Chapter 408: Chapter 384, Value_1
The Mid-Autumn Festival dinner was specially arranged by Madam Li near the Water Pavilion beside the Chuihua Gate, where everyone enjoyed their meal under the bright moon and lively laughter filled the air.
After the meal, Old Madam Yan gazed at the full moon in the sky and thought of Yan Wenxiu, who was alone at their old home, “I wonder if Wenxiu has had a proper meal by himself?”
Madam Li also missed her eldest son, and her smiling face slightly sobered.
Daohua laughed, “Grandmother, Mother, rest assured, with the Clan Leader and the elders there, my big brother won’t go hungry.”
Old Madam Yan smiled and nodded but couldn’t help saying, “Even if the clan elders are there, it’s still not as comfortable as being at one’s own home.”
Daohua chuckled, “Grandmother, it’s only this year. Next year, big brother will be able to spend Mid-Autumn Festival with us.”
A thought crossed Old Madam Yan’s mind, and her eyes creased into a smile, “Next year, our family should be having an addition to the household.”
Hearing this, a smile also spread across Madam Li’s face.
Dong Yuanyao tugged at Daohua and whispered, “Is big brother Yan engaged?”
Daohua shook her head, “There’s just a hint of something, but nothing’s settled yet. My parents’ idea is to wait until big brother passes the imperial examinations, then discuss a marriage.” Saying this, she glanced at Su Shiyu and giggled softly.
“After they’re finished with my big brother’s matter, they’ll start on my fourth brother,” she continued.
Su Shiyu felt a twinge, “Yan Wenkai has a marriage prospect as well?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Su Shiyu realized her eagerness may have been too glaring.
Indeed, she saw Daohua and Dong Yuanyao suppressing their laughter.
Su Shiyu stiffened and said, “I was just curious, that’s all.”
Daohua and Dong Yuanyao nodded in unison, “We know, we know; there’s no need to explain.”
Seeing this, Su Shiyu felt somewhat embarrassed and turned her head away in silence.
Daohua laughed and clarified her previous statement, “My big brother hasn’t settled anything yet, so my fourth brother is even less likely. Ah, just thinking about my fourth brother makes me so worried for him. He’s so careless and not steady at all. How is he supposed to win a girl’s affection?”
Dong Yuanyao was about to make a few points in defense of Yan Wenkai when she saw Daohua make eye contact and shake her head, so she immediately closed her mouth.
She remained silent, but Su Shiyu couldn’t help but speak up, “It’s not right for you to talk about your own brother that way. I think Yan Wenkai is quite nice.”
Daohua immediately continued, teasing, “Sister Su really thinks my fourth brother is nice? Then, how about becoming my fourth sister-in-law?”
At these words, Su Shiyu blushed fiercely, her ears reddening as well, and in disregard of her usual reserve, she leant forward, aiming to pinch Daohua, “You’re talking nonsense, see if I don’t tear your mouth apart.”
Daohua stood up to dodge, and seeing Su Shiyu chasing after her, she quickly pleaded, “Dear sister, I misspoke, please spare me this once.”
Su Shiyu was unforgiving, “You dare utter such words, I must teach you a lesson and see if you dare to make fun of me again.”
Daohua ran behind Dong Yuanyao for refuge, “Yuanyao, save me quick. Sister Su is on a rampage.”
Dong Yuanyao laughed and joined in, but instead of blocking Su Shiyu, she helped her by holding Daohua, “I’m the fairest person. This time you’ve annoyed Shiyu, so let her get a hit on you.”
“Dong Yuanyao, you just wait,” Daohua retorted.
“I’ll wait, am I supposed to be afraid of you?” Dong Yuanyao replied confidently.
Old Madam Yan and Madam Li watched the trio’s playful antics with smiles on their faces.
The Sun Family matriarch felt slightly uncomfortable seeing Daohua’s favorable treatment of the girl from outside the family over her own sister and, smilingly said to Madam Li, “Elder sister, Daohua is already thirteen, and in just two years she will come of age. It’s really not proper for her to be so playful anymore. It doesn’t look dignified at all.”
Madam Li’s smile faded in an instant, “There’s no need for my second sister-in-law to worry about Daohua’s matters, Yihuan isn’t much younger than Daohua, you should pay more attention to her instead.”
“Speaking of which, I heard that a few days ago, Yile punished a young maid again? Although the maid is purchased, as masters, we should be generous to our servants, never developing a vicious or mean disposition, which isn’t good for oneself or others.”
“As a mother, you should be more concerned with the upbringing of your two daughters rather than focusing on Daohua.”
Madam Li’s words were quite impolite, and Mrs. Sun couldn’t maintain her smile any longer.
The Clan Leader’s wife also looked displeased at Mrs. Sun, “Today everyone is happy, why must you find discomfort? If you can’t stand it, go back to your own courtyard.”
Mrs. Sun’s expression stiffened, “…Mother, I’m doing this for Daohua’s own good.”
The Clan Leader’s wife’s expression showed impatience. The eldest daughter-in-law had always been considerate, and if it weren’t for the constant criticism from the second daughter-in-law toward Daohua, she wouldn’t have spoken so bluntly.
“Enough, Daohua has the eldest daughter-in-law looking after her, there’s really no need for you to trouble yourself, just manage your own daughters well.”
This second daughter-in-law, you could say she’s shrewd, but sometimes what she says and does is completely clueless, like just now. The second branch is clearly relying on the elders, and her giving the eldest daughter-in-law a hard time is just foolish.
Now, due to her presence, the eldest daughter-in-law can still save face, but what about after she’s gone a hundred years hence?
If the second daughter-in-law doesn’t make a good impression with the eldest now, can she still count on Wenxiu and the others to help Wenjie later?
The visions and boundaries of the two daughters-in-law are indeed much too different.
Meanwhile, Daohua, along with Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu, had stopped their frolicking and were listening to the commotion.
Dong Yuanyao shook her head and sighed, “Not to speak out of turn, but despite your family not having that many concubines to cause you worry, your second aunt-in-law is no less troublesome.”
Su Shiyu nodded in agreement, “Indeed, every family has its own difficult issues to read.”
Daohua, however, seemed unconcerned, “As for my second aunt-in-law, I have always taken her words with a grain of salt. In any case, no matter what she says, I won’t take it to heart. As long as she doesn’t interfere with me, she might as well not exist.”
Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu both smiled, “You certainly have a strong sense of confidence.”
Daohua said, “Of course, I’m not reliant on her for sustenance or guidance, why should I be beholden to her mood? Even if she’s my elder, she must act like one to earn respect.”
Dong Yuanyao sighed, “They say I’m rebellious, but compared to you, I think I’m much more obedient. At least when facing elders I dislike, I can’t be as nonchalant as you are.”
Upon hearing this, Su Shiyu became reflective, glancing at Daohua and then at Dong Yuanyao, pondering the situations of their respective families.
At the end of the day, the difference between Yuanyao and Yiyi mainly lies in the fact that much of Yiyi’s confidence comes from within herself, while Yuanyao’s is given by her family elders.
What others provide can be given and taken back, so inevitably, one must put effort into maintaining it.
That’s the way it is for Yuanyao as it is for her.
Yiyi has a bit more freedom because she can create value for the family on her own.
For children of families like theirs, they are always bound to the interests of the family, the more value they carry, the more their family is willing to indulge them.
Of course, aside from the interests, there is also affection among family members.
Having both is the best situation for them.
But if the two conflict, nine out of ten times, affection will lose out to interests.
No matter what, if a person wants to live freely and willfully, they need to demonstrate sufficient value.