Chapter 103: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 103: The Importance of Matching Status
Daohua’s tenth birthday was not a grand affair. She didn’t invite any young ladies over and simply celebrated with her family by having a bowl of longevity noodles.
“Daohua, haven’t you been in contact with the young lady from the Zhou family? Why didn’t you invite her over today?”
After the noodles, Madam Li, Sun Shi, Wu shi, along with Yan Yihuan, Yan Yishuang, and Yan Yile, all gathered in the Old Madam’s room to chat and keep her company.
Daohua glanced at her second aunt, whose tone carried a hint of suggestion. The matter of Yan Wenjie not being able to attend Wangyue Academy had clearly left a trace of resentment in the second branch. She replied calmly, “I haven’t known Miss Zhou for long, so it wouldn’t be appropriate to invite her abruptly.”
Sun Shi shook her head disapprovingly. “Daohua, your second aunt has to say, this way of thinking isn’t right. Relationships between people are built on interaction. The more you interact, the deeper the connection becomes.”
Daohua smiled. “Second Aunt is right, but I think relationships are most comfortable when based on matching status. Don’t you agree?”
The Zhou family was on an entirely different level than the Yan family. The late Old Master Zhou had been the Grand Secretary, and the second master of the Zhou family was currently a vice minister in the Ministry of Personnel. The Zhou family’s status was far superior to the Yan family’s.
Although the Zhou family treated the Yan family well now, it was purely because of Xiao Yeyang, not due to the Yan family’s merits.
If the Yan family overstepped their bounds and tried to curry favor recklessly, the Zhou family might not say anything on the surface, but they would likely look down on the Yan family in private.
Besides, Zhou Jingwan was clearly used to being pampered and constantly needed to be flattered. Maintaining the relationship with occasional gifts was fine, but Daohua wasn’t about to invite trouble by bringing her closer unnecessarily.
Sun Shi hadn’t expected such a response and was briefly taken aback. She quickly recovered, laughing, “You overthink things, girl. Interactions between young girls don’t need to be so complicated.”
“Listen to your second aunt and send an invitation to Miss Zhou. The Zhou family is well-connected in Xingzhou. With her leading the way, you and your sisters will quickly become acquainted with the young ladies in the city.”
This was her real goal: to help her daughters expand their social circle.
After arriving in Xingzhou, she had come to realize how important social standing was.
In their county, even as the magistrate’s sister-in-law with an unranked husband, she could still visit other families on her own.
But in Xingzhou, unless her sister-in-law led the way, she couldn’t even step foot into someone else’s home.
If she couldn’t get in, her daughters had no chance either.
Her husband’s prospects were already fixed. For her daughters to secure a good future, they couldn’t rely on their father. Yan Wenjie held some potential, but that would take years to materialize.
Letting her daughters interact with young ladies from influential families would broaden their horizons and knowledge—much better than burying themselves in books at home.
Her words struck a chord with Yan Yihuan, Yan Yishuang, and Yan Yile, who all looked at Daohua expectantly.
Daohua’s expression cooled slightly. She realized that her second uncle’s family seemed fond of advising others on how to handle matters. Her second uncle was like this, and so was her second aunt.
When it came to social interactions, Daohua preferred to let things happen naturally and disliked overly calculated efforts, especially those driven by self-interest.
Old Madam Yan, unfamiliar with the etiquette of noble families, thought it was good for Daohua to interact more with girls her age and didn’t comment.
Madam Li, however, was well aware of the nuances of social interactions among prominent families. While children’s friendships didn’t require strict adherence to hierarchy, behavior and manners were still influenced by family status.
For instance, if Daohua and her sisters associated with Miss Zhou, they would inevitably have to lower themselves and act deferentially.
Noticing her daughter’s obvious reluctance and sensing Sun Shi’s intent to continue persuading, Madam Li interjected with a smile, “We didn’t prepare anything today, so it wouldn’t be proper to invite guests over. Let’s leave it for another time.”
With that, she smoothly changed the subject.
Wu shi also helped steer the conversation, smiling as she turned to the Old Madam. “Mother, I heard that the grape wine you and Daohua made together is ready to drink?”
The mention of grape wine instantly lifted the Old Madam’s spirits. She hadn’t expected that sealing grapes so casually could actually produce wine.
“Yes, it’s ready, and the taste is quite good. It’s not very intoxicating either.”
Daohua grinned. “Grandmother, grape wine is even good for your health, but you shouldn’t drink too much. If you like it, one glass a day will do.”
The Old Madam nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m not greedy. You, on the other hand, are quite the little glutton. The last time we opened a batch, wasn’t it Man’er who had to carry you back to your room?”
Daohua laughed sheepishly. It wasn’t her fault; the grape wine tasted too good. She had drunk it like juice, only to be caught off guard by its strong aftereffects.
“Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. Eldest Brother and the others should have a holiday by then. Fourth Brother has already been clamoring to drink grape wine. When they return, we can enjoy the moon and sip wine together as a family.”
Hearing this, the Old Madam’s face lit up with joy.
As people aged, they cherished the presence of their children and grandchildren around them even more.
Sun Shi spoke up again. “Isn’t the Young Prince also studying at the academy? Daohua, why don’t you write him a letter and invite him to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with us?”
Daohua couldn’t help but roll her eyes internally.
How could her second aunt be so audacious?
She wasn’t keen on forging ties with the Zhou family hastily, let alone with someone of royal blood like Xiao Yeyang!
The disparity in status was simply too vast. Stretching oneself to reach such heights—wasn’t that exhausting?
Daohua had only one approach toward Xiao Yeyang: if he showed goodwill toward the Yan family, she would reciprocate to the best of her ability, maintaining a balanced, mutual relationship.
However, if he distanced himself, she wouldn’t chase after him, trying to curry favor. Such efforts would likely be futile. Someone of his standing was accustomed to flattery and sycophancy; without genuine benefit, such attempts would only evoke his disdain.
That said, with the Yan family’s weak foundation, she still preferred to maintain a good relationship with Xiao Yeyang. While it might feel like they were taking advantage of him, she resolved to find ways to make amends, ensuring the relationship remained mutually beneficial.
Madam Li’s expression turned somewhat displeased as she glanced coolly at Sun Shi. “Second sister-in-law, remarks like these should not be made in the future. How could the Young Prince possibly correspond with Daohua?”
“And in the future, when you’re out and about, it’s best not to bring up the Young Prince at all. Royal offspring are not a topic for commoners to discuss.”
Sun Shi’s face stiffened. All this time, Madam Li had always been cordial and rarely angry. It was unusual for her to speak so bluntly.
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This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
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“I understand, elder sister-in-law.” Deep down, Sun Shi couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness. A capable husband and promising children truly were a woman’s greatest backing. In the past, Madam Li hadn’t spoken with such confidence!
Afterward, Daohua left the room and returned to Daohua Pavilion.
By now, the pavilion was no longer as bare as when they had first moved in. Various species of climbing roses had filled the trellised corridors, lush and vibrant, with blossoms in full bloom.
The garden was also bursting with colorful flowers of all kinds.
A gentle breeze carried their fragrance through the air.
“Miss, the flower shop is about to open. If business is good, will we have enough flowers to sell?” Many of the flowers from the courtyard had already been transplanted into pots, but they couldn’t take any more.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already set aside a plot of land on the estate specifically for growing flowers.”
“And in the winter?”
“We have greenhouses! Uncle Zheng will need to build another one—one for flowers and one for vegetables. We can’t go without fresh vegetables in the winter.”
(End of chapter)
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