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Grandma Han loved to show off. Even though it wasn’t a milestone birthday, she still set up six tables—this was the custom every year. The occasion was lively with guests coming and going, including neighbors and some Old Ladies who were acquaintances of Grandma Han. After all, there were delicious foods to be enjoyed, and attending didn’t require a significant gift since it wasn’t a milestone birthday. Ultimately, it was a profitable affair for her.

They say, “Birds of a feather flock together,” and those who associated with Grandma Han tended to share her character traits, which is why they got along. Therefore, every year at Grandma Han’s birthday, the Main House ended up footing the bill, but the Main House’s silver was managed by Grandma Han, and no one else could intervene.

The meals were set on the tables, and everyone was just waiting for the banquet to begin. Grandma Han had specially arranged a large empty table beside her, covered with gifts from various families. Next, it was time for Grandma Han’s children and Grandsons to present their birthday gifts.

Su Wenyue muttered to herself that the event was quite formal, resembling the real thing. Grandma Han was no ordinary show-off.

As per the rules, which dictate order based on seniority, the Main House presented their birthday gift first. Normally, the Second House should have been next, but Grandma Han and the Main House had always looked down on the Second House, believing their gifts were not presentable. Consequently, the Second House had always been the last to present their gift, and this year was no exception. After the Main House and the married Madams had given their gifts, it was finally the turn of the Second House.

However, since the Grandson had married a Daughter-in-law from a family of good standing, Grandma Han did hold some expectation. Although she tried to appear indifferent, her gaze fixated on her Second son.

“Mother, may your fortune be as boundless as the Eastern Sea and your life as enduring as the Southern Mountains,” Han Jincai said as he offered up a set of exquisite Silk Clothes as the birthday gift.

Grandma Han’s eyes sparkled when she saw the Clothes, and her face lit up with a few more smiles. However, she soon remembered something and picked up the Clothes to inspect them. Sure enough, when she didn’t find anything else, her expression darkened again.

In the past, the Second House would accompany their gifts with One tael of silver, which had become an unwritten rule over the years. Of course, this wasn’t expected of everyone; it was specifically aimed at the Second House. Grandma Han had counted on her Second son being amenable and too afraid to disobey her, leading to an incident that set this tradition.

In reality, other people’s birthday gifts rarely exceeded One tael of silver. The Second House had previously been too earnest. No one paid attention to an inconspicuous birthday package, and although Grandma Han pocketed the silver, she still berated the Second House. To outsiders, it seemed the Second House was stingy.

This year’s birthday gift was Su Wenyue’s idea, deliberately planned that way. The Clothes she brought from her Mother’s Family’s warehouse were gifts given to the An Family, but as the An Family was particular about attire and only wore custom-made Clothes from either their own embroidery room or prestigious embroidery rooms in Chang’an, they never wore handed-down garments. The Clothes would have been handed to Servants at home anyway, so Su Wenyue considered it a form of recycling.

Although it was about recycling, for the Han Family’s social status, these Clothes were unquestionably treasures. If someone were to buy such Clothes from a Clothing Store, it would cost a few taels of silver. However, the value of Clothes plummets once sold. Su Wenyue also guarded against Grandma Han or someone from the Main House selling the gift for Silver.

“Second Brother, did you perhaps forget to bring something else?” questioned Grandma Han, her dissatisfaction barely veiled. She was indeed willing to confront directly.

“Mother, what are you talking about? I don’t understand,” Han Jincai replied, feigning confusion, much to Grandma Han’s annoyance.

“Second Brother, stop playing the fool with me. I thought you were honest. Could it be your Daughter-in-law has been inciting you? You’ve all just forgotten about your Mother after taking wives, as if this dying old woman is an eyesore to you all.” Grandma Han never cared to save her Second son’s face and would reprimand him openly.

“Mother, I truly don’t understand your meaning. It’s better you speak plainly. You know I’m not sharp, which is why I’ve never won your favor. It’s not worth getting you upset,” Han Jincai said with undisguised anxiety and earnestness.

It was at this point that Su Wenyue realized her Father-in-law was quite talented. She had worried he might not stand up for himself at the crucial moment, preferring to play the obedient son. However, observing his acting skills, she was convinced that on an average day he was clear-headed and astute. She didn’t believe for a moment that he hadn’t grasped Grandma Han’s meaning.

“Second Uncle, Grandma’s meaning is quite clear, so don’t pretend to be oblivious. It’s a happy occasion, don’t make everyone unhappy,” chimed in Han Jinbiao’s eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Zhou. Grandma Han was notably biased towards her eldest grandson’s side, and it was commonly them who reaped her generosity, so it was no surprise that Mrs. Zhou lost her patience.

“Cousin’s wife, what are you talking about? What do you mean by ‘pretending not to know’? Is that how you talk about your elders? So the Main House is bullying my Father-in-law because he is an honest man, right! We rushed all morning to the County Town just to celebrate Grandma’s birthday, and we’ve been so busy we haven’t even had a moment to drink water,” retorted Su Wenyue indignantly.

“Sister-in-law, I may not have understood, but I do now. Cousin’s wife is complaining that our gift for Grandma’s birthday is too modest,” Su Wenyue interjected at the right moment.

Mrs. Liu understood Su Wenyue’s cue and, raising her voice, she didn’t care about appearing indecorous—the louder the scandal, the better for her. It was a chance for the Second House to retaliate by exposing the Main House and Grandma Han’s true colors.

“What! Complaining it’s too little? How is that possible? With our family’s means, we barely make a couple of Silver coins working the fields all year long. For Grandma’s birthday, we’ve dug deep into our pockets. Considering how Grandma has never been satisfied with our gifts in the past, we bought those Silk Clothes from the Clothing Store, which cost a good few Taels of Silver aside from all the birthday packages. And not to mention the white flour used, just making them took a whole day of effort—and still you think that’s not enough? Do you think we’re landlords or something?” Mrs. Liu was filled with discontent and anger; after all, this reflected the stark reality.

Privately, the others discussed among themselves, even those with average insight could tell the Clothes were made of silk and exquisitely crafted, which would indeed cost several Taels of Silver at least. The plump white birthday packages on the table were also the work of the Han Family Second Branch. It was no wonder they were so tastefully made; such appealing buns could only be found in fancy Restaurants. They are indeed straightforward people. How could Grandma Han still be unsatisfied? Looking at the gifts from the Main House, they amounted to just a bit more than a Tael of Silver, which Grandma Han happily accepted. Yet, when it came to the Second House, she made such a fuss. Grandma Han’s favoritism was glaringly obvious.