Chapter 40: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 40: Comparison
“Daohua’s cooking skills are truly exceptional, the Laba porridge we have every year—this year’s is the best!” Yan Zhiyuan complimented Daohua without hesitation.
Old Madam Yan loved hearing praise about Daohua. When she heard her second son’s words, her smile deepened.
Seeing this, Yan Zhiyuan immediately praised her some more, which made the old lady laugh even more.
Meanwhile, Daohua sat obediently beside Madam Li, with a composed and polite smile on her face. She glanced at her third uncle, who was drinking the Laba porridge seriously, then at her father, who was trying to maintain a dignified but somewhat stern demeanor, and couldn’t help but think to herself.
Her second uncle, a bachelor, managed to blend well at the county office. His sharp eye and eloquence were indeed impressive.
Through their recent interactions, she could tell that her second uncle was a smooth talker—flattering others with ease, adapting his words to his audience. He knew that her grandmother favored her, so he was careful to praise her while also making sure to mention others, covering all bases.
While Daohua was lost in these thoughts, she felt a nudge on her arm. Turning, she saw her fourth brother smiling at her. “Big sister, you should cook more often. I love the food you make!”
Before Daohua could speak, Madam Li intervened, “Don’t bother your sister. She still needs to study, learn to read, and practice needlework. Look at her hands—they’re all pricked with needle holes!”
At these words, everyone turned to look at Daohua’s hands.
Her delicate fingers were dotted with red, tiny holes from the needle, which made everyone pause for a moment.
Daohua smiled gently. “I’m not very good at needlework. While Yihuan and the others can already embroider big pieces, I’m still struggling to make a pouch.”
As soon as she spoke, her hand was gently grasped by Yan Wenkai, who carefully examined her fingers, looking distressed. He blew on her fingers and looked up to ask, “Does it hurt?”
Daohua shook her head, still dazed.
Yan Wenkai’s anger flared. “What’s wrong with that Teacher Qin? Big sister’s hands are like this, and she’s still making pouches? Shouldn’t she be teaching her properly? If she can’t do it, we should get someone else!”
If it were any other time, Yan Zhigao would have scolded his son, but seeing his daughter’s hands, he was also filled with anger.
Earlier, when Daohua was rushing to make Laba porridge, he didn’t notice the state of her hands. Now, seeing her fingers up close, he felt his own hands tingle in sympathy. Though his eldest daughter had not been raised by his side, he still cared for her. Seeing her hands in such a state made him instinctively feel that Teacher Qin had neglected her.
Yan Wenkai continued, “Mother, why don’t you switch Big Sister’s tutor? I don’t think Teacher Qin is up to the task.”
At these words, Daohua almost wanted to applaud.
She’d been practicing needlework diligently, not expecting sympathy, but if a change of tutor could come from this, she’d gladly welcome it.
She eyed her straightforward fourth brother and thought, if it weren’t for his genuine concern, she would have thought he was trying to sabotage Teacher Qin.
Sure enough, he was a straightforward boy.
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This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
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However, just as she was about to appreciate his concern, she heard Yan Wenkai say, “Big Sister’s hands are for cooking. If they’re ruined by the needles, who’s going to cook for us in the future?”
The moment she heard this, Daohua’s touched expression faded, and she quickly pulled her hand away, glaring at her fourth brother. “So, I’m just the cook? Fine, I won’t cook anymore. If you want food, make it yourself!”
“Don’t!” Yan Wenkai immediately let out a pitiful cry. “Good sister, I was wrong! You can’t stop cooking for us. How can I live without your cooking?”
The two began bantering back and forth, and the mood at the table lightened again.
The others exchanged glances, understanding the tension. The relationship between Teacher Qin and Concubine Lin was well known in the Yan family. If Teacher Qin displeased anyone, Concubine Lin would inevitably share the same fate.
Yan Zhiyuan glanced at Sun Shi, who quickly diverted the conversation.
Seeing this, Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin let out a sigh of relief. Earlier, they had subtly made remarks about Concubine Lin eating alone, but now, they were quietly sipping their Laba porridge.
Madam Li observed everyone’s reactions, her gaze resting briefly on Yan Zhigao. She smiled and added more Laba porridge to his bowl.
Yan Zhigao, seeing her kindness, also smiled and offered her some food.
Meanwhile, Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin, noticing that Yan Zhigao had not mentioned Concubine Lin, felt a bit disappointed and lowered their heads.
Indeed, Concubine Lin did not join the family for the meal.
This was a decision made by Old Madam Yan. No concubine was allowed to dine with the main wife and family.
Earlier, seeing his family happily enjoying the Laba porridge together, Yan Zhigao had thought of inviting Concubine Lin to join. But just as he was about to speak, his son Yan Wenkai had interrupted him.
Now, with Teacher Qin’s negligence causing his daughter’s hands to be injured, his own anger flared, and he decided not to pursue the matter further.
While the family in Songhe Courtyard was enjoying a peaceful and joyful holiday, in Shuangxin Courtyard, Concubine Lin sat alone at the table, her face full of solitude.
This was the first time in many years that she had spent a holiday by herself.
Her children and her husband were with someone else, truly a family, while she was just a concubine, one who wasn’t even allowed at the dining table.
Never before had she felt so keenly her status and position in the Yan family.
Did she regret it?
Her father had been a scholar, and her brother was also a scholar. With their family’s status, marrying as a main wife to someone else would have been entirely feasible.
But she had no choice.
The Lin family had exhausted all their savings to send her father to study, and by the time it was her brother’s turn, they had no money left. But her brother was exceptionally gifted, praised by every tutor in the clan for his future prospects. How could she bear to see him fail simply because there was no money for his education?
So, when Yan Zhigao came to the village for an inspection, she intentionally got close to the man who was admired by everyone for his honesty.
She was beautiful, and since childhood, she had studied with her father, so her demeanor was not ordinary.
After several encounters, with her subtle advances, the magistrate was moved.
In the end, she succeeded in becoming his concubine.
With the magistrate’s support, the family’s situation gradually improved, and her brother was able to study. A few years later, he passed the imperial exam and became a scholar, staying by the magistrate’s side. With her brother’s connections, his future was guaranteed.
She had a comfortable life in the inner courtyard.
Madam Li, the main wife, was from a merchant family. Though she was the legitimate wife, her family background couldn’t compare to her own. Concubine Lin didn’t consider herself beneath her.
Moreover, from what she knew of Yan Zhigao, he looked down on merchants, something evident from his reception of the wife’s brothers.
Madam Li was aware of this too, so her position in the family wasn’t as strong. Even though she was favored, she still had to be cautious.
She thought she could live this way peacefully, enjoying poetry and conversation with her husband, educating their children. But then, Old Madam Yan came, and the eldest daughter arrived.
These two women were direct and unyielding, throwing all pretense aside. They laid the most uncomfortable truths on the table. No matter how many schemes Concubine Lin had, they couldn’t be hidden.
Now, as the family celebrated the holiday together, her husband allowed her to eat alone. What would happen in the future? Would her position continue to decline?
(End of Chapter)
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