After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 1051 Change of Face
That night, Hai Xiya went to the inn in person, accompanied by his grandson Haijiao.

No one knew what the grandparents and grandchildren said to the Hai clan elders, but early the next morning, the latter changed their attitude and went to the rented house of the eldest son in person, put on a cordial smile, and tried to show goodwill to Fang, Hai Baozhu and Hai Baozhu.

Several ferocious elders seemed to have forgotten what they had said and done, and repeatedly praised Fang for her contributions to the family. Their wives who came with them also looked kind and took Fang's hand, sighing that she had been wronged, and advised her to go home, saying that although Hai Baozhu was not her biological child, he was also a filial and polite child who would not forget her kindness and would take care of her in her old age. Some people also said that they would help prepare Hai Baozhu's dowry, so Fang didn't need to worry about it, and so on.

Even though Fang's mother and her two children were mentally prepared and knew that the attitude of the elders would definitely improve after a visit to the palace, they were still shocked by their rapid and complete change of attitude. Aunt Qiu's eyes widened with suspicion, worrying that the elders had a new trick to harm the eldest branch of the family.

She hurriedly pulled Hai Baozhu over and asked for her opinion in a low voice, then hurriedly sent someone to send a letter to the second house. After a while, Ma arrived with her confidants and calmed the situation down again.

However, the elders were still cordial and friendly to Fang, and even Ma felt weird and uneasy. However, it was also a good thing that they were willing to stop speaking harshly to Fang. Ma mentioned again that Fang should return to his hometown to worship his ancestors, and the elders agreed immediately.

They also suggested: "This year, there is such a big happy event in the clan. Why don't Xiya brothers go back to worship the ancestors? He is now an official of the fifth rank. It is time for the ancestors to see how powerful he is now!"

Ma didn't agree with it and replied casually, "Let's talk about it later." She then found a reason to send the elders away. The small courtyard rented by the eldest son finally became quiet.

Fang heaved a sigh of relief and said with a wry smile, "Although I hope the elders in the clan will treat my mother and me kindly, when I see them being so kind and amiable, I don't feel close to them at all. Instead, I feel a sense of horror."

Hai Baozhu also said, "Isn't it? I saw these uncles and aunts smiling at me lovingly, and it felt like the old men and old ladies of the Jiang family were smiling at me. It was scary, as if they were harboring evil intentions and plotting against me."

Hai Baozhu hesitated to speak. He actually felt the same way, but was too embarrassed to speak ill of his elders in front of his family.

Ma waved her hands calmly, "It's okay. They just have other plans in mind, and they don't really want to get close to you. If the Empress Dowager hadn't rewarded you with so many things yesterday, and if our master and Baoshun hadn't gone to the inn to warn them in person at night, how could they have changed their attitude? Now they also know how important the Empress Dowager's commendation and reward are. Even when the ancestors of the Hai family were at their most glorious, they never had such an honor, which is enough for them to brag about in the village for the rest of their lives! If they still use the old rhetoric to scold you, they are going against the Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother. How many heads do they have to dare to violate such a taboo?! Anyone who is not a fool knows what to do."

She advised Fang, "Just be at ease and take the two children back to your hometown. You should worship your ancestors and visit their graves. There is nothing to be afraid of. You should let the whole clan come to kowtow to you and thank you for saving their lives and saving their property. If anyone dares to speak ill of you, let the elders scold them back for you. When you are respected again in your hometown, you can stay if you want or go back to the capital if you want. It's up to you. No matter what you choose, your second uncle and aunt will support you. When Baozhu gets married in the future, we will take care of her in the capital and won't let her suffer any grievances."

Fang's eyes turned red after hearing this and she choked up, "My niece can be where she is today thanks to my second uncle and second aunt. I don't know how to thank you both for your kindness..." Before she finished speaking, tears fell.

"Silly child, why are you being polite to your uncle and aunt?!" Ma hugged Fang, "We are a family. Only when you live well can our second branch feel at ease. Besides, if someone in the clan does something wrong, it will also affect the reputation of our second branch. Of course, our family can't just watch our clan members make mistakes. We should beat them when they deserve it and scold them when they deserve it. We must make them correct their mistakes!" Fang lowered her head and nodded, tears streaming down her face.

The opinions of the tribe members that she once cared about seemed to be not so important now. The elders did not really slander and insult her because she had made mistakes, but they had other selfish motives. Once she could bring greater benefits to the tribe, they would immediately change their tune, welcome her with a smile, and praise her as a good daughter-in-law and a good junior. It was obvious that the elders were not upright gentlemen or respectful elders, and she really did not need to be sad and ashamed because of their reproaches.

She didn't do anything wrong, so she should live with a clear conscience and live a good life.

The attitudes of the elders changed, and the two old students who had set out to return home earlier also returned to the capital. Upon hearing the good news, they were very happy.

However, it was already late. The New Year was approaching, and the various government offices were already preparing to close their doors. Jianghaitun was still hundreds of miles away from the capital, so if everyone was planning to return home to worship their ancestors, they should pack their bags and get ready to set off.

The elders of the clan came to the second house every day to persuade Hai Xiya to go back home, and Hai Xiya was actually somewhat tempted. Ma was very reluctant, and ran to complain to her granddaughter Haitang: "It's winter, and the New Year is almost coming. I still have to travel. Isn't that asking for trouble?! If you really want to go back to the hometown to worship your ancestors, it's better to wait until the Qingming Festival, when the weather is much warmer and it's not difficult to ask for leave. We can also send people back to clean up the house in advance, otherwise I don't know if the old house can be lived in!"

Although the old ancestor of the second branch had been in disrepair for many years, when Hai Jiao returned to his hometown to visit the grave last year, he had already asked people to rest in the house. Before Xie Wenzai's old servant Xie Zhong went to Beijing, he had been looking after the house and ordered the old servants who stayed behind to clean it regularly. If Hai Xiya wanted to return to his hometown to worship his ancestors, it would be no problem for him to live in the old house, but it would not be as comfortable as the house in Beijing.

But Haitang thought that the most critical thing was that the time was too tight: "It's the Little New Year soon. Even if Grandpa wants to go back to his hometown to worship his ancestors, he has to celebrate the Little New Year in Beijing, right? Even if our family leaves early in the morning the day after the Little New Year, we must return to Jianghaidun before New Year's Eve. It's a journey of hundreds of miles, and we have to take a carriage to travel dozens of miles every day. It's too rushed. If something unexpected happens on the way and delays time, we may have to celebrate the New Year on the road, which is too hard."

Ma nodded repeatedly: "That's right. He is already an old man, why should he suffer this hardship? It's not that we don't want him to go back to worship his ancestors. If he had made up his mind earlier, it would have been better. Right now, time is really too tight, it's better to wait until the spring..."

Ma whispered to Haitang, "You should also go and persuade your grandfather and tell him that you don't want to go back. You are going to get married in the first half of the year, and your dowry is not ready yet. If you delay your return for a month, wouldn't you miss out on important things?!"

Haitang blushed slightly. This reason was certainly powerful, but was it really necessary for her to say it in person?
Just then, Madam Li came and said, "Miss, the doorman in front sent a message saying that Master Jin is here."

Ma was stunned: "Why is Xiao Jin here today? Is it because of Tang Tang's cousin's matter?"

Haitang quickly stood up and said, "I'll go ask him." She quickly got rid of her grandmother and walked out of the yard.