Chapter 31: Chapter 27, Going Out 1
Translator: 549690339 |
Early the next morning, after getting up and freshening himself, Yan Zhigao went to Songhe Courtyard to pay his respects to Old Lady Yan.
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he heard laughter coming from the old lady’s room. Listening carefully, it seemed to be the voice of the eldest daughter.
Yan Zhigao entered the main hall, where Grandmother Sun greeted him with a smile.
“Did the old lady have a good rest last night?”
Grandmother Sun replied with a smile, “Last night the old lady was feeling somewhat breathless and tossed and turned in bed for a long time before falling asleep. This morning, her spirits weren’t very good.” Seeing that Yan Zhigao looked anxious, she quickly added, “Fortunately, the eldest daughter came over first thing in the morning and joked with the old lady for a while. Now, as you can see, her spirits have already improved quite a bit.”
Yan Zhigao’s expression relaxed, but he was still a bit worried, “Mother is not in good health, Grandmother Sun, you must pay more attention. If anything seems wrong, go and fetch the doctor immediately.”
Grandmother Sun smiled, “My lord, you really don’t need to worry so much. When the old lady was at the ancestral home, she hadn’t needed to summon a doctor in many years. As long as the eldest daughter keeps her company, chatting and laughing, I assure you it is more effective than summoning immortals.”
Hearing this, Yan Zhigao’s face became somewhat uneasy.
In the ancestral home, the old lady didn’t need a doctor, but once she came to his place, she started making a fuss about needing one. This truly showed his lack of filial piety.
Grandmother Sun glanced at Yan Zhigao’s face and was truly puzzled in her heart.
Wasn’t a lively and bright girl like Daohua, who could light up any room she entered, much more pleasing than the frail third daughter from Shuangxin Courtyard, who seemed like she might get frightened by someone speaking too loudly?
Yesterday, for the sake of a concubine, the lord publicly scolded Daohua. Watching from the sidelines, she also felt extremely anxious.
So, the words she had just spoken were deliberately aimed for him to hear. At this moment, Old Lady Yan walked out from the inner room, supported by Daohua, all smiles and genial. Yan Zhigao immediately stood up.
Seeing Yan Zhigao, Daohua’s smile did not falter as she greeted him loudly, “Father, good morning!”
Looking at his eldest daughter, her face blooming with smiles, Yan Zhigao also couldn’t help but smile.
“Humph!”
The smile on Old Lady Yan’s face faded a bit as she glanced at him indifferently, “You’re here?”
Yan Zhigao immediately stepped forward to greet her properly, “Your son pays his respects, mother. Are you feeling well?”
Old Lady Yan spoke irritably,” If you don’t come to annoy me, I am naturally well.”
Yan Zhigao said sheepishly, “Son wouldn’t dare to annoy mother.” Old Lady Yan snorted coldly, “You may not dare, but others do.” Standing to the side, Daohua saw that Old Lady Yan was about to bring up yesterday’s issue again and quickly interjected, “Grandmother, Daohua is hungry. Didn’t you just say it was time to eat?”
With Daohua’s intervention, Old Lady Yan did not continue to dwell on the issue and turned to Grandmother Sun, “Check if everyone else is here. If they are, let’s start breakfast.”
Grandmother Sun replied with a smile, “Everyone has arrived, just waiting for you, old lady.”
Old Lady Yan, “Since everyone is here, let’s go then.”
Seeing that the old lady was not dwelling on the issue from yesterday, Yan Zhigao heaved a huge sigh of relief. Looking at the eldest daughter, who was smiling and helping the old lady to the hall, he suddenly felt a bit guilty. Yesterday, he had been too harsh. It seemed that he needed to be more mindful of his approach in the future.
Madam was right, the eldest daughter had just arrived and was still unfamiliar with the rules and etiquette. They needed to take it slowly.
In the hall, the second and third branches, along with all the juniors, had arrived.
Yan Wenkai saw Daohua with a happy face and immediately went forward with a smile to support Old Lady Yan’s other arm, “Grandmother, you’ve finally come. I’ve been so hungry my stomach is stuck to my back.”
Yan Wenjie, seeing Yan Wenkai get ahead, also approached with a laugh, “Grandmother, I’m hungry too.”
Yan Wenxiu, as the eldest grandson, was more reserved, but at this moment, he too approached the old lady with a smile and exchanged a few jokes.
Daohua stepped aside to make room for the others to pay their respects.
Wentao did not crowd around the old lady as the other grandchildren did but walked over to Daohua and asked softly, “Daohua, are you alright?”
Daohua looked up with a smile, “Third brother, what could be wrong with me?” Wentao, “I saw your eyes were red yesterday.”
Daohua felt embarrassed by this and stubbornly puffed her cheeks, claiming, “That was just some sand in my eyes.”
Yan Wentao glanced at Daohua and, under the gaze of her round, bright apricot eyes, surrendered. “Whatever you say goes. Crying isn’t anything to be ashamed of, and could I ever look down on you? Ow~ ”
Daohua pinched Yan Wentao’s waist and twisted it hard. “You know it in your heart, so why say it aloud? You’ve cried way more times than I have, yet I haven’t said a word about you!”
“Ouch, Daohua… good sister, let go, please. If you keep pinching, I’m going to bruise!”
“Hmph!”
Only then did Daohua let go, and upon seeing Yan Wentao’s twisted face, she immediately burst out laughing.
Seeing Daohua laugh relaxed Yan Wentao, but at the same time he felt aggrieved. “I came to comfort you, and you pinch me? That’s not very nice.” Daohua lifted her head. “Well, you shouldn’t have teased me.” “What are you two talking about over here? Sounds like fun?” As Yan Wenkai saw Daohua and Yan Wentao whispering together, he immediately moved closer.
Daohua blurted out, “We were talking about the time when Third Brother was a kid and got spanked by Third Uncle. He was crying his eyes out.” Yan Wentao’s eyes widened in an instant. “Daohua, how can you blurt out nonsense like that?”
Yan Wenkai quickly took over the conversation, looking disapprovingly at Yan Wentao. “Third Brother, a man should be able to take a couple of hits. How could you still be crying?”
Yan Wentao murmured, “That was when I was little, when I was little!”
“Even when it was back then, you shouldn’t have…”
Seeing Daohua and her siblings laughing and talking happily together made the old Madam Yan’s mood improve considerably.
Afterward, everyone took their seats.
Compared to the somber silence of the day before, today’s dinner table regained its usual cheerfulness.
Seeing that old Madam Yan had consumed two bowls of porridge, Yan Zhigao could finally leave for the front courtyard with peace of mind.
After breakfast, everyone went their separate ways, some to school, others to work; Daohua was kept back by old Madam Yan.
“I’ve discussed this with your parents. You’ve been here for a while, and you’re familiar with the place by now. The day after tomorrow, you will join Yihuan and the others to learn reading and writing from Master Qin, along with needlework.”
Daohua wasn’t opposed and nodded. “Grandmother, I will study hard.” Seeing this, old Madam Yan smiled satisfactorily.
“Oh, and today your Third Uncle is going to check on the fields your mother has acquired outside the county town. We’ve been here for such a long time and haven’t left the city yet, so let’s go out for a stroll today.”
At these words, Daohua leapt up with joy. “Grandmother, are you serious?” Old Madam Yan pretended to be displeased.” Look at you, getting all crazy again. You’re now the young miss of the County Magistrate’s family and must always be mindful of your behavior.”
Daohua immediately stood up straight and, walking with tiny steps and swaying hips, paraded around the room while coyly flicking her handkerchief. “Grandmother, is this okay?”
In the room, both old Madam Yan and the nanny couldn’t help but laugh at her antics.
“Stop that right now, you rascal. Who did you learn that from?”
At the entrance of the County Governor’s Office’s backyard.
When Daohua walked over to help old Madam Yan, she found Madam Li was also there.
“Mother, are you going too?”
Madam Li approached with a smile and took old Madam Yan’s arm. “What? You wouldn’t welcome me?”
Daohua quickly shook her head. “How could I not?”
Old Madam Yan chuckled. “Let’s go, we should return early and not delay the affairs of Shuangxin Courtyard.”
Madam Li, “Mother, rest assured, your daughter-in-law has arranged everything. There won’t be any problems.”
Soon, two carriages left the back street of the County Governor’s Office.