Breakfast in the Zhong Estate is held in the oversized dining table in a luxurious room. The long marbled-table is supported by the toughest wood with intricate carvings of twin dragons in the head-side of the table. The dining chairs are also equipped with the softest, smoothest cushion and the wood used for the chair is the highest-quality possible.
At the head of the table is where Grandfather Zhong sits, with Grandmother Zhong to his left and Father Zhong to his right. Beside Father Zhong is Madam Zhong's seat, whose seat in front is Zhong Lie's. The recently-brought Wife of the Zhong Heir is to sit next her Husband. This is the supposed arrangement after the addition of the Young Master's Wife.
However, the Zhong Elders make an exception.
One exception, that would then be a regular occurrence in the Zhong Estate.
"Good morning, Grandfather Zhong, Grandmother Zhong," Qing Lan almost chirps, looking so happy at seeing her two most favourite elders.
For a countryside-girl whose life revolves around the sun, Qing Lan has no problem rising early. In fact, she loves mornings the most. Even with troubles sleeping the night before due to the unexpected late encounter with her husband, there is no sign of tiredness etched on her youthful face.
A clear sign of awkwardness however, makes its appearance when she is faced with her parents-in-law. "G-Good morning...Father Zhong, Madam Zhong."
Both of her morning greetings are returned, some more warmly than the others. According to customs, since Qing Lan is married to Zhong Lie, she should have addressed his parents as Father-in-law and Mother-in-law. However, due to the special circumstance of their marriage, she hesitates in how to address the two.
"Lan'er! Come here! You can sit next to Grandmother!"
Saving her from the obvious tension is Grandmother Zhong, who eagerly beckons Qing Lan to her side. To be exact, to the seat situated adjacent to Grandfather Zhong and next to Grandmother Zhong.
In the Zhong Estate, Grandfather Zhong and Grandmother Zhong have the largest influences. Also, they are the staunchest supporter of Qing Lan. Which is why, even if Madam Zhong has to painfully twist her hands to suppress her displeasure at the fact that the mere presence of a countryside-girl has messed up the habits of the family, no one will tell her to stop.
"Grandmother...that," Qing Lan is quick to pause in her track. A slight glance at the seat she is invited to is enough to tell her that it is improper for her to accept.
As Grandfather Zhong is seated at the head of the table, then the seat on his left must be for Grandmother Zhong's use. This is further emphasised by the presence of Father Zhong on Grandfather Zhong's right side.
No matter how uncultured Qing Lan may be, even she knows it's not appropriate. The young woman is aware that she has troubles saying 'no' to the Zhong Elders. In an attempt to avoid Grandmother Zhong's hopeful eyes, her wandering gaze instead found Grandfather Zhong, who smiles knowingly at her.
"Lan'er, have a seat next to Grandfather and Grandmother."
This move from Grandfather Zhong is clearly showing his doting towards this granddaughter-in-law. Now that the Zhong Elders have spoken, no one dares to say otherwise. Thus, despite her apprehension, the young woman takes her seat between the elders. The smile on Madam Zhong's face is almost frozen, while she twists her hands harder under the table.
Once upon a time, Madam Zhong was the newly-married Mu Rouxie in the Zhong Estate. Even back then, Father Zhong was a quiet man who can be said to be negligible to his wife's anxieties. Grandmother Zhong was the typical mother-in-law, there was always something to correct from this daughter-in-law. It mellowed out with time, but Madam Zhong remembered how she had little comfort in the Zhong Estate those days.
Now that her parents-in-law brought home a bride for her son, Madam Zhong finds out that she can't mistreat this daughter-in-law who she has yet to approve because she is protected by the Zhong Elders! Not only Madam Zhong is annoyed her in-laws chose the bride without considering her opinion as her son's mother, they are also clearly biased to this young woman! People may even think that their surname is Qing rather then Zhong!
"Lan'er, how is last night? Did you have a good sleep?" Grandmother Zhong holds the young woman's hand, her tone is gentle and full of concerns.
"How about the room? Is anything lacking? You can tell Grandfather everything!"
Before the young woman has had a chance to answer the older woman, Grandfather Zhong throws in more questions. The two seems very anxious, as if the moment she shows any sign of discomfort, the girl is going to leave the Zhong Estate. It can be said that the Zhong Elders dote on this granddaughter-in-law of theirs very much.
For a young woman who is plucked from her home and brought to a place so unfamiliar, the concerns from the two elders warmed her heart. The meeting with her husband last night weighed on her mind, it interrupts her sleep. Just thinking of how she will spend the rest of her life with a man who seems to disdain her, she can't seem to have a restful sleep.
However, Qing Lan doesn't show this on her face. A sweet smile adorns her pretty lips as she answers, "Grandfather, Grandmother, I sleep well. Everything is good. You don't have to worry."
Towards such a sensible reply, the concerned Zhong Elders is helpless. They can only adore the young girl more. Amongst his circle of friends, Grandfather Zhong is known to be a strict old man with a stiff expression. If only they could see the grandfatherly smile on his face now, then they would have collectively seek an ophthalmologist.
In the quiet dining table, the two elders and the young woman appears to be a happy family of three. Outsiders who chanced upon this view would never suspect that the young girl is actually not blood-related to the two elders from the way they heavily doted on her.
The harmonious conversations between the three continues even with the silence from Father Zhong and the awkward smile from Madam Zhong as they feasted on the delicious breakfast served by the skilled chefs hired by the Zhong Estate.
It isn't until the arrival of the Zhong Family's Young Master did the lively chatters quieted down.
With his long stride, Zhong Lie soon reaches the seat he intends to sit on. The new seating arrangement does nothing to perturb him, he doesn't comment on how his usual seat is taken by Grandmother Zhong, nor that his new seat is beside his grandmother and further from his grandfather.
As if nothing is out of the ordinary, Zhong Lie calmly greets his grandparents before his parents and without another word, he seated himself. The extra presence of the bride his grandparents has chosen for him is simply that, and it doesn't warrant a change in his morning greetings.
Her son's action of ignoring his wife-to-be truly pleased Madam Zhong. Having watched her parents-in-law fawning over this young woman who only yesterday stepped over their family's doors and the neutral-treatment from her own husband caused Madam Zhong to dislike this daughter-in-law. If her son had actually treated this girl warmly, then Madam Zhong would cough out blood from anger.
Grandfather Zhong knows it won't be easy to get his grandson to accept Qing Lan, more due to the fact that his choice of bride was rejected and his bride was chosen for him instead. He can already see the difficulties his granddaughter-in-law would have to go through to reach his stubborn grandson's heart.
Grandfather Zhong forces out a light cough before he speaks.
"Ah Lie, I have yet to introduce you to your Wife. This is Qing Lan and she is six years younger than you. I expect you to treat her well," he declares with as much authority as an elder can have.
Prompted by his grandfather, Zhong Lie can't not give him face. Placing down his steel breadknife on his plate of toast, he turns his unfeeling gaze towards the young woman he has no desire to acknowledge as his Wife.
"Zhong Lie," he utters curtly.
The piercing stare her Husband directed her as he speaks his name is truly unnerving. Within his cold gaze, there is nothing. Not even the disdain she was witness to on the night they crossed path. It is as if they haven't met before this. Nothing to indicate the chilling warnings he dropped on her through three mere words.
As a response to his name, Qing Lan is only able to offer a smile so small from the one-seat-distance between the two.
"Qing Lan," she returns politely, careful to have even intonation.
A nod. No sooner than exchanging names, Zhong Lie returns his focus to serving himself breakfast of a toast covered with light-butter, uncaring how the air is filled with awkwardness after the short, supposedly first interaction with his Wife.
Qing Lan understands that her relationship with her husband is going to be rocky for a long while. Courtship takes time, marriage takes a lot more. And so, a sudden marriage with a stranger is the worst. Expecting good feeling from her husband will be difficult. She has to prepare herself from being disheartened from time to time.
Thankfully, Grandmother Zhong is more than willing to diffuse the tension. It is expected that two youngsters who have yet to meet before would not know how to behave when faced with each other. Moreover, the two youngsters is actually married by the wishes of their elders!
"Now that the two of you are acquainted, can we talk of the Wedding?" Grandmother Zhong begins excitedly, her eyes twinkling almost like that of a teenage girl's.
Not even waiting for an answer, Grandmother Zhong quickly bursts into a series of planning.
"I have scheduled a meeting with a feng shui master this afternoon. After getting the auspicious date to hold the Wedding, there will be many things to do! Invitations will have to be sent out, this Wedding has to be grandest to be ever held in the Capital! How about Xing Fu Hall as the Wedding's venue? As for the food, we can contact Tian Tang Restaurant. Oh, and the Wedding dress! A traditional wedding dress wouldn't be well-received in this day and age..."
Despite her dislike for the bride-to-be, Madam Zhong only has Zhong Lie, this one son. She has fantasised planning out her son's wedding for a long time, thus she is eager to participate in Grandmother Zhong's chatters.
"I agree Xing Fu Hall is the best choice for Ah Lie's wedding, but I heard that Xing Qu Restaurant is more popular as of late. Their wedding dishes are especially good! As for the wedding dress, isn't Western-style dressing code better? I don't know if there is any famous designer for traditional wedding dress."
Not wanting to be left out, Grandfather Zhong also contributes to the conversation.
"Traditional wedding dress is the best choice regardless of time! Surely there would be designer worth their name to design one for Lan'er!"
At his father's declaration, Father Zhong concurs a silent nod from the sideline as he quietly nurses his cup of tea.
The dining table is overly lively at this time, with Grandmother Zhong and Madam Zhong spearheading the discussion, while Grandfather Zhong is busy stating his preferences over the many choices brought up.
The bride-to-be is smiling, happy to bear witness of a family, who are arguing and conforming for the sake of a family member. Qing Lan has longed for this: a family to share her life with.
Back in Tian Xi Village, life is good. There is no lack of food, shelter nor clothes. Everything she needs is readily available, most she earns by her own efforts, some she is given by the kindhearted villagers. Everyone looks after each other there, it is a comfortable place to live and spend the rest of one's life in.
If there is one thing her tiny heart's desire, it is the presence of family.
Qing Lan has always been jealous of Zhong Elders' grandson. The two elders very often speaks of him in high regards with fond gazes and warm tones, it is obvious the grandson is dearly loved. Whenever the Zhong Elders' visits reached its end, the Tian Xi Village felt colder and lonelier than she is used to.
In all honesty, the life the young woman envisions after accepting the marriage is one filled with the warm hands of Grandmother Zhong and the throaty-laughters of Grandfather Zhong. The existence of her husband in the background is a blur, even her parents-in-law are clearer in the picture, as disapproving as they may be.
"Ah Lie, I have yet to hear you speak your mind. Do you have any suggestions to make?"
Breaking the spell she has fell under is Grandfather Zhong, who is curious of his grandson's opinions on the wedding.
The direct address from Grandfather Zhong allows Qing Lan to dare steal a glance at her husband. The black-coloured tailored-suit is impeccable on his person, there doesn't seem to be any businessman who could wear a suit and be as suave as Zhong Lie was. He truly belongs in a suit.
The glance has been quick, not even lasting for a second. Thus she is in no way prepared when the man rises up from his seat amongst the loud discussion when he is asked to contribute to it.
"I have work to do. Grandfather, Grandmother, I am leaving first. Mother, Father, I am going."
Immediately, the on-going chatters ceased abruptly as the situation turns tense. Almost like the calm before storm.