Susu suddenly thought of something and said, "Will they find out if you investigate these things? Is it dangerous?"
"Don't worry, it's not that easy for them to touch me. Besides, I'm investigating quietly. It's been twenty to thirty years ago, and they probably didn't expect anyone to dig up these old accounts." Tianyi said with a relaxed smile.
Susu felt a little more at ease and said, "Then you must be careful. Think about me and the children in everything you do. You can't be as reckless as before."
"I know, but I just want to get more leverage on Huangfu Sisong and his wife. That way, we and Daisy will be very safe."
Susu nodded, knowing that some things were beyond her control.
As long as Tianyi was a formidable force in the treacherous business world, there would inevitably be hidden dangers and open attacks.
Sometimes she wondered when they could escape this world of fame and fortune and live a simple, tranquil life.
...
The day after their wedding, Mengyao and Hong Jiaxi went to a renowned resort island for their honeymoon.
Amidst the beautiful scenery where the sea met the sky, they spent a sweet and happy week together.
Mengyao also let go of her worries and began their new life with Jiaxi.
After their honeymoon, as soon as they landed, Mengyao called her parents to let them know she was safe and then returned to the Hong family with Jiaxi.
Jiaxi's mother knew they were returning today and had prepared everything, waiting for them at the main entrance.
Now that her son had married a daughter-in-law from an even more prominent family, it gave her more prestige and status within the Hong family.
She watched Jiaxi and Mengyao walk towards her hand in hand, chatting and laughing. She went to meet them, took Mengyao's arm, and said, "You must be tired from your trip this past week. I've prepared a lot of your favorite dishes, and the family is waiting for you."
Mengyao felt that Jiaxi's mother was very easy to get along with and that she had found a good mother-in-law. She smiled and said, "Mom, Jiaxi and I have brought you a gift, and everyone else in the family has one too."
"You're so polite, my child. We're family now. It's very thoughtful of you." Jiaxi's mother led her inside.
Mengyao did not dare to take credit and said, "Mom, this is all Jiaxi's idea. He chose the gift for you personally."
Jiaxi's mother beamed and said, "Don't try to fool me. I know my son best. He wouldn't remember these things. You must have reminded him. He never remembers to bring me gifts when he travels for business or leisure."
"Mom, am I that unfilial?" Jiaxi interjected with a smile. "Every time I go abroad, I buy you things by the boxload."
"That's only because I give you a list beforehand," Jiaxi's mother huffed, holding Mengyao's arm tightly.
Jiaxi followed behind, amused, thinking they looked more like mother and daughter, and he was the superfluous one.
Mengyao followed her mother-in-law into the hall and saw that the Hong family members were all present today. It was a good opportunity for her to distribute the gifts she had brought back.
As soon as the elder Mr. Hong saw them, he smiled warmly at Mengyao and said, "You must have had a tiring journey. Mengyao, come, come, let's go eat."
"Yes, thank you, Grandpa." Mengyao followed everyone to the dining room and sat down with Jiaxi, taking the seat next to the elder Mr. Hong.
After Mengyao was seated, she noticed that besides Jiaxi's parents and the elder Mr. Hong, everyone else in the Hong family had a cold expression and seemed unwelcoming.
She smiled at Jiaxi's uncle, aunts, and his cousins and said, "Jiaxi brought a gift for everyone while we were on our honeymoon. I don't know if you'll like them, but I'll go get them now."
Jiaxi subtly pulled her back.
Elder Mr. Hong also said, "You are thoughtful. No rush, let's talk after dinner."
As the elder Mr. Hong started eating, Jiaxi's mother quickly said, "Mengyao, eat quickly. Don't go hungry. Eat more, see if it suits your taste?"
"Okay," Mengyao replied to her mother-in-law, but seeing that the other elders of the Hong family had not yet started eating, she felt it was inappropriate to start before the elder Mr. Hong.
Jiaxi, however, paid no mind to these formalities. He picked up his chopsticks, scooped some food into her bowl, and said, "Eat. We're all family, so there's no need for so many rules."
At this point, others began to eat one after another, but Mengyao could see that Jiaxi's uncle and aunts were showing expressions of dissatisfaction with Jiaxi.
Remembering her mother's warning that the relationships between Jiaxi's father's siblings were not as simple as they appeared, and that they all had their own agendas regarding the Hong family's inheritance.
She decided to observe first and refrained from saying more.
Jiaxi's father, uncle, and aunt were discussing important matters with the elder Mr. Hong. Mengyao lowered her head and ate the dishes that Jiaxi's mother had prepared for her, finding them to taste just like the food she ate at home.
She smiled and whispered to her mother-in-law, "Mom, they all suit my taste. They're delicious."
"That's wonderful. I was afraid you might not be used to them. If you need anything in this house, just tell me. Don't be polite with me. I consider you my own daughter."
"Thank you, Mom..."
"Sister-in-law, what kind of mother-in-law fawns over their daughter-in-law like this?" Jiaxi's aunt said with a sudden laugh. "No matter her background or status, once she enters the Hong family, she must follow our rules."
Jiaxi's mother calmly retorted, "Second sister, don't speak so harshly. Mengyao just married Jiaxi and came to this family. She needs time to adapt. If I treat her well and help her adapt, why do you say such things about me? I think you're jealous that Jiaxi is capable enough to marry such a good wife, while your own son is not as promising."
Jiaxi's aunt snorted, "Don't think you've brought back a treasure. I heard from the household servants that this bride didn't bleed on her wedding night, which is unlucky."
Jiaxi could no longer tolerate it and said impatiently, "Aunt, what are you trying to do? What era is this, still caring about such things!"
Jiaxi's aunt sneered, "No matter the era, it's always right for a girl to be chaste. How can she casually have that kind of thing with a man before marriage, especially a young lady from a prestigious family?"
Mengyao was shocked to be publicly humiliated like this. Her face instantly turned pale, and she was about to retort to Jiaxi's aunt.
Jiaxi, however, spoke first, his voice filled with anger, "Mengyao and I grew up together. We've been together for a long time. Why would we need to wait for the wedding night? What do you mean by these words targeting Mengyao! Since Aunt looks down on the Huangfu family, don't expect any cooperation with the Huangfu family on any projects in the future."
"Nowadays, your father has the final say, so what projects can I do?" Jiaxi's aunt simply couldn't stand seeing their family so proud. "I heard that this new bride of yours eloped with someone before..."
"Shut up!" The elder Mr. Hong slammed the dining table forcefully and roared at Hong Jiaxi's aunt, "What exactly do you want? Do you have to act like this as an elder? Jiaxi just got married, and you want to break them up?"
"Dad, I'm doing this for Jiaxi's own good. I'm afraid he's being kept in the dark about some things..."
The elder Mr. Hong gave her an unfriendly look and said, "If you still want to eat at this table, then shut your foul mouth. Otherwise, get out, and don't ever come back!"