Chapter 30: Chapter 26, Lost the Madam and Broke the
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Translator: 549690339 |
Despite Yan Zhigao’s position as the County Magistrate, his official salary truly wasn’t high. Coupled with his upright and honest nature, he never exploited the common people for extra income, so his family only lived slightly better than the average household.
Therefore, even if he went to bed hungry at night, unless he paid for it himself, he could not ask the kitchen to prepare a late-night snack.
Sun Family also found it distressing, “Isn’t that the truth? It’s like the immortals are fighting and the little devils suffer. I guess the children haven’t had their fill either.” As she spoke, she looked toward Yan Wenjie and his two sisters, “You children as well, we adults may not eat much, but there’s no need for you to hold back. You should have eaten more.”
Yan Wenjie replied, “Mother, dare we eat? With Grandmother and Uncle looking so frightening, it’s a miracle my chopsticks didn’t drop.”
YanYile chimed in with a nod, “Exactly.
Yan Zhiyuan glanced at his three children, with Wenjie and Yile being more unruly, only Yihuan was considered steady. He suddenly lamented, “In hindsight, I really should have left Wenjie in our old home for grandmother to raise.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Wenbin’s eyes immediately widened in shock-he certainly didn’t want to suffer in his old hometown.
Madam Sun looked displeased, “Head of the family, what are you talking about?” She had only one son, of course, she wanted to raise him by her side.
Yan Zhiyuan shook his head, “Youth is long but experience is short. What’s wrong with having Grandmother raise him? Just look at Daohua, her temperament and character are so much like Grandmother’s when she was young.”
“Humph!”
As he spoke, Yan Zhiyuan scoffed again.
“That Lin Family is also foolish enough. Grandmother, a widow, was able to raise all four of us siblings. Could she be simple-minded? To play tricks in front of her is asking for a scolding.”
Madam Sun curled her lips, “A woman should primarily be gentle and quiet. What’s so good about Daohua’s reckless behavior? This is not the old home.” Yan Zhiyuan thought about it and realized she was right, and said no more.
The third residence.
Yan Wentao was furious, “Daohua has been driven to tears; Uncle has gone too
far.”
“Slap!”
Yan Zhiqiang gave his son a slap on the head, “That’s your uncle. Is that how
you talk?”
Yan Wentao objected, “But Daohua was wronged.
Yan Zhiqiang glared at his son, then said sternly, “Your uncle is Daohua’s father. His teaching of Daohua is natural, and outsiders have no right to interfere. How about this-tomorrow you quietly call Daohua out, and we’ll take her out of the county town to relax a bit.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Wentao immediately nodded with a smile, “Daohua will definitely be very happy to know.”
Wu Family was somewhat worried, “Is this alright?
Yan Zhiqiang reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’ll speak to my eldest brother about it. It happens to be a good opportunity to check on the fields that big sister-in-law has recently purchased.”
Shuangxin Courtyard.
■’Mother, father hasn’t come over yet; he must have gone to the main courtyard again.” Yan Yishuang stood at the gate, looking disheartened at the door that had already been shut.
Auntie Lin stepped forward, pulling her daughter into the house. After some thought, she said, “In the future, when you encounter your elder sister, it’s better if you stay out of her way.”
Yan Yishuang was reluctant, “But she’s the elder sister, and I’m the younger sister—shouldn’t she be the one to make way for me?”
Auntie Lin sighed, “But she is the legitimate daughter and has Grandmother to back her up. If you clash with her, as soon as Grandmother steps in, even if your father favors you, you’ll still be punished along with her.” Yan Yishuang cried, “I don’t like Grandmother. She’s as unlikeable as Old Madam Xu. It would have been nice if Grandmother had stayed in the countryside forever.”
Upon hearing this, Auntie Lin’s face changed drastically, and she quickly covered Yan Yishuang’s mouth, sternly warning, “Yishuang, you can’t talk like that ever again. If your father hears this, our mother and son can forget about turning our situation around.
Yan Yishuang had never seen Auntie Lin so stern and nodded in fear.
Seeing her daughter frightened, Auntie Lin hugged Yan Yishuang tightly, “It’s all my fault. If I were your father’s principal wife, you wouldn’t have to endure such grievances.”
Seeing Auntie Lin in tears, Yan Yishuang panicked and immediately said, ■■Mother, don’t be angry. I just won’t argue with my elder sister from now on.”
The main courtyard.
When Yan Zhigao returned, Daohua had already retired to her room.
”… Ahem, has Daohua gone to sleep?”
Madam Li smiled as she came forward to help Yan Zhigao take off his coat, “She had a few pieces of mung bean cake here before she went to sleep. How did it go over there with Mother?”
Yan Zhigao replied, “She’s asleep too.”
Madam Li glanced at Yan Zhigao’s expression and, seeing it was not too bad, smiled and said, “Daohua went to deliver food today because she heard from me that the master has been too busy and tired these days, and she wanted to show consideration for the master. She didn’t expect it to lead to such a commotion.”
Yan Zhigao had also calmed down by now and said, “I know Daohua has a filial heart; just now, I did it for her good as well. After all, Auntie Lin is an elder. It would not reflect well if she treated Auntie Lin like ordering about a maid.” Madam Li’s smile faded a little, “I’ve already scolded her for that. But, master, you have to be prepared-your daughter has the same temperament as your mother. If she’s bullied, she will surely retaliate.”
“You’ve already said, Auntie Lin is an elder, so let her take on more responsibilities, and don’t always hover around Daohua.” “I’ve also inquired about today’s issue, and Daohua didn’t tell Grandmother about their sibling quarrel at all. It was Auntie Lin who eagerly took the Third Miss to apologize.”
■■Also master, Daohua has only been at the County Governor’s Office for a short time. You can’t expect her to understand all the rules and etiquette right away —she needs to be taught gradually. You agree, don’t you?”
Yan Zhigao stared blankly at Madam Li, looking quite astonished.
This was the first time his usually gentle and considerate wife had spoken so forcefully to him, and he did not have a chance to interject a single word..