Visiting the Bride

The Zhang family in Xinzhuang was very lively today because their prospective son-in-law had arrived.

Whether it was his imagination or not, the moment Zhang Buliang saw the gifts brought by Liu Yitiao, it seemed to Liu Yitiao as if the old man's eyes had lit up a whole circle.

It was evident that his future father-in-law was quite satisfied with the gifts this time. Zhang Buliang and old Liu were cut from the same cloth. Moreover, it appeared that the Zhang family’s life was also quite frugal. Although they owned a plow ox, their standard of living was still a long way from being well-off. Such pure gifts of chickens, ducks, fish, and meat held no small temptation for them.

After Liu Yitiao paid his respects, Mother-in-law Madam Zhang promptly disappeared into the kitchen to prepare drinking snacks for the three men: Zhang Buliang, Zhang Chuwen, and Liu Yitiao.

As for Zhang Chuchu, she did not show her face at all. These pre-marital etiquettes could indeed be quite vexing at times. Not even being allowed to catch a glimpse of his future wife was simply unreasonable.

"Father-in-law," Liu Yitiao said, taking out the two jugs of fine clear wine he had brought and placing them gently on the table, pushing them toward Zhang Buliang. "Knowing that Father-in-law is fond of a good drink, your son-in-law specially purchased these two jugs to honor you. I hope you will like them."

"Oh? Excellent, excellent," Zhang Buliang said with a smile, picking up a jug, sniffing it lightly, and nodding. "Top-grade 'Swallow's Return', fine wine indeed. You've gone to great expense, my boy. Well, today the three of us shall enjoy this very wine. Chuwen, go fetch the wine cups, and tell your mother to hurry up; I can hardly wait any longer, hahaha!"

The old man laughed heartily, growing more pleased with his son-in-law by the minute.

However, pleasure aside, certain matters still needed to be addressed.

"I heard that my son-in-law has spent the past month in Chang'an City. May I ask what business took you there?" Once Zhang Chuwen had stepped away, Zhang Buliang ceased his laughter and asked Liu Yitiao.

With Zhang Chuwen gone, Liu Yitiao cupped his hands toward Zhang Liang and replied apologetically, "Nothing much, really. I simply went to pay respects to two elders and was persuaded by them to stay a few extra days. Being gone for so long, I'm afraid I've caused Father-in-law and Mother-in-law needless worry."

"Your mother-in-law and I were fine, but it was hard on that girl Chuchu. She was fretting and worrying over you almost every day, terrified that you might meet with some accident out there. You rascal, how could you not even send a single message back? Did you not know someone at home was agonizing over you?" The old man put on the airs of a stern father-in-law, standing up for his daughter.

However, wasn't this a bit premature? It seemed his precious daughter hadn't officially married into the Liu family just yet.

"Father-in-law is right, absolutely right. It was my lack of consideration," Liu Yitiao nodded repeatedly in acknowledgment of his fault. Although putting on a humble front was a bit tiresome, his heart was actually blooming with sweetness.

How did that saying go? A favor from a beauty is the hardest to bear. This feeling was naturally different from the care and affection one received from parents.

"Father, please don't blame brother Yitiao. When traveling afar, one is bound to encounter unavoidable circumstances and inconveniences," Zhang Chuwen said as he walked in carrying a tray laden with wine cups and spiced beans, setting them on the table to speak on Liu Yitiao's behalf. "Besides, that is Chang'an City; the environment and territory are far more complicated than elsewhere. When I went to take the examinations last year, wasn't there also a stretch of more than ten days without any news sent back? Furthermore, the fact that brother Yitiao came to visit our Zhang family on the very first day of his return is proof enough of his sincerity."

Although Zhang Chuwen was a bookworm, he still possessed a fair amount of broad-minded common sense.

"Hmm," the old man nodded, considering Zhang Chuwen's words accepted. Originally, he had no intention of truly reprimanding Liu Yitiao; he merely wanted to give him a mild warning to prevent Chuchu from suffering any grievances at his hands in the future.

Zhang Chuwen fetched a basin of warm water, placed the two jugs of 'Swallow's Return' inside to warm them, and then sat down beside Liu Yitiao.

"However, despite all that," Zhang Chuwen glanced toward Zhang Chuchu's bedchamber and said to Liu Yitiao, "In the future, brother Yitiao, it would be best not to let Chuchu worry so much."

After all, she was his own younger sister, and Zhang Chuwen's heart ached for her as well.

"Brother Chuwen is right, absolutely right." Liu Yitiao once again lowered his head in agreement.

Only now did he fully understand what his married buddy had once told him. That friend had said, "Yitiao, once you get married and visit your father-in-law's house, you'd better tuck your tail between your legs and keep a low profile. Otherwise, there will be no end of people lecturing you."

Right now, Liu Yitiao was experiencing that truth firsthand.

Madam Zhang was an absolute master at cooking. In just the span of a few words, she had already served up all the dishes.

Adding the plate of spiced beans, there were four dishes in total: a plate of braised pig head meat, a plate of braised pork belly, a plate of shredded cabbage, and a plate of tofu—one meat dish and three vegetarian ones. It was a rather mismatched spread of food and wine, but given the circumstances, it constituted a very lavish meal.

Once Madam Zhang had set out all the food and drink, she bent down and slipped into her daughter Chuchu's room.

Drinking and entertaining guests were matters for the men. As a woman, it was inappropriate for her to linger outside, even if the man out there was her future son-in-law.

"Mother!" seeing Madam Zhang enter the room, Zhang Chuchu stood up and softly called out.

"Ah, my good daughter," Madam Zhang walked to Zhang Chuchu's side and said with a smile, "You can finally set your mind at ease now, right? That husband of yours, who has kept you worrying endlessly, is currently out in our house drinking with your father and elder brother."

"Mother—!" Zhang Chuchu tugged at Madam Zhang's sleeve, letting out a soft, bashful cry of protest.

"Hahaha, alright, alright, Mother won't tease you anymore." Madam Zhang lightly flicked the tip of her youngest daughter's nose, led her to a round stool to sit down, and chuckled softly. "Now you know how to be shy. Why weren't you shy when you were pestering your elder brother to go to Gutian Village to fish for news a few days ago?"

"Mother—!" Zhang Chuchu tugged at Madam Zhang's sleeve again, her little face flushing entirely red. Thinking back on those past few days, it truly was embarrassing. Yet at the time, for reasons unknown, she simply couldn't let it go.

Zhang Chuchu raised her eyes to look at Madam Zhang, enduring the teasing amusement in her mother's eyes, and asked softly, "Mother, um... how is Master Liu doing now?"

"What do you mean, how is he doing? He's doing better than anyone, full of vigor and with a glowing complexion. Hmph, unlike you, looking so haggard that it breaks one's heart to see." Madam Zhang cast a sympathetic look at her precious daughter, inevitably harboring a trace of lingering resentment and wishing she could go out and lecture Liu Yitiao herself.

"That's good, that's good. But... Father and Big Brother didn't give him a hard time, did they?" Zhang Chuchu asked with a trace of lingering anxiety.

"Though that rascal is your future husband, he's the one who reduced you to this state. How could your father and brother let him off so easily?"

Madam Zhang said, "When Mother just came in, your father and the others were still taking turns lecturing him. But that scoundrel is quite clever; he just kept his head down and admitted his mistakes. I daresay your father and brother won't keep on at him for much longer."

Zhang Chuwen removed the wine jugs from the warm water and poured drinks for Zhang Buliang and Liu Yitiao. The three of them simultaneously raised their cups to take a preliminary sip.

Afterward, Liu Yitiao took the wine pot from his eldest brother-in-law, stood up, respectfully filled the cups for Zhang Buliang and Zhang Chuwen, and raised his own cup to the two older men, saying: "Come, Father-in-law, Brother Chuwen, your son-in-law proposes a toast to you both! I wish Father-in-law enduring health and eternal youth, and I wish Brother Chuwen top honors in the examinations this year to make a stunning breakthrough!"

Liu Yitiao certainly had a honeyed tongue, intentionally directing all the most flattering words toward his father-in-law and brother-in-law. In just a short moment, he had blown away every trace of lingering resentment in their hearts. The atmosphere at the wine table instantly turned warm and harmonious.

"Well now, my good son-in-law," old Zhang said, taking a sip of wine, tapping his chopsticks twice on the table, and looking at Liu Yitiao. "In a little over a month, you will marry Chuchu. Before that happens, I, as her father, have a few words of admonition for you."

Zhang Buliang put down his chopsticks, watching quietly as Liu Yitiao stood up to refill his cup, and continued: "You already know the background of that girl Chuchu. Her life has been bitter. Since she fancies you in her heart, and you have decided to marry her, you must treat her well in the future and never let her suffer any grievances. Otherwise, this old man will certainly not let you off!"

Old Zhang tried his hardest to put on a fierce and resolute expression, acting as a formidable backing for Zhang Chuchu. A bride's family was supposed to play precisely this role.

"Father-in-law, please rest assured," Liu Yitiao said, clinking his cup with the old man's, his expression steadfast and unyielding. "Though I, Liu Yitiao, am no grand figure and possess no extraordinary talents, I am nevertheless a real man who stands up to piss. I certainly will not let my own woman suffer any grievances."

"Good! Brother Yitiao, I love hearing those words," Zhang Chuwen chimed in, clinking glasses with Liu Yitiao. "With those words from you, brother-in-law, handing Chuchu over to you sets this older brother's mind entirely at ease!"

With that, Zhang Chuwen boldly raised his cup and drained the wine in one gulp.

"Yes, and this father's mind is set at ease as well!" Zhang Buliang chimed in, feeling as though a heavy stone had finally been lifted from his heart.