Chapter 104 Early Planning: Zhuang Jieling Presents Liyang Night-Shining Pearl

About an hour later, as the sun began to set, Zhuang Shutong got up.

"Zhaozhao, Ziheng is a good boy. Come to our house for a family dinner at the beginning of next month to meet your uncle and aunt, as well as your two cousins."

Li Yang was speechless.

Just now, Mother looked like she was about to kill someone with a knife, but now she's inviting Chen Junbo to the Zhuang family banquet.

She looked incredulously at the person behind her mother, who raised an eyebrow.

Time flies, and the day of the family banquet has arrived in the blink of an eye.

At Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the carriage departed from Baijia Restaurant.

Seeing that Li Yang seemed hesitant to speak, Chen Junbo asked, "What's wrong?"

While riding in the car, the woman kept wringing her handkerchief and biting her lip, saying, "Chen Junbai, don't be nervous. My maternal grandfather is a very good person, and my mother will also speak up for me."

Chen Junbo chuckled, "My mother-in-law is very satisfied with me as her son-in-law, so I'm not nervous at all. Besides... are you worried about me?"

The female lead rolled her eyes upon hearing this, "No, not at all."

The coachman's voice came from ahead, "Young master, madam, we have arrived at the Manor."

The two got out of the car, Chen Junbo paid the fare, and carried Li Yang out of the car.

Is it Zhaozhao?

A male voice came from behind. Li Yang turned around and saw a man descending from a four-horse carriage. He was imposing and had a dignified presence.

When she looked up, she saw that the other person had a majestic appearance but a face as gentle and charming as a girl's.

"Zhaozhao? I'm your uncle."

"uncle."

Several people emerged from the carriage.

The lady at the head of the group was plain-looking but frail and delicate. She helped the man down from the carriage, smiled at the two of them, and then turned back to help the man.

The two young ladies were charming and exquisite, inheriting their father's looks and their mother's figure; both were exceptionally beautiful.

Li Yang smiled and said, "Uncle, Aunt, Cousin."

Chen Junbo bowed, and the group entered the guest room.

The Zhuang family banquet was much simpler than the banquets held in Songshan Town in previous years. It is said that this was a rule left by the old lady Zhuang when she was alive. Today, the eight family members sat around the flower table, and the dishes consisted of four meat dishes, four vegetable dishes, a soup, and a serving of cantaloupe.

The fish was steamed.

The meat is cooked and served with dipping sauce.

Sticky rice chicken is also a simple dish to cook.

Only the Eight Treasures dish will require a bit more skill.

Li Yang's eyes swept over the dishes on the table, and he thought to himself with delight. If the dishes served by this family were as varied as the tastes of Chen's mother-in-law, then it would be quite satisfying.

However, some people at the table were also unhappy.

Zhuang Xiang had a daughter and a son with his wife, making a perfect family. His son, Zhuang Rong, learned martial arts from a young age and grew up to be tall and imposing.

Unlike his unconventional sister, Zhuang Rong was extremely rigid. At a young age, he discussed with Zhuang Xiang and married Ling Jie, the daughter of the Minister of War. This broke the hearts of many young ladies in the capital, who all hated Miss Ling. How could someone with such an unattractive appearance have won such a good husband?

Zhuang Rong didn't take it to heart. After marriage, he and his wife lived in harmony and had children, namely Zhuang Jieling and Zhuang Jielong.

My older sister, Jieling, is well-educated, reasonable, gentle, and lovely.

My younger sister, Jielong, is a devil. She's willful and capricious, and she'll immediately turn on you if you don't comply with her wishes.

She glanced at the table and immediately pouted, clearly very dissatisfied.

She was not only dissatisfied with the dishes today, but also had some opinions about the banquet. As soon as the elders spoke, she raised her wine glass and smiled sweetly at Zhuang Xiang: "Grandfather, Aunt, this glass of Jielong is to Aunt, wishing you peace and happiness year after year."

After finishing her drink, she immediately raised her cup to Li Yang and said, "Sister, you've just arrived in the capital, so you probably haven't had a chance to explore properly yet."

Zhuang Shutong hurriedly said, "That's right. Zhaozhao has been busy with the restaurant business since she came to the capital. If Jieling and Jielong have some free time, it would be good for them to take their sister around the capital."

Zhuang Jieling smiled and agreed, tugging at her younger sister's sleeve. However, Zhuang Jielong ignored her sister and moved slightly closer to Zhuang Lingshi, saying, "Aunt is right. I noticed that the silk jacket you're wearing has a pattern that was popular two years ago. If you have some free time someday, why don't you come with us to make some new clothes?"

Li Yang frowned; his cousin wasn't friendly to him.

Today is her mother's birthday, so she held back and said calmly, "I usually run a business in a restaurant, and wearing too many clothes makes it difficult for me to move around freely. The pink peach and butterfly dress you are wearing today is very beautiful and makes you look as delicate as a flower."

Everyone's expressions were different, and Zhuang Rong's face darkened even more when he saw his daughter behaving so badly.

Li Yang saw someone put a piece of duck meat into his bowl. "Try it, this Eight Treasure Braised Duck is pretty good."

Chen Junbo put down his chopsticks and said, "You like this dress? I remember when we got married, Bi Fang made a whole box of new clothes and dresses for you, but I never saw you wear them. It seems there was one pink one with a floral and butterfly pattern."

Li Yang quickly grabbed his sleeve and whispered a threat in his ear: "Don't add fuel to the fire."

To onlookers, this action appeared to be the whispered conversation between newlyweds.

Zhuang Jielong felt both jealous and resentful. Her cousin had been just a country woman who had married into the Chen family, a salt merchant family. Even in the capital, she knew that the Chen family was one of the wealthiest families in the country, and the head of the family, Chen Junbai, had even made friends with the emperor while still a commoner.

Before meeting him in person, she thought her brother-in-law was simply getting on in years, a mere pear blossom overshadowing a crabapple. But as soon as he stepped out of the carriage, she saw that he was handsome and dignified, even more so than many of the powerful and wealthy people in the capital. With such wealth and character, how could that village woman have gotten her hands on him?

Looking at Li Yang, though she could be described as beautiful, she went out without makeup, and the two peach-shaped hairpins, one gold and one silver, adorning her hair were truly laughable. What kind of girl goes out wearing only two hairpins, one gold and one silver? How amusing!

Now, her brother-in-law is actually helping Li Yang to shut her up, how can she tolerate this any longer!

Zhuang Jielong had never been humiliated in public like this before. Enraged, she slammed her hand on the table and shouted, "What do you mean by this?!"

Chen Junbo suddenly laughed and said lightly, "Miss Zhuang, if I have offended you, I apologize. I hope you will not take offense." He looked up at her, but the smile did not reach his eyes.

Zhuang Jielong was furious. This person was clearly provoking her! Just as she was about to lash out again, Zhuang Rong spoke coldly from the side: "Alright! Today is your aunt's birthday banquet and also the joyous occasion of your sister's return to the mansion. If you don't want to enjoy this feast, then get out of here."

Zhuang Rong had a beautiful face, but when he spoke, he was no different from a boorish man, which made his youngest daughter's face turn red with anger. Although Zhuang Lingshi couldn't bear to see her daughter wronged, and her husband was in a fit of rage, she had no choice but to try to persuade her.

The meal ended in this tense atmosphere.

"Sister." Just as Li Yang was about to go with Chen Junbai to pay their respects to Prime Minister Zhuang, he heard a woman's voice as melodious as a wind chime.

Zhuang Jieling waved away the maid beside her and stepped forward to curtsy: "Sister, Jielong is unruly. She has been spoiled by our parents since she was a child and is lawless at home. She doesn't listen to my discipline as her older sister."

Li Yang smiled.

Zhuang Jieling continued, "Sister, please don't be angry with her. Since we are meeting today, I have prepared a gift for you. I hope you will accept it." As she spoke, she beckoned to a maidservant not far behind her to bring over a simple wooden box.

She opened the box with her delicate hands, and inside was a luminous pearl.

Li Yang was stunned. "This gift is too precious. I can't accept it."

“Sister.” Zhuang Jielong took Li Yang’s hand and handed her the box. “Sister has been away from home for many years and has suffered. This luminous pearl was a gift from the Emperor that my grandfather received as a reward. Because you were not at home, my grandfather gave it to me, Jieling, to enjoy. Now that you have returned home, I, Jieling, offer this pearl as a token of my appreciation. I hope that you will have a smooth and healthy life in the future.”

“This is a gift from your grandfather. How can I accept it? You should take it back.”

Seeing that she was distant from her, Zhuang Jieling sighed and smiled, "Sister, you don't know this. Although this pearl was given to me by my grandfather, I may not be able to protect it."

My older sister has already seen me today. My mother dotes on my younger sister, and she has asked me for this pearl many times. Although my parents treat me very well, they always show more favoritism towards my younger sister.

Since it's destined that I can't protect it, I might as well give it to someone I want to give it to. Today I met my sister and heard from Father that she managed to go to the capital alone to do business, and now her business is thriving. Jieling admires her sister's abilities and respects her courage even more. I hope her sister won't take offense.

As for the wooden box, Li Yang stared intently at the younger sister.

“You are a young lady of the Zhuang family, and your status is different. Although I do not know what you are asking for, there are many things I cannot help you with.”

Zhuang Jieling smiled and said, "Since you say so, sister, I might as well offer my opinion."

My father was the Vice Minister of War, a man of wide connections and a generous spirit. If he saw that his subordinates were struggling financially, he would give them money. Now, our family lives separately, and although my mother doesn't say it, I know that our family's fortunes are not what they used to be. Moreover, for a military leader, a victorious return to court today brings glory to the whole family, and if tomorrow... if there is another family supporting us, then managing finances will be much easier.

If you don't mind, I'm willing to take Mingzhu as my betrothal gift and learn business from you. I know my status prevents me from participating in business, but this girl beside me has grown up with me since childhood and is someone I trust. I hope you can help me out.

Even those who lead armies to victory are not immune to criticism. While Jieling hopes her family will prosper daily, she also hopes to help them overcome any difficulties...

After saying this, seeing that Li Yang remained silent, she led her people away.

Chen Junbo stepped forward from behind and glanced at the object in Li Yang's hand. "Your uncle has two daughters. It's quite a difference between them."

Zhuang Jieling felt as if she had suddenly gained extraordinary insight after learning that her cousin had taken over a restaurant all by herself.

Normally, the mother only knew about the household affairs and doted on the two sisters. The parents were loving, but the father was a warrior and the mother was weak and unable to take care of herself, so the family lacked a person with a strong will.

She was intelligent from a young age, and her reading surpassed that of many boys. Fortunately, her grandfather was a scholar, and the family was never short of books. Reading makes one understand principles, and reading history makes one understand events. By learning from history, one can see how many heroes and heroines have become prisoners overnight. The heart of an emperor has always been unfathomable.

Today, the Zhuang family enjoys immense prestige. The grandfather was a prime minister with many disciples, the father was a top military general, and now this cousin-in-law is even more wealthy and powerful.

The moon wanes after it is full, and she dared not place all her hopes on the emperor's favor. Her maternal grandmother had once said, "People's hearts are fickle since ancient times. Mountains may crumble, and rivers may flow away. Daughters should be self-reliant and independent, and not let the rules of aristocratic families bind them." Looking at her cousin today, these words suddenly echoed in her mind again.