Chapter 291: Chapter 272 – Isn’t it too good? 1
The next day, Yan Yishuang did not appear in the classroom, and the entire Yan Family immediately became aware of Yan Zhigao’s stance—he had implicitly approved of the punishment Daohua had imposed on Yan Yishuang.
In the classroom, Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile arrived early. Seeing that Daohua and the Li sisters had not yet arrived, they began to whisper among themselves.
“Yesterday, after Third Sister returned to her courtyard, she threw quite a tantrum. I guess she must have been scolded by Uncle when she went to the front yard!” Yan Yile said with a giggle.
Yan Yihuan reflected for a moment, “This is Third Sister’s own fault.” She paused, “The front yard is where Uncle works, and it’s full of men from outside. We sisters really shouldn’t go there.”
“Even if Aunt had something to attend to, she would send a servant to summon Uncle.”
“Third Sister burst into tears and ran to the front yard yesterday. Not only did she disgrace herself, but she also made the Yan Family lose face.”
Yan Yile nodded, “That’s true. Uncle cares about face the most, and the spectacle Third Sister made was really unwise.” As she spoke, a hint of scorn appeared on her face.
“She thinks that, with Uncle’s favoritism, she can still do whatever she wants like before. But we can all see that Uncle has long lost his former patience and indulgence towards them, yet she is still oblivious.”
Yan Yihuan fell silent for a while, “Nowadays, Uncle must be somewhat disappointed with Third Sister and Fifth Brother.”
Yan Yile snickered, “That’s for sure. If it weren’t for Eldest Brother getting trapped in Xingyun Prefecture, I wouldn’t have known they could harbor such thoughts.”
“Since Eldest Brother has returned, I’ve noticed he’s not as close to Third Sister and Fifth Brother as before. He seems very indifferent.”
Yan Yihuan, “… When one is in a predicament themselves, to think that a younger brother or sister would wish to replace them, I guess no one could easily let go of such a thing!”
Yan Yile shrugged and sighed, “Aunt Lin has been grounded for three years, with no one to speak for her. I wonder until when Third Sister will be punished?”
This time, Yan Yihuan did not reply.
Without further ado, Daohua arrived with the Li sisters.
“Big Sister, Sister Zixuan, Sister Zixin!” greeted Yan Yihuan, rising to her feet.
Seeing this, Yan Yile thought for a moment and then also rose, smiling, to pay her respects.
Seeing both girls more enthusiastic than usual, the Li sisters exchanged a glance and hastily returned the greeting with smiles.
Daohua smiled, “Master Shen will be here soon; let’s take our seats.”
Thereafter, Yan Yihuan became more talkative, engaging in discussion about poetry and needlework with the Li sisters. Whenever she noticed that the Li sisters fell short in their manners, she would take the initiative to correct them.
Seeing her elder sister behaving this way, Yan Yile didn’t find it appropriate to be overly different, and often made conversation and jokes with the Li sisters as well.
Daohua noticed the two sisters’ gestures of goodwill and did not continue to harp on past events. Seeing that they got along harmoniously with their cousins, every time Zhou Jingwan visited, she would invite them to Daohua Pavilion, where everyone would chat and laugh together.
For a time, the five girls got along much more comfortably and pleasantly than before.
One day, after Yan Zhigao finished his duties, he happened to see Daohua and the other four girls leaving the class together. He watched as five young ladies chatted and laughed, with Yile affectionately linking arms with Zixin, their heads together whispering secrets. His expression softened for a moment.
Watching the girls leave, Yan Zhigao sighed: “Was I too indulgent with Yishuang and Wenbin before?”
Wenbin was still acceptable. Attending the State School and mixing with many people, he had some exposure and know-how. Though there were some scheming thoughts in his mind, he still had some sense of propriety.
But Yishuang… she truly became somewhat spoiled!
To publicly embarrass the niece of her legitimate mother’s family, where did she get that confidence?
The Madam is a virtuous lady, but she cannot be untroubled by such matters. He had heard that the meals at the Lin Family’s side had been reduced from four dishes and one soup to two dishes and one soup, and they could no longer have meat every meal.
The trouble caused by the daughter had indeed made her birth mother suffer.
No wonder aristocratic families always stress the clear distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring. Showing favoritism towards children born out of wedlock is not only detrimental to the relationships among siblings but also fosters desires in their hearts, ultimately harming oneself and others.
Reflecting on his past attitude towards his children, Yan Zhigao was filled with regret.
The eldest daughter disfavored Aunt Lin, after all, it was his own fault for having neglected Madam; it was only natural for the eldest daughter to take up the cause for Madam.
Watching the silent master, Butler Sun lowered his gaze, not daring to speak.
Yan Zhigao was silent for a long while before finally saying, “It is indeed time for Yishuang to temper her temperament.”
Otherwise, if things continued this way, he feared she might deeply offend Madam.
After all, when it came to the crucial matter of children’s marriages, it was ultimately up to Madam to manage.
Butler Sun still kept his silence, knowing that the master wasn’t truly seeking his opinion. He quickly glanced in the direction of Shuangxin Courtyard, his heart sighing inwardly.
Concubines would always be concubines; they might enjoy a few years of favor, but it could never last.
…
Due to missing nearly three months of classes, by the end of October, the Yan brothers did not return home, forcing Daohua to send their provisions for November over to them.
Looking at the several carts of provisions prepared by Daohua, sisters Li Zixuan were both surprised.
Li Zixin, gazing at the fully loaded carriage, asked, “Yiyi, can our three cousins really eat so much?” There was everything from vegetables and fruits to grains and pickles.
Daohua smiled, “Not only for the eldest brother and the others, the last two carts are for Xiao Yeyang, and the one in the middle is for Brother Dong and Brother Su.”
Afterward, Li Zixuan saw Daohua instructing someone to carry out two jars of sweet wine lees.
One jar was loaded onto the carriage for the three cousins, and the other onto the Little Prince’s carriage; the young masters from the Dong Family and the Su Family received none.
Seeing this, Li Zixuan’s eyes flickered.
The sweet wine lees were personally brewed by the cousin and tasted very good, but sadly, there wasn’t much of it. She looked around and saw only five jars.
One had already been opened at home, and another was given to a girl from the Zhou Family, leaving only three jars.
The cousin was so generous as to give an entire jar to the Little Prince!
After a moment of silence, Li Zixuan still couldn’t help but speak up, “Yiyi, aren’t you being a little too kind to the Little Prince?”
Daohua was startled at first, but then laughed, “What’s this? Xiao Yeyang has helped our family a lot, and he has been good to me as well. He’s also supporting my elder brother and the others. I don’t have any valuable gifts to repay him, so I can only prepare more food for him.”
There was another reason; ever since she learned of the situation at Prince Residence from Dong Yuanyao, she felt that Xiao Yeyang was actually not having an easy time—an individual far from home with an uncle who was often absent. She thought to take care of him as much as she could.
Li Zixuan said, “Vegetables might not be precious under normal circumstances, but they are quite scarce in the winter.”
Their home had greenhouses too, but the output of vegetables was very low and the variety pitifully limited. Only in the last two years, thanks to their aunt’s seeds, did they have more variety of food in winter.
Even so, this was only sufficient for their own consumption; if they had to give away any, they certainly would not dare to do so as the cousin did.
She wondered just how many greenhouses the cousin’s estate must have built?
Moreover, the food from their aunt’s home always seemed to taste better than their own.
Daohua didn’t take it seriously, “What’s the big deal about that? If Xiao Yeyang wants to eat vegetables, he can surely get them.” She paused, then said proudly, “However, they certainly won’t be as good as mine.”
“You know,” she continued, “It’s Xiao Yeyang’s fortune that he knows me. Not to mention anything else, but he is definitely in for a treat.” With that, she started laughing.
Seeing the cousin who felt nothing inappropriate about her actions, Li Zixuan had to suppress the odd feeling in her heart.
At fifteen this year, her mother and her family were already looking for potential matches for her. She couldn’t help but think more about some matters.
Perhaps the cousin was still young and had yet to come to her senses?