Chapter 112: Chapter 99, addressing the issue_1
Daohua didn’ t know exactly what Second Uncle Yan Zhiyuan and Auntie Lin had discussed with her stepfather, but at breakfast the next day, her stepfather seemed hesitant to speak to her, and she simply glossed over it.
Today, after the watermelon harvest, Second Uncle will return to the prefectural city.
Her birthday falls on the first day of August, and this time, several of her cousins had prepared gifts for her, so she needed to arrange return gifts for them.
In addition to giving each person a bamboo tube of jasmine tea, some of the flowers planted previously in the garden had started to bloom, so she transplanted them into pots and gave one to each person.
“Second Uncle, you must come to see me more often in the future,” she said.
That afternoon, after the watermelons were loaded onto the cart, Li Xingnian was ready to rush back to the provincial capital.
In the provincial capital, Li Xingchang had already connected with a buyer, so he needed to quickly transport the watermelons back to the purchaser.
Li Xingnian nodded with a smile, “Of course, Second Uncle will definitely come to see Daohua more often.”
Daohua said with a grin, “Next time you come, bring all the cousins with you, and I’ll take them to my farm to have fun.”
Li Xingnian agreed, “Sure, your cousins are getting bored at home too, so next time I will bring them along to visit.”
Madam Li took over the conversation, “Second Brother, take care on your journey.”
Li Xingnian replied, “Don’t worry, it won’t take long to reach the prefectural city by waterway.”
After bidding farewell to Grandmother Yan, Li Xingnian left, and Yan Zhigao also took time away from his duties at the Governor’s Office to see him off.
Watching the departing caravan, Madam Li felt a mix of reluctance and relief.
Having been married into the Yan Family for so many years, it had always been her family that sent her big and little packages to provide for her, but this time, she was also able to send some things back.
Although it was just a cart of produce from the fields, whether it was grapes or vegetables, even the esteemed Little Prince thought they tasted good, so it was something she could present with pride.
“Mother, if you miss Uncle and the others, we can simply go to the prefectural city to visit them,” Daohua said.
“With so many things to deal with at home, where would there be time for that?”
“There is time, time, it’s like, you know, there’s always some if you make it.”
Madam Li: “…” What is this strange thing my daughter is saying, what does she mean?
Songhe Courtyard.
Daohua happily kept the accounts for the farm.
She had sold the watermelons directly to Second Uncle at eighty percent of the market price in Xingzhou City; whatever price he sold them for in the provincial capital was out of her control.
“Grandmother, I have made more than five hundred silver pieces from the watermelons from my farm, do you think that’s enough to buy a store in Xingzhou City?” Daohua suddenly asked.
Old Lady Yan glanced at her, “What do you need a store for?”
Daohua replied, “To sell things, of course. I’ve planted quite a few flowers in my yard, and in a while, I plan to transplant some of the better-looking ones into pots and sell them as potted plants.”
“All those scholars and literati like to gather together to appreciate flowers, don’t they? It’s already mid-July, and whether it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival in August or the Double Ninth Festival in September, it’s a good time for gatherings.”
“I have planted a lot of chrysanthemums; they’re bound to sell well when the time comes.”
“Hmm…”
“This year’s watermelon planting started too late and was too little; next year, we must plant earlier, and the harvest will definitely be better than this year. When that time comes, ah, I also want to buy another farm, specifically for growing flowers.”
“Right, and when the medicinal herbs and fruit trees are ready for harvest, after selling them for money, I need to buy another farm just for growing medicinal herbs.”
Watching her granddaughter brimming with joy as she dreamed of her future life, Old Lady Yan felt nothing but invigoration and cheer.
She loved seeing Daohua’s eyes shine brightly, radiating boundless energy. Watching her like this, she always felt that life had more hope and that there was nothing they couldn’t overcome.
“Oh, right, and there are the grapes. Once I’ve made the grape wine, that will be another source of income,” Daohua explained.
“Ina while, I’ 11 ask Mother to help me look for a store.” Having sorted out the accounts, Daohua smiled and looked at Old Lady Yan, “Grandmother, when I prepared the grapes for Second Uncle earlier, I had some extra delivered. I’m going to learn how to make grape wine now; do you want to come and watch?” Old Lady Yan got up nimbly, “Let’s go, why wouldn’t I?” Sitting idle all day makes one rust.
At dusk, when everyone arrived at Songhe Courtyard to have dinner, Daohua had already sealed a small jar of grapes following the practices from her previous life.
Before the dishes were served, everyone sat chatting in the old lady’s room.
During that time, Yan Wenjie kept glancing at his parents, hoping they would quickly bring up the matter of going to Wangyue Academy to study with his eldest uncle.
His elder brothers were set to leave the day after tomorrow; if they didn’t speak soon, it would be too late.
Yan Zhiyuan did not make a move. He was certain that Aunt Lin would not let the matter drop easily, and it was better for her to take the lead in this matter.
Madam Sun kept watching Yan Zhiyuan’s expressions, and seeing that he remained silent, she too had to suppress her impatience.
“Mother, you all sit for a while longer. Shall I go check if the dinner has been set up properly?”
Madam Li went to the dining hall. Not long after she left, Aunt Lin suddenly came over with Yan Wenbin and Yan Yishuang.
Upon seeing Aunt Lin, a trace of displeasure flashed in the old lady’s eyes. She glanced at Yan Zhigao, who seemed somewhat uncomfortable, and said indifferently, “What brings you here?”
Aunt Lin’s face showed a gentle smile, “It has been a long time since I could pay my respects to the old lady. I came especially for that purpose.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua immediately frowned and glanced at her stepfather, who seemed to have noticed nothing, then at the others who remained silent.
Eldest brother Yan Wenxiu’ s expression turned somewhat ugly. He moved his lips as if he wanted to say something, but after looking at his stepfather, he swallowed his words back down. It was clear from his tightly furrowed brow that he was suppressing his emotions.
As for fourth brother Yan Wenkai, he was whispering with third brother Yan Wentao and had not heard what Aunt Lin had said at all.
The people from the second branch might have picked up on something, but none of them showed any intention of speaking up.
Those from the third branch, who usually stayed in the countryside, had no understanding of the rules concerning the titles for wives and concubines.
Daohua let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, her mother was not in the room; otherwise, she would probably be heartbroken.
“Little brother, little sister, there is something I don’t understand and would like to ask you about.” Ever since she learned about etiquette from Master Shen, she knew that in ancient times, even if the elders were wrong, the younger ones could not point it out directly, otherwise, it would be seen as disrespect and unfilial behavior.
She could not criticize her stepfather, but as the eldest sister, her siblings should be able to speak up.
Yan Wenbin and Yan Yishuang did not expect Daohua to suddenly speak to them, and were stunned for a moment.
Yan Yishuang glanced at Yan Zhigao and, thinking that her sister would not dare to do anything with their father around, replied with a smile, “Please speak, elder sister.”
Daohua looked up at Aunt Lin and asked with a smile, “Since you both have studied more than I have, I would like to ask, is it appropriate for a concubine to refer to herself as a ‘daughter-in-law’?”
At these words, Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin’s expressions changed, as did those of everyone else in the room, especially Yan Zhigao who had just missed Aunt Lin’s manner of address.
Aunt Lin’s face turned pale, looking frightened, and she knelt down suddenly, “Eldest young miss, it’s my fault, I was too nervous just nowand misspoke.” Daohua remained composed and looked towards Yan Wenbin, speaking calmly, “Earlier, little brother referred to Aunt Lin incorrectly, and now Aunt Lin herself has made a mistake. Isn’t Aunt Lin from a Scholar Family? How come she is less knowledgeable about proper conduct than I, who grew up in the countryside?”
In the modern era, such an issue might not seem significant, but in ancient times, it could, to a certain extent, represent one’s identity and status. Aunt Lin referring to herself as ‘daughter-in-law’ in front of Grandmother, was she trying to replace Madam Li?
Listening to this, Yan Zhigao looked quite embarrassed. Although the long daughter hadn’t addressed him directly, the reprimand was evident in her words.
He began to wonder if he had been too indulgent with Aunt Lin.
Referring to oneself as ‘daughter-in-law’ in the presence of the mother – is this the proper behavior of a concubine?
The old lady was startled for a moment but quickly caught on and then became furious, “Aunt Lin, do you think this old wife is ignorant and can be easily fooled?”
Seeing the old lady angry, Aunt Lin immediately began kowtowing and pleading incessantly, “Old Madam, please calm down, I won’t dare do it again in the future.”
Yan Wenbin and Yan Yishuang, seeing Aunt Lin in such a state, also knelt down to plead on her behalf.
Seeing them like this, Yan Zhigao felt a mix of anger and pity. After thinking it over, he couldn’t help but speak to the old lady, “Mother, don’t be angry. I will properly address this with Aunt Lin later.”
The old lady glared at him sharply, “You are now a Prefectural Governor, and the rules of the household cannot remain as lax as before. You must establish what needs to be established; don’t let it vary day by day, person by person.” Yan Zhigao said, “You’re right, Mother. I will be careful.”
The old lady waved her hand dismissively, “Alright, let her get up. With her looking like that, anyone who doesn’t know the story might think this old wife is a villain.”
Upon hearing this, Aunt Lin quickly replied, “Old Madam, I know I was wrong, please don’t get angry. It’s not worth it if you get upset over me.” After speaking, she immediately turned to Daohua, “Eldest young miss, don’t be angry either. I misspoke; I will go and apologize to Madam Li later.”