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Qingzhou is two hundred miles away from the capital. It took most of the day for the carriage to reach the city in the afternoon.
The Du Mansion is located in a bustling street in the city. A line of carriages and horses passed by in an orderly manner, attracting discussions from passers-by around.
"Oh, there are a lot of people and cars going to Fuguifang. Could it be that the eldest daughter of the Du family is back?"
"I think these servants are quite impressive, like officials and guards."
"I heard that Miss Du has a bad reputation in the capital and is not liked by her husband. I'm afraid she won't be able to come back after a few years of marriage."
"Now that she's back, what man doesn't love beauty? Miss Du has been beautiful since she was a child, like a fairy. I can see that she is destined to be an official's wife."
Amid the noisy voices, Chen Jie held Du Yaoyao's hand in the car and apologized in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Yaoyao."
Du Yaoyao knew that he meant that he had not accompanied her back to Qingzhou for a few years after their marriage. The past was over and there was no point in dwelling on it.
She smiled indifferently and reminded him, "We are not a family of very learned people. If there is anything inconsiderate about our family members or servants, please bear with us."
Du Yaoyao had a clear understanding of the situation at home before coming.
After his father Du Qing became rich through business, he indulged in alcohol and sex, and favored his concubine over his wife. When my mother Cui Niang was young, she was hailed as the "Xi Shi" who sold tofu. She had beauty but no brains, and her love waned as her beauty faded.
My elder brother Du Wenwu is neither good at literature nor martial arts. He has failed the local examinations several times and has not yet qualified to take the imperial examinations.
Among the concubines, Concubine Liu is the most powerful. Not only is she in charge of the household affairs, but her daughter is also a tough one.
The carriage stopped at the door of a house. Du Yaoyao straightened her clothes and hair, and Pinpin Tingting got off the carriage holding Chen Jie's hand.
Perhaps they had heard the news early in the morning, as the Du family, young and old, were waiting outside the door.
Du Yaoyao's gaze swept across the obese middle-aged man in the front and stopped on a slim and beautiful woman behind him.
When the woman met Du Yaoyao's eyes, two lines of tears fell, and she hurried forward and called out: "Yaoyao..."
A son does not dislike his mother's ugliness, and a dog does not dislike his family's poverty. Although the original owner was raised to be willful and ignorant by her mother, Du Yaoyao still deeply felt Cui Niang's love for her daughter.
She had never had a mother, and didn't know that her mother's voice was so soft, and her embrace was so warm. She couldn't help but burst into tears, "Mom——"
Cui Niang stroked her slender waist and choked up, "You've grown taller and thinner. Why didn't Yaoyao come back in a few years?"
Du Yaoyao hugged Cui Niang, her makeup smudged with tears. After a long while, she said, "It's my fault that I didn't know better... I made you worry..."
"That's enough. Why are you crying in the first month of the year? It's good that Yaoyao is back!" Du Qing scolded Cui Niang impatiently, and called out to Chen Jie, "My dear son-in-law, you have worked hard on your journey."
This was not the first time Du Qing had met Chen Jie. Three years ago, when his daughter got married, he brought his son Du Wenwu to the capital to attend the wedding. I haven't seen him for a few years. Not only has Chen Ji been promoted quickly, but his demeanor and imposing manner have also improved a lot compared to before.
He used to be a bright and clear-minded scholar who was on the verge of making a name for himself. Now he has acquired the air of power and nobility, which is ingrained in his bones, and his every move exudes an invisible aura of oppression.
Du Wenwu greeted, "Brother-in-law is more heroic than ever."
Chen Jie nodded lightly.
Cui Niang heard Du Qing scolding her and letting go of Du Yaoyao. She smiled embarrassedly and said, "Mother is too happy. She forgot that Yaoyao and her son-in-law must be thirsty and hungry after the long journey." She led the way, "Come on, let's go inside."
Shen Jie said politely, “Mother-in-law.”
Du Yaoyao comforted her, "Mom, it's okay."
The group walked through the gate, with Liu'er and Yinye following behind to arrange the guards to carry boxes of gifts into the mansion.
Du Yaoyao was walking in front with Cui Niang, when they suddenly heard a shrill voice coming from behind them.
"The elder girl hasn't come back for a few years. I thought she was just not willing to go back to our humble home!"
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