The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Chapter 361 Strict Self-Discipline, Too Heavy-Hearted

An hour later, the carriage of the Duke of Shunguo's mansion appeared in front of the Marquis of Ningguo's mansion and stopped. The servants of the Ning family who were waiting outside brought over a footstool.

Without waiting for Tan Jiang's help, Yu Tingwan lifted her skirt and stepped down. Just then, she heard the Lady of Ningguo Marquis call out joyfully from ahead.

"Nephew's wife".

As soon as Yu Tingwan looked up, the Lady of Ningguo Marquis came down the steps to greet her. Upon seeing this, she quickly stepped forward and said, "Aunt."

"Eh."

Lady Ningguo warmly took her hand and looked her up and down: "It's been a while since I last saw you, and you've grown even more beautiful. It's clear that you're very fortunate to return home."

Yu Tingwan showed no shyness, letting her tease her generously, a smile playing on her lips.

There were many carriages parked outside the mansion; by this time, most of the guests had probably arrived.

As the matriarch of the Ning family, Lady Ningguo, given her status as an elder, couldn't possibly be personally receiving younger guests. And since there were no other women in the household to manage the household, she shouldn't be standing at the door.

As soon as Yu Tingwan had this thought, the Lady of Ningguo Marquis pulled her up the steps.

“Your maternal grandmother has sent her maids over three times to ask why the bride hasn’t arrived yet. It’s clear she’s very concerned. I thought to myself, this can’t be rushed. Although both families live in the capital, one is in the east and the other in the west, so they’re quite far apart. It will take some effort. This is your first time here, and it’s like the new bride is entering the family for the first time. Your aunt will have to show you the way.”

"Now that we're home, we can't be so formal."

Then she added.

"Your arrival has put your aunt at ease. Go and sit with your maternal grandmother for a while and chat with her. The girl who came today is about your age, so you can help her take a look at her later."

An elder sister-in-law is like a mother.

Yu Tingwan felt that she did indeed have this responsibility.

She is so kind!

Yu Tingwan nodded: "Mm."

The Lady of Ningguo Marquis escorted her to the courtyard of Old Lady Ning, and then hurried off to the West Garden.

She was already very shrewd and resourceful, and she made all the arrangements perfectly. Moreover, she clearly stated that she was going to pick up her nephew's wife, so none of the ladies felt embarrassed to be left behind.

The old lady's courtyard faces south, with towering ancient trees and low-hanging eaves.

The old woman respectfully lifted the beaded curtain and invited her inside.

Madam Ning was reclining on a chaise longue, wearing a headband with auspicious clouds and cranes on her head. Servants were massaging her legs and shoulders, and she was taking a short nap with her eyes closed.

Yu Tingwan was afraid of disturbing her, and for a moment she didn't know whether she should greet her.

Just then, the servants beside the old lady stopped what they were doing and greeted her. The most favored old woman bent down and whispered in the old lady's ear.

"Hmm? Guizhi's wife has arrived?"

When Madam Ning was woken up, she opened her eyes and smiled when she saw Yu Tingwan.

"This person is old, and I don't know how she fell asleep. Quickly help the old woman up."

This was said to the old woman.

Yu Tingwan curtsied and took the gift box from Tan Jiang behind her: "Mother was thinking of my maternal grandmother and recently received several boxes of calming and purifying ambergris, which can ward off evil spirits. She asked the younger generation to deliver them."

Madam Ning snorted coldly.

"If she truly cared, why didn't she come to see me in person today?"

"She never leaves her house all day long; if you didn't know better, you'd think her house was locked up with iron locks."

While saying this, Madam Ning still gave the old woman a meaningful look.

The old woman stepped forward, respectfully accepted the gift box with both hands, and then had the servants serve tea and refreshments.

"I heard you've been learning how to be a housekeeper these past few days. How's it going?"

Yu Tingwan thought that Old Madam Ning was going to test her.

But the next moment, I heard a sentence.

"With a cold face all day long, Su Chan is strict and extremely difficult to please. I'm afraid your life won't be easy."

"troubled you."

"Grandmother will talk to her about it later."

But there's no guarantee that I can persuade them.

Yu Tingwan: ? ? ?

She answered truthfully, "Actually, it's not so bad."

When she first started learning to manage the household, her desk was tidy, with only account books, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones; there was nothing to eat. Yu Tingwan initially brought her own food, sometimes walnuts, sometimes peanuts.

At first, Ning Suchan would reprimand her with a stern face, scolding her for being inattentive and unruly.

But she's shameless.

They would also bribe Ning Suchan and give her a share.

Over time, it became...

—"No more can be brought in."

"There will be no next time."

"Mrs. Yu, you've eaten quite a lot, why don't you go out for a walk to digest your food?"

to the end.

Now, every time I visit, there's always a plate of delicate pastries on the table.

Old Madam Ning, however, did not believe it.

Her eyesight wasn't very good; she would see double images in distant places, but her mind was clear.

"Don't you dare speak well of her; do you think I don't know what kind of person she is?"

"Strict with oneself, too deep in thought."

Her tone wasn't exactly heavy, but it carried endless sorrow and pity.

"There's no one like that nowadays. They may be alive, but their hearts are long dead."

Old Madam Ning braced herself against the couch, trying to stand up. But her legs were weak, and it was very difficult for her.

Just as the old woman was about to step forward, Yu Tingwan quickly stepped in to help her.

Madam Ning smiled and patted her hand: "Child, help your grandmother to the window. There's a cypress tree there, planted by your grandfather. It's still lush and green."

With that, she dismissed everyone.

"Let's all go back."

Old woman: "Yes."

The old woman led the servants in the room to bow in unison, and when she passed Tan Jiang, she pulled her hand.

Tan Jiang remained motionless. Only after Yu Tingwan nodded slightly did he respectfully leave.

Seeing this, Old Madam Ning's smile deepened.

Once the gatekeeper's door was closed and only two people remained inside, she stood by the window and looked outside.

The bright sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

She still remembers the scene of her husband leading their two children to plant cypress trees here.

At that time, her son was ten years old, and Su Chan was only six.

The husband, carrying a hoe, rolled up his sleeves and taught them how to shovel soil and dig holes, showing no arrogance whatsoever as an official.

While it is said that the Ning family has been officials for generations, we must not forget the hardships faced by ordinary farmers.

Su Chan was just a tiny little thing at the time, squatting to the side watching. It's unclear whether she understood or not, but she secretly reached out to grab the mud and giggled.

But before long, a number of people arrived at the palace.

The eunuch beside the late emperor received the imperial edict.

The headmistress, dressed in palace attire, stood behind the eunuch. Upon seeing Su Chan's dirty appearance, her expression suddenly turned cold and stern.

Madam Ning: "Your mother-in-law was also mischievous when she was young."

She said in the most ordinary voice, "But I think she's good in every way. I was even joking with your grandfather that among the young men in the capital, I like the second young master of the Duke of Shun's mansion the most. He's been intelligent since he was a child. I wonder if there's a chance we can become in-laws."

"Unfortunately, when she was six years old, she caught the eye of the royal family and was betrothed to the current emperor."

Yu Tingwan looked up in surprise.

She had never heard anyone mention it.

I never knew there was such a thing...

In just a short while, her mind was filled with countless thoughts.

Madam Ning: Did you expect me to tell you all this?

Yu Tingwan admitted, "Yes."