Yun Sanman came today to congratulate his eldest nephew.
The news of his topping the exams at Jinxiang Academy had already spread throughout Heyang County.
His family had lived in Dashui Village for so long, yet he had visited less than three times.
This time, he seized the opportunity of the congratulatory visit to pay his respects to the elders.
"The Yun family doesn't welcome you, get out!" Old Man Yun stated decisively, his brows furrowed tightly.
When the family had been short on money before, Old Man Yun had disagreed with accepting his silver.
But Madam Gu, doting on her son, how could she turn him away?
Jin Huaihua and Hu Xier saw Yun Sanman for the first time.
Both were captivated by his handsome appearance and refined demeanor.
The four Yun brothers.
Da Man was tall and imposing, like a walking mountain.
Er Man had delicate features; though of farmer stock, he carried an air of scholarly elegance.
San Man was handsome and dashing, his words and actions exuding shrewdness and experience.
As for Yun Si Man, he enjoyed wielding weapons and resembled Madam Gu by seven to eight parts.
"Third Brother... sit!" Little Xi Tian pulled Yun Sanman's hand and called to him in a childish voice.
This third brother rarely came home, only because their father disliked him.
Alas, was it such a terrible thing to become a live-in son-in-law?
In this day and age, not starving to death was a blessing.
Besides, didn't Third Brother become a live-in son-in-law to curry favor with the Gao family, just to help out with household expenses...
Yun Sanman forced a smile, picked up Little Xi Tian, and sat on a chair.
"Little sister, Third Brother brought you a gift this time, look!"
Yun Sanman took out a small wooden box from his sleeve.
Upon opening it, a necklace of dazzling gold lay inside.
The pendant was a pure gold butterfly, iridescent, exquisite, and beautiful...
Such a precious gift was almost as valuable as the golden lock Brother Kong had given her back then.
"Little sister, Third Brother saved up his own money to buy this for you, I didn't use any of the Gao family's money!"
Yun Sanman explained with a smile.
He truly cherished his little sister and wished he could take her to live in the county town.
Little Xi Tian pursed her lips, "Too expensive, don't want it!"
It was too precious!
She couldn't accept it.
"Such an expensive gold necklace, you really spent a lot of money!" Old Man Yun said with displeasure.
Madam Gu shot him a look, "Didn't you hear? San Man bought this with his own savings!"
"Yes, Father, Third Brother must have endured a lot of grievances at the Gao family these years, please don't make things difficult for him,"
Yun Da Man rubbed his hands and persuaded in a low voice.
Old Man Yun snorted, his old face contorted, his nose practically pointed to the sky...
Little Xi Tian sighed inwardly, picked up the gold necklace, and smiled sweetly, "So pretty!"
"Does Little Sister like it?"
Yun Sanman's heart filled with joy, he lowered his head and kissed Little Xi Tian, "Here, Third Brother will help you put it on."
Such a young child wearing a golden butterfly was unique in Dashui Village.
While Yun Da Man and Yun Er Man were happy, they also felt a pang of bitterness.
Their little sister had grown so much, yet as brothers, they hadn't given her a decent gift...
Usually, it was just roasted corn or sweet potatoes.
Or they would go into the woods to pick wild fruits, mushrooms, and medicinal roots.
The brothers exchanged a look, feeling extremely guilty.
With the necklace on, Little Xi Tian ran to Old Man Yun, "Daddy, is it pretty?"
"It's beautiful, truly beautiful!" Old Man Yun's expression changed instantly.
"My daughter looks good in anything!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
When did Daddy become so two-faced?
Little Xi Tian hugged Old Man Yun's arm, looking distressed, "Then... Daddy won't blame Third Brother anymore, okay?"
This was the first time she had spoken such a complete sentence.
The whole family was quite surprised.
Old Man Yun was stunned for a moment, then he rubbed his daughter's head, "Okay, Daddy forgives him!"
The whole family: "..."
His attitude changed too quickly.
The whole family's pleas were useless, but Little Xi Tian's coaxing smoothed things over.
Perhaps from now on, for any major or minor matters in the family, they should first consult Sweet Baby before discussing with their parents?
Yun Sanman beamed, his eyes welling up with tears of emotion.
He came before Madam Gu and Old Man Yun and knelt down with a thud, kowtowing three times.
"Father, Mother, your son regrets not being able to be by your side to fulfill his filial duties all these years!"
The eight-foot man knelt upright before his parents, his voice choked with emotion, his face sincere.
Even though he had become a live-in son-in-law, he had never kowtowed to them in all his years at the Gao family.
Madam Gu, doting on her son, quickly helped him up.
"Your father is all talk and no action; he was still mentioning you a few days ago!" Madam Gu said with a smile.
Old Man Yun's old face flushed red, he snorted, "When did I mention him? You're talking nonsense!"
Seeing their father flustered, the whole family burst into laughter.
Liu Cuirong, being very thoughtful, got some melon seeds and chestnuts for her third brother...
"Third Brother, you haven't eaten yet, have you?"
Yun Da Man pulled him to the dining table and instructed Hu Xier, "Xier, go heat up a pot of wine and stir-fry a couple of dishes. Today, I'll have a good drink with Third Brother!"
"Understood, Young Master!" Hu Xier replied, turning towards the kitchen.
Zhao Guihua: "..."
Always calling him Young Master, Second Young Master, it sounded so awkward.
Actually, the whole family wasn't quite used to it either.
"Jinhe, come over and chat with your Third Uncle!" Yun Da Man waved his hand.
Yun Jinhe felt helpless, what was there to talk about?
Third Uncle went to see him at the academy almost every day.
One day he brought some honey, the next a packet of dried meat, and the day after, a few copper coins.
Yun Jinhe had never told his family about these things.
He was afraid his grandfather would get angry and throw a tantrum.
"Third Uncle, your nephew will pour you some wine!" Yun Jinhe picked up the wine pot and filled the wine bowls.
Yun Jinshan sat to the side, secretly eating, and from time to time spoon-fed his little aunt some steamed egg custard.
"Sanman, eat more. If the family isn't too busy, stay here tonight!"
Madam Gu put a piece of meat on his plate, her eyes filled with affection and joy.
Yun Sanman nodded, then suddenly remembered something and looked towards the door.
Oh dear, how could he have forgotten Fengjuan...
Gao Fengjuan had also come to visit the Yun family today.
She was probably afraid that the old man had a bad temper and would drive her out, so she hadn't dared to come in to pay her respects.
At this moment, Hu Xier hurried in, "Master, Madam, I just went out to fetch water and saw someone standing outside the door. Should I let her in?"
Old Man Yun frowned, "Who is it? It's raining outside, why are they standing at the door?"
Yun Sanman stood up and smiled, "It's Fengjuan. She was afraid that Mother and Father would blame her, so she didn't dare to come in to pay her respects!"
Little Xi Tian blinked her eyes.
She seemed to have met her third sister-in-law once when she was fleeing from famine...
That woman naturally carried an air of superiority.
So Little Xi Tian didn't pay much attention to such people.
Madam Gu said calmly, "Since she's here, let her come in!"
"Alright!" Hu Xier nodded.
A moment later, she led in a thin, tall woman.
Gao Fengjuan was carrying a large bundle on her arm, her steps firm as she lifted her skirt and stepped over the threshold.