Chapter 183, Can’t Enter the Door
After being rejected by Yan Zhigao and ridiculed by Master Xiao, Master Lin was very upset. He paced back and forth in the front yard several times and went straight to the backyard.
Shuangxinyuan.
Yan Yishuang was writing big characters with a bitter and resentful look on her face, while Aunt Lin was sitting beside her, watching and giving her some pointers from time to time.
"Mom, how long will it take me to finish writing a hundred characters? Please go and beg Dad to stop punishing me." After writing one, Yan Yishuang put down the pen and rubbed her sore wrist.
Aunt Lin paused, then pulled Yan Yishuang's hand over and began to massage it. "Your father punished you because you contradicted your stepmother in public. You must remember this lesson and never do it again."
After coming to Xingzhou, the master has become more and more concerned about the lady, which she can clearly feel. Now, it is not appropriate for them to confront the lady.
Yan Yishuang showed dissatisfaction: "That elder sister even talked back to Daddy, but she didn't get punished."
Aunt Lin nodded Yan Yishuang's head and said, "Your eldest sister is a smart person. She knows when to do what. Think about it carefully. When your eldest sister contradicts your father, is it always when only family members are around?"
Yan Yi frowned, thought for a while, and found that it seemed to be true.
Aunt Lin continued, "Your eldest sister is a smart person. In front of outsiders, whether it's your father or your eldest brother, she always gives enough face and never argues with them."
"This is a family affair, kept behind closed doors, and it's something no one should know about. It's not easy for others to pry into. However, once outsiders are involved, it becomes a matter of family tradition and upbringing."
"You contradicted your stepmother in front of Madam Zhu. At the very least, it was disrespectful to her. At the most, it was a sign of the Yan family's lax upbringing. Even though your father felt sorry for you, he had to punish you for the Yan family's sake."
Yan Yishuang was stunned. She didn't expect that the problem would be so serious just because she said a word for her good sister Zhu Xiuyun.
"Your mother is right. You must be respectful to your wife in front of outsiders in the future."
Aunt Lin and Yan Yishuang turned around at the same time and saw Master Lin walking in.
"Uncle!" Yan Yishuang's face lit up with joy and she ran over quickly.
Aunt Lin stood up and asked in confusion, "Shouldn't you be on duty at the yamen at this time? Why are you here?"
Master Lin sighed, sat down, and then picked up the dessert on the table and started eating. "My sister's food is still delicious. Since I came to Xingzhou, the food at my brother-in-law's house has been getting better and better."
Aunt Lin patted Master Lin's hand and said, "I was asking you a question. Why are you here at this hour?"
Master Lin glanced at Aunt Lin and frowned, "Sister, don't you know that my brother-in-law is going to the provincial capital to attend the Governor's banquet?"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Lin's eyes lit up and she asked in surprise, "Really?"
Seeing his sister's happy and surprised look, Master Lin suddenly felt that the dessert in his hand was no longer delicious. He put it down and said sullenly, "I have been a scholar for many years, but I have never been able to pass the imperial examination."
"I took my writing to other people for advice, and they all said that while it was good, it lacked insight and substance. The implication was that I was just talking nonsense."
Aunt Lin didn't know much about the imperial examinations, and after listening to Master Lin's words, she didn't quite understand what he meant. "Just be frank and tell me what you want me to do for you."
Lin Yucheng was silent for a while, then said, "I just want to stay with my brother-in-law, walk around and see more, so as to gain some knowledge. After all, there are many things that cannot be learned from books."
Aunt Lin understood: "You want to go to the provincial government with the master?"
Master Lin nodded.
Aunt Lin hesitated for a moment: "Well, you should go and talk to the master, right?"
Master Lin was depressed: "I said it, but was rejected."
It’s okay that he couldn’t go with me to the last performance review.
But this time it is the Governor's banquet, and there will definitely be many officials attending. If he can get in touch with one or two of them, it will be of great help to his studies and his personal connections.
Aunt Lin fell silent for a moment, then said, "Go back to the yamen first. It would be bad if people knew you were absent from work. I'll find a chance to talk to the master about this."
Hearing this, Master Lin's expression brightened: "Sister, then you have to hurry up, I think my brother-in-law has to leave today."
Aunt Lin nodded in confusion. After Master Lin left, she immediately called the maid and asked her to inquire about Yan Zhigao's whereabouts.
In the Yan family's backyard, Daohua and Wang Man'er had just emerged from the old lady's courtyard when they saw Master Lin exit the hanging flower gate. Their brows furrowed immediately, "Master Lin is entering the backyard again?"
Wang Man'er was not surprised: "Isn't this normal? Master Lin goes to Shuangxinyuan every few days."
Upon hearing this, Daohua's brows were tightly furrowed, and they didn't relax even when they reached the main courtyard.
Seeing her like this, Madam Li smiled and asked, "Who made you so unhappy?"
Daohua: "Mother, tell the gatekeeper not to let Master Lin into the backyard in the future. He's a stranger, how can he keep coming in and out? If someone doesn't know, they might think our family traditions are lax."
Madam Li's expression changed. She glanced at the inner room and said with a smile, "Why, Master Lin went to Shuangxin Courtyard again?"
Daohua noticed her mother's expression, her eyes moved, and her voice became a little higher: "That's right, Man'er and I saw him when we came out of the grandmother's courtyard."
Madam Li looked surprised. "That's not right. At this hour, Master Lin should be on duty."
Daohua: "Anyway, my father is here, so even if he skips work, no one will dare to say anything."
In the inner room, Yan Zhigao, who was changing clothes, heard the conversation between the mother and daughter and frowned tightly.
He knew that Master Lin was close to Shuangxinyuan, and this was also what he tacitly agreed to. Lin could not go out to socialize and could only stay in the backyard. He felt sorry for her loneliness and depression, so when she said that she wanted her brother to visit her more often and talk to her more, he agreed.
But at this moment, he was very unhappy.
Firstly, his wife and eldest daughter had said that Master Lin went in and out of the Yan family's backyard too frequently; secondly, he had already guessed about 70% of Master Lin's purpose in looking for Lin.
He had already said that he would take Master Xiao to the provincial government, but Master Lin still came to the Lin family and even skipped work to come.
In the yamen, in order to set an example for his superiors and subordinates, he would not skip work for no reason. In fact, Master Lin's arrogance was even greater than his.
It seems that he was too indulgent towards them before.
Daohua deliberately said a few words, and then left at Mrs. Li's signal.
As soon as she left, Yan Zhigao came out from the inner room, looked at Madam Li and said, "From now on, we should not let Master Lin come in and out of the backyard at will."
Upon hearing this, Madam Li smiled and said, "I'll listen to you, Master. Actually, I've wanted to say this before. Now we're not like we used to be. If outsiders come in and out of the inner courtyard, it will be detrimental to our family's reputation if it gets out."
Yan Zhigao nodded: "I didn't think enough before."
Madam Li consoled him, "Master is busy with affairs outside, and is toiled with paperwork every day. Naturally, he cannot attend to all matters at home."
Yan Zhigao smiled and said, "Thanks to my wife helping with the housework, I've finally been able to stop worrying about what I'm doing."
The two talked for a while, and when Ping Xiaopingtong had prepared everything they needed to go out, Yan Zhigao was ready to go out.
"It's getting hotter day by day. Master, please take care of yourself when you're out there. Don't get a heat stroke."
Mrs. Li saw Yan Zhigao out, giving him careful instructions as they walked.
On the way, Aunt Lin came over hurriedly with her maid: "Master, are you going out?"
Mrs. Li smiled and said, "The master is going to the provincial government."
Aunt Lin looked anxious: "Is it so urgent? There's not even enough time to prepare anything yet?"
Yan Zhigao frowned and said, "My wife has already packed everything I need. Well, these are not your business. Go back to your own courtyard."
Aunt Lin's face turned pale and her body swayed a little.
Under normal circumstances, seeing her pitiful appearance, Yan Zhigao might have felt some pity for her, but at this moment he was preparing to go to the provincial government, so how could he have the time to look at her?
Besides, after so many years, I’ve seen enough.
So, Aunt Lin did not wait for Yan Zhigao's concern and comfort, but opened her eyes wide and watched him and Madam Li stride away in disbelief.
"Master, have you already abandoned me?"
Aunt Lin was a little distraught and at the same time, a little panicked.
She and her two children were able to gain a foothold in the Yan family thanks to the master's favor. If one day this favor is gone, what will happen to her and her children?
And there is my younger brother. He has failed the imperial examination for a long time. Although he is a scholar, he cannot even be appointed as an official. Without the support of the master, what future does he have?
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. Suddenly, Aunt Lin's eyes went dark, her head spun, and she fainted.
(End of this chapter)
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