Chapter 145, Yang Family
The Zhou family's ship sailed along the Grand Canal, which was a relatively fast journey. In less than ten days, the Yan family's New Year gifts arrived in the capital.
Yang Mansion.
Old Mrs. Yang had just returned from a banquet with the women in her family and they were gathered in the house talking.
As the year draws to a close, more and more banquets are held in each family. Although the master of the family is only a fourth-rank official, he receives quite a few invitations.
"Grandma, Miss Yuan's headgear is so beautiful. I want one too."
"Grandma, I want one too."
The daughters of the first, second and third wives of the Yang family were now sitting around the old lady, acting coquettishly and trying to please her, and trying to gain some benefits for themselves.
The first, second and third wives of the Yang family just watched with a smile and did not stop them.
Old Mrs. Yang didn't really want to agree, but she was always strong-willed. When she thought about how the clothes and jewelry of the young ladies at the banquet were much better than her own, and how her granddaughters were so cute and adorable, she gritted her teeth and agreed.
"Okay, grandma will buy you one set each."
Down below, Fourth Madam Yan Siyu felt sad when she saw that the old lady didn't even mention her daughter Xiuyun.
She is a daughter-in-law and is not liked by her mother-in-law. She understands this, but her daughter is also the old lady's granddaughter. Why is the old lady so partial to her?
"mother!"
Yang Xiujun sensed that her mother was in a bad mood and immediately reached out and shook her hand.
She had long been accustomed to her grandmother's favoritism and neglect over the years. She would be surprised if her grandmother suddenly treated her well one day.
Yan Siyu smiled bitterly and shook her daughter's hand back.
It was all her fault as a mother. If she had been tougher, her daughter wouldn't have to suffer with her.
Fortunately, her son Hongrui is a good student and is valued by his uncle. Otherwise, she would have no place to stand in the Yang family.
"old lady!"
Suddenly, the housekeeper beside Old Lady Yang walked in, glanced at the Fourth Lady, then quickly walked to the old lady and whispered a few words in her ear.
After hearing what the mother-in-law said, Old Lady Yang looked up at her youngest daughter-in-law with a look of surprise on her face: "Fourth daughter-in-law, are your Yan family related to the Zhou family?"
Yan Siyu didn't expect her mother-in-law to ask her a question. She was stunned for a moment: "Zhou family? Which Zhou family?"
Old Madam Yang: "The Zhou family, the Minister of Personnel."
When these words were spoken, not only Yan Siyu was shocked, but the three ladies of the Yang family were also stunned.
The Zhou family of the Minister of Personnel is one of the most powerful families in the capital and is highly regarded by the emperor.
The highest-ranking official in the Yang family is a fourth-rank official, so if they want to make friends with the Zhou family, they don't even have a chance.
The eldest lady of the Yang family said, "Mom, you are right, right? How could my fourth brother's wife's family possibly know the Zhou family?"
Old Madam Yang ignored the eldest lady. Seeing her daughter-in-law's bewildered face, she frowned and asked the maid beside her, "Are you sure it's the Zhou family?"
The housekeeper nodded and said, "I'm sure. I've asked several times and it's the former Prime Minister Zhou family."
Old Lady Yang's heart was shaken. Her daughter-in-law's eldest brother was indeed an official in Zhongzhou Province, the hometown of Prime Minister Zhou. Could it be that the Yan family had turned their fortunes around and got connected to the Zhou family?
Shocked as she was, Old Lady Yang quickly recovered and looked at her youngest daughter-in-law: "Fourth daughter-in-law, the Yan family's New Year gift has arrived."
Yan Siyu stood up happily.
Normally, if the daughter-in-law was so upset, Old Lady Yang would definitely scold her. However, this time, she said nothing. "They said they came on the Zhou family's boat. Someone from the Yan family is coming too. You should go meet them."
"yes!"
Yan Siyu was a little excited. She didn't expect that her parents would send someone over this time. She bowed to the old lady and hurriedly pulled her daughter away.
Seeing his impatient look, the Second and Third Madams both sneered.
"It's just a little New Year gift. Look how happy my sister-in-law is."
"Second sister-in-law, Fourth Brother's wife doesn't have much dowry, so naturally she values the New Year gift."
Old Mrs. Yang glanced at the two of them and said nothing.
There is a hanging flower gate in the backyard.
Madam Fang, who was sent by Madam Li to deliver the New Year gift, was pulling the servants of the Yang family with a friendly look on her face to inquire about Yan Siyu's situation in the Yang family.
Upon learning that her son-in-law Yang Boyi had several concubines and several sons, Madam Fang was immediately furious.
At this time, Yan Siyu came over with Yang Xiujun.
"This servant pays respects to the Fourth Young Lady. May the Fourth Young Lady be well!"
Madam Fang immediately knelt down and kowtowed.
"Hurry up." Yan Siyu hurried forward and personally helped Madam Fang up. Then she looked at Madam Fang and said, "You are Madam Sun's daughter-in-law, Sister Fang?"
Sun Bo and Sun Ma's family sold themselves to the Yan family when Yan Siyu was very young. Their son got married, but she was still unmarried, so she had met Fang.
"It's me, Fourth Miss!" Fang was also very excited. They hadn't seen Yan Siyu for six or seven years since the Yang family moved to the capital.
Thinking of her relatives far away, Yan Siyu choked up a little: "Is everyone at home okay? How is mother?"
Fang immediately smiled and said, "It's fine. Last year, the master took the old lady to live with him to take care of her. The old lady is not unhappy as long as the family is together."
"This year, the master was promoted to the governor of Xingzhou, and the eldest, third, and fourth masters went to study at Wangyue Academy. The old lady was even happier."
"Now, I spend every day with the older girl, tending flowers, practicing boxing, and staying at the farm for a few days when I have nothing to do. I can't even describe how wonderful my life is."
"It's just that the old lady is always thinking about the girl. She always says that if the girl were here, the family would be reunited."
Yan Siyu was shocked by the news that Madam Fang had revealed. After a while, she excitedly asked, "What did you say? Big Brother was promoted to prefect?"
Seeing Yan Siyu like this, Madam Fang was stunned for a moment: "Don't you know, Fourth Miss? The letter announcing the good news to you was written by Madam herself in front of the old lady. Didn't you receive it?"
Hearing this, Yan Siyu couldn't help but burst into tears.
Yang Xiujun didn't understand why her mother would cry over such a happy thing, but she immediately went forward to comfort her: "Mom, there are so many people watching you. If grandma knew about you doing this, she would be so sad."
Yan Siyu sobbed a few times, wiped the tears from her face, and looked at Madam Fang embarrassedly: "Sorry to make fun of you, sister, I'm just too happy."
Seeing her like this, Madam Fang felt uncomfortable in her heart.
Although the lady had guessed that the fourth young lady's life in the Yang family was not easy, she did not expect it to be so difficult that she could not even receive letters from home.
Madam Fang forced a smile and said, "Fourth Miss, this time we're taking the Zhou family's boat, which is cheap. The old lady allowed me to bring a lot of things."
"She has all sorts of vegetables she grows, potted plants she raises, and fruit wine she brews. Anyway, she brought you a portion of whatever she thinks is good, and she said she wants you to try it too."
Hearing this, Yan Siyu couldn't help but shed tears again.
Yang Xiujun hurried to comfort her.
"This is my cousin, right?" Madam Fang looked at Yang Xiujun with a smile. "She looks like the fourth young lady. She is truly beautiful."
Yan Siyu wiped her tears and said, "Sister Fang, please stop praising this girl. She might get cocky."
Seeing more and more people around, Yang Xiujun smiled and said, "Mom, let's go back to the house and talk."
Yan Siyu nodded repeatedly.
In the past, when her parents' family sent New Year gifts, there were no visitors, only letters from home. This time, someone came to her house, and she had a lot of questions in her mind.
Madam Fang had no objection, and she lagged behind the mother and daughter by half a step, saying as she walked, "Besides the old lady, the eldest girl also has something to give to the young master and the young lady."
Yan Siyu paused and said, "You are talking about big brother's eldest daughter, right?"
Madam Fang nodded and said, "That's right, Fourth Miss. You're not often at home, so you don't know that our eldest daughter is really a happy person. With her company, the old lady is happy every day."
Yang Xiujun listened silently. After hearing about the daily interactions between her grandmother and cousin, a hint of envy and yearning appeared on her face.
How great would it be if her grandmother was like this?
(End of this chapter)
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