Back at Rongxi Hall, everyone performed the New Year's Eve farewell ceremony to Yu Chongshan and his wife according to seniority. The elderly couple smiled as they distributed "lucky gold ingots" strung with red cords to the younger generation.
Yue Fuguang once again watched her brothers and sisters kneel in a group; only she needed to stand and recite auspicious words.
Looking at the bulging, heavy red envelopes in her hand, their weight was truly substantial. She silently purchased two more 'Blessing' talismans from the system mall.
Although using two talismans for many people would dilute their efficacy, it was still as the saying goes: having something is better than having nothing!
Afterwards, the family sat together for the New Year's Eve vigil, chatting and laughing. This chatting and laughing didn't actually last long before they automatically split into several tables to do their own things.
This usually tedious and boring New Year's Eve vigil, because of the new games—especially at the adults' tables, which were divided into men's and women's tables—was filled with the clattering sound of tiles until dawn.
Only when reminded that it was time for morning meal and then to pay New Year's visits did everyone realize the night had passed, reluctantly putting away their hands.
Madam Zhang and a few others even joked, "When we return to our maiden homes, we must bring more loose silver. Who knows, we might have to play a few rounds with our sisters-in-law and sisters there too."
Yu's Second Aunt also chimed in with a smile, "Eldest sister-in-law is right. My luck has been good lately, and my fortune is strong. Who knows, I might win back that jade cicada by Master Yu from my sister-in-law when I go home."
For the next few days, Yue Fuguang's schedule was packed. She followed her grandparents and parents to visit relatives and friends. She didn't find it annoying, as it was her first time participating in such activities in ancient times, and the novelty hadn't worn off. As for whether she truly liked it, one would know by seeing if she goes again next year!
For Yue Fuguang, this was a bountiful New Year. Every household she visited bestowed upon her a large pile of bulging, weighty red envelopes.
Without exception, this envious the children of each household every time, pulling a full measure of their "hatred."
The second day of the Lunar New Year was the day for married daughters to return to their maiden homes. Yue Fuguang, dressed 'anew' by Cuizhu, followed Madam Zhang back to her maternal grandparents' home.
Yu Zhongqin and his four sons rode horses, while Yue Fuguang followed Madam Zhang in a carriage.
The Zhang residence was about half an hour's carriage ride from the Yu residence. Yue Fuguang merely dozed off in the carriage before arriving.
As soon as mother and daughter alighted from the carriage, they saw the eldest aunt, along with the third and fourth aunts, coming forward to greet them.
"Sister-in-law!"
The eldest aunt, Zhang, was tall and slender. Like the slightly plump third aunt and the young fourth aunt, she was dressed in festive red skirts and jackets of varying shades, over which were draped cloaks of different colors. Judging by the snow on them, they must have been waiting for a while.
"Greetings, aunts," Yue Fuguang followed suit in addressing them.
"Good, good. Was the journey tiring, Fuguang?" The well-preserved face of the eldest aunt, Zhang, was full of smiles.
The third and fourth aunts took the hands of the mother and daughter, saying, "It's cold outside, hurry inside."
The three uncles, who had originally been standing on the steps, also went to greet Yu Zhongchun and his four sons... well, after nodding in acknowledgment, they all walked smiling towards the mother and daughter.
Yu Zhongchun didn't feel awkward. Which year had his brothers-in-law ever waited at the gate? Enjoying this treatment this year was all thanks to his daughter's influence.
This child usually preferred to stay in her own courtyard. Occasionally, when she came out, it was mostly because her grandparents summoned her to enjoy some time together.
Even if her grandparents didn't "steal" her away, there was still his own wife. Which day ever fell to him? Today was a rare occasion for their family to go out visiting relatives together.
"Eldest brother, third brother, fourth brother."
"Greetings to all uncles!"
The eldest uncle, Zhang Zhi, said with paternal affection, "Fuguang is here. Quickly come home with your uncle. Your grandfather and grandmother have been talking since morning, saying you should be arriving soon."
"How are father and mother's health?" Madam Zhang asked with concern. She was usually busy managing the household. Although her mother-in-law wouldn't interfere much when daughters-in-law returned to their maiden homes, she herself was genuinely too busy to get away.
She couldn't return to her maiden home more than a few times a year.
The eldest uncle, Zhang, said repeatedly, "Good, all good. Even better than the last two years."
Madam Zhang's parents were three or four years older than Yu Chongshan and his wife. Various minor health issues had emerged a couple of years ago, so Madam Zhang's only worry was her parents' health.
The group chatted and laughed their way to the main courtyard. As soon as they entered the courtyard gate, Old Master Zhang and Old Madam Zhang came out to greet them, followed by a crowd of grandchildren.
Yue Fuguang exchanged greetings with everyone in a circle and received another pile of red envelopes. Besides gold ingots of various shapes, there were jade pendants and bracelets.
After visiting so many households, no one had ever given her silver ingots. It seemed that the young immortal lord's dislike for silver and copper was now widely known and deeply ingrained.
Speaking of which, her storage ring held several rows of shelves made of red sandalwood, rosewood, and pearwood.
Apart from the treasures Yue Fuguang had bought at a 90% discount from the system mall, the shelves were filled with fine items she had meticulously selected from the storeroom over these days—a full dozen or so large chests worth.
With over a dozen cousins, Yue Fuguang went through a round of recognition, barely managing to match names with faces.
Although she had met them during the adoption process, she hadn't really remembered many in the rush.
Indeed, neither rebirth nor transmigration increased one's intelligence. However, Yue Fuguang, bolstered by the power of merit and virtue, had a much better memory than before.
[Master, your eldest female cousin is going to marry someone involved in prostitution, gambling, and drugs in the future.]
「Little Pearl, is your 'prostitution, gambling, and drugs' the same as what I understand?」
The Zhang family saw a fleeting look of gravity pass over Yue Fuguang's face, and their hearts couldn't help but sink slightly.
A few of the younger generation were still playing and laughing, but the eldest male cousin Zhang Sheng, the eldest female cousin Zhang Yulang, and the second and third female cousins all trembled slightly, almost unable to maintain their smiles.
The older children had all been repeatedly instructed by the adults: this little cousin had some extraordinary abilities. If they heard anything, they shouldn't panic, should act as if they hadn't heard, continue as normal, and not show any strangeness.
So, this was where the extraordinariness lay?
They were sitting face to face. Just now, they heard the little cousin's voice, but didn't see her mouth move. And that childish voice called her 'Master'?
Was it a pet raised by Fuguang?
System: It's a divine artifact, a divine artifact! Can't let the prestige drop!
[Master, exactly that!]
「That's not right. The eldest uncle and aunt only have this eldest female cousin as a daughter. They should dote on her. How could they possibly find such a scoundrel for her?」
Zhang Yulang tightened her grip on her handkerchief. A scoundrel? How utterly despicable must a person be to be called a scoundrel?
Zhang Zhi and his wife also exchanged a glance, seeing doubt in each other's eyes. Could it be the Wen family...
[They naturally dote on their only daughter, and were even more meticulous in selecting her marriage match. It should be basically settled on the eldest son of the Wen family now. The two families will exchange betrothal cards after the Lantern Festival.]
「Is that person involved in prostitution, gambling, and drugs this one?」
[No. This eldest son of the Wen family is your cousin's first fiancé. By the end of this year, his grandfather will pass away from illness. That person will observe a year of mourning. Before the mourning period is over, his father will also die unexpectedly, and he will continue mourning.]
「That's really... terribly unlucky! Wouldn't that delay my cousin into becoming an 'old maiden'? I remember mortal girls marry early.」
[Yes, at an age when they'd just be starting university in modern times, here they become old maidens. Mortals don't know that young men and women marrying and having children too early not only affects their own lifespan but also the quality of their children. How could children born not physically strong possibly live long!]
