Chapter 24: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 24: The First Confrontation
“Goodness, that scared me to death!”
As she quickly walked into the back courtyard, Ping Tong took several deep breaths and slapped her chest.
Daohua laughed and said, “Ping Tong, you've seen those adults many times, haven’t you? They all seemed pretty kind, so why be scared?”
Of course, that didn’t apply to the two scholars.
Advisor Lin, because of his connection with Concubine Lin and her son, was always wearing a fake smile, and when he praised her, it felt insincere. Daohua found it very annoying.
As for the other one, Advisor Xiao, she could barely get a glance from him. But every time he looked over, it made her nervous, like being watched by a strict teacher.
Ping Tong replied, “I’ve seen them a lot, but only in private. It’s different in such a formal setting. Madam rarely lets us come to the front courtyard. She says it would disturb Master’s work.”
“It’s not that I was scared of the adults, but if there weren’t enough soup to go around, it would be so awkward!”
If that happened, it would not only make Master look bad, but also make the other officials feel uncomfortable.
In that case, your kind gesture of showing filial piety would have been in vain.
Maybe afterwards, Master would even complain, and Madam could get blamed too.
“So you were worried about that!” Daohua chuckled nonchalantly. “That kind of thing won’t happen.” She had planned everything, even while serving the soup.
Ping Tong was still a little anxious. “Miss, you’ve seen the front courtyard now. Let’s not come here too often if we don’t have to.”
Daohua thought for a moment, then nodded. “There’s nothing to see anyway.”
Afterward, the two made their way to the main courtyard.
On the way, they ran into the three younger sisters of the family—Yan Yile, Yan Yishuang, and Yan Yile’s younger sister.
“Big sister is so lucky! She only plays every day. We have to study hard and learn all those tedious women’s skills.”
When they saw Daohua and Ping Tong coming from the front courtyard, Yan Yile spoke with a tone of sourness.
Daohua didn’t want to argue with the children, so she simply ignored her and walked past.
However, as she passed Yan Yishuang, she heard her say, “Big sister, you’re from the countryside, so you might not know, but in the county, many households don’t even let their servants eat soup.”
Daohua stopped, turned her head, and looked at Yan Yishuang, who appeared delicate but spoke as if she had a knife in her words.
Since coming here, Daohua had often wondered why in many novels, the children of a legitimate wife and a concubine were always at odds, with intense hatred toward each other.
Now, she finally understood.
Beyond the fundamental conflict of interests, it was just an innate mutual dislike—unexplained, but deeply felt.
Daohua could tolerate children like Yan Yile, who were just jealous of things they couldn’t have. But she couldn’t stand someone like Yan Yishuang, who intentionally trampled on something she was proud of.
Daohua smiled faintly and said to Yan Yishuang, “The Yan clan in Yan Jia Village, from the clan leader down to the villagers, all eat dumpling soup. Are you saying they’re not as good as the county’s servants?”
Yan Yishuang’s face changed. Although she was young, she knew better than to speak lightly of the people in her family, especially the clan. She was about to argue, but Daohua didn’t give her the chance.
“I don’t know where your sense of superiority comes from. When Father was young, he couldn’t even get a bowl of soup!”
With that, Daohua glanced coldly at Yan Yile and Yan Yihuan, who had been quietly watching, and turned to leave.
Yan Yile immediately grabbed her sister when she saw that Yan Yishuang’s eyes were reddening.
The two sisters turned and left in perfect harmony.
“Usually, our big sister seems so kind. I didn’t expect that just a few words would make Third Sister cry!”
Once they returned to Chunhua Courtyard, Yan Yile couldn’t help but comment.
“What did you say?”
Upon hearing this, Sun Shi came out from her room, and Yan Yile quickly recounted what had just happened.
Sun Shi laughed when she heard it. “In the past, your uncle only had Yishuang as his daughter, so he spoiled her a little too much. This made her think too highly of herself.”
“Daohua is the eldest daughter and the legitimate one, while she’s just a concubine’s daughter. How could she possibly think she’s better than the legitimate one?”
“dumpling soup, even the servants don’t eat it? How dare she say that! Your uncle, your father, and your third uncle, they’ve all had it. Even I, your mother, drank it when I was a child. Someone who’s had an easy life needs a little discipline.”
Yan Yile and Yan Yihuan were stunned, looking at their mother, who seemed to be siding with Daohua.
Sun Shi gave her daughters an exasperated glare. “Listen to me, your big sister may be from the countryside, but she’s not someone to mess with. If she and Yishuang clash again, stay out of it.”
Yan Yile asked, “Mother, if big sister and Third Sister have a falling out, which side will Uncle take?”
Sun Shi paused. “It’s hard to say. Your uncle feels guilty toward Daohua, and he’s very fond of Yishuang. If it comes to a confrontation, he’ll be caught in the middle.”
Yan Yile asked, “We’re lucky to be here.”
Sun Shi laughed. “Yes, this family is full of conflicts, especially those with concubines and illegitimate children.”
That evening, in Songhe Courtyard.
Old Madam Yan , was overjoyed when she learned that Daohua had proactively sent food to County Magistrate Yan. She smiled so much that her eyes nearly disappeared. She took Daohua’s hand and said, “That’s just how it should be. Our Daohua knows how to care for her father.”
Daohua leaned on her grandmother, smiling. “Look at what you’re saying, Grandma, I’ve always known.”
Old Madam Yan chuckled. “Yes, yes, Daohua is the most thoughtful.”
At this moment, Aunt Sun came in.
“Old Madam, Concubine Lin and Third Miss have come, saying they want to apologize to the eldest young Madam.”
Old Madam Yan froze, looking at Daohua in confusion. “What’s going on?”
Daohua smirked inwardly. She guessed that Concubine Lin must be afraid she would complain, so she brought Yan Yishuang to apologize.
Unfortunately, neither Madam Li nor the old Madam had said anything.
Had they just confessed without realizing it?
Old Madam Yan glanced at Daohua, then gestured for Aunt Sun to let them in.
Soon, Concubine Lin and Yan Yishuang entered.
As soon as they came in, they knelt down.
Seeing this, Daohua had to stand up from the old Madam’s seat and step aside.
Old Madam Yan ’s expression wasn’t good. “What is it?”
Concubine Lin looked at Daohua hesitantly, as if wanting to say something but holding back.
Old Madam Yan , now impatient, said, “I told you to speak, why are you staring at Daohua?” She had no fondness for this concubine’s daughter.
She had always felt that the first wife had managed the family well, and as a woman herself, she sympathized with the first wife. Moreover, the grandchildren she cared for, Daohua and her son, were both born of the first wife. Naturally, her support was with them.
Seeing the old Madam’s irritation, Concubine Lin became even more certain that Daohua must have told her about what happened at lunch, so she immediately spoke up.
“Yishuang is still young and didn’t know any better. She made a rude remark about the countryside food. I brought her here to apologize to Daohua.”
Old Madam Yan turned to Daohua, “What happened?”
Seeing the old Madam’s confusion, Concubine Lin froze. Wasn’t this all supposed to be revealed?
Daohua looked at Concubine Lin, who was avoiding the main issue, and calmly explained what had happened earlier.
After hearing this, Old Madam Yan ’s face darkened as she looked at Concubine Lin. “Zhigao told me you’re knowledgeable, virtuous, and well-mannered. Look at the daughter you’ve raised. How privileged is she?”
Just then, Yan Zhigao entered the room with a smile.
When he saw his beloved concubine and daughter kneeling on the ground, he was momentarily stunned.
Seeing his mother’s angry face, he immediately asked, “Mother, what’s going on?”
(End of Chapter)
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