Tuesday, continued ...On arriving home, Anna confessed to Hou Yi, she really had no idea what she needed to wear that night.
Hou Yi entered their walk-in robe, and picked something out he thought was suitable, and sent a photograph of it to Leng Xi, asking "Is this OK for the theatre tonight."
Within 30 seconds, Anna"s mobile started ringing, and she answered it placing it on speaker phone "Anna, sweetheart, tell that nephew of mine he is an idiot has no idea on how to pick clothes."
"Aunt, I heard that. I am not an idiot, as I have already told someone else a couple of times over the last few days. And before you say anything it was not Anna who told me this."
"Aunty, what should I wear?"
"A black simple c.o.c.ktail dress. Add one of those beautiful simple scarfs that you brought the other week for a splash of colour. No jewellery except your rings, a pendant, a watch. I noticed that bracelet on your wrist on Friday. What is it?"
"Aunty, it is not high-end jewellery. It is a Pandora Bracelet. I love them, and Yi brought me one that as our life together progresses, we will add charms for events, sometimes identifiable to the event, other times being special for us."
"Add that. Look you two better get ready, so I will see you there." Leng Xi ended the call, and following her advice, Anna picked out a c.o.c.ktail dress, and the accessories that was indicated. Both then got ready, and they reached the theatre at 7pm, as requested by Phillipa, who was on the step waiting for her, along with an older woman.
Hou Yi leaned over and said "That is Pip"s mother Lady Amelia John-Chen. Her father is a British Marques, do not ask me the exact t.i.tle as I never paid attention to that or the honorary t.i.tles that pa.s.s down to the heirs. As I understand it Pip"s grandfather"s t.i.tle is one of a rare few t.i.tles that can be inherited by a woman if there is no male heirs. As her mother is the heir, she has an honorary t.i.tle, I think she is a countess, plus she is also a British politician and some minor minister in the UK government."
"By the way, Pip is her parent"s oldest daughter, so she will eventually inherit her grandfather"s t.i.tle, so I believe that she has an honorary t.i.tle, a viscountess. Neither of them really use their t.i.tle, Lady Amelia is simply happy to be addressed as a Lady, as that is what she received when she was born, as she had an older brother who was the heir, but he died when he was 15."
Hou Yi paused "If she gets too much, Pip hates being referred to by her t.i.tle. Occasionally do it to annoy her. Now her father will not be there, as he is, in addition to being a businessperson, a world cla.s.s violinist. He will be playing with the orchestra tonight."
Hou Yi, climbed out of the car and helped Anna out. Together they walked to Phillipa and her mother. "Lady Amelia, can I introduce you to my wife Anna."
"Hou Yi. How dare you get married without telling me and inviting me. You know I view you as my second son," responded an angry sounding Lady Amelia
With that Lady Amelia lightly slapped Hou Yi"s hand, leaned in and kissed Anna, and in a much gentler voice "Anna, do not worry. As my daughter says he is an idiot and needs to be reminded and disciplined at times."
"Lady Amelia, I am not an idiot."
"Yi darling," she drawled out, "It is a matter of opinion and this is my opinion, which I will tell you. Now based what my daughter has said, we do not want to be out here while people come in. Let us go inside, and your family Yi will be shown to your box. Phillipa has said the two of you have agreed to sit with us."
"More like Pip squeak blackmailed us to sit with you. We were coming and had intended to sit with my family."
"Yi, the last thing as newly weds that you want to do is sit with your parents if you can avoid it. Tonight you can. More importantly, we need some company,"
With that, Hou Yi, took his wife"s arm, and Lady Amelia and Phillipa taking each other"s and walked in. As they walked in, people interrupted the to talk about matters. Hou Yi started to engage in business discussions, Phillipa was dragged into those or into discussions regarding Domestic Violence, and Lady Amelia about British Politics. Anna stood on her own for a couple of minutes, and soon as Hou Yi realised she was on her own, he drew her close to him, and convinced her to engage in the conversations.