Chapter 342: Chapter 320, Returning to the Mansion_1
The Yan Family’s carriage entered Ningmen Prefecture City at a steady pace, and after a short while, it stopped in front of the rear gate of the Governor’s Office.
“Finally back home!”
Madam Li greeted Old Lady Yan at the door with her two sisters-in-law from the Sun and Wu Families and the three Yan Yihuan sisters.
As soon as Old Lady Yan stepped off the carriage, her three daughters-in-law came forward to pay their respects, and then were supported by Madam Li and Madam Sun into the gate, one on each side.
Daohua exchanged pleasantries with her three sisters with a smile, then quickly followed them inside.
The three Yan Yihuan sisters lagged a step behind, looking enviously at Daohua ahead of them.
Yan Yile pouted and said, “Big sister is so lucky, she gets to go out and have fun whenever she wants, unlike us who can only stay at home.”
As soon as she spoke, Yan Yihuan glared at her, “Fourth sister, watch your mouth and don’t talk nonsense. Big sister went to oversee the spring plowing, not to play around.”
Yan Yile, feeling indignant, was about to retort when she saw Yan Yishuang burst into laughter, “Third sister, what are you laughing at?”
Yan Yishuang glanced at Yan Yihuan and said, “I’m laughing because second sister is really starting to act like a big sister, unlike before when she would not speak if it didn’t concern her, and shake her head pretending ignorance. But now she even knows to discipline her sister. Just be careful not to be too heavy-handed and end up drawing a tiger only to make it look like a dog.”
After speaking, seeing Yan Yihuan’s face change, she walked away with a suppressed smile and graceful steps.
“What does she mean by that?”
Yan Yile, furious, glared at the back of Yan Yishuang, looking ready to challenge her views.
Yan Yihuan held her sister back with a calm tone, “Let her be sarcastic, why bother with her?”
With their eldest uncle’s promotion to Magistrate, seizing the joyous occasion, their fifth brother and third sister went to plead for mercy on behalf of Aunt Lin, but unfortunately, the two of them, usually so pampered, were rebuffed, and Aunt Lin is still confined to this day.
Over the years, as her knowledge and experience increased, she was well aware that her third sister was but a paper tiger. Without their uncle’s favor, she was truly nothing in the Yan Family’s backyard.
Old Lady Yan, supported by her three daughters-in-law, returned to Songhe Courtyard. After chatting and laughing with everyone for a while, she went to freshen up and rest.
Daohua also returned to her courtyard. After washing and tidying up, she went to the main compound.
“You girl, have you gone wild during this time?” Madam Li said with a laugh as she pulled her daughter to sit beside her.
Daohua leaned affectionately on Madam Li’s shoulder, “Not at all. During this time, I’ve been helping Xiao Yeyang build a road for my master and Granny Gu.”
The very day she became a disciple of Gu Jian, Old Lady Yan had Daohua write to inform Madam Li and Yan Zhigao about it.
Latter on, during Yan Zhigao’s days off, the couple even made a special trip to Taohua Mountain to pay their respects to Gu Jian and Granny Gu, bringing many gifts to show their respect.
It was only when she saw her parents on Taohua Mountain that Daohua realized how solemn and important taking a master in ancient times was.
Madam Li, thinking of the situation on Taohua Mountain, nodded, “Indeed, a road needed to be built.” Looking sideways at Daohua, she asked, “Why would the Little Prince personally get involved in road construction?”
Daohua explained, “Because my master gave him a book of swordsmanship, he wanted to repay the kindness by offering to build the road.”
Madam Li smiled, “The Little Prince is quite commendable. Grateful and willing to repay kindness, and not like other members of the Imperial Family, who are overbearing and act superior to others.”
Daohua, sensing something off in her mother’s tone, immediately asked, “Mother, have you met other members of the Imperial Family?”
Madam Li thought about the possibility of future contact with the Jiang Family from Zhongzhou Province, so she mentioned the situation of the newly appointed Advisor Jiang.
“The Jiang Family is the maternal family of the Empress Dowager and the Empress. The current Duke Cheng’en is the Empress Dowager’s brother, and the Crown Prince is the father of the Empress. This new Advisor Jiang is the second son in his family.”
“Accompanying him to his post are also his wife and daughter. If you happen to meet Madam Jiang and Miss Jiang at a banquet in the future, try to keep your distance.”
Daohua was a bit surprised. “The Empress Dowager and the Empress came from the same family? That’s too…”
Madam Li hastily stopped Daohua. “You must not speak recklessly of matters concerning the Imperial Family.”
Daohua swayed Madam Li’s arm. “Mother, I know to be careful, aren’t I just chatting with you?”
Madam Li: “Even at home, it’s not allowed. With more and more servants in our house nowadays, if one of them who can’t keep their mouth shut lets something slip, it could bring disaster upon our family.”
Daohua quickly nodded her head. “I’ll be more careful in the future.” As she spoke, she glanced outside the door to make sure no one was there, then whispered, “The Crown Prince won’t be marrying a Jiang daughter as well, will he?”
Seeing her daughter’s curiosity, Madam Li felt a bit helpless, but she still said, “The Emperor is in his prime right now and has not yet established a Crown Prince. Alright, let’s not talk about this, it has nothing to do with our family anyway.”
Daohua nodded and then wondered aloud, “Why would these members of the Imperial Family not stay in Beijing, coming instead to Zhongzhou?”
Madam Li snorted with laughter. “Who knows? With the Empress Dowager and the Empress as their backing, it’s a simple matter for the Jiang Family to secure an official post elsewhere.”
Not wanting to continue this topic, Madam Li spoke of something else with a smile, “Since coming to Ningmen Prefecture, I bought a batch of new people. During the time you were away, I’ve been training them. The rules and such have mostly been learned by now. Tomorrow you and Yihuan among others should go and choose some people.”
Daohua: “I already have Manman, Guyu, and Lixia in my courtyard, do I still need to choose more?” She didn’t like being surrounded by too many people; it made her feel like she had no privacy at all.
Madam Li spoke impatiently: “Just three, how is that enough? Tell me, how many people serve in the courtyards of Jingwan and Yuanyao?”
Daohua: “…Our family isn’t as well-established as theirs, right?”
Madam Li: “That was before. Now your father is a fourth-grade Magistrate, and you, as the Magistrate’s daughter, must maintain your stature. This concerns your father’s and the Yan Family’s reputation, you cannot be careless.”
Daohua said in a muffled voice, “Yes, mother, I understand. So, how many should I choose?”
Madam Li thought for a moment. “Four first-rank maids, four second-rank maids, four maids for cleaning, and four rough laborers, work out the rest for yourself.”
Daohua felt a headache coming on. “Do we really need so many people?”
Seeing that her daughter was not taking this seriously, Madam Li had to patiently explain. “Our family does not have the background of a distinguished household; all maids and servants are bought from outside. Whether they are loyal or not, whether they are easy to use or not, all require personal training, and it takes time.”
“I’ve laid it all out for you today. The maids serving you will also accompany you to your husband’s family in the future. You may think it’s too many, but I find it too few.”
“Therefore, when choosing maids tomorrow, you must put your heart into it.”
Seeing her daughter furrowing her brows, Madam Li lightly tapped her on the head. “Did you get that?”
Daohua nodded. “I got it, I will choose carefully.”
Although she didn’t want to marry early, she also knew that it was something she couldn’t avoid. Since that was the case, she had to make ample preparations before getting married.
Even if her future husband was not a kind man, she would have sufficient ability to face any crisis.
Therefore, she would take the selection of maids seriously.