Chapter 80: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 80: Casual Talk
After a busy day, the entire Yan family was exhausted. Once they had seen off all the guests, everyone gathered in Old Madam Yan's courtyard.
Today, Old Madam Yan had also worked hard. With the shortage of servants, she had stayed in the kitchen to oversee things, fearing any mistakes might give the Yan family a bad reputation.
Seeing the tired look on her face, Daohua walked up behind her and said, “Grandmother, let me massage your shoulders.” She placed her hands on Old Madam Yan’s shoulders and began to knead gently.
Old Madam Yan accepted the massage with a look of appreciation. Although her health was still good, age was catching up with her, and after a day of running around, her body was feeling the strain.
Madam Li looked apologetically at Old Madam Yan. “I’m sorry to have made you work so hard. Once this busy period is over, I’ll start hiring more help.”
Yan Zhigao put down his teacup and nodded. “Our household is a bit short on servants. It wasn’t obvious when we were at the county office, but now that we’re in Xingzhou with more people coming and going, it’s become a bit difficult. When we hire servants, you’d better get more.”
Hearing this, Daohua glanced up at her father, who was only giving instructions.
More servants? Did he know how much it would cost to raise so many?
Just as Daohua was about to speak up, Madam Li shook her head at her.
Madam Li smiled and said, “Alright, I understand.”
Yan Zhigao was satisfied and continued, “The guests’ expressions looked good when they left. The banquet went very well.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Zhiyuan immediately chimed in, “We owe it all to Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law for managing things so well. Otherwise, we’d have been running around like headless chickens.”
Yan Zhigao waved his hand and smiled. “I know. You all worked hard this time. Once your sister-in-law buys more servants, we won’t have to do everything ourselves next time.”
Thinking for a moment, Yan Zhigao looked at Madam Li and said, “My dear, everyone needs servants. This time, each master should at least have two people with them. What do you think?”
Hearing this, Daohua couldn’t hold back any longer and asked her father, “Father, can we afford that many servants?”
She was worried that if she didn’t speak up, her mother would just agree to it, and then they’d have to dip into her dowry to make up for the cost.
The Yan family had 18 masters, big and small. If each person had two servants, that meant 36 servants.
That’s 36 people to feed, clothe, and pay monthly stipends. It wasn’t a small expense!
Yan Zhigao was stunned by her question. Since Madam Li had married him, he rarely worried about money matters. In the past, whenever there was a need for silver, as long as he mentioned it, Madam Li would immediately prepare it.
He hadn’t considered that they might not be able to afford so many servants.
The others in the room exchanged glances before looking at Yan Zhigao and Madam Li. After all, buying servants was for their convenience, so they hoped the matter would go ahead.
Yan Zhigao looked at Madam Li, silently asking for her opinion.
Madam Li paused for a moment and then said, “My dear, our family is not wealthy. How about this? We can buy two servants for the men who travel, but we can hold off on hiring more for the women in the back courtyard for now.”
Before Yan Zhigao could respond, Old Madam Yan decisively interjected, “That’s settled then. Men need servants when traveling, but women in the back courtyard who rarely leave don’t need that many.”
Once Old Madam Yan spoke, Yan Zhigao didn’t say anything further.
Seeing the atmosphere in the room grow a little tense, Daohua smiled and asked Old Madam Yan, “Grandmother, I had Man’er prepare some sweet soup. Would you like a bowl?”
Old Madam Yan nodded. “Yes, please! When I was eating with the wives of the officials, I was worried about being too rude or making a mistake. I haven’t had enough to eat at lunch or dinner, so hurry up and bring me a bowl!” Looking around at the others, she added, “Do any of you want some too?”
Yan Wenkai quickly jumped up and ran to Old Madam Yan’s side. “Of course! Grandmother, you don’t know, I didn’t have enough to eat either. Elder Sister’s sweet soup is perfect for a midnight snack!”
The younger ones also expressed their desire for some, and the atmosphere soon lightened.
Soon, the sweet soup was brought in, and everyone ate while chatting, as if the earlier tension had never existed.
After finishing the sweet soup, Old Madam Yan said, “Alright, you’ve all had a long day. Go and rest now.”
Each household went to their respective rooms.
Meanwhile, Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin had wanted to take Yan Zhigao to Shuangxin Courtyard, but when Old Madam Yan ordered everyone to disperse, he left with Madam Li, without even speaking to them.
At the main courtyard.
Madam Li glanced at Yan Zhigao’s expression. Seeing that he seemed to be in a good mood, she finally spoke. “My dear, don’t be upset with Daohua. She’s a straightforward child, and she doesn’t mean to go against you.”
Yan Zhigao patted Madam Li’s hand. “I know, there’s no need for you to explain. I should have thought this through before mentioning it. I should have discussed the matter of buying servants with you privately.”
Madam Li smiled. “Managing the household is my duty. You don’t need to worry. I haven’t saved much for the family in these years.”
Yan Zhigao shook his head and sighed. “This isn’t your fault. It’s mine. I haven’t done a good job as the head of the family.”
Madam Li hurriedly said, “My dear, you’re busy helping the people, so I should be the one to manage the household. Don’t worry, we’ll be fine. We’re just tight on money right now, but once we settle down in Xingzhou, life will get better.”
Yan Zhigao took Madam Li’s hand and apologized. “You’ve worked hard.”
Madam Li smiled. “I’m your wife, managing the family is my responsibility. There’s no such thing as hard work.”
Yan Zhigao nodded, then, as if remembering something, smiled. “Today, Wenxiu and Daohua did very well. I was worried that Daohua wouldn’t be able to handle the other young ladies, but she held her own and didn’t lose out to Wenxiu at all when it came to etiquette and managing guests.”
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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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Madam Li’s smile grew wider. “Old Madam Yan has taught her well.”
Yan Zhigao nodded. “Her character is a bit too open, though. It’s fine at home, but she needs to learn to be more reserved when outside. You should hurry up and find a good teacher for her.”
Madam Li nodded seriously. “I’ll look into it.”
In Shuangxin Courtyard.
Concubine Lin was very disappointed when she saw that Yan Zhigao hadn’t come with Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin.
Today, the Yan family held a banquet and everyone attended except her. As a concubine, she wasn’t allowed to meet the guests.
There had never been a moment when Concubine Lin cared so much about her position as a concubine.
In the past, when they were in Linyi County, even though she was a concubine, the wives of the officials were friendly with her. But now that they were in Xingzhou, she clearly felt the difference between the legitimate wife and the concubine.
During the day, Yan Yishuang had returned to her, crying about the slight she suffered from the other young ladies.
That was when Concubine Lin truly understood the sorrow of being a concubine—she didn’t just lack face, even her children were treated as inferior to others.
(End of Chapter)
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