Chapter 26: There is Room For the Poor Daughter

VISIT OUR |🔴 Patreon Now

►►CLICK HERE FOR ADVANCE CHAPTERS◄◄

 Chapter 26: Losing Both the Wife and the Soldiers

Once Daohua left, the atmosphere at the dining table grew even more somber. 

Old Madam Yan stayed silent for a while before finally lifting her head to look at Yan Zhigao: "Daohua has hardly ever cried in her life. Once, when she was helping her third uncle's family harvest rice, she fell into the field and dislocated her foot. Fearing that her third uncle's family would feel guilty, she gritted her teeth and didn't say a word. But today, her eyes are red."

Upon hearing this, Madam Li immediately couldn't hold back any longer, tears welling up in her eyes. Always someone who valued harmony and was willing to tolerate things for the sake of peace, she now found herself resenting Concubine Lin in her heart.

If it weren't for her, would her daughter have suffered such grievances and scolding?

Yan Zhigao also felt uncomfortable. He didn't want to scold his eldest daughter, but her recent actions had been truly inappropriate.

Old Madam Yan turned to Madam Li: "Go check on Daohua. That girl is stubborn. Go comfort her properly, and tell her not to worry. Whatever happens, this old woman is here. If this family can't accept us, I'll take her back to my hometown."

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhigao and the others immediately stood up.

Yan Zhigao looked helpless: "Mother, what are you talking about? You are the matriarch of this family. Even if we were driven out, they would never dare to treat you this way."

Old Madam Yan snorted, then glanced at Concubine Lin, who was standing quietly in the corner like an invisible person: "How dare I drive you all out? Just serving a meal and you all look unwilling, as though I've done something unforgivable."

Hearing this, Concubine Lin immediately knelt down: "Mother, it's all my fault. I upset the eldest young miss. I'll go to her now and apologize. Please don't be angry."

"Slap!"

Before Concubine Lin could finish speaking, Old Madam Yan angrily threw a bowl and chopsticks onto the ground, glaring at her.

"This is the good concubine you married? Daohua has already been driven out of the room, and she's still trying to attach herself to her! I want to ask, what has Daohua been to you these past month? Why are you still clinging to her?"

"Do you really think I'm a blind fool who doesn't see the tricks you've been playing?"

This time, Old Madam Yan was truly furious, and she pointed her finger at Yan Zhigao and scolded him.

Yan Zhigao immediately reprimanded Concubine Lin: "This is not your place to speak! Get out of here!"

Concubine Lin hurriedly retreated, trembling. As she neared the door, she heard Old Madam Yan 's voice.

"As for your dear concubine, I can no longer tolerate her filial piety. Don’t let her appear before me again. If we can't afford to deal with her, we can at least avoid her!"

Concubine Lin's heart sank to the depths.

She had underestimated Old Madam Yan’s love for Daohua. She had thought that this incident would lessen Daohua’s importance in her father's eyes. While her husband may have shown some dissatisfaction with Daohua, she had now thoroughly earned Old Madam Yan ’s wrath.

If she had known, she wouldn't have spoken when Daohua was serving the food earlier.

On the other side, Daohua was slowly walking towards the main courtyard, with Ping Tong following her, wanting to say something but hesitating.

"Life is truly regressing," Daohua suddenly scoffed, raising her head and forcing back the tears in her eyes.

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com

....

Her body had shrunk, and her heart had followed suit.

Sometimes, she felt like a child again. If someone treated her slightly better, she would easily take it to heart.

In the past month, Yan Zhigao had been considerate towards her, and she mistakenly thought it was paternal love, thinking that she still held some importance in his heart.

Unfortunately, reality had given her a harsh lesson.

In her previous life, she had grown up in a family that valued sons over daughters. She never received much love from either parent, and by the time she died, she had no regrets.

In this life, why had she grown so close to Old Madam Yan? Because she had given her the most selfless love.

And the Third Branch, where she had experienced the warmth of family again.

After coming to Linyi County, she had tried hard to integrate into this family.

Unfortunately, apart from Madam Li and her fourth brother Yan Wenkai, the others were not as pure-hearted.

There was no such thing as true affection in this world.

People should never overestimate their importance.

Otherwise, it would only lead to self-inflicted trouble.

Daohua suddenly felt relieved. She wasn’t silver, and not everyone would like her.

She had her grandmother, her third uncle and third aunt, and now her mother who cared for her wholeheartedly. She also had her brothers’ company. Anything more was not to be greedily sought.

It was fine this way. If she could talk, she would talk a bit more. If not, they could each mind their own business.

Ping Tong watched Daohua’s step become lighter, and while relieved, she also felt some regret.

Today, what was supposed to be a pleasant occasion—Daohua showing filial piety, and her father gaining face in front of the elders—was ruined by Concubine Lin and her daughter.

It was truly disgusting!

Previously, Madam Li had felt that her eldest daughter wasn’t warm enough toward her father. Today, she had finally taken the initiative to bring food, yet Concubine Lin’s mother and daughter had caused such a disturbance. From now on, Daohua would probably not proactively approach her father again.

When they reached the main courtyard, Daohua heard footsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw Madam Li coming toward her with a worried expression.

"Mother, why did you come back too?"

Madam Li stepped forward, inspecting Daohua. Seeing that her expression had improved, she finally felt relieved: "You only ate a little bit at dinner. I had someone make green bean cake for you. Come, let’s go inside and have some."

While speaking, she took Daohua's hand and led her into the main courtyard.

Once inside the main room, a maidservant came in with the green bean cake.

Daohua took one, tasted it, and said, "Mother, this green bean cake doesn’t taste as good as the ones I make. Next time, I'll make some for you to try."

Madam Li smiled: "Then I'll be waiting for it." After a pause, she glanced at Daohua's expression and added, "Your father praised the soup you made today. It seems he wants to have it again tomorrow."

Daohua scoffed: "Sending it once has already caused everyone to be unhappy. If I send it again, and there are more scenes like today, I might offend everyone in the family. I don’t want to do such thankless tasks anymore."

Not just the soup, she didn’t plan to send any more food to that worthless father of hers.

Madam Li looked at her daughter, who was visibly angry, and chuckled: "Silly child, are you really angry with your father?"

Daohua turned to look at Madam Li, speaking seriously: "Shouldn't I be angry? Father favors Concubine Lin. He can’t bear for her and Yan Yishuang to be wronged, so he shifts the burden onto me. Must I just endure it?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Li's expression paused for a moment.

"Daughter, do you have grievances with your father?"

Madam Li grasped Daohua's hand and said sternly, "Daohua, you must remember he is your father. Even if you don't agree with what he says, you must listen to him respectfully."

"Like today, when you openly contradicted your father, that was very inappropriate. If we look at it in a bigger sense, that is disrespect. A disrespectful person, no matter where they go, will be looked down upon and will not be able to stand in society."

Daohua remained silent, listening. After a long while, she finally looked up and said, "Mother, don't worry, I know how to face Father in the future." If family feelings aren't to be discussed, then let's focus on the benefits.

Yan Zhigao is the head of the family, and almost everything needs his approval. To live a better life in the future, she will be able to greet him with a smile and occasionally flatter him.

Madam Li glanced at Daohua, knowing she was still upset, but thinking that a child's temper comes and goes quickly, so she didn’t say more.  

"As for Concubine Lin, don’t worry about her. Even though she has a scholar father and a scholar brother, in the end, a concubine is just a concubine and won’t be able to stir up much trouble."

At the mention of Concubine Lin, Daohua felt repulsed. Although she had prepared herself for the family struggles, experiencing it firsthand made her realize that someone like her, straightforward and direct, wasn't suited to dealing with scheming women. Even if she could argue back, it would just bring trouble in the end.

"I’d rather not see them at all, but they keep popping up. It's really disgusting!"

Madam Li patted Daohua’s head. "Don’t worry, I’ll deal with her and make sure she stays in her place."

Daohua looked up at Madam Li and wasn’t very hopeful. Her mother, though more graceful and dignified than Concubine Lin in both looks and manner, was too composed.

When it came to being coquettish and playing nice, she truly couldn’t compare to Concubine Lin.

And men, especially her shameless father, seemed to prefer that type.

Songhe Courtyard

After the old Madam Yan went to bed, Yan Zhigao and the others left.

Yan Zhigao hesitated for a moment but still headed towards the main courtyard.

The people from the second and third branches saw him and each returned to their rooms.

Second Branch

"Look at the fuss today," Yan Zhiyuan shook his head. "I didn’t even get enough to eat tonight."

Although Yan Zhigao was a county magistrate, his salary was not high. Plus, he was a person of integrity who never exploited the common folk, so his family lived slightly better than the average family, but not much more. 

So, even if he went hungry at night, unless he spent his own money, he couldn't ask the kitchen for a midnight snack.

Sun Shi was also annoyed. "It’s like gods fighting and the kids suffer. I bet the children didn’t eat enough either." She looked at Yan Wenjie and his siblings. "You kids really, we adults don’t eat much, but you kids don’t have to worry, why not eat more?"

Yan Wenjie said, "Mother, do we dare eat? Grandmother and Uncle's expressions were so frightening. I’m lucky I didn’t drop my chopsticks."

Yan Yile nodded in agreement. "Exactly."

Yan Zhiyuan glanced at his three children. Wenjie and Yile were more carefree, only Yihuan was steady. He sighed and said, "I should have left Wenjie back at the old house to be raised by the old Madam."

Hearing this, Yan Wenbin's eyes widened immediately. He certainly didn't want to suffer in the old house.

Sun Shi was displeased. "Head of the family, what are you saying?" She only had one son, so of course, she wanted to keep him by her side.

Yan Zhiyuan shook his head. "You don’t understand. What’s wrong with letting the old Madam raise him? Look at Daohua, her temperament, it’s so similar to the old Madam when she was young."

"Hmph!"

He sneered.

"And Lin Shi is really stupid. The old Madam raised all four of us siblings on her own, so how simple could that be? Yet Concubine Lin tries to play tricks in front of her. She deserves to be scolded."

Sun Shi scoffed, "Women should be gentle and quiet. What’s so good about Daohua, so careless? This isn’t our old house."

Yan Zhiyuan thought about it and agreed, not saying anything more. 

Third Branch

Yan Wentao was furious. "Daohua was so upset she cried. Uncle went too far."

"Slap!"

Yan Zhiqiang slapped his son on the head. "That’s your uncle. Do you speak like this?"

Yan Wentao was unwilling. "But Daohua was wronged!"

Yan Zhiqiang glared at his son and said in a deep voice, "Your uncle is Daohua’s father. It’s only natural for him to guide her, and outsiders have no right to interfere. Here’s the plan: tomorrow, quietly call Daohua out, and we’ll take her outside the county to relax."

Hearing this, Yan Wentao immediately smiled and nodded. "Daohua will be so happy when she hears it."

Wu Shi was worried. "Is that really okay?"

Yan Zhiqiang reassured her, "Don’t worry, I’ll speak with brother. It’s also a good opportunity to check on the land your sister-in-law just bought."

Shuangxin Courtyard

"Mother, Father still hasn’t come back. He must have gone to the main courtyard," Yan Yishuang muttered, glumly staring at the closed courtyard gate.

Concubine Lin stepped forward, pulled her daughter into the room, and after a moment of thought, said, "In the future, when you meet your older sister, you should avoid her."

Yan Yishuang was reluctant. "She’s the older sister, and I’m the younger sister. Shouldn’t she be the one to avoid me?"

Concubine Lin sighed. "But she is the legitimate daughter, and the old Madam is supporting her. If you argue with her, once the old Madam steps in, no matter how much your father favors you, you’ll still be punished."

Yan Yishuang cried, "I don’t like grandmother. She’s just like Madam Xu, so annoying. It would be better if grandmother stayed in the old house in the countryside."

Concubine Lin’s face changed drastically. She quickly covered her daughter’s mouth and said sternly, "Yishuang, you must never say such things. If your father hears it, we’ll never be able to recover."

Yan Yishuang, terrified by her mother’s harshness, quickly nodded in agreement.

Seeing her daughter scared, Concubine Lin hugged her. "It’s all my fault. If I were your father’s legitimate wife, you wouldn’t have to suffer this."

Seeing Concubine Lin in tears, Yan Yishuang panicked and immediately said, "Mother, don’t be angry. I won’t argue with my older sister from now on."

Main Courtyard

By the time Yan Zhigao returned, Daohua had already gone back to her room.

Cough "Has Daohua already gone to sleep?"

Madam Li smiled as she helped Yan Zhigao take off his outer robe. "She had a few pieces of mung bean cake from me and then went to sleep. How is things at your end?"

Yan Zhigao replied, "She’s also asleep."

Madam Li looked at Yan Zhigao’s expression, seeing that it wasn’t too bad, and smiled. "Daohua went to deliver food because she heard from me that you’ve been so busy lately, and she was concerned about you. I didn’t expect things to escalate like this."

Yan Zhigao, no longer angry, said, "I know Daohua is filial. Just now, I was doing it for her good. Concubine Lin is an elder, but Daohua treated her like a maidservant, which isn’t good if it gets out."

Madam Li’s smile faded a little. "I’ve already spoken to her, but you need to prepare yourself. Your daughter’s temperament is exactly like ours. If she’s wronged, she’ll definitely return the favor." 

"Since you’ve said Concubine Lin is an elder, then let her endure a little more. Don’t let her always get close to Daohua."

"I also asked about today’s events. Daohua didn’t tell the old Madam about the quarrel between the sisters. It was Concubine Lin who insisted on taking the third girl over to apologize."

"And, Lord, Daohua has only recently come to the county. There are many rules and manners she doesn’t understand yet. You can’t expect her to know them all immediately. You need to teach her slowly, don’t you think so?"

Yan Zhigao looked at Madam Li in a daze, quite surprised.

This wife of his, always gentle and considerate, was speaking to him so firmly for the first time. He didn’t even get a chance to say anything.

(End of chapter)

VISIT OUR |🔴 Patreon Now

►►CLICK HERE FOR ADVANCE CHAPTERS◄◄

Next Chapter▶▶