Yan Qingqing took the initiative to step forward, pulled up Old Master Yan, called him "Dad," and asked, "Dad, how have you been all these years? Your daughter is unfilial and has worried you."
Unexpectedly, a few simple words made Grandpa Yan burst into tears. Yan Qingqing was a little confused and looked at Grandpa Yan helplessly.
Grandma Yan said from the side, "Actually, your father just misses you. Just let him vent."
Every year he tells me that if I don't come back, he'll go to Canghe Village, but he holds back because he's afraid of making things difficult for me.
Yan Qingqing sighed again upon hearing this. If the old couple found out that the original owner was gone, wouldn't that be the death of them?
After Grandpa Yan finished crying, he found a group of children standing in the yard, all staring at him expectantly. He immediately felt embarrassed.
Grandma Yan said, "You shameless old woman, even if you miss your daughter, you can't embarrass yourself in front of so many children."
Yan Qingqing quickly came to the rescue, saying, "Father, Mother, it's all my fault. I'll definitely come back often in the future."
Grandpa Yan was relieved of his embarrassment and looked at the row of children standing in front of him with some pride. These were all his daughter's children, his grandchildren.
Then, after taking a closer look, she found that Xiao Mochen was exceptionally good-looking. She wondered when her daughter would have such a handsome son. Although the others were not bad-looking either, this one did not look like Li Erniu's son at all.
However, Old Master Yan didn't dare to ask too many questions. So what if his daughter cheated on Li Erniu? Anyway, his daughter had done right by Li Erniu.
Grandpa Yan doesn't think he's overly protective of his own or has the potential to be a tough nut to crack.
Yan Qingqing introduced her children to Grandpa Yan one by one. Grandpa Yan had met Li Xiang'an and Li Xiangjian before, and he also remembered Li Xinniang, Li Yueniang, and Li Xiangkang.
When she introduced Xiao Mochen, she only briefly mentioned him, saying he was her nephew.
Grandpa Yan gave Yan Qingqing a knowing look, which confused her, but she didn't know how to explain further.
Finally, Grandpa Li was drawn to Li Xiangyang, who was still an infant. The child was exceptionally good-looking and would surely be very handsome when he grew up.
Yan Qingqing stayed inside, chatting with Grandpa Yan and Grandma Yan, while Li Xiang'an and the others busied themselves unloading the gifts.
Looking at the mountain of gifts piled up in the room, Old Mrs. Yan said with a hint of reproach, "You're a mother-in-law now, don't just take everything back to your parents' home."
Besides, apart from Ping'er, none of the younger children in the family are married yet.
Yan Qingqing said with a forced smile, "Mother, you've wronged me. All these things were prepared by Hui Niang. I listened to you, and now she has all the power to manage the household."
When Old Madam Yan saw that Li Xiangping had not come, she knew that he had accompanied Yuan Huiniang back to her parents' home. She then said, "Huiniang is a good person, but you should keep some money in your own pocket."
Yan Qingqing immediately smiled. Old Mrs. Yan was worried that she would get tired and that she would be sidelined and unable to maintain her position as a mother-in-law. She really was worried sick about her.
Just as they were chatting enthusiastically, a woman's voice came from outside: "I thought it was my sister. Luckily, we haven't gone back to my parents' house yet."
Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Yan's face immediately fell, but she didn't say anything.
Yan Qingqing recognized the voice and stood up to greet it. The person who came was Zhou Shi, the wife of her third brother Yan Qingyan, accompanied by a girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old.
Yan Qingqing said with a smile, "Third Sister-in-law, why didn't you go back to your parents' home today?"
Zhou said, "We're all mothers-in-law now, so there's no point in going back. I'll have Zhang'er go later."
The Zhang'er that Zhou mentioned is Yan Qingyan's son, named Yan Zhang. He is already married, but she didn't see him today. He probably went back to his wife's parents' home with her.
Zhou's words left Yan Qingqing speechless. She was also a mother-in-law, and a widow at that. Wouldn't it be even more pointless for her to go back to her parents' home?
Old Mrs. Yan couldn't stand it any longer and said, "Zhou, if you can't speak properly, then shut up!"
"Your eldest and second sisters-in-law have both gone back to their parents' homes. Aren't they mothers-in-law? Isn't your younger sister a mother-in-law? Or do you find it pointless for her to come and visit this old woman?"
After being scolded by Old Madam Yan, Zhou quickly said, "Mother, you know that's not what I meant."
If I felt my sister shouldn't come back, I wouldn't have made the point of waiting for her at home.
To everyone's surprise, Old Madam Yan glared at her fiercely and said even more angrily, "Zhou Shi, stop with your little schemes, or don't blame this old woman for not tolerating you!"
Although Zhou hesitated to speak, her eyes revealed her resentment.
Yan Qingqing didn't know what the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were talking about, but as a married woman, she shouldn't interfere in her family's affairs. So she changed the subject, saying, "This must be Ye Niang. Look how much she's grown."
Yan Yeniang looked at Yan Qingqing and called her "Auntie" somewhat shyly. Yan Qingqing took out a big red envelope from her sleeve and stuffed it into her hand.
Zhou's eyes lit up when she saw this, but when she saw a row of children standing behind Yan Qingqing, her face fell again. She felt that it might have been a mistake for her to stay here today.
However, thinking about the important matter he had to accomplish, he reluctantly took out seven red envelopes and stuffed them into Li Xiang'an and the others' hands one by one.
The children also politely thanked Mrs. Zhou.
Zhou treated everyone else with indifference, but she was exceptionally warm towards Li Xiangjian, and Yan Qingqing finally understood.
Could it be that Zhou has taken a fancy to her foolish son? Well, in terms of appearance, Li Xiangjian is tall and strong, which is more popular with country people than the thin type like Li Xiangan.
Moreover, Ye Niang, standing to the side, would occasionally steal glances at Li Xiangjian, sometimes even blushing. Yan Qingqing sighed inwardly, "This is truly a tragedy!"
They're cousins, and in ancient times there was no prohibition against marriage between close relatives. If Li Xiangjian also falls for Ye Niang, she'll have to play the villain who breaks up their relationship!
Fortunately, Li Xiangjian was oblivious and probably didn't notice Zhou Shi and Ye Niang's intentions.
Over the next period of time, Yan Qingqing observed the reactions of Zhou Shi and Yan Yeniang, and became increasingly convinced that her judgment was correct.
Yan Qingqing recalled Old Madam Yan's attitude towards Zhou Shi and knew that Old Madam Yan must know the inside story. She thought that she must ask Old Madam Yan when she had the chance.
In the late afternoon, Yan Qingqing and her family were about to return to Canghe Village. Although Grandpa Yan and Grandma Yan were reluctant to part with Yan Qingqing, they knew that she had a lot of things to do at home, so they did not try to stop her.
Grandma Yan said, "I'll go to the embroidery workshop after the New Year when they reopen. I've missed the children quite a bit while I've been away."
Old Mrs. Yan hadn't been back since the heavy snow. Because the embroidery workshop was rushing to complete the order for Jinsheng Pavilion, the embroiderers hadn't learned any new needlework techniques.
Yan Qingqing was about to say there was no need to rush, but Zhou Shi spoke up first, saying, "Let Ye Niang go with us. This child has always been close to her younger sister. Now that her sister is so capable, it would be enough if she could learn even a little bit of her skills."
Old Mrs. Yan glanced at Zhou without saying a word, but her eyes revealed a fierce look, which frightened Zhou quite a bit.
Yan Qingqing pretended not to see it and got into the carriage to return to Canghe Village.
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