Chapter 33: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 33: Scheming in the Shadows
At the Shuangxin Courtyard, Yan Yishuang recounted the events from the classroom to Concubine Lin.
“Mother, Eldest Sister is clearly jealous of me,” Yan Yishuang said with a satisfied smirk.
The disdain Teacher had for Daohua was evident not only to Daohua herself but also to the other students in class, who all noticed.
For the group, this was a source of schadenfreude. Raised with the assumption that someone like Daohua, who grew up in the countryside, would be crude and unrefined, they were shocked to find her appearance and demeanor far surpassed their expectations. These girls, being around eight or nine years old and prone to comparison, naturally resented being outshined. Seeing a teacher dislike Daohua only added fuel to their sense of triumph.
Concubine Lin's eyes glimmered upon hearing her daughter’s story. After some thought, she summoned a maid and whispered instructions to her.
Watching the maid leave, Yan Yishuang quickly leaned in. “Mother, what did you tell Sister Xiaoxi?”
Concubine Lin smiled at her curious daughter. “Your father values propriety above all. Now that the eldest daughter has shown such disrespect to her teacher, upsetting Teacher to the point of nearly abandoning her lesson, he’ll surely be furious once he finds out.”
Yan Yishuang’s eyes lit up. “Father will definitely punish Eldest Sister!”
It wasn’t long before word of the classroom incident spread across the inner quarters of the county magistrate's residence.
At the Second Branch
Sun Shi chuckled, shaking her head. “It hasn’t been long, and there’s already trouble. Just wait, once your eldest uncle hears about this, there’ll be a good show to watch. This time, let’s see if the old lady will still defend Daohua.”
Yan Yihuan hesitated before speaking. “Actually, Eldest Sister isn’t entirely to blame. Teacher was indeed picking on her.”
Sun Shi’s expression stiffened. She glanced at her eldest daughter, who she knew to be honest and incapable of lying.
Yan Yile also chimed in. “Mother, why does Teacher dislike Eldest Sister? Aside from being a bit aloof, she’s not so bad.”
Looking at her two daughters, Sun Shi decided it was better to enlighten them early. “Do you even know who brought Teacher here?”
Yan Yile immediately replied, “It was Eldest Aunt!”
Sun Shi tapped her youngest daughter’s head. “Your Eldest Aunt only provided the funds. The reason Teacher agreed to teach here was because of Concubine Lin.”
Yan Yihuan’s expression shifted. “Mother, I recall now. Teacher and Concubine Lin are relatives.”
Sun Shi nodded. “Exactly. Now, do you think Teacher would favor your eldest sister?”
Yan Yile pouted. “No wonder Teacher always favors Third Sister. So that’s the reason.”
Sun Shi added, “Remember, what happens in the classroom stays there. Don’t go spreading it around. The main household is in the middle of its own battles. You two mustn’t foolishly involve yourselves.”
Yan Yihuan hesitated. “But Mother, isn’t this unfair? Eldest Aunt has always treated us well.”
Sun Shi glared at her. “You don’t understand. The waters in this household run deep. Your Eldest Uncle loves poetry and refinement. Concubine Lin, being the daughter of a scholar, fits his ideal perfectly.
“Your Eldest Aunt, on the other hand, is from a merchant family. Had the Yan family not been so poor back then, your uncle would never have married a merchant’s daughter. That alone puts Concubine Lin ahead of your Eldest Aunt.”
“Over the years, haven’t you noticed? Your uncle clearly favors Concubine Lin and her children. He personally tutors Yishuang and Wenbin, a privilege only your Eldest Brother once had—and that’s solely because of his status as the eldest son, tasked with revitalizing the family. Have you ever seen your uncle care about Fourth Brother’s studies?”
“Be it the adults or the children, your uncle openly leans towards Shuangxin Courtyard. We, as the second branch, rely on him for our livelihood. We can’t afford to oppose him.”
Yan Yihuan hesitated. “What about Eldest Sister? Uncle seems to treat her well.”
Sun Shi paused. “That’s partly out of guilt and partly due to the old Madam. A daughter raised apart from her family—how much affection can there really be?”
“Daohua is indeed exceptional—smart, capable, and better than Yishuang in every way. But her straightforward nature is a flaw. If she doesn’t learn restraint, she’ll suffer.”
Sun Shi, more than anyone, knew Concubine Lin’s true nature. Despite her seemingly delicate demeanor, she was cunning and ruthless.
“Remember, stay out of the main household’s affairs.”
At the Third Branch
Wu Shi looked worried. “Daohua grew up in the village, used to being forthright. She doesn’t know how to endure. Here in the county magistrate’s residence, she’s bound to stand out, and that will cost her.”
Yan Wentao scratched his head in frustration. “Why is there so much drama here? Life back home was so much simpler. No wonder Eldest Aunt wrote to Daohua so many times to come over, but she refused. If it were me, I wouldn’t want to come either.”
“Back home, she was always so happy. Since arriving here, she’s lost weight.”
Wu Shi sighed. She too disliked this place. Every conversation required caution, and life felt far less free than back in the village.
At the Main Courtyard
Daohua returned to her room with a calm demeanor. Seeing Ping Tong’s worried expression, she asked, “How did Teacher come to teach here?”
Ping Tong replied, “She was introduced by Concubine Lin. Apparently, they’re relatives.”
Understanding dawned on Daohua. “Ah, that explains it. No wonder a hired teacher would rather pick fights with me than focus on teaching. Turns out she has someone backing her.”
Daohua’s eyes gleamed with a trace of coldness. “First, there’s Adviser Lin in the magistrate’s office, and now we have Teacher in the back courtyard. My father’s Concubine Lin is truly resourceful.”
Ping Tong glanced at Daohua nervously. “Miss, regardless of the situation, you shouldn’t have confronted Teacher in public. If Master finds out, he’ll surely reprimand you.”
Daohua stood abruptly. “Let’s go to Songhe Courtyard.”
Ping Tong followed, her face still filled with worry.
Although the old Madam was fond of Daohua, openly challenging a teacher was a serious matter. If the Master insisted on punishment, even the old madam might not be able to protect her.
That evening, after returning from work, Yan Zhigao was furious upon hearing about the classroom incident from Concubine Lin. Learning that Daohua was in the old lady’s courtyard, he stormed over to Songhe Courtyard in a rage.
Unseen by him, Daohua emerged from a nearby grove with Ping Tong and Wang Man’er in tow. Watching her father enter the courtyard, she remarked indifferently, “Let’s go back for dinner.”
Ping Tong hesitated but followed.
She wasn’t sure what Daohua had said to the old Madam, but judging by how the old Madam canceled dinner that night, it seemed Daohua had managed to avoid punishment.
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