Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 181: Chapter 177 Respectfully Offering Tea and Changing Terms

Last night the crabapple blossoms were kissed by the rain, several flowers stand light and delicate as if they wish to speak. The beauty rises at dawn, stepping out of the orchid room, and picks some to compare against her rosy makeup.

”How come you’re up so early?”

In the early morning, Yang Zhenshan lifted the curtain above the bed and asked softly.

Yu Qingyi sat in front of the dressing mirror, combing her long, waterfall-like hair.

”The children will come to pay their respects soon, we need to prepare a bit!”

Yu Qingyi’s face still had a faint blush, perhaps from their first intimate night, a hint of allure now present in her eyes.

Yang Zhenshan got out of bed wearing his middle garment, entranced by her appearance, he couldn’t help but feel a strong longing.

”Let them wait then!”

By convention, today they should be serving tea to their parents, but Yang Zhenshan no longer had living parents, so there was no need to serve tea to them, just a need to pay respects in front of their spiritual tablets.

However, the adopted children like Yang Mingcheng must serve tea to them instead.

Yu Qingyi, with her alluring eyes, gave him a sidelong glance, ”You’re their real dad, you can do whatever you like, but I’m the step-mother!”

There was a hint of grievance in her tone.

Being a step-mother is not easy!

And with all the children grown up, it made her role as step-mother even tougher.

”Don’t worry, next year I’ll let you become a real mother!” said Yang Zhenshan carelessly.

”Don’t say nonsense!” Yu Qingyi’s face flushed even more.

Yang Zhenshan chuckled and walked behind her, planting a kiss on her rosy cheeks, ”What’s so embarrassing about it? We’re husband and wife; it’s perfectly normal to want a child!”

He was indeed eager to have a biological child.

Even though Yang Mingcheng and the others were very filial, after all, he didn’t raise them himself; there was always something missing in their relationship, probably the feeling of being a real father.

Yu Qingyi leaned onto him, her eyes brimming with tenderness; she too wished for a child.

”Master, Mistress!”

An outside maid, probably hearing movements inside the room, called softly.

The warm atmosphere was disrupted, and Yang Zhenshan, a bit helplessly, said, ”Come in!”

Following that, four old maids and four young maids entered in succession.

Among them, Nanny Liu, Nanny Lin, Qingxia, and Red Cloud were all part of Yu Qingyi’s bridal procession, while the rest were arranged by Wu Hai.

From now on, these maids and old maids would belong to the main courtyard, responsible for serving Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi.

”Greetings to my Master, and Greetings to my Mistress!”

The group came in and paid their respects to the couple.

”Dispense with the formalities!” said Yang Zhenshan unconcernedly.

He had been in this world for four years and had never been served by anyone before, firstly because he had the Spiritual Spring Space and needed his private space, which wasn’t suitable for constant attendance. Secondly, it was because he wasn’t accustomed to it.

However, now that he wasn’t alone anymore, it was necessary to have the proper number of servants.

Then, the maids helped Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi with dressing and grooming.

Yang Zhenshan couldn’t comb his hair, usually just casually tying it up, as long as it didn’t look too messy. Yesterday, at the wedding, it was Yang Yunyan who combed his hair. Today, it made him somewhat uncomfortable to have two maids do it instead.

But as people have their specialized skills, the two maids obviously had practiced this, not only did they tie Yang Zhenshan’s hair but also placed a net over it, making his appearance much neater.

Yu Qingyi’s adornment did not differ much from before, just a bit more exquisite today.

After dressing, the pair went to the main hall side by side.

Yang Mingcheng and the others had already been waiting outside; seeing Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi coming, they entered the room in turn.

First, Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi paid their respects and offered incense to the spiritual tablets, then sat in the main seats waiting for Yang Mingcheng and the others to pay their respects and officially recognize their new roles.

”Mother, please have some tea!” Yang Mingcheng lead the eldest branch in serving tea.

A stepmother is also a lawful wife, and the lawful wife is the legitimate mother.

A family only has one mother, which is the lawful wife.

Even an illegitimate child must call the lawful wife mother, while their birth mother can only be referred to as an aunt.

From today on, Yu Qingyi is the Yang family’s matron, the mother of Yang Mingcheng and the others.

Filial piety is paramount; as children, one must not defy.

If one is unfilial, Yu Qingyi could simply bring a complaint to the government office, and Yang Mingcheng and his siblings could be ruined.

Yu Qingyi accepted the tea and took a sip, then brought out the gifts she had prepared in advance.

It was a manual of a martial arts technique, a postnatal realm technique called Mountain Regret Fist.

Next was Yang Mingzhi, to whom Yu Qingyi similarly presented a technique, a footwork called Eight Step Chasing Cicada.

The techniques she gave were not random but based on the characteristics of Yang Mingcheng and Yang Mingzhi.

Mountain Regret Fist emphasizes a fierce and domineering approach, suitable for Yang Mingcheng’s robust stature.

By contrast, Yang Mingzhi appeared slightly thinner; his fighting style leaned more towards agility and variety, so Yu Qingyi chose a footwork technique for him.

Next, she gave Yang Minghao the Sky-clearing Palm manual. Yang Minghao resembled Yang Mingcheng a bit more, both having larger frames. Simply put, Yang Mingcheng and Yang Minghao take after Yang Zhenshan, being tall and robust, whereas Yang Mingzhi resembles Yang Lu’s side, shorter and slimmer.

However, Yang Minghao differed somewhat from Yang Mingcheng; Yang Mingcheng is straightforward and apt for direct martial arts techniques, while Yang Minghao is more lively. Although Sky-clearing Palm also has strong elements, it varies more and thus is better suited for Yang Minghao.

In addition to the techniques, Yu Qingyi also prepared three jade bracelets for the daughters-in-law, as well as silver locks and jewelry for the grandchildren.

Just married and already blessed with children and grandchildren, Yang Zhenshan always felt somewhat uncomfortable when he looked on.

After the sons had switched their terms of address, it was the daughter’s turn.

Yang Yunyan stepped forward first, ”Mother, please enjoy the tea!”

After drinking the tea, Yu Qingyi gave Yang Yunyan a set of head ornaments, and although Jiang He did not receive anything, Jiang Ning and Jiang Miao each received a small gift.

This was normal, as after all, Jiang He didn’t carry the Yang surname.

Next up was Yang Yunxue. Yang Yunyan was already married, but Yang Yunxue was not, and her marriage arrangements would certainly involve Yu Qingyi in the future.

Similarly, she received a set of bridal headwear. Yu Qingyi surely wouldn’t favor one over the other.

Finally, it was Lin Zhan, Wang Yunqiao, and Wang Mingzhe’s turn. Although they didn’t bear the Yang surname, they were disciples of Yang Zhenshan.

A teacher for a day is a father for life.

In the worldly society, the roles of teacher and parents are nearly identical.

Yu Qingyi gave Lin Zhan a set of the Four Books and Five Classics in fine editions, gave Wang Yunqiao a set of head ornaments, and gave Wang Mingzhe a silver lock.

Although Lin Zhan was a disciple of Yang Zhenshan and also practiced martial arts, he currently still focused more on studying, and for scholars, the importance of the Four Books and Five Classics went without saying.

After changing the terms of address was over, everyone dispersed, and Yu Qingyi officially took her place in the Yang family.

Yang Zhenshan accompanied Yu Qingyi back to the inner room, ”Do you want to manage the household?”

”Manage the household?” Yu Qingyi hesitated for a moment, ”Isn’t Ms. Wang doing a great job already?”

”But you are now the leading lady of the household!” Yang Zhenshan said with a smile.

This was indeed not an easy task.

The authority of the housekeeper in the inner courtyard was very important because whoever had control of it also controlled the family finances.

Many official and gentry families had ignited countless farces over the struggle for housekeeper authority, be it mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts or co-wife contentions, which was one of the main reasons for disturbances in the inner courtyard.

Yu Qingyi furrowed her brows; she also felt it was a difficult situation to handle.

What if she really wanted to manage the estate and Ms. Wang was unwilling?

She didn’t really care about the housekeeper authority, but it was also inappropriate for her to not handle anything.

One must not forget that there was still an unmarried young miss in the Yang family, and in the future, she would have to organize Yang Yunxue’s marriage, including saving the dowry, matchmaking, discussing the marriage, and the wedding, all of which she would have to manage.

Otherwise, people might think that she, as a stepmother, was not doing a good job.

At this moment, Yu Qingyi’s mindset was changing, shifting from that of a worldly martial artist towards that of an official’s wife.

”Forget it, I’ll decide. You take charge of external affairs, and Ms. Wang will handle internal affairs!”

Seeing her indecision, Yang Zhenshan made the decision for her.

External affairs here do not refer to the traditional role of the husband managing external affairs, but rather the Yang family’s external properties.

In fact, the Yang family did not have much property outside, besides the horse farm, the family’s over one hundred acres of land in Yang Family Village, and the shops in Chongshan Pass had already been sold.

”Let the eldest continue to manage the horse farm. Here are some silvers for you to use to purchase some shops and properties.”

Yang Zhenshan took out a small chest from under the bed, which, in reality, he retrieved from the Spiritual Spring Space.

This was most of the Silver Coin he had, not a very large amount, only a little over two thousand taels.

The reason for this small amount was that most of the Yang family’s wealth had been invested in the new horse farm.

”It’s only a little over two thousand taels; I’ll give you more once we have more Silvers,” Yang Zhenshan said.

Yu Qingyi nodded, understanding Yang Zhenshan’s intention.

Taking charge of external affairs meant that the income of the Yang family would go into her hands, effectively giving her control over the Yang family’s financial power in the inner courtyard.

Ms. Wang managing internal affairs meant that she would handle all matters related to clothing, food, housing, and transportation in the inner yard.

Of course, as the leading lady, Ms. Wang would still have to act in accordance with Yu Qingyi’s wishes.

”Alright, let’s settle on this. You can talk to Ms. Wang about it later!”

”Ms. Wang is a straightforward person and won’t have any objections to you.”

Yang Zhenshan tried to reassure Yu Qingyi.

Suddenly married into such a large family, Yu Qingyi would certainly face many discomforts, and Yang Zhenshan did not have a better solution but could only help her gradually integrate into this big family.

Fortunately, the Yang family did not have those complicated matters, and since Yu Qingyi was not someone who nitpicked every issue, they should not have too much difficulty getting along.

”Mhm!” Yu Qingyi gently smiled and nodded, feeling reassured as she suddenly realized that Yang Zhenshan seemed very attentive and caring.

This made her feel very at ease.

”Do you want to go to the Front Office?” Yu Qingyi asked.

Yang Zhenshan frowned, ”Let’s skip the Front Office visit for now, but the guests haven’t left yet, so I ought to go out and continue receiving them!”

”Right, several mothers-in-law are also here, so later have Ms. Wang accompany you to meet them!”

Since Yu Qingyi had entered the door of the Yang family, she would naturally have to take up the role of the leading lady.

”Okay, I’ll go meet them later!”

Yu Qingyi said.

Then Yang Zhenshan continued to explain the relationships of the Yang family relatives to her and informed her about the situation of the Yang Family, allowing her to gain a more detailed understanding of the entire Yang family.

The couple sat together, discussing the affairs of the household, and the atmosphere was exceptionally stable and peaceful.