Chapter 36, Showing Power
Yan Zhigao went to the yamen as usual, but Master Qin was invited to the main courtyard by Madam Li's maid. Now, every room knew the outcome of the matter.
Shuangxinyuan.
"Mom, didn't you say that Dad would punish my elder sister?" Yan Yishuang looked disappointed. When she thought that Daohua would not be punished, she didn't even want to eat breakfast.
Aunt Lin also frowned.
At this moment, she was a little flustered. Based on her understanding of Yan Zhigao, he would definitely punish the eldest girl, but the result now was different from what she expected, which made her feel that things were out of control.
"What did the old lady say to the master?" The master was clearly furious when he left, so why did his attitude change after he went to the old lady's room?
Yan Wenbin looked at Aunt Lin and Yan Yishuang, both of whom looked worried, and immediately shook his head: "Mother, Third Sister, what are you worried about? If you ask me, there is no need for you to keep staring at Big Sister."
"Before, we were worried that Big Sister's arrival would take away Dad's love for us. But Big Sister has been here for so long, and Dad's love for us hasn't diminished. So, why bother to upset Grandmother?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Aunt Lin and Yan Yishuang both looked at Yan Wenbin.
A word awakened the dreamer, and Aunt Lin looked at her son with a happy face.
Ever since the eldest daughter came, she felt a sense of crisis when she saw how outstanding she was. She was deeply afraid that Yishuang would be outdone and that the master would pull her to the wife of the main courtyard out of love for her.
But now think about it, although the master loves the eldest daughter very much, she still cannot be compared with his own two children.
Moreover, to be frank, the master might not like the young lady's daring to contradict her elders in person. At first, out of pity for her being raised in the countryside, the master might tolerate her a little, but over time, without her having to do anything, the young lady would become less and less pleasing to the master.
She was really confused during this period, and she had upset the old lady for nothing. She didn't even understand it as well as her own son.
Aunt Lin gently touched Yan Wenbin's head and said with a smile: "I was wrong, Wenbin is right."
Yan Wenbin moved away, not letting Aunt Lin touch his head: "Mom, if you touch it again, my hair will be messed up."
Aunt Lin immediately smiled and withdrew her hand: "Okay, okay, mother won't touch me anymore." Then she looked at Yan Yishuang and said, "From now on, try to stay away from the eldest girl. Of course, if she bullies you, you don't have to be afraid. Come back and let your father take charge of it for you. But don't rush into everything and make the old lady unhappy."
Yan Wenbin echoed, "That's right, Third Sister, let me tell you, knowledge is the most important thing. As long as you're better than your elder sister, how can Dad not like you?"
Yan Yishuang looked at Aunt Lin, then at Yan Wenbin, and nodded dejectedly.
Second room.
Sun was puzzled: "Is the weather in the backyard going to change?"
In the past, whenever the sister-in-law and Lin clashed, Lin always won. This time, knowing that Yan Zhigao learned about what happened in class from Lin, she was expecting Daohua to be punished, but the result was a big reversal.
Yan Zhiyuan's expression shifted, and he said meaningfully, "Don't underestimate our eldest niece. She's quite a smart person. I've heard that people back home are full of praise for her, and even several elders in the clan love her very much."
Sun said nonchalantly, "He's just a country bumpkin. What knowledge can he have?"
Yan Zhiyuan glanced at her sideways and said, "You are really short-sighted. What's wrong with the country boy Ning Tuizi? The country boy Ning Tuizi is also a member of the Yan family. As long as our family does not leave the Yan family, we have to deal with them."
"Isn't it important to have a good reputation in the clan?"
"After following Big Brother for so many years, I've come to understand that the richer a family is, the more they care about their reputation."
"Daohua has such a good reputation in the tribe. Whether it's matchmaking or getting things done, she will be unique in the future."
Sun still didn't care much: "Even if that's the case, what's the point? Doesn't Big Brother still like Yishuang more?"
Yan Zhiyuan shook his head: "Big brother loves Yishuang, but what's the point of loving her? As a concubine's daughter, she is far inferior to Daohua."
"Look, if Big Brother doesn't get promoted, the gap won't be too obvious. But if Big Brother gets promoted, the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children will make the arrogant Lin family despair."
Sun's eyes lit up: "Is there any progress on Big Brother's promotion?"
Yan Zhiyuan sighed, "It's hard to say. The court sent a prince down to help with disaster relief. I heard from my eldest brother that this might be his chance. Even though your political achievements were good in the past, they were ignored because no one from above spoke up."
"This time, we have a prince sent by the imperial court. As long as he has outstanding political achievements, he will likely be noticed. These days, in order to resettle the refugees, even I have been drafted into the army and have been running around everywhere. I don't know if it will all work out in the end."
Sun sighed, "It's so hard for big brother to get promoted."
Yan Zhiyuan also sighed: "It's because our family has no one to help us, and our foundation is weak."
Sun curled her lips and said, "Your family does have someone helping you, but it's a pity that they're unwilling to help."
Hearing this, Yan Zhiyuan's face darkened. "Shut up! You'd better stop saying this. Mother isn't very happy with you to begin with. If she knew you were making up stories about Fourth Sister like this, she would hate you even more."
Sun was not the daughter-in-law chosen by Old Lady Yan, but was chosen by Yan Zhiyuan himself. When they got married, Old Lady Yan was very reluctant.
Speaking of this, Sun also became a little angry: "I'm puzzled. Our family is one of the most prominent families in Chihui Town. Why does the old lady look down on me? Isn't my status better than that of my sister-in-law who came from a merchant family?"
Yan Zhiyuan rolled his eyes. "Come on, my sister-in-law is from a merchant family. Her status isn't high, but she's rich. Your family in Chihui Town is at best a small landowner. Who's more noble than who?"
"you"
Sun was a little angry. When Yan Zhiyuan pursued her, Yan Zhigao was just a poor scholar. She didn't despise him for being poor, but now he started to despise her.
Seeing Sun's face turn pale, Yan Zhiyuan had to say a few words to soften the blow: "Okay, don't be angry. Mother doesn't like you because your family treats the tenants badly."
Sun looked aggrieved: "Family matters have always been decided by Dad and my brothers. What does it have to do with me?"
Yan Zhiyuan: "It's because Mom knows this that she hasn't done anything to you all these years. Well, let's not talk about this anymore. Your family doesn't see Mom often anyway. As long as you don't do anything stupid, she won't bother with you."
Sun was furious, but she didn't want to say anything more.
Now the Yan family is an official, and the Sun family is just a landlord with some assets. Since her mother's family is not good, she is not very powerful in the Yan family.
Yan Zhiyuan added, "I know you're good friends with the Lin family, and Yihuan and Yile are also good friends with Yishuang, but don't neglect Daohua either, understand?"
Sun rolled her eyes at him and said, "Is there any need for you to explain this?"
Yan Zhiyuan felt relieved, then he put his hands behind his back and went to the front yard to help.
Three bedrooms.
Yan Wentao: "Uncle, are you not going to punish Daohua?"
Wu was not sure: "Probably not."
Yan Wentao breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. Uncle is so strict. If he punishes Daohua, she will cry again."
Yan Zhiqiang glanced at Yan Wentao and said, "Wentao, when you see Daohua, tell her to control her temper. Your uncle has a bad temper. He's been working so hard to resettle the refugees lately, and he gets angry easily. Tell her not to rush into trouble."
Yan Wentao scratched his head. "Back in Yanjia Village, Daohua was always smiling and getting along well with everyone. Why is she always angry here?"
Yan Zhiqiang sighed, "Although the people back home like to gossip about other people's affairs, they are simple and honest people with simple thoughts. But no one here is easy to get along with."
From the eldest brother to the youngest niece Yile, everyone has his or her own little thoughts.
Among the three brothers of the Yan family, he is the most honest, but being honest does not mean that he is stupid. He has also realized these days that his eldest brother's concubine is secretly competing with his eldest brother's sister-in-law.
The Rice Flower Man is small and has a straightforward personality, so he became the target of Lin's attack.
Oh, I don’t know what my eldest brother is thinking. My eldest sister-in-law is so virtuous, why does he have to marry a troublemaker?
Yan Wentao nodded vigorously. "That's right. People here talk in circles around others, and they don't even feel tired. I'll go find Daohua later, and I have to talk to her properly, so that she won't suffer any more losses."
Just as the various rooms were discussing privately, Master Qin was brought to the main courtyard by his maid with an expressionless face.
When they arrived at the main courtyard, Master Qin was invited to the living room, but Madam Li was not there.
Ping Xiao smiled and handed over the tea. "Master, please wait a moment. Madam has something to deal with. She will come to see you as soon as she is done."
Master Qin nodded calmly.
But this wait lasted for half an hour.
Now she finally understood that Madam Li was giving her a hard time.
To be honest, she did not expect such an outcome.
The eldest wife of the Yan family, Mrs. Li, was born into a merchant family and did not have much confidence in the Yan family. In addition, Aunt Lin was favored, and she was introduced to teach the girls because of Aunt Lin's relationship. Therefore, every time she saw her, even if Mrs. Li was dissatisfied, she would be polite.
This time, her daughter talked back to her, but not only did she not take the initiative to apologize with her daughter, she even gave her a cold shoulder!
Merchants are indeed merchants, with no rules or etiquette at all.
The water in the teacup was gone again, but Mrs. Li still didn't come.
Master Qin was very angry and wanted to get up and leave, but when she thought of her own situation, she had to endure it.
She was widowed at a young age, and her husband's family thought she was unlucky and treated her badly. Her parents' family was too poor, and she could not go back to either her husband's or her parents' family. So, when Aunt Lin introduced her to the Yan family to teach the girls, she came immediately.
To be honest, she cherishes the opportunity to teach in the Yan family.
If she hadn't wanted to repay Aunt Lin this time, she wouldn't have targeted the eldest daughter of the Yan family.
She originally thought that a 9-year-old girl didn't understand anything and wouldn't dare to speak out even if she was targeted.
However, Miss Yan is a person who does not play by the rules.
Let me ask you, which student, after being wronged by his teacher, would not swallow it silently, and then go back to examine himself and find his own problems?
There are very few students who dare to tell the teacher directly that he is wrong, like Miss Yan did.
People who grew up in the countryside are really uneducated and certainly don’t know how to respect their teachers!
However, she was also anxious.
She shouldn't have been so obvious, which resulted in her being so passive now.
She knew very well that although Aunt Lin was favored, Madam Li was the real mistress of the Yan family. If she really offended her, she would not be able to stay in the Yan family.
When Madam Li walked into the living room, she saw Master Qin, whose expression kept changing. She restrained herself slightly and said, "Master Qin, I'm sorry I'm late and kept you waiting."
Master Qin stood up and said politely, "Madam, you have to worry about the affairs of the whole family, so you are naturally busy. It's okay for me to wait."
Under normal circumstances, Madam Li would have asked Master Qin to sit down long ago. However, this time, Madam Li simply ignored Master Qin and sat down directly. Then, she picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. Then, she pretended to notice that Master Qin had not sat down and said in surprise, "Master, what are you doing? Sit down quickly."
Master Qin glanced at Madam Li, who was still smiling as usual, and felt a slight chill in his heart. Today, there was a hint of sharpness in Madam Li's eyes that was not usually seen.
Seeing Master Qin sitting down, Madam Li said calmly, "Master Qin has been at the Yan family for quite some time. I've never asked before if you're getting used to living here."
Master Qin's heart skipped a beat, but he nodded subtly, "It's a habit. Thank you, Madam, for taking care of me over the past two years."
Madam Li smiled and said, "Master, what are you talking about? You came to our house and taught the girls wholeheartedly. You worked hard, so it's only natural that we take care of you."
Master Qin understood the hidden meaning behind Madam Li's words.
She teaches the girls wholeheartedly, so she is treated well. If she is not dedicated, will she be fired?
Master Qin sneered in his heart. The Li family did have some wealth, but they were not top-tier wealthy businessmen. In addition, they had not been wealthy for long, so their social circle was not large.
Merchants had a low status and were looked down upon by scholars. If Lady Li had hired a female teacher, she would have been out of trouble.
Madam Li glanced at Master Qin calmly and asked, "Master, what do you think of my rice flowers?"
Master Qin said without much thought: "The eldest lady is naturally good, but she is a little undisciplined." It is natural for a teacher to comment on students. Even if one's status is high, he or she has to listen, so she is not afraid of Madam Li getting angry.
Madam Li frowned, a cold glint flashed in her eyes, and she said in a deep voice, "So, Master Qin can't teach my Daohua?"
This was the first time that the kind and easy-going Madam Li showed her emotions in front of outsiders, which shocked Master Qin.
After a while, Master Qin came back to his senses: "Madam, I don't mean anything else. I just think that the eldest girl has a bit of a whimsical personality and needs to learn some etiquette."
Madam Li still had a sullen expression on her face. "Master Qin, if you feel that my girls are not worthy of your instruction, please let me know. The Yan family is known for being easy to talk to."
Does this mean you really want to fire her?
Master Qin was furious, but she didn't dare show it. The Yan family's tuition was the highest in Linyi County, and she needed it to survive. "Madam, I will do my best to teach the girls."
After hearing this, Mrs. Li finally smiled and said, "Thank you very much for your concern, Master." As she spoke, she picked up the teacup.
Master Qin saw this and stood up to leave.
As soon as she left, Ping Xiao said with a worried look on his face, "Madam, Master Qin seems very angry."
Madam Li snorted coldly, "It's my fault. I was too polite to her before, allowing her to really think of herself as a scholar who has learned everything from ancient times to the present!" After saying that, she thought for a moment and said, "Send someone to quietly inquire about other female scholars in the county."
Ping Xiao: "Madam, are you planning to dismiss Master Qin?"
Madam Li said coldly, "If she had known better and taught Daohua well, then it would be fine. But otherwise, do you really think that without her, the Yan family's daughter would have no one to teach her?"
(End of this chapter)
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