Cheng Ying looked at her mother; you couldn't say the woman was straightforward—she wouldn't step on someone even if told to.

Chi Yong sighed, "That's right, Sister-in-law, you have two sons by your side, no daughter, so you don't need to worry this way. But Zhizi is different. A family with a daughter is sought after by a hundred households. You just don't know how promising Yingzi is; there were so many marriage proposals we had to turn away, some even being chased off by the Old Mistress with a feather duster. My Wuzi is so blessed. Engaged, Zhizi has been absolutely swamped."

Cheng Ying had to concede. Her mother was useless, but the man standing up for her knew how to speak; look how he managed to needle them with those words.

The Eldest Uncle watched the entering couple with mild indifference. "If you have a daughter, keeping her well-managed is enough."

Chi Wu piped up, "Uncle, don't worry, my wife is doing just fine."

Chi Yong snapped, "Get out of the way! Even if the engagement is settled in the city, it doesn't count. We still need a village banquet for her to truly become your wife."

The Eldest Aunt-in-law bristled, "These city folk, they don't take us seriously. What's the big deal about Zhizi's engagement? Why didn't you mention Yingzi's engagement in the city? The child is fatherless, but you still have uncles and elder uncles to back you up!"

Yang Zhi couldn't find a retort for that line.

Chi Yong countered, "If she has no father, she has a mother. Besides, there's the Old Mistress. Sister-in-law, what is there to be uneasy about?"

Cheng Ying smoothly intervened, "Still, Eldest Aunt-in-law, how will the village banquet be handled? How many tables need to be ordered? Will it be at your house or Second Uncle's place?"

The Eldest Aunt-in-law gasped, "Oh, I wouldn't dare."

Cheng Ying pressed on, "I don't have a father, but I have Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle. Won't you arrange the banquet?" Backing someone up wasn't free.

The Old Mistress barked, "Troublesome child, get out of here! Is an engagement something you just blurt out?" She turned to the Eldest Uncle, "Eldest, ignore him. A brat you raise that turns out to be an ungrateful wretch. What do you mean, 'no father'? Where do you place your uncle? If I hear you say that again, I'll discipline you."

The Eldest Aunt-in-law fell silent. Why didn't she ever learn her lesson? Why provoke this girl? Why couldn't she emulate the Second Son's wife? She was clearly stimulated. People shouldn't get too carried away. Besides, this girl was too feisty; it was just a couple of words. Why did it result in all this trouble? What kind of girl was like this? It was all because the Old Mistress spoiled her.

Fat Sun beamed, "Eldest Brother, you've arrived! Come look at my little treasure. I was just about to call and share the good news, but I was afraid you'd worry from afar, so I specifically brought the child over for you to see."

The Eldest Uncle and Aunt-in-law were visibly happier to see the honorary uncle than Chi Yong, ushering him warmly into the house.

Cheng Ying wondered if she could attribute this to personal charisma: "The world has changed. Even blood ties can be diluted. Looking at them, you wouldn't think he wasn't his biological brother." It was astonishing. And it made things look messy. Anyone who didn't know might think the Old Mistress's illegitimate son from outside had finally returned to claim his lineage.

Chi Yong sighed, "Ah, they say you live and learn. In terms of interpersonal relationships, I'm far behind your Uncle Sun. We all have things to learn."

Chi Wu chimed in, "Uncle Sun’s skills are truly unique. Didn't he just call Grandma 'Mom' back then?"

The three of them lamented in unison.

Cheng Ying thought the village always held surprises for her. The Second Aunt-in-law and the Eldest Aunt-in-law seemed like they had swapped souls. Perhaps the Eldest Aunt-in-law had been bottling things up for years. Now that her own child was finally promising, her back had straightened, and she dared to pontificate in front of her. She even spoke to Grandma with an accusatory tone. This really was progress. Cheng Ying wasn't wrong; among all the households in the village, Cheng Ming was the only university student. How could his mother not be proud?

Dun'er, that scamp, burst in, sweaty from running, "Sister, Grandma, the food is ready. Mom told me to call you all to eat."

The Eldest Aunt-in-law's expression shifted instantly. In terms of conduct, she believed herself far superior to the Second Son's wife. How come the Second Son's wife got to shine this time? Especially at such a moment of humiliation for her! With her, the eldest in command, how could the second one be allowed to handle such a matter of face?

Cheng Ying replied sweetly, "Ah, understood, we're coming right over." Then, turning to her Eldest Aunt-in-law, "Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt-in-law, we just arrived and haven't settled in yet. Eldest Uncle, let's go eat at Second Uncle's place with Grandma."

That question was perfectly phrased, so satisfying. Chi Yong felt his daughter was truly considerate; look, listen, how effective she was!

The Eldest Uncle’s face looked like a painter's palette. He had always considered his branch the principal one, but this was a genuine loss of face. "You should have called before returning." He left the rest unsaid.

Fat Sun interjected, "Eldest Brother, it's been ages since our brothers gathered. Let's all go together."

The Eldest Uncle declined stiffly, "No, tomorrow, your sister-in-law and I will have things prepared. You all come over for a meal; we'll make it lively." Only then did he lead his wife away. Frankly, their exit lacked subtlety. Anyone else would have joined the lively gathering for such a minor slight. But the Eldest Uncle was petty.

Cheng Ying concluded, "That person has too much pride."

Chi Yong wholeheartedly agreed, but those words couldn't come from him. "Yingzi, that's no way to speak about lack of achievement," he said, unable to just listen silently.

Cheng Ying glanced at Chi Yong. Her stepfather’s tone was exactly the same when praising Chi Ye.

Fat Sun admonished, "Girl, that's my Eldest Brother. Stop needling people."

Cheng Ying nodded obediently, "Mm, I'll listen to Uncle Sun. That's my Eldest Uncle, so don't needle people, okay?" She was immediately smacked on the back by the Old Mistress. "Listen to what your Uncle Sun says! If I hear you again, I'll sort you out!"

Cheng Ying rubbed her shoulder. "See? This is a tiger entering the forest. Look how hard that slap landed—much harder than at home."

Chi Wu moved to rub her shoulder. "Grandma, next time, hit me. Yingzi's little arms and legs can't take it."

The Old Mistress huffed, "You shouldn't be so protective. Hitting her makes her learn her lesson."

Chi Wu declared with casual certainty, "I'll manage her slowly."

Fat Sun scoffed, "Look at you. Can you even manage her?"

Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying; indeed, he couldn't truly manage her. "I'll coax her slowly. That's never wrong."

Fat Sun spat, "Shameful! Are you even a man? None of us real men are like that."

Chi Wu puffed out his chest. "I am my wife's man. A real man takes responsibility for his wife." He gave a meaningful look.

Chi Yong led the departure, unable to bear the shame. How could his own son have so little backbone?

Fat Sun shook his head, disgusted to be associated. "The Chi family has produced such a thing as you." This was definitely not a compliment.

Chi Wu raised an eyebrow, looking to Cheng Ying for praise. Cheng Ying felt that deflating Chi Wu now would ruin his worldview later. "A responsible man—that's exactly what you should be, doing what's right and saying what's even more right."

Chi Wu was satisfied. "I stand taller than you."

Fat Sun sneered, "Pathetic. Even your dad has already left."

Chi Wu shot back with a grin, "And you, Auntie? When Dry Auntie came inside, she was holding a washboard. I suspect you'll find out what a 'real man' is capable of tonight."

Fat Sun forgot where his wife was standing when he spoke. He quickly hurried away. "Wife, time to eat! I'll carry the baby."

Cheng Ying nudged Chi Wu. "See?" Chi Wu replied, "I understand." The onlookers were left utterly bewildered by their exchange.

Cheng Ying mused that talking with Chi Wu was so effortless; they didn't need to spell things out—they shared an implicit understanding. What they understood was that Fat Sun and Chi Wu were cut from the same cloth, only one was verbally tougher.

After eating at the Second Uncle's place, the Old Mistress returned, marveling at the transformation in people. Look at the Second Daughter-in-law, what kind of person was she originally? Now, look how sensible she was, how good at handling affairs—how comforting she was to watch. She said this privately to Yingzi and Chi Wu.

Chi Wu explained gently, "Face is built on family foundation. If the family can't stand up, you can't afford pride; just being able to eat is enough. Grandma, in your time, everyone was just trying to survive, fighting for a bite to eat. Don't take it to heart. If they are filial and it makes you happy, that's all that matters."

Cheng Ying raised an eyebrow. How old was this child to have such profound insights into life?

Chi Wu whispered in Cheng Ying's ear, "I remember how poorly they treated you. For now, let's just make Grandma happy. It's worth any price."

Cheng Ying nodded. "You read my mind."

Chi Wu smiled slightly. If only he could gain a little more of that understanding. Seeing his wife manage both the Old Mistress and her mother so well—that was a real man.

The Old Mistress agreed, "Yes, let the past be the past. Times were hard for everyone back then. Wuzi is indeed sensible."

Chi Wu quickly credited her, "It's all Yingzi who says these things usually."

The Old Mistress looked between the two of them. No matter how she looked at her granddaughter, she seemed like an empress. She couldn't believe her granddaughter would say something like that. Oh dear, if the Chi family found out, wouldn't they think their grandson was being mistreated at home? In reality, Wuzi was certainly a bit henpecked by Yingzi.

Waving her hand toward Chi Wu, she said, "Didn't your Second Uncle tell you to sleep with Dun'er? Hurry up and go back. Rest early. Driving all day is exhausting."

Cheng Ying asked, "Grandma, would you like to visit Third Madam? I can take you over first."

The Old Mistress refused, "No, your Auntie and the children just arrived. I need to watch them closely. Young children are delicate; they might suffer from climate change or something. I need to keep a close eye on them before I visit your Third Madam later."

Cheng Ying conceded, "Alright then. My mother and uncle and I will go to my maternal grandfather's house and come back tomorrow morning."

The Old Mistress instructed, "Go then. Say what needs to be said to your Grandpa, but don't speak of certain things. Let that matter remain within our family."

Cheng Ying knew that matter referred to the true process of the engagement. "Mm, I understand. Grandma, when we leave, please lock the door securely."

The Old Mistress assured her, "Don't worry. The village is much safer than the city. Sleeping outside in the courtyard is still peaceful." Cheng Ying hugged the Old Mistress, recognizing that she was still more accustomed to village life.

The Old Mistress grumbled, "Stop fussing over me, you've picked up bad habits."

Chi Wu and Cheng Ying waved goodbye. Chi Wu felt uneasy. If only he could have gone with them. But Cheng Ying hadn't invited him. After all, he was the new son-in-law; he needed to maintain some decorum. Chi Wu managed to compose himself, not shamelessly begging to tag along.

As for Yang Zhi returning home, Old Master Yang was genuinely delighted. He only had this one daughter, and although her temperament was a bit soft, she was truly filial. "Why didn't Xiao Ye come with you?" The old man had grown closer to Xiao Ye over the years since his daughter visited infrequently.

Yang Zhi explained, "Dad, Xiao Ye came with his paternal grandparents."

Auntie (maternal uncle's wife) chimed in, "Sister, stay a few extra days this time."

Yang Zhi confirmed, "Yes, I'll stay longer this time."

Then, Old Master Yang grabbed Cheng Ying, grinning so wide his back teeth showed. "Girl, come look at this banner Grandpa hung! Grandpa specially used new red cloth; dazzling, isn't it? You have no idea how big of a deal this is in our countryside. Your achievement is top-tier this time! Grandpa is truly showing off now! Back then, this was equivalent to achieving the highest scholar rank!"

ps: My dear, do you have any pink tickets left? Please vote. RP