Chapter 230

“Marquis, Madam! The newlyweds have arrived!”

Qi Wulang, dressed in fine clothing, appeared at the doorway. He turned slightly and extended a hand behind him.

A small hand, rather grandly, was placed in his.

Then, a radiant figure emerged.

Of those present, apart from Madam Qi, Qi Si and his wife, and Xu Shi （who had met Wen Yu at the Cui family residence）, no one else had seen her.

Seeing the handsome groom and beautiful bride, everyone couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.

In fact, even Madam Qi and Zhang Moqing had never seen Wen Yu so elaborately dressed…

They couldn’t help but scrutinize her from head to toe.

Qi Wulang’s usually wooden expression now held a touch of tenderness.

Seeing this, and recalling the wedding handkerchief from earlier, Madam Qi shook her head with a wry smile: “This fellow, he’s actually showing affection now!”

“Ah Yu is truly remarkable, she’s even managed to bring some warmth to my wooden son!”

Tan Shi’s eyes narrowed, another couple appearing in her mind. So much time had passed, their appearances were blurry. However, the man’s exquisitely shaped eyes and hearty laughter were unforgettable!

And the woman beside him…

Birth, wealth, do they represent everything?!

A wave of inferiority and resentment surged from her heart, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in years.

“Qi Yang, along with my wife Wen Yu, offer greetings to Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, and Mother!”

“Your daughter-in-law, Wen Yu, offers greetings to Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, and Mother.”

The two kowtowed and then rose.

Qi Zheng, observing the beautiful couple before him, found his impression of Wen Yu had improved considerably. He smiled: “Good! Xiao Wu, now that you’re married, you’re a man! From now on, you must be even more steadfast and reliable in your actions. As husband and wife, respect each other and live in harmony!”

Qi Wulang and Wen Yu acknowledged his words.

The Marquis waved his hand, and an attendant presented a silver note. True to form, the Marquis was direct and generous.

Wen Yu turned to Laba, who held a tray steadily in her hands, on which lay a pair of shoes. Wen Yu took them and offered them respectfully.

An attendant beside the Marquis accepted the shoes.

The newlyweds turned to Tan Shi. Only after they addressed her as Grandmother did she snap out of her daze.

“Oh, this young lady…tsk tsk. No wonder Fengying insisted on arranging this marriage from so far away, she’s truly lovely! Xiao Wu, be honest, did you take a fancy to her and pester your mother to arrange this? Oh my, this young lady!” She looked Wen Yu up and down with a smile. “This old woman loves beauty! Wen Yu, is it? What do you usually do?”

She appeared extremely approachable!

Wen Yu suddenly realized she had seen this woman before. At Fanghua Temple!

Doubt arose in her heart, but the thought flickered only briefly before she replied obediently: “I have dabbled in all the things a young lady in seclusion should learn.”

Tan Shi smiled inwardly. “Quite confident, aren’t we? Oh? So, what are you most skilled at?”

“Calligraphy, painting, embroidery, and making some delicacies, I’m quite proficient in these. As for playing the guqin and horseback riding, my grandmother feared they might damage a young lady’s hands and feet, so I only know a little…”

Not modest at all!

Tan Shi subconsciously withdrew her hand. “My feeling wasn’t wrong: this girl is quite annoying.”

Although she spared no effort to marry into a wealthy family, she also hated those who made her feel like dirt. This girl clearly came from a wealthy upbringing!

“Fine, you’re starting by annoying me! We’ll see about that!”

“How sweet! Come and chat with Grandmother more often…” She reached out and took a set of hairpins, which Wen Yu accepted with a smile. Wen Yu then also presented a pair of shoes.

Next, they paid their respects to Qi Youyi and Madam Qi.

Qi Youyi’s expression was unpleasant. This daughter-in-law was truly not to his liking. His wife had made the decision unilaterally, she was too beautiful, and so capable!

Look at her attire, look at her demeanor, she clearly seemed frivolous!

And then there’s Qi Yang, the son he felt most indifferent towards, he could count the number of times they’d met on one hand!

Just as he was about to speak, Madam Qi interjected: “Xiao Wu, Ah Yu is the best girl I’ve ever met! She’s kind, intelligent, and treats people sincerely. You must treat her well. Ah Yu, I trust you! Xiao Wu’s personality is a bit reserved, but he’s a good child, don’t dislike him! Mother hopes you two will live in harmony and grow old together.”

These words left everyone speechless.

Asking her not to dislike him?

Did she even know who she was, and who she had married?

Qi Youyi had a bellyful of complaints, but since Madam Qi had spoken like this, if he said anything more, it would be like arguing with his wife in public. So, he swallowed his words, his face flushing red!

The newlyweds nodded in agreement.

Wen Yu also gifted shoes.

Madam Qi gifted a set of six exquisite hair ornaments.

Xu Shi stared, her expression darkening.

Tan Shi coughed lightly. Xu Shi turned, and Tan Shi shook her head sympathetically.

This further fueled Xu Shi’s anger: “Even Grandmother sees the unfairness, yet they dare to do this right in front of me!”

Next, the newlyweds arrived before Liu Shi. “Greetings, Third Aunt!”

Upon seeing Wen Yu, Liu Shi immediately glanced at her son, Qi Yue.

As expected, she saw Qi Yue fixated on the bride.

That look made her heart burn with anxiety! No one knew Qi Yue better than she did.

Why did such a woman have to marry into their family?!

She didn’t blame her son for being peculiar, but resented Wen Yu. Such a vixen, she hoped her son wouldn’t cause any trouble and affect their overall plan!

Thus, she accepted their greeting with an indifferent expression and casually gave a gift.

Wen Yu’s gift to her was an embroidered shawl from her shop, exquisitely crafted and far more thoughtful than Liu Shi’s gift. However, at this moment, Liu Shi didn’t care. She muttered a polite phrase and fell silent.

✿✿✿

Next, they arrived before Qi Xiao.

“Elder Brother, Elder Sister-in-Law!”

Qi Xiao nodded without saying anything.

Xu Shi, pale-faced, said with a cold smile: “Fifth Sister-in-Law is so beautiful! As expected, those who please Mother-in-Law are different. I’ve never heard those words before!”

“Elder Sister-in-Law is joking! You are the eldest daughter-in-law, Mother’s advice to you wouldn’t be the same as for a younger daughter-in-law like me,” Wen Yu said softly.

Seeing Xu Shi starting another argument, Qi Xiao felt less agreement with her than before, and more annoyed. “It’s her first day here, why are you causing trouble?”

Wen Yu didn’t say much, gifting Qi Xiao an ornate bow.

Qi Xiao held it in his hands: “…” He had never used one like this!

The materials were fine, the shape sleek, it seemed both beautiful and functional. Compared to his wooden younger brother, this must have been his sister-in-law’s doing. He wondered where she had obtained it.

Xu Shi’s gift to Wen Yu was a rather old jade ornament. Although the jade quality wasn’t exceptional, it was carved by a famous master over two hundred years ago. It was part of her dowry, a family heirloom!

Actually, she was reluctant to part with it, but she had to let Wen Yu see her background!

Fearing Wen Yu wouldn’t understand, she specifically said: “This is a piece from my great-grandfather’s collection, it’s over two hundred years old.”

Wen Yu’s expression remained unchanged as she accepted the gift calmly: “Elder Sister-in-Law is too kind!”

Her gift to Xu Shi was also an embroidered shawl, also exquisite. But compared to Xu Shi’s gift, it lacked depth.

“Oh, is this from your shop, Sister-in-Law?”

“Yes! There are many things in my shop, Elder Sister-in-Law should come and take a look when you have time!” Wen Yu showed no shyness!

Xu Shi seethed inwardly. “Truly from a small family, so thick-skinned!”

Qi Wulang pulled her along to Qi Hua and Wang Shi.

Qi Hua and Wang Shi looked somewhat alike, both fair-skinned, their features regular but unremarkable. Their attitudes were also…unremarkable.

Wen Yu’s gifts to Qi Hua were less thoughtful: four pieces of high-quality Huizhou ink. Wang Shi’s gift was similar to Xu Shi’s.

Seeing this, Xu Shi became angry again. “What do you mean? You put some thought into Qi Xiao’s gift, but mine is the same as Wang Shi’s?”

Wen Yu had long been aware of a repulsive and unsettling gaze fixed upon her. Now she realized it was from the third brother, Qi Yue.

Zhu Shi had a very poor impression of Wen Yu, her face cold.

Qi Yue’s heart had been pounding for a while. People always said he resembled Qi Wulang. But Qi Wulang never responded to this, always maintaining a cold demeanor.

This irritated Qi Yue. Especially since Qi Wulang’s responsibilities were far more substantial than his own nominal ones.

He had long harbored a competitive spirit towards Qi Wulang.

Seeing the woman Qi Wulang married, envy, jealousy, and hatred surged within him. Why could he marry such a woman?!

Zhu Shi was the most beautiful woman from the Zhu family. But compared to the woman before him, she was like dirt beneath his feet.

Of course, he had seen beautiful women!

But he had never encountered one like Wen Yu, with such luxurious clothing, a proud demeanor, and so many talents.

Especially Wen Yu’s newlywed glow, with a hint of allure, made him restless…

Wen Yu’s gifts to them were the same as for Qi Hua and his wife.

Qi Yue, gazing at Wen Yu, said lazily and somewhat suggestively: “Fifth Brother, why did you gift Elder Brother a bow, but I only received ink? We are martial men, what use do we have for ink? You know, Third Brother’s archery skills…heh, are also quite impressive!”

He only looked at Qi Wulang after he finished speaking, so no one except his mother realized he was flirting with Wen Yu.

Qi Wulang said indifferently: “We’ll compare sometime.”

“Heh! Good! Let’s find a day to compete and let them see!” He glanced at Wen Yu again. “This woman, I must have her!”

Wen Yu ignored him, but inwardly, she was very annoyed. “What a creep!”

Seeing Zhang Moqing’s smiling face eased her irritation somewhat.

Then, Wen Yu saw Xiao Mao’er. Although she was a daughter born to a concubine, she was dressed in fine clothes. Her appearance wasn’t particularly striking, but her demeanor was dignified and her smile sincere.

Wen Yu gifted her a small, double-sided embroidered screen depicting a cat pouncing on a butterfly. Although Xiao Mao’er had similar items, the cat on this screen was particularly adorable, so she gave Wen Yu a big smile.

“I’ll visit your shop sometime, Sister-in-Law!”

“Good, I welcome Xiao Mao anytime!” Wen Yu smiled sincerely at her.

Next were the Marquis’s several concubines. The older ones were around Tan Shi’s age, the younger ones in their late twenties. Some had no children, some had daughters. They lived comfortable lives.

Wen Yu uniformly gifted them embroidered pouches, which they seemed to like.

Next was Concubine Xiu Yun.

Upon seeing her, Wen Yu felt an indescribable sensation. Her eyes were especially beautiful.

Moreover, her demeanor was elegant and refined, her aura unique. Somehow, she resembled Master Qing!

“Concubine!”

“Fifth Master, Fifth Madam,” Concubine Xiu Yun said humbly.

Wen Yu felt a little disappointed. Her voice and expression were quite different from Master Qing’s!