Chapter 100: Chapter 87, Exclusion !
The commotion about changing seats had passed, and Daohua and her three classmates resumed their regular lessons.
Unlike Master Qin, who only knew how to teach by the book, Master Shen placed great emphasis on integrating knowledge with life, often using stories from everyday life to deepen the girls’ understanding.
As a result, her classroom was relaxed, and even Yan Yile, who was the most restless, no longer spoke of lessons with such dread as before.
In addition, under the direct guidance of Master Shen, Daohua’s embroidery skills had advanced rapidly. With her focused practice, the handkerchiefs and purses she embroidered were now as good as those made by the other three girls.
The Yan Family matriarch and Madam Li were alleviated to see that Daohua no longer pricked her fingers with the needle and could embroider properly.
Madam Yan: “I always said, our family’s Daohua is so smart, how could she not learn embroidery? It turns out the teacher was not instructing properly.”
Madam Li: “Isn’t that the truth? No wonder ladies of high status are willing to set aside their dignity to repeatedly request a good tutor for their children— having a capable teacher is indeed very important.”
Before they knew it, the Dragon Boat Festival had arrived.
The Yan Family’s first Dragon Boat Festival in Xingzhou did not go so well, for no other reason than that Yan Zhigao was too busy. It was at this time that Daohua realized her stepfather’s work at the Prefectural Governor’s Office seemed particularly challenging.
“Mother, why do I feel Father has lost a lot of weight?”
Madam Li’s brows furrowed with concern: “Could he have lost weight? He’s
been so busy, working from dawn until dusk.”
Daohua, puzzled: “The duties of a Prefectural Governor certainly exceed those of a county magistrate, but he should also have more deputies. By rights, Father shouldn’t be this busy.”
Madam Li exhaled softly: “The officialdom of Xingzhou is entrenched and complex, with many powerful families established here. Some are connected by marriage; others have blood relations—each more influential than the last. Your father is new here and lacks support, naturally making it difficult for him to command his subordinates.”
“Your father cannot tolerate injustices, especially those concerning the welfare of the common people. When such issues arise, he wishes to resolve them immediately. Since others may be too lazy or bothered to address them, he simply has to take matters into his own hands.”
Daohua frowned: “Are these officials so bold? Aren’t they afraid of receiving a poor assessment from Father at the end of the year?”
Madam Li: “One or two might be afraid, but if the entire governor’s office behaves this way, would your father dare to act? If every subordinate gets a poor review, it would also indirectly reflect poorly on your father’s management skills. While others might avoid consequences due to their connections, your father would be the first unable to escape blame.” Daohua’s mouth fell open in shock: “The entire Governor’s Office disrespects Father? Why? I’ve heard from Master Xiao that Father is quite capable.” Madam Li, with a face of helplessness: “Foolish girl, your father was promoted three levels in rapid succession, which has made others envious. It has nothing to do with his capability.”
Daohua furrowed her brows: “But what can be done? There are so many affairs to manage in the prefecture; it can’t all fall on Father’s shoulders, can it?” Seeing Daohua’s worried expression, Madam Li smiled with reassurance— despite her often harsh words, she truly had a soft heart and cared for her father, especially now that she knew he faced obstacles at the Governor’s
Office.
“Don’t worry, your father will handle it. He faced similar challenges when he became county magistrate. Over time, he managed to deal with them.”
Daohua: “But that is still too exhausting.”
Madam Li: “What can be done about it? Our Yan Family really does have too weak of a foundation.”
Just then, Wang Manman came over with a cheerful smile, holding a bamboo basket: “Miss, the Zhou Family’s young lady has sent you a Dragon Boat
Festival gift.”
Daohua was somewhat surprised and curiously accepted it: “What is it?” she asked as she began to look through it.
There was a box of zongzi and several exquisitely made scent pouches. The items were not many and certainly not expensive, but they were the first gifts meant specifically for her.
Looking at the gifts, Daohua pondered and turned to Wang Manman: “Has the person from the Zhou Family who delivered the gifts left?” Wang Manman: “They should have gone by now, but they probably haven’t gone far.”
Daohua: “Quick, go tell the doorman to stop them. I have some things to give to the young lady of the Zhou Family as well.” Regardless, since they had sent a gift, she had to return the favor.
Madam Li watched Daohua hurry off without stopping her.
The Yan Family had also sent gifts to the Zhou Family for the festival, but it was out of routine courtesy, maintaining a mere acquaintance, with no deeper sentiment involved.
However, the private exchange of gifts between Daohua and the young lady of the Zhou Family could bring them closer.
Madam Li, who came from a merchant background, felt the subtle contempt in the eyes of other ladies, even though she was now the wife of the Prefectural Governor.
After arriving in Xingzhou, she had attended a few banquets, but most of them were in her husband’s honor as the Prefectural Governor. During those events, the ladies treated her politely, but their aloofness was barely concealed. Even the Madam Tongzhi, with whom she had the most contact, was merely superficially complimentary and distant.
Without stronger connections among the officials’ wives, she was unable to frequently take her daughter to visit their homes, which was not beneficial for her daughter’s growth and experience.
The young lady from the Zhou Family was born into a distinguished household; if Daohua can become close with her, she will also have a sister from the boudoir to confide in.
The Zhou Family.
Madam Zhou glanced at the gifts Daohua had sent to Zhou Jingwan, noting that they were only some zongzi and two boxes of rouge cream, and gestured for the maid to accept them.
Madam Zhou chuckled, “Look at that, the Dragon Boat Festival is upon us, and see how many gifts our Jingwan has received?”
The nanny beside her replied with a smile, “The Zhou Family is a prominent family in Xingzhou, and the late grandfather was once the Grand Secretary, with his students and former officials spread throughout the land. Naturally, every household yearns to curry favor.”
“If the gifts were to be sent to the Zhou Family openly, being too valuable would suggest bribery; being too light, they’d fail to be presentable. Now, our fifth young lady has become a stepping stone for some people.” Madam Zhou cast a sidelong glance at the old nanny and scolded with a laugh, “You see things quite clearly.”
Old nanny: “It’s not only this old servant who sees it clearly, but our fifth young lady is also smart and astute; she already knows the intentions of various households. Doesn’t she maintain a good distance with all the young ladies?”
Hearing this, Madam Zhou smiled, “Everyone has a heart of flesh; who is sincere and who is fake, after seeing so much, one naturally learns to distinguish.” As she spoke, she let out a sigh.
“Jingwan has grown up in such an environment; sometimes I wonder if that’s good for her, or bad.”
After finishing her thought, she remembered the flower basket still hanging in her daughter’s room and instructed, “Once Jingwan returns from watching the dragon boats with her girlfriends, hand Yan Zhigao’s gift over to her personally.”
The old nanny hesitated for a moment, “This old servant has heard that the Yan Family patriarch isn’t having an easy time at the Prefectural Governor’s Office; does our fifth young lady need to get closer to Yan Zhigao?”
Madam Zhou: “Let’s not bother with the men’s business; it’s rare that Jingwan likes someone. Let her get closer to her if she wishes.”
“Yes.”
The Tongzhi Family.
Qian Zhuo glanced at the zongzi sent by the Yan Family and sighed, “Take them away.” He wanted to work diligently under the Yan Family patriarch, at least to perform his assigned tasks well. But given County Vice Magistrate Wang’s obvious hostility towards the Yan Family patriarch, he had no choice but to avoid any association.
Madam Qian was somewhat hesitant: “County Vice Magistrate Wang isn’t usually rash, so why is he against the Yan Family patriarch like this…?” Qian Zhuo’s gaze was deep: “Don’t forget, County Vice Magistrate Wang has the consultant Du standing behind him. I’ve heard a rumor that the Yan Family patriarch once offended Consultant Du, though I don’t know if it’s true.” Madam Qian: “Isn’t it said that there’s a powerful backer behind the Yan Family patriarch? How could Consultant Du dare to be so blatant?” Qian Zhuo: “What else could it be? Either that patron cannot threaten Consultant Du, or perhaps the patron is forgetful and has long forgotten about the Yan Family.”
Madam Qian: “If that’s the case, then our family should keep a distance from the Yan Family; Consultant Du is not someone to provoke.”
Qian Zhuo pondered for a moment: “Let Bi Lan maintain her connection with the Yan Family’s eldest young lady.” Who knows if that so-called patron might reappear?
The Vice Magistrate’s Family.
Madam Wang disdained the meager zongzi sent by the Yan Family and simply rewarded them to the servants.
Wang Hexi saw it but said nothing.
Madam Wang: “If you ask me, there’s no powerful backer behind the Yan Family at all. Otherwise, why would he suffer such restricted movements at the Prefectural Governor’s Office and still be able to bear not seeking help?” Wang Hexi glanced at Madam Wang: “There definitely is one, it’s just that the relationship between the Yan Family and that noble is not as strong as we think,” he said with a sneer.
“That’s also true. With the modest wealth of the Yan Family, even if they luckily made a connection with a noble, they probably don’t have the capability to maintain a strong relationship.”
Madam Wang was slightly worried, “My lord, if you go against the Yan Family patriarch this much, if that patron suddenly remembers the Yan Family patriarch, won’t you be…”
Wang Hexi was very calm: “Won’t I be what? Everything I do at the Prefectural Governor’s Office is by the book; even if the Yan Family patriarch is dissatisfied, he won’t be able to find fault.”
Did they really think he had served all those years as an official for nothing? Opposing the Yan Family patriarch was an order from Consultant Du; if he wanted to climb higher, he needed Consultant Du’s support, so some things he simply had to do.
But that didn’t mean he would block all avenues permanently.
He knew to always leave some leeway in everything.