Chapter 51: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 51: Wife and Concubine
"Wenhui, what's the matter with you?"
Yan Zhigao arrived at Shuangxin Courtyard as usual. Upon entering, he noticed that his beloved concubine did not come to greet him as she normally would. He quietly walked into the room, only to find her lost in thought, unmoving.
"Master is here!"
Upon seeing Yan Zhigao, Concubine Lin immediately put away her troubled expression and greeted him with a smile.
Yan Zhigao took her hand and asked with concern, "What are you thinking about? Didn’t even notice I arrived?"
Concubine Lin shook her head, her face showing a bitter smile. "It’s nothing, just... a lot of idle thoughts."
Yan Zhigao pressed further, "What exactly happened?"
Concubine Lin hesitated, as if unsure how to speak.
Yan Zhigao sighed, patting her hand. "I know you’ve been wronged lately. I’ll speak to my mother. You’re so well-mannered, once she understands how good you are, she’ll accept you."
"As for Daohua... That girl has been spoiled by my mother. I’ll teach her properly in the future. But she's still young, so if she says anything unpleasant, don’t take it to heart."
Hearing this, Concubine Lin’s eyes immediately reddened. "I’m just a concubine. Whether it's the Old Madam or the Eldest Miss, no matter how they treat me, I’ll endure it. I should endure it."
"But... Yishuang and Wenbin are members of the Yan family. They shouldn't be dragged down by me."
Yan Zhigao sensed the deeper meaning in her words and comforted her, "Didn’t I already say? In our family, there are no distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children. Wenbin and Yishuang are just as important to me as Wenxiu and the others. I will make sure they aren’t wronged."
Concubine Lin looked deeply moved. "Master’s love for his children is clear, and Wenhui understands. I know you treat everyone equally. But what I’m worried about isn’t this."
Yan Zhigao was confused. "What are you worried about then?"
Concubine Lin glanced at him, seemingly gathering the courage to speak. "The Eldest Miss... seems to dislike Wenbin and Yishuang."
Yan Zhigao furrowed his brows. "What did Daohua do again?"
Concubine Lin hurriedly explained, "It’s nothing serious, just today, Wenbin and Yishuang brought some cakes to Zhegui Courtyard, inviting the other young ladies and young masters to share poetry. The Eldest Miss went there too, but when she found out the cakes were from Yishuang and Wenbin, she just threw them away."
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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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Upon hearing this, Yan Zhigao’s face immediately darkened with anger.
Concubine Lin looked at his expression, then cautiously continued, "Afterward, the Eldest Miss left Zhegui Courtyard and went to the Old Madam’s place, where she served wine with fermented rice to the others, but Yishuang and Wenbin weren’t invited."
Her tone became more urgent. "I’m not bothered by the Eldest Miss's actions, but Wenbin and Yishuang consider her their sister. Now, the way she’s treating them so differently might affect their relationship as siblings in the future."
Yan Zhigao stood up abruptly, anger flashing in his eyes. "I’m going to the main house. You take Wenbin and Yishuang to dinner."
Seeing Yan Zhigao leave in a huff, Concubine Lin couldn’t help but smile triumphantly.
Yan Yi, you’ve made me lose face in front of the Yan family. This New Year, don’t expect it to be peaceful for you!
"Big Sister!"
At that moment, advisor Lin entered.
Concubine Lin was surprised. "Little Brother, why are you here?"
Advisor Lin said, "You’ve been wronged, how could I not come and see?" The county office was small, and even though the front and back courtyards were separate, any major events were usually heard of.
Concubine Lin felt comforted. "It’s just a little girl, don’t worry, your sister can handle it."
Advisor Lin shook his head. "The Eldest Miss may be young, but she’s extremely clever, and her demeanor is exceptional. Sister, don’t underestimate her. Moreover, she has the Old Madam backing her."
Concubine Lin sneered. "Clever? So what? Her wild nature makes it hard for others to like her. You don’t know, that day, not only did she make a veiled jab at me, but she also subtly criticized Master. Her words made Master’s face turn red with anger. If this continues, I guarantee she’ll lose her father’s favor."
"A daughter who isn’t valued by her father, no matter how much the Old Madam protects her, what waves can she cause?"
Advisor Lin knew his sister was angry and after some thought, he said, "If you really want to make the Eldest Miss lose her father’s favor, what you’ve done so far isn’t enough."
"As long as the family matters don’t leak out, they can be solved easily. But if the Eldest Miss provokes someone from outside, Master will be forced to punish her harshly to preserve the family’s reputation."
Concubine Lin’s eyes lit up. "Do you have a plan?"
Advisor Lin nodded. "Leave it to me. Don’t do anything yourself, or the Old Madam might take offense."
Concubine Lin sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I don’t know how to please the Old Madam anymore."
Advisor Lin smiled. "Sister, you still have me. Things can be done if you try. The Old Madam will come around. The county office has been singing your praises all these years, hasn’t it?"
Concubine Lin smiled too but then coldly huffed. "Ever since the Eldest Miss came, I haven’t had a peaceful day. I really hope this problem will be resolved next year."
"It will be."
Main House
Yan Zhigao stormed into the main house. As soon as he entered the room, he saw Madam Li sorting through the accounts, her face tired but still showing surprise when she saw him.
"Master, what brings you here?"
Yan Zhigao glanced at the thick account books on the table, feeling a rare twinge of guilt.
His work at the county office was exhausting, but his wife, managing the household, was equally tired.
Sighing, he decided not to argue with his eldest daughter for the time being, out of respect for his wife.
He knew very well that when they were still in the old family, his wife had reluctantly agreed to send their eldest daughter away, all for the sake of filial piety and to help manage the back courtyard.
Now that their daughter had returned, he understood that it was inevitable for her to be indulged, but it would take some time to temper her wild nature.
Yan Zhigao sat down with a serious expression. "What, I can’t come back now?"
Madam Li put down the account book and smiled. "The Yan family belongs to you, Master. You can go anywhere you wish." Looking outside, she noticed the sky had darkened.
"It’s already evening, and time has passed so quickly." She collected the account book and looked at Yan Zhigao. "Are you having dinner in the main house tonight?"
Yan Zhigao nodded expressionlessly.
Madam Li smiled, her tone a bit lighter. "Then I’ll have the servants bring out the food right away."
During dinner, it was just Yan Zhigao and Madam Li.
Yan Zhigao asked, "Where are Wenxiu and the others?"
Madam Li replied, "The Old Madam asked them to stay in her courtyard."
About a quarter of an hour earlier, Old Madam Yan had known her eldest son had returned to the main house. Fearing the grandchildren would disturb the reconciled couple, she had kept them there.
Yan Zhigao nodded. "Now that Wenxiu isn’t attending lessons, it’s time for him to spend more time with his mother. By the way, I heard Daohua sent fermented rice to everyone?"
Madam Li glanced at him, her expression dulling slightly, then shook her head. "That’s not true. Daohua didn’t make much fermented rice. She said it was for the New Year. But when the Old Madam saw the grandchildren paying respects, she was pleased and gave them each a bowl."
Originally, Old Madam Yan hadn’t intended to serve everyone, but when Yan Wenxiu arrived, followed by Yan Wenjie, she couldn’t show favoritism and gave each grandchild a bowl.
As for Yishuang and Wenbin, they hadn’t received any because Old Madam Yan clearly expressed her dislike for Concubine Lin. The two, being loyal to their biological mother, rarely visited Songhe Courtyard, and thus didn’t receive any.
Yan Zhigao was surprised to hear that his mother was involved in this.
Seeing his reaction, Madam Li’s expression grew even colder.
She had always known that her husband, who had never been one to favor her, was now hearing rumors about the issue.
Madam Li felt a chill in her heart and said in a low voice, "I heard the fermented rice tastes quite good, but unfortunately, as a mother, I didn’t even get a bowl. After all, when the child isn’t raised by you, the bond isn’t as deep."
Hearing these words, Ping Xiao, who was standing by the table, quickly glanced into the inner room, where a small porcelain jar was neatly placed. Inside was the delicious fermented rice.
Her words clearly implied something, mocking her husband.
Yan Zhigao’s face shifted uncomfortably. Even Ping Xiao, a maid, understood the underlying message. He, the person involved, was fully aware of it too. To cover up his awkwardness, he could only lower his head and continue eating.
Madam Li calmly ate her meal, not even glancing at him.
(End of this chapter)
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