"What are you afraid of?" Tong Xiyan said with a smile, "If it really doesn’t work out, just book two tables at the Hongyan Building and have them delivered!"

Madam Jiang responded with a smile, and Xiqiu asked someone to bring bowls and chopsticks: "Take advantage of this free time to eat something quickly. Otherwise, who knows when you’ll be able to eat again later."

Madam Jiang agreed, took a bowl and ate half of it, then put down her bowl and chopsticks, saying, "Let’s go take a look at the new room after a while."

Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan, both being pregnant, thought for a moment, shook their heads, and went to speak to Tong Xiyu. Tong Xiyu replied to Madam Jiang, "I’ll go and take a look."

Madam Jiang acknowledged this, hurriedly drank a cup of tea, and stood up: "I’ll go out to see, otherwise, Second Aunt can’t handle it alone." After speaking, she looked at Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan: "There are a lot of people outside. You two can just rest here."

Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan had no intention of going out, so they nodded after hearing this: "Go and do your work. We can take care of ourselves." Madam Jiang greeted a few people and went out with Tong Xiyu.

Xiqiu, Tong Xiyan, and Madam Xia moved to the inner room and huddled together at the warm heated bed. Xiqiu thought of Tong Xiyang and asked, "How is she?"

"I’m not sure. I haven’t seen her for some time," Tong Xiyan said. Although there was resentment in her heart, after so many incidents, they were still sisters who grew up together from a young age. "The daughters of concubines in the family are all married out, the sons have set up their own households, and the concubines have followed the children to live elsewhere. I’ve heard that only one concubine is left to serve. They are getting by."

Tong Xiyang had not returned to the Tong Mansion for many years. It seemed that after countless breakups with her family, she had made up her mind this time.

After a while, Tong Xiyu returned, and Tong Xiyan curiously asked, "Did you see the bride?" Tong Xiyu nodded, "Yes, she’s very pretty." After saying that, she glanced at Madam Xia.

Madam Xia let out a discreet sigh of relief.

Everyone was curious about Miss Chen but also a bit afraid, fearing she would be difficult to get along with. Who doesn’t wish for a harmonious family?

It was late at night when they finally returned. Xiqiu watched Zhi obediently crawl into bed before she and Fourth Master Xiao went back to their room for the night, without further words.

The next morning, the family returned to the Tong Mansion and sat in the large hall next to the courtyard where the Lady used to live.

Being all family, there was no separation between men and women. The First Master sat in the main seat, and the Second Lady, having returned from Baoding, sat next to him. Next to her were Madam Jiang, Tong Xiyan, Xiqiu, and Tong Xiyu, with the Tong Xihua children sitting in the back.

Sitting opposite were Tong Shen Zhi and several son-in-laws of the family.

Madam Xia was not included.

The Second Lady got up and sat down next to Xiqiu, complaining, "He said he’d be back before the end of the year, but didn’t return. Then he said Mongolian soldiers invaded, and he needed to guard the city. I was so worried I couldn’t sleep night after night. After finally getting through several months, he said he couldn’t come back because Lord Huang caught a cold. He decided it was better to wait until the weather was warmer before embarking on the journey."

"It’s alright," Xiqiu comforted the Second Lady, "Third Brother is clever and attentive. He will certainly take care of himself. As for the affairs in Liaodong, I’ve heard about them too. Lord Huang values him greatly. If he can’t return, it’s certainly because he has important tasks entrusted to him, which is a form of training and appreciation. It’s a good thing."

The Second Lady sighed. Although she understood this, she couldn’t help worrying in her heart. After all, Tong Quanzi was her only son and hadn’t married or had children. If anything really happened, it would be like the sky falling for her.

As the two were talking, Nanny Qiu cheerfully announced from outside, "The newcomers have arrived."

The Second Lady stood up with a smile and greeted Xiqiu before returning to her seat. Xiqiu then looked towards the door and saw a pair of newlyweds dressed in bright red brocade entering. Tong Minzhi walked in with a broad smile, showing no signs of the fatigue and reluctance Xiqiu feared, and she secretly felt relieved before looking at Miss Chen.

Her face was lightly made up, her thin face had small but spirited eyes, and her delicate nose and full lips. Her petite figure was slender, not graceful but possessing the delicate charm of a woman from Jiangnan. Xiqiu nodded quietly, also noticing her modest and gentle demeanor...

Tong Xiyan nudged her with her elbow and quickly whispered in her ear: "She looks quite decent and seems very honest."

This was also Xiqiu’s impression.

Tong Minzhi entered, his eyes fell on Xiqiu, and he smiled shyly. Xiqiu nodded slightly to him, and Tong Minzhi led Mrs. Chen in front of the First Master. Nanny Qiu placed two futons on the floor, and Tong Minzhi and Mrs. Chen knelt down, offering tea to the First Master. After he drank the tea and gave a thick red envelope, they kowtowed and stood up.

The First Master said many words, and then they moved on to the Second Lady. She gave a greeting gift, praised Mrs. Chen a few times, and imparted meaningful advice. Mrs. Chen listened with her head lowered, and only when she finished did the Second Lady permit them to go recognize relatives with Tong Shen Zhi.

When they reached Fourth Master Xiao, he took the tea, but didn’t look at Mrs. Chen, only nodded to Tong Minzhi.

When it was Xiqiu’s turn, Tong Minzhi, with tears in his eyes, murmured, "Sixth Sister."

That call of "Sixth Sister" brought tears to Xiqiu’s eyes as well. Mrs. Chen raised her head curiously to glance at Xiqiu, then quickly lowered it and respectfully presented the shoes and socks she had made. Xiqiu also gave her a greeting gift...

At noon, after the family meal, Xiqiu knew Madam Xia was concerned about the situation, so she mentioned it to Fourth Master Xiao and went to Madam Xia’s residence. Upon entering, she heard voices inside, and Madam Xia’s voice was quite high, conveying some agitation.

Feeling curious, she quickened her steps, seeing Mrs. Chen kneeling in front of Madam Xia, holding a tray with shoes and socks. Madam Xia was flustered: "Seventh Young Madam, please stand up. Don’t let others see." She attempted to help her up.

Tong Minzhi stood by with his hands behind his back, not helping Mrs. Chen, and instead said to Madam Xia, "Concubine, this is also her token of appreciation."

Xiqiu paused at the door, watching them, not in a hurry to enter.

Mrs. Chen, with her head lowered, said, "Concubine is my husband’s biological mother, naturally you are my mother-in-law. Although I shouldn’t call you ’mother’ according to etiquette, in my heart, you are my mother."

Madam Xia’s eyes reddened, tears finally falling: "Good child, I understand your sentiments. As long as you and the Seventh Young Master live well together, nothing else matters!" Helping Mrs. Chen up, as she stood, Mrs. Chen continued, "Concubine, I understand your feelings. Before I got married, concubine also told me that after marrying into the Tong Family, I’m now a Tong Family member. This is my home from now on." She blushed, looked at Tong Minzhi, lowered her head, and said, "My husband is my entire reliance."

Madam Xia nodded in satisfaction, took off her bracelet: "I don’t have anything good, take this as a token of my heart."

Mrs. Chen looked toward Tong Minzhi, who nodded slightly. Only then did she carefully accept it and squat to offer a salute to Madam Xia.