The Third Movement: Joyful Banquet

  Yun Ruo soaked in the wooden barrel, the juniper leaves mixed in the water emitted a smell of turpentine, which was very uncomfortable. Turpentine was only added to increase the friction of the tractor belt, did I lose my vitality early? She couldn't refuse, as soon as she said no, the old lady's eyes would well up with tears, and the few little maids following beside her also made preparations for a big cry. The rest of the relatives in the house were also afraid of offending Yun Ruo, this was not a normal family atmosphere. In order not to make them feel constrained, Yun Ruo simply went along with it, you call me to do what I will do, don't say turn into turpentine, even if you turn me into lubricating oil, it's up to you.

  Throwing bay leaves into the bath water, and even being treated as a dessert to be boiled with dried fruits is fine. Why do all forty or so people in the family have to watch me take a bath? The old lady uses ash to wash my hair, and the young girls keep adding hot water one basin at a time. Yun Ye feels that she must speak up, otherwise she really will be scalded to death. Fortunately, the old lady stops the little maids' murderous behavior.

  "Yan'er, how have you been all these years? You don't even have any scars on your body, or calluses on your hands and feet. Thank goodness you haven't suffered too much." The old lady started crying again. Yun Yan couldn't understand why an elderly person who had raised two little girls under the age of eight would be so emotional and cry at the drop of a hat?

  "Grandma, the child didn't really suffer. When you said that Mother risked her life to carry the child out of the house, it was to give the child a chance to survive. Who knows if Mother is dead or alive? But the child was rescued by Master, who is an extraordinary person from outside the world. How could he let me suffer? Although I don't have parents, Master treats me like his own child, with great care and love. Not only did I not suffer, but I also never went hungry. You know, even Master Cheng said that I was spoiled by Master, being picky about food, clothes, and things to use. Compared to the young masters of noble families, I'm even more difficult to serve."

  "You're a lucky one, your family has suffered such a great disaster, and yet you're the only one who's carefree and well-fed, even chubby. This must be a huge blessing! I'll go burn some incense and kowtow to thank him for taking such good care of my grandson." After saying that, she was about to leave. Yun Yan hurriedly...

  "Grandma, where are my clothes? You can't expect me to stay in the water forever." The room full of women burst out laughing. The aunt she had just met walked up and took over washing the old lady's hair, scrubbing it while muttering: "You've just given birth, what haven't I seen before? You're still shy at this time? From now on, the whole family will rely on you. Your aunts, sisters, and husband's family all came to take you back but didn't return, they're all counting on you to support us in our old age."

  "Supporting you in your old age? That's just the basics. In the future, I'll make sure you all live a happy and carefree life. If someone takes something that belongs to me, I'll take it back; if they eat my food, I'll make them spit it out. They drove my sisters and cousins out of the house, without any regard for marital relationships. Even several female cousins were implicated. This is simply the behavior of beasts! If I don't make them pay a price, do you think the Yun family can be bullied with impunity?" The dignity cultivated from years in the military involuntarily revealed itself, and only then did the relatives remember that the man in the wooden barrel was still the esteemed Marquis of Lan Tian County.

  After bathing and changing, the ancestral worship ceremony had gone on until midnight. The Cloud Manor was still brightly lit. Today was the first time the master of the house would meet with his family members. The male servants and maids in the manor stood solemnly at attention in the front hall. Yun Ye sat majestically at the entrance of the main hall, wearing a golden armor and holding a sword. Zhuang San and Liu Jinbao stood beside him, dressed in green clothes with swords at their waists. The cold and murderous aura emanating from them made the servants tremble with fear. They couldn't talk about human rights; weakness would only invite disrespect. Yun Ye had long abandoned the conventional rules of later generations. Old Cheng was right - since they were part of this world, they had to follow its ways, and following the crowd was the best way to do so.

  "Look clearly, I am the master of this house, Hou Yunyan from Lantian County. When I'm not around, Old Madam is in charge. There are 44 people in the Cloud Manor now, including me. We must distinguish between superior and inferior. These 44 people are the masters of this house. Don't let me hear that someone is being lazy. Once discovered, there will be no leniency. I don't care if you came from the imperial palace or were sent by the Cheng family. Since you're in Cloud Manor, you're a member of Cloud Manor. I'll treat everyone equally, rewarding those who have merit and punishing those who have faults. This is the rule of Cloud Manor.

  Everyone in Cloud Manor has suffered before, so they won't bully others without reason. As long as you do your job seriously, Cloud Manor won't mistreat you. Every three years, Cloud Manor will free five slaves. If they're willing to stay, they can continue working for Cloud Manor. This is also a rule of the house. I usually don't interfere with household matters. If there's anything, go find Old Madam.

  You all take care of yourselves."

  Very good, very majestic! Yunyan was very satisfied, although his voice still had some pubescent squeaks in it. The servants were all delighted, weren't they? Old Madam also announced that everyone would receive 300 copper coins as a reward for their return, which won over the entire crowd with joy.

  A grand feast, a big celebration, the whole family was in high spirits, except for Zhuang San and four others who were patrolling around the house. The rest of the people sat at twenty tables, maids and servant girls kept bringing up dishes of chicken, duck, and mutton, all celebrating the return of their master.

  Yun Ye held Da Ya and Xiao Ya in her arms, with Xiao Nan climbing on her back. Xiao Dong and Xiao Bei hugged her legs, while Xiao Xi pouted and cried. The two older sisters-in-law, Ruan Niang and another, comforted Xiao Xi by their side. Several married-out sisters who had been divorced sat drinking wine and weeping, while the resigned elderly relatives chatted with the old lady, it was unclear what they were saying.

  The wine party was in full swing, and Yun Ye pulled out a cloth bag from his pocket. Except for the old lady, everyone got two pieces each. Indeed, they were worthy of being members of the Yun family, just like how he and his two sisters would gaze at diamonds with tears in their eyes, forgetting to cry or nag. Da Ya and Xiao Ya quickly took the gems to show off to the old lady, while Xi seized the opportunity to snuggle up close to Yun Ye. It was unclear how many Old Cheng had given them, but there were still plenty left after each person got two pieces. Just as they were about to give out another round to make everyone even more excited, the old lady suddenly took everything away and scolded Yun Ye for being a spendthrift.

  I don't know how much wine I drank, but the sour and astringent wine of the Tang Dynasty was so appetizing at this time. All I remember is that I lay on the soft couch with several sisters playing tiger, stick, and chicken. Then there was no impression.

  Habits are powerful, the habit of getting up at 6 o'clock every day in the army camp is still working, extremely thirsty, just about to get up and drink water, immediately a maid poured a cup of warm water over. Yun Hao enjoyed the privileges of feudalism without any hesitation, gulp gulp gulp finished drinking again and buried his head back into the quilt.

  I usually don't interfere with family matters, whatever the case, I'll let the old lady take charge. As Cheng Zuoming said, men in the family do not bother with trivial household chores. The head of the household only needs to show up when dealing with official business at home.

  The windows were pasted with thick yellow paper, and the light could not get in. The chicken had crowed three times, but Yun Ye couldn't sleep, nor did he want to get up. Just as he was struggling, Xiao Yan slipped into the room wearing a thick fur coat and a plush toy, her icy hands poking into Yun Ye's quilt, only to be dragged under the blanket by Yun Ye and held tightly. The siblings frolicked until they were driven out of the house by Old Lady to wash their faces, only then did they stop.

  The old lady wanted to go to the Great Mercy Temple to burn incense and fulfill her vow, saying that she had prayed to the Buddha for ten whole years before the miracle of Yun's revival occurred.