Chapter 14: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 14: The Legitimate Eldest Daughter
"Mother, I greet you, and thank you for your hard journey!"
After helping Yan Zhigao up, Madam Li quickly released Daohua and wiped away her tears. With a resounding 'thud,' she knelt in front of Old Madam Yan . Her voice was just as deep as her husband's earlier.
Daohua furrowed her brows sharply.
"Good, good. Over the years, you’ve been helping Zhigao with the household, making sure everything is taken care of. You’ve worked hard," Old Madam Yan said as she grabbed Madam Li’s hand, quickly helping her up.
She was very satisfied with her eldest daughter-in-law.
Gentle, quiet, elegant, and most importantly, understanding and generous.
Although she came from a merchant family, she had managed the household well, and Old Madam Yan had nothing but praise for her.
Madam Li was deeply moved by the recognition, and as tears welled up again, she choked out, "Mother, it’s all just part of being a daughter-in-law."
Before Old Madam Yan could reply, another woman knelt down.
"Mother, the second daughter-in-law greets you!"
Old Madam Yan did not release Madam Li’s hand. She turned to the second daughter-in-law and smiled. "Oh, it’s the second daughter-in-law. Get up, there’s no need to kneel."
When Sun Shi saw that Old Madam Yan didn’t help her up as she had done for Madam Li, a flash of displeasure crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with a smile. She stood up and waved to several young men and women gathered nearby. "Wenjie, Yihuan, Yile, why are you still standing there? Quickly come and greet your grandmother!"
Yan Zhigao shook his head. "Not in a rush. Mother must be tired from the long journey. Let her rest first, then we can have the grandchildren greet her."
Sun Shi’s face froze for a moment, then she quickly smiled. "I wasn’t thinking straight. It’s my fault. Since Wenjie and the others wanted to meet Grandmother so much, I got too excited and lost my sense of propriety. They should indeed wash up and rest first."
Old Madam Yan laughed, waving her hand. "I’m not that tired. It’s Wen Tao who should be the most tired. After all, he carried me the whole way." Looking around, she finally noticed Wu Shi standing at a corner.
"Third daughter-in-law, why are you standing there? Come over and see your son."
Wu Shi, the third daughter-in-law, was kind but a little too reserved. When she arrived, she didn’t greet her mother-in-law immediately.
Old Madam Yan remarked, "See how the second daughter-in-law knows how to speak. Look at the third one, so quiet."
Wu Shi walked over with a shy smile. "Mother, I just thought you must have missed your older son and daughter-in-law. I didn’t want to interrupt."
Old Madam Yan scolded her lightly, "They wanted to talk to me, didn’t you want to as well?"
Wu Shi shook her head quickly. "No, I didn’t mean that."
Watching the third aunt flustered, Daohua smiled helplessly. She walked over and casually took Wu Shi’s arm. "Aunt, aren’t you just chatting with grandmother?"
Hearing Daohua’s words, Wu Shi relaxed and looked at Daohua with a gentle, loving expression. Seeing the dirt on her face, she immediately pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping her face. "Poor Daohua, you must have endured a lot along the way."
Daohua, smiling awkwardly, looked over at Yan Wentao. She couldn’t help but think, "Poor third brother, just standing there, but being ignored by his own mother. That must hurt."
In fact, at that moment, Yan Wentao was standing there with a silly grin.
His mother loved Daohua, and so did he. She treated her well, and it was only natural.
At that point, Yan Zhigao finally turned his attention to his eldest daughter.
Ah, a little beggar.
She was 9 years old and was growing well in height. As for the rest, there was nothing remarkable yet.
Madam Li, too, was observing Daohua. Her attention, however, was more focused on how Daohua was clinging to Wu Shi’s arm. Seeing her so close to her aunt, Madam Li felt a pang of sourness in her heart. Her daughter seemed a bit distant.
Just then, Old Madam Yan looked at Daohua and scolded, "You, child, your own mother is right here, but you’re still acting as if you’re back in Yan Family Village, clinging to your third brother’s mother. Return her to her rightful place!"
Daohua pouted. "Grandmother, you’re being too obvious in your favoritism!"
Old Madam Yan chuckled a few times and then looked at Yan Zhigao and Madam Li. "I’ve brought this child to you, so make sure to take good care of her." She said this with a tone of mild distaste, but there was still a hint of affection in her voice.
Yan Zhigao and Madam Li smiled and agreed.
Old Madam Yan 's love for her eldest daughter was clear, and it made them happy.
"Mother, let’s go inside!" Yan Zhigao said.
"Alright!"
Old Madam Yan allowed herself to be supported into the courtyard by Yan Zhigao and his wife.
As they passed by the gate, Yan Zhigao intended to introduce Old Madam Yan to Lin Yiniang and her children, but Old Madam Yan didn’t even spare them a glance and simply walked past.
Daohua, lagging behind, noticed the scene and couldn't help but smile faintly.
Inside the courtyard, Madam Li, while helping Old Madam Yan , looked back at Daohua. "Daohua, your mother wants you to go wash up in the main courtyard. After you’re done, come back and greet your elders."
Normally, as a mother, she would stay by her daughter’s side, but since her mother-in-law had just arrived, she had to personally serve her, or it would be improper.
Old Madam Yan had originally wanted her eldest daughter-in-law to attend to her granddaughter, but seeing the second and third daughter-in-laws following behind, she thought better of it.
This wasn’t Yan Family Village, and she had to be more formal here.
Soon, Daohua saw a young maid, about 17 or 18, with an elegant appearance and neat hair. The maid walked up to her and curtsied. "Ping Tong greets the eldest young lady."
Daohua straightened her back, calmly nodded, "Mm."
It was her first time being greeted like this after nine years in ancient times. Although she didn’t show it, she was nervous inside.
She knew how important etiquette and decorum were in this era, and she didn’t want to make a fool of herself or become the subject of gossip.
Ping Tong stood up, smiling even though Daohua still smelled unpleasant. Her expression didn’t change as she said, "Eldest young lady, please come with me to the main courtyard."
Daohua glanced at Old Madam Yan and the others. "Grandmother, father, mother, second aunt, third aunt, I’ll go wash up first. I’ll come to greet you later."
Old Madam Yan nodded, waving her hand to dismiss her.
Seeing how Daohua had handled things so well, Yan Zhigao and Madam Li exchanged a glance and both felt relieved.
They had some guilt towards their eldest daughter, who had grown up in the countryside without much formal training in etiquette. Since they were now in a county office, they didn’t want her to be the subject of gossip.
As Daohua left, Yan Wentao was taken away by a servant boy, and the rest accompanied Old Madam Yan to the Courtyard that had been prepared for her.
Madam Li smiled. "Mother, this is the room the master specially prepared for you. Please stay here and let us know if anything is uncomfortable. We’ll arrange something else."
Old Madam Yan shook her head. "I don’t need such extravagance. I’m just an old woman. Anywhere will do."
Yan Zhigao smiled. "Mother, you’ve worked hard your whole life. I just want to show you some filial piety."
Old Madam Yan smiled and said, "As long as you’re all doing well, that’s enough for me. By the way, make sure to take extra care of Daohua. If I find out you’ve wronged her, I won’t let you off easily."
Hearing this, Madam Li’s smile deepened.
Sun Shi, standing nearby, laughed and commented, "Mother, you really dote on Daohua. You mention her in every sentence."
Old Madam Yan replied matter-of-factly, "Daohua is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yan family. Of course, I have to spoil her!"
For the first time, Old Madam Yan didn’t hide her favoritism towards her eldest granddaughter.
This made everyone in the Yan family wonder what to make of it.
(End of Chapter)
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