贵女撩夫攻略

Chapter 039

Chapter 39 – Newlyweds Visit

In the blink of an eye, it was the day for the newlyweds' visit to Ye Huaiyang's maiden home. The weather, unfortunately, was not cooperative as it started raining heavily at midnight. When Chu Jinglan and Ye Huaiyang left in the morning, the water level in the square was up to their ankles. The water was so turbid that Ye Huaiyang accidentally stumbled and her whole person almost fell into the puddle when Chu Jinglan caught her just in time.

Both pushed through the torrential rain and arrived at the clan home. When they got off the carriage, Ye Xun already led the whole family in front of the gate and waited patiently to pay their respects once the couple reached the porch.

"Ye Xun leads the entire Ye family to welcome Wangye and Wangfei."

"Forgo the formality."

Chu Jinglan waved his hand, all distant and cold between his eyebrows seemingly unconcerned with this display of extremely respectful spectacle. Before the big crowd, he turned to Ye Huaiyang and said, "Go change your clothes."

Ye Huaiyang got wet on the way there. Furthermore, the weather is humid. The silk skirt was glued to her body since it was drenched with layers of water and sweat, one could imagine how uncomfortable she is. Hearing Chu Jinglan say this, her heart immediately felt warm and she softly responded with a positive word before leaving for her previous bedchamber with the female relatives.

Standing behind the crowd, Ye Huaixin watched this scene silently without any undulating emotion on his face. He then followed Ye Xun who was leading Chu Jinglan to the main hall.

There were two rows of Guanghan-wood armchairs in the hall. Refreshments have been arranged on the square table between the main seats at the end. Ye Xun respectively invited Chu Jinglan to take the seat of honor before he sat on the right. Others were also allowed to take their seats in order. From a glance, all but Ye Hong were junior members of the Ye family. As far as the direct line of descent is concerned, the number of people is indeed a little sparse.

As the person of the highest seniority in the family, Ye Xun's actions carried accumulated years of wisdom and courage. He did not show the least bit of discrimination since the couple entered the door, unlike other prominent families who shuns Chu Jinglan like vipers. He also didn't deliberately get close to him because of their relation by marriage. His attitude is neither haughty nor humble, which is just right.

"Wangye, this is the newly picked Lapsang Souchong (black tea) of the year. Its flavor is good. Do try it."

He raised his cup towards Chu Jinglan across the square table and Chu Jinglan raised his in return, then took a small sip. After moistening his lips, he paused and faintly said, "It's really good."

"No one in the family loves drinking this tea more than this lowly official's second brother. It's a pity that he lives in seclusion and has not returned home for a long time. It's also precisely why this lowly official is meeting Wangye on his behalf today. Hope Wangye will excuse any violation of the etiquette."

"There's no harm."

"Then this lowly official will thank Wangye for him." Ye Xun smiled and then chatted with Chu Jinglan about domestic trivialities. "Speaking of living away for a long time, Wangye is the same too. Not knowing if Wangye felt any changes in Wangdu since this return?"

Chu Jinglan gently whisked the teacup and said, "There are only high buildings and more carriages. In this King's view, there is not much difference."

Ye Xun was about to answer when Ye Huaixin interjected abruptly, "Behind the red doors, meat and wine go to waste, while the street outside lie the frozen bones of the poor*. Wangye presumably have not been to the surrounding counties and prefectures. Most of those men are forced to conscript and to construct these moon palace pavilions* regardless of the time of the day. Hundreds have died of exhaustion just for that glorious Youlong water veranda alone. Boldly ask for Wangye's opinion?"