Chapter 84: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 84: Madam Shen
Daohua, Madam Yan, and Yan Zhiqiang stayed at the manor for over half a month before returning to Xingzhou City. If not for Madam Li sending people every few days to urge them back, the three might have stayed even longer.
It couldn’t be helped. Both old Madam Yan and Yan Zhiqiang were true farming folk who loved working with the land. As for Daohua, aside from needing the energy of plants for her spatial cultivation and wanting to connect with nature, she genuinely preferred the carefree rural life.
During this time, all the vacant dry lands on the manors had been planted with watermelons, and grape arbors were set up in the courtyards to grow vines.
Under Daohua's supervision, most of the barren hills had been cultivated. Several carts of fruit tree saplings had been planted in her spatial black soil for seven or eight days before being transplanted onto the hills.
As for the medicinal herb seeds, Daohua was even more meticulous. She nurtured them in her spatial storage for over ten days before planting them in the newly cultivated hills. For the more valuable herbs, she personally sowed them.
When it was time to leave, Daohua was reluctant to part with her herbs.
She wasn’t worried about the fruit tree saplings; they weren’t too picky about soil fertility. Given the time they had spent in her spatial soil, they would surely thrive. But the herbs were a different story—they were precious and delicate, and planting them on freshly cultivated hills left her feeling uncertain.
Noticing her concern, old Madam Yan chided, “We’ve already left the village. Why are you still looking back?”
Daohua lowered the carriage curtain and asked anxiously, “Grandmother, do you think my herbs will grow well?”
Old Madam Yan responded, “You just love to fuss.” When she heard from Steward Zheng that her granddaughter had spent over a hundred taels on herb seeds, her heart ached. This reckless girl really didn’t treat silver as silver.
Daohua sighed. “The main issue is that we didn’t stay long enough. If I had a few more months, I could guarantee that every seed planted would survive and grow well.”
Seeing her granddaughter’s troubled expression, Old Madam Yan couldn’t bear to say more. After a moment of silence, she relented, “If they don’t survive, so be it. Consider it a lesson. Grandmother still has some silver. If this doesn’t work out, we’ll try again next time.”
Outside the carriage, Yan Zhiqiang had been hoping Old Madam Yan would use this opportunity to lecture Daohua. This girl spent money so extravagantly, handing over fifty-tael notes without batting an eye.
If the herb seeds survived, it would be fine. But if they didn’t, wouldn’t that be a huge loss?
She was too bold, too reckless!
He thought Old Madam Yan would reprimand her. Unexpectedly, the conversation turned into encouragement instead!
Yan Zhiqiang shook his head helplessly.
Indeed, it was futile to hope for too much from Old Madam Yan!
Fine. In the future, he would have to visit the estate more often himself. With such a large investment, they needed to ensure some returns.
Back at the Yan residence, Daohua rested for two days before starting school with Yan Yihuan and the others on the third day.
The Yan family’s newly hired tutor was Madam Shen, whom Madam Li had met through the gentry’s wife.
It was said that Madam Shen was very renowned in Xingzhou, specializing in teaching etiquette to daughters of official families. All the prominent families in Xingzhou wanted her to educate their daughters.
The Yan family had been fortunate. Madam Shen had recently left her previous employer and was at home when Madam Li approached her. With Madam Li’s sincerity and respect, Madam Shen agreed to come.
Daohua’s first impression of Madam Shen was completely different from that of their previous tutor, Madam Qin.
Setting aside Madam Qin’s relationship with Concubine Lin, Daohua had always found her petty and uncomposed. The occasional gloominess she displayed made her unapproachable.
In contrast, Madam Shen exuded grace, composure, and confidence.
Her composure stemmed from impeccable etiquette, while her confidence came from her strong skills and knowledge.
In simple terms, the difference between the two was like that between a mountain and a hill.
The four girls—Daohua, Yan Yishuang, Yan Yile, and Yan Yihuan—were very respectful when meeting Madam Shen for the first time.
The classroom had four seats arranged in two rows, with two seats in each row.
After greeting Madam Shen, they sat according to their previous seating arrangement from Lin Yi County: Yan Yishuang sat by the window with Yan Yile beside her in the front row, while Yan Yihuan sat by the window with Daohua beside her in the back row.
However, just as they were about to sit down, Madam Shen spoke.
"Girls, please wait!"
The four immediately stood properly.
Although Madam Shen kept a gentle smile and appeared kind, none of them dared to act out of line.
Madam Shen scrutinized the four Yan girls one by one. From their instinctive seating behavior just now, she had already formed a general understanding of them.
"The seating arrangement is incorrect," she said. "Since ancient times, seniority has been respected, and distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate statuses are observed. Eldest Miss, you should sit in the first row." Madam Shen pointed to Yan Yishuang’s seat while her gaze lingered on Daohua.
She wanted to see how the eldest daughter of the Yan family would respond.
Daohua was somewhat surprised; she hadn't expected the new tutor to notice such a detail first.
Though the seating arrangement was a minor matter, it still reflected the girls’ standing within the family to some extent. For Yan Yishuang to have dared to sit in the best seat suggested she was quite favored.
And for Madam Shen to address this so directly showed she was formidable.
Indeed, capable people, regardless of their environment, always seemed to live more freely, with less need to tiptoe around concerns.
"Yes, Madam," Daohua responded.
Without false modesty or hesitation, she decisively left her seat and stood beside Yan Yishuang.
Madam Shen subtly nodded in approval.
As the legitimate eldest daughter, Daohua should carry the confidence and demeanor of her position. Hesitation and timidity would only invite others to look down on her.
Meanwhile, Yan Yishuang’s eyes reddened, her teeth clenched as if she were on the verge of tears.
Madam Shen, however, didn’t spare her a glance and calmly said, "Third Miss, your seat is over there." She pointed to the seat Daohua had just vacated.
Yan Yishuang hesitated and mustered her courage. "Madam, we’ve always sat like this before."
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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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Madam Shen remained indifferent. "That was because your previous tutor had no sense of order. Third Miss, since you are fortunate enough to join my class at your young age, let me give you some advice: people should recognize their proper place. It benefits both themselves and others."
Having spent years teaching in the inner courtyards of noble families, Madam Shen had witnessed many things. She had seen illegitimate daughters who, emboldened by a modicum of favor, overstepped their bounds in a bid for prominence, only to meet tragic ends.
Pitiful yet infuriating!
"Please."
At this point, Yan Yishuang knew there was no escaping the seating change. With great reluctance, she moved to the back row.
Madam Shen then turned to Yan Yile. "Fourth Miss, you should switch seats with Second Miss."
Yan Yile, being perceptive, saw that even Yan Yishuang couldn’t argue with Madam Shen. She quickly moved to Yan Yihuan's seat without protest.
Yan Yihuan, as always, was docile and obedient, quietly switching seats with her younger sister.
Once the four were seated in their respective places, Madam Shen nodded. "All right, you may sit."
"Today’s seating adjustment was meant to teach you the importance of seniority and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate status. In life, only when we know and accept our proper place can we live better and longer."
(End of Chapter)
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