Chapter 3: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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**Chapter 3: No One Can Surpass**
Yanjia Village.
Yanjia Courtyard.
Daohua sat upright in the main room, seriously recording this year’s harvest.
Old Madam Yan sat beside her, watching her with a loving expression. As she saw her granddaughter diligently recording the harvest clearly, her satisfaction and pride grew.
She knew that people in the village whispered about her favoritism, neglecting her grandson and doting on this little girl instead.
But those people didn’t see how precious Daohua was.
Not only was she good-looking, but she also brought good fortune to the family.
From the moment she was born, her eldest son, who had failed the imperial examination twice, succeeded and ranked among the top three the following year, getting appointed as a county magistrate.
After that, in Yanjia Village, where their family could only be considered middle-class, they began to thrive year by year.
Apart from that, the girl was exceptionally warm-hearted, melting people's hearts.
Her husband died young, and she had to work tirelessly to raise four children, which took a toll on her health over the years.
The year her eldest son was appointed as the county magistrate, she felt she could finally account to her late husband, and the tension she had been holding onto suddenly released. Then her health declined.
After that, she couldn’t do heavy work anymore and was often breathless, relying on herbal medicine continuously.
When her son took office, Daohua was left at home. One reason was that she was still too young for long travels; the other was that Daohua was delicate and well-behaved, making her son particularly fond of her, choosing to leave Daohua behind to lighten the mood.
When Daohua was five, she heard that a monk at the mountain temple more than ten miles away could cure her grandmother’s illness. She secretly followed the villagers to the temple to seek medicine.
In the scorching sun of midsummer, adults felt the heat, let alone such a small child.
When she saw Daohua running back after a long journey, wobbling and holding the medicine, her heart melted like never before.
Strangely, after that, her health truly improved day by day. Now, when she walked outside, who didn’t say she looked healthy and energetic? Even young women wouldn’t necessarily outpace her.
This girl was her lucky star.
“Grandmother, do we have to send over 200 acres of our harvest to Lingyi County?” Daohua looked up at Old Madam Yan after calculating the harvest.
Lingyi County was where her father was serving.
Old Madam Yan nodded. “Many provinces in the north suffered drought last year. Although Lingyi County isn’t severely affected, the harvest isn’t great either. We’ll send the grain there, keeping some for household use and exchanging the rest for silver.”
Daohua sighed and pretended to be mature. “It seems my father isn’t having an easy time.”
Natural disasters are hard to prevent, even in modern times.
Old Madam Yan said, “Now you understand how difficult it is for your father. When we get to Lingyi County, you must try to bond with him.”
Her granddaughter had never lived with her parents since she was born, and they seldom mentioned it. This made her worry a lot, fearing her granddaughter would grow distant from her parents.
She was getting old; eventually, her granddaughter would have to rely on her parents. Once they arrived in Lingyi County, she would have to put in more effort to strengthen the bond between her son and granddaughter.
Daohua pouted. “My father has a precious daughter by his side; he might not care for me.”
Old Madam Yan glared at her granddaughter. “What? Do you think you can’t compete with that concubine’s daughter?” Although they were both granddaughters, she couldn’t help but be biased. No matter what her eldest son wrote about how wonderful the twins were, in her eyes, Daohua was unbeatable.
Daohua suddenly stood up, tilting her head, and haughtily declared, “I can’t compete with her? I simply don’t care to!” Competing with a little girl was beneath her dignity! Although her current body was that of a child, her mind was that of an adult nearing thirty.
Old Madam Yan chuckled at her granddaughter’s bravado and reassured her, “Relax; you’re the legitimate granddaughter of the Yan family, and no one can surpass you.”
Daohua leaped into Old Madam Yan ’s arms, her eyes and brows filled with joy. “What about my brother? Can he surpass me?”
“You clever little thing!” Old Madam Yan tapped Daohua’s forehead. “He is your legitimate elder brother; should you be jealous of him?”
“Regardless, the one my grandmother loves the most is still Daohua.” Daohua buried her head in the old lady’s embrace, grinning mischievously.
She had become quite skilled at charming and teasing this woman, the first person she had ever seen and who had raised her by hand.
“Yes, this old woman’s favorite is you, this crazy girl.” Old Madam Yan shook her head with both affection and helplessness.
“Mother!”
At that moment, Yan Zhiqiang and his wife entered.
Daohua slipped out of Old Madam Yan ’s arms, greeted her third uncle and aunt, and obediently sat aside.
With a county magistrate in the family, the Yan household had more rules than ordinary villagers.
While juniors did not need to be overly cautious when elders spoke, they also couldn’t interrupt casually.
Yan Zhiqiang said, “Mother, we’ve already packed the grain.”
Old Madam Yan nodded. Her third son was always meticulous and considerate, so she didn’t need to worry about anything. “That’s good; you can set off tomorrow.”
Yan Zhiqiang hesitated. “Mother, why don’t I stay and go with you?”
Old Madam Yan shot him a glare. “If you stay, who will watch over all that grain?”
“I’ll stay,” Wu shi replied quickly.
Grain transport by water needed to go first, but both she and her husband were leaving. If they left Old Madam Yan and Daohua alone with Wentao, what would they say to the eldest son if something happened on the way?
Old Madam Yan waved her hand. “Wenhui is still young and needs your care. I will go with Daohua and Wentao, and we’ll have Old Sun and his wife accompany us. We’ll take the official road, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Seeing that his mother had made up her mind, Yan Zhiqiang didn’t say more.
Old Madam Yan had raised the four siblings alone and had raised a county magistrate. She always had the final say, and once she had made up her mind, it was hard to change it.
The next day, Yan Zhiqiang and his wife, along with their six-year-old son, Yan Wenhui, set off for Lingyi County first.
Many people from the Yan clan came to see them off.
“Zhiqiang, you all must come back to see us old folks often in the future.”
“Third Uncle, don’t worry; we will return every year. Don’t forget we still have to honor our ancestors.”
“Zhiqiang, if you become successful, don’t forget the folks back home.”
“Of course, of course.”
In the midst of the crowd’s reluctance, the horse-drawn carts carrying Yan Zhiqiang’s family and their grain grew more distant.
Meanwhile, in Yanjia Courtyard, the clan leader’s granddaughter, Yan Yunxi, watched Daohua packing with envy.
“Daohua, after you go to Lingyi County, you’ll be the county magistrate’s daughter.”
Daohua found the little girl’s words amusing and turned back with a smile. “I’d still be the county magistrate’s daughter even if I didn’t go to Lingyi County.”
Yan Yunxi pouted, momentarily speechless.
As the clan leader’s granddaughter in Yanjia Village, all the children would fawn over her, but there was one person she could never surpass.
That person was Daohua, right before her eyes.
Looking at Daohua’s fair and rosy complexion, Yan Yunxi felt a pang of jealousy rising within her.
She couldn’t understand how this girl managed to grow up so well. Even though Daohua often frolicked in the fields, her skin never seemed to tan, making Yan Yunxi green with envy.
She knew very well that she and the other village girls would get sunburned as soon as they stepped outside.
In terms of looks, she was outmatched;
In terms of family background, her grandfather was the clan leader, but Daohua’s father was a county magistrate.
In every way, she felt inferior to Daohua.
Every time she stood next to Daohua, she felt an overwhelming sense of inferiority, making her uncomfortable. Therefore, she didn’t like playing with Daohua and also didn’t allow the other village children to play with her.
If her grandfather hadn’t forced her to say goodbye to Daohua, she wouldn’t have stepped foot in Yanjia Courtyard.
Thinking of what her grandfather and father had said privately, Yan Yunxi couldn’t help but jealously remark, “Daohua, I don’t think you’ll be the county magistrate’s daughter for long. My grandfather said your father has already served three terms as the county magistrate. The position is also subject to examination, and if he fails, he will be dismissed.”
Daohua paused her packing and turned to the little girl.
Never underestimate the thoughts of ancient little girls; sometimes, she, as an adult, had to concede to them.
“My family’s matters are none of your concern. Don’t let me hear you speak of them again.”
Daohua spoke calmly yet firmly.
A wave of embarrassment washed over Yan Yunxi, and her eyes dimmed.
However, she soon remembered her family’s admonition and put on a forced smile. “I’m just reminding you; don’t think too highly of yourself.”
Daohua snorted. “I won’t be like you, thinking my relatives will stay in power forever.”
Seeing her smug demeanor, Yan Yunxi became furious, gritting her teeth but ultimately turning away in silence.
She wasn’t willing to let Daohua see her anger.
However, she firmly believed that one day, she would grow more popular than Daohua.
Meanwhile, Daohua continued packing and soon finished.
She walked to Old Madam Yan and whispered, “Grandmother, I’m done. Can we set off now?”
Old Madam Yan smiled. “Okay, let’s go.”
When they got ready to leave, a group of villagers had gathered at the entrance of Yanjia Courtyard.
Among them were the elderly, women, and children who gathered to see them off.
“Let’s go! We’re off!”
Old Madam Yan waved her hand, leading the way.
Everyone followed, and soon, they reached the official road.
The women of the Yan clan were busy setting up tents and cooking.
Once Daohua settled down, she took a glimpse around her, remembering the people they were about to leave behind.
She quietly said, “Grandmother, I want to go back.”
Old Madam Yan looked at her granddaughter, realizing she didn’t want to leave. “You’ll go back often.”
Daohua sighed. “I know, but I’m just sad. I have no idea how long it’ll take for us to come back again.”
Old Madam Yan squeezed her hand. “We’ll be back soon. Let’s go.”
Holding her grandmother’s hand, Daohua gathered her spirits, understanding her grandmother’s consolation and determination.
She had to go to Lingyi County now, but she would return someday to the village she loved.
Filled with memories of the past, they walked down the road toward their new life.
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