One sentence immediately infuriated Tang's mother.
"You brat! Do you think you're all grown up now? Trying to boss me around?"
Tang's mother tapped Tang Qiyue on the forehead while shouting loudly, but it was obvious she was deliberately avoiding the topic.
Although many years had passed since their last meeting, hearing her mother's familiar scolding made Tang Qiyue quickly recall the moments they had shared together.
The two sat together and talked for a long time, mostly with Tang's mother sharing her experience to help Tang Qiyue adapt to her new role as a wife.
Tang's mother then pulled Tang Qiyue into her room and handed her a small box.
"This was originally meant to be my dowry gift for you. Although I couldn't give it to you before your wedding, giving it to you now is the same."
Tang Qiyue was curious. This hadn't happened in her previous life, so she naturally didn't know what was inside the small box.
The box had a small copper lock on it. Tang's mother handed her a pendant.
The pendant was shaped like a copper lock. Because of its delicate craftsmanship, no one would normally think it was actually a key.
"I had this made by an old craftsman. You can wear it as a pendant, but it can also be used as a key when needed."
Tang's mother unlocked the brass lock with the pendant key and gestured for Tang Qiyue to open the box.
The box wasn't made of any precious wood—just camphor wood—and it wasn't very big. But when it was opened, layers of jewelry could be seen inside.
"This was the dowry your grandmother gave me back then. Over the years, I pawned most of my other dowry items, but I kept this box of jewelry, thinking it would become your dowry when you got married."
Tang's mother looked at the jewelry in the box as if recalling the scene when her own mother gave her these pieces the night before her wedding.
She hadn't expected her daughter to marry so soon.
"Mother, I can't take this."
These things all belonged to Tang's mother, and Tang Qiyue didn't want to take them.
Tang's mother closed the small box and patted Tang Qiyue's head.
"Are you silly? If I'm giving it to you, just take it. If I leave it here, those people might find it one day and accuse me of clinging to a capitalist lifestyle."
Things outside were chaotic now. Many families were suddenly being searched. If anything suspicious was found, they would be labeled with all kinds of accusations, and no explanation would help.
The items would either be destroyed or confiscated.
Tang Qiyue knew her mother's concerns were real, so she didn't refuse again.
"Then I'll keep it for you for now. After Xiaoyuan gets married, I'll bring it back so you can give it to your daughter-in-law."
Tang's mother spat in annoyance.
"He'll find his own way to get a wife. These things were given to me by your grandmother, so of course I'll pass them on to my daughter. Why would I give them to my daughter-in-law?"
For years, the mother and daughter had relied on each other. Although Tang Xiuyuan often came back to stay with them, he had previously lived in the old Tang family house before their relationship with the family deteriorated.
Tang Qiyue knew her mother would definitely prepare things for her future daughter-in-law as well. But hearing her mother's obvious favoritism still warmed her heart.
This was her mother.
A woman who drank heavily and sometimes neglected her work, yet Tang Qiyue—despite always complaining about her—had never abandoned her. And her mother had always chosen her daughter without hesitation.
Tang Qiyue put the small box away.
Soon, a commotion came from the courtyard, indicating that Tang Xiuyuan and Zhan Zeyi had returned.
But when Tang Qiyue followed her mother outside, she saw Tang Xiuyuan, Zhan Zeyi, and Chen Dazhuang each carrying a food box as they entered the house.
Behind them was a middle-aged man with sweat on his forehead.
The man wasn't tall, but his face was full of smiles that instantly warmed anyone who saw him.
"Uncle Wang! What brings you here?"
Tang Qiyue greeted him warmly.
Uncle Wang chuckled.
"You silly child. You didn't even tell Uncle Wang about such a big event as your wedding! Now that you've come back to visit your mother, Uncle Wang had to come and share a drink with you."
Normally, the bride's family would gather for the homecoming meal, but only Tang's mother and Tang Xiuyuan were present. Technically, Uncle Wang was an outsider.
But Tang Qiyue had never considered him one.
When her mother was drunk and unable to care for her, it was Uncle Wang who fed her, changed her clothes, and took care of her.
He was far better than Tang Qiyue's father. Without him, Tang Qiyue might not have survived.
In Tang Qiyue's heart, Uncle Wang—though not her father—was more like a father than anyone else.
She vaguely remembered that after her mother died in her previous life, it was Uncle Wang who helped collect her mother's body.
He even tried to avenge her, but eventually met a tragic end.
If this wasn't love, Tang Qiyue didn't know what else could be called love.
Uncle Wang's feelings for Tang's mother were undoubtedly deep, but he was too insecure to ever confess. For years he silently cared for her while remaining unmarried.
Tang Qiyue held Uncle Wang's arm and helped him sit beside her mother.
Tang Xiuyuan and the others had already placed the dishes on the table. Seeing Chen Dazhuang about to leave, Tang Qiyue glanced at her mother.
Tang's mother had returned to her usual expressionless demeanor—but only toward Zhan Zeyi. She was very polite to Chen Dazhuang.
"Guests are welcome. Sit down and eat with us."
Chen Dazhuang was embarrassed and about to refuse when Tang Qiyue continued her mother's words.
"Our family doesn't care about so many rules. There are no outsiders here. Since you're Zhan Zeyi's comrade-in-arms, don't be polite."
Zhan Zeyi gave Chen Dazhuang a look.
Chen Dazhuang scratched his head sheepishly and sat beside Tang Xiuyuan.
The table wasn't big, but there were only a few people, so everyone fit.
Because Uncle Wang was there, the dinner table was lively. But Zhan Zeyi, who was usually quite noticeable, was unusually quiet.
Even Chen Dazhuang looked at him strangely.
Uncle Wang's cooking was truly worthy of being compared to that of an imperial chef.
As Tang Qiyue ate the familiar dishes from her childhood memories, she felt deeply emotional. She focused only on talking with Uncle Wang and her mother, paying no attention to Zhan Zeyi.
Tang Xiuyuan noticed everything and was quite pleased.
At least his sister hadn't completely lost her mind after getting married and forgotten her family.
After the meal, it was already getting late.
Uncle Wang had to leave because someone came looking for him.
Before leaving, he told Tang Qiyue,
"Come to my place before you leave tomorrow. I prepared some dowry for you. Take it with you."
Tang Qiyue didn't refuse and readily agreed.
Before leaving, Uncle Wang patted Zhan Zeyi on the shoulder.
"Young man, our Qiyue is a good girl. If you dare bully her in the future, Uncle Wang will risk his life to get back at you."
Zhan Zeyi replied solemnly,
"Don't worry, Uncle Wang. She's the one who bullies me. I would never bully her."
Tang Qiyue, standing beside them, was speechless.
This was a perfect example of blatant lying.