Chapter 203: Chapter 185, Feeling Great_1
After returning to the Yan Residence, Yan Zhigao went straight to Songhe Courtyard to pay respects to his grandmother and then stayed to chat with her. During the conversation, he praised Yan Wenxiu and the other two for their performance at the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.
Hearing of her grandson’s achievements naturally delighted the old Madam, but she seemed somewhat distracted.
Her son had brought home a young woman, and frankly, she was displeased, but she also knew it wasn’t her place to interfere with her son’s domestic affairs; otherwise, she might become objectionable.
It wasn’t just the old Madam who was out of sorts; everyone else in the house seemed distracted as well.
While everyone was curious about the origins of Liao, Yan Zhigao did not seem inclined to say much, only mentioning that she was a gift from his superior and instructing Madam Li to make the arrangements.
Daohua observed her stepfather closely and noticed that when he mentioned Liao, his tone and attitude were very casual, as if he really didn’t care much about her.
The old Madam knew that her eldest son and daughter-in-law were busy arranging for the new concubine, so after a while, she dismissed everyone.
The main courtyard.
Madam Lin watched Liao, who stood submissively in the courtyard waiting for instructions, her pale face betraying tension as she crumpled the silk handkerchief in her hand beyond recognition.
Two days ago, when she learned she was pregnant again, she was overjoyed, but today she felt thoroughly vexed.
Seeing that Madam Lin looked upset, Yan Yishuang said worriedly, “Mother, why don’t you go back to the courtyard to rest? Father went to see Grandmother, and he probably won’t come here for a while.”
Madam Lin shook her head, “No, I’ll just wait here.”
With a new person added to the master’s residence, Shuangxin Courtyard was most affected. She couldn’t afford to disregard this.
Beside them, Liao kept her head bowed silently, overhearing the conversation between Madam Lin and her daughter without showing any curiosity, just standing quietly.
Although she maintained a still face, her thoughts were racing.
Madam?
A legitimate daughter addressing a concubine as “Madam” seemed to suggest that the customs of the Yan Family were not very strict.
She wondered if this was a good or bad thing?
Thinking back to the Madam she had met earlier, who was dignified, gentle, and generous, she did not seem like someone harsh and ruthless.
She hoped this aristocratic family wouldn’t be filled with endless scheming like others, so she too could live here in peace.
As Liao pondered these thoughts, Madam Li and Yan Zhigao entered the courtyard.
Yan Zhigao passed by without a sideways glance, heading straight into the house, while Madam Li lagged behind, glancing at Madam Lin, then at the bowing and obedient Liao, and said indifferently, “You may all enter now.”
Madam Lin immediately followed.
Liao waited for Madam Lin to move ahead before entering herself.
Once everyone had entered, Daohua sneaked into the courtyard; she wasn’t sure if it was appropriate for her to hear or see these matters, so she stayed at the door without going inside.
“Miss, what are you doing?”
Ping Xiao, who came out to refill the teapot, saw Daohua with her neck stretched trying to peek into the room, and couldn’t help but laugh, “Madam is waiting to drink tea offered by the new Madam Liao; I have to fetch water, so you can go inside yourself.”
Daohua was taken aback, “Can I really enter?”
Ping Xiao chuckled, “Of course, didn’t you see the third young Miss inside?”
Daohua immediately glanced into the room and indeed saw Yan Yishuang sitting next to Madam Lin, and promptly straightened her dress and walked in confidently.
When Madam Li saw Daohua enter, she looked unsurprised.
For such an occasion, it would have been strange if the girl hadn’t come to join in the bustle.
Yan Zhigao, however, felt somewhat embarrassed to see his eldest daughter staring wide-eyed and curiously at Liao, and he awkwardly touched his nose.
Daohua found a spot to sit down and then waited quietly.
Soon, Ping Xiao brought over the freshly brewed tea.
Bowing her head and bending her waist, Liao Family took the tea and walked over to Madam Li, and, just like when they were outside the residence gate, respectfully knelt before Madam Li, “Madam, please enjoy the tea!”
Madam Li didn’t immediately accept the tea but instead spoke sternly, “Now that you’ve entered the Yan Family’s doors, you must abide by the Yan Family’s rules from now on. I don’t care which household you belonged to before, but if I ever find out you have done something to wrong the Yan Family, death would be letting you off easy.”
On the way back, the master had already told her that this Liao Family was given to him by Consultant Du in the presence of the Governor and all the officials, as a way to apologize for past misunderstandings with the master.
She knew that Consultant Du had been the one suppressing the master over these years.
Thus, she felt a deep wariness towards Liao Family.
Liao Family shivered, and some of the boiling tea spilled out, scalding her fair hand a bright red. Yet, she still bit her lip and held the teacup steady.
“This servant would never dare to harbor any disrespect, please may the master and Madam see the truth.”
Madam Li glanced at her hand but didn’t continue to press the issue. She took the tea and sipped lightly, then set down the cup before saying, “Get up, as a concubine to the master, remember your place.”
“Cough, cough~”
As the words fell, Yan Zhigao coughed uncomfortably a few times and then pulled out a piece of paper from his embrace, “This is Liao Family’s deed of sale, Madam, take it. If Liao Family fails to serve properly in the future, selling her off will be an easy matter.”
Upon hearing this, Liao Family’s face turned instantaneously pale, filled with immense panic.
She knew because she was a gift from Consultant Du, the master harbored a strong aversion towards her, and she also knew that life in the Yan Residence would be difficult, but she hadn’t expected the master to be utterly devoid of pity for her.
Madam Li calmly took the deed of sale, inspected it, then handed it over to Ping Tong to keep it safe.
Daohua looked thoughtfully at the scene unraveling before her eyes, observing both Madam Li and her stepfather, and the trembling Aunt Liao.
A gift from someone else?
She thought as much. Although her stepfather could be unreliable, he wasn’t so blinded by lust that he would dally with a beauty during such an important engagement hosted by the Governor.
Did his ambitions mean nothing to him?
Meanwhile, Aunt Lin heaved a heavy sigh of relief, her complexion significantly brightening. She was about to announce her pregnancy when she heard Madam Li say,
“Master, all the courtyards in our home are now filled, this Liao Family… being your concubine, should be arranged to stay in Shuangxin Courtyard.”
Upon hearing this, Aunt Lin’s expression changed drastically, and she stood up immediately, “No way!”
Yan Zhigao was already somewhat hesitant, but seeing Aunt Lin’s reaction, he frowned immediately, “Just do as Madam says.”
“Master!”
Aunt Lin called out urgently, noticing Yan Zhigao’s displeasure, and quickly said in a tender voice, “Master, I’ve just gotten pregnant. I’m genuinely worried that having more people in the courtyard might affect the child in my womb.”
Hearing this, Yan Zhigao looked startled, “You’re pregnant again?”
Aunt Lin immediately nodded, looking earnestly at Yan Zhigao, hoping he would rescind the order.
Yan Zhigao’s face showed delight, but upon seeing Liao Family standing there, he suddenly felt a headache coming on.
Seeing this, Madam Li leisurely picked up her teacup and began to sip slowly.
Previously, the residence had only one concubine, and it was justifiable for the Lin Family to occupy a courtyard to herself, but now that new blood was added to the household and there wasn’t enough space in the courtyards, naturally, the two would have to live together.
Madam Li looked at Liao Family and thought to herself that having another person wasn’t such a bad thing—it would serve as a good reminder for the Lin Family of her true status.
Yan Zhigao glanced at Madam Li who seemed disinclined to interfere further, touched his nose, and after a moment’s contemplation, looked towards Liao Family, “Lin Family is with child, after you move into Shuangxin Courtyard, make sure to keep things quieter and don’t disturb her.” Having said this, he quickly left the room, almost as though he was fleeing the scene.
Watching Yan Zhigao walk away, Aunt Lin wore an expression of disbelief.
Madam Li, however, smiled as she put down her teacup and turned to Aunt Lin, “Aunt Lin, you should go and organize your belongings as well. Decide whether to vacate the eastern or western wing for Aunt Liao.”
Seeing this, Daohua sat in her chair with a playful smile, swinging her legs joyfully. Seeing Aunt Lin unhappy made her feel delighted.