The return banquet was also the formal opportunity to introduce the son-in-law to friends and family, much like the bride serving tea to the groom's family the day before their wedding banquet. Similarly, on this day, it was time for the groom to serve tea and cigarettes as a sign of respect to the bride's elder relatives and friends.
Often, the new son-in-law would be made to drink a lot, but the men from the north were mostly accustomed to drinking anyway.
That morning, around 11 o'clock, the family of three from the Yang PeiMin household arrived at Taocun.
Upon entering, they found the place already bustling with activity, signaling that the tea-serving ceremony for the son-in-law was well underway.
From the gate of the courtyard, one could see a crowd spilling out from the main house, accompanied by bursts of laughter from within.
Yang Pei was rather amused at this moment; she wanted to see the son-in-law's embarrassed state.
Her older cousin's wife came out to greet them.
