Chapter 86: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 86: Times Have Changed
On the very first day of lessons, Yan Yishuang ended up crying and was sent back to her courtyard. When Concubine Lin heard about this, she immediately went to Yan Zhigao, claiming that the new tutor, Teacher Shen, was full of talk about the hierarchy between legitimate and concubine-born children, clearly looking down on Yishuang. She demanded the tutor be replaced at once.
After hearing her complaint, Yan Zhigao remained silent for a moment before heading toward the main residence.
The Yan family’s foundation was weak, and for the family to grow and thrive, the upbringing of its daughters was crucial. Yan Zhigao had always taken this matter seriously.
When Madam Li had proposed hiring Teacher Shen, she had discussed it with him, and he had even sent someone to inquire about her reputation. Knowing that she was a well-regarded female tutor sought after by many prestigious families, he wasn’t inclined to take Concubine Lin’s words at face value. Instead, he decided to go to the main residence and get to the bottom of the matter.
At the main residence, Madam Li was in the middle of preparing gifts for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival. She had kept Daohua by her side to show her how to distribute the gifts. When Yan Zhigao arrived, the mother and daughter were discussing what return gifts to send.
Seeing Daohua present, Yan Zhigao didn’t bother concealing his intentions and directly asked about what had happened during the lesson, particularly regarding Teacher Shen’s supposed comments on the hierarchy between legitimate and concubine-born children.
Madam Li calmly poured a cup of tea for Yan Zhigao before patiently recounting the day’s events in detail, without adding any personal opinions.
“Since it was the first day of lessons, I was worried the girls might not adjust well, so I sent someone to observe. If you still have doubts, you can call them over to ask.”
Her unspoken meaning was clear: if you don’t believe me, you can ask others.
Daohua, noticing her father’s silence, smiled and asked, “Father, do you think Teacher Shen was wrong?”
Yan Zhigao looked at his eldest daughter, her eyes bright and clear, and thought of her earlier insights on responsibility and position. He felt moved and asked, “What does Daohua think?”
Daohua smiled and replied, “I think she was absolutely right. Just like you, Father. You serve as an official outside and protect us, which is why you are the head of the family and everyone listens to you. The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility, and naturally, the rewards should match. If there’s only giving and no receiving, over time, even the most patient person would feel dissatisfied.”
Hearing this, Yan Zhigao was deeply shaken. As a man and a scholar, how could his understanding be inferior to a child’s?
Over the years, while he had shown his wife proper respect in managing the household, his ingrained bias against merchants and reverence for scholars had led him to favor the matters of Shuangxin Courtyard. His wife must have been harboring resentment for quite some time.
When Madam Li saw Yan Zhigao glance at her, she assumed he was seeking her opinion. After some thought, she carefully said, “Husband, Yishuang has indeed been raised a bit too delicately. Today, Teacher Shen didn’t say anything harsh, and all her remarks were directed at everyone, not any individual specifically.”
“By crying in class, Yishuang undoubtedly embarrassed Teacher Shen. Even so, Teacher Shen didn’t get upset and simply had her escorted back to her courtyard. I’m not sure what Concubine Lin told you, but since we invited Teacher Shen, shouldn’t we at least show her basic respect?”
“Even if you’re dissatisfied, wouldn’t it be better to observe her for a while longer? After all, today was just the first day of lessons.”
Daohua chimed in, “Father, I’m not trying to tattle, but I think I should mention that Third Sister cries far too easily. At the last banquet, no one even provoked her, and yet her eyes turned red. People who didn’t know better might have thought someone bullied her, which put me in a difficult position. You really should talk to her.”
Yan Zhigao knew about the incident but had heard a different version from Concubine Lin, who claimed that Daohua deliberately excluded Yishuang, leading other young ladies to isolate her. However, he had been too busy after the banquet to follow up on the matter.
“You’re the eldest sister. If Yishuang is in the wrong, you can just tell her.”
Daohua burst out laughing, her tone tinged with sarcasm. “Father, I wouldn’t dare. If I said anything too harsh and made her cry, who knows what Concubine Lin might say to you? Wouldn’t I end up being the one you scold?”
Hearing his eldest daughter’s frank criticism, Yan Zhigao looked somewhat uncomfortable.
Madam Li glared at Daohua. “How can you speak to your father like that? Your father is busy with official duties and may overlook the matters of the inner courtyard. If you have concerns, explain them properly. Would your father refuse to listen to reason?”
Yan Zhigao quickly nodded in agreement. Of course, Concubine Lin could speak her mind, and so could Daohua. He wasn’t someone who couldn’t distinguish right from wrong, nor would he deny anyone the chance to explain.
Daohua smirked, her tone mocking. “I’m just worried that I might not get the chance to explain before the stick lands on me.”
At this remark, Yan Zhigao truly felt embarrassed.
Because of the incident where the young lady from Zhu Jiaoyu’s family was injured in the Yan family’s rear courtyard, Yan Zhigao had slapped his eldest daughter, a matter he had almost forgotten. To his surprise, his daughter still remembered it.
Madam Li, recalling the incident, was worried the conversation between father and daughter might become more tense, so she quickly intervened and sent Daohua away. “Aren’t you supposed to discuss the Dragon Boat Festival and making zongzi with Grandma? Hurry and go.”
Daohua gave a slight bow to both of them. “Father, Mother, I’ll go to Grandmother’s courtyard now.” After speaking, she left with Wang Man’er.
Once outside the main residence, Wang Man’er voiced her concern. “Miss, what if the Master decides to take action to protect Third Miss and cause trouble for Teacher Shen?”
Daohua smiled calmly. “That won’t happen. My father, although he often acts rashly when it comes to matters of Shuangxin Courtyard, won’t make hasty decisions about a tutor.”
Wang Man’er glanced around before whispering, “I just secretly asked Qi Ping, one of the Master’s attendants. He said that Concubine Lin wants to directly ask the Master to replace Teacher Shen.”
At this, Daohua scoffed. “Concubine Lin truly has no sense of self-awareness. Back when I didn’t like Teacher Qin, even Mother couldn’t directly replace her. Does Concubine Lin think her influence is greater than that of Mother?”
Wang Man’er nodded in agreement.
Daohua’s expression became slightly stern. “It’s all my father’s indulgence.” The reason she was so satisfied with Teacher Shen, apart from her extensive knowledge, was that her interpretation of position and responsibility had resonated deeply with her.
A concubine who has contributed nothing expects to stand on equal footing with a legitimate wife who brings a large dowry, manages the household, and handles social interactions? Why doesn’t she just reach for the sky?
“Enough about Shuangxin Courtyard. Let’s go see Grandmother.”
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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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At the main residence, after Daohua left, Madam Li didn’t continue discussing Concubine Lin and her daughter with Yan Zhigao. Instead, she brought up the topic of the interactions between officials in Xingzhou.
“Husband, the city here is much more complicated than the county. Our family needs to be more mindful of how we handle certain matters, especially in terms of etiquette and protocol. With your recent promotion, there are people who are already envious, so we can’t afford to give them any opportunity to criticize us.”
Yan Zhigao nodded in agreement.
His work in Xingzhou wasn’t progressing as smoothly as he had hoped; in fact, it was proving to be more difficult.
His colleagues, the deputy Prefect Magistrate and the Advisers, both appeared to be following his lead, but whenever it came to handling government affairs, they would delay or push the responsibility onto others. The worst part was that he couldn’t find any fault in their actions, which made his position even more frustrating.
The issues with governance were already troubling him, so when it came to household matters, once he understood the situation, he didn’t want to interfere any further. After a moment of silence, he said to Madam Li, “From now on, please pay more attention to Yishuang’s upbringing.”
Madam Li smiled. “I am her mother, after all. It’s only natural that I should take care of her.”
The next day, Yan Yishuang arrived at class with a downcast expression, quietly sitting in the position assigned by Teacher Shen. Meanwhile, in Shuangxin Courtyard, Concubine Lin, who had been waiting for Yan Zhigao all night, looked exhausted.
(End of Chapter)
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