Chapter 113: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 113: Changed
"Master!"
Madam Li had long anticipated that Yan Zhigao would come to the main courtyard tonight. Calm and composed, she stepped forward to help him change out of his outer robe and then handed him tea with a smile.
"Don't busy yourself just yet; I have something to say."
Madam Li sat opposite Yan Zhigao and replied with a gentle smile, "Master, please speak."
After taking a sip of tea, Yan Zhigao looked at her and said, "Bring Yishuang along on the Chongyang Festival."
Madam Li’s expression remained unchanged. "Master, have you considered why I didn’t plan to bring both Yishuang and Yile?"
Yan Zhigao gazed at her without responding.
"Do you think I’m trying to suppress the Lin family?" Madam Li chuckled bitterly. "So, in your heart, this is the kind of person I am?"
Yan Zhigao hesitated, his expression shifting. "I didn’t think that. Don’t overanalyze."
Madam Li, never one to act out theatrics, replied directly, "Good, if that’s not what you think, let me explain my reasoning."
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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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"At any gathering of women, unless it’s highly regulated or among families of exceptional status, some incident or another is bound to happen during the event."
"This time, the Zhou family is inviting womenfolk for boating and mountain climbing—two activities that, if mishandled, could easily lead to accidents."
"Our girls, to be honest, are still inexperienced. They’ve had no prior exposure to the young ladies of prominent families, who are often full of schemes. A single misstep could lead to ridicule at best or serious conflicts at worst."
"Do you believe that Yishuang and Yile, given their temperaments, can handle such situations?"
After some thought, Yan Zhigao replied, "But isn’t Daohua there? She seems to get along well with the young ladies from other families."
Madam Li almost rolled her eyes. "Master, don’t forget that Daohua has just turned ten. Do you expect a ten-year-old girl to take care of three sisters at the same time?"
"Last time, when we hosted families at our residence, that child thought through every detail to prevent trouble. Yet even so, Yishuang still embarrassed herself in front of the wives and daughters of the guests. You know this."
"And besides, I hate to say it, but the three of them don’t necessarily treat Daohua as their elder sister. Remember the incident with Zhu Jiaoyu’s daughter injuring her foot at our home? Did anyone speak up for Daohua then?"
Speaking about her daughter made Madam Li lose some of her usual composure, and her words grew sharp.
Yan Zhigao looked awkward. "Why bring up old matters again?"
Madam Li calmed herself. "Didn’t you ask me? Even now, I still can’t get over Daohua being slapped back then."
Yan Zhigao picked up his teacup, avoiding her gaze.
Madam Li chose not to dwell on the matter further and continued, "On top of that, our family’s foundation is weaker compared to others. We lack strong allies in Xingzhou City. As long as there’s no trouble, it’s fine. But once something happens, we could easily become scapegoats."
"Do you think I’d dare to rashly take all our daughters out in such a situation?"
After some contemplation, Yan Zhigao nodded.
"Master, what I’m about to say might offend you, but I must say it. Otherwise, you’d still think I’m intolerant."
"Yishuang’s tendency to cry at the slightest problem is something you’re aware of. When the daughters of the Yan family go out as guests, they represent the face of our household. Do you think she’s suitable to be presented in public like that?"
"As for Yile, I’ve already discussed with my second sister-in-law the need to curb her habit of speaking without thinking. Even minor conflicts between children can escalate to involve adults."
"As for Daohua and Yihuan, not to brag, but Master, you shouldn’t have any complaints about Daohua’s behavior when socializing, right?"
Yan Zhigao nodded. "Daohua is a good child."
Seeing his agreement, Madam Li softened her tone and smiled. "I’m not refusing to take the other two out; it’s just that this time it’s truly inappropriate. If something were to go wrong, I wouldn’t know how to answer to you."
After a long silence, Yan Zhigao finally said, "I don’t fully understand the matters of the inner courtyard, and I often overlook certain aspects. I was too rash. Let’s follow your arrangements."
Madam Li smiled. "Once our family establishes a firm footing in Xingzhou City, there will be plenty of banquets to attend. My second sister-in-law and Lin Shi are just too anxious."
A trace of discomfort flashed across Yan Zhigao’s face. He, too, had been impatient, coming to Madam Li right after hearing the Lin family’s complaints without giving it much thought.
Fortunately, Madam Li, with her virtuous nature, patiently clarified everything for him.
That night, Yan Zhigao stayed in the main courtyard, and early the next morning, he left for the Prefect Magistrateural office.
Concubine Lin waited almost all night, barely catching a bit of sleep before rising before dawn, anxiously hoping for a reply from Yan Zhigao.
Unfortunately, even by noon, no one had been sent to her with any word.
"Mother, on the Chongyang Festival, can I go out with Eldest Sister and the others?" Yan Yishuang asked eagerly, looking up at Concubine Lin.
Concubine Lin’s face was tinged with bitterness as she looked at her daughter. She couldn’t bring herself to utter the word no.
The master had changed. Ever since his promotion to Prefect Magistrate, he no longer treated her as he had in the past.
In previous years, if she merely hinted at something like this, even if it displeased the main wife, the master would have granted her wish.
But now, not only did his visits to her courtyard dwindle, but even when she raised requests, he no longer catered to her as he once did.
In the blink of an eye, the Chongyang Festival arrived.
Early in the morning, Daohua first went to the matriarch’s courtyard, delivering some pastries she had prepared in advance. "Grandmother, if the scenery at Xiangxia Mountain is good, let’s plan another trip together."
She knew her grandmother was still in good health and had no trouble climbing mountains. However, given that the Zhou family was hosting this event, it wasn’t appropriate to bring her along this time.
Old Madam Yan fondly patted Daohua’s head with a smile. "Don’t worry about me; I won’t let myself feel cooped up." Though she said that, she was clearly pleased.
To be fair, in the entire household, only this child, Daohua, often cared about whether she was bored. As for outings like this, none of her sons or daughters-in-law had ever thought of taking her out alone.
Daohua nodded with a grin. "Grandmother’s flowers are thriving better than mine now."
Although no crops could be grown in the courtyard, ever since Daohua opened her flower shop, Old Madam Yan had taken a liking to flower planting. Now, the flowers and plants in her courtyard were no fewer than Daohua’s.
Old Madam Yan cast her a sidelong glance, feeling a bit smug. "This old woman has eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice. Do you think I’d lose to a little girl like you at growing flowers? Enough, stop lingering here. Go find your mother and don’t delay your trip."
Daohua, feigning reluctance, looked back repeatedly as she walked away. "Grandmother, don’t miss me too much!"
Old Madam Yan waved her hand impatiently. "Go already! Who would miss a crazy girl like you?"
Only after Daohua skipped away did Old Madam Yan turn to the steward, Aunt Sun, with a smile. "That girl is truly thoughtful."
Aunt Sun chuckled. "After all, you raised her since she was little. Who else would she be closer to if not you?"
At the back courtyard gate, when Daohua arrived, Wang Man’er was still loading items onto the carriage.
Madam Li gave Daohua a disapproving glance. "What have you brought along? I saw Man’er loading quite a bit onto the carriage."
Daohua grinned. "Aren’t we climbing mountains for the view? Once we reach the top, we’ll need to rest. I brought some snacks for us to enjoy then."
Madam Li laughed and teased, "You never forget about food, do you?"
Daohua shook her head playfully. "Eating is life’s greatest priority. How could I forget?" With that, she called out to Yan Yihuan, who was waiting nearby, to board the carriage.
Madam Li had prepared two carriages. She, Daohua, and Yan Yihuan sat in one, while the maids and older servants took the other. Before long, the carriages set off.
"The Zhou family’s carriage will be at the city gate. We’ll meet them there first," Madam Li informed them.
By the time the Yan family arrived, several carriages were already waiting at the city gate.
Madam Li lifted the curtain to glance outside, scanning the family crests displayed on the carriages. Turning back to the two girls, she said, "In Xingzhou City, only the Zhou family could gather so many people."
(End of chapter)
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