Chapter 473: Chapter 472: Opportunity
Compared to the turmoil of the Lian Family, Jiang Yunuan was extremely calm at this moment.
In this room, she didn’t need to use tears to express joy, nor did she need to show sorrow.
Sister Niang sat on Jiang Yunuan’s lap, her big round eyes warily watching Brother Yan and the others.
"Mother, who is that?" Sister Niang asked.
Jiang Yunuan did not look up but lowered her eyelids, whispering in Sister Niang’s ear: "They are your siblings, don’t be afraid. They are them, and you are you. Father and Mother still love you the most."
Hearing this, Sister Niang relaxed a lot and hugged Jiang Yunuan’s neck tightly.
The mother and daughter were immersed in their own small world, seemingly untouched by the joy and sorrow of others around them.
Madam Wu cried for a while, and after finally calming down, she washed up with the help of Nanny Shan.
Mrs. Xu also tidied up and called Zhuang Ke forward.
"Old Madam, this is Lian Kang’s wife, and there are two children."
When Zhuang Ke raised her head, the Lian Family finally noticed her eyes and couldn’t help but be startled; Mu Liankang’s wife’s eyes were actually blue.
At that time, she and Mu Yuanmou thought that without the pedigree of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, Mu Liankang would surely marry a commoner. Unexpectedly, his wife turned out not to be purely Han.
The tears the Lian Family forced out were immediately retracted, almost bursting into laughter.
The wife is not Han, and the eldest son and daughter have barbarian blood; Mu Liankang wanting to compete with Mu Liancheng for the title is simply dreaming!
Not sure if they can speak Han, if they open their mouths in barbarian language, it would be hilarious!
"Granddaughter-in-law greets grandmother, these years not knowing husband’s origins, I have never come to kowtow and greet grandmother..."
Zhuang Ke’s words reached the ears of the Lian Family word by word.
The Lian Family had just been thinking that Zhuang Ke couldn’t speak Han language, but opening her mouth, it was so clear and natural, with a pure tone from the Capital area.
The latter half of Zhuang Ke’s speech, the Lian Family could not hear, hating in her heart; this is no barbarian! Without looking at her eyes, one would believe her to be a noble from the Capital.
Her way of speaking, her manners, made the Lian Family’s eyes almost bleed.
She took a deep breath, desperately calming herself; as long as Zhuang Ke’s eyes are blue, she’s foreign, no matter how well she speaks Han, she’s "not one of us."
Besides, Mrs. Xu’s attitude seemed to not reject this daughter-in-law.
The Lian Family thought fiercely, it’s fine if you don’t reject, let this Alien Clan person come in, let their branch request a reunion, and just go be reunited.
Madam Wu looked at Zhuang Ke; it was impossible not to be surprised, but having lived in the Northern Border in her youth, she’d had contact with some barbarians, seeing Zhuang Ke’s serene eyes, gentle attitude, not arousing rejection.
"Good child, what’s your name?" Madam Wu asked her.
"Zhuang Ke, my father’s Han, surname Zhuang, chose this name for me," Zhuang Ke said.
Madam Wu pondered softly.
"To choose such a name, seems he’s a scholar," the Lian Family smiled, "possibly of noble birth. Since we’re now family through marriage, if in the Capital, we should visit often."
In the Capital area, no nobles with surname Zhuang, looking across the nation, none either, Zhuang Ke’s background must not be high, the Lian Family wanted to hear Zhuang Ke’s answer, wanting this new wife to understand, the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s status wasn’t originally so low.
Zhuang Ke listened to the Lian Family, having heard from Mrs. Xu she was second aunt Lian Family, Zhuang Ke smiled lightly.
It’s this person’s husband, for selfish desire, killed so many kin, nearly killed Mu Liankang.
With hatred in her heart, on the surface Zhuang Ke maintained decorum: "Father lived outside the pass for over a decade, never mentioned his background, I don’t even know his name."
The Lian Family’s eyes brightened, gently coughing to disguise her mockery: "That’s truly unfortunate."
"Not knowing means the chance hasn’t come," Madam Wu didn’t mind at all, having pondered such matters before the Bodhisattva; many things are destined, when the time’s right, all will naturally fall into place, "These years, thanks to you taking care of Lian Kang."
Zhuang Ke smiled.
Madam Wu saw Sister Ying and Brother Hui.
Sister Ying followed Zhuang Ke’s lead calling people; "Great-Grandmother" delighted Madam Wu, who ordered Nanny Shan to give a greeting gift.
Brother Hui’s speech was still a bit sticky, but that didn’t affect Madam Wu’s joy; suddenly having three more children, revived Madam Wu.
Du Yunluo smiled broadly, seeing Mrs. Xu pleased with Zhuang Ke as a daughter-in-law, went outside to retrieve a brocade box.
"Third aunt," Du Yunluo opened the box, inside lay Mrs. Xu’s jade bracelet and golden lock, "When I married in, you told me, this bracelet was originally for the daughter-in-law, only big brother disappeared; you might never see big sister-in-law, so gave it to me.
And this golden lock, left by your mother for her grandchildren.
Now, big brother brought big sister-in-law, and children back, this jade bracelet and golden lock, I’m returning them."
Mrs. Xu looked at the two items, recalling years of hardship, nearly tearing up again.
With trembling hands she took the box, her fingers caressing the jade bracelet, then gently took Zhuang Ke’s hand, carefully putting on the jade bracelet: "This time, finally putting this bracelet on my daughter-in-law."
Zhuang Ke’s eyes grew misty, though optimistic by nature, meeting the mother-in-law, there was some anxiety, fearing rejection.
But at this moment, she was utterly at peace.
Du Yunluo was right, some didn’t wish their return, but inside this family, some sincerely expected them, treating Mu Liankang well, naturally extending that affection to her.
Zhuang Ke embraced Brother Hui over, Mrs. Xu put on the golden lock, adjusted the red string, warmed the lock with her hands, then tucked it back inside Brother Hui’s clothes.
Madam Wu gently patted Brother Hui’s head, tenderly told Zhuang Ke: "Today get acquainted with the people of the mansion, in a few days, we’ll invite the elder from the clan over, you can recognize relatives."
Zhuang Ke nodded, went with Mu Liankang to greet Mrs. Zhou, then to pay respects to Mu Yuanmou and the Lian Family.
Both sides internally stirred, outwardly showing peace, hiding underlying waves.
Next was Mu Liancheng and his wife.
Jiang Yunuan, who had kept her head down, had to raise it, her glance swiftly passing over Mu Liankang’s face, making herself not look again, focusing entirely on Zhuang Ke.