Chapter 541 Visiting the Situ Family
Cheng Wanwan noticed the fear in Grandma Cheng's eyes.
She never expected that this fierce old lady would have moments of fear.
She stood up with a smile: "Then I'll change my clothes and come along... Wait, are the gifts for our visit ready?"
Grandma Cheng nodded vigorously: "It's all prepared in the village, don't worry."
Cheng Wanwan: "..."
The gifts prepared by the village will probably include an old hen, eggs, and dried mountain delicacies...
However, she did not stop them. The Situ family knew that the Cheng family was from a poor family. If they spent a lot of money to prepare lavish gifts, it would make the Cheng family seem like they were trying to curry favor.
Since the Situ family has agreed to the marriage, the two families will now treat each other as equals.
Cheng Wanwan changed into a silk brocade dress and went out with Granny Qi and Ninglan, while Cheng Jia was in charge of driving the carriage.
On the Cheng family's side, the eldest brother Cheng was driving the carriage, and the two elders of the Cheng family, Cheng's sister-in-law, and Cheng Zhao were all in the carriage. The two carriages headed towards the Situ Mansion, one after the other.
Lord Situ holds the rank of fifth grade and is a fifth-grade lecturer in the Hanlin Academy. To some extent, Cheng Zhao is being promoted by someone. However, the relationship between father-in-law and son-in-law is quite sensitive. Even if Lord Situ is willing to promote him, he doesn't dare to do it too obviously. Moreover, there isn't much a fifth-grade official can actually do.
The carriage arrived at the Situ residence quickly, as Cheng Zhao had already sent someone to inform them, and servants greeted them at the gate with great enthusiasm.
After the servants ushered her in, maids and servants lined the road, constantly curtsying and bowing. The Cheng family had never seen such a scene before, and none of them dared to walk too fast, lagging behind Cheng Wanwan by a few steps.
As soon as we passed through the second gate, Madam Situ came out to greet us: "This must be my mother-in-law..."
She grabbed Cheng Wanwan's hand directly, her face full of affection.
She had imagined her future mother-in-law to be a rather old, rural woman, but she was unexpectedly so young and beautiful. No wonder Cheng Zhao was so handsome…
Sister-in-law Cheng: "..."
She knew that wherever Cheng Wanwan was, there was nothing for her to do.
She hurriedly squeezed through, forcing a smile, and said, "Madam Situ, I am Zhao'er's mother."
Madam Situ was extremely embarrassed: "I was blind, I'm sorry, my dear in-law, it was my fault... Zhao'er, really, why didn't you introduce her quickly?"
Cheng Wanwan sensed a familiar tone in his voice, indicating that Zhao'er had a decent relationship with the Situ family.
Cheng Zhao was also innocent. Before he could even speak, his future mother-in-law grabbed his second aunt's hand. This scene developed too quickly, which led to the awkward situation.
He coughed and said, "Madam Situ, this is my grandfather, this is my grandmother, this is my father, this is my mother, and this is my second aunt."
He introduced one person, and Madam Situ nodded and greeted them. When the road turned, Madam Situ's eyes suddenly lit up: "So she's from Sui'an! Zhao'er, why didn't you tell me beforehand that your second aunt was coming to the capital? I could have sent someone to welcome her earlier... She's from Sui'an!"
She was a woman, and a peasant woman at that, who did not rely on her husband or son, but became a sixth-rank official in the imperial court entirely on her own merits. She was a role model for other women.
Many people in their circle were jealous of Sui'an people, but even more admired them, especially after the Emperor's birthday celebrations when Sui'an people's good reputation spread. It is said that even the Empress praised them highly. Who wouldn't want to get closer to such a talented woman?
Madam Situ affectionately took Cheng Wanwan's hand and led her inside.
Sister-in-law Cheng was furious and muttered under her breath, "I didn't want her to come. She always tries to show off as soon as she arrives, acting like she's so capable..."
"If you're so capable, earn your own title," Old Mrs. Cheng scolded irritably. "If you dare to utter another word, get out right now."
The old lady now understands that she has to support her second daughter; if her second daughter quits, they won't be able to move around in the capital at all.
Even if we want to draw a clear line, we have to wait until Zhao'er has fully established herself.
This stupid woman is incompetent yet wants to show off. If she ever dares to do anything outrageous, she'll send her straight back to Chengjia Village.
Sister-in-law Cheng forced a smile, not daring to say anything more.
Cheng Zhao walked ahead, clearly hearing what his grandmother and mother had said. He pondered for a moment, then followed in Madam Situ's footsteps.
When the future in-laws arrived, the Situ family treated them with the highest honors. Old Madam Situ sat in a high seat, with Lord Situ and Madam Situ sitting on either side, and two young masters of the Situ family, around twenty years old, also accompanying them. As for Miss Situ, since the wedding was approaching, she was not allowed to come out to greet the guests.
The servants served the finest tea, along with a variety of fruits and pastries unique to the capital, which were laid out on every table.
Sister-in-law Cheng's mouth immediately watered uncontrollably. She raised her hand to stuff the pastry into her mouth, but she felt the sharp gaze of Old Madam Cheng and had no choice but to awkwardly withdraw her hand.
“Since the wedding date was set, our Cheng family has not been in the capital. We’ve really gone to a lot of trouble for you.” Old Mrs. Cheng stood up and said, “We brought a lot of nice things for our in-laws this time. Eldest son, please bring them up.”
They had just brought large and small bags into the flower hall and placed them at the entrance. Brother Cheng immediately went to carry the things inside.
One by one, the burlap sacks were opened, revealing hundreds of free-range eggs, dried venison, some rare mushrooms, fabrics that sell very well in Ping'an County, and rather precious brown sugar pastries...
When a whole bunch of things were brought out, Old Madam Situ's face cracked, and her expression turned very unpleasant.
Lord Situ, being a man, didn't seem to mind. Madam Situ smiled and said, "My husband loves to eat wild game from the village. This is a timely help from our in-laws. We can have the kitchen prepare some..."
Madam Situ said coldly, "That dried wild venison is all moldy; eating it will surely give you an upset stomach..."
Sister-in-law Cheng quickly explained, "It's been raining a lot lately, so it's normal for meat to get moldy. Just cut this part off, it won't upset your stomach..."
Madam Situ snorted coldly and remained silent.
Madam Situ quickly smoothed things over.
Cheng Wanwan could tell that Lord Situ greatly admired Cheng Zhao, and his mother-in-law, Madam Situ, also liked this son-in-law very much. Only Old Madam Situ was not very satisfied with this marriage.
However, the old lady is from a different generation, so even if she is not satisfied with Cheng Zhao, it should not have a substantial impact on Cheng Zhao.
The topic was quickly dropped, and the Situ residence held a meal with men and women seated at separate tables.
Madam Situ was a straightforward person, and with her lively personality, the atmosphere at the dinner table was always very pleasant.
But for some reason, Sister-in-law Cheng suddenly picked up a piece of venison and placed it at the bottom of Madam Situ's bowl: "Madam, this venison tastes really good. Everyone in our village loves it. I specially dried a whole deer and brought it all the way to the capital just so you could have a taste... I used serving chopsticks just now, so it definitely didn't have any of my saliva on it. Please try it, Madam..."
Madam Situ was already feeling resentful, and the thought of her granddaughter, whom she had raised herself, marrying into a farming family made her unable to calm down.
She had tried her best to calm the Cheng family down when they received her, but they kept saying that the villagers loved to eat it. It was like stabbing her in the heart.
She slammed down her chopsticks: "What good stuff could this stuff from the countryside possibly be that's worth showing off like this?"
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