The Ning family's mansion was more impressive than the Shen family's.
Ultimately, Master Ning was originally a merchant with a wealthy family background.
Now, with a promising daughter, the Ning family's status has long surpassed that of the Shen family, making them the most prominent family in Lin Yuan City.
Like the Shen family, the Ning family has only existed for two generations since its founding, and has not developed into a large clan. Its foundation is also far less rich than those families that have been passed down for hundreds of years.
The Shen family is doing well; at least this generation has a thriving lineage.
Besides his two older cousins, Shen Yunhao also has a younger cousin, Shen Wenruo, born to his second uncle Shen Mingyi. He is currently studying at an academy in Hanxuan City, the capital of Tianyu.
In contrast, the Ning family appeared somewhat desolate.
Ning Yuyao also had an older brother when she was a child, but he died when he encountered bandits.
If Shen Yunxiao hadn't appeared in time, even Ning Yuyao might have suffered the same fate.
Since Ning Yuyao went up the mountain, only Master Ning and Madam Ning remained in the vast Ning Mansion.
It was only after Second Master Ning came to seek refuge that the Ning family mansion gained some life.
Upon arriving at the mansion, Shen Yunhao stepped forward and knocked on the mahogany gate.
With a creak, the gate slowly opened, and a servant poked his head out. Upon seeing Shen Yunhao, he immediately asked a question.
Who are you looking for?
"..."
Even knowing how outrageous he had been in the past, Shen Yunhao never imagined that this gatekeeper of the Ning family would not recognize him.
Just as he was about to speak, a hand suddenly reached out from behind and tapped the servant on the head.
"Ouch!"
"You fool, you don't even recognize your son-in-law anymore..."
At this moment, the gate opened, and another servant, dressed slightly better, ran out, cupped his hands in greeting to Shen Yunhao, and said with a smile, "Hehehe! The young master has arrived! This servant will go and inform the master right away! You rascal, quickly take the young master to the main hall to sit down!"
After saying that, he ran inside first.
Seeing this back-and-forth scene, Shen Yunhao didn't say anything, but simply followed them inside.
Instead, the servant who led him in scratched his head and said, "I'm sorry, young master, I'm new here and haven't seen you in person before, so I didn't recognize you. Please forgive me."
"It's alright..." Shen Yunhao waved his hand politely, but inwardly he grimaced.
If you really don't know them, shouldn't the first thing you ask be their identity?
It's nothing more than someone trying to give them a hard time.
Sigh...life is tough...
Upon arriving at the main hall, they found a middle-aged man already sitting inside. He appeared to be in his early forties, dressed in a brocade robe and wearing a square, slanted hat. He was slightly overweight and looked quite prosperous.
"Oh, isn't this my nephew Yun Hao? What brings you to my residence today?"
The one who could say such a thing was naturally Ning Yuan, the head of the Ning family.
Master Ning picked up his teacup and took a small sip, without even raising his head, his words laced with undisguised sarcasm.
Although Shen Yunhao had already guessed that the other party wouldn't give him a friendly look, he still couldn't help but be stunned when he heard these words.
Why does this sound so familiar?
Could it be that you exchanged secret codes with my second brother this morning?
However, in the face of ridicule, Shen Yunhao simply smiled and stepped forward, bowing and clasping his hands in greeting.
"Nephew greets Uncle Ning!"
Despite the somewhat awkward situation, the fact that Ning Yuan was willing to come out and see him meant that things hadn't reached the point of no return.
"You silly child, how can you be so foolish, still calling me uncle!"
Just then, a soft female voice was heard, and a beautiful woman gracefully walked out from the side hall.
The woman possessed an elegant and refined demeanor, with a gentle and jade-like complexion that exuded tranquility and grace. Her long dress cascaded down naturally like flowing water, outlining her perfectly beautiful figure.
She must have been a well-known beauty in her youth.
Otherwise, it would have been difficult to raise a daughter as beautiful as Ning Yuyao.
The person who arrived was none other than Ning Yuyao's mother, Qin Yan.
It is said that this Miss Qin was once the top courtesan in a brothel when she was young, and Master Ning paid an unknown amount of money to redeem her.
After winning the heart of his beloved, they remained deeply in love and he has never taken a concubine.
This is also one of the reasons why the Ning family has a small population.
Shen Yunhao grew up without a mother and was particularly close to the female elders around him.
Both his aunt Liu Yuling and his mother-in-law Qin Yan treated him very well.
Ning Yuan only had one legal wife. If she were a shrew or a troublemaker, she wouldn't have been able to build such a large business on her own.
Upon hearing Qin Yan's words, Shen Yunhao finally realized what was happening and quickly bowed, saying, "This son-in-law greets Father-in-law and Mother-in-law..."
To be honest, after calling him "uncle" for so many years, it's really a bit strange to suddenly change how I address him.
"Don't yell like that, kid!"
Upon hearing this, Ning Yuan immediately waved his hand: "Let's wait until Yao'er comes back before calling you father-in-law and mother-in-law! I can't accept that now!"
After saying that, he ignored Shen Yunhao and got up to walk out of the hall.
Even so, Shen Yunhao still noticed that Ning Yuan's expression improved significantly after he called him "father-in-law," which made him think to himself.
"It seems the Ning family hasn't completely blacklisted me yet..."
At this moment, a faint smile appeared on Qin Yan's face, indicating that she was satisfied with Shen Yunhao's performance today.
Before she came out, she was genuinely afraid that this silly boy had come to discuss a divorce...
If Ning Yuyao hadn't made a special trip back to her parents' home before leaving, based on her previous behavior, even if Qin Yan had the best temper, she would never have given Shen Yunhao a kind look, and he wouldn't have been able to enter the Ning residence at all today.
Recalling her daughter's behavior before she left, she, as a mother, felt very uneasy.
I just hope this silly boy won't do anything foolish again and make Yao'er angry... otherwise, it would be a waste of my daughter's sincerity.
But so far things are going quite well. I don't know if this kid has suddenly become enlightened, but he took the initiative to come and pay his respects to his parents-in-law today.
Qin Yan sat down in the main seat and gestured for Shen Yunhao to take his seat as well. She then waved to the green-clad maid behind her and said, "Xiang'er, serve the tea!"
The atmosphere suddenly became harmonious.
"Yun Hao, what brings you here today?"
Shen Yunhao had just started drinking his tea when Qin Yan's words almost made him spit it out.
Good heavens, no wonder I was so decadent in my previous life.
Damn, I'm surrounded by a bunch of weirdos!
"Ahem... Mother-in-law, you jest!"
Before he could even sit down properly, Shen Yunhao hurriedly stood up: "Being drunk for three days after the wedding is already a big mistake. If you still don't know etiquette and delay in visiting, then you will be letting down your parents-in-law who have raised you all these years!"
Qin Yan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised that Shen Yunhao would say such a thing.
Is this the same idiot who insisted on breaking off the engagement before?
"You little rascal, you've got some nerve talking now. What were you doing before..."
Qin Yan sighed: "Do you know how deeply Yao'er was angered by you this time?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
