Now that the tea ceremony was done, it was time for the banquet. Lin He and her family, being immediate relatives, hadn't intended to sit at the main tables. However, seeing that Wen Ningxuan and his brother had arrived, Mother Huang felt it would be awkward to seat the two brothers with strangers. Thus, Mother Huang specially set up another table in the main hall, keeping it just for them, asking Lin He to accompany Chen’er and Xiao Bao there to entertain the guests. Since Big Treasure, Mother Huang, and Er Niu had to attend to Yun Qi’s maternal family, Lin He was tasked with hosting this smaller gathering.

The group there enjoyed themselves immensely. Without Mother Huang around, no one pressed them to adhere to strict etiquette. They ate, chatted, and laughed around the table. Xiao Mo and Chen’er even teased Xiao Bao about the tea ceremony they had just witnessed.

Wen Ning Mo chuckled, "Your customs here are quite peculiar. Why did your new sister-in-law have to serve tea to you? You are the younger generation."

"That's how it is here. When a new bride enters the family, she must serve tea to her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. But we gave them red envelopes, didn't you see? The money inside those envelopes was quite substantial," Xiao Bao said while picking up food.

"Then, Big Sister," Chen’er suddenly piped up, "according to our rules, when you marry Brother Xuan, will you have to serve tea to Brother Xiao Mo?"

Chen’er's question momentarily stunned Lin He and the others. After a pause, Wen Ningxuan spoke up, "No need. When we marry, there’s no formal tea service then. The tea service waits until the next morning, and the younger brothers-in-law are exempt from receiving it."

Lin He almost choked on her food, wondering why the girl was saying so much, bringing up such a topic. Lin He quickly glanced at Xiao Mo; thankfully, he just smiled, showing no particular expression.

Fortunately, Chen’er was merely acting on a child's curiosity. Wen Ningxuan answered her, and she just replied with an "Oh," not pursuing the matter further. Xiao Mo remained silent, and Xiao Bao kept eating. A sudden quiet descended upon the table, and no one spoke again until the meal was over.

Although this was a midday feast, due to accommodating the auspicious timing and the tea ceremony, they finished eating close to mid-afternoon. After the meal, the two Wen brothers took their leave from Er Niu and Mother Huang. Mother Huang and Er Niu cheerfully walked them to the gate, watching them board their carriage before returning inside.

Inside, Lin He’s maternal grandparents were smiling in the courtyard, watching the receding figures of Wen Ningxuan and his brother. Grandmother said happily, "This is the young master engaged to our He’er. Good, very good."

Mother Huang nodded and made time to chat with her parents. Today had been incredibly busy with a constant stream of guests. Ever since her parents arrived, Mother Huang hadn't had a moment to attend to them. Now that the meal was over, she finally had a brief respite. But after only a few words, Grandmother and Grandfather announced they needed to leave; it was getting late, and they had to travel back home. Mother Huang quickly instructed a maid to bring some wedding cakes and snacks for them to take along. Lin He’s grandparents initially refused repeatedly, but eventually gave in to their daughter’s insistence and took the provisions.

In recent years, life for Lin He’s maternal grandparents’ family had improved significantly. The eldest child of the Big Uncle’s family was already married, and the two younger ones had grown old enough to contribute labor. The Little Uncle had also matured and was a good source of manpower, supplemented occasionally by contributions from Lin He’s mother, Mother Huang. Their household was getting by quite well.

Indeed, they had even managed to purchase an ox cart, which is what they used to travel today. Mother Huang stood with Lin He and the children at the courtyard entrance, waving goodbye to Grandmother’s family until the cart disappeared from view, before walking back inside.

Most of the courtyard guests had already departed, leaving only some members of Yun Qi’s maternal family. Seeing Mother Huang and the others walk in, Yun Qi’s mother smiled and said, "In-law mother, we should be heading back now. This place isn't close, and we shouldn't linger. I entrust our Yun Qi to you from now on."

Mother Huang smiled courteously and exchanged a few pleasantries with Yun Qi’s mother, sending a maid over with some wedding cakes and gifts prepared for Yun Qi’s relatives. Seeing the pastries made Yun Qi’s mother beam with delight.

These pastries were sourced from Big Treasure’s own bakery. Such items would cost a considerable sum to purchase; common families rarely afforded them. Sending these slightly superior pastries to her relatives gave Yun Qi’s mother immense face. Distributing these cakes to the villagers back home would surely bring her great prestige. Yun Qi’s mother accepted them cheerfully, exchanged polite words with Mother Huang, and then departed.

Later that evening, many villagers came over to celebrate the wedding with lively revelry, making Lin He’s courtyard even more boisterous than during the day. However, Lin He and the other girls, being family members, were not permitted to join the festivities. Mother Huang had sent them to bed early, reminding them they needed to wake up promptly tomorrow because the new sister-in-law had to serve tea to her in-laws.

Lin He and the others were already sleepy and complied with Mother Huang’s order, heading to bed. But the noise from the courtyard was considerable, making sleep difficult. Lin He lay in bed, her eyes wide open, pondering for a long time. Only when the courtyard finally quieted down did Lin He drift into a hazy sleep.

The next morning, before Lin He had fully woken, Chen’er burst in, announcing, "Big Sister, hurry up and wake up! Sister-in-law is going to serve tea to Mom and Dad. Let’s go watch!"

Hearing this, Lin He immediately scrambled out of bed and followed Chen’er to the main hall. The whole family was already assembled there. Big Treasure and Yun Qi were standing in the hall as well. Lin He glanced at Big Treasure; his expression was calm, showing no particular emotion. The same was true for Yun Qi beside him. If not for the bright red wedding decorations still hanging in the house, one wouldn't guess they were newlyweds. Lin He sighed inwardly; it seemed their relationship would require time to cultivate.

Once Lin He arrived, the family was complete. Cai Qing brought two cushions for Big Treasure and Yun Qi to present tea to Er Niu and Mother Huang. Mother Huang and Er Niu smiled warmly at their new son and daughter-in-law, offering auspicious words like wishing them a long life together. Afterward, the entire family settled down in the main hall to chat.

While they were conversing, Lin He noticed her mother, Mother Huang, repeatedly steering the conversation toward the new bride’s red envelope. Lin He then recalled that, according to custom, the red envelopes received by a new bride had to be handed over to the mother-in-law for safekeeping. Although the mother-in-law wouldn't keep the money, this gesture symbolized the bride’s respect. She remembered how Big Uncle’s household had a fight over the money from Song Yue Mei’s red envelope when she married in.

Lin He looked at Yun Qi seated nearby. Yun Qi remained composed, sitting serenely as if she hadn't understood Mother Huang’s insinuations. Lin He felt puzzled. Yun Qi didn't seem like a formidable daughter-in-law like Song Yue Mei, so why was she saying nothing about the money? Could she be unaware of the custom?