C4 A Cup of Tea

Luo Mansion, Main Hall.

The Luo family is one of the most prominent in town, leading among the three major families. The mansion itself is a sight to behold, with its exquisite design and decoration, especially the main hall, which has seen a significant investment.

A massive screen featuring a welcoming pine tree dominates the hall. Made entirely of nanmu wood, even someone like Yan Li, who hasn't seen much of the world, can tell it's incredibly valuable.

"Ye," Mr. Luo called out excitedly upon their arrival.

Mr. Luo, in his forties, has a dignified appearance with a somewhat commanding presence, though not intimidating. The dark circles under his eyes suggest a restless night.

"Sir, today is a joyous occasion. Let's not get too worked up," Mrs. Lau remarked.

Yan Li turned her attention to the woman speaking. In her thirties, she was quite attractive, but the flashy gold on her head overshadowed her natural beauty. Yan Li was silently thankful for choosing a jade hairpin instead. More notably, Mrs. Lau's smile didn't reach her eyes, which made Yan Li ponder.

"Her last name is Lau. You can call her Mrs. Lau," Luo Tingye whispered in Yan Li's ear, his warm breath sending a shiver down her spine.

Yan Li had never felt anything like it before. She coughed lightly to mask her discomfort, "Got it."

Luo Tingye noticed her small earlobe turning red, a glint of amusement in his deep eyes.

"What?" Mr. Luo and Mrs. Lau were taken aback by Luo Tingye's closeness to his new bride. Mrs. Lau's smile stiffened, seemingly displeased with the display of marital harmony, while Mr. Luo was moved to tears, clearly relieved and content.

A new bride always has to meet her in-laws, even if her arrival wasn't exactly "unexpected" or "sudden."

Following the custom, Yan Li addressed her, "Mrs. Lau."

While serving tea to Mrs. Lau, she didn't kneel but instead mimicked Luo Tingye's respectful gesture. Luo Tingye's eyes deepened with approval; she did well, at least not against his wishes.

"Ahem, Father, Mrs. Lau, I'm heading back to my room," Luo Tingye announced after the tea ceremony, subtly reaching for Yan Li's arm, signaling his intention to leave.

Leaving right after the tea ceremony? Isn't that a bit rushed? Yan Li wondered.

"Big brother, why the hurry? We haven't even met our new sister-in-law yet. We heard Father found her for you at the last minute, and we're curious about her looks and figure."

"Exactly, are you hiding her from us? We know she's just a simple farm girl, so what's there to conceal?"

Just as Yan Li was puzzled, two grating voices interrupted. Two well-dressed young men strutted in with arrogance.

They wore fine silk robes and jade crowns, presenting themselves as refined gentlemen, but no matter how meticulously they dressed, they couldn't compare to the man beside her. His mere presence outshone them significantly.

Luo Tingbao and Luo Tingquan unabashedly scrutinized Yan Li, their eyes filled with shock and a strong sense of possessiveness upon seeing her beauty.

Yan Li's brows furrowed sharply. She began to understand why her ailing husband was eager to leave. First, a disingenuous Mrs. Lau, followed by two obnoxious brothers—who could endure such an atmosphere? As she took in the Luo Mansion, her gaze grew even more profound and inscrutable.

Mrs. Lau's smile widened as she introduced, "Bao, Quan, aren't you going to greet your sister-in-law? Your father went to great lengths to bring her here, so she must be someone of great character."

Her words were even more cutting than the young men's earlier remarks, especially the term "sister-in-law," which carried a layer of irony. Their sister-in-law was supposed to be a Miss from the Xie family, and this marriage was essentially a stand-in. The phrase "great lengths" was undoubtedly sarcastic, and "great character" was even more so. How could a simple farm girl be considered of great character?

Was Mrs. Lau displeased with her? Or...

Yan Li's gaze subtly shifted to Luo Tingye, who stood beside her, pale-faced. She sighed softly. The Luo family was complex, but since things had come to this, she had a duty to support her husband.

With a charming smile, Yan Li gracefully stepped forward. "Greetings, uncles. I'm Yan Li, and from now on, I'll be your sister-in-law."

After a brief pause, she playfully turned to Luo Tingye, "Husband, why didn't you tell me you had two brothers? I haven't even prepared gifts, which might make me seem unworthy of my role as sister-in-law."

If they wanted to talk about status and character, she would embrace her role as "sister-in-law." Moreover, her words subtly elevated Luo Tingye, implying he was the only son of the Luo family, making any talk of being a mere son irrelevant.

Mrs. Lau understood the underlying message in Yan Li's words and looked at her in disbelief from her seat. How dare she subtly jab at her sons? Besides, although Luo Tingbao and Luo Tingquan were born out of wedlock, they were still born with silver spoons in their mouths. They certainly didn't need gifts from a simple farm girl, gifts that Mrs. Lau didn't care for at all.

Luo Tingye coughed lightly into his fist to hide a smile. "Ahem, that was my oversight."

Seeing Luo Tingye's cooperation, Yan Li continued, "Uncles, I hope you won't mind the gifts from your sister-in-law. Husband, let's head back to prepare the gifts... Father-in-law also mentioned yesterday that you're not in the best health. I wouldn't want you to be exhausted from such a 'long journey,' or else Father-in-law might blame me for not taking care of you. Father-in-law, Mrs. Lau, we'll take our leave now."

After speaking, she actually bowed to the person in the main seat, then carefully helped Luo Tingye out of the hall.

Luo Tingye let her support him, a slight smile playing on his handsome features. This wife of his might be talkative, but she certainly knew how to hold her own. Not bad at all.

Mrs. Lau was a bit taken aback. Did they just leave like that?

A long journey? Was she referring to the walk from the courtyard to the main hall as a long journey?

Mrs. Lau was stunned. This farm girl sure could talk, but by the time she wanted to say something, the couple had already vanished from sight.

"Sir, is that really the eldest son's wife? How could she be so rude? What gifts? My sons, Bao and Quan, are the second and third sons of the Luo family. Do they need such things? Is she looking down on my boys? And the main hall is the closest to the Banquet Night Courtyard, how is that a long journey?"

Mrs. Lau couldn't swallow this insult.

Mr. Luo frowned slightly and said, "So you think the eldest daughter-in-law shouldn't give gifts or help Ye go down to rest?"

Mrs. Lau was at a loss for words.