Chapter 111: Chapter 98, Intentional—1
The second branch of the family.
Seeing Yan Zhiyuan returning, Yan Wenjie immediately walked up to him eagerly, while the Sun Family and sisters Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile also hurriedly looked over.
“Dad, what did Uncle say? Can I go to Wangyue Academy?”
Yan Zhiyuan’s expression was not very good, and he shook his head, “Your uncle said the quota is determined by the Little Prince, and he can’t change it.”
Yan Wenjie’s face fell, and his voice became a bit shrill, “Why? That blockhead of a third brother can go to the Academy, but I can’t? What is the Little Prince thinking?”
“Shut your mouth. Why are you shouting so loud?”
Yan Zhiyuan glared fiercely at Yan Wenjie and scolded, “The Little Prince is not someone you can talk about; you’re grown up but still don’t have a filter on your mouth. If someone with ulterior motives hears this, not only you but also the Yan Family will be out of luck.”
Seeing Yan Zhiyuan angry, the matriarch of the Sun Family immediately stepped forward to comfort him, “Wenjie is just anxious, right? Really can’t change it? Wenkai is not as good at studying as our Wenjie.”
Yan Zhiyuan said impatiently, “Didn’t you hear? Wangyue Academy teaches not only literature but also martial arts. Wenkai may not be as smart as Wenjie, but he has a strength that Wenjie can’t match.”
Sun Family: “Studying literature can lead to an official position and bring glory to the ancestors, but what can studying martial arts do? Isn’t that just
foolishness?”
Yan Zhiyuan: “If you don’t know, don’t spout nonsense. Our Great Xia Dynasty also has military disciplines. If one is truly capable, they can’t go wrong with their future prospects. Ever heard of the Imperial Guards and the Jinling Guard? All the people there come from military backgrounds.”
Seeing that the conversation was straying, Yan Wenjie quickly interjected, “Dad, mom, you must think of a solution for your son. If big brother, the third brother, and the fourth brother go to the Academy and I stay at the State School, the gap between us will only grow wider. You don’t want your son to be outdone by them, do you?”
Yan Zhiyuan and the Sun Family matriarch fell silent together. They could have
a say in family matters, but they had no say in external affairs.
Yan Yile looked at her parents, then at her extremely anxious brother, and said, “Since the quota can’t be changed, why doesn’t big sister ask the Little Prince for an extra quota?”
At these words, Yan Wenjie’s eyes suddenly lit up, full of eager anticipation as he looked toward his parents.
Yan Zhiyuan’s face showed contemplation.
The Sun Family matriarch clapped her hands, “Right, I think Daohua has a good relationship with the Little Prince. If she asks, she should be able to secure a quota for Wenjie.” After speaking, she hurriedly looked at Yan Zhiyuan, “Head of the family, you should go and tell big brother to ask Daohua to plea with the Little Prince.”
Yan Zhiyuan looked at the Sun Family matriarch disapprovingly, “Do you think
that girl Daohua is so easy to talk to?”
The Sun Family matriarch’s expression faltered, “Wenjie is her second brother; what’s wrong with asking for a quota for her own brother?
Yan Zhiyuan glanced at his three children, “I told you to get along well with Daohua before, but did you listen? Now look, compared to Wenkai and Wenhui, she is much colder toward you.”
Yan Wenjie mumbled, “That’s because they grew up together back home;
naturally, we can’t compare with that.”
Yan Zhiyuan: “If you know that, then when Daohua came, you should have taken the initiative to build a good relationship with her.” He then looked at
Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile.
“And you two, the last time Miss Zhu from the Zhu family got hurt, Daohua was slapped by big brother, and you didn’t testify for her. I’m sure that girl has taken it to heart.”
“I want to emphasize this again here, from now on, in matters concerning Daohua and Shuangxin Courtyard, you should step back and not get involved, understand?”
Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile nodded quickly in agreement.
Yan Zhiyuan glanced at the anxious Yan Wenjie and thought for a moment before saying, “Wait and see, let’s see what Shuangxin Courtyard has to say.” Knowing the Lin Family matriarch as he did, she would certainly lobby on behalf of Wenbin.
If she took the lead, his chances of success might increase with his support.
The third branch of the family.
The matriarch of the Wu Family was overjoyed, rummaging through trunks and cabinets, ready to find her stored fabrics to quickly make Yan Wentao two new outfits, “I heard that only sons from prominent aristocratic families can study at Wangyue Academy, Wentao should take care with his attire in the
future.”
Yan Wentao laughed, “Mom, stop fussing. I haven’t even worn out the new clothes big aunt made me yet, and be careful of the little brother or sister in your belly.”
The Wu Family matriarch didn’t listen, “Can the clothes big aunt makes compare to what your mother makes? Don’t worry, I’m used to it, it won’t be trouble.”
Yan Zhiqiang watched from the side, smiling, “Let your mother be busy. Otherwise, I think she won’t be able to settle down.” He was also happy that his son had a bright future ahead of him.
Seeing that Dad had spoken, Yan Wentao could only give up, “Mom, then just make one outfit for now, and we can slowly make the rest later. Anyway, the academy has holidays every month, and I’ll be coming home.
Hearing this, the movements of Wu Family’s hands slowed down, “The academy has holidays?”
Yan Wentao nodded, “That’s what I heard big brother say to Daohua.”
Wu Family smiled, “That’s good, then every month Mom can see you.” After finding the fabric, Wu Family looked at Yan Zhiqiang with some worry, “Just now, second brother pulled big brother aside. Wentao’s going to the academy to study, will there be…”
Wenxiu and Wenkai are the legitimate sons of the first wife; their quotas are untouchable, but Wentao’s might not be so certain.
Yan Zhiqiang knew his wife’s concern and comforted her, “Put your mind at ease, when has Daohua ever let her third brother suffer?”
Wu Family’s worried expression did not fade, “But big brother… Wenjie is second brother’s child, so there’s no need to say more, but there’s also Wenbin, and he is big brother’s most cherished youngest son.”
Yan Zhiqiang’s brow also furrowed.
He was well aware of big brother’s bias towards Wenbin and Yishuang.
Yan Wentao, seeing his parents so worried, shook his head, “Dad, Mom, the quotas we have for the academy were asked for by Daohua. If she’s not willing, uncle wouldn’t say anything.”
Wu Family and Yan Zhiqiang exchanged a glance, still feeling somewhat unsure at heart. After all, Daohua was a junior, and if big brother really pressured her with filial piety, she would have to comply.
Daohua Pavilion.
Daohua was watering the vase in the room when Wang Manman came in with toiletries.
“Miss, guess what I saw when I went to fetch water?”
Daohua continued to arrange the vase, smiling faintly, “What did you see?”
Wang Manman pouted, “Lin Family’s lady deliberately stopped someone on the way to drag Master to the Shuangxin Courtyard.”
At these words, Daohua’s lips curled up, she turned around, walked to the dressing table, and while removing her makeup she said lazily, “I wonder if Father will become a bit clearer now that he’s been promoted?”
The three quotas for the Yan Family were deliberately asked for by Daohua.
She did so because, first of all, one must understand restraint. Perhaps for Xiao Yeyang, sending several boys from the Yan Family to Wangyue Academy is not a difficult task, but she could not make such demands.
Secondly, there’s a matter of closeness and distance in how one treats others. Yan Wenxiu and Yan Wenkai are her full brothers; for good opportunities, she would naturally look after them first.
As for cousins like Yan Wenjie and Yan Wentao, whatever she did, she would involve her personal feelings.
The second branch of the family, firstly, did not have a long-term affectionate relationship with her; secondly, after she arrived, they did not show any closeness. On the contrary, they leaned towards the Shuangxin Courtyard in the competition.
The second uncle and aunt, to use the grandmother’s words, were shrewd and slick, but too scheming leaves no room for genuine emotion.
And their son, Yan Wenjie… he was someone who stayed out of other people s business, often watched the drama unfold, and even seemed to enjoy watching things escalate.
Yan Yihuan was obedient and sensible indeed, but timid in nature. Whenever there was trouble, she was hesitant, and one should not expect her to step up and help.
As for Yan Yile, relying on her youth, she was outspoken and often said selfish and hurtful things.
To these three, Daohua could only say she was not on the same path as them; she did not want to get close at all.
As for the third branch of the family, not to mention that third uncle and aunt had treated her like their own daughter since she was young, but also the companionship from third brother was something even big brother and fourth brother could not match.
And as for Shuangxin Courtyard, sorry, but as the natural rivalry exists between wife and concubine, how could she, as the daughter of the principal wife, seek benefits for the children of the concubines? Should she wait for them to rise and turn the tables?