Chapter 100, Tear Open
Daohua felt tired. This Aunt Lin never forgot to bring her along no matter what she did. Even though her grandmother had asked her to leave, she still forced her to go along for the sake of her thoughts.
What a talent!
But, in her eyes, was she just a harmless little white rabbit that she could use as a raft?
On the side, Yan Zhiyuan saw that the old lady's face was becoming increasingly impatient. Thinking that Aunt Lin had not yet spoken about the Wangyue Academy, he spoke to smooth things over: "Mother, don't be angry. Aunt Lin came to pay her respects to you out of filial piety. Just give her a chance to correct her mistakes."
Daohua looked up at her second uncle. He was a very capable man, as he was able to get along well with the people in the county and state government offices despite his humble status.
But it’s not necessarily true that he is very smart.
If he really understood the situation, he wouldn't speak at this moment.
If he had stopped her from making wine before just to satisfy his elder's desire and show his say in the Yan family, then it would be hard to explain why he was speaking for Aunt Lin now.
He wanted to fight for Yan Wenjie's opportunity to study at Wangyue Academy, which was understandable, but he could have said it out loud, so that she would look up to him.
But he chose to join forces with Aunt Lin. Didn’t he know about the dispute between the wives and concubines of the first house?
He knew it, but he did it anyway.
He simply thought that she was the younger generation, and that if he and Aunt Lin put pressure on her together, they could force her adoptive father to submit.
What a ridiculous and stupid idea!
Yan Zhiyuan originally wanted to say a few words to Daohua, but when he saw Daohua's half-smile, he was unable to speak for a moment.
He couldn't say anything, but Sun Shi didn't have any concerns. She smiled and said, "Daohua, for the sake of your fifth brother and third sister, please don't bother with Aunt Lin's slip of the tongue just now."
It turned out that she was the one who was calculating!
Daohua's smile was gone, and she said bluntly, "Second Aunt is very generous to others."
Sun's face froze. She knew Daohua was a sharp-tongued person, but she didn't expect her to be so ruthless. She was just her second aunt and she just said it without hesitation.
Yan Yile looked a little dissatisfied when she heard her mother being criticized. Just as she was about to speak, she was stopped by Yan Yihan.
Yan Yihan shook her head at Yan Yile and whispered, "Our goal today is to get our second brother to study at the academy. Don't make things worse."
Yan Yile was a little dissatisfied, biting her lip with an unhappy look on her face: "Look at what big sister is capable of. Now everyone in the family has to obey her."
Yan Yihan glared at Yan Yile, signaling her to stop talking, but in her heart she agreed with her sister's words.
Because of the little prince, the eldest sister's status in the family is getting higher and higher.
If it were in the past, if the eldest sister was so disrespectful to the elders, the uncle would definitely have blamed her.
But this time, my uncle said nothing.
Aunt Lin, who was kneeling on the ground, felt relieved when she saw Yan Zhiyuan and his wife speaking for her.
Fortunately, this time her interests were the same as the second house's, both wanting to send their son to study in academy.
Hearing the sound of dinner being served in the dining room, Aunt Lin didn't dare to delay any longer. If she couldn't speak up this time, she might not have another chance later.
This time, Aunt Lin did not direct her words at Daohua, but instead focused her gaze on Yan Wenxiu.
"I heard that Master is going to study at Wangyue Academy. I'm here to congratulate you. When Brother Lin was teaching you, he said that you have great talent and will definitely win the top prize in the imperial examinations in the future."
Upon hearing this, Yan Wenxiu frowned, but soon his brows disappeared.
He was enlightened by his concubine's younger brother. As he grew older and understood more etiquette and rules, this fact gradually became a thorn in his heart. At the same time, he also felt a little resentful towards his father.
Doesn’t my father know that this will put him in an embarrassing and difficult situation?
If his classmates knew about this, how would they view him and the Yan family?
The eldest son was enlightened by the younger brother of a concubine. Does the Yan family have any rules at all?
Also, if he gets close to Master Lin, he would be sorry for his mother; if he distances himself from Master Lin, he would be accused of being ungrateful and not knowing how to respect his teacher.
Since he passed the examination to become a scholar, he would try to avoid seeing Master Lin whenever possible, for fear of spreading a bad reputation.
Next to him, Yan Zhigao's face suddenly turned a little ugly when he heard Aunt Lin mention the eldest son's education. He was too busy at that time and could not teach his eldest son. Seeing that Master Lin was quite knowledgeable, he casually asked him to teach his eldest son.
Now whenever he thinks about it, he feels regretful.
Outside the door, Madam Li's face was also sullen. Thinking of what happened back then, her heart was filled with grief. Back then, Lin was favored by the master, and the master almost always granted her every request. Her son was enlightened by Lin's younger brother, which was the deepest pain in her heart.
Of course, she hated herself even more for being weak back then. She felt inferior because of her background and consciously avoided Aunt Lin, whose father was a scholar, and thus failed to protect her son.
Mrs. Li suppressed her anger and did not enter the house immediately. She was afraid that she would not be able to control her emotions.
Inside the house, Yan Zhigao looked at Aunt Lin with dissatisfaction: "Okay, you've already greeted me and expressed your congratulations. If you have nothing else, please leave."
Aunt Lin's face changed. She knew that mentioning the matter of enlightenment would make the master unhappy, but she needed an excuse. For the sake of her son's future, she could not care less.
"Master will definitely bring honor to our family in the future, but as the old saying goes, a single tree cannot make a forest. I have seen the difficulties Master has faced in officialdom over the years."
"Our Yan family has a weak foundation. When the master enters the officialdom in the future, even though he has the connections accumulated by the master, it is not as stable as the mutual support of family members."
Daohua was very impressed by what Aunt Lin said.
This person is very smart. He didn't ask for a spot directly, but went around in such a big circle.
Aunt Lin looked at Yan Zhigao with red eyes, her eyes filled with pleading: "Master, you know Wenbin's talent and knowledge. If he can help you in the future, it will be my greatest wish."
As she spoke, Aunt Lin turned her gaze and looked at Daohua.
Daohua had been watching Aunt Lin's performance. When she saw her looking at her, her expression straightened and she sat up straighter. She thought to herself, here it comes, here it comes. After talking for so long, the topic finally turned to her.
"My dear, I know that as a concubine, I am of low status. I shouldn't be so conspicuous in front of you and make you unhappy. From now on, I will stay away from you and not disturb you."
"But, young lady, please help the Second Master and Wenbin because they, like you, are of the Yan family's blood and want to contribute to the prosperity of the Yan family." As he said this, he was about to kowtow to Daohua, which scared her so much that she jumped up and hid aside.
"grandmother!"
Daohua hurriedly asked Mrs. Yan for help.
Old Madam Yan's face turned pale and she angrily asked, "Lin, what are you going to do?"
At this time, Madam Li opened the door curtain and walked in. She looked at Aunt Lin with an unpleasant expression and said in a cold tone, "Mrs. Lin, are you deliberately trying to ruin my daughter's reputation?"
Aunt Lin seemed frightened, with panic on her face, and shook her head repeatedly: "I didn't, please calm down, Madam."
Compared to the furious Madam Li, Aunt Lin kneeling on the ground looked so pitiful. Daohua glanced at her adoptive father who was beginning to look reluctant again, and felt speechless and impatient.
"Father."
Daohua stood up and bowed to Yan Zhigao.
"Father, Aunt Lin is your concubine. As a junior, I shouldn't have any say in her. However, almost every word Aunt Lin says is directed at me, so I have something to say."
Yan Zhigao looked at his eldest daughter, then at Aunt Lin, and finally at his furious mother and wife, and sighed, "You say!"
Daohua first walked over and helped Madam Li sit down, then stood beside Madam Li, looking indifferently at Aunt Lin who was still kneeling on the ground.
"Mrs. Lin, I don't know what's really going on in your mind. As you said, my fifth brother, my third sister, and I are siblings, and we should all get along harmoniously. But judging by your behavior, it seems you're just hoping our relationship gets worse!"
Aunt Lin wanted to deny it, but Daohua didn't give her a chance and continued.
"As your biological mother, my fifth brother and third sister will naturally do their utmost to protect you. But you keep begging for mercy, kneeling, and kowtowing to me. Seeing this, my fifth brother and third sister must have hated me to death in their hearts, right?"
"Actually, I'm a little confused about you. What good will it do you if my relationship with my fifth brother and third sister becomes strained?"
"I don't"
Daohua reached out and interrupted Aunt Lin's defense: "Everyone knows the reason why you came here this time, but I still want to ask you, have you developed a habit of getting something for nothing? Do you think that as long as you ask for something, someone will definitely give it to you?"
After these words were spoken, Yan Zhigao felt a little embarrassed.
Daohua ignored her and said, "You're smart. You knew to bring your second brother along. This way, the chances of success will definitely be greater. Even if we don't succeed in the end, I'll have offended my second uncle and aunt."
Hearing this, Aunt Lin, who was kneeling on the ground, had her eyes flickering. She had indeed been thinking about this, but she didn't expect that the eldest girl would see through it.
Daohua looked at Yan Zhiyuan and Sun: "Uncle and Aunt, I know that you are all angry that my second brother didn't get to go to Chengwangyue Academy, but this is not my decision!"
Yan Zhiyuan hurriedly said, "Daohua, Second Uncle doesn't blame you. It's just that you and the young prince are so close. It shouldn't be difficult to ask him to give your second brother another place, right?"
Daohua's expression remained unchanged as she smiled faintly, "Yes, the young prince gave me some face because we once saved him, but our status is not equal to his."
"If he's willing to help, it's out of kindness. But if he's unwilling, what right do I have to ask him for help? Don't you see that Brother Dong doesn't dare to make any mistakes in front of the young prince?"
As he said this, he looked at his cheap father meaningfully.
"Also, shouldn't people learn to be content?"
"Grandmother, I, and my third brother saved the young prince. Now the young prince has given him three places. Isn't this just as it should be?"
"Why do you all think that if I ask for help, the young prince will definitely help me?"
"Also, if we succeed, what can our Yan family give us in return?"
(End of this chapter)
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