Chapter Ten: Sister-in-law

Today was a day of celebration. A magpie landed with a cheerful caw on the tall tree in the Lin family’s courtyard, cocking its head now and then to observe the constant stream of visitors below. The youngest granddaughter, Lin Cenbao, was a full month old today. The Lin household was alive with laughter and chatter, so much so that even old Father Lin, bedridden as he was, insisted on coming to the main hall to bask in the festive air—though he’d surely be laid up for another two or three days afterwards because of it.

Perhaps it was the excitement, but little Fortune, dressed in her bright new clothes, was all smiles, babbling happily though no one could tell what she was saying.

“# $ × * …,” she gurgled.

Since no one could understand her, she simply swiveled her round eyes from the safety of her mother’s arms. “Oh, what a sweet and well-behaved child—doesn’t cry or fuss, and so plump and fair!” praised one of the village women without reservation; the others quickly chimed in, nodding in agreement.

Little Fortune welcomed every kind word. She made her rounds, held in turn by her mother, her grandmother, and her maternal grandmother, and even managed a quick pass in front of her grandfather, old Father Lin, before being scooped up by her father, Lin Sanlang, for further showing off, trailed by three little shadows.

Little Fortune: “…”

The three little followers—Dog Egg, Little Wolf, and Little Cenhui—were equally silent.

Old Madam Lin was in high spirits. Her granddaughter’s full-month celebration coincided with her second son Erlang’s return home. Life seemed to be getting better by the day, she mused, and both her husband and grandson were growing healthier. She could not help but feel joyful. Of course, if those shameless freeloaders in the corner hadn’t come, she would’ve been even happier. At the thought, she shot a glare toward the corner—truly shameless.

The Tian family, currently feasting without restraint, could only pretend not to notice.

At that moment, Meng Yun was waiting for her father and brothers to arrive. She was eager to meet her new sister-in-law, whom she hadn’t seen in the two years since she’d last been home. As she mused, her eyes fell on Old Madam Tian, whose mouth was slick with grease as she continued to stuff meat into her cheeks, barely swallowing before reaching for more.

Meng Yun could only think, “Have you never seen meat in your life?”—such disgrace.

Just then, commotion at the front gate signaled the arrival of her family. At the sight of her father, whom she hadn’t seen in so long, Meng Yun’s eyes filled with tears. Unable to hold back, she threw herself into Old Father Meng’s arms and wept. Meng Shengze, too, felt his eyes grow hot as he held his daughter, stroking her hair as he had when she was a child. Madam Meng turned away to hide her own tears.

“Looks like all you see is Father, not a glance for your loving brother—how heartbreaking!” Meng Xuan teased, feigning a hand over his heart. “Isn’t it enough you have two grown brothers standing here?”

Seeing her ever-spirited second brother, Meng Yun couldn’t help but laugh through her tears. “Brother, Second Brother, I’ve missed you so much!” She slipped from her father’s embrace to face her brothers, and tears welled up once more.

“You’ve grown up, Yun’er. Why are you still crying like a child?” her eldest brother, Meng Lang, teased kindly.

“You’re always poking fun at me, Brother. Is this my sister-in-law?” Remembering she was already a mother yet crying in her father’s arms, Meng Yun flushed with embarrassment. She glanced up and met the friendly gaze of a young woman standing beside her brother. The woman smiled warmly, and Meng Yun realized at once who she must be: her brother’s gentle and delicate wife.

Remembering that his sister had never met his wife, Meng Lang introduced her. “This is your sister-in-law. She came today to meet you.” Turning to his wife, he added, “This is my sister, Meng Yun, and beside her is her husband, Lin Sanlang.”

“Little sister,” Zhang Qiaoyun greeted her with a gentle smile and stepped forward to offer a formal bow.

“Sister-in-law,” Meng Yun replied in kind.

Those watching couldn’t help but admire the family’s refined manners—truly a distinguished household, never forgetting decorum. In the corner, Old Madam Tian was the subject of their scorn—how coarse she seemed in comparison.

Old Madam Tian thought, “Are you all so different?”

The arrival of her maternal grandfather and uncle meant Little Fortune was once again passed from arm to arm in a new round of affectionate embraces.

Little Fortune: “…” She had a few things to say, if only someone could understand her!

Outside, the full-month banquet bustled with life, but as Little Fortune was still so young, Meng Yun took her back to the room. Now only Meng Yun and her sister-in-law Zhang remained.

Zhang gazed longingly at the plump, clever baby, unable to hide her envy. After two years of marriage, she had yet to conceive, and her eyes reddened with unshed tears.

When Meng Yun returned, having changed her clothes, she found her sister-in-law quietly wiping her eyes. Remembering what her mother had mentioned in passing a few days earlier, Meng Yun’s heart ached for her. Her parents had never pressured her for a grandchild, but her sister-in-law might feel differently.

She picked up her daughter and spoke gently, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry too much about children. Take it easy—these things can’t be rushed. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Look at me; I didn’t have Fortune until two years after marrying Sanlang. Children arrive when they’re meant to.”

Looking at the gentle Meng Yun, Zhang recalled the rumors she’d heard back in town: that the Meng family’s daughter was willful and disobedient, disrespectful to her parents. She’d thought her sister-in-law would be difficult to get along with and had only come today to absorb some good fortune. But meeting her in person, she realized how wrong she’d been. She hadn’t expected Meng Yun to be so kind-hearted. Ashamed of her previous thoughts, she glanced at the wide-eyed, attentive Fortune in Meng Yun’s arms and felt comforted, a faint smile touching her lips.

Seeing this, Meng Yun handed Fortune to Zhang. “Sister-in-law, hold Fortune for a bit. When you go home, spend some sweet time with my brother—you never know, good news may come sooner than you think.”

Blushing furiously at her sister-in-law’s unabashed words, Zhang shot her a playful glare. “Well, well, you dare tease me, your sister-in-law, now?”

Looking down at the placid Fortune in her arms, with her big round eyes, Zhang’s cheeks grew even redder.