RPAGF Chapter 996 Tea Serving
Chapter 996 Tea Serving
Although the Li family was a fallen aristocratic family from the previous dynasty, its complex interpersonal relationships and various sordid affairs were no less numerous than those of other aristocratic families.
As the eldest daughter, Li understood the awkward situation of the clan from a young age, and often worried about her marriage. She was afraid that she would end up like her other cousins, either marrying a son of a declining family of similar social standing, maintaining a facade of prosperity, or marrying a promising scholar, living a hard life, and taking a gamble.
Fortunately, with the gradual rise of his father, Li Chong, this awkward situation was changed.
Although she was plump, she was strong-willed and unwilling to easily give in to fate. She knew that love and romance were fleeting things for people of her family background; a husband's success meant a wife's success, and a wife's failure meant both. What she needed to do was be a qualified matriarch.
Seeing Li Shi's unusual shyness and timidity, and her courageous gaze that looked directly at him, Xiao Yu'er raised an eyebrow. He couldn't help but think more highly of this daughter-in-law, while at the same time being somewhat wary.
In that instant, he was certain that this woman would be his best helpmate, but not a suitable confidante.
Thinking of this, Xiaoyuer revealed a gentle yet nonchalant smile, got up and went over to lower the bed curtains on both sides.
He said gently, "My wife, let's rest!"
…………
The red wedding candles by the window burned all night, the melted wax flowing silently down before solidifying again.
The flickering candlelight illuminated the trembling bed curtains not far away.
The next morning, Little Fish got up early as usual.
Hearing the commotion, Li quickly got up as well, her face slightly flushed with embarrassment. After taking a few deep breaths, she calmed down.
The maids who were to serve entered in single file. Some of them were maids who had come with Li as part of her dowry. Their movements were fluid and graceful, and they knew Li's habits by heart.
Xiao Yu'er was quick and soon finished washing and dressing. Although he wasn't a particularly gentle person, he was tolerant of his wife. Seeing that Li Shi wasn't dressed yet, he sat down to wait.
Upon seeing this, Madam Li frowned and gestured to the maid to hurry up.
Actually, it was still early, and when the two of them went out to the main room, it was only just getting light.
Zhang Lao Er and Xu Shi Jue Shao got up early to wait, and Zhang Ping An was also there.
According to custom, he should drink tea with his daughter-in-law in the morning; otherwise, Zhang Ping'an would have already left home by this time.
Seeing his daughter-in-law so plump, Zhang Ping'an was initially surprised. Was this what his mother meant by a round and auspicious appearance? But he quickly suppressed his emotions and sat upright at the head of the table.
Li knelt down respectfully and offered tea to each of them. Neither Zhang Lao Er nor Xu Shi were the type to make things difficult, and Zhang Ping An was even less so. They all readily drank the tea offered and then gave each of them a generous red envelope as a token of their respect.
Mrs. Xu chuckled and pulled her granddaughter-in-law up, saying, "From now on, we're family. Look at her, what a wonderful child!"
Little Fish stood to the side, smiling without saying a word, his expression quite satisfied.
Taking this opportunity, Zhang Ping'an brought his son to the study and told him about the gift he had given the day before. Xiao Yu'er's eyes darkened upon hearing this, and he was slightly angry.
"Hmph, is this woman crazy? I have absolutely no connection with her, is she trying to cling to me?"
Zhang Ping'an glanced at his son and said calmly, "She can't deny it now, she's about to enter the palace. I guess she's just trying to annoy you, but a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. She's so vindictive, if she rises to prominence after entering the palace, she might try to target you and our family. I'm just reminding you to be careful of her."
"Dad, I understand, I'll be careful," Xiaoyuer said, squinting her eyes and emphasizing the last few words.