The guests had started trickling in, and Wang Youfu, Wang Youliang, and Wang Youtian began seeing to their reception. Meanwhile, Wang Qinghua, accompanied by Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingyun, had departed for the Luo family to fetch the bride.

Wang Qingchen managed to suppress the urge to follow, turning instead to play with the few small children who had arrived, or more accurately, handing out candies to them.

Once the bride had been brought back and Wang Qinghua had paid his respects after the ceremony, the bride was ushered into the bridal chamber.

Wang Qinghua followed her into the room. Upon lifting the bridal veil, he was met with the face he had long dreamed of. Luo Qing kept her head bowed, too shy to look up. Wang Qinghua felt a touch of nervousness himself, unsure what to say. Finally, he stammered, "You haven't eaten anything since this morning, have you? I'll have someone send some food over for you later."

Luo Qing’s heart warmed, and she nodded, "Mm!"

Wang Qinghua felt the atmosphere in the room was overwhelming, so he cautiously said, "Then... then I'll step out for a moment."

"Mm!" Luo Qing nodded again.

After leaving the room, Wang Qinghua let out a deep sigh of relief. Although this wife was one he had desired for a long time, now that she was truly married to him, he felt utterly at a loss, not knowing what to say. Thus, his only recourse was this hasty retreat.

Though Wang Qinghua was the groom that day, he still needed to go out and attend to the guests, making it difficult to fetch food for Luo Qing himself. He had considered finding Madam Yang, but for some reason, he suddenly recalled what Wang Qingchen had told him about Madam Yang being prone to jealousy, so he decided to seek out Wang Qingchen for assistance instead.

When Wang Qinghua found Wang Qingchen, the latter was deeply engaged in playing games with a group of young boys, looking rather perplexed when he saw his elder brother approaching.

"Big Brother, you should be out front greeting the guests. Why have you come looking for me here?" Wang Qingchen asked.

"Uh, well, it's like this. Your sister-in-law hasn't eaten anything since this morning, and I wanted to find something for her, but I have to receive guests, so it's awkward for me to fetch food for her," Wang Qinghua explained his purpose.

Upon hearing this, Wang Qingchen scrutinized Wang Qinghua with intense focus for a few moments, making his brother quite uneasy until he finally broke into a teasing smile. "Big Brother, I wouldn't have guessed! You seem quite fond of your new wife!"

Wang Qinghua's face flushed slightly. "It’s just that she’s still hungry; she’s my wife, after all. I can't just neglect her, can I!"

Seeing his elder brother so red-faced, Wang Qingchen understood the virtue of knowing when to stop and replied, "Alright, I'll help you."

Once Wang Qinghua received confirmation, he left to attend to the arrivals at the front.

After Wang Qinghua departed, Wang Qingchen told the children to continue their games and went to find Wang Caixia. His elder brother was truly useless at a critical moment; asking him, his younger brother, for such a task was inappropriate. How could he, the younger brother-in-law, feel comfortable entering his new sister-in-law's room? Naturally, a girl needed to go—not only would it avoid gossip, but it would also foster a sense of closeness with the sister-in-law. How much better was that? At that moment, Wang Qingchen completely forgot that he was only eleven years old.

Wang Qingchen found Wang Caixia sitting with Caiyun and a group of other girls, and he explained his reason for coming. Since Wang Caixia often stayed at home, she hadn't yet seen Luo Qing. Hearing Wang Qingchen ask her to fetch food for Luo Qing, she was naturally eager—this was a prime opportunity to see her sister-in-law first! Thus, Wang Caixia followed Wang Qingchen to the kitchen to find some provisions. She then carried the food to the bridal chamber, while Wang Qingchen waited outside.

Though Luo Qing’s stomach ached with hunger inside the room, perhaps because it was her wedding day, she found that if she focused on anything other than her hunger—like Wang Qinghua’s thoughtfulness or how beautifully decorated the bridal chamber was to her liking—she could easily forget it.

When a knock sounded at the bridal chamber door, Luo Qing was startled at first. When she saw a girl entering, one carrying a plate of food, she instantly felt half-relieved.

"You must be sister-in-law, right? Sister-in-law, I am Caixia. Brother Qinghua asked us to find some food for you to tide you over," Wang Caixia said with a smile to Luo Qing, placing the plate before her.

Hearing that Wang Qinghua had arranged it, Luo Qing’s heart immediately felt sweet, and a smile unconsciously spread across her face. However, realizing someone else was present, she quickly suppressed the smile. "Thank you for bringing me food. May I call you Caixia from now on?"

Wang Caixia smiled and nodded. "Of course! Sister-in-law, please eat quickly!"

Luo Qing smiled too. She was truly very hungry and didn't refuse, lowering her head to eat while chatting with Wang Caixia.

In the kitchen, Madam Tian had done nothing to help but had gorged herself full, which earned her the disdain of everyone else helping there. But Madam Tian didn't care in the slightest; as long as she could profit, she cared nothing for appearances. She was already full before the feast even began, yet seeing all the delicious food still available, Madam Tian started plotting again.

"Oh, Third Aunt Tian," she began with forced earnestness, "Qingyun's wife is still at home, and since we are all here at your house, there's no one left to look after her. I wonder if she’s hungry. You know, women carrying children get hungry so easily. I’ll be bold just this once and ask you for some food to take back to her!" Madam Tian said, shamelessly pressing the issue.

Madam Yang hadn't fully processed what Madam Tian was saying when she heard Madam Zhang snort from nearby, "Hmph. 'Just this once bold'? I don't know how many times your face has been bold already; I suspect you could peel off several layers by now."

Madam Zhang’s voice wasn't loud, but the kitchen was small, and everyone who needed to hear it did. The others, afraid they would burst out laughing, turned away, but the way their shoulders shook suggested they were struggling not to.

Madam Tian saw that Madam Zhang had spoken while Madam Yang remained silent, and her expression immediately soured. Madam Tian thought to herself, Today is your son's wedding day. I’m not afraid you’ll refuse me food. If necessary, I’ll cause a scene, and I don't believe you’d dare let it escalate.

So Madam Tian became audaciously demanding. "Is it necessary to be so stingy? It’s just a bit of food for Qingyun’s wife. You are her Second Aunt!"

This time, Madam Yang heard clearly, and her face instantly darkened. Madam Tian’s words reminded her of what Madam Fang, her eldest sister-in-law, had said during the New Year, and her face turned instantly pale.

Seeing Madam Yang's poor complexion, Madam Zhang immediately went to support her and snapped at Madam Tian, "Big Sister-in-law, must you be so cutting? Second Sister-in-law is also pregnant! You haven't lifted a finger to help but have stayed here stuffing yourself until now, and Second Sister-in-law hasn't said a word to you about it. If this is called stingy, then there's probably no generous person left in this world."

The helpers in the kitchen also found Madam Tian's behavior despicable. She hadn't offered any help while being fed there but was now accusing the host family of being stingy. What kind of person was she!

Madam Tian’s face cycled rapidly between red and white as she observed everyone’s expressions.

Once Madam Yang calmed down, she told Madam Zhang, "Third Aunt Zhang, please help me prepare some food, and let Big Sister Tian take it to Qingyun's wife!"

Madam Tian immediately objected, "No need for Third Aunt to help, I can do it myself!" Saying this, Madam Tian started to move toward the food.

Madam Zhang mocked, "Fine, let me do it instead! Lest you pack everything up and leave none for the many guests waiting outside." Madam Zhang then began preparing the food herself.

Madam Tian saw that everyone else in the kitchen silently agreed with Madam Zhang’s implied criticism, so she didn't dare argue further with Madam Zhang over taking the food.

Madam Zhang handed the prepared food, portioned for one person, to Madam Tian. Madam Tian took it, looked at the abundance of food still remaining in the kitchen, and although dissatisfied, she dared not ask for more. She had no choice but to grit her teeth and prepare to return to the old house.

"Hey, Big Sister Tian, wait a moment!" Madam Zhang called out. "We have provided food for Qingyun's wife here, with so many people witnessing it. Don't come back asking for more later!"

Madam Tian froze, shooting Madam Zhang a hateful glare before taking the food and heading back to the old house. On the way, Madam Tian thoroughly cursed Madam Zhang in her mind, blaming her for having intended to do exactly that in the first place!

After Madam Tian left, Madam Zhang said to Madam Yang, "Your complexion is poor; you should go back to your room and rest. The baby in your belly is important. I’ll watch things here for you; don't worry, nothing will go wrong."

Madam Yang truly did feel unwell and nodded. "Third Aunt Zhang, I’m relying on you here. I’ll go rest for a bit and be right back."

"Yes, you rest well. No need to come back; I’ll handle it," Madam Zhang urged.

Madam Yang nodded. "Then that’s settled! I’m heading back to my room now."

Madam Zhang nodded, and Madam Yang slowly walked back toward her room.

Once in her room, Madam Yang fell asleep on the kang, only waking up late in the afternoon. Upon waking, she realized she had slept for a long time and quickly sat up. She found Wang Youfu sitting by the side of the kang, watching her with concern.

"Husband, I must have slept right through. Have the guests outside had lunch yet?" Madam Yang asked urgently.

"They've already eaten. As for you, you haven't eaten yet either. Are you hungry?" Wang Youfu stood up and sat beside her, asking.

"Eaten already? Have I really slept that long?" Madam Yang fretted.

"Don't worry, Third Aunt Zhang is looking after things; nothing will get messy." Wang Youfu comforted her.

"Then I must go thank Third Aunt Zhang," Madam Yang said, preparing to get up.

Wang Youfu didn't stop her, as it was fitting for her to eat once she was up. When Madam Yang found Madam Zhang, the latter was busy washing bowls. Madam Yang expressed her thanks, but Madam Zhang waved it off, urging Madam Yang to eat first.

After thanking her, Madam Yang went to eat.