Chapter 475: Chapter 444, Greetings_1
Songhe Courtyard.
Mrs. Wu, the grandmother, led Yan Siyu to sit on the kang bed by the window, while Madam Li and the other two ladies sat on either side. Daohua, along with Yang Xiujun and the three younger sisters, took their seats before the round table.
The maids brought up tea and refreshments, and then everyone started chatting about family affairs.
Yang Xiujun noticed that the Wu family servants were all very well-behaved and, with a slight flicker in her eyes, picked up the tea cup in front of her and began to taste it as she lowered her head.
Daohua asked with a smile, “This is the jasmine tea grown by our family, do you like it?”
Yang Xiujun nodded, “It’s very fragrant and refreshing.”
Daohua said with a smile, “I’m glad cousin likes it.”
Yan Yishuang looked at Yang Xiujun curiously and asked, “What does Sister Xiujun usually do at home?”
Yang Xiujun smiled shyly, “I usually just read and write with my sisters at home, along with practicing needlework.”
Yan Yishuang: “Nothing else?”
Yang Xiujun was startled, then nodded, “What do my cousins usually learn?”
Yan Yishuang smiled but didn’t speak, a hint of pride appearing between her brows.
Although her maternal uncle’s family held office in Beijing, their upbringing still couldn’t compare to that of her own family. The anxiety of being overshadowed that had previously welled up inside her had now completely dissipated.
Source: NovelFull.com, updated on օνǤ0.сο
Seeing that Yan Yile didn’t speak up, she quickly said, “We have so much to learn, including playing the zither, incense burning, chess playing, tea tasting and brewing, flower arranging…”
Seeing that Yang Xiujun’s expression had stiffened slightly, Daohua spoke with a smile, “We’re just casually learning these things during our free time. Our main studies are still reading, writing, and needlework.”
Yang Xiujun smiled and nodded, not continuing the conversation, fearing that she might reveal her inadequacy if it went on.
Afterward, the young ladies chatted about other matters while enjoying the tea and snacks.
“Mother, later father will bring over Mr. Han and the others to pay their respects to you.”
Mrs. Li suddenly spoke up.
Considering that it had been many years since the grandmother and the young girls had seen each other, they certainly would want to talk intimately for a while, so father took Mr. Han and some others to the front courtyard for a chat. Now, looking at the time, they should be coming soon.
Grandmother Wu nodded, “The guests we should meet, dispatch someone quickly to invite them, we shouldn’t let them think our family lacks manners.”
Mrs. Li smiled and was about to send someone to the front courtyard when a maid reported, “Grandmother, Madam, the master just sent word asking if it’s convenient for him to bring the guests over to meet you now?”
Mrs. Li nodded, “Tell the master, they can bring the guests over now.”
After the maid left, Yang Xiujun hesitated for a moment before looking up at her mother, who was sitting next to her grandmother.
Yan Siyu noticed her daughter’s gaze and thought for a moment, then turned to Grandmother Wu and Mrs. Li and asked, “Should the young ladies step out for a bit?”
Grandmother Wu waved her hand dismissively, “Step out for what? Daohua and the others haven’t seen Hongrui yet.”
Mrs. Li also said with a smile, “Little sister, things here are not like in Beijing, the rules aren’t so strict, and besides, with us elders here, it’s good for the children to see more people.”
Thinking of how her daughter rarely had the chance to meet guests at the Yang family, Yan Siyu smiled and said no more, “We’ll listen to mother and elder sister-in-law.”
Soon, Yan Zhigao and his two brothers came in, escorting an elegantly dressed middle-aged man, with Yan Wenxiu and several young men following.
“Mother, this is Mr. Han from Earl Zhaode’s residence,” said Yan Zhigao.
As soon as he finished speaking, Han Jianming bowed to Grandmother Wu with a smile, “Paying my respects to the great grandmother.”
Grandmother Wu quickly stood and gestured feebly with her hands, “That’s unnecessary, that’s unnecessary, Mr. Han, please rise, you’re overwhelming this old woman.”
Han Jianming continued with a full-faced smile, “It’s entirely proper, in your presence, I am but a junior, and isn’t it right for a junior to pay respects to their elder?”
Grandmother Wu replied with a laugh, “Please don’t say that, Mr. Han, please take a seat and we can talk.”
With guests present, Yan Siyu didn’t sit on the kang bed; instead, she sat beside Mrs. Li and the others on a chair below, watching her mother politely and appropriately entertain Mr. Han from the Han family, her feelings slightly complex.
After many years away from Ning, her maternal home had changed too much.
Her sister-in-law, born into a merchant family, now fully appeared as the Magistrate’s wife, no longer displaying her former inferiority and melancholy, but exuding confidence and composure instead.
Her mother, born into a farming family, now entertaining guests with a semblance of propriety and generosity.
Although the presence of the second and third sisters-in-law was somewhat diminished, there was no breach of etiquette.
The Yan Family really has changed!
Thereafter, Han Second Master greeted Madam Li, the Sun Family, the Wu Family, and Yan Siyu before settling down. Knowing that the grandmother was eager to see her grandson, he did not immediately introduce the nephew standing with Yan Wenxiu and Feng Hao.
As expected, once he sat down, Yan Siyu smiled and pulled Yang Hongrui to the grandmother, “Hongrui, quickly kowtow to your grandmother.”
The fifteen-year-old Yang Hongrui, with his clear brows and handsome appearance, indeed looked like a fine young man. The old lady’s face immediately lit up with a brilliant smile when she saw him approaching.
Yang Hongrui quickly stepped forward, kneeling on the cushion prepared by the maidservant: “Hongrui pays his respects to grandmother.” After speaking, he earnestly kowtowed three times.
The old lady asked Yang Hongrui to rise and said with tearful laughter while looking at Yan Siyu, “All good children, with such a son and daughter, mother has nothing to worry about.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Siyu’s eyes teared up again.
She truly was an unfilial daughter, letting her elderly mother worry despite her children being grown.
Once the grandmother calmed her emotions, Yan Zhigao said with a smile, “Mother, there are two more children you haven’t met.”
Han Second Master immediately pointed to the dignified young man standing beside Yan Wenxiu with a smile, “Grandmother, this is my eldest brother’s son. He has specially brought him out to gain some experience. Hexu, come quickly and greet the grandmother.”
As soon as the words were spoken, Han Hexu stepped forward and greeted the old lady, “Hexu pays his respects to the grandmother.”
The old lady smiled and slightly lifted her hand, “Rise quickly.”
Once Han Hexu was standing, the old lady looked him over with a smile, “Young Master Han truly is handsome and distinguished.”
Han Second Master quickly continued, “He is not as good as Wenxiu. My nephew is not that great in studies, but his physical strength is decent. Next year, he will enter the capital’s Commandant Office to work.”
The old lady praised, “So young and already so accomplished, that’s truly impressive.”
Han Second Master smiled and said, “Grandmother flatters him.” He then pointed to another young man, “Grandmother, this is my sister-in-law’s nephew, born to the Jiguang branch of the Feng Family.”
Feng Hao stepped forward, bowing to pay his respects, “Feng Hao greets the grandmother, wishing her every happiness.”
The old lady said with a smile, “Rise quickly.” After finishing, she looked him over and turned to Han Second Master, “Second Master’s young relatives are all outstanding.”
Han Second Master exchanged pleasantries with a smile.
After they finished speaking, Madam Li said with a smile, “Mother, the children have not yet greeted the guests.”
The old lady nodded, “Indeed.” Then, turning to Daohua, “Come and pay your respects to Han Second Master.”
Daohua led Yan Yihuan and the other two forward, each bowing appropriately to Han Second Master.
As Han Second Master looked over the Yan Family’s four daughters, he inwardly exclaimed that his elder brother had indeed found a fine family for the Han Family to marry into. Not only were the Yan Family sons admirable, but to his surprise, the Yan daughters were also exceptional.
“Being away from home, I did not bring any fancy gifts, but I happened to come across a renowned old brush store on the way here and got a box of decent Xuan brushes. I offer these to the four misses for their calligraphy practice,” he said.
He took a box of Xuan brushes from the servant’s hand and handed it to Daohua, who was at the front.
Daohua glanced at Yan Zhigao and Madam Li, and upon seeing them nod, she stepped forward and accepted it gracefully, “Thank you, Uncle Han.”
After greeting Han Second Master, Daohua and the others looked towards Yang Hongrui, Han Hexu, and Feng Hao.
“Cousin, hello.”
Daohua bowed slightly to Yang Hongrui.
Yang Hongrui immediately bent forward in reply, “Cousin, hello.” After speaking, he looked up at Daohua, his eyes betraying his surprise and admiration.
Daohua had already moved on to the next person, “Big Brother Han, hello.”
Han Hexu, without looking aside, returned the greeting properly, “Big Sister Yan, hello.”
Daohua then turned to the last person, “Master Feng, hello.”
Feng Hao looked at Daohua and thought how even Han Hexu was called ‘big brother’, yet he was addressed as Master Feng; the distinction was evident, “Big Sister Yan, hello.”
A whole year had passed, and the girl had grown considerably taller and her beauty even more elegant and refined.
He just wondered if she still remembered him?