Qin Grandma looked at them and shook her head with a smile. “Eldest Daughter-in-law, you need to go to town and buy a new quilt for Ah Fang. They just returned home, and it’s their first day as newlyweds, so they can’t do without a wedding quilt.”

Qin Mother responded, “Alright, I’ll go right now.”

Yang Haiyan said, “I’ll go with Mother to get to know the roads in town and ask my husband to drive the cart.”

Qin Second Aunt hurriedly chimed in, “I’ll go too!”

Seeing how well-dressed the new daughter-in-law was, she figured she must be from a wealthy family.

If this daughter-in-law bought something for the eldest sister, she couldn’t be left out!

Qin Grandma glared at her. “What are you going for? You need to help with the cooking at home; are you still going to have lunch?”

Qin’s Second Aunt quickly changed her tune, smiling and trying to please Qin Grandma. “Mother, since Ah Fang’s wife just came back, we should eat something good at noon. Let me go to town and buy some meat for Ah Fang and his wife.”

Qin Grandma didn’t want to embarrass her dim-witted second daughter-in-law in front of her granddaughter-in-law, especially since it was their first meeting.

She wanted to save a bit of face for her second son. “Ah Fang and his wife already passed through the county on their way back and bought some meat.”

Qin’s Second Aunt fell silent.

Qin Grandma, feeling impatient, said, “Why aren’t you going to wash the vegetables?”

Qin Second Aunt quickly replied, “I’m going, I’m going!”

As soon as Qin Second Aunt left, Qin Third Aunt followed her closely.

Qin Grandma sighed and said, “Eldest Daughter-in-law, you take Ah Fang’s wife and go.”

Qin Mother smiled at Yang Haiyan. “Just wait a moment; I’ll go change into some decent clothes.”

She wanted to wear something appropriate to go to town with her new daughter-in-law.

Yang Haiyan reassured her, “Mother, take your time. No rush.”

At the entrance of the courtyard, the men of the Qin family were busy working.

They had already removed some width from the courtyard gate, allowing the cart to come through.

Qin Fang drove the cart in and pulled in the horse.

The men in the Qin family watched eagerly; they loved seeing both the horse and the cart.

Qin Grandma said, “What are you all standing there for? Come over and meet Ah Fang’s wife!”

Qin Grandpa and the others came over.

They glanced at Yang Haiyan; though they were elders, they felt it inappropriate to stare for too long.

Qin Fang also approached. “I’ll introduce Yanyan.”

Qin Grandma urged, “Go ahead and introduce her.”

Qin Fang began, “Yanyan, this is Grandpa, this is my father, this is Second Uncle, this is Third Uncle, and the two aunts are not here. Grandpa, Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, this is my wife Yanyan, her full name is Yang Haiyan.”

Yang Haiyan performed a respectful gesture. “Grandpa, Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle.”

The Qin family’s elders responded, “Oh!”

Qin Grandpa forced a smile, saying, “Good, good! Ah Fang has gotten married; I can finally set my heart at ease. You two must take good care of each other from now on.”

Yang Haiyan sweetly replied, “Grandpa, don’t worry. My husband and I will treat each other well.”

Qin Grandpa nodded in satisfaction.

Qin Father and the others also nodded but didn’t speak; they weren’t sure what to say, so they left it to the head of the family.

Qin Mother came out after changing her clothes. “Yanyan, I’m ready.”

Although it was an old dress, it was clean.

Plus, with Qin Mother’s personality, she appeared quite spirited.

Yang Haiyan stepped forward, calling, “Mother.”

Qin Grandma instructed, “Ah Fang, take your mother and your wife to town to buy some things.”

Qin Fang replied, “Yes, Grandma.”

Yang Haiyan helped Qin Mother onto the cart first and then climbed on herself.

Once they were settled, Qin Fang drove the cart out.

Qin Second Aunt peeked her head out from the kitchen, a bit envious of Qin Mother.

She wished she could ride on the cart too; she had never been on one in her life, and just sitting in it would be a thrill.

On the cart, Qin Mother felt somewhat shy.

She had never ridden in a cart before, and with how clean it was inside, she didn’t know where to place her hands and feet.

As the daughter-in-law, Yang Haiyan naturally focused on Qin Mother.

She gently initiated the conversation: “Mother, my husband and I brought back a whole box of furs and fabrics this time. I thought it would be nice to give them as gifts when we meet our elders for the first time. Do you think it’s appropriate?”

With Yang Haiyan engaging her in conversation, Qin Mother felt more at ease.

The fact that her daughter-in-law took the initiative to discuss things with her helped Qin Mother shake off the awkwardness from getting on the cart.

She replied, “These furs must be quite expensive, right? Giving fabrics is fine, but…”

She hesitated, wanting to say that there was no need to send something so lavish.

She would rather keep the furs and fabrics for themselves but worried about coming off as stingy.

Yang Haiyan sensed her hesitation and took Qin Mother’s hand. “Mother, I grew up without family. When I was five, I was sold by my family to a matchmaker, who then sold me to a high-ranking family in the capital. Luckily, I was decent-looking, so I caught the eye of a girl from that family. I then followed her to study and learn needlework. The etiquette I learned at that family was suited for noble households, but I don’t know much about the lives of ordinary folks.

So, please don’t think poorly of me. I would appreciate your guidance on how to navigate ordinary life and the appropriate ways to greet elders.”

Hearing this, Qin Mother felt more at ease.

Earlier, she was worried that her daughter-in-law might judge her for being stingy, but now she understood that Yang Haiyan was unfamiliar with these customs.

She patiently explained, “For us common folk, when meeting elders, a pair of boots, a handkerchief, or a headscarf would suffice. None of these items are expensive; it’s the thought that counts. Furs and fabrics are precious items, and generally, they can be given to grandparents and grandfathers.”

Yang Haiyan nodded, showing that she was listening. “I understand now. What should I prepare as gifts for Grandpa, Grandma, and the uncles and aunts?”

Qin Mother thought for a moment and said, “Let’s prepare shoes for everyone: for Grandpa and Grandma, Second Uncle and Aunt, Third Uncle and Aunt. That way, everyone will receive the same thing, and there won’t be any complaints.”

Yang Haiyan was delighted. “Mother, you’re so thoughtful! I hadn’t thought of that. I was being lazy and thought fabric would be easier, but making shoes takes time.”

Qin Mother chuckled, “Well, you wouldn’t know their shoe sizes anyway. Since we don’t have time to make shoes now, let’s just buy them directly in town. I know the sizes.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “You’re truly kind, Mother. What about the younger siblings? What should we get for them?”

Qin Mother said, “The girls can each receive a silk flower, while the boys should… also get shoes.”

Yang Haiyan couldn’t help but laugh at that.

Qin Mother found it amusing too and laughed along.

She thought to herself that this daughter-in-law was quite nice and easy to get along with.

When Qin Fang heard the laughter from his mother and wife, a smile crept onto his lips, and he felt quite pleased.

He was worried about how his wife and mother would get along since they were the two most important women in his life.

However, he felt confident in his wife.

When they arrived in town, they first went to a clothing store and, following Qin Mother’s suggestion, bought shoes for the elders and younger siblings as gifts.

Then they bought silk flowers for the girls and, lastly, purchased the wedding quilt and other necessary items.

While buying shoes, Qin Mother didn’t pay, as it was a gift for the elders and younger ones and was naturally something for the children to prepare.

However, when it came time to buy the wedding quilt and other items, Qin Mother insisted on paying since those were things the in-laws should prepare.

Yang Haiyan didn’t refuse; after all, it was fine to use Qin Mother’s money, and she would return the favor later.

Once they had purchased everything they needed, they headed back, knowing they’d likely arrive home just in time for lunch.

On the cart, Yang Haiyan brought up Qin Fang’s news: “Mother, we have some good news to share this time. Can you guess what it is?”

Qin Mother instinctively thought that her daughter-in-law might be pregnant, but after considering it, she realized that was unlikely.

If Yang Haiyan were expecting, they wouldn’t have rushed back like this.

Yet, she couldn’t think of what the news could be.

Yang Haiyan continued, “It’s that my husband has been promoted! He was previously a hundred-man commander Centurion, which doesn’t hold any rank, like the head of the officials in the bureau. But now, he’s Captain a thousand-man commander, a seventh-grade official, appointed by the court. He holds the same rank as our county magistrate.”

Qin Mother exclaimed, “What?”

She was taken aback, doubting her own ears.

Her son was now on the same level as the county magistrate?

After a moment, she nervously grabbed Yang Haiyan’s hand. “Yanyan, are you serious?”

Yang Haiyan affirmed, “Yes, husband is now an official!”

Qin Mother was stunned, and tears streamed down her face.

“This… this…” She felt a mix of joy and sorrow.

She was happy that her son had achieved success but saddened at the thought that her son, coming from a farming family, must have worked so hard to become an official.

The effort he put in the military came with great risks; how could she not feel worried?

But ultimately, it was a joyous occasion, and she soon calmed herself. “This is truly good news! His grandparents and father will be so happy to hear this.”

Yang Haiyan agreed, “Yes, not just Grandpa and Grandma and Father, but also Second Uncle and Aunt, Third Uncle and Aunt will be delighted. After all, my husband is their beloved nephew.”

Hearing Yang Haiyan mention the second and third households, Qin Mother couldn’t help but sigh. “You just came to our family and don’t know the situation. Your Second Uncle is an honest man who doesn’t involve himself in family matters. As for your Second Aunt, she’s quick-tongued and likes to take advantage. Your Third Uncle used to be clever, but he’s become more withdrawn over the years since he hasn’t had a son. Just last year, he mentioned wanting to adopt your Third Brother-in-law.”

Yang Haiyan was a bit surprised by this. “But they usually adopt younger children. Third Brother is already this old. Besides, we wouldn’t want to part with him.”

Qin Mother was pleased to hear Yang Haiyan say “we.”

“Who said anything about that? I was against it from the start. If they wanted to adopt, they could find someone else from the clan or outside. There was no way I’d let them adopt my son.”

Yang Haiyan was eager to hear more gossip. “What did your Third Uncle say?”

Qin Mother replied, “Ah Fang’s Third Uncle said that those adopted from the clan or from outside aren’t as good as those raised within the family.

He said that guarding the family is like his own nephew, just like his own son. In fact, he hadn’t mentioned this before, but now that he has, it seems he has other plans.”