Chapter 198, Strangled in the Cradle
On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, the state government office was closed. Yan Zhigao was invited by the eldest master of the Zhou family to go to Wuhua Mountain to climb the heights and appreciate the chrysanthemums. He happened to bring Daohua and Zhou Jingwan with him.
Early in the morning, Mrs. Li got up and began to prepare.
She knew that scholars liked to drink and recite poetry when they went out to enjoy the scenery, and the chrysanthemum wine brewed by her daughter was just right for days like today.
It tastes good, the alcohol content is not very high, and it is in line with the solar terms.
When she had prepared everything and returned to the main room, she saw Yan Wenbin and Yan Yishuang standing in the room with their heads lowered, while the master looked like he had a headache.
Seeing this, Mrs. Li's eyes flashed and she walked in with a smile.
"Greetings to Mother!"
Seeing Mrs. Li come in, Yan Wenbin hurriedly pulled Yan Yishuang to salute.
Madam Li smiled and said, "Hurry up and get up! It's hard for you to come here so early to pay your respects. Have you had breakfast? If not, you can have some in my yard."
Yan Zhigao waved his hand and said, "Let's go back to Shuangxinyuan to eat. Your aunt is pregnant and it's time for her to think a lot. You all have a day off today, so you should spend some time with her."
Upon hearing this, Yan Wenbin and Yan Yishuang both expressed disappointment: "Yes, son (daughter) will take his leave."
After the two left, Madam Li took the washcloth from the maid, handed it to Yan Zhigao, and asked with a smile, "Do they want to go out and play with the master?"
Yan Zhigao took the handkerchief and nodded: "Wenbin said that staying indoors and studying is not conducive to the growth of knowledge. He wants to go out with me to see the world."
Madam Li shook her head. "She's still a child after all. She only wants to go out and have fun. She doesn't even think about the fact that the master went out to enjoy the scenery today because he was invited by someone. What's the point of taking a child with him?"
"To put it another way, even if Master Zhou and the others don't mind, a child and adults can't get along. Even if they go, they will feel awkward and uncomfortable."
Yan Zhigao's expression brightened a little: "That's exactly what Madam said."
Mrs. Li smiled slightly.
It's not impossible for men to take their own children out to play and socialize, but if they do, they should take the legitimate children with them. What's the point of taking a concubine's son with them? If you don't know, you might think they are supporting the concubine's son to ascend to the throne.
"It's understandable that Wenbin wants to follow the master out to broaden his horizons, but what about Yishuang?"
Yan Zhigao paused and glanced at Madam Li: "Isn't Daohua going to the horse farm to play? That girl wants to go too."
"Why!"
Mrs. Li shook her head and sighed.
Seeing her like this, Yan Zhigao immediately asked, "Madam, what's wrong?"
Madam Li looked at Yan Zhigao and said hesitantly, "There are some things I want to say that may make the master unhappy."
Yan Zhigao: "Madam, please feel free to speak."
Madam Li then spoke up, "Master, don't you think Yishuang is too fond of comparing herself to Daohua?"
Yan Zhigao was stunned for a moment: "It's also Daohua who is excellent. She wants to learn from Daohua."
Madam Li sneered in her heart.
Coveting everything his daughter has, is this learning from her? It's a shame the master dared to say that.
"Master, since ancient times, there has been a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. I believe that I have treated Lin and her children with the utmost kindness and justice, and have not treated them harshly."
Yan Zhigao quickly replied, "Madam has always been virtuous. I know all this."
Madam Li continued, "Yishuang has been raised by Lin since she was a child. Logically, I can't interfere with her upbringing."
Yan Zhigao interrupted, "You are the legitimate mother, and it is natural for you to discipline your children. Why can't you interfere?"
Madam Li glanced at Yan Zhigao with a smile, and said pointedly, "Isn't it because you're afraid of being too strict with your discipline? Doesn't it hurt the master when someone cries?"
Yan Zhigao's expression immediately turned a little embarrassed.
Before he could speak, Madam Li continued, "As for Yishuang, please rest assured, Master. I will not treat her unfairly. I will definitely bring her to any banquet in the mansions and backyards where I can."
Yan Zhigao nodded immediately: "I know this."
The last time Wang Tongpan's family held a banquet, his wife also took Yishuang with her. After Yishuang came back, she pulled him aside and said that the poem she wrote at the banquet won first place.
Although his wife came from a merchant family, she was kind-hearted. Unlike other wives of the main house, she did not suppress the children of concubines and prevent them from having a chance to succeed.
Madam Li then changed the subject, "But Daohua's social life isn't something she can fit in. The master is a man, and perhaps he doesn't know how women get along. The legitimate daughters of the first wife generally don't want to play with concubines' daughters."
Yan Zhigao nodded.
How could he not know this? It's not just girls, it's the same for boys too.
"It was Yishuang who lost her sense of propriety. I'll tell her later."
Seeing him like this, Madam Li smiled and continued, "As for me, I don't necessarily distinguish between the sons and daughters, but it's the same in every family. Even if Daohua brought Yishuang with her, she wouldn't feel comfortable if others didn't talk to her."
"Besides, there are two girls at home. Yishuang is going, so shouldn't we take the other two with us as well? Otherwise, it would seem like we're being partial to one."
At the door, Daohua listened to Mrs. Li's whispers and couldn't help but silently gave her a thumbs up in her heart.
She was afraid that her stepfather would go crazy, so whenever she went out, he would ask her to take her humble younger sister with her.
Although she could refuse, in ancient times, always contradicting her father would damage her reputation, and her grandmother would also be unhappy watching her.
Now that her mother and stepfather had talked like this, her worries were finally put to rest.
When there was no more sound in the house, Daohua walked into the house and said, "Mom, I'm here to eat."
"You little girl, why are you here so late? If you want to go out, why don't you get up early?"
"Hey, why are you dressed as a boy?"
"I was thinking about riding a horse, so it would be convenient to wear men's clothes!"
"As a girl, it's best not to ride a horse casually. What if you get hurt?"
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be careful."
"Forget it, it's pointless to tell you. Remember to take Xiao Liuzi with you when you go out. He can ride a horse, right? If you really want to try it, let him lead you for a walk."
"I know, I know."
After a while, the Zhou family's carriage arrived. After everyone gathered together, they drove towards the dock.
As soon as the cruise ship entered the port of Huayang Prefecture, Yan Zhigao saw that his eldest son and the eldest son of the Zhou family were already waiting there.
Seeing the two of them whispering and laughing in harmony, Yan Zhigao showed satisfaction and relief. Then, he turned his head to look at his eldest daughter and the girl from the Zhou family who were holding hands and chattering on the deck.
The two little girls were talking excitedly, and when they were excited, they danced and behaved very intimately.
He was happy to see this.
The Zhou family has considerable influence in Zhongzhou and is well-informed. Ever since Master Zhou began to interact with him privately, he has become more and more familiar with the affairs of Xingzhou and has become more and more adept at handling government affairs.
Now the relationship between the two families is getting better and better, which is a good thing for both him and Wen Xiu and the others.
Although he could not reach the level of a high-ranking official in the imperial court like Mr. Zhou, if he encountered any problems, he could go to the Zhou family. Even if they didn't say much, at least they could help him say a few words. This was much better than being isolated and helpless in the officialdom before.
(End of this chapter)
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