Old Master Yan had to admit it. It wasn’t that they were biased; Yan Aohan simply wasn’t a homebody.
"I really don't know what's wrong with my son's personality. If it weren't for Yan Yi, I’d suspect he doesn’t even like having a home," Old Master Yan sighed.
"It’s all your fault. You made him the head of the Yan family when he was so young," Madam Yan glared at him, blaming him for everything.
Old Master Yan felt wronged. "It wasn’t just my decision that he became the head."
"That’s because you never had absolute authority in the Yan family. If this had happened with our fourth son, he would have done much better than you," Madam Yan said with disdain.
Old Master Yan was speechless. He had brute strength, but compared to his son, his management skills were lacking. "At least I raised a man who can manage people."
"Did you raise him?" Madam Yan sneered. "He came out of my belly. What are you proud of?"
Old Master Yan puffed up her cheeks, looking at her unhappily. "Old woman, we’ve been through so much together. Why can’t you stand to see me happy?"
Madam Yan said calmly, "It’s not that I can’t stand to see you happy. It’s that I can’t stand to see you bully my son."
"He’s my son too," Old Master Yan argued.
"He came out of my belly. If you’re so capable, give birth to one yourself," Madam Yan said unreasonably.
Old Master Yan fell silent, feeling aggrieved. When it came to their son, she knew she couldn’t win against her wife. Whatever she said went.
"Mom, Dad, we’re back," Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan entered, holding hands and carrying gifts.
"Yan Yi is back. Good, good. Aunt Liu, bring out the stewed bird’s nest for the Fourth Young Mistress," Madam Yan happily pulled Zhu Yanyi to sit beside her, ignoring the two men. "This bird’s nest was sent by one of your father’s old subordinates. Her son now makes a living collecting bird’s nests. Their family’s situation has improved, and she came to the capital to sell them. She happened to visit your father, and I thought the bird’s nest looked good, so I saved it for you."
"Mom, bird’s nest is a top-tier health supplement. If you have good ones, you should have someone stew them for you every day. You don’t need to save them for me," Zhu Yanyi said quickly.
"I’m too old to worry about maintenance. Besides, I take the health pills you give me every day. They’re better than any bird’s nest or ginseng. Last time I went out, people my age envied me and asked for the pills. I didn’t give them any. I told them they were from my daughter-in-law. If they want some, let their daughters-in-law make them. I’m not giving any away."
Madam Yan had always been decisive and vigorous in her youth, so such words were no surprise.
"The health pills aren’t a big deal. I brought two more bottles this time. Mom and Dad, don’t save them. Taking some every day is good for your health," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile.
The health pills Zhu Yanyi made for her family used natural, wild herbs. Most were picked during her trip to Wudang and Shennongjia, which she had stored away. Some ingredients came from the Ruyi Space, which is why her pills were so effective.
Since Zhu Yanyi learned that Yan Aohan had taken the place of the fourth son as the Yan family’s heir, she had genuinely wanted to treat Old Master and Madam Yan well. She had always been good to them, but now she wanted to be even better. It was about karmic merit. She wanted them to have no regrets in their lives.
Aunt Liu brought out a bowl of bird’s nest and placed it in front of Zhu Yanyi with a smile. "Fourth Young Mistress, Madam Yan had me soak this early in the morning and stew it this afternoon."
Zhu Yanyi opened the lid. A faint, elegant fragrance wafted out. Unlike ordinary bird’s nest, this one had an extra layer of freshness. Moreover, there was a faint golden glow in the broth. Unless one had sharp eyes like Zhu Yanyi’s, it would be easy to miss.
Zhu Yanyi was slightly surprised. She sniffed it and asked, "Mom, where did this bird’s nest come from?"
"I think it’s from the southeast coast," Madam Yan answered, then asked Old Master Yan, "Right, old man?"
Old Master Yan nodded. "Ah Fu was my former guard. After he retired, he returned to his hometown on the southeast coast. He made a living collecting wild bird’s nests, and now his son does the same."
"What’s wrong? Is the bird’s nest bad?" Madam Yan asked.
Zhu Yanyi took a bite and smiled. "It’s not bad. It’s too good." She handed the spoon to Yan Aohan. "Try it."
Yan Aohan nodded slightly, tasted it, and his eyes showed a hint of surprise. "This bird’s nest contains a trace of heavenly and earthly vital energy."
Zhu Yanyi nodded. "Yes, it’s very good for the body. With this trace of vital energy, I’m very curious about where they collected it. I think there might be other good herbs or something there."
"What’s the problem? I’ll find the address later. You can send people to check," Old Master Yan laughed.
"Let me go inspect it personally in a while," Zhu Yanyi thought for a moment. "If there are good herbs, it’s better if I go myself. I wouldn’t trust others with it."
Madam Yan chuckled softly. "If you want to go, go. You’ve been busy lately. If you have time, go out for a walk. Let Fourth Brother go with you. Consider it your honeymoon."
"Mom, a honeymoon isn’t like that," Yan Aohan reminded her.
"What can I do? One of you is always busy. If I don’t say that, what else can I say?" Madam Yan shrugged. Who would have thought both her son and daughter-in-law would be so busy? But she understood them. Young people needed to work hard; otherwise, they would regret it when they were old.
Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly. "Mom, don’t worry. I don’t know about the honeymoon, but I know that if I go to the southeast coast, I’ll definitely drag Aohan along. She’s been busy for a while. She should let me accompany her on a trip."
"Yes, that’s right," Madam Yan agreed strongly. "And don’t always accommodate him. I think you’re too accommodating. You need to show your authority. You must be the one in charge at home. Just like your father and me—I’m always the one in charge. Let me tell you, don’t listen to any nonsense about women obeying men. Women hold up half the sky."