Chapter 86: Today is Different from the Past
On the first day of class, Yan Yishuang was sent back to the courtyard crying. When Aunt Lin found out, she found Yan Zhigao that day and said that the new teacher was always talking about the hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate children, looked down on Yan Yishuang, and asked to replace the teacher.
After hearing this, Yan Zhigao pondered for a moment and walked towards the main courtyard.
The Yan family's foundation is too weak. If the family wants to grow and develop, the girls' education is very important, and he also attaches great importance to this.
Before, when Madam Li invited Master Shen, she consulted him. He also sent someone to inquire about Master Shen's reputation and learned that she was a female master who was very popular among various families.
Therefore, he did not just listen to Aunt Lin's one-sided words, but wanted to go to the main courtyard to find out first.
Main courtyard.
As the Dragon Boat Festival approached, the Li family's holiday gifts arrived. Mrs. Li asked Daohua to stay and watch her distribute the gifts. When Yan Zhigao came over, the mother and daughter were discussing what gift to give in return.
Seeing Daohua was there, Yan Zhigao didn't hide anything and asked directly about what happened in class today, especially what Master Shen meant by the hierarchy of legitimate and illegitimate children.
Mrs. Li first served Yan Zhigao a cup of tea with a smile, and then she slowly and carefully told him everything that happened in the classroom, without adding any of her own opinions.
"Because today is the girls' first time attending class, I'm worried they won't be used to it, so I've sent someone to look after them. If you still have any concerns, you can ask them to come over and ask them."
What I mean is that if you don't believe what I say, you can ask someone else.
Seeing Yan Zhigao's silence, Daohua asked with a smile, "Father, do you think Master Shen is wrong?"
Yan Zhigao looked up at his eldest daughter, whose eyes were clear and bright. Thinking of her views on position and responsibility, his heart moved slightly: "What do you think, Daohua?"
Daohua smiled and said, "I think it's right. Just like my father, he was an official outside and protected us. Therefore, he is the head of the family and everyone listens to him. The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility, and naturally the more enjoyment should be. If there is only giving and no return, over time, people will feel dissatisfied."
Hearing this, Yan Zhigao's heart was slightly shocked. He was a man and a Jinshi. How could his knowledge be worse than that of a young child?
Over the years, although he gave his wife enough respect in matters concerning the backyard, due to his inherent prejudice against businessmen and respect for scholars, he was mostly biased in dealing with matters concerning Shuangxinyuan.
Madam must have been dissatisfied with this for a long time, right?
Madam Li saw Yan Zhigao looking at her and thought he was asking what she meant. After thinking for a moment, she said carefully, "Master, Yishuang's temperament is indeed a little delicate. Master Shen didn't say anything harsh today, and all his words were directed at everyone, not at any one person in particular."
"Yishuang cried in class, which was undoubtedly a slap in Master Shen's face. For this, Master Shen was not angry, but just had her sent back to the courtyard. I don't know what Lin said to the master, but since we invited Master Shen, shouldn't we show her the minimum respect?"
"Even if the master is dissatisfied, shouldn't we wait and see? After all, today is only the first day of class."
Daohua interrupted, "Father, I don't mean to tell tales, but I think I should tell you something. Third sister cries a lot. At the last banquet, no one did anything to her, but her eyes turned red. If you didn't know, you might think someone had bullied her. It made it really difficult for me. If you get a chance, you must talk to her about it."
Yan Zhigao knew about this, but he heard a different version. Aunt Lin told him that Daohua deliberately did not bring Yan Yishuang with her so that the young ladies from other families could isolate Yishuang. However, he was busy after the banquet and forgot about it.
"You are the eldest sister. If Yishuang does something wrong, you can tell her."
Daohua chuckled, a hint of sarcasm on her lips. "Father, I dare not say anything to Third Sister. If I say something too harsh and make her cry, who knows what Aunt Lin will say to you? Then, you will definitely give me trouble."
Yan Zhigao felt a little uncomfortable listening to his eldest daughter's blunt accusations.
Madam Li glared at Daohua and said, "How can you talk to your father like that? The master is usually busy with official duties, so it is inevitable that he will neglect the things in the backyard. If you have anything to say, just say it nicely. How can the master not listen to your explanation?"
Yan Zhigao nodded hurriedly. That's right, if Aunt Lin can explain it, can you also explain it? He is not a person who cannot distinguish right from wrong. How can he not give people a chance to defend themselves?
Daohua didn't know what he was thinking about. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly and he sneered, "As for me, I'm afraid that before I can even explain myself, the stick will hit me."
After these words were spoken, Yan Zhigao was really embarrassed.
At that time, because the girl from Zhu Jiaoyu's family was injured in the backyard of Yan's family, he slapped his eldest daughter. He almost forgot about it, but he didn't expect that his eldest daughter still remembered it.
Mrs. Li also remembered this and was worried that the father and daughter would become more awkward, so she drove Daohua away directly: "Aren't you going to discuss making rice dumplings for the Dragon Boat Festival with the old lady? Why don't you go quickly?"
Daohua bowed to the two of them and said, "Father, Mother, I'll go to grandma's yard first." After that, she took Wang Maner away.
After leaving the main courtyard, Wang Man'er said worriedly, "Miss, if we leave like this, what if the master wants to vent his anger on behalf of the third lady and cause trouble for Master Shen?"
Daohua smiled calmly: "No, my father, although his IQ often plummets when he encounters things related to Shuangxinyuan, he will not make decisions lightly when it comes to matters concerning the Master."
Wang Man'er looked around and whispered, "Miss, I just secretly asked Qi Ping, who is beside the master, and he said that Aunt Lin wants the master to exchange her directly with the teacher."
Hearing this, Daohua sneered: "This Aunt Lin really has no self-awareness at all." At the beginning, she didn't like Master Qin, but Madam Li couldn't replace him directly. Does Aunt Lin think that her say is higher than Madam Li's?
Wang Maner nodded in agreement.
Daohua's expression was slightly restrained: "It's all because of my father's indulgence." The reason why she was so satisfied with Master Shen, apart from his extensive knowledge, was because of her extension from seat to responsibility, which was really to her liking.
A concubine who has contributed nothing wants to be on equal footing with the wife who brings a generous dowry, manages the household affairs, and has social interactions. Why wouldn't she be so happy?
"Let's not talk about Shuangxinyuan anymore, let's go find grandma."
Main courtyard.
After Daohua left, Madam Li did not talk to Yan Zhigao about Aunt Lin and her daughter, but talked about the interactions between officials in Xingzhou.
"Master, the state capital is different from the county town. The interpersonal relationships here are complicated. Our family needs to pay more attention to some things, especially etiquette and rules. Master's promotion three levels in a row is already enviable. We must not let others catch us and make fun of us."
Yan Zhigao nodded in agreement.
His work in Xingzhou City did not go as smoothly as he had imagined. On the contrary, it was somewhat difficult.
Although his Tongzhi and Tongpan all followed his orders on the surface, when it came to handling government affairs, these two people would delay and push things off at will, and he couldn't find any mistakes, which made it very difficult for him.
He was already very troubled by government affairs, so after understanding what had happened in the backyard, he didn't want to meddle in it anymore. After a moment of silence, he said to Madam Li, "In the future, you must pay more attention to Yishuang's upbringing."
Mrs. Li smiled and said, "I'm her mother, this is what I should do."
The next day, Yan Yishuang came to the classroom with a depressed look and sat down in the seat designated by Master Shen in an orderly manner. In Shuangxin Courtyard, Aunt Lin also looked tired because she had been waiting for Yan Zhigao all night.
(End of this chapter)
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