Regarding her family, her father hadn’t mentioned much. Hua Yan only knew that he had two older brothers and a younger sister, all of whom were very kind. When they corresponded, they would often send some hometown delicacies like cured meats and dried goods, which Hua Yan found delicious, although none of them knew how to make them.
When her father went to Mingdu for the imperial examination, his eldest brother had already passed as a jinshi, ranking third among the top candidates. At the time, Hua Yan only had a vague understanding, but she thought it was very impressive.
Her mother had asked her father if he wanted to go back, but fearing he wouldn’t withstand the journey’s hardships, Hua Yan had to go in his place.
As she waited for the gatekeeper to announce their arrival, Hua Yan felt even more anxious.
These were her father’s family members whom he had never met, so naturally, she had certain expectations, but she was also afraid of being disappointed.
What if her father’s family wasn’t nice? What if they didn’t like her? Her parents’ marriage was somewhat unconventional, what if they didn’t recognize it?
In her nervousness, she instinctively reached for Lu Chengsha’s hand.
Lu Chengsha was also a bit uneasy, but seeing her like this, he suddenly felt calm. He realized that it didn’t really matter to him—he had always had a detached view of family. Even with Lu Zhenxing, he hadn’t been overly cautious or nervous before. So, he squeezed her hand and thought of patting her head to comfort her.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he patted her, she threw herself into his arms.
Lu Chengsha was momentarily stunned and, somewhat awkwardly, hugged her back.
The two of them embraced for a while, oblivious to their surroundings, until a cough interrupted them. Only then did they remember they were still at the Zhou residence’s gate and quickly let go, stepping apart.
Hua Yan’s face turned red with embarrassment. Before they came, she had revisited the etiquette her father had taught her. Public displays of affection were highly improper, but she had momentarily forgotten and couldn’t resist.
The person who coughed was a middle-aged woman. Her attire was simple and elegant, a plain cyan robe with a moon-white vest. Her hairpin and accessories were also simple and unadorned, giving her a gentle and kind appearance. After coughing, she saw them separate, handed the letters and tokens back to Hua Yan, and smiled slightly, saying, “Please come in. I am Xue, your second aunt.”
With an elder present, they didn’t dare hold hands and followed her inside with great restraint.
Halfway in, Hua Yan remembered the luggage and gifts in the carriage!
As soon as she mentioned it, Madam Xue smiled and said, “I’ve already asked someone to move the carriage to the back. Don’t worry, unless there’s something you need urgently?”
How kind.
Her voice was soft and gentle, with a hint of a smile, quite different from the people of the Jianghu.
Hua Yan replied, “No, there’s nothing urgent…”
She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Lu Chengsha.
Lu Chengsha also looked at her. Their eyes met and then quickly parted.
Seeing their shy behavior, Madam Xue couldn’t help but laugh and said, “We’re all family here, no need to be so nervous. You must be Yan’er. I didn’t expect you to have grown so much. Your second uncle has been worried ever since your father left, afraid that a young girl like you might not have it easy… and now you’re already married.” As she spoke, she couldn’t help but gently brush Hua Yan’s hair.
The sensation was entirely new to Hua Yan, and she instinctively widened her eyes.
Her mother would only roughly pinch her cheeks, and her father, since she had grown up, rarely made such intimate gestures.
“Uh… how should I address this gentleman?” Madam Xue asked.
Lu Chengsha didn’t expect to be asked about himself. He paused for a moment before replying, “Lu Chengsha.” By this time, he had completely suppressed his usual murderous aura, and aside from his cold demeanor, there was no hint of his usual ferocity.
“So this is Mr. Lu. You really are a fine-looking gentleman, and you match so well with Yan’er,” Madam Xue said with a smile.
Hua Yan: “…”
Lu Chengsha: “…”
Though neither spoke, they both felt an inexplicable sense of absurdity and strangeness.
“We couldn’t attend your wedding, so we’ll prepare a belated gift for you in a few days,” Madam Xue continued with a smile. “Your second uncle is not here right now, but he’ll be very happy when he returns tonight. Your brothers and sisters are also here, and we’ll call your little aunt to visit in a few days. She moved out after getting married but still visits occasionally.”
Hua Yan felt a bit dizzy from all this information. She had no idea she had so many relatives!
Lu Chengsha was handling it better, having had some relatives himself.
However, when the whole family returned in the evening and gathered around the dining table, Lu Chengsha felt less comfortable.
Especially when—
A group of people subtly surrounded you, casting curious glances.
Hua Yan also felt particularly awkward.
She had already inquired that afternoon. Her father’s eldest brother was now an official in Mingdu and was not in Baijiang City. In Baijiang City, there were only her father’s second brother and sister, both of whom were married. Currently, this house was occupied by her father’s second brother, her second uncle. However, her second uncle had three children: an older brother who was older than her and two younger siblings. That older brother was already married with a child, who had just been born and was living here with his wife.
With seven members of the Zhou family gathered around the table, although they were well-mannered and refrained from asking too many questions, it was obvious that they were all curiously glancing at the two of them.
Her second uncle had already inquired about her father’s situation. He only knew that her father had passed away and was unaware that her mother had followed soon after. After a long sigh, he said to her, “Yan’er, don’t worry. Now that your parents have passed, consider yourself as my own daughter. If you ever encounter any difficulties at your husband’s home, treat this place as your own natal family.”
To emphasize this point, her second uncle spoke up first, “I wonder if this food suits your taste? Yan’er, if you have any cravings, just let us know, and the kitchen will make it for you tomorrow.” After speaking, he looked at her with a concerned and eager expression.
Hua Yan had no choice but to say, “…Everything is fine!”
Just stop watching every bite I take!
It was really awkward!
Lu Chengsha, sitting next to her, received similar treatment.
With a smile, Madam Xue used the serving chopsticks to place another piece of food in Hua Yan’s bowl, saying, “Eat more. Seeing you so thin makes my heart ache.”
Before leaving, Xie Yingxian had even remarked that she had gained weight. How could this be?
The food was indeed delicious. Under normal circumstances, Hua Yan would have praised it to no end, but now she felt like she had something stuck in her throat. She had to say, “…Why don’t you all eat as well?”
Stop staring at us!
Lu Chengsha was clearly also uncomfortable with the excessive attention. As he focused on eating, he noticed a large pile of food being added to his bowl. Turning his head, he saw Hua Yan looking at him with a pleading expression; her bowl was already heaped with food from Madam Xue.
Hua Yan said, “…You should eat more too!”
Lu Chengsha thought for a moment and then added some food to her bowl.
Hua Yan: “…???”
Lu Chengsha: “Eat more.”
Why are you suddenly acting rebellious now?
Hua Yan quickly transferred the food from her bowl back to his and added a few more pieces, piling it up high before she felt satisfied and put down her chopsticks.
Initially, she didn’t think much of it, but then she noticed the gazes around her becoming even more intense.
Her cousin-in-law chuckled, then quickly covered her mouth, realizing it was impolite.
Hua Yan’s face started to heat up again.
During the meal, none of the younger ones spoke. After the meal, Hua Yan and Lu Chengsha unloaded about twenty gifts from the carriage, distributing them like benevolent givers to everyone they met, from the cooks to the servants, not missing a single person. The younger relatives also received gifts, and it was then that she realized they hadn’t spoken earlier because it was inappropriate for them to do so in the presence of elders at the dining table.
“Thank you, cousin!”
“Cousin is so nice!”
Her delicate younger cousin was busy unwrapping a box while curiously asking, “Where did brother-in-law study? Did he pass any exams? I heard this year’s provincial exam was really tough…”
Hua Yan was sipping tea to aid digestion and nearly spit out a mouthful.
Lu Chengsha turned his head in bewilderment.
His younger cousin immediately covered her brother’s mouth and said, “What are you asking for? Brother-in-law looks like he took the martial exams!”
Hua Yan thought, luckily I’m not drinking water now. She wiped her mouth and said, “No…!” If Lu Chengsha took the martial exams, it would be akin to cheating.
She then considered that her father’s family, being scholars for generations, would know nothing about the Jianghu, and explaining it might not make sense to them. Then, remembering the main business of Tingjian Manor, she changed her tone and said, “…His family sells swords and weapons.”
Lu Chengsha: “…?”
The younger cousin suddenly realized, “…So he’s a blacksmith! No wonder brother-in-law looks so strong.”
Lu Chengsha turned to look at Hua Yan.
Hua Yan patted his shoulder and said, “…This explanation is easier for them to understand!”
Just then, her older cousin came over holding his child, laughing, “Brother-in-law must be a swordsman. I see the sword on his back is quite extraordinary. Uncle used to read a lot of Jianghu chivalry stories to me. Unfortunately, I borrowed his books back then and haven’t returned them yet…”
There’s someone who understands here!
Hua Yan felt an instant connection and said, “You’ve read those too… It’s okay, my father bought many chivalry stories later on, enough to fill a whole cabinet.”
Her older cousin blinked and said, “Keep your voice down, it’s not good if my father hears. He doesn’t let us read idle books.” He sighed, “I still have to take the metropolitan exam.”
Hua Yan was about to respond when she suddenly felt a warmth on her cheek. Lu Chengsha leaned close to her ear and asked, “…What’s the metropolitan exam?”
His warm breath tickled her earlobe.
Her cheeks instantly turned red, and she whispered back, “I’ll explain tonight.”
Lu Chengsha replied, “Okay.”
But looking over, she saw her younger cousins covering their eyes and turning their heads away.
Hua Yan’s face turned even redder.
Wait a minute! They haven’t done anything! They were just talking!
Her cousin’s baby, who had been sleeping, suddenly woke up and started to fuss. The baby’s mother quickly came over to soothe him, and soon the little one stopped crying, looking curiously at the newcomers with wide eyes.
Hua Yan was also a bit curious.
Her cousin’s wife, holding the baby, smiled and said, “He’s very well-behaved. Would you like to hold him?”
The baby was still very small, looking like a little pink bundle, delicate and adorable. Hua Yan was a bit nervous. “Can I hold him…?”
Her cousin’s wife laughed again. “He doesn’t mind strangers. Go ahead and hold him.”
Indeed, the little pink bundle didn’t struggle when transferred from his mother’s arms to Hua Yan’s. Instead, he continued to giggle, his big eyes blinking, and his soft chubby hand gently tugging at Hua Yan’s hair.
Finding it amusing, she couldn’t help but turn to show Lu Chengsha.
Unexpectedly, Lu Chengsha looked very stiff.
Hua Yan immediately said, “Do you want to hold him too?”
Lu Chengsha’s expression seemed a bit strained.
Hua Yan suddenly understood. “Oh, you don’t like children, do you?”
Lu Chengsha shook his head. “…I’m afraid of breaking him.”
He always felt that such fragile beings weren’t suitable for him to handle, fearing he would be clumsy.
As they were talking, her cousin’s wife overheard and said, “Don’t worry, just be gentle. If you’re this nervous now, what will you do when you have your own children?”
Hua Yan and Lu Chengsha both froze.
Seeing their reaction, her cousin’s wife asked, “Hmm? Have you not thought about it? How long have you been married?”
Hua Yan stammered, “…Only a month or two.”
Her cousin’s wife leaned in and whispered a few questions in her ear, making Hua Yan feel even more flustered. Holding the baby who was still smiling at her, she felt dizzy.
Oh my, do we really have to talk about this?
Biting her lip, she leaned closer and whispered a couple of sentences almost directly into her cousin’s wife’s ear.
Her cousin’s wife smiled mischievously and said, “You really haven’t been married long. But with this kind of worry, a happy event might come soon. You’ll need to start preparing early… Your parents passed away early, so they probably didn’t have the chance to tell you. There are quite a few things to keep in mind. I’ll explain everything to you later.”
Hua Yan’s face turned as red as a ripe fruit. She could only manage a soft “Oh” before quickly returning the baby to his mother.
Lu Chengsha, having only partially understood the conversation, came over and whispered to her, “What was she saying to you earlier? And what did she mean by ‘those times’…?”
His hearing was incredibly sharp. Even though the whispers were quiet, being so close, he could hear them, though the vague words left him uncertain.
Or maybe he understood but wasn’t sure.
Hua Yan couldn’t help but push him, “…Stop asking!”
Lu Chengsha’s gaze slowly lowered.
Hua Yan quickly covered his dark eyes with her hand, feeling increasingly flustered.
Fortunately, her second uncle soon called Lu Chengsha away.
Only then did Hua Yan manage to breathe a sigh of relief, but as she rubbed her face, she suddenly realized that with their current carefree behavior, something could indeed happen.
She had once boldly shared a silly idea with Lu Chengsha, but back then, they barely had any opportunities for intimacy, so nothing could happen. Now, things were different.
Something really could happen!
Later, they chatted a bit more, but Hua Yan remained somewhat distracted.
Since they were already married, they were naturally arranged to stay in the same room at night.
When Lu Chengsha returned, Hua Yan, wrapped in a blanket, casually asked, “What did my second uncle talk to you about?”
Hearing this, Lu Chengsha recounted, “He patted my shoulder, asked if I needed money, if I wanted to stay here permanently, and told me to take good care of you…” He paused, “…Even if he didn’t say it, I would.”
Hua Yan bit her lip, wrapping the blanket tighter around herself, and softly asked, “…Do you actually like children?”
Lu Chengsha was stunned and instinctively walked over.
Hua Yan, playing with the blanket on the bed, suddenly felt his presence looming over her. Startled, she saw his gaze fixated on her stomach, looking quite anxious.
“—No, don’t overthink it. There’s nothing there right now!” Hua Yan said with a blank expression.
“Oh.” Lu Chengsha responded, but his tone inexplicably dropped.
Hua Yan: “…???”
You haven’t even answered my question! Why are you feeling disappointed now?