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Jiang Zao felt somewhat uncomfortable at her words. She raised her eyes toward Shen Xiaonan and saw that the older woman was merely staring silently at the bag Li Shuan had brought, a smile on her face that did not reach her eyes.

It seemed that this old friend from years ago was not exactly welcome.

Jiang Zao understood the situation and met Mrs. Zheng’s gaze. “I was being thoughtless. The gift for changing how I address my mother-in-law and the betrothal gifts were given long ago. An heirloom of such value is surely more heartfelt than cold, impersonal cash.”

Mrs. Zheng’s expression tightened, and she asked curiously, “Oh? What was it? The Zhou family has no shortage of heirlooms. To have given one to your daughter-in-law so soon—Sister Xiaonan, you really are a generous mother-in-law.”

Shen Xiaonan smiled. “It was nothing extraordinary. It was something my own mother-in-law left me. She left behind quite a few things, but that bracelet was the one she had worn close to her body for more than twenty years. People say elders dote on the younger generation. Jiang Zao is so lovable, and I’m sure my mother-in-law would have liked her very much too. She would have been glad to see something she cherished in life passed on to a granddaughter-in-law like this.”

The expressions on Li Shuan and her mother’s faces immediately grew much uglier.

Zhou Lichuan acted as though he had seen nothing. Since Jiang Zao would not let him pull at loose threads, he simply held her soft hand while listening to their veiled barbs, using his more than thirty years of experience with his native language to conduct an exercise in “translating Chinese into Chinese.”

So long as Jiang Zao was not mistreated, what did anyone else’s embarrassment have to do with him?

The mother and daughter did not remain seated for long before rising to take their leave.

Before leaving, Li Shuan cast a deep look at Jiang Zao’s abdomen.

Only after the two women had disappeared from sight did Zhou Lichuan lean toward Jiang Zao and ask, “That Li Shuan said she works as a screenwriter in the entertainment industry. Can you think of anyone?”

Jiang Zao’s expression remained calm. She smiled serenely. “Zhao Luyi.”

Zhou Lichuan gave her a thumbs-up. “Impressive! I thought of her too.”

The two exchanged a smile and sat quietly together.

Zhou Huai returned after seeing the guests out and happened to catch the last part of the conversation. He asked in confusion, “Who is Zhao Luyi?”

Zhou Lichuan and Jiang Zao exchanged a glance, then sat on the sofa and slowly told Zhou Huai about Zhao Luyi.

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Shen Xiaonan came in and sat down as well. As she listened to their account, her brows drew tighter and tighter.

“I think your suspicions make sense,” Shen Xiaonan said.

The story of Zhao Luyi was not long. After they finished recounting it in a few minutes, both parents wore grave expressions.

Jiang Zao gently stroked her belly. “When Zhao Luyi barged in, it really was frightening. At the time, besides anger, I felt a great deal of fear. Sister Hui is getting on in years, and I’m pregnant, so I was afraid of being knocked or falling. Fortunately, Lichuan arrived in time.”

Zhou Lichuan stared at Jiang Zao in disbelief. “You weren’t angry with me?”

Jiang Zao could not help laughing. “Why would I be angry with you? Someone with Zhao Luyi’s personality could never have caught your eye. If you truly needed to find someone for a marriage alliance, she would at least have to be like Li Shuan. Zhao Luyi is nowhere near that level.”

Zhou Lichuan quickly said, “I’m not looking for someone for a marriage alliance. I already have you. Why would I need anyone else?”

Though he had seen it many times, Zhou Huai still found it difficult to accept this hopelessly smitten version of Zhou Lichuan. He secretly shook his head, then let his gaze fall once more upon Jiang Zao’s abdomen, his eyes filled with nothing but affection.

Shen Xiaonan took a sip of tea, set down her cup, and said, “Li Shuan must have come with exactly that intention in mind. The two of you should think carefully about how to respond. The Li family is not as simple as Windward Jewelry. They also come from an old aristocratic clan. Even if Li Shuan and her father belong only to a collateral branch, their ancestral heritage remains intact, and they should not be underestimated.”

Zhou Huai was not particularly worried about that. Who among them did not come from an old family? Besides, he was the head of the Zhou family. Li Shuan was not someone he would take seriously. What concerned him more was whether this would create friction between Zhou Lichuan and Jiang Zao.

Jiang Zao said obediently, “Auntie, don’t worry. We’ll discuss it properly.”

“You’re still calling me Auntie?” Shen Xiaonan said firmly. “Weren’t you already preparing to change the way you address us?”

Jiang Zao froze, then glanced at Zhou Lichuan somewhat shyly. After receiving an encouraging look from him, she turned back toward Shen Xiaonan and Zhou Huai.

“Dad. Mom.”

“Yes,” the two answered in unison.

Shen Xiaonan said, “After all you two have endured, you finally found your happiness. Your mother is very pleased.”

Zhou Huai also showed his goodwill. “Live your future days well together. If anything happens, come home and tell your parents. Your own parents aren’t by your side, and you have no one to stand up for you when trouble comes. Little Chuan, you must not bully her.”

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Zhou Lichuan let out an exaggerated groan, looking rather troubled. “You really are my biological father. In this household, she’s the only one who ever bullies me. How could I possibly dare mistreat her?”

Jiang Zao lightly patted him. He ought to leave her at least a little dignity in front of their elders.

Zhou Lichuan caught the hand that had struck him and looked up at his parents. “Dad, Mom, there’s one more thing… Jiang Zao and I got our marriage certificate on an impulse. We didn’t sign any agreements, and we never had anything notarized.”

Zhou Huai stood stunned for a moment, then nodded. “When you suddenly produced the marriage certificate, I guessed as much. If anything had been arranged beforehand, your mother and I wouldn’t have known nothing about it.”

Shen Xiaonan, however, merely smiled. She did not care in the least. “You’ve grown up and can take responsibility for your own decisions. As your mother, I’ve already done everything I could for you. As for the road ahead, all that matters is that you live it happily.”

The unease in Jiang Zao’s heart gradually subsided. On the way there, she had spent the entire journey preparing to confess everything to their elders. She had imagined countless possible reactions and devised numerous ways to respond, never expecting that once the truth was spoken, the matter could be resolved so easily.

“I thought… Dad and Mom would object to our having handled such an important matter as marriage so hastily.”

Zhou Huai gently shook his head. “Your character and abilities are plain for your mother and me to see. It is only a marriage certificate; we are not so narrow-minded. You will receive everything a Zhou family daughter-in-law ought to have. Shares, properties, and jewelry will all be transferred into your name according to the usual procedures. As for the formalities, you are not in a convenient condition at the moment, so there is no need to hurry with visits from relatives and friends. Go to the ancestral hall and offer a stick of incense. That will make you a proper daughter-in-law of the Zhou family, and allow your ancestors to see you for themselves.”

Zhou Lichuan looked toward Jiang Zao, silently seeking her opinion. Honoring the ancestors was one matter, but if she had any qualms about it, then such rites were merely shackles meant to discipline the younger members of the family. Whether she paid her respects was entirely up to her.

How could Jiang Zao fail to understand what Zhou Lichuan was thinking? She smiled and shook her head, indicating that she did not mind. Supporting her heavy belly, she rose and said, “As a new bride entering the family, it is only proper that I pay my respects to the elders. Lichuan, come with me.”

With a servant leading the way, Zhou Lichuan and Jiang Zao made their way to the rear quarters of the old residence.

They pushed open the solemn courtyard gate. Within stood an exceedingly simple and ancient structure, while emerald bamboo grew thickly along the surrounding walls, striving to burst into life in the spring air.

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