Yan Qingqing led Old Madam Yan back to her own courtyard, while Li Xiang'an led Old Master Yan and the others to the front yard.

Li Xiang'an felt this was a good opportunity to build connections. His mother and older brother had enough influence that almost everyone in Chengyang County who was considered influential had come. He needed to seize this opportunity.

As soon as Yan Qingqing entered her room, she asked Yuan Huiniang and Li Xinniang to keep Old Madam Yan company while she went to her bedroom to change her clothes.

As Ru Xue removed the crown from Yan Qingqing's head, she said, "Madam must be exhausted from wearing such a heavy crown."

Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "If you want to wear the crown, you must first bear the weight. It's tiring, but it's worth it."

"Find me some light clothing."

Upon hearing this, Ru Xue quickly agreed and found a light-colored dress embroidered with orchids.

This is Shu brocade material, a gift from the emperor. Yuan Huiniang had it made overnight for Yan Qingqing.

The dress looked elegant and understated on Yan Qingqing, perfectly matching her temperament.

Yan Qingqing felt light and refreshed, and then came out to chat with Grandma Yan and the others.

When Zhou saw that Yan Qingqing had changed her clothes, she said, "Sister, why did you change your clothes? That imperial robe looks so elegant. If it were me, I would wear it every day."

Grandma Yan rolled her eyes at her and said, "That uniform looks impressive, but don't you see what month it is? It's like being scorched by the sun."

It's fortunate that your sister's family has ice available, otherwise, with so many layers of ice there, it would be unbearably hot.

Now that all the guests have arrived, it's time to change into something cooler.

"If you hadn't caused the delays, Qingqing wouldn't have had to wait so long."

Seeing her mother-in-law get angry, Zhou shrank back and dared not say another word.

Yan Qingqing understood the implication in Old Madam Yan's words: Could it be that her third sister-in-law was causing trouble again?

Seeing the somewhat awkward atmosphere, Tang smiled and said, "My sister doesn't know yet, but our Yan Family Village has opened an ancestral hall and included my sister in the family genealogy."

Yan Qingqing was somewhat surprised to hear this. She was a married daughter, so how could she be written in the family genealogy?

Let alone in ancient times, even in modern times, women are not included in the family genealogy unless there are special circumstances.

Yan Qingqing looked at Old Madam Yan and asked, "Mother, do the clan elders in our village agree?"

Grandma Yan chuckled and said, "What's there to disagree with? They'd love to see it. They've only produced a seventh-rank county magistrate in sixteen generations of the Yan family."

As a result, he died of illness in office after only a few years in office.

They approached your father and me about this. We were supposed to discuss it with you first, but your father said it wouldn't harm you, so he agreed.

Yan Qingqing couldn't say anything upon hearing this. This matter was indeed not bad for her. She was a married daughter, and once she was listed in the family genealogy, she would receive a share of any good things that happened in the village, without having to bear any responsibility.

The only advantage is that future generations can look up to the fact that the Yan family produced a capable great-aunt.

The mother and her children chatted for a while longer, and then Ruyi came to report that the feast was about to begin.

Yan Qingqing helped Old Mrs. Yan to the front yard.

Because there were too many people, Yan Qingqing's yard couldn't accommodate them all. After discussing it, Li Kaishan and Li Xiang'an arranged for the seats for the villagers of Canghe Village to be placed outside Yan Qingqing's house.

Fortunately, since they were all from the same village, there weren't many formalities, and they could help with welcoming and seeing off guests.

The banquet was very well prepared, featuring Yue Lai Ju's most popular dishes, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth, as well as Tong Peng Zhai's signature dishes, Glutinous Rice Ribs and Shredded Pork with Garlic Sauce.

In addition, there are eighteen other dishes, including braised offal, braised chicken, roast duck, and drunken duck from Yan Qingqing's family, as well as four-happiness meatballs, stewed chicken with potatoes, fried potato chips, and sweet potato balls.

These were all hearty dishes. Not only had the villagers of Canghe Village never eaten such a fine feast before, but even Magistrate Ling was somewhat surprised.

He praised Yan Qingqing's family for their excellent banquet, saying that the meal was well worth it.

So everyone's mouths were greasy, and they were incredibly satisfied.

Yan Qingqing sat at the main table with Old Madam Yan, listening to the flattering words of the ladies from various families with a smile on her face.

While happy, Old Mrs. Yan also felt a little distressed. How much money must it have cost to set up such a fine banquet with dozens of tables? Although her daughter now has some business, she also has many children.

The others, of course, had no idea what Old Madam Yan was thinking.

After the meal, apart from Old Mrs. Yan's family, all the other guests left, and the village women spontaneously helped Yan Qingqing's family clean up.

Yan Qingqing then instructed Li Xinniang, "After everyone finishes their work, please distribute the leftover food from the kitchen to everyone. It's too hot now, and those things won't keep for long."

If there's any left over, chill it with ice to prevent it from spoiling.

Upon hearing this, Li Xinniang quickly agreed and went to work with Yuan Huiniang.

Tang, with her keen eye, pulled her two sisters-in-law along to help.

Zhou didn't want to go, but Tang insisted on dragging her along, and she was too embarrassed to object on the spot.

As Zhou Shi stepped out of Yan Qingqing's room, she shook off Tang Shi's hand and said unhappily, "If you want to show off your diligence and competence, you can do it yourself. Why drag me along?"

On such a hot day, it's so comfortable to eat chilled fruit and use ice indoors.

Tang looked at her helplessly and said, "Sister-in-law, we don't have the fate of our aunt, so let's not think about these things."

Before, we couldn't even get enough to eat, but now, thanks to my aunt, at least we don't have to worry about food and clothing.

You're thinking of using ice and eating fruit? Are those expensive things something that ordinary farmers like us can afford?

Sister-in-law, don't blame your sister-in-law for not reminding you. If we behave ourselves, our aunt will remember our past relationship and treat us well in the future. But if you can't figure things out, you will only harm your third brother.

"Your mother-in-law probably won't let you off the hook then!"

Only after hearing this did Zhou reluctantly follow Tang.

Yan Qingqing looked at Old Madam Yan and asked, "Mother, is there something you want to tell me?"

The other guests had already left, and Tang had even pulled Zhou outside. How could Yan Qingqing not see something so obvious?

Grandma Yan sighed and said, "You've already figured it out. Originally, I wasn't planning to tell you, but I was afraid that Zhou might cause some trouble, so I thought I'd tell you in advance so you can be prepared."

Seeing that Old Madam Yan spoke quite solemnly, Yan Qingqing listened attentively with a serious expression.

Old Mrs. Yan said angrily, "This Zhou family saw that you were doing well, and that you and Ping'er had both been given official positions, so she shamelessly asked you to help out the children in the family."

To put it bluntly, we just want you to help Zhang'er. Zhang'er was originally an excellent child, but she has been influenced by that idiot Zhou.

You've only just been granted an imperial title, and countless eyes are watching you. You can't afford to make a single mistake. How can she be so insensible?

It's all my fault for being blind and marrying this bastard to your third brother.

If it weren't for the fact that she has borne children for the Yan family all these years, I would really have asked your third brother to divorce her.

The reason I'm late today is because I was at home giving Zhou a hard time.

If she acts foolishly in front of you again, you don't need to be polite to her.

Yan Qingqing could actually understand Old Madam Yan's feelings. If it was true that she had made a mistake in divorcing Zhou Shi, apart from the matter of Ye Niang, there was nothing seriously wrong with her.

If left unchecked, Zhou would cause trouble from time to time.