"Old Master Yang, congratulations, congratulations." Xiao Hongtao Couple alighted from the carriage with beaming smiles and said to Grandpa Yang, "This is a small token of our goodwill, please accept it."

Wei Lin immediately handed a brocaded box to Grandpa Yang.

Grandpa Yang received it with a chuckle, "Shared joy is double joy! Chengrong, quickly invite your in-laws inside to sit." Grandpa Yang was in such high spirits that he omitted the words "future in-laws."

Everyone pretended not to hear, while Yang Chengrong's face turned beet red, but she still led Xiao Hongtao to the inner courtyard with all due propriety. Xiao Wanxue was not faring much better, demurely flanking Lady Xiao with Yang Mengchen, one on each side.

"Chenchen is truly wise and capable—just look at this layout, it's innovative and unique, instantly uplifting one's spirits upon viewing," Lady Xiao commented with admiration as she looked around.

Yang Mengchen smiled and said, "Then Aunty Xiao should stay here until the little brothers have had their full-moon celebration before going back."

As she had initially suspected, Old Lady Xiao had indeed sent the midwife and Sister Du to show concern for Uncle Xiao's offspring; each was cunning and malicious. She was very worried.

"I would like to, but..." Lady Xiao showed a trace of bitter smile.

If it hadn't been for Mengchen's prior warning and caution, plus Sister Ke, Chu Chun, and the other three always being on guard, along with Doctor Luo and Cheng'an coming every now and then to take pulses, ever since the arrival of that midwife and Sister Du, she had narrowly escaped several traps.

"Aunty Xiao need not worry; I have my own arrangements for this matter, to ensure that The Capital will notice nothing. It just means a bit of hard work for Uncle Xiao to travel back and forth," she chuckled.

"That's alright, I'll just treat it as an opportunity to go down to the villages and understand the livelihood of the people," Xiao Hongtao unexpectedly turned around and said before Lady Xiao could speak.

Lady Xiao glared playfully at her husband, but her heart was filled with sweetness.

Yang Mengchen teased, "Uncle Xiao is using public office for private gain, be careful I might tattle, ha."

"Good Chenchen, for your little brothers' sake, please don't expose your uncle," Xiao Hongtao pleaded with a beseeching look.

Since getting to know Chenchen, not only had his affairs gone smoothly, his daughter had become much more cheerful and had secured a fine marriage, his wife had quickly conceived after recuperating, and just a few days ago, Doctor Luo told him his wife was expecting twin boys. He was so overjoyed; he felt practically disoriented—all thanks to the good fortune Chenchen brought.

Yang Mengchen feigned deep thought for a moment before reluctantly saying, "For my little brothers' sake, I'll let Uncle Xiao off this time."

"Thank you very much, Chenchen." Xiao Hongtao played along wholeheartedly.

The sight of the well-coordinated performance by Yang Mengchen and Xiao Hongtao had everyone laughing heartily.

In the garden.

Old Hai and others were either whispering or playing Go on a board designed by Yang Mengchen while Weichi Kong sat alone on the side, leisurely savoring a few exquisite pastries.

"Jiujiu is here," Weichi Kong looked up to greet her, then continued to bury his head in the pastries.

After greeting Old Hai and the others, Yang Mengchen helped Lady Xiao to sit down under a ginkgo tree that had been transplanted from the mountain and brought over some prepared fruit juice and pastries.

At that moment, Luo Jingyao ran over breathlessly, "Jiujiu, Grandpa and Grandma are here."

"Chenchen, you don't need to attend to us. Go welcome Uncle Luo and Aunty Luo," Lady Xiao considerately said.

Yang Mengchen nodded and headed towards the front courtyard with Yang Chengrong.

"Is this Mengmeng? She has grown into such a fine figure!" An old lady exclaimed with a smile, taking in the sight of Yang Mengchen.

Her silvery-white hair was impeccably coiffed into a round bun, with a red jade-encrusted phoenix hairpin tilted to the side. She wore a dark purple fortune-bearing dress that she had sewn herself, her face exuding kindness, plump and serene.

Next to her, an elder dressed in a black robe with gold trimmings, his silvery-white hair tied with a White Jade Crown; his face was stern and firm, yet not rigid, his lips softened by a gentle smile.

Yang Mengchen smiled slightly and bowed, "Mengchen pays respects to Grandpa Luo and Grandma Luo."

"Up you get, child," Old Lady Luo warmly grabbed Yang Mengchen's hand as she rose, "No wonder Zhangzhang writes about Mengmeng so often in his letters; even Ruirui and Fanfan speak highly of Mengmeng. You truly are a courteous and sweet child."

Grandpa Luo nodded in agreement.

Yang Mengchen replied modestly, "Uncle Luo and Aunty Luo treat Mengchen like their own daughter, and the three brothers treat me as close as siblings, so they naturally spare no praise. And now Grandpa Luo and Grandma Luo speak so highly of me, I'm truly humbled beyond words."

"We're speaking the truth, little girl; there's no need for modesty. Didn't you say yourself that being too modest is equivalent to arrogance?" Doctor Luo teased.

Yang Mengchen responded with a mischievous face, "Exactly as Uncle Luo says, we shouldn't be modest and instead carry our pride openly."

The remark set off a round of hearty laughter among everyone.

Old Lady Luo laughed so hard that tears streamed down her face, and as she wiped the corners of her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief, she remarked emotionally, "Mengmeng truly is a joy to be around. I wish I could see Mengmeng every day, it would make us old folks feel years younger."

"We would be delighted if Grandpa Luo and Grandma Luo would stay," Yang Mengchen said sweetly, linking arms with Old Lady Luo, "I already arranged with Uncle Luo and Aunty Luo to come and pick up Grandpa Luo and Grandma Luo to stay with us in a couple of days. It's really Grandpa Luo and Grandma Luo who care about us younger ones, saving us the trip."

"Your sweet talk makes us feel all warm inside," Old Lady Luo said with a broad smile.

"I'm speaking the truth," Yang Mengchen shook her head, then turned to lead the Luo family inside when Lady Luo suddenly said, "Mengmeng, wait a moment."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.