The car traveled unimpeded, arriving at the very heart of the Meng Family Old Mansion estate.
"Wenying, we've arrived. Let's get out." Meng Huaijin gently patted Fu Wenying.
Fu Wenying stirred, slowly waking up.
"Look at how tired you are. Why are you acting like a little sleepy kitten?"
Fu Wenying gave Meng Huaijin’s thigh a light tap. "Hmph, I wonder who’s to blame for that."
He then said, playing along with a wink, "Alright, alright, it’s my fault. Please, don't be angry, Mrs. Meng."
Fu Wenying had never expected Meng Huaijin to be so good at coaxing her; in their previous life, he had been as quiet as a clam.
The driver opened the door, and Meng Huaijin gallantly helped Fu Wenying out of the car.
"Young Master, Young Madam, the Elder, the Chairman and his wife, and the other relatives are waiting for you in the living room," said Uncle Li, the Meng family butler.
"Wenying, this is Uncle Li, the butler who looks after Grandfather."
"Uncle Li," Fu Wenying greeted with a polite nod and a smile.
They then made their way into the Meng family living room.
Seated inside were Elder Meng, Meng Yunheng, Lin Zhiyun, Meng Huaijin’s uncle, aunt, and other relatives, along with several of the younger generation.
Elder Meng’s generation had transitioned from the military to the business world. In Meng Yunheng’s generation, his eldest brother, Meng Yunfeng, served in the military, and the second brother, Meng Yunhuai, was an internationally renowned calligrapher—it was from him that Meng Huaijin inherited his mastery of regular script. The youngest uncle, Meng Yunxun, was the Mayor of Yancheng, and the eldest aunt, Meng Yunxin, had a passion for jewelry design; Meng Huaijin had even consulted her on the design of his wedding rings. His father, meanwhile, focused on business. Truly, there was not a single mediocre member in this generation of the Meng family.
As for Meng Huaijin’s generation, he was the heir to the Meng family’s Guokun Group. Meng Yunfeng’s eldest son, Meng Huaicheng, had followed his father into the military, while his second son, Meng Huaichen, was a famous movie star. The eldest son of Meng Yunhuai, Meng Huaizhen, was a prominent lawyer and head of legal affairs for Guokun Group, while his second son, Meng Huaixuan, was in business. Meng Yunxun’s son, Meng Huairui, was the captain of the Yancheng Criminal Police Brigade, and his younger daughter, Meng Huaining, designed jewelry with her aunt. Meng Yunxin’s youngest daughter, Zhou Rui, was also a jewelry designer.
All eyes were on the talented couple as they walked into the hall, hand in hand.
Elder Meng was the first to notice the bag in Meng Huaijin’s hand. He knew exactly what was inside, but remembering that his new granddaughter-in-law was about to perform the tea ceremony, he held his tongue. Even so, he sat there sulking, his face a picture of agitation.
"Grandfather, Mom, Dad..." Meng Huaijin greeted his elders first.
Fu Wenying followed closely behind, offering her own greetings.
After they performed the tea ceremony for his parents on their first day of marriage, the relatives teased them, urging Meng Huaijin and Fu Wenying to give Elder Meng a great-grandchild soon.
Once the ceremony concluded, Lin Zhiyun pulled Fu Wenying over to sit beside her. "I really don’t know what kind of fortune that brat Meng Huaijin had to marry such a wonderful wife." Fu Wenying could feel the warmth her mother-in-law held for her, contrasted by her disdain for her own son.
"You brat, how dare you steal that bottle of Romanée-Conti? Didn't we agree to drink it tonight?" Elder Meng thudded his cane against the floor in anger.
Fu Wenying realized the situation instantly. She couldn't help but laugh inwardly; she never expected Meng Huaijin to get caught in a corner like this.
"Grandfather, didn't you give it to me? How can you call it stealing when I’m just taking what’s mine? Besides, I only brought it back because I wanted your granddaughter-in-law to taste it with you first," Meng Huaijin countered with a grin.
"Enough of that. For Wenying's sake, hmph, I'll let you off the hook this time."
"Huaijin, what’s the matter? Don’t you want to share some of that fine wine your grandfather kept for you with your uncle?"
"How could I ever think that, Uncle? Drink as much as you like tonight; I certainly won't fight you for it."
The hall was soon filled with laughter.
After a while, the women and the younger generation were led by Lin Zhiyun to the conservatory for tea, while the men followed Elder Meng into his study.
"Huaijin, take Wenying to burn some incense for your grandmother," Elder Meng told him. "You should tell her that you’ve taken a wife."
Meng Huaijin nodded in agreement.
Fu Wenying had met Meng Huaijin’s grandmother before. Their grandmothers had been close friends in their youth, so she had seen her often as a child. As she grew older, the woman's health had declined, and the last time she saw her, she had accompanied her own grandmother to say a final goodbye. At the time, she had held Fu Wenying’s hand and said, "Wenying is truly excellent; I wish she could be my granddaughter-in-law."
Over time, those memories had faded, especially after her own grandparents passed away, and many details had become blurred.
Meng Huaijin led her to the room. He placed a cushion for her to kneel on, then knelt on the floor himself. Together, they kowtowed and offered the incense.
"Grandmother, I have married. This is Fu Grandmother’s granddaughter, Fu Wenying."
"Grandmother, I am Wenying. I married Huaijin yesterday, and from today on, I am your granddaughter-in-law."