As Wei Wen led her daughter Wei Ping and granddaughter Cai Die into the mansion, she introduced them to the people who had been with Sun Lu Rong earlier.
“That one who’s about your age is your second uncle and aunt’s daughter, named Wei Shuwan,” Wei Wenshi said casually, but Cai Die took it to heart.
Although she also resented her second uncle for stripping her mother of her status as a wealthy young lady, forcing her to suffer in a poor, remote area, those were ultimately grudges of the previous generation, and her mother would handle them. As for her, the person she hated most wasn't her second uncle and aunt, but rather Wei Shuwan, who had usurped her place and taken her place in life.
Cai Die had heard her mother mention Wei Shuwan before, mainly because her reputation in Jiangzuo was so great. Hehe, what the number one beauty in Jiangzuo? If Wei Shuwan were just a wild girl from the countryside, would those arrogant Jiangzuo scholars still fawn over her like this?
Even though she and Wei Shuwan were the same age, they had ended up with completely different lives. Cai Die felt increasingly resentful as she thought about this.
Although Wei Wenshi's eyesight was failing, she was not senile. Noticing her granddaughter's slight mood, she did not say too much about Wei Shuwan's matter. Instead, she introduced, "As for the one who got off the carriage behind you, he is Sun's younger brother. He was originally stationed at the border and only came to Shengjing today to report on his duties."
"It's quite a coincidence. The second branch of the family had been preparing for today's welcoming banquet since yesterday, but you and your daughter arrived first."
At this point, Madam Wei paused slightly, turning to look at Wei Ping with some confusion: "Ping'er, since you were coming, why didn't you write a letter first? Your mother could have made arrangements for you in advance. You came in such a hurry, could it be that something happened at home?"
Wei Ping smiled awkwardly, "Nothing happened. I just dreamt that my mother was unwell that day, and I've been feeling uneasy ever since. Plus, my mother hasn't come to see me since she left Wu County, so I thought I'd come and check on her."
"Oh." Hearing her say that, Madam Wei was somewhat relieved.
Although the mother and daughter had already recognized each other in private, they dared not openly bring Wei Ping back to the old Wei family residence due to the Wei family rules. However, now that even the old Wei family residence was gone, and she had moved to Shengjing, while the old folks in the ancestral hall remained in Wu County, Wei Wenshi no longer needed to worry about many things.
"Ping'er, now that you're in Shengjing, stay with Caidie for a few more days!"
"Yes." Wei Ping nodded happily.
Lady Wei and her daughter walked along the covered walkway, one side leading to Lady Wei's Songhe Residence and the other to the dining hall. Halfway there, the aroma of wine and dishes wafted from afar. Cai Die, who had been traveling by carriage and was already hungry, couldn't resist and her stomach growled twice.
Wei Ping felt embarrassed and glared at her daughter. However, Wei Wenshi had an idea and said, "You two came in a hurry and were unprepared. It's probably not possible to have the kitchen prepare anything for you in a short time. If you don't mind, why don't you go to the dining hall and have a welcome-home banquet hosted by the second branch of the family?"
Although Wei Ping disliked the second branch of the family, she knew that this house in Shengjing belonged to them, and since she had come to rely on them, she naturally wanted to build a good relationship with them first. Therefore, she did not reject Wei Wenshi's suggestion and nodded, saying, "I will do whatever Mother says."
Wei Wenshi then looked at Cai Die, who had no such reservations and happily replied, "Alright, Cai Die was just about to pay her respects to Uncle and Aunt!"
Lady Wei nodded, and the three of them, surrounded by servants, changed their route and headed towards the dining hall.
...
Inside the dining hall, Wei Shuwan had been pestering her uncle to tell her about things in the military camp ever since she sat down. Sun Xingjian was always happy to oblige his niece and was now enthusiastically recounting some of the military exploits, some of which were interesting and some were thrilling.
Sun Lurong listened from the side, occasionally feeling worried for her younger brother.
The three members of the eldest son's family sat on the side, unable to get a word in edgewise, and felt rather uncomfortable—sure enough, Sun Lurong's younger brother didn't sound like a good person.
Just then, an old woman came in and whispered to Wei Zheng and Sun Lurong, "Master and Madam, the Old Madam is coming this way."
Wei Zheng was slightly surprised. The arrival of the old lady meant that Wei Ping and her daughter would also be coming. He had thought that his "older sister" would not want to meet him, but since she was a guest, and it was their first meeting, Wei Zheng quickly got up to greet her. Sun Lurong also wiped away the tears on her face and looked towards the door with a smile.
Because of the somewhat awkward relationship, Wei Ping didn't say much after Wei Zheng and Sun Lurong came over. They greeted her with smiles and said, "Mother and elder sister, please take your seats."
Wei Ping smiled back and pulled Cai Die to sit down next to Wei Wen Shi. Wei Wen Shi then directed her to greet the people one by one.
Uncle and Aunt
Second Uncle, Second Aunt
"Third sister, fourth sister"
After getting to know everyone, Cai Die noticed that no one had introduced the person opposite her, so she asked curiously, "Grandmother, who is this?"
The seat directly opposite Cai Die was Zi Qiao. Normally, as a maid, Zi Qiao was not allowed to sit at the table, but today, as the family member of Sun Xingjian's capable subordinate, she made an exception and sat next to her brother Xue Lun.
Cai Die didn't recognize her, and since Zi Qiao was Wei Shuwan's head maid, her clothes and belongings were no less than those of ordinary wealthy young ladies, so Cai Die mistook her for one of her sisters.
Madam Wei glanced at Zi Qiao but remained silent. If this were at the Wei family's old residence, she would certainly not allow such a thing to happen. A master is a master, and a servant is a servant. Wouldn't it be laughable for them to sit at the same table and eat together?
But this wasn't the Wei family's old residence, so Madam Wei Wen suppressed her temper and didn't say much.
Wei Shuwan explained, "This is Zi Qiao, from my room. She is also the younger sister of this young General Xue."
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