GBP Chapter 111 The Bride Meets Her Husband's Family
Chapter 111 The Bride Meets Her Husband's Family
This was Chi Guiwan's first time meeting her father-in-law and brother-in-law. Although they had changed into casual clothes, they had a bleak and solemn air about them because they had served as generals on the border for many years.
Even their skin color was completely different from Qiao Er's. Therefore, when the three of them were together, it was immediately clear that the general living in a life of wealth and comfort was different from the general guarding the frontier in the bitter cold.
"Son, daughter-in-law, serve tea to your father."
"Yes, you are a good match for a family. I hope you two will have a harmonious marriage in the future."
After accepting the tea, she drank it all in one gulp and gave the two of them generous red envelopes. Her decisive attitude let Chi Guiwan know that she was over the painful days of not having to endure pressure from her elders.
She then paid her respects to her elder brother and sister-in-law. The two had been married for many years and were both serious and resolute. However, compared to her brother, her sister-in-law, Kong, she appeared much gentler. With the four little ones standing beside her, Chi Guiwan was clearly more cheerful when she paid her respects to them than when she paid her respects to her father-in-law.
"Younger brother and sister-in-law, please serve tea to your elder brother and sister-in-law."
"Well, now that you're married, you should act like one. The Qiao family's ancestral teachings forbid fooling around outside. Just live a good life with your younger siblings, or I'll have your sister-in-law break your legs!"
General Qiao spoke sternly before drinking tea, and Qiao Er was clearly afraid of his older brother.
He nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice, then looked at his sister-in-law, Kong, with pleading eyes. Kong smiled slightly and gave him some instructions.
“Your elder brother is right! But Xiao Er has been doing a very good job in the Eastern Palace these days. Now that your sister-in-law has married in, he will naturally settle down. Husband, don’t be impatient. He wouldn’t dare to have any other thoughts.”
"Yes, yes, I wouldn't dare, elder brother."
Upon hearing this, Chi Guiwan couldn't help but chuckle. This made General Qiao look up. This sister-in-law looked as delicate as a flower that would be broken if it experienced wind and rain. Could she tame his younger brother?
But before his worries could even arise, he saw Chi Guiwan clench her fist and say something cheerful and generous.
"Brother, don't worry. I've been practicing my soft whip skills diligently these past few days. If my husband dares to have any improper thoughts about me, hmph, you don't even need to lift a finger, I'll be the first to subdue him."
Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this.
But soon everyone burst into laughter, and even the usually serious General Qiao smiled, stroking his short beard and thinking that this daughter-in-law was really good.
Qiao Er sighed indulgently, "Alright then, I hope you'll be lenient with me in the future, Madam!"
In terms of martial arts, even ten Chi Guiwans couldn't beat one Qiao Er. But Qiao Er would be considerate and give in, so Chi Guiwan doesn't need to use her full strength. Even if she only uses 30% of her strength, she can still beat Qiao Er until he's crying for his parents.
Afterwards, the two also served tea to their uncle's family. After receiving the red envelopes, Chi Guiwan was not stingy and instead asked Qianchun to step forward and present the gifts she had prepared to everyone.
Grandma Qiao's jade ruyi was said to have a calming effect.
General Qiao and General Qiao possess the finest wound medicine, capable of removing rotten bones and healing severe injuries.
The paintings and calligraphy by the eldest sister-in-law, surnamed Kong, are works by a famous artist that have been lost for a long time.
For my second uncle's family, we gave them two potted plants of the auspicious "Gemstone Cloud Landscape".
As for the four little ones, each of them received a silver coin of two thousand taels and an auspicious embroidered purse. Qiao Ruofu and her brother Qiao Ruolian received the same, except that Qiao Ruofu also received a gold lock with a porch pattern, which was obviously very valuable.
"This gold lock was part of my mother's dowry. My maternal grandfather specially selected it from the tribute bestowed by His Majesty. It has a very auspicious meaning. Giving it to my cousin Fu is also a way of congratulating you on your marriage in advance."
Chi Guiwan's words stirred up Qiao Ruofu's sadness at not being able to marry into the Eastern Palace.
Her eyes reddened slightly, and she looked as if she was about to cry.
But she still held back, looked up at Chi Guiwan and bowed, saying, "Thank you very much, Second Sister-in-law. I really like this gift and will cherish it."
Chi Guiwan hesitated, but fearing she might say the wrong thing, she decided to keep quiet.
She was naturally happy that her good friend Lingyi had become the only Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace, but seeing Qiao Ruofu's distressed and troubled appearance, she also felt truly sorry for her.
Right now, she's just hoping that Qin Sanlang from her aunt's family can ease her sorrow. The world is vast, and there are plenty of good men out there.
After getting to know the Qiao family, Chi Guiwan had breakfast with them before returning to the bridal chamber.
Qiao Er went to the study with his father and brothers, so only Chi Guiwan returned with the rest of the group.
The courtyard where they lived had long since been given a new sign: Sijin Courtyard.
It was clearly a place where the daughter lived, but Qiao Er didn't care. He even set aside a large open space for a gardener to carefully tend to the precious flowers and plants that came with her dowry.
The courtyard was a generation larger than the one Chi Guiwan lived in within the Vice Minister's residence, especially with two smaller side courtyards next to it. In this way, even if they had four or five children, there would be enough room for them to live in.
Sitting on the chair, Chi Guiwan massaged her legs and said wearily.
"Being a bride is really tiring. If I hadn't learned these etiquette rules from Granny Zong, I'm afraid I would have made a fool of myself in front of everyone."
"Second Young Madam, what are you saying? The Qiao family is truly a distinguished family. This old servant has seen many high-ranking families, all of which are polite on the surface but corrupt on the inside. But the Qiao family is different. They have been very tolerant of you. Otherwise, given what you said before about wanting to beat up your husband, if it were any other family, they would have surely fallen out!"
Granny Nian reminded her from the side.
"My bad, my bad. I spoke too quickly. I'll be more careful next time!"
Qianchun and Fudong are now living a happy life. Seeing their daughter married so well and smoothly, they are naturally beaming with joy. Unfortunately, this happiness did not last long. Eventually, the news of the fight between the Chi family and the Lü family, which even went to court, came to light.
"I was afraid you'd overthink things, so I made a special trip to tell you about this. The Lü family is really outrageous. They caused such a scene back then. If your father hadn't swallowed his anger and married the second daughter off to them, this matter would probably still be unresolved. Now they've caused another scene at your wedding banquet. It's bound to end badly. When you return to your parents' home on your third day after the wedding, you'll definitely have to deal with this. I'm taking the liberty of coming here today to offer some advice. Please don't overthink it, sister-in-law."
The words of her sister-in-law, Kong, immediately made Chi Guiwan's expression serious.
“What are you saying, sister-in-law? I’ve always been indecisive since I was little. Before I married into the family, my aunt and Lingyi both told me that I should listen to you and my grandmother in everything, and that you wouldn’t harm me. So I’ll do whatever you say!”
Chi Guiwan's complete surrender of herself to Kong Shi softened his heart considerably.
Looking at his younger brother and sister-in-law, who were much younger than him, he said with great affection.
"Just bring some valuable medicinal herbs. Pretend to be an innocent and weak person. Your father can decide whatever he wants. But remember, you must not have any opinions or suggestions regarding the handling of your second sister and the Lü family. Don't become someone else's tool for no reason, understand?"