After Lin Yan's three younger cousins were brought in, the room became lively.
The innocent chatter of the three children livened up the previously stagnant atmosphere in the room, and even the expression of Madam Hou softened considerably.
Among the next generation of her maternal uncle's family, the boys were named Yu and the girls were named Yu. Although these younger cousins did not come to be introduced due to Madam Hou's displeasure with her, Lin Yan, with the original body's memories, still remembered their names.
Marquis of Huaiyin assumed that Madam Hou had already introduced Lin Yan to her cousins, so he did not pay much attention and introduced her to his eldest son standing beside him.
"This is your uncle's eldest son, Heng Ge'er. He is your elder cousin, whose given name is Feng Feiyu. Over there are your younger cousins. You should have met them already, right?"
Lin Yan glanced over there and nodded slightly. She did not expose Madam Hou. After all, such a trivial matter, even if she spoke of it, her uncle would not blame Madam Hou.
It was originally a small matter, and it would be sufficient to introduce them again at this time. To bring it up would only make her seem petty.
Feng Feiyu also came to meet his cousin. He knew that his father had arranged for him to marry the daughter of his aunt's family, bypassing his mother's wishes. It was likely this cousin.
Compared to his mother's inability to accept it, he did not feel anything. He did not have anyone he liked, so who he married did not matter. Moreover, he heard from his father that this cousin grew up in a scholarly family and was proficient in all the arts.
What was there to be picky about in such a woman? Although his aunt and uncle had passed away early, he was the heir of the Marquis's mansion and did not need to rely on his wife's family's influence.
Upon seeing this cousin today, although her body might be a little frail, her demeanor that evoked pity made one feel protective.
When he saw his mother show a hint of anger, the cousin's eyes turned red. It truly made one feel compassionate.
This family banquet was divided into two tables, one for men and one for women. However, Madam Hou did not want to sit with Lin Yan, so she sat next to Marquis of Huaiyin, leaving the table to their legitimate daughter, Feng Yue, to host.
Lin Yan recalled the dining etiquette, trying not to appear awkward. But when she saw the dishes served, she knew she did not need to worry about dining etiquette.
"Why isn't Cousin eating? Are the dishes not to your liking?" Feng Yue immediately asked when she saw Lin Yan had not touched her chopsticks. However, her voice was a bit loud. Feng Yue seemed to realize something and quickly covered her mouth, whispering to Lin Yan, "Even if the dishes are not to Cousin's liking, for the sake of Madam's hard work in preparing them, Cousin should eat at least a little."
Although she said this, her gaze towards Lin Yan was filled with disdain. This was a person, like her mother, who, to put it nicely, was straightforward, and to put it bluntly, lacked foresight.
Feng Yue grew up by her mother's side and was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's mansion. Naturally, she had never suffered any grievances and had developed an arrogant attitude.
Moreover, Madam Hou thought her daughter was perfect in every way, so she had not corrected her much.
Now that a cousin had come who was to marry her brother, and this cousin had displeased her mother, how could she possibly like this cousin!
Coupled with her father's overt favoritism towards this cousin, it made her even more displeased with Lin Yan.
Before Lin Yan could answer, everyone at the nearby table heard the commotion and looked towards Lin Yan.
"Yan Yan, is it that you can't get used to the food?" Marquis of Huaiyin asked gently.
"Cousin hasn't even touched her chopsticks, so how can she not get used to the food!" Feng Yue said with ill intentions in her eyes.
"Perhaps she looks down on our simple fare!" Madam Hou said sarcastically.
This is too much trouble, not even letting one eat in peace!
Seeing that Madam Hou was about to get angry again, the concubine-born cousins quickly lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.
"Mother, Cousin probably doesn't mean it that way." Feng Feiyu quickly tried to smooth things over, as it was Lin Yan's first time dining with their family, and it was best not to let things get too awkward.
However, Feng Feiyu's intervention only made Madam Hou even more furious.
She did not direct her anger at her son but felt that Lin Yan was indeed a vixen. Her own son had only met her once and was already enchanted, even arguing with her for her.
At this moment, she had completely forgotten that this was Lin Yan's first visit and that she was a guest in their home.
Her rage had almost completely burned away her reason. She spoke recklessly,
"I don't know what kind of food would be worthy of your noble status as a county princess. Heavenly nectar, imperial banquets from the palace? I don't know what delicacies you used to eat to make you look down on the Marquis's mansion's food so much!"
"County Princess, you have gone too far!" Marquis of Huaiyin abruptly put down his chopsticks, the sound of them striking the bowl creating a harsh clang.
For a moment, everyone in the room dared not make a sound.
Madam Hou then realized that her husband was sitting beside her. For many years, he had indulged her and given her sufficient respect, making her a bit spoiled.
It was then that she suddenly remembered that this was the only descendant left by her deceased sister. Her current actions were tantamount to poking a knife into his unhealed wound.
"Yan Yan, don't take your aunt's words to heart. Eat if you like it, and if you don't, tell the kitchen to prepare something you prefer." He forced a smile to comfort his niece.
He had promised his sister to look after her only daughter, but on her very first day here, she had been made to suffer such indignity. He felt truly sorry for his sister.
"Yes, Cousin. What do you like to eat? I'll have someone prepare it for you right away." Feng Yue also realized that her father was angry and quickly changed her attitude.
"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have made a fuss. Cousin, please be magnanimous and don't be angry with me."
Feng Feiyu saw this and felt that his mother and sister had gone too far. His cousin had not said a word, yet she had been branded with one accusation after another.
Looking at her slightly red eyes, she must have been greatly wronged. He wanted to speak up for her, but after he said one sentence, his mother became so angry that he did not speak further.
Since his father had already stood up for his cousin, he felt at ease. However, seeing his cousin's expression, wanting to speak but being squeezed by her mother and sister, his heart ached slightly.
Cousin was also raised with great care by her father and mother. How could she have ever suffered such humiliation!
"Uncle, it's not that I don't like these dishes, but that I cannot eat them." She tried to force a smile, but the sadness on her face could not be hidden.
"Why?" Marquis of Huaiyin glanced at the dishes on the table, finding nothing unusual.
"Yan is in deep mourning and cannot eat meat. Because of Yan'er disturbing Uncle's family's good spirits, Yan'er is truly without excuse!"