Chapter 280 - 279: Clan Relatives
Yunluo’s gaze was as calm as water, but no one knew that the palm of her hand hidden in her sleeve already had a row of crescent moon-shaped marks.
She glanced at Lian Family, then let her gaze fall back on Gui Family.
Lian Family thought Yunluo didn’t recognize Gui Family, so she helped to introduce, "Lian Xiao’s wife, this is the clan leader’s daughter-in-law, you can call her Third Aunt Hu."
Gui Family’s smile grew deeper, and she warmly spoke a few words, yielding no smile from Yunluo, which made Gui Family hesitate and say to Madam Wu, "You see, this child is still a bit shy."
Madam Wu was unconcerned: "New daughter-in-law meeting the family for the first time, how many people can you expect her to remember? Fortunately, not everyone in the clan came, otherwise, even an old woman like me wouldn’t remember them."
Gui Family quickly laughed along and said, "Madam Wu speaks rightly, it reminds me of when I first met the family, oh dear, I couldn’t remember everyone, but luckily, my mother-in-law was as understanding as you."
Yunluo slightly pursed her lips.
Gui Family’s words were intended to flatter her, flatter Madam Wu, and also flatter the clan leader’s wife.
Yunluo saw clearly that as Gui Family was speaking, she kept sneaking looks at the clan leader’s wife, but the wife remained expressionless, making it uncertain if the flattery hit its mark.
In Yunluo’s memory, Gui Family was the most adept at following the tide.
Her husband was the eldest son of the clan leader, third in the clan, named simply "Hu," so in the clan, he was called Third Master Xu, hence Lian Family told Yunluo to call her "Third Aunt Hu."
Though of the clan leader’s branch, the prosperity and glory of Mu Family were all vested in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, earned through the military achievements of the Old Marquis Mu Shi Yuan and his father, ultimately winning the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
Over generations, the Marquis Mansion had supported the clan considerably, and to speak frankly, the clan leader and his wife relied heavily on the Marquis Mansion.
This became even more apparent years later when Third Master Xu took over the position of the clan leader.
Currently, with Madam Wu presiding in the Marquis Mansion and the longhouse having Lian Xiao as the princely heir, Gui Family leaned towards the longhouse. Yet Yunluo understood that once the longhouse lost its support, allowing Lian Family to dominate the Marquis Mansion, Gui Family fully favored Lian Family.
Frankly, this isn’t a matter of right or wrong; riding with the tide is human nature.
Furthermore, with the clan dependent on the Marquis Mansion, Gui Family obeying Lian Family is understandable.
However, understanding is one thing, accepting is another.
Yunluo hated Gui Family—as if words could kill, she had already died in her past life.
No, she truly had died long ago, for her heart had already died.
The subsequent decades were merely opening and closing eyes day after day, much like Mrs. Xu later on.
But Yunluo was grateful for those decades which allowed her to live until the end, to learn the truth of past affairs, to kneel before Buddha and repeatedly reflect, examine the past, and understand her own heart.
Perhaps it was just those six months that allowed her to return to her maiden days, granting her an opportunity to start anew.
To love Mu Lianxiao well for once, to live well for once.
Decades can pass in the blink of an eye, or seem like an eternity to endure; Yunluo never forgot the previous pain, nor did she dare to forget.
Yunluo lifted her eyelids, bowed respectfully, and called "Third Aunt Hu."
She thought, this time, she wouldn’t give Gui Family the chance to side with Lian Family, nor allow Gui Family to be arrogant and domineering in the clan like in her past life, with the Marquis Mansion as her backing.
Today, the clan members who came were all reputable; after the family introductions, Lian Family hosted a banquet in the Flower Hall.
Yunluo sat below Mrs. Zhou.
The banquet was lively, and Mrs. Zhou, as the new mother-in-law, was often invited and persuaded to drink a couple more glasses.
Mrs. Zhou, though a woman, had a great capacity for alcohol, unlike her sisters-in-law, so after she drank a few cups, others stopped.
Yunluo had only a little food, and Mu Lianhui asked her with a smile, "Are you not used to the food? I’ve forgotten to ask what you like in the past times, or today we could have had some dishes you like."
Yunluo smiled mildly; explaining she eats anything, doesn’t avoid, or have preferences would seem insincere.
Her gaze glanced over the sugared lotus roots, and Yunluo said, "My grandmother liked spicy food, and my mother liked bland food. As I dined with them daily, I became accustomed to eating anything. If I have a preference, it’s for sweet flavors. The sugared lotus root is just right, as is..."
Yunluo’s eyes glanced playfully towards Madam Wu: "Did you pick a couple of drunken jujubes earlier? I caught the sweet aroma."
Madam Wu was slightly stunned, then smiled: "Such a jujube lover! My drunken jujubes are not just drunken but also extremely sweet; none of them like it. I pick two from a jar a day, and they never make it to the table. Since you like them, Ah Dan, give her a couple to try."
Nanny Shan responded with a smile, fetched a small jar, and served a couple to Yunluo.
Yunluo tasted delicately, then smiled and said, "Indeed, as Madam Wu said, extremely sweet."
Madam Wu clapped her hands, instructing Nanny Shan, "Give her half a jar to take to Shaohui Garden."
Mrs. Zhou waved her hand and said, "Madam Wu, best keep it in Baijie Hall, and let the young couple join you for dinner in your room."
Madam Wu laughed and scolded, "Look at this pair of mother and daughter-in-law, the young one asking me for jujubes while the older one even covets my dinner."
With those words, the people at the table naturally laughed and agreed.
Lian Family laughed heartily, secretly glancing at Yunluo, then at Mu Lianhui.
Mu Lianhui seemed oblivious, sipping a spoonful of soup with her head down.
Lian Family felt her heart burn, not for Yunluo, but for Mu Lianhui. She found it increasingly difficult to understand her daughter, making it hard to worry even if she wanted to.
Mu Yuanjing snorted coldly, the sound neither too light nor too heavy, only earning a sidelong glance from Madam Wu, with no one else paying attention.
Lian Family ground her back teeth, filled with resentment, she too wanted to snort and vent her frustration, but she could only hold her demeanor and accompany it with a smile.
As they broke up the table, clan members prepared to leave.
Gui Family sought out Yunluo to talk: "Being a new daughter-in-law is busy in the beginning. When you have time, I’ll come to the mansion, and there are a few daughters-in-law in the clan around your age, though I don’t know if you will get along."
Yunluo blandly made no sign of agreement or disagreement.
Mu Lianxiao was speaking with Mu Lianyu and happened to glance over at Yunluo, seeing the scene.
Before he could think further, the clan leader called him, and Mu Lianxiao focused on listening to the clan leader’s instructions.
After the clan members left, Mu Yuanjing immediately turned to leave, and Mrs. Xu and Mrs. Lu excused themselves with Madam Wu and left too.
Mrs. Zhou said to Yunluo, "Go back to Shaohui Garden and arrange things. Later, have Lianxiao accompany you to become familiar with the mansion, and come back after that."
Yunluo nodded in agreement, and when Mu Lianxiao came over, she gave him a brilliant smile.
Mu Lianxiao also smiled, and the two of them walked out of Baijie Hall one before the other.