Chapter 87: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 87: Exclusion
After the seating arrangement incident, Daohua and the others began attending class as usual.
Unlike Teacher Qin, who only taught from the textbook, Teacher Shen paid great attention to the integration of knowledge and life. She often shared stories from daily life to help the young ladies better understand the lessons.
As a result, her classes were relaxed, and even the most restless Yan Yile had stopped looking as though she was enduring a bitter punishment during class.
In addition, under Teacher Shen’s hands-on guidance, Daohua made rapid progress with her needlework. Since she was now able to focus more on practicing, her embroidery skills had improved significantly, and the small items she created, such as handkerchiefs and purses, were now on par with those of the other young ladies.
When Grandmother Yan and Madam Li saw Daohua’s embroidery, which no longer had her fingers pricked with pins, they both sighed with relief.
Grandmother Yan said, “I told you, our Daohua is so smart, how could she not learn needlework? It’s just that the tutor didn’t teach well before.”
Madam Li replied, “Exactly. No wonder the ladies from all the families are willing to lower their status to invite a good tutor. A good teacher is truly invaluable.”
Before they knew it, the Dragon Boat Festival arrived.
The Yan family’s first Dragon Boat Festival in Xingzhou wasn’t particularly pleasant. The reason was simple: Yan Zhigao was too busy. It was around this time that Daohua realized her father was struggling with his work at the Prefect government office.
“Mother, why do I feel like Father has lost quite a bit of weight?” Daohua asked.
Madam Li looked slightly worried. “How could he not lose weight? He’s been working day and night, hardly resting.”
Daohua frowned in confusion. “Handling the affairs of the Prefecture should indeed be more complicated than handling those of a county, but a Prefect Magistrate has more subordinates than a county Magistrate. Father shouldn’t be this busy.”
Madam Li sighed. “Xingzhou is deeply intertwined, with many powerful families. It’s all about connections—either through marriage or family ties, everyone has a big background. Your father is new here and doesn’t have any solid support, so naturally, he has trouble directing the officials under him.”
“Your father hates seeing problems, especially when it concerns the people’s livelihoods. When an issue arises, he wants to resolve it immediately. Others are lazy and avoid the trouble, but he insists on handling it himself.”
Daohua furrowed her brows. “These officials are so arrogant. Don’t they fear the year-end evaluation when Father might give them low ratings?”
Madam Li replied, “One or two might, but if the entire office acts this way, do you think your father will dare take action? If all the officials receive poor evaluations, it will reflect badly on your father’s ability to manage them. Those with connections might escape punishment, but your father will be the first to bear the consequences.”
Daohua’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “The entire office doesn’t respect Father? Why? I’ve heard Master Xiao say that Father has strong abilities when it comes to handling matters.”
Madam Li shook her head helplessly. “Silly child, your father’s promotion to Prefect Magistrate has made many people jealous. His ability to get things done has nothing to do with it.”
Daohua frowned. “Then what should we do? There are so many affairs in the Prefect. Surely it can’t all fall on Father’s shoulders?”
Seeing Daohua’s concern, Madam Li smiled in appreciation. The girl may have a sharp tongue, but her heart was soft. Although Daohua rarely showed affection for her father , she couldn’t help but care when she found out he was being sidelined at the Prefect office.
“Don’t worry. Your father will handle it. He encountered similar situations when he was first appointed as a county magistrate. Over time, he was able to manage. He will get through this too.”
Daohua sighed. “That sounds too tiring.”
Madam Li replied, “What can we do? The Yan family’s foundation is too weak.”
At that moment, Wang Man’er walked in, grinning and holding a bamboo basket. “Miss, the young lady from the Zhou family sent you a Dragon Boat Festival gift.”
Daohua, somewhat surprised, took the basket with curiosity. “What is it?” she asked as she opened it.
Inside, she found a box of zongzi and several delicate sachets. The gift wasn’t much, nor was it expensive, but it was the first gift that had been sent to her personally.
As she examined the items, Daohua thought for a moment and then asked Wang Man’er, “Has the person from the Zhou family left?”
Wang Man’er answered, “She should have left, but probably hasn’t gone far.”
Daohua said quickly, “Hurry, go ask the gatekeeper to stop her. I need to send something back to Miss Zhou.” No matter what, the Zhou family had sent her a gift, so she had to return the favor.
Madam Li watched Daohua leave quickly, but did not stop her.
Although the Yan family had sent gifts to the Zhou family for the holiday, it was merely a formality to maintain a connection. There was no deep bond between the families. However, the private exchanges of gifts between Daohua and Miss Zhou had helped bring the two closer.
Madam Li, born into a merchant family, even though she was now the wife of the Prefect Magistrate, could still sense the subtle disdain in the eyes of some of the other women.
After arriving in Xingzhou, she had attended several banquets, most of them hosted out of respect for her husband’s position as the Prefect Magistrate. At these events, while the other ladies were polite on the surface, the distance between them was evident. Even the wife of the Deputy Prefect Magistrate, who had interacted with her the most, only offered superficial compliments and never formed a close relationship.
Unable to befriend the wives of officials meant she could not often take her daughter to visit other households, which was not good for her daughter’s growth and social experience. If Daohua could become friends with Miss Zhou, she would at least have a close companion in the boudoir.
Zhou family.
Madam Zhou glanced at the gifts Daohua had sent to Zhou Jingwan and saw that it consisted only of some rice dumplings and two boxes of rouge. She motioned for the maid to take them.
Madam Zhou smiled, saying, “Look at how many gifts our Jingwan has received for the Dragon Boat Festival?”
The nanny, standing beside her, laughed and added, “The Zhou family is a prestigious one in Xingzhou, and the old master was once the Prime Minister, so the students and former officials under him are everywhere. Naturally, families want to flatter us.”
“If these gifts were too lavish, they might be seen as bribery; if too simple, they wouldn’t be presentable. As it is, our Fifth Young Miss has become a stepping stone for some families.”
Madam Zhou cast a sideways glance at the old nanny, teasing, “You’re very perceptive.”
The old nanny replied, “Not just me, but the Fifth Young Miss is clever and perceptive as well. She already knows how to maintain good relationships with the other young ladies.”
Madam Zhou smiled, “That’s true. The more you see, the more you understand who’s sincere and who’s not.” She sighed. “Jingwan grew up in this environment; I don’t know if it’s good or bad for her.”
After a pause, she remembered the flower basket still hanging in her daughter’s room and ordered, “When Jingwan and her friends return from watching the dragon boat races, make sure to personally hand her the gift from Miss Yan.”
The old nanny hesitated, “I’ve heard that Master Yan doesn’t seem to be doing well in the Prefecture. Should the Fifth Young Miss get too close to her?”
Madam Zhou replied, “Let’s not concern ourselves with men’s affairs. It’s rare for Jingwan to like someone, so it’s fine for her to get closer.”
“Understood.”
Deputy Prefect Magistrate's House.
Qian Zhuo glanced at the rice dumplings sent by the Yan family and sighed. “Take them away.” He had hoped to work well with Master Yan, at least doing his part, but with the evident exclusion from Master Wang, he felt forced to avoid getting involved.
Madam Qian hesitated. “But Master Wang isn’t a reckless man. Why is he so harsh toward Master Yan?”
Qian Zhuo’s eyes darkened. “Don’t forget, Master Wang has a powerful backer— Councilor Du. I’ve heard a rumor that Master Yan offended Councilor Du, though I’m not sure if it’s true.”
Madam Qian said, “But don’t they say Master Yan has a powerful patron? How could Councilor Du dare to act so openly against him?”
Qian Zhuo replied, “There are likely two reasons: either Councilor Du isn’t afraid of Master Yan’s backer, or that patron has forgotten about Master Yan.”
Madam Qian said, “If that’s the case, we should keep our distance from the Yan family. Councilor Du is not someone to mess with.”
Qian Zhuo pondered for a moment. “But the connection between Bilan and Miss Yan should still be maintained.” He wondered if that supposed patron would ever resurface.
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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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Wang's House.
Madam Wang looked down on the simple rice dumplings sent by the Yan family, tossing them to the servants.
Wang Hexi didn’t comment.
Madam Wang said, “If the Yan family had any real support, do you think they’d still be struggling so much at the Prefecture and not beg for help?”
Wang Hexi glanced at his wife. “There is support, but the relationship between the Yan family and their patron isn’t as strong as we thought.” He sneered. “Even if they do have a connection, with the Yan family’s poor finances, they probably can’t keep up their ties.”
Madam Wang grew a little worried. “But what if, just what if, that patron suddenly remembers them?”
Wang Hexi remained calm. “What would happen? I’ve always done things according to the rules at the Prefecture. Even if Master Yan feels wronged, there’s nothing to accuse me of.”
He had worked hard for his position. The exclusion of Master Yan was part of Councilor Du’s orders, and if he wanted to rise further, he had to rely on Councilor Du. So, there were things he had to do. But that didn’t mean he was going to cut off all his options.
He understood the importance of leaving a path open.
(End of Chapter)
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