Chapter 3: The Full Moon Banquet

Old Madam Liang’s expression softened only after seeing that they had brought half a cartload of goods.

She prided herself on coming from a scholarly family and was relatively polite to her in-laws.

"In-laws, you really shouldn't have brought so much. Just coming yourselves is enough. Come in and sit."

Old Master Wu nodded with a smile and led his family inside.

The Wu family members were all dressed decently today, clearly having groomed themselves specifically for the visit, fearing that Old Madam Liang would look down on them for being pig farmers.

However, since Old Master Wu had brought gifts, he naturally didn't feel intimidated.

When Madam Wu saw her parents arrive, she happily brought the baby out.

"Father~ Mother~ Big Brother, Second Sister, Fourth Brother."

Mother Wu had given birth to two sons and two daughters in total. Madam Wu was the third child; she had one younger brother who was not yet married, while her other siblings were already settled.

Seeing Madam Wu emerge with a rosy complexion, the Wu family felt relieved.

"Come, let me hold Ying-jie'er."

Mother Wu took her granddaughter with a joyful heart, her face full of affection as she placed a small gold lock she had prepared in advance onto the baby.

"I hope our little Ying-jie'er grows up safe and sound."

The others, including Wu Da, also presented their own small gifts.

Seeing that they had prepared such generous gifts, Old Madam Liang nodded in rare approval.

That’s more like it. When a daughter’s natal family visits, they ought to bring something; otherwise, what kind of sense would it make for a daughter-in-law to be subsidizing the household?

The Wu family:...

Forget it. They were broad-minded and wouldn't lower themselves to the level of this petty old woman.

As they were chatting, the Liang family’s eldest daughter and her husband arrived.

When Old Madam Liang saw her eldest daughter and son-in-law, her wrinkled face immediately blossomed like a flower.

"Ping-jie'er, why did you go through the trouble of coming?"

Liang Jin’s eldest sister was married into the Chen family in the neighboring town, also a scholarly household, and her husband was already a *xiucai* (scholar).

Old Madam Liang held this son-in-law in high regard, so she naturally welcomed them with a beaming smile.

"Go have a cup of hot tea to warm yourselves up."

The December weather was still quite cold.

The eldest sister and her husband smiled as they added their gifts for Ying-jie'er before going inside for tea.

Ying-jie'er opened her round, wide eyes; even without looking, she could feel her grandmother’s favoritism toward her eldest aunt and uncle.

Look at her now, beaming as she said to Mother Wu, "Look at my eldest son-in-law, what a polite man. To come all this way in such cold weather."

Ying-jie'er thought to herself, *Grandmother’s family also came all this way, why don't I hear you praising them?*

But the Wu family didn't take it to heart and walked into the house with a smile.

The banquet soon began.

Some of the Liang clan relatives arrived one after another, all bringing small gifts for Ying-jie'er.

The kitchen had been busy preparing food since early morning, and now that the guests had arrived, the dishes were served.

The courtyard was lively, filled with the sound of chatter.

Ying-jie'er kept her round eyes wide open, carefully listening to the elders' conversation.

After Madam Wu had sat for a while, Mother Wu told her to go inside and rest so she wouldn't tire herself out.

Madam Wu, intending to return to her room to feed the baby, stood up and left.

After eating a few bites, Mother Wu followed her inside to chat with her daughter.

"Are you recovering well?"

Madam Wu nodded to reassure her, "I’ve finished all the supplements you brought. I didn't leave a single bit for that old woman, hmph."

Mother Wu laughed upon hearing this.

"You, oh you. Your mother-in-law has a sharp tongue, but her heart isn't bad. Don't take her pettiness to heart."

Old Madam Liang was generally decent, but she treated this daughter-in-law differently.

However, she only threw her weight around at home; when they went out, she and Madam Wu managed to keep the peace. After all, family scandals shouldn't be aired in public, and they had to save face for each other.

Madam Wu knew her mother-in-law’s dog-like nature, which was why she didn't bother arguing with her; otherwise, life would be nothing but chaos.

Ying-jie'er listened to their conversation while eating, completely absorbed.

Madam Wu looked down and saw her taking two sips, then pausing, her big eyes darting between them, and found it incredibly amusing.

"If you don't eat your milk properly, I'll spank your bottom. Eat up."

Mother Wu also laughed, "Don't always talk about spanking her. Be careful, or your husband will hear and feel bad."

It was evident to everyone that Liang Jin loved this daughter, and Mother Wu was relieved that he didn't favor boys over girls.

Madam Wu smiled, "He plays with the baby every day when he gets back to the room. He spoils Ying-jie'er even more than I do."

Mother Wu laughed, "That’s good. Your mother-in-law favors boys, but fortunately, your husband doesn't. Once you’ve recovered your health, give him a big, healthy boy. Then you’ll have both a son and a daughter—that would be perfect."

Madam Wu affectionately stroked her daughter’s chubby face and nodded, "I know."

Regardless of what others said, the daughter she gave birth to was her treasure. Even if she never had a son, she would still love this girl.

As they were talking, Liang Qing entered.

She was Liang Jin’s third younger sister, currently unmarried and still living at home.

She walked in looking shy, holding a beautiful set of children's clothes, and said to Madam Wu, "Sister-in-law, I made these clothes for Ying-jie'er. She can wear them when she gets a bit bigger. I hope you don't mind them."

The three Liang siblings actually had a good relationship.

The eldest sister, Liang Ping, was sensible and insightful, and the youngest sister, Liang Qing, was sweet and well-behaved. Both sisters-in-law got along well with Madam Wu.

Madam Wu smiled as she placed the baby on the bed and stretched out the little skirt Liang Qing had made, her face blooming with joy.

"Sister’s needlework is still as good as ever. Our Ying-jie'er is truly blessed."

Liang Qing was introverted, and being praised by her sister-in-law made her blush.

"Sister-in-law, stop teasing me. I want to hold Ying-jie'er."

Madam Wu smiled and said, "Here, hold your little niece. She’s so soft."

Ying-jie'er had been sleeping for a while, but being moved to a new pair of arms, she groggily opened her eyes.

Her infant vision was still blurry, but she could faintly smell a sweet fragrance.

So, she reached out her little hand and grabbed a handful of soft hair.

Liang Qing felt a sharp pain in her scalp, "Ouch, my hair~"

An infant’s strength was uncontrollable; her chubby little hand had pulled her aunt’s hair hard.

Madam Wu quickly pried her little hand loose and scolded her, "You little milk-drinker, bullying your aunt at such a young age? You’re a bad girl."

Ying-jie'er’s little fist was pried open by her mother, and she grunted in protest, clenching her fist tightly again. Her baby face looked quite defiant.

Madam Wu was amused by her.

"What? Can't even talk about you? You little rascal."

Despite calling her a little rascal, she leaned down and kissed her.

Seeing her niece’s round face, Liang Qing also found her adorable and leaned down to steal a kiss as well.

Seeing them kissing the baby, Mother Wu also took her granddaughter to dote on her.

Feeling loved by so many elders, Ying-jie'er was in a great mood and grinned with her toothless mouth.

When the full-month banquet outside ended, the guests began to disperse.

Liang Ping and her husband stood up to bid farewell to Old Madam Liang, preparing to head home.

Madam Wu came out to see them off and packed a few strips of cured meat for them—perfect for winter.

Liang Ping thanked her with a smile, "We came specifically to eat, and now we’re taking things with us. I’m so embarrassed."

Madam Wu smiled and said it was nothing, "We’re all family, don't be so formal, sister. This cured meat makes the best rice. Take it back and make it for the children; it’s so fragrant."

(End of chapter)