Chapter 117: Family Banquet for Birthday

Chapter 117: A Family Banquet for a Birthday

Chen Yusong could only rely on her mother.

And Mother Chen, seated regally at the head of the table, was perfectly aware of everyone's thoughts.

Mother Chen remained noncommittal, at least she wouldn't pressure her daughters-in-law for the sake of her daughter who had returned from afar.

Chen Yuhu, true to her word, did not return home.

But Mother Chen had her own ways.

The usually discreet Chen residence suddenly announced it would host a family banquet for a birthday celebration.

Mother Chen had never celebrated her birthday before; she used to say that lavish birthday celebrations invited ghosts to her door.

Yet, with Chen Yusong's return, she no longer feared such visitations.

When Chen Yuhu received the news, she reclined on the divan for a long while before finally letting out a faint laugh.

Since her old mother wished to celebrate her birthday, it wouldn't be right for her, as a dutiful daughter, to continue hiding.

Chen Yuhu decided to take the younger children and make a trip back to the Chen household.

Lin Qingbai and Lin Qingzhuo had returned to the academy but made sure to stay in close contact with Lin Qingtong.

They would relay all family matters to Lin Qingtong.

Chen Yuhu believed that Lin Qingtong, constantly away from home, would eventually grow distant from his family and become indifferent to household affairs.

So, she instructed Lin Qingbai and Lin Qingzhuo to keep him informed.

Lin Qingtong, far away at the border, received the letter from his brothers and clutched the paper tightly in his hand. No wonder Mother hadn't written to him recently.

There were too many troubles at home. His recent injury had caused Mother worry, making her even more reluctant to burden him with family matters.

Chen Yuhu deliberately nurtured her children by sharing only good news, even if she had to force herself to paint an overly optimistic picture.

This way, the children would naturally think for themselves and come together to discuss things.

Instead of being useless dependents, Chen Yuhu hoped that even in her old age, they would continue to be self-reliant—

Solving problems on their own initiative, rather than blindly trusting her words and waiting for her to intervene.

So, what did Lin Qingbai and Lin Qingzhuo write in their letter to Lin Qingtong?

"Dearest Brother,

Things at home have been relatively calm lately. However, before Elder Sister's wedding, Father stormed into Yilan Court in a rage over a concubine's pregnancy. Qingzhuo and I tried to intervene on the way, but Father scolded us.

Fearing that the conflict between Father and Mother would escalate, Qingzhuo and I had no choice but to step aside. Fortunately, our sisters and Qingluo were already at Yilan Court keeping Mother company.

This prevented Father from unleashing his full fury. How Mother discussed things with him afterward, we do not know.

But Mother has been downhearted ever since. When Elder Sister was married off, she was also deeply worried and urged Qingzhuo and me to take good care of Mother. It's a pity you aren't home.

Mother said she wanted to go to the temple to get another protective talisman for you, but Aunt's visit home interrupted her plans.

Grandmother and Aunt seem to have strong opinions about my marriage arrangements. Mother has been quite overwhelmed lately, searching for a suitable wife for me, and hasn't had time to visit the temple.

Mother feels guilty toward you and has already sent more gifts your way.

Come home safe and sound soon, and keep in touch."

Qingzhuo's letter to Lin Qingtong conveyed much the same message.

Through the brothers' subtle and artful writing, Lin Qingtong could almost visualize his brothers being scolded by Father, his mother arguing with Father, and his Elder Sister, on the verge of marriage, publicly shamed by Father.

Lin Qingtong clutched the letter, his entire body trembling.

Before he left home, Mother had said, "Just come back safely."

His mother had always had only one expectation for him: that he return safely.

She had even said that even if he were injured or impaired, as long as he returned alive, she could protect him.

When he left home, Mother's punishment of kneeling had not yet ended. The image of her in plain clothes, kneeling just inside the entrance, was something he could never forget.

His elder brother had told him, "Take over Father's military assets as soon as possible. Though there are many of us brothers, you are the only one gifted in martial arts."

They did not like Father, but they had to admit that everything Father had, he had earned through his own efforts—firmly held in his own hands.

His elder brother placed his hopes on him, and he dared not disappoint him.

This time, he even unusually received a letter from Qingluo. Qingluo did not mention Father and Mother arguing.

Because the youngster knew that his parents hadn't argued at all.

He focused on his recent studies, expressing eagerness to excel soon, and also mentioned Aunt bringing her young son to the capital.

He feared people would compare him with Aunt's child and that he would bring shame upon Mother, and so on.

Lin Qingtong read each letter carefully and then replied to each of his brothers.

Exchanging news was also a way to update each other on their lives.

Meanwhile, Chen Yuhu was preparing to take the children back to the Chen household.

On the surface, nothing seemed to have changed. Chen Yuhu was still her usual self, a smile on her lips, followed by the children.

Anzhi and Yuzhi both carried themselves with proper etiquette, following behind Chen Yuhu.

Chen Yuhu usually didn't impose strict demands on them, but whenever the situation called for it, they always performed excellently—

Better than she had expected.

Little Qingluo held a book in his hand, walking proudly. He! Would absolutely not become a son who embarrassed his mother.

Chen Yuhu never told Qingluo the child's true academic performance.

It was quite entertaining to watch him this way.

Chen Yuhu's gaze fell on Qingluo, watching him puff out his chest as he walked, and she couldn't help but let her smile grow a little more genuine.

They went together to pay respects to Mother Chen and, sure enough, encountered Chen Yusong in Mother Chen's courtyard.

She very enthusiastically seized Chen Yuhu's hand, and in that instant, Chen Yuhu suddenly felt a sharp headache.

She attributed it to her body's innate aversion to Chen Yusong.

So Chen Yuhu quickly and inconspicuously slipped her hand out of Chen Yusong's grasp.

The second sister-in-law, being pregnant, did not appear.

Her younger sister-in-law had long since made herself scarce and simply did not return, as it was only a family banquet anyway.

Moreover, everyone knew that Mother Chen had ulterior motives.

She probably didn't even want others to come back to celebrate her birthday.

Only Qiao, the matriarch, had no way of getting out of it.

She had no choice but to come out and keep her company.

As soon as Chen Yuhu sat down, the children made their greetings to Mother Chen and stood properly behind Chen Yuhu.

Chen Yusong, however, pulled Xu Feixin over and enthusiastically introduced her: "This is your aunt. Aren't you going to greet her?"

Xu Feixin blushed, slightly lowered her head, and called out, "Aunt."

Chen Yuhu smiled, unfastened a jade pendant from her waist, and handed it to her, praising, "Good child."

That was all she said.

Chen Yusong wasn't disappointed. Instead, she proceeded to introduce the children one by one.

In Jiangnan, raising daughters emphasized grace and subtlety, to be demure and a little shy.

It was quite different from the customs in the capital, where children were expected to be outgoing, steady, and proper.

At the very least, they were supposed to look up when speaking.

Chen Yusong and Chen Yuhu had not seen each other since they each married.

Seeing each other today, Chen Yusong was taken aback.

In the past, her second sister had been muddle-headed and foolish, always getting hung up on trivial matters and acting wishy-washy.

But now, she seemed like a completely different person. If someone was truly living well, they wouldn't change this much.

Perhaps what their mother had said wasn't entirely true.

Then again, just looking at the crowd of by-concubine children following her second sister, you could tell.

Chen Yusong took no pleasure in her sister's situation; after all, this was her own sister.

She might not have wanted Chen Yuhu to have a better life than she did, but she didn't genuinely wish for Chen Yuhu to suffer either.

If she were to see Chen Yuhu being pushed around by concubines and unable to hold her head up, Chen Yusong would likely have stepped in to defend her.

Sometimes relationships between people are just this complicated.