Chapter 288: Chapter 269, Unaware_1
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“Cousin, is Master Shen very strict?”
On the way to the Academy, Li Zixin wore a worried expression, even the composed Li Zixuan was tense.
Both of them knew that some teachers held themselves in high esteem and looked down upon merchant families.
Daohua reassured them, “Don’t worry, Master Shen is a very kind person.”
When the three of them arrived at the classroom, Yan Yihuan, Yan Yishuang, and Yan Yile were already there, sitting at their places and organizing their books and writing materials.
“Yihuan cousin, Yishuang cousin, Yile cousin!”
“Hello to the three sisters!”
Li Zixuan and Li Zixin were the first to salute them.
Yan Yihuan immediately stood up and returned the greeting, “Hello to the two elder cousins!”
Yan Yile was somewhat slow to act, standing up reluctantly and returning the greeting halfheartedly.
As for Yan Yishuang, she remained seated and ignored them, engrossed in her book.
Seeing this, Daohua frowned, “Little sister, the elder cousins are greeting you.”
Yan Yishuang glanced at Daohua, holding a grudge against Aunt Lin who had grounded her, and contemptuously swept her gaze over the Li sisters. Were those from a merchant family even worthy of her response? She uttered a noncommittal ‘Hmm’ and ignored them.
Daohua’s frown deepened, and the Li sisters also felt uncomfortable witnessing the scene. However, they quickly diverted the topic.
They certainly did not wish to cause any discord between their cousin and the legitimate daughters upon their arrival at the Yan household.
Daohua, likewise, did not want to start the morning on a sour note over such a trivial matter and, not wanting the elder cousins to feel uncomfortable, looked away and led the Li sisters to two desks that had been arranged.
“You both can sit here.”
The classroom was spacious, with two rows of desks previously set, which now became three with the addition of two more.
Li Zixuan had her younger sister, Li Zixin, take the front seat, while she sat behind, and their maidservant arranged the prepared writing materials.
Once the Li sisters were seated, Daohua returned to her own seat.
Soon after, Master Shen arrived.
Yan Yishuang, feeling smug about Daohua’s concession, saw Master Shen glance at her and quickly wiped the smile off her face, starting to read her book earnestly.
The incident in the classroom had not escaped Master Shen’s notice, and seeing Yan Yishuang’s obliviousness, he shook his head in disappointment.
The third Miss Yan was somewhat talented and clever, and though not as beautiful as the eldest miss, she was still quite attractive. Backed by the Yan Family, she was destined for a decent future as the wife in a lesser official’s household.
Regrettably, she was utterly confused about major matters.
Madam Yan of the Yan Family was not a cruel person who made life impossible for children of concubines, and the legitimate eldest daughter did not suppress her half-siblings nor keep them from outstripping her.
One could say that the third Miss Yan was very fortunate to be born into such a family.
However, this very Miss Yan, a daughter of a concubine, behaved improperly instead of modestly, constantly opposing the legitimate daughters. Now that the cousins from the maternal side of the legitimate mother had arrived, she had started off by disrespecting them.
Such behavior was both foolish and impolite.
Yet, she felt secretly pleased with herself, a testament to her utter ignorance.
If Madam Yan were truly determined to make life difficult for a daughter of a concubine, the ways to do so were plentiful, and even with the protection of Master Yan, Madam Yan could make her life miserable.
Moreover, Master Yan was no longer as fond of this concubine-born daughter as he once was.
Indeed, with the exceptional eldest Miss Yan setting a precedent, it was inevitable that the later daughters seemed somewhat inferior.
Master Shen glanced at Daohua, who was organizing her books, and sighed internally, not surprised that Master Yan increasingly valued this daughter.
At home, she was respectful to her elders, and in official matters, she could assist in her own way, establishing connections. In public, she presented the Yan family in a good light. How could Master Yan not favor such a daughter?
Why do aristocratic families value legitimate daughters?
It wasn’t only due to the prestige of their maternal families; it was also because legitimate daughters were often reasonable and generous, whereas concubine-born daughters, despite receiving the same education, could hardly conceal their pettiness.
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Of course, the eldest daughter of the Yan Family had her own shortcomings as well.
She didn’t know the art of subtlety, and her nature was to be straightforward.
In the incident of punishing Aunt Lin, she confronted her own father in front of so many servants.
Afterward, she went to Xingyun Prefecture; otherwise, she would have had to have a serious talk with her.
One must understand that in this world, simply being right does not mean one can do whatever they want without consideration for the consequences.
But then again, in this respect, she really did resemble that person from the Guo family. No wonder she sent her several letters, asking her to properly educate this eldest daughter of the Yan Family.
Master Shen pondered these things internally, but his face gave nothing away. Smiling, he called over the two young ladies of the Li family and carefully inquired about their studies at home.
After listening to the responses of sisters Li Zixuan, Master Shen thought for a moment.
The future of daughters from business families and official families is different; naturally, they cannot be taught in the same way.
Thinking it over, Master Shen said with a smile, “I see that you still lack a bit in the rules of propriety. In the future, I will give more instruction on these matters. At other times, you may choose to study whatever you like, whether it be women’s work or the arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If there is anything you don’t understand, you can always ask me.”
Li Zixuan and Li Zixin showed delight on their faces and knelt down together to thank Master Shen, “Thank you, Master.”
Master Shen waved his hand for them to sit down and then began the lesson.
…
Li Xingnian stayed at the Yan Family for a few days before leaving because Yan Wenxiu and Yan Wenkai both had to go to the Academy. When he left, he took the three brothers from the Li family with him, leaving only the sisters Li Zixuan behind.
“Dad…”
Li Zixuan looked at Li Xingnian with reluctance.
Li Zixin also seemed a bit downcast.
Li Xingnian glanced at Daohua, who stood afar, bidding farewell to the three brothers of the Yan family, and said to the sisters Li Zixuan, “You two must study well under Master Shen while at the Yan Family. A master like him is not someone our family can afford to hire, so don’t miss this opportunity, understand?”
The sisters nodded.
Li Zixuan said, “Dad, don’t worry, we will study diligently.”
Li Xingnian continued, “… The Yan Family’s third branch has quite a number of people. If you feel wronged, try to bear it a little and don’t trouble your aunt unnecessarily.”
Li Zixuan and Li Zixin both nodded again.
Li Xingnian fell silent for a moment, “If it doesn’t involve the adults, you don’t have to bear too much. Look for Daohua; she will protect you.”
Li Zixuan hesitated, “Dad, wouldn’t that be troubling our cousin?”
Li Xingnian smiled, “Adults value their pride, and conflicts among them can be hard to resolve. But the scuffles among children are harmless and quickly forgotten. Daohua is judicious in her actions, and besides, as the eldest sister, she can mentor her younger siblings.”
Li Zixin smiled in agreement.
Li Xingnian looked at Li Chenyi and the others, “It’s a pity that Wenxiu and Wenkai have to go to the Academy. Otherwise, you could have stayed here and studied for a few more days as well.”
Upon hearing this, Li Chenyi and the others also felt regret.
Having interacted with their cousins from the Yan family for a few days, they realized just how much they knew.
Even Wenkai, who wasn’t fond of studying, spoke with authority when talking about the outside world.
On the other side, Daohua handed a food box to Yan Wenkai, “Fourth Brother, this is the medicinal meal I prepared for Xiao Yeyang. When you see him, remember to give it to him, okay?”
Yan Wenkai looked around and upon noticing only one food box, immediately asked, “Why didn’t you prepare one for us?”
Daohua rolled her eyes at him, “What have you been eating these days at home? Medicinal meals shouldn’t be consumed too frequently. When you come back for the holidays, I’ll make some for you then.”
Yan Wenkai nodded and then asked, “Why didn’t you prepare any for Dongge and the others?”
Daohua retorted, “Why should I prepare for them? They each have family elders looking after them; why would they need me to worry about them? Xiao Yeyang is different. He’s alone in Zhongzhou; naturally, I need to take extra care of him.”
Yan Wenkai smiled, “That’s true!”