and that Yan Zhigao had been promoted to Prefectural Governor at the beginning of the year.
Old Master Yang: “Fourth Brother, go ask your Fourth Sister-in-law what should be done in return for the New Year’s gifts. Discuss with her, prepare a list, and hand it over to your elder sister-in-law.”
Yang Boyi, who was now a Fifth-rank official as well, nodded.
He had not expected his old classmate to make such a turnaround and now hold the same rank as himself.
When Yang Boyi returned to the main courtyard of the fourth branch, Yan Siyu was busy distributing New Year’s gifts with Yang Xiujun.
Seeing his wife’s red and swollen eyes, a flash of concern passed through Yang Boyi’s eyes. He remained silent for a moment and then smiled as he walked in: “What are you doing?”
Seeing her husband, Yan Siyu’s smile immediately faded a bit, and she said indifferently, “I’m preparing to deliver the New Year’s gifts sent by Elder Brother and Sister-in-law to the other branches.”
Yang Boyi glanced over the items in the room, his expression showing a hint of surprise.
The New Year’s gifts from the Yan Family were indeed generous.
Not to mention the few pots of blooming red plum blossoms and winter chrysanthemums, even the wine that smelled fragrant from afar, which the wife and daughter were dividing, was a rare sight.
“It seems that my elder brother’s family has indeed prospered; they can even procure grape wine.” To know that he had only heard of this stuff, he hadn’t even tasted it yet.
Yan Siyu glanced at Yang Boyi: “These were all made by our family.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Boyi was truly surprised: “Does your Yan Family have such skills?”
Yan Siyu: “I haven’t been in contact with my family for a long time, so I’m not sure.”
Yang Boyi’s expression changed slightly, and then he smiled: “It’s also my fault. I’ve been too busy and have neglected the communication with your mother. I will correspond more with Elder Brother in the future.”
That night, Yan Siyu sent off the gifts allotted for each branch.
Each branch received a small jar of grape wine, a small jar of sweet wine, and two baskets of vegetables.
As for the potted plants, aside from sending one pot of red plum to Old Madam Yang, Yan Siyu kept two pots in her own room, and the rest were used to decorate her son and daughter’s rooms.
She felt that she had indeed neglected her son and daughter over the years. She didn’t want to give anything sent by her maternal family to the other three branches and preferred to use it all for her children.
During dinner, each branch expressed their gratitude.
This time, the New Year’s gifts from the Yan Family were indeed good. Although the quantity was a little less, they were all fine things not available on the market.
“Eh, Fifth Younger Sister, is the flower in your hair made of pearls?” The Eldest Branch’s Third Miss immediately noticed the new beaded flower in Yang Xiujun’s hair.
Yang Xiujun smiled, touched her hair bun, and modestly nodded. “This was given to me by my cousin. Do you think it looks nice, Third Sister?” She had intentionally worn the beaded flower for others to see.
In the past, every New Year, the other three branches would always find subtle ways to find fault with her mother and her for their simplicity. Today, she wanted to show off in front of them to let these people know that she too had maternal grandparents.