Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 206: Chapter 200 Celebrating Longevity, Misplaced Praise

On the other side, Yu Qingyi was waiting at the end of the street with Yang Yunyan, Yang Yunxue, and Lu Qian.

Yang Yunxue lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked at the long queue in front, unable to help clicking her tongue.

”How long will it take for our turn to come!”

Yu Qingyi was also a sightseer. This was the first time she had seen such a grand scene.

”There’s no way around it, we can only line up here.”

There are rules to queuing; while not overly stringent, they cannot be ignored.

Those of higher status naturally tried to queue at the front, while families of officials with lower ranks naturally ended up at the back. This was not greatly related to how early one set out.

Yang Zhenshan was merely a garrison commander, likely the lowest official rank present, so Yu Qingyi and the others naturally couldn’t presume to cut to the front and attract attention, so they had to line up at the end.

”Alas, Dad’s official rank is still too low, I wonder when he will get promoted again!” Yang Yunxue murmured softly.

Yang Yunyan overheard her words and couldn’t help but knock her lightly, ”What nonsense are you talking about?”

Yang Yunxue giggled and stuck out her tongue.

Perhaps it was because Yang Zhenshan had been promoted too easily before, or maybe it was because Yang Yunxue felt that Yang Zhenshan was very capable, but Yang Yunxue just felt that Yang Zhenshan should not be confined to the position of a garrison commander.

This was probably the admiration of a daughter for her father.

They lined up for more than half a two-hour period before they arrived at the front of the Marquis Mansion.

Yu Qingyi took a deep breath, straightened out her clothes, then stepped out of the carriage with the help of Qingxia.

With her cultivation, she naturally did not need support, but as an official’s family, it was still important to maintain a proper appearance.

After Yang Yunyan and the other two had stepped down from the carriage, Yu Qingyi walked toward the main gate while Ding Qiu took the gifts list to the side porter’s lodge.

”The wife of An Yuan City’s garrison greets the two young Ladies!”

Before the main gate, Yu Qingyi bowed to the two young Ladies of the Marquis Mansion.

Liang Han and Liang Fan hurried to return the bow, smiling, ”So it is Mrs. Yang! We have long heard of Mrs. Yang’s majestic presence, and seeing her today proves that her reputation is well deserved!”

Obviously, these two young Ladies had done their homework, not only knowing of Yang Zhenshan, the garrison commander, but also aware of Yu Qingyi’s background in the worldly society.

With a soft smile in her eyes, Yu Qingyi spoke to Liang Han who was speaking, ”The young Lady is also spirited and lively.”

Liang Han was just over thirty, with a fair complexion, bright eyes, lacking the fragility and coyness of women, instead standing tall and straight, exuding a lively vigor.

One could tell at a glance that this young Lady was also a Martial Artist, and her cultivation seemed quite formidable.

This was normal, as noble houses often bred warrior husbands, and noble daughters often practiced Martial Arts, many of whom possessed considerable cultivation.

Those who could intermarry with the Changping Marquis Mansion were very likely noble families, and even if not, they would be military generals’ families.

After exchanging pleasantries, Liang Han called over a maid to lead Yu Qingyi and the others into the mansion.

Although Yu Qingyi and her group were almost at the end of the line, they were not the last, so the two young Ladies, who still had to welcome other guests, did not engage in further conversation with Yu Qingyi.

Once inside the Mansion, Yu Qingyi followed the maid with a gentle smile, Yang Yunyan looked nervously ahead, while Yang Yunxue casually observed her surroundings, as for the young girl Lu Qian, she was even more nervous, closely following Yang Yunxue with a taut posture.

The reactions of the four were different, which was normal.

Yu Qingyi, though she hailed from worldly society, had after all seen grand events before, and over these two years, she frequently interacted with officials’ families in An Yuan City, like the wife of the Military Equipment Department’s Xu Jin and the wife of Prefect Lin Shoude, with whom she often socialized.

So, Yu Qingyi had some experience in backyard social interactions, it was just that this was her first time attending a birthday celebration like today’s, hence she acted with caution.

Although Yang Yunyan was the eldest daughter of the Yang family, she was previously a peasant girl. Even though she had been living with the Yang family for the past several years and been living a wealthy life, her early identity as a peasant girl had become habitual, and it was hard for her character to change significantly.

In comparison, Yang Yunxue portrayed more the demeanor of a lady from a notable family; she was younger and, coupled with Nanny Li’s guidance on rules and etiquette, she could handle grand occasions with ease, even surpassing Yu Qingyi.

As for Lu Qian, a merchant’s daughter feeling nervous and inferior here was quite normal.

Fortunately, Lu Qian was merely nervous and harbored no other thoughts; otherwise, it could have brought unnecessary trouble to the Yang family.

The backyard of the General Mansion was vast, much larger than the Yang family’s, and the landscaping and decorations were very beautiful, a point in which the Yang family could not compare.

Even though the current Yang family residence was arranged with great effort by Cao Han, it was far inferior to the General Mansion.

The key was that the scale of the General Mansion was considered appropriate for its status, while the Yang family’s expansion was somewhat presumptuous, although it was justifiable because it was not an expansion conducted by Yang Zhenshan himself.

After crossing the gallery, Yu Qingyi quickly arrived at a garden within.

In the garden, pavilions, towers, and terraces were artfully situated; with rockeries and ponds presenting a charming scene. Although it was now deep autumn, the garden still displayed many blooming flowers, and there was even a flower house nearby, filled with various rare plants and flowers.

Groups of gorgeously dressed officials’ wives and daughters were gathered in threes and fives, either admiring flowers or chatting idly, exuding joy and laughter.

Yu Qingyi glanced at those ladies gathered together, then followed the maid toward the main courtyard’s main hall.

They were here to celebrate the birthday, and upon arrival, they naturally had to first offer birthday wishes to the Marchioness.

Soon they entered the main hall, where the Marchioness sat in the main seat, and many wives and ladies sat on both sides. These people were likely honored guests, as otherwise they wouldn’t have the privilege to stay here.

”The wife of An Yuan City’s garrison, Yu Shi, wishes the Old Lady happiness as vast as the East Sea, and a lifespan as enduring as the southern mountains!”

Yu Qingyi entered the hall, bowed in greeting, and uttered a very common birthday wish.

According to her idea, their arrival was meant to be a mere formality; a few auspicious words and they could take their leave.

Then, they would wait in the yard until the banquet began, and after dining, they would be able to return home.

However, she had not expected that upon their meeting, the Marchioness would actually say with a smile, ”So you are Mrs. Yang! Hehe, please, come over here and sit!”

Yu Qingyi truly did not anticipate that the Marchioness would invite her to take a seat.

It was not just her; the others inside the hall had not expected it either.

When Yu Qingyi entered the room, the rest of the people inside the hall did not really pay her any mind; those who were chatting continued to do so and most did not even lift their eyes to glance at Yu Qingyi.

This was normal, after all, those who entered later typically denoted a lower status.

Yu Qingyi was briefly stunned, then quickly walked forward and sat down to the right of the Marchioness.

”Thank you, Elder Madam!”

Yang Yunyan’s three daughters stood behind her, silent.

Today was the Marchioness’ fiftieth birthday, and looking at her appearance, she did not seem very old at all — with a ruddy complexion and a clear gaze, she did not appear aged aside from the crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes.

However, her attire did seem rather old-fashioned. She wore a headdress that covered the forehead and a dark cyan outfit, dressed like an elderly lady.

Indeed, here, at fifty, one would already be considered an old lady.

Yang Zhenshan, at forty, would already call himself an old man, let alone one who was fifty.

”Has Master Yang been well recently?” The Marchioness asked Yu Qingyi with a warm smile, gently holding her hand.

Yu Qingyi felt somewhat bewildered. She remembered Yang Zhenshan mentioning that their family did not have much communication with the Marquis Mansion, so why was the Marchioness acting so cordial?

”Master Yang has been well recently; it is truly considerate of the Elder Madam to be concerned!” Not knowing what else to say, Yu Qingyi could only reply with courtesy.

However, the Marchioness chuckled lightly and said, ”It’s not me who’s concerned, but the Marquis.”

”In the past two years, the Marquis has often mentioned Master Yang, saying he possesses the ability to lead troops and the talent to govern. The Marquis highly values Master Yang!”

Upon hearing this, Yu Qingyi felt a shiver run through her heart.

What did this mean?

Praise?

It sounded like praise, but why did it seem somewhat fraught with malicious intent?

What kind of person has the ability to lead troops? At the very least, such a person should be a General, and clearly, Yang Zhenshan had not reached such a level.

What kind of person has the talent to govern and pacify the people? This was even less applicable to Yang Zhenshan, a Military Officer whose realm lay in leading troops into battle, not in governing and pacifying the nation.

To Yu Qingyi’s ear, such praise seemed excessive; not because she thought Yang Zhenshan lacked such abilities, but because such praise was not fitting for Yang Zhenshan.

”The Marquis is too kind with his words. It is the Marquis himself who truly embodies a great leader. My husband would not dare to accept such generous praise!” Yu Qingyi carefully responded.

The Marchioness’s smile remained, and instead of continuing the conversation, she looked up at Yang Yunxue, who stood behind Yu Qingyi.

”You must be Yunxue!”

Yang Yunxue, startled, quickly greeted her with a curtsy, ”Yes, I am Yang Yunxue, Elder Madam.”

”Indeed, a distinguished appearance!” The Marchioness nodded with satisfaction.

Yang Yunxue, too, felt far from the composure and ease she had before, her body tensed with nervousness, hardly daring to breathe.

While the rest of the people in the hall turned their attention to her, those gazes seemed to carry a different implication.

”Hehe, a distinguished appearance indeed, yet the birth is somewhat lacking!”

Just then, a lady unexpectedly interjected.

Yu Qingyi looked toward the voice and saw it belonged to a woman in her forties. She did not recognize this lady nor understand why she would bring up the matter of birth.

The Yang family hailed from farming origins, and here, they were likely of the lowest birth.

The woman’s words were clearly meant to demean Yang Yunxue.

Yu Qingyi’s brow furrowed slightly, feeling displeased, but after all, she did not say anything.

After all, this was the Marquis Mansion, not a place where she could act recklessly.

Moreover, she did not wish to cause trouble for Yang Zhenshan; it was better to endure if possible for now.

The Marchioness seemed somewhat displeased as well, and with a glance at the aforementioned lady, she said in a sharp tone, ”What you’ve said is not right, is it? The Yang family comes from farming origins, how is that a lowly birth?”

”Didn’t the Zhengyang Marquis Mansion have farming origins a hundred years ago? Your Old Man even spent over a decade in the countryside! Why don’t you say your Old Man came from a lowly birth!”

Her words offered no quarter and did not spare any face for the Zhengyang Marquis Mansion.

However, her words held no fault. In terms of birth, who here could compare with the Changping Marquis Mansion? The first generation of the Changping Marquis Mansion were heroes of the founding of the nation, a lineage that had continued for over three hundred years.

Even before their status as national heroes, the Liang family was a Martial Arts Family.

By comparison, all the nobility of Da Rong had only risen in the past hundred or two hundred years. The earliest batch of nobles had either fallen and broken their lineage or had their titles stripped due to misconduct.

So, don’t talk about birth, depth of heritage, or lineage in front of the Changping Marquis Mansion, because there truly is no comparison.