Chapter 27: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 27: Going Out
Early the next morning, after Yan Zhigao finished his wash and grooming, he went to Songhe Courtyard to greet Old Madam Yan.
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he heard the sound of laughter coming from the Old Madam’s room. Listening closely, it seemed to be the voice of his eldest daughter.
Yan Zhigao entered the main hall, and Aunt Sun came forward with a smile to greet him.
“Did the Old Madam sleep well last night?”
Aunt Sun smiled in return. “Last night, the Old Madam’s mood wasn’t quite right. She tossed and turned for a while before finally falling asleep. This morning, she didn’t look very well.” Seeing the worry on Yan Zhigao’s face, she quickly added, “Fortunately, the eldest young Miss came early and stayed with her, keeping her entertained. Now, the Old Madam’s spirits have improved quite a bit.”
Yan Zhigao relaxed a little but still looked concerned. “Mother’s health isn’t great, Aunt Sun, you must keep a close eye on her. If anything feels off, immediately call a physician.”
Aunt Sun laughed gently. “Master, you really don’t need to worry so much. The Old Madam hasn’t seen a physician for many years in the countryside. As long as the eldest young Miss is with her, it works better than any medicine.”
At these words, Yan Zhigao felt somewhat uneasy.
The Old Madam had never seen a physician while in the countryside, but now she was ill, and they had to call a physician. He felt like he was not fulfilling his duties as a son.
Aunt Sun noticed the change in his expression and found it puzzling.
Wasn’t a lively, cheerful girl like Daohua much more pleasant than the frail, delicate third young Miss from Shuangxin Courtyard, who looked like she would faint if you spoke too loudly?
She had watched in dismay yesterday when Yan Zhigao had publicly scolded Daohua over a concubine.
Thus, she had deliberately said those words to him.
At that moment, Old Madam Yan, supported by Daohua, walked out of her inner room, smiling. Yan Zhigao immediately stood up.
When Daohua saw him, she smiled and greeted him loudly, “Father, good morning!”
Seeing his eldest daughter’s beaming face, Yan Zhigao couldn’t help but smile back.
“Hmm.”
Old Madam Yan’s smile faded slightly as she glanced at him. “You’ve arrived?”
Yan Zhigao hurriedly stepped forward and bowed. “Son greets mother. Is mother feeling well?”
Old Madam Yan replied bluntly, “If you don’t anger me, I’m naturally fine.”
Yan Zhigao smiled awkwardly. “How would I dare to anger you, Mother?”
Old Madam Yan snorted. “You wouldn’t dare, but others would.”
Daohua, noticing that the conversation was heading back to yesterday’s incident, quickly intervened. “Grandmother, I’m hungry. Didn’t you say we could eat now?”
With Daohua’s interruption, Old Madam Yan decided not to continue the discussion and looked toward Aunt Sun. “Has everyone else arrived? If they have, we can start eating.”
Aunt Sun smiled and replied, “Everyone’s here. We’re just waiting for the Old Madam.”
Old Madam Yan nodded. “Since they’re all here, let’s go ahead.”
Yan Zhigao, relieved that Old Madam Yan wasn’t dwelling on the issue from yesterday, watched Daohua happily assist her grandmother to the dining hall. A feeling of guilt suddenly rose in his heart. He had been too harsh yesterday. It seemed he needed to be more mindful of his actions in the future.
His wife was right—Daohua was new to this life and still unfamiliar with the proper rules and etiquette. It would take time for her to learn.
In the dining hall, the second and third branches of the family had already arrived.
When Yan Wenkai saw Daohua smiling brightly, he quickly approached and offered to support Old Madam Yan’s other arm. “Grandmother, you’ve finally come. I’ve been so hungry, I could eat a horse!”
Yan Wenjie, seeing Yan Wenkai had beaten him to it, quickly followed suit. “Grandmother, I’m hungry too.”
Yan Wenxiu, the eldest grandson, was more reserved, but still approached and exchanged a few pleasantries with Old Madam Yan.
Daohua stepped aside to allow others to greet her grandmother.
However, Yan Wentao didn’t crowd around Old Madam Yan like the others. Instead, he walked over to Daohua and quietly asked, “Daohua, are you alright?”
Daohua smiled and looked up. “Third Brother, what’s wrong with me?”
Yan Wentao said, “I saw that your eyes were red yesterday.”
Daohua, feeling a little embarrassed, puffed up her cheeks and said stubbornly, “It was just sand in my eyes.”
Yan Wentao looked at her, then, seeing her round, bright apricot eyes, sighed in defeat. “Alright, alright, whatever you say. Crying isn’t something to be ashamed of. How could I possibly hold it against you? Ah~”
Daohua pinched his waist and twisted it sharply. “You know full well, don’t talk about it. You’ve cried more times than I have, and I haven’t said anything about it!”
“Ah, Daohua, good sister, let go, or my waist will turn blue!”
“Hmph!”
Daohua finally let go, and seeing Yan Wentao’s face contorted in pain, she couldn’t help but laugh.
Seeing her smile, Yan Wentao felt both relieved and a little wronged. “I came to comfort you, and you pinched me. That’s not very kind, is it?”
Daohua lifted her head proudly. “Who told you to tease me?”
Just then, Yan Wenkai, noticing Daohua and Yan Wentao whispering, quickly came over.
“What are you two talking about? It sounds so cheerful.”
Daohua immediately replied, “We were just talking about how Third Brother got scolded by Third Uncle when he was little and cried like a baby.”
Yan Wentao’s eyes widened in shock. “Daohua, you can’t say that!”
Yan Wenkai quickly joined in, shaking his head in disapproval. “Third Brother, you’re a grown man. What’s wrong with a few spankings when you were a child? Why cry?”
Yan Wentao muttered, “That was when I was little, when I was little!”
“Even when you were little, you shouldn’t have cried!”
After everyone had greeted Old Madam Yan, they took their seats.
Compared to the silence and tension at the table yesterday, today’s meal felt much more lively.
Yan Zhigao, noticing that Old Madam Yan had finished two bowls of porridge, finally felt at ease and went to the front yard.
After breakfast, the others went about their business—those going to school left, and the servants went to their work. Daohua, however, was kept behind by Old Madam Yan.
“I’ve discussed this with your father and mother. You’ve been here for a while now, and you’re familiar with most things. The day after tomorrow, you’ll start studying with Yi Huan and the others, learning to read and write with Master Qin, and also learning embroidery and other women’s skills.”
Daohua, not opposed to the idea, nodded. “Grandmother, I’ll study seriously.”
Old Madam Yan smiled with satisfaction.
“By the way, your Third Uncle is going out of the county today to check the land your mother bought. We haven’t left the county since we arrived. Today, we’ll go out for a while.”
Hearing this, Daohua jumped up in excitement. “Grandmother, is that really true?”
Old Madam Yan pretended to be displeased. “Look at you, getting so excited. You’re now the young miss of the county magistrate’s house. You must always watch your manners.”
Daohua quickly stood up straight, taking small steps around the room, twisting her waist and waving a handkerchief, saying with a shy smile, “Grandmother, does this look alright?”
In the room, Old Madam Yan and Aunt Sun couldn’t help but laugh.
“Quick, stop this nonsense. Where did you learn this from?”
At the back gate of the county magistrate’s residence, when Daohua was helping Old Madam Yan out, she noticed that Madam Li was also there.
“Mother, are you coming too?”
Madam Li smiled and stepped forward to support Old Madam Yan. “Why, don’t you welcome me?”
Daohua quickly shook her head. “Of course not.”
Old Madam Yan laughed. “Let’s go, the earlier we leave, the earlier we’ll return. Don’t let it interfere with your work in the back courtyard.”
Madam Li reassured her, “Don’t worry, mother. I’ve already arranged everything, so nothing will go wrong.”
Soon, two carriages left the county magistrate’s back street.
(End of Chapter)
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