Chapter 25: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 25: Bias
Upon seeing Yan Zhigao, Old Madam Yan let out a cold snort, turning away and refusing to look at him.
Yan Zhigao gave an awkward smile, glancing at the kneeling Concubine Lin and Yan Yishuang. "What did you do to make Mother so angry?"
Though reprimanding, his tone wasn’t harsh.
Concubine Lin, knowing him well, immediately realized he wasn’t truly angry. She briefly explained the situation, emphasizing that Yan Yishuang was just a child and had spoken without thinking.
After hearing the story, Yan Zhigao didn’t think it was a big deal. He smiled at Old Madam Yan and said, "Mother, Yishuang grew up in the county and doesn’t know much about country customs. What she said wasn’t intentional. Don’t be too hard on her."
Seeing that Old Madam Yan ’s expression softened, he turned to look at Daohua. "Daohua, you’re the elder sister. You need to take care of your younger siblings. If they do something wrong, you can point it out, but don’t make a mountain out of a molehill, alright?"
Upon hearing this, Daohua's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
What did her father mean? Was he implying that she was wrong? Was he blaming her for bringing the matter up to Grandmother?
The small feeling of admiration she had briefly had for her father evaporated in an instant.
She stared at Yan Zhigao with wide eyes, making him uneasy. Finally, he had to add, "Of course, Yishuang has her faults, speaking out of turn and disrespecting her older sister."
He gave a look at Yan Yishuang, signaling her to apologize. Reluctantly, Yan Yishuang got up and approached Daohua. "Big sister, I’m sorry."
It was an apology forced upon her, and Daohua couldn’t bring herself to feel any better about it.
Old Madam Yan , noticing Daohua’s displeasure, gave her a subtle look. Daohua, sensing her grandmother’s gaze, finally sighed and muttered, "It’s fine."
With that, everyone, inside and outside the room, breathed a sigh of relief.
Since Old Madam Yan had arrived, the family had gathered for dinner every evening. As soon as Concubine Lin and Yan Yishuang left, the rest of the family had already assembled, eager to see what would happen next.
Just when everyone thought the issue was settled, Daohua approached her father, Yan Zhigao, and curtsied. "Father, ultimately, this situation was caused by my sending food. To avoid it happening again in the future, I will no longer send food to others."
Hearing this, Yan Zhigao paused, ready to say she could keep sending food as long as she didn’t go to the front yard. After all, the officials at the county office had praised the food, especially the Gua Tang, which had even earned him some respect from the reserved Advisor Xiao.
But Daohua didn’t give him a chance to speak.
"Also, Father, I grew up in the countryside. I’m not like the others, who know more refined foods. What I make are just simple country dishes, not suitable for high society."
"And from now on, I won’t be sending my food to others. But Father, we must make this clear—if anyone causes trouble because they didn’t get to eat something I made, you cannot say it was my fault."
Her words were calm, but everyone who heard them became uneasy.
Yan Zhigao’s mood soured. He hadn’t blamed her for the situation, but here she was, still holding onto the matter. And now, she even tried to shift the blame.
He wasn’t happy, and there was also a sense of dissatisfaction in his heart. She was his eldest daughter, but her temper was becoming a bit too much.
Seeing Daohua’s cold demeanor and hearing her words, Yan Zhigao felt frustrated. He had just wanted to settle things quickly, but his daughter was making things more complicated.
At that moment, Madam Li couldn’t hold it any longer. She lifted the curtain and walked into the room, glancing around at the people gathered. With an awkward smile, she said, "Mother, the food is ready. It’s time to eat."
Old Madam Yan looked at her son with a disapproving gaze, then at her granddaughter, who was still silent. She coldly turned her attention to the kneeling Concubine Lin. "I’ve heard that in other families, concubines serve the main wife at meals. Tonight, let Concubine Lin serve."
The room went silent.
Concubine Lin, though a secondary wife, had a respected position in the family due to her background and her sons. No one had ever truly treated her like a lowly concubine. Even Madam Li sometimes had to defer to her.
Concubine Lin’s face flushed as she looked at Old Madam Yan , unable to believe what she was hearing.
Was this a way for Grandmother to punish her on behalf of Daohua?
Old Madam Yan glared at her coldly. "What? Can’t this old countrywoman deserve you serving her?"
Concubine Lin quickly shook her head. "It’s a great honor for me to serve the mother."
Old Madam Yan then looked at Madam Li. "Serve the food."
Since the Yan family’s rise had been relatively recent, there were no strict rules at the dinner table. Usually, the meals were lively, with Daohua and Yan Wenkai joking and creating a cheerful atmosphere.
But today, Daohua was silent, and even Yan Wenkai, trying to ease the tension, didn’t get any response from anyone.
During the meal, Old Madam Yan didn’t make things difficult for Concubine Lin. She only instructed her to serve everyone at the table.
Concubine Lin, embarrassed, had to serve everyone, though it stung her pride.
When she served the younger generation, it felt like she was being treated like a servant.
Yan Wenzhen and Yan Yishuang tried to speak up, but Concubine Lin stopped them, forcing a pained smile as she served each plate.
She could feel her husband’s gaze on her, and despite the humiliation, she was certain that the more Old Madam Yan suppressed her, the more her husband would pity her and their children.
"Big sister, please eat!"
In front of everyone, Concubine Lin spoke directly to Daohua, causing everyone to turn and look.
Yan Zhigao also looked over, giving Daohua a subtle glance.
However, Daohua deliberately ignored it.
She knew that her so-called father wanted her to plead with Old Madam Yan on behalf of Concubine Lin.
But why should she do that?
Daohua glanced indifferently at Concubine Lin and said, "I don’t like the dish you served. Please change it."
When Concubine Lin spoke while serving food, it could only have two purposes.
First, she was reminding everyone that today’s trouble was caused by her, which led to the disruption of the meal. Others might not care, but her father—seeing his beloved concubine suffer—could he really have no objections?
Second, Concubine Lin was likely trying to provoke Daohua. If she lost her temper, it would make Concubine Lin seem even more pitiable.
Sure enough, when Daohua spoke, many people at the table looked disapprovingly at her.
Concubine Lin was also taken aback. Normally, even if someone disliked the dish, they wouldn’t say anything, not even Madam Li. She had never expected Daohua to speak up at such a moment.
Seeing Yan Zhigao’s gloomy expression, Concubine Lin quickly appeared more humble, "Alright, I will change it for you, eldest miss."
"Enough!"
As soon as Concubine Lin reached out to serve the dish, Yan Zhigao spoke, his face dark with anger as he glared at Daohua. "Daohua, she is your elder. What is this attitude?"
Bang!
Old Madam Yan slammed her chopsticks on the table, glaring at Yan Zhigao. "What is this attitude of yours? I asked your concubine to serve the food. If you have a problem, take it up with me. Why shout at Daohua?"
Yan Zhigao felt a headache coming on. "Mother!"
This time, Daohua truly felt a pang of disappointment.
She didn’t believe Yan Zhigao couldn’t see Concubine Lin’s deliberate actions against her. But after all, how could a daughter who had only been by his side for a month compete with a concubine who had been with him for nearly ten years, and the children who were born from her?
Suddenly, Daohua felt a tightness in her chest.
The warmth of the past month had made her believe in a kind of fatherly love, but was it really that?
Perhaps it was a little bit, but only as long as she was obedient and sensible. Once she came into conflict with his other children, she would undoubtedly be the one to bear the blame.
Guilt and love were, after all, different.
Daohua stood up, feeling numb. She gave a polite bow to Old Madam Yan . "Grandmother, I’ve had enough to eat. I will take my leave." After speaking, she turned and left.
Noticing the redness in Daohua’s eyes, Old Madam Yan immediately felt a pang of sympathy. She shot a harsh glare at her eldest son, and Yan Zhigao, who had been angry moments ago, quickly tempered his expression.
Under the moonlight, Daohua’s figure stretched long down the corridor, appearing fragile and lonely.
(End of chapter)
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