Chapter 715, Down and Out
"Miss, you were kind enough to remind Grandma just now, but from what I saw, Grandma's face didn't look very good."
On the way back to the yard, Wang Maner couldn't help but talk to Daohua.
Daohua was silent for a moment: "I guess the sister-in-law feels that she is embarrassed to be criticized by me, her sister-in-law."
Wang Man'er sighed, "When Grandma first married into our family, she was so careful and attentive. How come she seems like a completely different person now that she's back in Beijing?"
Daohua smiled faintly and said, "When life goes too smoothly, it's easy to get carried away. Compared to other daughters-in-law, the eldest sister-in-law doesn't have to set rules in front of her mother-in-law. The Yan family's backyard is also relatively peaceful, without many troubles. Her relationship with the eldest brother is also quite good. Over time, this person has become lax."
"Plus, last year my eldest sister-in-law gave birth to the Yan family's eldest grandson. After returning to Beijing, she had her family to rely on, and her husband also passed the imperial examination and successfully entered the Hanlin Academy. So, with all these things put together, she became arrogant."
Wang Maner nodded and said, "I hope that Grandma can understand my good intentions and calm down. Don't be too concerned about your own family, or you will cause me to worry too much."
Daohua sighed, "The capital city is full of nobles and officials, and the personnel are complicated. Our family has just arrived in the capital, and our foundation is not stable. Both father and my three brothers are carefully dealing with social matters. Right now, it's really not good to let them worry about the affairs of the backyard."
"The reason why mother is so patient with eldest sister-in-law is also for eldest brother's sake. No matter what, Uncle Han has been taking eldest brother to social events during this period. The Han family has contributed to eldest brother's ability to gain a foothold in the Hanlin Academy in such a short period of time."
"As for my sister-in-law, it's best for me to step forward and remind her. If my mother really steps in, it will be detrimental to their future relationship. My mother took Xiao Mingyuan away in public today, which shows that she is very dissatisfied with my sister-in-law. I hope my sister-in-law can realize her problem sooner."
As they were talking, Daohuaxuan arrived. The two of them stopped talking and went back to the courtyard to wash up and rest.
On the other side, Han Xinran, who had failed to bring her son back, absentmindedly returned to the courtyard. After entering the house, she sat there without saying a word. After a long while, she muttered to herself, "This is the first time my mother has embarrassed me in public since I married into the Yan family."
After hearing this, Nanny Han hesitated for a moment, poured a cup of tea and walked forward: "Miss, I have something to say that I shouldn't. In the future, you should not return to the Han family too often."
Han Xinran was stunned for a moment and looked at Han Mama: "Mama, do you also think I did something wrong? I have been married for nearly two years and now I am back in Beijing. I just want to be closer to my family."
Nanny Han sighed, "But the young lady is already the daughter-in-law of the Yan family. No in-laws would like their daughter-in-law to always go back to her parents' home. The Yan family has just arrived in Beijing. At this time, the young lady should focus her energy on her in-laws and help them gain a firm foothold in the capital."
As they spoke of this, the laughter of Han Xinrong and her sister came from the side room.
Nanny Han continued, "Young lady, you shouldn't have left the third and fourth young ladies behind, and you certainly shouldn't have used the young master as an excuse. From what I've seen today, the reason why Madam is angry is largely because you pushed the young master out."
Han Xinran rubbed his forehead and said, "I thought life would be smoother after returning to Beijing, but I didn't expect it to be so... Never mind, it's my negligence. Madam, please remind me more often in the future."
Nanny Han was relieved to see that her daughter listened to the advice. After returning to Beijing, the girl was only concerned with the joy of reuniting with her parents' family and was really a little neglectful of her in-laws.
Although the old lady and the lady were not mean people, they were still unhappy that the girl was so siding with her family.
The next day after Daohua returned home, she sent someone to inquire about the situation of the Zhou and Dong families.
The Zhou family's situation was relatively good. Although the Zhou Mansion was surrounded by soldiers, Yan Wentao had given a heads-up, so apart from the restrictions on their freedom, there was nothing else that happened.
The situation on the Dong family's side is a bit complicated.
There are always a few enemies in the families of nobles. After the Dong family was stripped of their title and moved to the South City, there were people who came up to oppress them. As a result, the Dong family did not have an easy life.
After Daohua knew the situation of the two families, she stayed at home with Old Lady Yan and Madam Li for a day. On the third day, she found an excuse to go out and went to Nancheng disguised as a man.
"Miss Dong and the others live here now?"
Looking at the crowded and noisy South City, Wang Maner and Bishi were filled with sighs.
Thinking back to when they were in Zhongzhou, Miss Dong's family was so noble and elegant. The mansion they lived in was tall and magnificent. It was hard to imagine that they would live in a low, dilapidated house in South City.
Daohua carefully looked at the environment in South City. Compared with North City, East City and West City, South City is the most mixed area in Beijing. Because consumption is cheaper than other places, people from all over the world gather here to make a living in Beijing.
"Didn't we agree on 50 copper coins for a handkerchief? We handed over 10 handkerchiefs, so it should be 500 copper coins. Why did you only give us 450?"
There was a quarrel coming from an embroidery shop. People on the street looked over and lost interest.
Here, everyone is busy trying to survive and really has no time to mind other people's business.
He glanced at the rice flowers in a hurry and was about to walk towards the alley he had inquired about when he heard a familiar voice.
"We clearly agreed on a price, why are you saying it's less? Isn't this bullying?"
"Who's bullying me? I'm running a business, and your handkerchief is only worth this much. Sell it if you want!"
"We won't sell this handkerchief!"
"Hmph, if you don't want to sell it, then don't sell it. I want to see if there's any other embroidery shop in South City that offers a higher price than mine. If you don't want to sell it, get out of here!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Daohua saw a master and servant walking out of the shop angrily.
Dong Yuanyao recognized Daohua standing outside the shop at a glance. Seeing the shock on Daohua's face, a look of embarrassment flashed across his face. Thinking of the current situation of the Dong family, he didn't even have the courage to say hello.
Since the Dong family was stripped of their title, she has seen the warmth and coldness of human nature in this world.
She didn't know whether Daohua, now the county lady, was still willing to recognize her as her sister?
Daohua didn't say anything, but just walked forward, pulled Dong Yuanyao up and quickly left the noisy and crowded street.
Daohua didn't stop until they found a relatively quiet tea shop. She looked at Dong Yuanyao and said, "Let's go in and sit down." Seeing Dong Yuanyao nod, she pulled her in and found a seat by the window.
The two sat looking at each other in silence for a while.
Daohua was the first to break the silence: "Yuanyao, I just arrived in Beijing a few days ago."
Dong Yuanyao looked up at Daohua with a smile in her eyes. She knew that Yiyi was explaining why he came to see her today. The concerns in her heart and the alienation from not seeing each other for more than two years dissipated because of these words.
Yi Yi still recognizes her as a friend!
Dong Yuanyao immediately laughed and said, "I know. Big Brother Yan came to see me several times. He told me that you didn't come to Beijing with the Yan family."
Daohua looked at Dong Yuanyao with worry in her eyes: "Yuanyao, you are thinner than before, are you okay?"
Dong Yuanyao smiled. Although the smile on her face was not as bright as when she was in Zhongzhou, it was still cheerful. "I'm fine, really. You don't have to worry about me. The Dong family's title being stripped away is destruction for others, but for me, it is a new life."
"Although life is a little harder now than before, I still feel it's quite fulfilling. You wouldn't have thought that one day I would make a living by selling embroidery."
Daohua stared at Dong Yuanyao without blinking, trying to discern the truth in her words, trying to see if she was forcing a smile. But when she saw her smiling eyes, she swallowed all the words of comfort she wanted to say and simply reached out to hold her hand: "Yuanyao, how can I help you?"
Dong Yuanyao held Daohua's hand and said with a smile, "No need. I used to rely on my family for a living, but now I want to try to rely on myself." Unable to bear to reject Daohua's kindness, he smiled and said, "If there is a day when I need your help, I will definitely tell you."
(End of this chapter)
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