Chapter 60: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 60: The Upper City
In the end, the matters of the inner courtyard were managed by the lady of the house, and when Madam Li took something seriously, even the concubine Lin, let alone Yan Zhigao, the head of the family, had to step aside.
The fact that Teacher Qin had dared to punish Daohua with a ruler was a direct affront to Madam Li.
Not only did Madam Li immediately stop Daohua from attending lessons, but she also spread word that the Yan family would hire a new teacher, leaving no face for Teacher Qin at all.
Panicked, Teacher Qin rushed to find Concubine Lin. Concubine Lin smiled and reassured her, saying the Yan family would not dismiss her.
That evening, Concubine Lin smiled and said to Yan Zhigao, “Sir, did you know that Madam plans to hire a new teacher?”
Yan Zhigao nodded. “Daohua doesn’t get along with Teacher Qin. It’s better to find her a new teacher.”
He truly valued his eldest daughter. Due to the guilt of not raising her by his side since childhood, he felt that her current temperament was partly his fault. Hence, he was particularly attentive to her education.
Concubine Lin paused, then said, “But Teacher Qin hasn’t done anything wrong. Although she did punish Daohua with a ruler, it was out of concern for her. You know Teacher Qin’s background, she’s a pitiful person.”
“There were some things she did too hastily, but wasn’t it because she was worried about disappointing you? Also, Yishuang and the other young ladies all like Teacher Qin. If she’s suddenly replaced, what will they think?”
Yan Zhigao fell silent for a moment, seemingly unwilling to discuss it further, and dismissed it with, “We’ll talk about it later. Changing a teacher isn’t something that can be done overnight.”
Concubine Lin’s expression stiffened. After helping Yan Zhigao with his evening routine, she immediately went to her daughter’s room.
Yan Yishuang was picking out clothes for the next day, and was surprised to see Concubine Lin. “Mother, what are you doing here?”
Concubine Lin asked, “Did you tell Zhu Xiuyun and the others what I asked you to?”
Yan Yishuang nodded. “I told them, but Mother, if Madam really replaces Teacher Qin, Zhu Xiuyun and the others won’t be able to stop it.”
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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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Concubine Lin smiled. “Silly girl, of course, you and the other young ladies can’t stop it, but the adults behind them can. Zhu Xiuyun got injured because of your elder sister. She wasn’t able to go anywhere for the New Year, and Madam Zhu was very angry about it. Now your elder sister wants to get rid of Teacher Qin, and Madam Zhu will be the first to disagree.”
Yan Yishuang’s face shifted uncomfortably. “Mother, can we not talk about this anymore?” The truth was, Zhu Xiuyun’s injury wasn’t really caused by her elder sister. She had lied about it that day.
Seeing her daughter’s discomfort, Concubine Lin sighed. “It’s me who has wronged you.”
Yan Yishuang turned away. “Mother, don’t say that anymore.”
Concubine Lin quickly nodded. “Alright, I won’t say it anymore. Rest early, dear.”
The next day, Yan Zhigao met with Head Master Zhu at the county office. It’s unclear what they discussed, but when he returned to the mansion that evening, he told Madam Li, “Find a new teacher for Daohua, but Teacher Qin will stay to teach Yishuang and the others.”
In front of Yan Zhigao, Madam Li agreed with a smile, then sent someone to inquire about his movements. Upon learning that Head Master Zhu had met with Yan Zhigao, Madam Li sneered.
Ping Xiao mocked, “Madam Zhu prides herself on being from a scholarly family, but she’s mingling with a concubine. It’s truly laughable!”
Madam Li took a deep breath. “The situation doesn’t allow us to act freely. We must endure.”
Compared to the Zhu family, the Yan family’s foundation was too shallow. There were some things Madam Li had to tolerate, and Yan Zhigao also had to be more courteous when facing Head Master Zhu.
On the 20th of the first month, Madam Li began preparing Yan Zhigao’s gifts for the capital.
Daohua sat nearby, watching as the bundles were loaded onto the cart, her eyes full of longing.
Seeing her daughter staring at the cart, Madam Li smiled and said, “Have you prepared the potted plants for your uncles?”
Daohua replied, “I’ve prepared them already.”
Madam Li continued, “Spring is almost here, and everything is coming back to life. It’s the perfect season for appreciating bonsai. Your uncles will surely be happy to receive what you’ve sent.”
Daohua hesitated, then couldn’t help but ask, “Mother, can I go with you to the capital?” After all these years in this world, the only journey she had taken was from her hometown to Linyi County. She had never really traveled far.
But that trip wasn’t a pleasant experience—hungry, tired, and scared, she hadn’t even had the chance to enjoy the sights or customs of the ancient world. If she could, she would have avoided any encounters with people altogether.
Madam Li paused for a moment. If it were any other time, she would have refused, but considering how distant Daohua had been from Yan Zhigao recently, she wondered if this trip might help strengthen their father-daughter relationship.
Coincidentally, Old Madam Yan came to check on the packing of the gifts. Upon hearing Daohua’s request, she immediately decided, “Let Daohua go with us.”
Daohua’s eyes brightened, but soon dimmed. “But… this still needs Father’s approval, doesn’t it?”
Old Madam Yan patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him.”
Hearing this, Daohua became excited again. She then thought of the dullness of the journey and added, “Can Third Brother and Fourth Brother come with us too? That way, I’ll have some company.”
Old Madam Yan nodded at her. “You’re being too greedy now.”
Daohua clung to her grandmother’s arm and pouted. “Grandmother, please? With Third Brother and Fourth Brother there, they can help carry things for me.”
Madam Li spoke up, “Third Brother is too honest, and Fourth Brother is too restless. It’s better to let the eldest go.”
Daohua’s face fell. “Big Brother?”
Madam Li glared at Daohua. “What? You don’t want your big brother to come along and accompany you?”
Daohua grumbled, “Big Brother won’t accompany me, he’ll just supervise me.”
Old Madam Yan laughed. “Don’t you need someone to supervise you? If no one’s watching, you’ll cause chaos.”
The three of them continued bantering, and when Yan Zhigao returned home from the office, he was told that he had to take four more people to the capital.
Initially, Yan Zhigao objected, but seeing the serious expression on his mother and the hopeful look on his daughter, he finally relented.
That evening, after Yan Wenxiu, Yan Wentao, and Yan Wenkai finished their studies, they were told they would be going to the capital. They were all thrilled.
The others who were not going were downcast.
Seeing his younger children looking at him with longing, Yan Zhigao couldn’t help but say, “Your eldest sister hasn’t met many of her uncles. This trip is to visit the elders.”
Yan Yishuang asked, “What about Big Brother, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother?”
Yan Zhigao replied, “They’ll be going with Grandmother to keep an eye on your eldest sister.”
Yan Yishuang pouted. “Eldest sister is already so grown up, does she still need supervision?”
Yan Zhigao smiled and lifted Yan Yishuang onto his lap. “Your eldest sister is not as well-behaved as you. She’s a bit temperamental, so someone needs to watch over her.”
After comforting his two younger children, Yan Zhigao went to the main courtyard to rest.
The next morning, he met with several of his younger children and Advisor Xiao at the county office.
When Advisor Xiao saw Yan Wenxiu and the others, he didn’t react much. But when he saw Daohua dressed as a boy, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
“Miss Yan is going to the capital this time too?”
Daohua stood straight and saluted him seriously. “Master, I’m now Young Master Yan. Please don’t call me by the wrong title.”
Advisor Xiao laughed loudly, and then he and Yan Zhigao boarded one carriage, while the younger children boarded another. The group set off towards the capital.
(End of Chapter)
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