Chapter 57: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 57: Differentiated Treatment
In the sixteenth year of Yongxing, this year's Spring Festival was the worst one the Yan family had ever experienced.
Originally, with the arrival of Old Madam Yan and the third branch, this was supposed to be the most complete year for the Yan family. However, from the end of the year to the beginning of the New Year, the entire family was shrouded in a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.
There was no way around it—when the highest-ranking figure in the family, Old Madam Yan, and the person holding the financial power, Madam Li, were upset, no one else could feel joy, even if they tried.
When dealing with outsiders, Madam Li would still put on a decent face for the Yan family's reputation, preparing various New Year's items. But when it came to the family’s own needs, Madam Li was extremely perfunctory.
In previous years, Madam Li would have distributed New Year’s gifts to each branch, but this year, there were no New Year’s gifts at all. Even basic necessities like food, clothing, and supplies were hardly prepared. Many things had to be bought last minute by the servants.
However, most shops were closed during the New Year period, so it was impossible to buy anything of quality.
Under these circumstances, it was no surprise that the New Year felt bleak.
It was during this time that everyone realized that the usually gentle and obedient Madam Li also had a sharp side. She had previously ignored certain things because no one had crossed her boundaries, but now, with Daohua’s arrival, her limits had been clearly revealed.
Madam Li’s behavior was now openly aggressive and ruthless. She was making it clear to the entire Yan family that her daughter was her bottom line. Anyone who made her daughter unhappy would have to suffer the same unhappiness in return.
On New Year's Eve:
The family’s New Year’s Eve dinner was very simple, consisting of ordinary dishes like chicken, duck, fish, and meat.
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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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In previous years, no matter how busy things were, Madam Li would always prepare a few special or elaborate dishes, but this year, there was not a single one.
While the family tried to hide their disappointment, everyone felt it deeply.
The Yan family was a government official family, and their usual lifestyle was only slightly better than an ordinary household. So, whether it was the adults or the children, everyone looked forward to the New Year as a time when they could eat better food.
At Shuangxin Courtyard:
Concubine Lin stood alone at the gate of the courtyard, her eyes full of reluctance as she watched Yan Zhigao take Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin out.
"Go back to your room. It’s very cold outside. After dinner, I’ll have someone bring Yishuang and Wenbin back to keep you company," Yan Zhigao said, ignoring the reluctance in Lin’s eyes. With that, he quickly pulled his two children away.
Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin looked back, seeing Concubine Lin standing all alone at the door, and their eyes couldn't help but tear up.
Yan Wenbin grabbed his father’s arm. "Father, can’t we bring Mother along too? Last year, she came to the New Year’s dinner as well."
Yan Zhigao rubbed his forehead, unsure of how to respond.
If he had taken Concubine Lin to Songhe Courtyard today, not only would his mother be furious, but even his wife would likely explode. The New Year’s dinner would be ruined in that case.
He hadn’t expected that slapping his eldest daughter would trigger such a strong reaction from both his mother and his wife.
Yan Yishuang softly asked, "Father, is it because of Big Sister?"
Yan Zhigao gently rubbed her head and sighed. "It has nothing to do with your older sister. Let’s go now, or there will be no food left."
At the gate of Shuangxin Courtyard, seeing that Yan Zhigao didn’t return to call for her, Concubine Lin felt a pang of disappointment.
She had assumed that no matter how angry Old Madam Yan was, she would never lose face for her son. However, she hadn't expected that Madam Li would be so decisive and ruthless this time.
The Yan family’s finances were too thin, and day-to-day expenses and dealings had to be handled by Madam Li. So, even though Yan Zhigao doted on her, once Madam Li took a firm stance, he wouldn’t go against her.
Thus, the one who suffered was her.
"Don’t worry, we’ll take our time," Concubine Lin thought, her gaze turning resolute. She didn't believe that a man would allow himself to be constantly suppressed by his wife. The more Madam Li made her intentions clear now, the more Yan Zhigao would resent her later.
Look at how she treated her eldest daughter. Didn’t Yan Zhigao slap her without hesitation?
At Songhe Courtyard:
People from the second and third branches had already arrived and were chatting with Old Madam Yan.
Several grandchildren were trying their best to cheer up the old lady, but Old Madam Yan seemed distracted, constantly looking towards the gate of the courtyard.
Yan Wenjie nudged his older brother, Yan Wenxiu, and whispered, "Big Brother, why do you think our grandmother is so different from others? Other grandmothers love their grandsons, but our grandmother only seems to care about granddaughters."
"That’s because Big Sister is lovable and adorable!"
Before Yan Wenxiu could respond, Yan Wenkai joined in the conversation.
But as soon as he heard this, Yan Wenjie sneered. "Lovable? If Big Sister was truly lovable, why did Uncle slap her?"
Hearing this, Yan Wenkai immediately stood up, fury in his eyes. "What do you mean by that?"
Yan Wenjie wasn’t afraid of him and coldly retorted, "What I’m saying is true. Isn’t the reason we’re having such a miserable New Year because of Big Sister? When she wasn’t around before, the family was so much livelier."
"Just look at how we’re spending this year. No new clothes, and even the food is just ordinary. This doesn’t feel like a New Year. Even the official’s family isn’t living as poorly as we are."
As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell silent.
Neither the Sun family nor Yan Zhiyuan expected that their usually sharp-witted son would say such things at this moment.
Sitting on the Ta Shang, Old Madam Yan was so furious that her hand was trembling as she pointed at Yan Wenjie.
Just as everyone was silent, Madam Li lifted the curtain and walked in, her face expressionless as she looked at Yan Wenjie: “It seems that I, as the house manager, am not to your liking, Second Young Master Yan!”
“Then, from now on, I’ll leave the management of this household to your mother. From now on, whatever Second Young Master Yan wants to do, let him do it. What do you think?”
The moment Madam Li appeared, Yan Wenjie immediately shrank behind his mother.
Earlier, when he saw the bland New Year's Eve dinner, he had already been simmering with frustration. When Yan Wenkai spoke up, he didn’t think much and let all his frustration out.
Unexpectedly, his words were overheard by his aunt.
Sun Shi quickly stepped forward to apologize: "Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? You know how capable I am, don't you? I won’t say such things again."
"Yan Wenjie is my responsibility; he went a little crazy today, and I will punish him properly when we get home." She wished she could manage the household, but she didn’t have the funds to maintain the expenses of the Yan family.
At this moment, Daohua, who had followed Madam Li, entered the room, not looking at anyone else but walking straight to Old Madam Yan’s Ta Shang, smiling as she looked at her: "Grandmother."
Old Madam Yan forced a smile, saying: "Your second brother is just talking nonsense, don’t mind him."
Daohua smiled and nodded, though her smile didn’t reach her eyes: "I understand."
Sun Shi pushed Yan Wenjie: "Why aren’t you apologizing to your big sister?"
Yan Wenjie awkwardly stepped forward, feeling uncomfortable. It was embarrassing to be overheard speaking ill of someone.
"Big sister, I was just teasing Wenkai earlier, I didn’t mean anything bad about you."
Daohua also smiled and nodded, seemingly forgiving Yan Wenjie, but didn’t say anything.
At that moment, Yan Zhigao entered with Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin.
Seeing Daohua sitting next to Old Madam Yan, both Yan Zhigao and Yan Yishuang felt uneasy.
Father and daughter—one had slapped Daohua, the other had lied, causing Daohua to be slapped—now seeing the person involved in front of them, it was only natural they felt awkward.
Daohua gave them a brief glance, then leaned towards Old Madam Yan and whispered in her ear: "Grandmother, I saw Second Brother kick Fourth Brother just now. I’ll take him downstairs to check."
Old Madam Yan nodded: "Go quickly and come back soon."
Daohua smiled and agreed before slipping out, taking Yan Wenkai and Yan Wentao with her.
Once they left Songhe Courtyard, Daohua smiled at Yan Wenkai and gave him a thumbs-up: "Fourth Brother, you looked so cool when you beat Yan Wenjie earlier."
Yan Wenkai instantly puffed up with pride, tilting his head: "Right? Big sister, let me tell you, your Fourth Brother is quite awesome. Don’t worry, if anyone dares bully you in the future, I’ll beat them up."
Yan Wentao joined in: "I can help too."
Daohua smiled at her two brothers, her mood lightening without her realizing it: "Let’s go, I’ll make you something delicious."
At the mention of food, Yan Wenkai and Yan Wentao’s eyes immediately lit up.
Back in the main courtyard.
Wang Man’er had already boiled a pot of water on the stove, with two plates of round white tangyuan (rice dumplings) and a jar of rice wine yeast nearby.
When Daohua returned with Yan Wenkai and Yan Wentao, Wang Man’er immediately asked with a smile: "Miss, can I put the tangyuan in the pot now?"
Daohua nodded: "Start with the big plate."
Wang Man’er replied: "Got it."
Daohua led Yan Wenkai and Yan Wentao to her room: "Fourth Brother, are your injuries okay?"
Yan Wenkai waved his hand dismissively: "It’s fine. Though Yan Wenjie is older than me, if it comes to fists, five of him wouldn’t stand a chance against me." After saying this, he looked out of the room.
"Big sister, can I have a bowl of rice wine?"
Daohua shook her head: "No, we’re staying up tonight for the New Year. What if you get drunk? Wait until we eat the tangyuan."
Yan Wenkai sulked and nodded: "Alright, but I have to say, I want two big bowls of tangyuan."
"Fine!"
Daohua smiled: "Tonight, you and Third Brother can just eat as much as you want."
Yan Wenkai and Yan Wentao were both overjoyed, eagerly watching the tangyuan in the pot.
When the first batch was ready, they tried to scoop some, but Daohua stopped them: "This batch isn’t for you."
Both Yan Wenkai and Yan Wentao froze, and then saw Wang Man’er dividing the tangyuan into bowls.
Next, Daohua personally cooked the small batch of tangyuan.
Once the tangyuan were ready, Wang Man’er began to serve them into bowls.
Daohua: "Don’t mix them up."
Wang Man’er smiled: "Miss, don’t worry. I’ll personally bring them to the table, you can be assured."
Yan Wenkai, seeing the two talk in secret, secretly ate one of the tangyuan from the first batch.
"No problem?"
Yan Wenkai scratched his head, then quickly ate another one from the second batch, his eyes widening in surprise.
The two plates of tangyuan looked the same, but the taste was completely different.
He finally understood what his big sister was up to.
After counting the five bowls from the second batch, Yan Wenkai thought to himself that his big sister had really distanced herself from their father. She didn’t even give him one bowl of tangyuan.
Yan Wenkai thought for a moment and felt it wasn’t right.
Even though their father had slapped Daohua, he was still their father. Could they really distance themselves from him just because of a slap?
"sister..."
Before he could finish, Wang Man’er had already left with the tangyuan.
Daohua turned and saw that Yan Wenkai hadn’t eaten, and asked in surprise: "Fourth Brother, don’t you like the tangyuan?"
Yan Wenkai shook his head: "No."
Daohua: "Then hurry and eat!" She said as she took her own bowl and started eating.
Seeing Yan Wenkai scratching his head, Yan Wentao whispered: "You should let Daohua vent her feelings. Besides, Uncle did make a mistake this time."
Hearing this, Yan Wenkai nodded and stopped dwelling on it, focusing on eating.
In Songhe Courtyard.
Everyone was enjoying snacks and chatting.
"Old Madam, Madam, Miss asked me to bring everyone some tangyuan."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Yan’s face brightened: "We’ve been waiting for her tangyuan, quick, bring it over and let me taste it, let’s see if Daohua’s skills have improved."
Wang Man’er quietly distributed the tangyuan.
"Mmm~"
"Not bad, I think Daohua’s cooking has improved compared to last year."
Looking at Old Madam Yan eating with satisfaction, both Yan Zhigao and the second branch found it odd.
To be honest, they were a little disappointed with tonight’s tangyuan. Compared to the dishes Daohua made before, this felt too ordinary.
But Madam Li and the people from the third branch all looked approving, while the others felt something was off.
Even if they were flattering Daohua, wasn’t it a bit much?
It was just plain tangyuan, but they ate it as though it were a delicacy.
Seeing that Sun Shi was staring at her, Madam Li asked: "What’s wrong, isn’t the tangyuan to your liking?"
Sun immediately shook her head.
Madam Li withdrew her gaze and began savoring the tangyuan again, this time with even more enjoyment.
So delicious!
Seeing Madam Li enjoying herself, Wu Shi was the same, and Sun Shi was in awe. She had just realized that her two sisters-in-law, like Old Madam Yan, were acting like great actresses.
Yan Zhigao and Yan Zhiyuan had the same thought in their minds, though they were astonished by Yan Zhiqiang.
They never expected that the usually honest and simple Third Uncle could show such superb acting skills just to please his mother. They were truly impressed!
(The chapter ends here.)
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