The Pei family’s wedding had attendees ranging from members of the palace to the local generals of the Capital Camp.
Aside from the official banquet, there were open-house banquets, which lasted until late at night.
The festive atmosphere lingered to the following day, and everyone wore cheerful expressions. Although Fu Zhen didn’t claim to fully understand the Pei family members’ temperaments, she had a good grasp on it. She knew how to navigate the tea ceremony interactions effortlessly.
Recently, Pei Yu and his wife had pleasant dealings with Mrs. Ning while preparing for the wedding, which made them very accepting of Fu Zhen, the new daughter-in-law.
Mrs. Pei wanted to build a good relationship with her daughter-in-law, so she gave Fu Zhen a pair of jade Ruyis and entrusted her with the household management.
Fu Zhen felt it was a bit overwhelming: "How could I accept this? I’ve just arrived and understand nothing. Mother should continue to manage it."
Pei Zhan, however, coughed from the side: "If it’s given by Mother, refusing would be disrespectful. Accepting it would be showing filial respect."
Pei Yu also added: "Girl, don’t consider yourself an outsider here. Since my great-grandfather’s time, the Pei family has always had the daughter-in-law in charge. There’s no precedent for in-laws to dominate the daughter-in-law!
Mrs. Pei nodded repeatedly: "Exactly! If Zhan Er doesn’t treat you well, you can let us know!"
This couple wasn’t usually this attentive, so Fu Zhen guessed they were saying this to put her at ease, possibly because of Mrs. Ning’s previous experiences at the Fu family. Although she didn’t need it, she felt warm inside and respectfully replied: "Then as a daughter-in-law, I’ll accept it. Please do guide me often in the future, Father and Mother."
Calling them "daughter-in-law" and "Father and Mother" immediately felt awkward, as she had addressed them as big brother and sister-in-law for over a decade! This sudden change felt like a drop in rank!
But one has to get used to it, slowly adapting.
Afterward, she exchanged greetings with Pei Mu.
Fu Zhen recalled this kid being as mischievous as a monkey six years ago, yet now he had grown tall and well-mannered. He politely greeted her as sister-in-law and stood beside her with his hands lowered, as if he didn’t dare to make a sound...
Leaving the hall, Fu Zhen was puzzled: "What’s wrong with Mu Brother? He seems to fear me."
Pei Zhan, walking at a leisurely pace, touched his nose: "You are the eldest sister-in-law; he should respect you."
"That’s too respectful," Fu Zhen glanced at him, "I saw him walk off the steps in sync with his hands and feet."
Pei Zhan thought for a moment: "An eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. If you find anything inappropriate with him, you can definitely discipline him."
Fu Zhen was speechless. Was that what she meant?
Forget it. She raised the roster in her hand and changed the topic: "Is it really appropriate for me to manage this?"
"It’s very appropriate." Pei Zhan stopped under the corridor, "You’re the main wife, who else but you should manage it? Although our marriage had preconditions, the responsibilities you should bear — surely you wouldn’t want to shirk them?"
"Let me be frank with you," Pei Zhan interrupted her, "Before you married in, I was already managing everything at home.
"As for the household management, my mother was . If you don’t take over, things will come back to me.
"Now that we’re married, whether real or not, we are husband and wife. Can’t you reciprocate for the help I’ve offered you and lend me a hand?"
Fu Zhen looked at him, speechless for a long time.
After saying this, how could she possibly refuse?
Saying no would practically write "ungrateful" above her head!
Pei Zhan pushed the roster into her arms; she glared at him and walked away without looking back.
Pei Mu happened to come over, holding the gifts Fu Zhen had given him as a meeting present, and seeing Pei Zhan with a smile that nearly reached his eyebrows, said, "Brother, what’s wrong with you? Is your face cramping?"
Pei Zhan glared at him, then his eyes fell on the various sizes of boxes in Pei Mu’s arms. He pulled out two boxes of tea: "You’re not used to this; give it to me."
And with that, he walked away with them.
Pei Mu felt a lump in his throat: "Why do you get to drink it just because we have the same parents, and I don’t?!"
Fu Zhen spent a day organizing the household finances. Since there weren’t any chaotic affairs in the Pei family, and Pei Zhan’s subordinates were very capable, there wasn’t much to worry about.
Regarding financial management, she’d sort out what she understood. If unsure, she’d note it down. On the day of her return visit to the Ning family, she planned to consult Mrs. Ning in person.
Seeing Fu Zhen looking refreshed and at ease, any lingering worries Mrs. Ning had were eliminated. Compared to the reluctance the day she left for marriage, today’s reunion could even be called joyful. Google seaʀᴄh novęlfire.net
From the moment Fu Zhen entered, Ning Jia was almost constantly by her side, sizing her up, sometimes deep in thought, sometimes sighing, occasionally calling her sister.
The Ning family also hosted a few banquets that day. All the shopkeepers from the Capital came, along with the Liang and Cheng families, and also Xie Zhang and Xie Yu.
Upon seeing Liang Zhi, Xie Yu immediately sported a toothy grin. Her round rosy face turned red with anger, but at that moment, Fu Zhen was busy teasing Liang Xuan, so she didn’t get the chance to inquire about what issue had arisen between them.
Pei Zhan sat with Liang Zhi and Cheng Chili at a table, being toasted one cup after another until he finally passed out drunk.
Liang Zhi and Cheng Chili supported him as Mrs. Ning calmly led the way to the former pavilion where Fu Zhen had lived, saying: "From now on, this will be Zhen Er and her husband’s courtyard. I’ve arranged for a new side entrance leading outside the mansion to be opened in a couple of days.
"This way, when they stay here, the young generals can visit anytime."
Fu Zhen was overjoyed, her gratitude towards Mrs. Ning beyond words.
After the feast ended, Mrs. Ning assigned Fu Zhen three shopkeepers with over twenty years of experience to manage the shops and land, appointing one as the head shopkeeper.
After mother and daughter finished their conversation, they went outside where everyone was getting ready to leave.
As Mrs. Ning was seeing off the guests, Fu Zhen noticed Liang Zhi and Cheng Chili frequently glancing back, aware they had something to say. Thus she invited them: "We’re only going back to the Pei Mansion after dinner. Why don’t you both stay and join us?"
Liang Zhi immediately said: "Okay! Just don’t know if it would trouble Aunt Ning?"
Mrs. Ning smiled: "Our humble home is quiet, but you generals are my honored guests. If you don’t mind our lacking hospitality, I hope you’ll visit often." I’ll just give the orders; you can go to the garden and chat."
Fu Zhen promptly led the two into the garden.
Upon entering the open pavilion, Liang Zhi exclaimed: "Finally, the wedding is over! Aunt, did you know there was a bit of a commotion at your wedding banquet that day!"
Fu Zhen knew something was up: "Who was it?"
"He Qunying and Zhang Shicheng had a confrontation! If we hadn’t been at the next table, they might have even started a fight!"
(The wedding is over! Please vote!)