Chapter 45: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 45: Trouble Brewing
It was the first time that Madam Li's daughter would spend the New Year with her, so naturally, she wanted to do everything possible to make her daughter happy.
Linyi County had a somewhat remote location, and the quality of goods sold in the county was not very high. When her daughter first arrived, because she couldn’t find quality materials, Madam Li had to make do with ordinary fabrics to make a few dresses for her.
Now, with the New Year approaching, Madam Li wanted her daughter to wear something better. Among the young girls studying in the family school, her daughter, Daohua, had the poorest quality clothes. Madam Li could guess that behind her back, those girls must have been gossiping about her daughter. But Daohua was understanding and never caused her any trouble over such matters.
Thinking that her daughter, now nine years old, had never worn clothes made from silk, Madam Li felt deeply pained.
In the past, whether it was Yíhuān, Yílè, or Yishuang, every time gifts were sent from the Yan family, any fine materials were given to the three girls. But this time, it wasn’t that she was being stingy. The fine silks her elder brother had specially chosen for Daohua had been set aside for a long time. After receiving the letter from home, she had already planned out what kind of dresses to make for her daughter.
But now, Yan Zhigao had distributed the silks without consulting her. He gave them to the other rooms without a second thought. For the first time, Madam Li was truly angry with her husband.
“Master, you didn’t consult me before distributing the New Year gifts. That’s fine, but when you gave away those silks, didn’t you think about leaving a piece for Daohua?”
Yan Zhigao was a little embarrassed. He had chosen those fabrics because they were beautiful, and he thought the women in the house would look good in them. In his excitement, he gave them away without thinking too much.
As for Daohua, there was still plenty of material left. He thought she wouldn’t be offended.
“It’s not a big deal. It’s just a few pieces of cloth. What’s the point of getting so upset over them? Now that they’re given out, what more do you want?”
Madam Li could no longer control her anger. “Master, those silks were specially sent by Daohua’s uncle for her. She has not been with us for so long, and we have not taken good care of her. Now you’re taking the only things meant for her and giving them to others?”
Yan Zhigao, who had originally felt some guilt, immediately darkened when he heard this. “What do you mean ‘others’? Yishuang and the others are Daohua’s sisters. As the eldest, it’s only natural for her to share with them.”
Madam Li, now seething, shot back, “If you want to give Yishuang and the others fabric, then buy more! The material my brother sent for Daohua is meant for her, and it must be returned!”
Yan Zhigao was furious and stood up, his face ugly.
All along, he knew that the Yan family’s financial situation was tight, and a large part of their expenses, including the expenses of his official duties, were supported by his wife’s dowry. He felt guilty about this but also deeply resentful.
A man who lived off his wife’s dowry, especially one who held the position of county magistrate, found it extremely humiliating.
Coldly staring at Madam Li, Yan Zhigao thought, For a few pieces of fabric, my wife dares to make a scene and now wants to take back what I’ve already distributed? She’s humiliating me in front of the family.
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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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“Businessmen are truly beneath respect. All they care about is money, and they have no sense of decorum.”
Madam Li immediately regretted her words upon hearing them. But she was too angry to be as careful with Yan Zhigao’s pride as usual.
The couple stood facing each other, neither willing to back down.
At this moment, Old Madam Yan stepped into the room, supported by Aunt Sun. Seeing the confrontation, her face turned red with anger.
“The two of you—what are you doing? Do you want to turn the house upside down? Do you no longer respect me, the matriarch?”
The argument between the couple quickly spread throughout the house.
In the third room, Daohua had gone shopping with Madam Li and saw some ceramic flower pots for sale. Thinking that her distant maternal family had sent her many good things this time, she felt it was only right to send a return gift. So, she bought a dozen pots.
Though she didn’t have much to give, she could plant some flowers and send them back as gifts. She had collected various species of plants during her time in Yanjia Village, and they were now thriving in her space. If transplanted, they would make excellent potted plants.
Her third brother, Yan Wentao, was the most interested in growing things.
When the news of the quarrel reached her, she immediately dropped what she was doing and rushed towards the main house, not even stopping to wash her hands.
Meanwhile, Wu shi had already learned the details and was hastily bringing the silks back to the main house as well.
In the second room, when Sun Shi heard what had happened, she immediately went to retrieve the silks Yan Zhigao had given her.
Yan Yile was displeased and said, “Mother, why should we return these silks? Uncle gave them to us.”
Sun Shi tapped her daughter’s forehead. “The matter in the main house is escalating. If we don’t return them, will we wait for someone to come and take them back?”
Yan Yile sulked. “Why should we return something that was given to us? Aunt is not such a petty person.”
Yan Yihuan, looking at the fine silks, murmured, “I heard that the material was specifically chosen by Daohua’s uncle. It seems that Uncle made a mistake.”
Sun Shi nodded, “It’s not just any cloth. The silks are of much better quality than what we usually get. We have to return them.”
Yan Yile pouted. “Ever since Daohua came, Aunt doesn’t care about us anymore.”
Sun Shi ignored her and walked off. Yan Yihuan, however, understood that Daohua would naturally be favored over the others, as she was the eldest.
In Shuangxin Courtyard, Concubine Lin received the news and her eyes lit up. Without hesitation, she ordered the maid to bring the silks and quickly headed to the main house.
Back at the main house, Daohua rushed in, panting and sweaty from running.
Although she only knew part of the story, she instinctively felt that it was her stepfather who was bullying her mother. Given how gentle and accommodating Madam Li usually was, Daohua felt it was her duty to stand up for her.
But just as she entered, Yan Wenxui and Yan Wenkai pulled her aside.
“Big Brother, Fourth Brother, let go of me! I need to go check on Mother!” Daohua struggled to free herself from their grasp.
Yan Wenxui said, “Little Sister, Grandmother is in there.”
Daohua wasn’t deterred. “I’m going in anyway!”
Seeing that her brothers were hesitating, Daohua asked, “Big Brother, Fourth Brother, what are you trying to say?”
Yan Wenxui looked at her, deliberating. “Little Sister, the reason Father and Mother are fighting is because your uncle’s silks were given to the other rooms. I thought if you voluntarily gave them up, this matter might calm down.”
(End of Chapter)
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