### Chapter 10 Reconciliation Between Mother and Son

### Chapter 10 Reconciliation Between Mother and Son

Mrs. Xie managed the engagement banquet impeccably. After the performance, she even arranged for various entertainments, including acrobatics and juggling. Yao Niang was particularly interested in the sand riddle game, where performers threw handfuls of white sand onto the ground to form words, couplets, or poems while singing, making it quite intriguing.

Even the parting gifts were tasteful. Since it was an engagement rather than a wedding, there was no need for candy. Instead of packing walnut pastries like others, she chose to give away lotus flower cakes made by her own kitchen, along with honey in porcelain bottles and wine she personally brewed. She also included two slices of fragrant wood, aromatic beans, and orange peels wrapped in white silk and tied with gold thread.

Especially noteworthy were the gift boxes outside, all custom-made from Jin Ling's largest store specializing in bamboo and wooden hand-carry boxes. The boxes were wrapped in special paper adorned with ancient paintings, exuding elegance and luxury.

These efforts greatly enhanced Mrs. Xie's reputation and set off alarm bells for Lady Zhen.

After Yan Jingzhao's engagement banquet, Third Elderly Lady planned to leave immediately for Henan. Before her departure, she gave many instructions and expressed great concern about Yan Jingzhao, while also finding Mrs. Xie increasingly disagreeable. Once, she even scolded Mrs. Xie in front of Yan Jingzhao, causing Mrs. Xie to burst into tears on the spot.

Seeing Mrs. Xie's reaction, Third Elderly Lady secretly regretted losing control today. It was partly Mrs. Xie's fault for being too close to Grandmother Yu. Yesterday, she had spoken out of turn about Grandmother Yu, and Mrs. Xie had defended her, which irked her. Seeing Mrs. Xie and Jingzhao's closer relationship now, she felt something slipping out of her control, making her increasingly agitated.

As the three stood in awkward silence, the steward began urging them. Third Elderly Lady, who never lowered herself to apologize, stormed off angrily.

Yan Jingzhao then realized that his mother wasn't weak; it was his grandmother who was unreasonable. His mother actually managed the household well and handled Zhou Lingguang appropriately. Many people in the clan praised her for her grace and propriety.

Therefore, after his grandmother left, Yan Jingzhao specially came to comfort Mrs. Xie. Mrs. Xie was naturally gentle and had always been sincere with her son, not scheming.

Now, only Yao Niang supported her unconditionally, while everyone else required careful handling.

"Mother, are you alright?"

"I know your grandmother's temper, always like this. I can only console myself, which makes me feel better. Otherwise, I would be as frustrated as before, angry with myself." Mrs. Xie said with self-deprecation.

Yan Jingzhao lowered his eyes: "Mother, I will strive to make you proud."

Mrs. Xie looked at him: "I know you have great ambitions, but you don't need to worry about me. Pursue what you want without restraint. Sometimes the issues between me and your grandmother are just between us. Now that your grandmother has stopped sending people to your father, you remain the sole heir of our third branch."

"Actually, having a brother wouldn't be bad, Mother. Don't worry about it." Yan Jingzhao, now fifteen and studying, understood the importance of numerous family members supporting each other in official careers.

Mrs. Xie smiled: "If everything is harmonious, it would be wonderful. But if everyone acts independently, what good is that? Like your father coming to the third branch, how would you and Zhou Lingguang have met? Because Zhou Lingguang lives with us, Madam Yu spoke highly of him to our grandmother, which led to her eagerness to have another child. I won't nag you about these things; you understand. As a mother, I will protect you as much as possible before your marriage."

She then took a robe and handed it to Yan Jingzhao: "When your grandmother was here, I didn't dare send you anything. Every time I sent pastries or clothes, they were thrown away. Now that she's gone, try on the gown I made for you. If it doesn't fit, I'll adjust it."

Yan Jingzhao removed his outer robe and tried on the gown, surprised by how well it fit.

Just then, Yao Niang entered and saw Yan Jingzhao in the gown. She turned to Mrs. Xie: "Mother, you finally brought it out? You've been working on it under the oil lamp every night, hiding it so carefully, not even telling me or Brother. Now it's finally out."

Hearing his sister's words, Yan Jingzhao was deeply moved. Although he still respected Third Elderly Lady and Third Elderly Gentleman, his mother's careful attention to him was touching.

Mrs. Xie didn't mention her hard work, only smiling at Yao Niang: "What do you think of your brother?"

"Instead of clichés like 'handsome and elegant,' let me say this: his brows are like morning clouds, solitary and radiant; his eyes are like the moon in one's embrace, bright and clear." Yao Niang gave her brother a thumbs up.

Even Yan Jingzhao, who usually maintained a stern demeanor in front of Yao Niang, couldn't help but feel delighted.

He stayed with Mrs. Xie for the rest of the morning, chatting, and they had lunch together. Mrs. Xie was gentle and serene, while Yao Niang was a witty little girl, making their conversation lively.

However, as Yan Jingzhao started to get closer to his birth mother, some of the wet nurses and maids around him weren't pleased, leading to future conflicts.

After lunch, Mrs. Xie was handling household affairs and teaching Yao Niang how to manage accounts and invitations. Just as they were discussing, someone announced that Second Lady Ming had arrived.

Mrs. Xie glanced at her, guessing her intentions. After dismissing the servants, Second Lady Ming spoke: "Second Sister-in-law, congratulations! Now that the three of you are reunited, and Second Brother has returned to your side, unlike my useless husband, who knows what will happen to our daughter Bei'er?"

Second Lady Ming, Dong, was a merchant's wife and knew the importance of seizing opportunities early, even in choosing a son-in-law.

Bei'er's grandfather was the governor of Ningzhou, and her uncle and Yan Yingqi held high offices. They had only one daughter, whose dowry would surpass any of the Yan family's daughters.

Mrs. Xie looked at her: "I see Bei'er as polite and sensible, more so than my third daughter."

Second Lady Ming waved her hand: "Just a few years older. By the way, I heard from Yao Niang that a young master Zhou came from the capital. Was he the one we saw at the theater?"

Mrs. Xie thought she had already found out but pretended not to know, saying: "Yes, that's him, the youngest son of Zhou Jizhu."

"Is he married yet?" Second Lady Ming asked directly.

Mrs. Xie feigned ignorance: "I don't know. Who asks about such things?"

Second Lady Ming smiled: "Then Sister-in-law must ask for me? In our family, only Bei'er is old enough. If you help me, I have a shop on Chessboard Street that I can give to your third daughter as part of her dowry."

"That's too generous, unnecessary." Mrs. Xie knew the principle of not accepting favors without reason. Her father-in-law once helped her father, forcing her into marriage.

Seeing her unwillingness, Second Lady Ming resorted to provocation: "If you don't help me, are you planning to keep him for your daughter Yao Niang?"