Chapter 98: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
.png)
Chapter 98: Deliberate Intentions
Second Branch
Upon seeing Yan Zhiyuan return, Yan Wenjie immediately rushed forward, while Sun Shi, Yan Yihuan, and Yan Yile all turned to look at him.
“Father, what did Uncle say? Can I go to Wangyue Academy?”
Yan Zhiyuan's expression was not pleasant as he shook his head. “Your uncle said that the spots are assigned by the young prince, and he can’t change them.”
Yan Wenjie’s face fell, and his voice became sharp. “Why? Why can Third Brother, that stubborn blockhead, go to the academy and I can’t? What is the young prince thinking?”
“Shut up! Why are you yelling?”
Yan Zhiyuan shot Yan Wenjie a stern look and scolded him, “How dare you mention the young prince’s name like that? You’re already so old, yet you can’t even speak properly? If someone with bad intentions hears you, not only you, but the whole Yan family will suffer!”
Seeing Yan Zhiyuan’s anger, Sun Shi quickly stepped forward and tried to calm him down. “Wenjie is just anxious. Is there really no way to change it? Wen Tao doesn’t study as well as Wenjie.”
Yan Zhiyuan responded irritably, “Didn’t you hear? Wangyue Academy isn’t just about studying literature, it also teaches martial arts. Wen Tao may not be as sharp as Wenjie, but his strength is something Wenjie can’t match.”
Sun Shi retorted, “Studying literature can lead to official positions and bring honor to the family. But martial arts, what good is that? It’s nonsense.”
Yan Zhiyuan snapped, “If you don’t know, stop talking. Our Da Xia dynasty has military exams too. If someone has the talent, their future won’t be bad. Do you know about the Imperial Guard and the Jinling Guard? All the people there come from the military academy.”
Yan Wenjie, seeing that the conversation had veered off course, hurriedly spoke, “Father, Mother, you need to think of a way for me! If Eldest Brother, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother go to the academy while I stay at the prefectural school, the gap between us will only grow. Don’t you want me to be left behind?”
Both Yan Zhiyuan and Sun Shi fell silent. They could handle matters at home, but when it came to outside affairs, they had no say.
Yan Yile glanced at her parents, then at her anxious older brother, and spoke up, “Since the spots can’t be changed, why doesn’t Big Sister ask the young prince for another spot?”
Upon hearing this, Yan Wenjie’s eyes lit up, eagerly looking toward his parents.
Yan Zhiyuan appeared deep in thought.
Sun Shi immediately clapped her hands. “Yes, I noticed that Daohua and the young prince have a good relationship. If she speaks, she should be able to ask for a spot for Wenjie.” She quickly turned to Yan Zhiyuan and said, “Head of the household, you should go talk to Big Brother and have Daohua ask the young prince.”
Yan Zhiyuan glared at Sun Shi in exasperation. “Do you think Daohua is that easy to talk to?”
Sun Shi paused for a moment, then said, “Wenjie is her second brother. What’s wrong with her helping him get a spot?”
Yan Zhiyuan glanced at his three children. “I’ve told you before to get along well with Daohua, but look at you now. Compared to Wen Tao and Wen Hui, she’s much colder toward you.”
Yan Wenjie muttered, “That’s because they grew up together in the old family home. The bond is naturally different from ours.”
Yan Zhiyuan replied, “Since you know that, then you should make an effort to get along with her now that she’s here.” He then turned to Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile.
“And you two, regarding the incident with Miss Zhu from the schoolteacher’s house, Daohua was slapped by Eldest Brother, and neither of you stood up for her. I’m sure she remembers it in her heart.”
“I’ll say it again: in the future, stay out of matters regarding Daohua and Shuangxin Courtyard, understand?”
Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile quickly nodded.
Yan Zhiyuan looked at the anxious Yan Wenjie and thought for a moment before saying, “Wait and see how Shuangxin Courtyard handles it. Knowing Lin Shi, she will definitely fight for Wenbin. If she speaks up, I can help out from the sidelines. The chances of success might be higher.”
Third Branch
Wu Shi was happily rummaging through the cabinets, preparing to find the fabrics she had been keeping to make two new outfits for Yan Wentao. “I heard that only distinguished young masters from prominent families can enter Wangyue Academy, so Wentao will need to pay attention to his attire from now on.”
Yan Wentao smiled. “Mother, stop worrying. I haven’t even finished wearing the new clothes Aunt made for me. Be careful, you might end up upsetting my little brother or sister.”
Wu Shi dismissed him. “What Aunt made and what I make are not the same. Don’t worry, I’m used to it.”
Yan Zhiqiang watched the scene with a smile. “Let your mother be busy. She won’t be able to rest unless she’s working on something.” He was happy that his son had a promising future.
Seeing that her husband had said so, Yan Wentao sighed and said, “Mother, go ahead and make one set for me. As for the rest, you can do them later. The academy will have breaks every month, so I’ll be coming home anyway.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Shi slowed down her movements. “The academy will have breaks?”
Yan Wentao nodded. “I heard Eldest Brother mention it to Daohua.”
Wu Shi smiled. “That’s good. This way, I’ll be able to see you every month.”
After finding the fabrics, Wu Shi looked at Yan Zhiqiang with some concern. “Just now, Second Brother stopped Eldest Brother. Do you think Wentao’s admission to the academy…”
Wenxiu and Wenkai were the legitimate sons of the First Branch, and their spots were untouchable. But Wentao’s was not guaranteed.
Yan Zhiqiang, aware of his wife’s worries, reassured her, “Don’t worry. Daohua has never let her Third Brother suffer. She’ll be fine.”
Wu Shi’s concern didn’t lessen. “Second Brother’s child, which is understandable. But then there’s Wenbin, who is Eldest Brother’s youngest son, and he’s his favorite.”
Yan Zhiqiang also furrowed his brows.
Yan Zhiyuan's favoritism towards Wenbin and Yishuang was something Yan Zhiqiang had also noticed.
Seeing that his parents were still worried, Yan Wentao shook his head and said, “Father, Mother, the spots for the academy were requested by Daohua. If she’s not willing, Uncle wouldn’t have agreed.”
Wu Shi and Yan Zhiqiang exchanged a glance, still feeling uncertain. After all, Daohua was younger, and if Eldest Brother truly used filial piety to pressure her, she would have no choice but to comply.
Daohua's Study Room
Daohua was watering the flower vases in her room when Wang Man’er came in with the toiletries.
“Miss, guess what I saw when I went to fetch some water?”
Daohua continued arranging the flowers, smiling faintly as she asked, “What did you see?”
Wang Man’er rolled her eyes. “Concubine Lin actually blocked the road and dragged the master to Shuangxin Courtyard.”
Hearing this, Daohua’s lips curled into a smile. She turned around and walked to the dressing table, removing her makeup lazily as she said, “I wonder if Father will become a little more resolute after his promotion.”
The three spots for the Yan family had been deliberately requested by Daohua.
Her reasons were twofold. First, one must know their place. Perhaps for Xiao Yeyang, it wouldn’t be difficult for all the Yan family boys to enter Wangyue Academy, but she could not make such a demand.
Second, when dealing with people, there would always be differences in closeness.
Yan Wenxiu and Yan Wenkai were her full-blooded older brothers, so naturally, she would prioritize them when good things came their way.
....
This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
....
But for her cousins, such as Yan Wenjie and Yan Wentao, she would always bring personal feelings into the equation.
The Second Branch had neither the long-standing bond with her, nor did they show any closeness after she arrived. In fact, they had sided with Shuangxin Courtyard in her struggles with them.
As for her second uncle and second aunt, as her grandmother would say, they were shrewd and calculating, but too focused on schemes for any real affection to form.
Their son, Yan Wenjie, was a self-centered person who only cared about watching the drama unfold, often acting like he enjoyed the chaos.
Yan Yihuan, though obedient and sensible, was too timid. She hesitated when faced with any issue, and Daohua didn’t expect her to step up for help.
Yan Yile, on the other hand, was young and reckless, always saying selfish and hurtful things.
As for these three, Daohua could only say they were not her kind of people, and she had no desire to get closer to them.
On the other hand, the Third Branch had shown her genuine affection since she was young. Her third uncle and third aunt treated her like their own daughter, and her third brother had always been by her side, something even Eldest Brother and Fourth Brother couldn’t compare to.
As for Shuangxin Courtyard, sorry, the wives and concubines were naturally opposed to each other. As the legitimate wife’s daughter, how could she help the children of a concubine? Should they wait for their rise and revenge?
(End of Chapter)
►►CLICK HERE FOR ADVANCE CHAPTERS◄◄
Comments
Post a Comment