Ye Huanhuan followed Tang Yi into a magnificent courtyard. In the center of the courtyard was an artificial lake with an area of ​​over 100 square meters. The water was crystal clear, and colorful koi carp swam happily in the water.

The artificial lake is surrounded by undulating rockeries, on which many crabapple trees are planted. These trees are tall and straight with lush foliage, adding a touch of vitality to the entire courtyard.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the gaps in the crabapple trees, casting dappled light on the lake's surface, like fallen stars, shimmering with dazzling brilliance.

The most eye-catching place in the courtyard is an ancestral hall, inside which a mysterious and solemn shrine is enshrined. From a distance, the shrine exudes a mysterious and sacred aura, inspiring awe in all who behold it.

A faint scent of sandalwood filled the air. Ye Huanhuan took a gentle sniff and immediately felt refreshed and calmed down.

As Ye Huanhuan passed through the main hall, she saw Tang Junshan sitting leisurely on a rosewood throne carved with eight auspicious symbols, bats, and water dragons, sipping tea.

Beside him sat an elegant and dignified old woman. She wore a dark purple cheongsam embroidered with delicate patterns, her hair was neatly combed, and she wore a hairpin inlaid with a ruby ​​in her hair.

She wore a pair of exquisite emerald earrings and a magnificent jade necklace around her neck. Each jade bead was the size of a quail egg, crystal clear, and dazzling, clearly indicating its high value.

At this moment, the old woman was smiling and looking at Tang Lian with kind eyes, giving people a sense of warmth.

This old woman was Tang Yi's step-grandmother: Dong Shuying.

Beside the two elderly people, Tang Lian was leisurely crossing his legs, eating fruit from the fruit plate on the table while chatting casually with Dong Shuying.

Beside Tang Lian sat a woman with a dignified and gentle demeanor, and a beautiful and elegant appearance.

She wore a light blue dress adorned with delicate floral patterns, giving her a fresh and refined look.

At this moment, she was sipping the tea brewed by Tang Junshan, her movements elegant and graceful, displaying the demeanor of a well-bred lady.

This woman is Zhao Xinran, Tang Lian's wife and Tang Yi's aunt.

Her identity is not simple; she is the second younger sister of the Zhao family, one of the five great families in the capital, and the current head of the family.

Beside Zhao Xinran sat a sweet, lively, and beautiful woman. The woman looked about 70% like Zhao Xinran, but was only in her early twenties. She was whispering something in Zhao Xinran's ear, her cheerful demeanor making her very endearing.

Upon seeing Tang Yi and his companion arrive, Tang Lian's face immediately darkened, while Dong Shuying, with a smile on her face, suddenly became sharp and shrewd, looking at Ye Huanhuan with a scrutinizing gaze, making Ye Huanhuan feel extremely uncomfortable.

Only the woman beside Zhao Xinran kept her gaze fixed on Tang Yi, her eyes filled with deep affection.

Ye Huanhuan keenly sensed the woman's thoughts, which made her take another look at her.

"What time is it? Why didn't you come earlier? We all had to wait for you two juniors. You really have a lot of face to give."

It was Tang Lian who spoke, his eyes sweeping contemptuously over Tang Yi and Ye Huanhuan, his face filled with deep displeasure.

Tang Yi ignored Tang Lian and said directly to Tang Junshan, "Grandpa, I'm sorry we're late."

Ye Huanhuan knew that Tang Lian was deliberately picking on them, but she also understood that they were indeed late.

If Tang Junshan hadn't called, the two of them probably wouldn't have finished arguing until 9 p.m.

"An apology is all you've got? I really don't know if you even respect your elders?"

Tang Lian snorted coldly. He already had some dissatisfaction with Tang Yi and Tang Huan, and now he seized the opportunity to vent his anger.

"Hmph! Your grandmother dotes on you and even instructed the servants to prepare a welcome feast for the two of you. Since you're so ungrateful, you might as well not come to dinner at all."

Before the two could say anything, Tang Lian directly accused them of this fabricated crime, which shows that Tang Lian really wanted to give Ye Huanhuan and Tang Yi a hard time.

Tang Yi remained expressionless and said calmly to Tang Lian:

"Uncle, Huanhuan is pregnant. We just got back from S City this afternoon. It's understandable that we were a little late after such a long journey. You're exaggerating."

Upon hearing this, Tang Lian sneered, "A junior should act like a junior. So what if she's pregnant? There are so many pregnant women in the world, but none of them are as pretentious as her."

"Uncle, you've gone too far with those words."

Tang Yi's voice instantly turned cold, "Huanhuan is carrying my child. You and your aunt have been married for so many years and you don't have a child. Naturally, you can't understand how hard pregnancy is for a woman."

Tang Lian was speechless for a moment after being rebuked by Tang Yi. He clenched his fists, so angry that he wanted to hit someone.

His marriage to Zhao Xinran was a business arrangement; they had no marital affection whatsoever.

He didn't like elegant young ladies like Zhao Xinran at all; he found them extremely boring. He preferred charming and alluring women like celebrities and models.

The couple has been married for many years, but they have basically been living separate lives, which is an open secret in Beijing's social circles.

Aside from important family gatherings, the two barely communicate. Let alone the children, they are lucky if they even see each other at all.

In contrast, Zhao Xinran appeared remarkably calm and composed. She elegantly picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and remained completely unfazed, as if she cared nothing for what Tang Yi had just said.

"Alright, that's enough talk!"

Tang Junshan put down his teacup and said, "The most important thing for a family reunion is to be happy. Huanhuan is pregnant, so it won't hurt if we wait a little longer."

Dong Shuying also smiled and said, "Yes, we didn't actually wait long."

As she spoke, she praised Ye Huanhuan, "This must be Yi-ge'er's wife, right? She's really beautiful."

Ye Huanhuan first apologized to Tang Junshan: "Grandpa, I'm sorry we're late and have kept you waiting."

He then smiled and looked at Dong Shuying, responding politely and generously:

"Thank you for the compliment, Grandma. I think you are the real beauty. After meeting you, I truly understand what it means to be beautiful without being defeated by time and to live a life without wasting youth."

This flattery was indeed very effective; as soon as the words were spoken, Dong Shuying covered her mouth and laughed:

"You little rascal, you really know how to talk."

As she spoke, she beckoned to the maid beside her and gave her instructions:

"Bring over the gift I prepared for Yi-ge's wife."