Chapter 37: Chapter 33, Stealthy Mischief—1
Translator: 549690339
Shuangxin Courtyard.
After Yan Yishuang returned, she told Aunt Lin about what happened in the
classroom.
“Mother, Big Sister is clearly jealous of me,” Yan Yishuang said with pride on
her face.
Master Qin didn’t like Daohua, and it wasn’t only Daohua who felt it; everyone else in the class noticed it too.
Everyone was happy to see it.
There was no helping it; originally they thought Daohua, having grown up in the countryside, would surely be unrefined, but who knew, she outshone them all in both appearance and demeanor. At the age of 8 or 9, young girls are especially competitive, and naturally they wouldn’t be pleased to be outdone. Now that they saw the teacher disliking Daohua, they couldn’t help but feel a bit of schadenfreude.
After listening, Aunt Lin’s eyes flickered. She thought for a moment, then waved over a maid and whispered a few instructions.
Watching the maid leave, Yan Yishuang immediately leaned in: “Mother, what did you say to Sister Xi?”
Seeing the curiosity in her daughter’s eyes, Aunt Lin smiled: “Your father places a strong emphasis on rules. Now that Big Sister has shown such disrespect to the teacher, angering Master Qin to the point where he doesn’t even want to continue the class, your father will definitely be angry when he finds out.”
Hearing this, Yan Yishuang’s eyes immediately lit up: “Father will surely punish Big Sister.”
Soon, what happened in the classroom spread throughout all the quarters of the County Governor’s Office’s backyard.
Second residence.
Mrs Sun shook her head and laughed: “It hasn’t been long, and there’s already new trouble brewing. Just wait, you’ll see. When your uncle finds out, there will definitely be a good show to watch. This time, I wonder if the old lady will still protect Daohua?”
Yan Yihuan looked at her mother and sister, who were laughing heartily, hesitated for a moment, and then said: “Actually, you can’t blame Big Sister for this. Master Qin is indeed targeting her.”
Hearing this, Mrs. Sun’s expression paused.
Mrs. Sun looked at her eldest daughter. She knew her daughter’s temperament, which was ultimately kind and honest, and knew she wouldn’t lie.
Yan Yile also spoke up: “Mother, why do you think Master Qin doesn’t like Big
Sister? Actually, aside from being a bit aloof, Big Sister isn’t bad.”
Looking at her two daughters, who both gazed back at her with confusion, Mrs. Sun thought for a while, feeling that it would be better to let her daughters know some things earlier, and said: “Have you ever thought about who invited Master Qin to teach?”
Without even thinking, Yan Yile blurted out: “It was Auntie from the main branch!”
Mrs. Sun nodded at her younger daughter’s head: “Your aunt from the mam branch is only responsible for giving the tuition fees, but Master Qin came to teach in our family because of Aunt Lin s face.
Yan Yihuan’s face showed a reaction: “Daughter remembers now, Master Qin is
a relative of Aunt Lin.”
Mrs. Sun nodded and looked at her two daughters: “Isn’t it? Master Qin is connected to Aunt Lin by blood. Do you think he would favor your big sister?” Yan Yile pouted: “No wonder Master Qin favors Third Sister so much, it turns out that’s the reason.”
Mrs. Sun: “It’s good that you know about what happened in the classroom, but don’t talk about it outside. Right now, the main house’s concubines are battling it out, and you two had better not foolishly get involved.”
Yan Yihuan hesitated a bit: “Mother, this doesn’t seem right, our aunt from the main branch has been quite good to us.”
Mrs. Sun glared at her: “What do you know, life in this backyard is deep. Your uncle loves to recite poetry and associate with the elegant, and Aunt Lin is the daughter of a scholar, knowledgeable and reasonable. She’s very much in line with your uncle’s heart.”
“And your great-aunt, born to a merchant family, would never have married into the Wu Family if not for their thin resources back then. On this account alone, Aunt Lin surpasses your great-aunt by a great deal.
“The heart of man is biased, haven’t you seen it over the years? The partiality your great-uncle shows towards Aunt Lin and her son is no small matter. Whenever he has free time, your great-uncle is tutoring both Yishuang and Wen Bin.”
“This treatment was only matched by your eldest brother, and even that was because he bore the status of the eldest son, carrying the mission of revitalizing the family. Regarding your fourth brother, have you ever seen your great-uncle inquire about his studies?”
“Whether it’s the adults or the children, it’s clear that your great-uncle favors Shuangxin Courtyard more. Our second room depends on your great-uncle to live, so we can’t go against him.”
Yan Yihuan hesitated, “What about our eldest sister? I see that our great-uncle treats her quite well.”
Sun Family paused, “That’s because your great-uncle feels guilty, and also because of the old lady’s influence. A daughter who wasn’t raised by his side since childhood—how much affection could there possibly be?”
“To be honest, Daohua is indeed not bad, smart too, and stronger in every aspect compared to Yishuang. But her temperament is too forthright. If she doesn’t restrain herself, she’s bound to suffer.”
The two daughters didn’t know, but she was well aware that Aunt Lin was no simple character. While she may seem weak and gentle, she’s devious behind the scenes.
“Remember this, don’t meddle in the business of the main room.”
The third room.
Wentao’s mother wore a worried expression, “Daohua, used to being straightforward in the village and not knowing how to hide her feelings, stands out as incompatible after coming to the backyard of the County Governor’s Office. She will suffer in this environment.”
Wentao ran his fingers through his hair in irritation, “Why are there so many troubles here? I think it was more comfortable back home. No wonder the great-aunt used to write letters asking Daohua to come over, and Daohua didn’t want to. If it were me, I wouldn’t want to either.
“Daohua used to be happy every day. Since coming here, I’ve seen her grow thinner.”
Wentao’s mother sighed. She didn’t like it here either-it was too exhausting. Talking to people required walking on eggshells, nothing like the comfort of home.
The main courtyard.
Daohua returned to her room with composure and upon seeing Ping Tong looking worried, she thought for a moment before asking, “How did Teacher Qin come to teach in our house?”
Ping Tong replied, “Aunt Lin recommended her. It is said that Teacher Qin and Aunt Lin are relatives.”
Hearing this, Daohua had an epiphany, “So that’s how it is. I was wondering why an externally hired teacher, instead of focusing on her lessons, would bother me for no good reason when she’s full. Turns out there’s someone backing her!”
With that, Daohua’s eyes flashed, and a cold smile spread across her face, “There’s a Master Lin in the Governor’s Office and a Teacher Qin in the backyard. My father’s Aunt Lin sure is capable.” Ping Tong glanced at Daohua and advised, “Eldest Miss, no matter what, you shouldn’t have publicly contradicted Teacher Qin, making it difficult for her to save face. The master will surely reprimand you if he finds out.
No sooner had she spoken than Daohua stood up, “Let’s go, to Songhe Courtyard.”
Ping Tong followed behind with undiminished concern on her face.
The old lady dearly loved the eldest miss, but if the master pursued the matter of disrespecting a teacher, the old lady might not be able to protect her. That evening, after returning from the Governor’s Office, Yan Zhigao, having heard about the incident in the guest hall from Aunt Lin, was indeed furious. Learning that Daohua was in the old lady’s courtyard, he headed to Songhe Courtyard in a rage.
Outside Songhe Courtyard, watching her stepfather enter her grandmother’s courtyard, Daohua emerged from beside the flower bushes with Ping Tong and Wang Manman, saying indifferently, “Let’s go back and eat.
Ping Tong hesitantly followed.
She did not know what the eldest miss had discussed with the old lady, but judging from the old lady having dismissed tonight’s dinner, it seemed the eldest miss would likely not be punished this time..