They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 70 The Snobbish Zeng Family

After tying the oxcart to the temporary enclosure where the oxen and horses were tied up, the group managed to squeeze their way to the gate of the Zeng family mansion.

On both sides of the main gate, long, brand-new sheds were erected for the servants who came to rest. There were countless stools, tables, tea, melon seeds and peanuts. Colorful ribbons and large red lanterns with long tassels were hung everywhere. Many brightly blooming potted flowers were also placed on the ground. The whole place was festive and lively.

Steward Zeng, accompanied by several handsome and clever young servants, greeted the guests with smiles at the gate. Servants were running around inside and out, carrying out various tasks.

Not to mention Aunt Liang and Liang Mingliang, even Liang Lizheng, who had seen a bit of the world, almost stumbled while trying to remain calm.

Aunt Liang carried a large basket in one hand, containing thirty eggs, six catties of longevity noodles, two canisters of tea, and two packets of brown sugar. Her other hand, without her noticing, unconsciously gripped Xu Zhichun's hand tightly, as if trying to draw strength from him.

Liang Lizheng was carrying a basket that was a pair with the one that Aunt Liang was carrying, and the contents inside were the same.

The tall, large box of longevity noodles was held in Liang Mingliang's arms, with Liang Li nervously protecting him from the side. Zeng Xiaoyan, who was clearing the way in front, also subconsciously turned around to protect him.

Liang Mingliang is holding the face of his entire family in his hands.

Uncle Zeng.

Zeng Xiaoyan greeted Butler Zeng.

After offering his compliments with a beaming smile, Butler Zeng watched as the two guests were respectfully led away by a servant. Only then did he turn to Zeng Xiaoyan, a surprised smile on his face: "Ah, Miss Zeng is here! And also my in-laws, please come in!"

Liang Lizheng exchanged a few polite words with Liang.

Zeng Xiaoyan's temper was about to burst, and she said coldly, "Where's my father? Is he busy? Is my older brother busy too?"

Whatever she does is fine, since she's already fallen out with her stepmother.

At her stepmother's behest, her reputation had long been tarnished, but she didn't care.

However, when the parents-in-law came to celebrate the birthday, even though they were in-laws, not a single member of the Zeng family came out to greet them.
Why didn't Uncle Zeng even send someone to inform him?
Uncle Zeng didn't take her seriously at all, so naturally he wouldn't take the Liang family seriously either.

"Third Miss, we have so many distinguished guests today. Master, Madam, Eldest Young Master, and the eldest young lady and her husband are all busy greeting them. Since you're family, Third Miss, this old servant won't have anyone lead the way. Please lead your in-laws inside, hehe."

"you--"

“Third brother’s wife,” Liang Lizheng coughed and smiled, “Since that’s the case, let’s go in. Your father and the others are busy today, so we should be understanding and not be so impolite or ignorant.”

Butler Zeng's smile froze slightly: Who are you saying is impolite and ignorant?

Butler Zeng was slightly embarrassed and annoyed: He was being mocked by a country bumpkin? And the master and mistress were being mocked as well?
Xu Zhichun knew that his aunt and the others would definitely not talk back. He couldn't let the village head fight alone. At this time, it was very necessary to have a straight man.

There needs to be a harmony after the "singing" to complete the perfect loop. Xu Zhichun then smiled and said, "Uncle is right. Since Master Zeng's family has so many distinguished guests to entertain, they naturally don't have time. Xiao Yan, let's go."

Aren't legitimate in-laws considered honored guests? Then what qualifies as an honored guest? Is it only the wealthy and powerful? No matter how close or intimate the relationship, poor relatives don't count. Isn't this host family just snobbish?
Butler Zeng was already starting to lose face.

Zeng Xiaoyan smiled disdainfully, "Alright, Father, Mother, Sister-in-law Zhichun, let's go. Husband, be careful with what you're carrying, this is a birthday gift we've carefully prepared."

The group ignored Steward Zeng and followed Zeng Xiaoyan away.

The servants of the Zeng family had been eavesdropping and peeking, and upon seeing this, they were all secretly gossiping: The Third Miss is still the same Third Miss, she hasn't changed at all. They just hadn't expected the Third Master, her in-laws, to be so sharp-tongued. And that young woman, is she the Third Miss's sister-in-law? She's always ready to criticize; no wonder she gets along so well with the Third Miss. Look at Steward Zeng, his face is practically bleeding with embarrassment.
Not only did the servants of the Zeng family secretly watch the play and gossip, but many guests who happened to be passing by also stopped to watch. After Zeng Xiaoyan and the others left, they gradually left, whispering among themselves.

Butler Zeng snapped out of his daze and his expression changed slightly. He cursed himself for not thinking of this, and now the guests had seen and heard it all. He wondered what they would say afterward.

The master is very concerned about his reputation. If he doesn't know about this, that's fine, but if he hears people talking about it outside, he will definitely get a scolding.

He secretly regretted it. Didn't he know what kind of temperament the Third Miss had? He should have just gone along with her. Why did he have to argue with her?
While feeling both regret and secret anger, she thought, "It's one thing for the Third Miss to be willful and ignorant in the past, but today is the Master's fiftieth birthday. Why does the Third Miss have to be so stubborn? Does she have to make a fool of herself in front of outsiders to be happy? No wonder the Master and Madam don't like her and say she's ignorant. She really is ignorant at all."

And what about those three in-laws and that young wife of the Liang family? If it weren't for their promises, could they have married the Zeng family's daughter? Even if she were born out of wedlock, they wouldn't have been able to get her.

Such a meager gift, carrying a big, bulky box that looks impressive but whose contents are unknown – just some rural specialties – and yet they dare to have the master and mistress come to greet them personally?

Dissatisfied.

They are far inferior to the second daughter's husband's family.

However, the Lou family, the husband's family of the second young lady, is not much better. They are so snobbish that it's unbearable to look at them, and he doesn't even think about them.

In the end, it's all thanks to the eldest young lady's good fortune. The Qi family is one of the most prominent families in Qingyang County. The eldest young lady's mother-in-law is her cousin, and she is also the wife of the Assistant Magistrate of Xijiang Province, who is a higher-ranking official than the county magistrate.

Zeng Xiaoyan and the others arrived at the main hall.

Master Zeng was chatting and laughing with a group of distinguished guests. When someone came to give a birthday gift, he would exchange pleasantries and pleasantries. If someone was of higher status than him, he would stand up with a smile and talk to them warmly, inviting them to sit down. If someone was of lower status than him, he would also greet them with a smile, but before he could actually stand up, the other person would rush forward to greet him, smile and flatter him, so he would sit down again.

However, Liang Lizheng and Aunt Liang were his in-laws, so he couldn't possibly not get up to greet them.

Zeng Xiaoyan called out, "Father!" When Master Zeng looked up and saw them, the smile on his face faded slightly. He then stood up with a grin and called out, "Father-in-law and Mother-in-law!"

"Father-in-law and mother-in-law, you're too kind! Please, have a seat!" Master Zeng said with a smile, while scolding the servant beside him, "Why didn't anyone announce the arrival of our third in-laws? I should have gone out to greet them myself. How rude of me! I've made a fool of myself in front of my father-in-law, hahaha!"

(End of this chapter)