Chapter 27, Going Out
The next morning, Yan Zhigao got up, washed, and went to Songheyuan to pay his respects to Old Lady Yan.
As soon as I stepped into the yard, I heard laughter coming from the old lady's room. When I listened carefully, it seemed to be the voice of the eldest daughter.
When Yan Zhigao entered the main room, Sun Ma came to greet him with a smile.
"Did the old lady sleep well last night?"
Grandma Sun smiled and replied, "The old lady was a little upset last night. She tossed and turned in bed for a long time before falling asleep. She was not in good spirits this morning." Seeing Yan Zhigao's anxious face, she quickly said, "Luckily, the eldest girl came over early this morning and joked with the old lady for a while. Now she seems to be in much better spirits."
Yan Zhigao's expression relaxed, but he was still a little worried: "Mom is not feeling well, Sun Ma, you have to pay more attention to her. If anything seems wrong, call a doctor immediately."
Grandma Sun smiled and said, "Master, you really don't need to worry so much. When the old lady was in her hometown, she hadn't consulted a doctor for many years. As long as the eldest daughter chats and laughs with the old lady, it will be more effective than calling in a god."
Hearing this, Yan Zhigao looked a little uncomfortable.
The old lady didn't even call a doctor in her hometown, but as soon as she came to his place, she made a fuss and asked for a doctor. He was really unfilial.
Mother Sun glanced at Yan Zhigao's face and was really puzzled.
Isn't a girl like Daohua who is as lively and cheerful as she is, and makes people feel happy wherever she goes, much more likable than the frail third girl from Shuangxinyuan, who seems to be frightened when she speaks loudly?
Yesterday, the master scolded Daohua in public for a concubine, and she was very anxious watching from the side.
So, she said those words just now on purpose for him to hear.
At this time, Old Mrs. Yan came out from the inner room with the support of Daohua, talking and smiling, and Yan Zhigao stood up immediately.
Daohua saw Yan Zhigao, with a smile on her face, and greeted him loudly, "Good morning, father!"
Looking at his eldest daughter's smiling face, Yan Zhigao couldn't help but smile.
"snort!"
Mrs. Yan's smile faded a little, and she glanced at him calmly: "Are you here?"
Yan Zhigao immediately stepped forward and saluted: "Son greets mother. Is everything okay?"
Old Madam Yan said unhappily, "If you don't make me angry, I'll be fine."
Yan Zhigao said awkwardly, "How dare a son anger his mother?"
Old Lady Yan snorted coldly: "If you don't dare, someone else will."
Daohua was standing aside. Seeing that Old Lady Yan was about to bring up yesterday's incident again, she immediately leaned over and said, "Grandma, Daohua is hungry. Didn't you just say that it was time to eat?"
With Daohua's interruption, Old Lady Yan stopped nagging and looked at Grandma Sun: "See if anyone else has arrived. If they do, we can start eating."
Grandma Sun smiled and said, "Everyone is here, just waiting for the old lady."
Old Lady Yan: "Since you are here, let's go over there too."
Seeing that the old lady was not pursuing what happened yesterday, Yan Zhigao breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at his eldest daughter who was smiling and helping the old lady to the living room, he suddenly felt a little guilty. He was a little harsh yesterday, and it seemed that he had to be more careful in the future.
Madam is right. Our eldest daughter has just arrived and doesn’t know the rules and etiquette yet. We need to take it slow.
The living room, the second and third rooms and a group of younger generations have all arrived.
Seeing Daohua's smile, Yan Wenkai immediately stepped forward and supported Old Lady Yan's other arm. "Grandma, you're finally here. Your grandson has been starving for a long time."
Seeing Yan Wenkai grab the lead, Yan Wenjie also smiled and moved over: "Grandma, I'm hungry too."
As the eldest grandson, Yan Wenxiu was rather reserved, but at this moment he smiled and walked forward to chat with the old lady.
Daohua gave up her seat so that others could pay their respects.
Yan Wentao did not surround the old lady like the other grandchildren. Instead, he walked to Daohua and asked quietly, "Daohua, are you okay?"
Daohua smiled and looked up: "Third brother, what can I do?"
Yan Wentao: "I saw your eyes were red yesterday."
Daohua felt a little embarrassed about this, and puffed up her cheeks and said stubbornly, "I just had sand in my eyes."
Yan Wentao glanced at Daohua, and was defeated by her round, bright almond-shaped eyes. "Whatever you say is true. Crying is not a shameful thing. How can I dislike you? Ouch~"
Daohua pinched Yan Wentao's waist and twisted it hard: "It's fine if you just know it in your heart, why do you have to say it out loud? You cry more often than I do, and I haven't even said anything to you yet!"
"Oh, Daohua, my dear sister, please let go! If you keep pinching me, my flesh will turn green!"
"snort!"
Daohua then let go and looked at Yan Wentao's twisted face, and immediately laughed out loud.
Seeing Daohua smile, Yan Wentao felt relieved, but at the same time he felt aggrieved: "I came to comfort you, and you pinched me. How mean."
Daohua raised her head: "Who asked you to make fun of me?"
"What are you talking about? You look so happy?"
When Yan Wenkai saw Daohua and Yan Wentao whispering together, he immediately came over.
Daohua immediately said, "It's about when Third Brother was beaten by Third Uncle when he was a child and he cried."
Yan Wentao's eyes widened immediately: "Daohua, how can you say such nonsense?"
Yan Wenkai immediately took over the conversation and looked at Yan Wentao with disapproval: "Third brother, you are a real man. What's wrong with getting hit twice? Why are you still crying?"
Yan Wentao said in a muffled voice: "That was when I was a kid, a kid!"
“Even when I was a kid, I shouldn’t have done that.”
Old Mrs. Yan accepted the greetings from everyone, and seeing the three Daohua siblings happily gathered together chatting and laughing, her mood immediately improved a lot.
Afterwards, everyone took their seats.
Compared with yesterday's silence and gloom, today's dinner table has returned to its former harmony.
After seeing Old Lady Yan drink two bowls of porridge, Yan Zhigao went to the front yard with peace of mind.
After breakfast, others went to school or work, but Daohua was kept by Old Mrs. Yan.
"I've discussed this with your parents. You've been here for a short time, and you've gotten used to everything. The day after tomorrow, you and Yihuan will join Master Qin to learn to read and write, and to learn needlework."
Daohua had no objection and nodded: "Grandma, I will study hard."
Seeing this, Old Mrs. Yan smiled with satisfaction.
"By the way, your third uncle is going outside the county town today to see the fields your mother has purchased. We have been here for so long and haven't left the city yet, so let's go for a walk today."
Hearing this, Daohua jumped up with joy: "Grandma, are you telling the truth?"
Old Madam Yan feigned dissatisfaction: "Look at you, girl, you're going crazy again. You are now the daughter of the county magistrate. You must always pay attention to your words and actions."
Daohua immediately stood up straight, took small steps, and walked around the room with her waist twisted. She shyly shook her handkerchief as she walked: "Grandma, do you think this is okay?"
In the room, both Old Lady Yan and Aunt Sun were amused by her.
"Stop it now, old lady! I wonder who you learned this from?"
At the back gate of the county government office.
When Daohua helped Old Lady Yan over, she found that Mrs. Li was also there.
"Mom, are you going too?"
Mrs. Li smiled and stepped forward to support the old lady: "Why, you don't welcome?"
Daohua quickly shook her head: "No way."
Old Lady Yan laughed and said, "Let's go. Go early and come back early. Don't delay your backyard business."
Madam Li: "Don't worry, mother. Your daughter-in-law has arranged everything. Nothing will happen."
Soon, two carriages drove out of the back street of the county government office.
(End of this chapter)
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