Chapter 53: Paying Respects to the Ancestors of the Ou Family  

Yang Xiaolin grew even more furious as she watched Yang Dapeng’s departing figure. When had Yang Dapeng ever reprimanded her before? Yet now, because of Yang Xiaoyun, he had scolded her repeatedly.  

Yang Xiaoyun, you’d better pray that you truly marry into the Ou family. Otherwise, Yang Xiaolin would make sure she suffered the consequences.  

Yang Xiaoyun returned to her bedroom, feeling a bit uneasy. Why would the Ou family suddenly host a banquet at this time? Were they planning to use this event to make some kind of announcement?  

She was far too curious. She did not want to wait until that day to find out what it was—she wanted to know right now.  

So, she called Lin Zhenzhu. Given their close relationship, she was certain that as long as she asked, Lin Zhenzhu would tell her.  

The call connected quickly.  

“Hello, Xiaoyun!” Lin Zhenzhu spoke first.  

Yang Xiaoyun said: “Grandmother, has your health been better lately?”  

Lin Zhenzhu replied: “I’m doing quite well, thank you for your concern!”  

Yang Xiaoyun continued: “Grandmother, Second Young Master Ou came to our house today and delivered an invitation. He said we are invited to attend the banquet hosted by the Ou family.”  

Lin Zhenzhu chuckled: “Hehe… yes, that’s right. Make sure your whole family arrives early!”  

Yang Xiaoyun responded: “Mm, we will be there on time. Grandmother, is this banquet being held to announce something?”  

Lin Zhenzhu laughed again. “Hehe… Xiaoyun, you’re so clever! You actually guessed it!”  

So, it was true. Yang Xiaoyun went straight to the point. “Grandmother, what exactly is going to be announced? Can you tell me in advance?”  

Lin Zhenzhu replied: “It’s something good, that’s all I can say. You’ll find out when you come. I have some things to take care of, so I won’t chat for long. Just remember to be there… ah!”  

“Alright, goodbye, Grandmother!”  

After hanging up, Yang Xiaoyun pondered over Lin Zhenzhu’s words. What kind of good news could it be?  

Given how much Lin Zhenzhu adored her, could she be referring to her and Ou Zichen’s engagement? Was she planning to take this opportunity to announce their marriage?  

But hadn’t Ou Zichen rejected her last time?  

Then again, she knew that Ou Zichen always obeyed Lin Zhenzhu. If Lin Zhenzhu insisted that he marry her, he would surely comply.  

That meant there was a real possibility that this banquet was being held to announce her marriage to Ou Zichen.  

Thinking of this, Yang Xiaoyun became incredibly excited. She was about to marry Ou Zichen and become the esteemed Madam Ou.  

However, the “good news” in Yang Xiaoyun’s mind was entirely different from what Lin Zhenzhu had intended. When the day arrived, reality would strike her hard. Let’s see if she would still be so self-satisfied then.  

—  

In the blink of an eye, July 25th arrived.  

On this day, the Ou family estate was bustling from early morning.  

The wedding planning company had also arrived at dawn to begin decorating the venue at the Ou Family Estate.

The chefs were also busy, preparing the delicious dishes for today’s banquet.  

Since this was an important event for the Ou family, not even the slightest mistake could be allowed. Everyone carried out their respective duties diligently, working with utmost care.  

According to the Ou family’s traditions, the person celebrating their birthday had to offer incense and pay respects to the family’s ancestors on that day.  

Zhao Jiaying woke up early and changed into a light purple princess dress. The servants braided two small sections of her front hair and placed a platinum tiara on her head.  

She looked incredibly lively and adorable, like a little treasure that everyone adored at first sight.  

When Lin Zhenzhu saw Zhao Jiaying looking so charming, she was overjoyed. She picked up the little girl and gave her a kiss.  

“Great-grandma, does Yingbao look pretty today?” Zhao Jiaying asked in her sweet, crisp voice.  

“You look beautiful! Our Yingbao is always this pretty.” Lin Zhenzhu replied with a smile.  

Zhao Jiaying beamed with happiness.  

Ou Zichen nodded in satisfaction, while Ou Zilong gave her two big thumbs up and praised: “Yingbao, you look absolutely adorable and beautiful today. Second Uncle is ready to be completely enchanted by you!”  

Zhao Jiaying did not quite understand the last part of his sentence, but she understood the compliment in the first half.  

“Thank you, Second Uncle! Second Uncle looks especially handsome today too!”  

The little girl knew the importance of returning a compliment—since he had praised her, she should compliment him back as well.  

At that moment, Housekeeper Madam Liu walked out.  

“Madam, Eldest Young Master, everything needed for the ancestral worship in the shrine has been prepared. You may now take Young Miss Yingbao over.”  

“Alright, got it!” Lin Zhenzhu responded.  

Ou Zichen picked up Zhao Jiaying in his arms and started walking toward the ancestral shrine.  

“Yingbao, Daddy is taking you to the shrine to pay respects to our ancestors. When we get there, remember to greet them properly, alright?”  

Zhao Jiaying nodded obediently and replied in her soft, childlike voice: “Mm! Yingbao understands!”  

The Ou family’s ancestral shrine was located behind the villa, in a separate small building dedicated to honoring the family’s ancestors.  

As they entered the shrine, Zhao Jiaying looked around curiously. This was her first time paying respects to the Ou family’s ancestors and her first time stepping inside the shrine, so everything felt new and fascinating to her.  

Upon reaching the inner hall, Zhao Jiaying pointed at the ancestral tablets in front of her and asked: “Daddy, are those our ancestors?”  

Although she had never seen ancestral tablets in real life before, she had seen them on TV, so she understood that each tablet represented a deceased family member.  

“Yes, that’s right.” Ou Zichen replied.  

He pointed to a few of the tablets and explained: “This one is Daddy’s father, which means he is Yingbao’s grandfather. That one is Daddy’s mother, so she is Yingbao’s grandmother. And this one is Daddy’s grandfather, who is Yingbao’s great-grandfather.”

There were too many ancestors in the Ou family, and Ou Zichen did not know all of them well. So, he only introduced a few whom he was most familiar with—those who had been the closest to him.  

After Zhao Jiaying stepped down, she politely bowed and spoke in her soft, childlike voice: “Great-grandfather, Grandfather, Grandmother, hello! My name is Zhao Jiaying, but you can call me Yingbao. Today is my birthday, and it’s also the first time I’m meeting you. Even though I have never met you in person, I will always remember you in my heart!”  

Hearing Zhao Jiaying’s words, Lin Zhenzhu felt deeply comforted. She turned toward her late husband’s ancestral tablet and said: “Old man, look at how sensible our little great-granddaughter is. If you can see this from the other side, you can finally rest in peace.”  

Housekeeper Madam Liu lit incense sticks and distributed three to each of them—Lin Zhenzhu, Ou Zichen, Ou Zilong, and Zhao Jiaying.  

Then, the four of them knelt on the prayer mats before the ancestral tablets.  

Lin Zhenzhu spoke first: “I, Lin Zhenzhu, the seventh-generation head of the family, have come today with ninth-generation descendants Ou Zichen and Ou Zilong, as well as tenth-generation descendant Zhao Jiaying, to pay our respects to our ancestors. Today is the birthday of our tenth-generation descendant Zhao Jiaying. We humbly ask for the ancestors’ blessings to keep her safe from harm, free from misfortune, and grant her a lifetime of happiness and peace.”  

As soon as Lin Zhenzhu finished speaking, the four of them bowed three times to the ancestors.  

Once the ritual was complete, they placed the incense sticks into the censer. Since Zhao Jiaying was too short to reach, Ou Zichen lifted her up so she could place hers properly.  

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