Chapter 117: Chapter 103, The Importance of Identity Equality_l
Daohua’s tenth birthday was not celebrated with grandeur, and she did not invite young misses from other families to play. Instead, she simply had a bowl of longevity noodles with her family, and that was it.
“Daohua, haven’t you always been in touch with Miss Zhou? Why didn’t you invite her over today?”
After the longevity noodles, Madam Li, Sun Family, Wu Family, together with Yan Yihuan, Yan Yishuang, and Yan Yile all sat in the old lady’s room, chatting with her.
Daohua glanced at her second aunt, whose meaning was clear. Yan Wenjie’s failure to attend Wangyue Academy had left a sour taste in the Second House: “I’ve only known Sister Zhou for a short time. It wouldn’t be proper to rashly invite her over.”
Sun Family shook her head in disagreement, “Daohua, it’s not that your second aunt is criticizing you, but your thinking is wrong. Interactions between people rely on mutual visits. With more exchanges, feelings naturally deepen.”
Daohua smiled, “What you say is true, second aunt. However, I believe that mutual exchanges should be between equals. That way, interactions are more comfortable, don’t you think?”
Zhou Family’s patriarch was a former Grand Secretary, and Zhou Family’s second master is the current Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Zhou Family’s social status is much higher than Yan Family’s.
Although Zhou Family is currently quite good to Yan Family, it’s all due to Xiao Yeyang’s influence rather than Yan Family itself.
If Yan Family acted presumptuously and tried to ingratiate themselves without knowing their place, Zhou Family might not say anything openly, but privately, they would likely look down on Yan Family.
Besides, Zhou Jingwan is clearly a spoiled young lady, constantly in need of praise and pampering. Casual gift exchanges to maintain the relationship suffice; she certainly wouldn’t actively invite someone over to feel uncomfortable.
Sun Family did not expect Daohua to respond in such a way, showing a touch of surprise, then smiled, “You think too much, girl. Do young misses need to overthink their play and social interactions to this extent?”
“Listen to your second aunt and send an invitation to Miss Zhou, get closer to her. Zhou Family has broad connections in Xingzhou, and with her leading, it will surely be easier for you and your sisters to familiarize yourselves with the young ladies of Xingzhou City.”
This was indeed her goal, to get her two daughters to socialize more.
After moving to Xingzhou City, she had realized the importance of social status.
In the county town, even though she was merely the sister-in-law of the County Magistrate and the head of the house had no official rank, she could still visit homes on her own.
In Xingzhou City, however, without her older sister-in-law’s accompaniment, she couldn’t even enter the doors of others’ homes.
If she couldn’t enter, the same went without saying for her two daughters.
As the head of the house was set in his ways, if his two daughters wanted a good future, they could not rely on their father. Now, the only hope might be on Wenjie.
But even if Wenjie became successful, that was years in the future.
Allowing her two daughters more exposure to officials’ daughters, no matter what, would broaden their horizons and knowledge, which surely beats cloistering at home buried in books, right?
Upon hearing this, Yan Yihuan and the others all looked towards Daohua, clearly taking the words to heart.
Daohua’s expression softened. She found that the people from the Second House seemed to like teaching others how to do things — her second uncle was like that, and so was her second aunt.
In dealing with others, she preferred to let things take their natural course and not be too calculating, especially when it came to ulterior motives.
Yan Family’s matriarch was not very familiar with the rules of interaction between prominent families but thought more contact with girls of Daohua’s age would be a good thing, so she did not speak up.
Madam Li was aware of the rules of interactions between families. Although the mixing of children did not require such strict attention to detail, their behavior was still influenced by the status of their families.
For instance, if Daohua and the others interacted with Miss Zhou, they could only show propriety and play a subordinate role.
Madam Li glanced at her daughter, who was evidently reluctant, and at Sun Family, who seemed to want to persuade further, and ended the conversation with a smile, “We haven’t prepared anything today; how could we invite guests over? Maybe another time.”
Then, with a change of tone, she deftly switched the topic.
Wu Family also helped shift the conversation, smiling at the old lady, “Mother, I heard that the grape wine you and Daohua made together is ready to drink?”
Speaking of wine, the elderly madam’s interest was immediately piqued. She truly hadn’t expected that Daohua could actually make wine by simply sealing grapes in containers.
“You can drink it now, and the taste isn’t bad. It’s also not very intoxicating.”
Daohua said with a smile, “Grandmother, drinking grape wine is actually good for your health, but you can’t have too much. If you like it, one glass a day is fine.”
The elderly madam nodded, “Don’t worry, your grandmother isn’t gluttonous. It’s you who is the little greedy cat -last time, it was Manman who had to carry you back to the courtyard.”
Daohua gave an embarrassed smile, but it really wasn’t her fault. The grape wine tasted so good that she drank it like a beverage, not realizing it would have such a strong aftereffect, which made her dizzy.
“The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, by then big brother and the others should have a holiday. Fourth brother has been clamoring to drink grape wine; when they return, our whole family can enjoy the moon while sipping on wine.”
Upon hearing this, the elderly madam beamed with joy.
When people grow old, they love to be surrounded by their children and grandchildren.
Once again, Sun Family spoke up, “Isn’t the Little Prince also studying at the Academy? Daohua, why don’t you send him an invitation to spend the MidAutumn Festival with us?”
Hearing this, Daohua couldn’t help wanting to roll her eyes.
How bold could her second aunt-in-law be?
She didn’t even want to rashly befriend the Zhou Family, let alone Xiao Yeyang from the Imperial Family!
With such a disparity in status, why insist on reaching up on tiptoes, stretching out your hand to grasp what is too high? Isn’t that tiring?
She only had one thought regarding Xiao Yeyang—if he was close to the Yan Family, she would do her utmost to reciprocate and maintain a balanced relationship that was mutually beneficial.
But if he became distant from the Yan Family, she wouldn’t grovel or fawn over him because it probably wouldn’t do any good. With his status, he’s seen far too many people trying to please him. Unless there were some benefits involved, he would probably feel nothing but distaste.
Of course, with the Yan Family’s weak foundation, she hoped to maintain a good relationship with Xiao Yeyang. Although this might mean taking advantage of him in intangible ways, she would strive to compensate for it.
Madam Li’s expression showed some displeasure as she looked indifferently at Sun Family, “Sister-in-law, such things should not be mentioned again in the future. How could Daohua send messages to the Little Prince?”
“Moreover, in the future, when we’re outside, it’s best not to talk about the Little Prince either. Members of the Imperial Family are not subjects for ordinary folk to discuss.”
Sun Family’s face stiffened somewhat. Madam Li had always been quite pleasant and rarely showed anger towards her two sisters-in-law. Direct comments like these were something she’d not made before.
“I understand, big sister-in-law.” Indeed, having a husband who stands out and children who excel is a woman’s greatest backing. Before, my big sister- in-law didn’t speak with so much authority!
After that, Daohua didn’t stay in the room any longer but returned to Daohua Pavilion.
Daohua Pavilion was no longer as desolate as when they had first moved in. All kinds of climbing roses covered the entire pergola corridor lushly, with blossoms in full bloom.
In the courtyard, the flower beds were also filled with colorful flowers.
A gentle breeze swept through, filling the air with fragrance.
“Miss, the flower shop will open soon. If the business does well, will we have enough flowers to sell?” Many flowers from the courtyard had already been transplanted into pots; they couldn’t afford to move any more.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already set aside a plot of land on the farm specifically for growing flowers.”
“What about during winter?”
“We’ll have greenhouses for winter!… We’ll have to ask Uncle Zheng to build another greenhouse, one for flowers and one for vegetables.” You can’t go without vegetables in winter.