Chapter 15 Tea Offering

Chapter 15: Serving Tea

A few days prior, when Jian Ru had visited the main house, he noticed that Madam Li’s living quarters were rather modest, certainly not as well-appointed as his and Li Jintong’s. While not truly poor, they were surprisingly plain for a family of their standing.

Since his marriage, Jian Ru had taken to cooking himself. Ingredients were either supplied by the kitchen staff or purchased by Xiao Ning from the market. Though the meals were kept light and easily digestible to suit the Second Young Master’s delicate health, they were a vast improvement over what Jian Ru had eaten alone, and by ordinary standards, quite decent.

He had learned from his sister-in-law, Li Qinglan, that the rest of the household ate from the main kitchen. Madam Li forbade them from cooking for themselves, dictating the menu and strictly limiting the number of meat dishes each month. Everyone ate what was served, with exceptions only made for festivals or birthdays. Waste was not tolerated; anyone caught leaving food would face scolding or punishment.

As they entered the courtyard, Third Sister Li Jinhe emerged to greet them. She possessed a gentle, kind face with delicate features. Perhaps due to her early widowhood, even her smiles carried a subtle, lingering sorrow that evoked sympathy.

On their wedding night, she had been the one to offer Jian Ru a welcoming nod and smile, leaving him with a very favorable impression.

Li Jintong and Jian Ru successively called out, "Third Sister." Li Jinhe patted her brother’s shoulder, then took Jian Ru’s arm, gently guiding them inward. "Go on," she said, "everyone’s waiting for you inside!"

The couple entered the main room, where Granny Jin ushered them to the kitchen to pay respects to the Kitchen God. They bowed three times, a prayer for the family’s protection and prosperity.

Afterward, Granny Jin led them to the inner chamber, where they knelt and formally served tea to Madam Li. Traditionally, this would be the moment Jian Ru first addressed her as "Mother," but due to the circumstances, he had already been using the term for days.

Nevertheless, the red envelope for the "address-change" custom was duly presented. As Jian Ru rose, a heavy red envelope was pressed into his hand, bringing a flush of joy to his cheeks.

Next, they offered tea and greetings to the elder siblings and their spouses, addressing each in turn. Sister-in-law Li Qinglan gifted Jian Ru a fine piece of silk, perfect for handkerchiefs or intimate garments. The eldest sister and her husband presented a precious ginseng root for health, while the second sister offered a treasured set of medical books—all of which Xiao Ning took to store. Third Sister slipped a translucent jade bracelet onto Jian Ru’s bare wrist.

As Madam Li observed her children, a faint regret lingered over Jian Ru’s plain appearance. Yet, her heart swelled with contentment that the family had grown, and her youngest son was finally married. She felt she had fulfilled her duty to her late husband.

Moreover, the more she saw of her son’s husband, whether through habit or simply being too exasperated by his antics to focus on his face, she found him growing increasingly agreeable.

However, the eldest daughter’s two children, seeing their scar-faced uncle-in-law for the first time, stared in wide-eyed astonishment.

Qiao Zhi, being older, managed to restrain herself, but Xian Yu had no such inhibitions. His chubby, short legs, like little pillars, carried him right up to Jian Ru, and he tilted his round, plump face upward, staring intently.

Seeing this, Li Jintong frowned and admonished, "Li Xianyu, mind your manners!"

The child, somewhat afraid of his uncle, scurried behind his father.

But moments later, seeing his uncle was no longer looking at him, he darted out again, his small voice surprisingly loud and clear, and shouted at Jian Ru, "Uncle-in-law, you’re so ugly!"

The shout silenced the room instantly, an unnerving quiet. Even Madam Li nearly choked on her tea.

Li Jintong’s face darkened. Zhao Pin quickly pulled the child back, saying, "What nonsense! Apologize to your uncle-in-law at once!"

Spoiled at home, Xian Yu refused to listen to his father, squirming and yelling, "I won’t apologize! He is ugly, as ugly as a ghost!"

Zhao Pin, at a loss, looked to Li Jinhui.

Li Jinhui calmly set down her teacup and said lightly, "Children speak thoughtlessly. I’ll deal with him when we get home."

As Li Jintong took a step forward to speak, Jian Ru subtly tugged his sleeve, stopping him. He smiled and said, "He’s just a child. No need to take it seriously."

Li Jinhui, looking unbothered, smiled. Then, to everyone’s surprise, her youngest brother’s new husband walked up to Xian Yu, stood over him, placed one hand on his hip, and pointed a finger, declaring loudly, "Li Xianyu, you’re so fat, as fat as a pig!"

Someone stifled a laugh.

Xian Yu froze, his eyes, squeezed into slits by his chubby cheeks, blinked in disbelief. Then, he opened his mouth wide and burst into loud, dramatic sobs. He was sensitive about his weight—even Madam Li never dared to mention it—and this was the first time anyone had openly insulted him.

Li Jinhui could no longer maintain her composure. Her face flushed with anger, she stood up, glared at Jian Ru, grabbed Xian Yu’s hand, and slammed the door as she stormed out. Zhao Pin hesitated, then, not daring to simply leave, bowed to Madam Li before departing with his daughter.

With their departure, the room grew significantly quieter.

Madam Li sighed, a troubled expression on her face. She waved a hand. "Enough excitement for one morning. You two must be tired. Jintong, go rest. Jinfeng, go check his pulse again."

The brothers assented. Before leaving, the Second Young Master kept glancing back at Jian Ru. Madam Li shooed him away. "Go on, go on. Your husband can handle himself!"

Jian Ru felt a flicker of unease, not fearing others, but worried Li Jintong might be upset. However, seeing no displeasure in his expression, he relaxed and even offered a smile. "I’ll be back soon," he said.

Only then did the Second Young Master leave with his elder brother.

Madam Li watched them go, a faint pang of jealousy in her heart.

With the men gone, the remaining women gathered around the table. Granny Wang brought in several pastries and melon seeds, while Li Qinglan poured hot tea for everyone. Jian Ru, on his own initiative, fetched a soft cushion for Madam Li’s back.

Madam Li, who had felt a little sour just moments before, was touched by Jian Ru’s thoughtfulness regarding her back pain, and her lingering irritation quickly smoothed away.

Li Jinrong remained engrossed in her book, slowly sipping her tea. Li Jinhe took out a half-finished embroidered handkerchief and resumed her work. After pouring the tea, Li Qinglan leaned over to look. "Third Sister, your lotus pattern is truly lovely," she remarked, "the colors are so fresh and vibrant."

Li Jinhe smiled. "Not as good as yours, Sister-in-law. I can never get the stem right."

Li Qinglan then sat beside her, took the embroidery hoop, and offered to help.

With nothing else to do, Jian Ru nibbled on pastries. Madam Li asked, "How has Jintong been these past few days? Is he eating and sleeping well?"

Jian Ru recounted every detail; when it came to her youngest son, Madam Li was never impatient.

As they spoke, the door opened, and Li Jinhui returned.

She carried a basin of freshly boiled, steaming corn on the cob. Upon entering, she distributed them to everyone, including Jian Ru, showing no trace of their earlier unpleasantness.

Since they had eaten earlier than usual that morning, Madam Li had instructed them to boil an extra pot of corn for snacks. She still thought of her youngest son. "Did you bring some for Jintong?" she asked.

Li Jinhui laughed heartily. "Of course! They won’t be left out. Granny Wang wrapped some in a quilt and sent it over. Xiao Ning got some too."

Satisfied, Madam Li began to eat her corn.

Jian Ru held his corn, glancing at Li Jinhui’s face. Madam Li noticed and whispered to him, "Your eldest sister is just like me—she doesn’t hold grudges. Her temper flares up quickly and fades just as fast."

Jian Ru thought for a moment, then leaned closer to the old woman’s ear.

Curious, Madam Li also leaned in, wondering what her young son-in-law wanted to tell her.

Jian Ru looked at the corn in his hand, then at Li Jinhui’s smiling face, and whispered to the old woman, "Your eldest daughter didn’t spit on my corn, did she?"

Madam Li stared, speechless, then burst into a mix of laughter and exasperation. She raised her hand and lightly swatted the back of Jian Ru’s head. "Just eat it!"