Chapter 65: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 65: The Jade Pendant
Yan Zhigao hurried toward the post station, his heart filled with anxiety. He was worried not only about his children being bullied but also about someone using this incident against him to ruin his career, even taking away his position as a county magistrate.
He wasn’t naive. After serving as a county magistrate in Zhongzhou Prefecture for nine years, while he hadn’t built up much of a network, he had managed to pick up bits of information here and there. Over the years, his lack of promotion wasn’t due to his lack of merit but rather because someone higher up had been deliberately suppressing him.
Yan Zhigao had no idea what exactly had happened at the post station, but he trusted his eldest son. Ever since Yan Wenxiu became a xiucai, whenever they had the chance, Yan Zhigao would teach him about the workings of the officialdom and analyze the future prospects of the Yan family.
In return, Yan Wenxiu had lived up to his expectations, displaying composure and maturity well beyond his years, unlike Yan Zhigao himself in his youth—arrogant and impulsive, offending people upon entering the political arena, and finding himself stuck in his current position.
With his eldest son present, Yan Zhigao believed that even if trouble had occurred, Yan Wenxiu would have kept the younger siblings in check. If the matter had escalated to this point, it was likely because the other party had instigated it.
Sigh.
Yan Zhigao let out a silent sigh.
This time, Prince Rui’s inspection of Zhongzhou might be his only chance to turn things around.
Suppressed for years in Zhongzhou, he found it almost impossible to advance. His only hope now was to leverage his achievements in managing the refugees in Linyi County to catch the attention of the officials accompanying Prince Rui.
He didn’t expect much, only a fair assessment that would validate his years of hard work.
But now, with an incident like this, regardless of who was at fault, the blame would likely fall on him.
He knew the prefect magistrate of Fanzhou was connected to the provincial governor. How could someone like him, from a humble background, ever hope to stand against such strong ties?
With these thoughts, Yan Zhigao’s unease grew. Finally, the post station came into view.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Yan Zhigao jumped out and rushed toward the courtyard where they were staying. However, he quickly realized something was off.
The same officials who had ignored him the day before were now actively greeting him with smiles and overly friendly attitudes. Some even held ranks far above his own.
Bewildered, Yan Zhigao forced polite smiles as he made his way back to the courtyard.
“Master, you’re finally back!”
As soon as Yan Zhigao entered, Advisor Xiao approached him, followed closely by Li Shounian.
Yan Zhigao recognized Li Shounian and greeted him before anxiously asking Advisor Xiao, “What exactly happened? Where are Wenxiu and the others?”
Advisor Xiao, understanding Yan Zhigao’s concern, quickly reassured him, “Master, don’t worry, it’s not as bad as you might think!”
“Hmm?” Yan Zhigao was momentarily stunned.
Advisor Xiao glanced toward the courtyard entrance, where others occasionally passed by, and smiled. “Master, let’s talk inside.”
The three quickly entered the room.
Soon, Yan Zhigao’s startled voice echoed from inside:
“You’re saying that the prefect magistrate of Fanzhou is coming over personally, bringing his son to apologize to Daohua and the others?!”
Yan Zhigao was genuinely shocked.
Setting aside the prefect magistrate’s ties to the provincial governor, the prefect magistrate himself was a fifth-rank official, outranking him. Even if the prefect’s son had been at fault, there was no reason for the prefect magistrate to personally come and apologize.
Advisor Xiao quickly recounted the incident, emphasizing the extraordinary young man who had given Daohua the jade pendant.
Yan Zhigao remained silent for a long time after hearing this, finally asking, “Where are Daohua and the others now?”
Advisor Xiao replied, “The young ones got into a scuffle and are nursing some minor injuries. Miss Daohua is applying medicine to them in the house.”
Yan Zhigao couldn’t sit still upon hearing this. He was about to check on them when Yan Wenxiu and the others walked into the room.
“Father, you’re back!”
Yan Wenxiu’s face lit up with relief. The tense atmosphere from earlier finally eased. Although Advisor Xiao had been around, it was his father’s presence that truly reassured him.
Yan Zhigao quickly asked about their injuries and, upon learning they were minor, turned to Daohua. Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he asked, “Let me see the jade pendant that young man gave you.”
Daohua didn’t hesitate and swiftly removed the pendant from her waist, handing it over casually.
Yan Zhigao carefully took it. The pendant was a warm jade of vibrant green, its rarity apparent at a glance—something only the wealthiest and most powerful families could afford.
Advisor Xiao and Li Shounian, standing beside him, also leaned in for a closer look. Both had been curious about the pendant but hadn’t dared ask Daohua directly.
Yan Zhigao examined it for a long time before handing it back to Daohua, saying, “This pendant is too valuable. You shouldn’t have accepted it.”
Hearing this, Li Shounian shot a surprised glance at Yan Zhigao. Advisor Xiao, however, wasn’t fazed. Having worked with Yan Zhigao for years, he was well aware of his master’s underlying sense of integrity.
Daohua tied the jade pendant back around her waist without much care, remarking, “I saved Xiao Yeyang’s life. He gave me a jade pendant, so I don’t think it’s a big deal.”
Yan Zhigao glanced at his eldest daughter, opened his mouth as if to say something, but eventually swallowed his words.
Seeing this, Daohua smiled. “Father, if you think the jade pendant is too valuable, the next time I see Xiao Yeyang, I’ll just give him something in return. I know that when you accept a gift, you should reciprocate. That’s how relationships last. I won’t just take without giving back.”
Yan Zhigao hesitated, wanting to say more. However, their family had nothing valuable enough to match the jade pendant, and it was uncertain if they would even meet Xiao Yeyang again. But these thoughts were better left unsaid, so he chose to stay silent.
While Yan Zhigao remained quiet, Yan Wenkai piped up, “Big Sister, we don’t seem to have anything worth giving, do we?”
Daohua retorted, “Nonsense, we have plenty of good things.”
Her words caught everyone’s attention. Even Advisor Xiao looked at her curiously. He had a general understanding of the Yan family’s finances—moderately better than the average household but far from wealthy, and certainly not on par with prominent families in the county.
Yan Wenkai was puzzled. “What good things? I don’t know about them. Tell me!”
Daohua replied confidently, “The food I make, of course. Isn’t that good enough?”
The room fell silent.
Seeing Daohua’s matter-of-fact expression, Yan Wenxiu and the others all looked away. Even Advisor Xiao and Li Shounian awkwardly averted their gazes.
Yan Zhigao was speechless. So, the "good things" his eldest daughter referred to were the dishes she cooked?
True, her cooking was excellent, but for a nobleman’s son who had tasted all kinds of delicacies, would he even care about her food?
Yan Zhigao had half expected that his wife had secretly stashed away some rare treasure, only to be met with this response.
Noticing everyone’s doubtful looks, Daohua pouted. Forget it. It wasn’t worth explaining further. How could they possibly understand the true value of the food from her space?
At that moment, a servant entered.
“Master, the prefect magistrate of Fanzhou has arrived with his son. He says he’s here to apologize to the young masters and Miss Daohua.”
Yan Zhigao immediately stood up. After exchanging a glance with Advisor Xiao, he hurried outside to greet them.
Daohua and the others stayed put.
Yan Wenkai tugged at Daohua’s sleeve. “Big Sister, should we forgive that prefect magistrate’s son?”
Daohua replied calmly, “Fourth Brother, this isn’t up to us. Since Father is now involved, we’re just children, so we have to listen to him.”
Hearing this, Yan Wenxiu relaxed and added, “Everyone, don’t say anything later. Just do whatever Father tells us to, understand?”
Yan Wenkai grumbled, “That’s letting him off too easy.”
Daohua fiddled with the jade pendant at her waist. “Perhaps that prefect magistrate’s son also feels like he’s letting us off easy.” If Xiao Yeyang hadn’t appeared out of nowhere, who knew how things would have ended?
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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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Would she even meet him again?
And just who was he?
The prefect magistrate of Fanzhou, Dong Zhizhou, followed Yan Zhigao into the room, his gaze immediately landing on the jade pendant in Daohua’s hand. His eyes flickered briefly, and his smile deepened.
“Get in here and apologize to the Yan family young masters already!”
From the outset, Dong Zhizhou displayed utmost sincerity.
Dong Xiangrong, his son, looked reluctant but, under his father’s stern and warning gaze, begrudgingly stepped forward. In a tone devoid of genuine remorse, he muttered, “I’m sorry.”
In response, Daohua and the others pursed their lips and said nothing.
Finally, Yan Wenxiu stepped forward with a smile. “It’s fine. We were at fault, too. If we’ve offended you in any way, we ask for your forgiveness, Brother Dong.”
Hearing this, Dong Zhizhou subtly let out a breath of relief, glancing at Yan Wenxiu with approval.
Although he didn’t know the exact relationship between the Yan family and that highly esteemed young man, it was best not to offend them. Today’s incident was nothing serious—just children playing around. As long as the Yan family didn’t press the matter, it could be put to rest.
(End of Chapter)
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