Chapter 473: Chapter 442, Aunt_1
November 29th was the fifty-fifth birthday of the Yan Family matriarch, and although it was not a major celebration, due to the sudden imperial conferment upon the old lady and Madam Li, many people came to offer birthday wishes. Therefore, by mid-November, Madam Li, along with her two sisters-in-law, had started to get busy.
Daohua, who was in charge of the kitchen, was naturally called upon as well, and given that Madam Li had the intention to teach her household management, she found herself busy as a spinning top every day.
Main courtyard.
While perusing the shopping list, Madam Li asked Daohua, who was resting her head on the pillow on the couch, “Is the guest courtyard all tidied up yet? Your aunt and your cousins are estimated to arrive in a day or two.”
Daohua replied listlessly, “It has been ready for a while, but from the looks of grandmother, she seems to want my aunt to stay with her.”
Madam Li chuckled lightly, “Staying for a few days would be fine, but any longer would be inappropriate.”
Daohua looked up and turned to Madam Li, “Will my aunt and her family be staying for a long time?”
Madam Li put down the shopping list and smiled, “Your aunt rarely comes back home, and with the year-end approaching, she probably won’t leave until after the New Year. Your father mentioned that the Yang Family has pulled some strings, and next year, your cousin Hongrui will also go to Wangyue Academy to study. I’m afraid they’ll be living with us for the next few years.”
Daohua uttered an ‘oh’ and laid back down.
Madam Li continued, “Although we are busy receiving your aunt and preparing for the old lady’s birthday, you must not neglect Yunxi and Yunyan.”
Daohua nodded, “Mother, rest assured, I have been spending time with them often these past days.”
Madam Li glared slightly at her daughter, “I’m well aware of that. You’ve been calling them to help you with your work.”
With a sheepish expression, Daohua sat up, “Look at what you’re saying, Mother. I let them assist from the side which helps me and allows them to learn some household management. It’s win-win.”
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Madam Li couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile, “It’s not very hospitable, but if Yunxi and Yunyan are willing to learn, then let it be. By the way, did you leave Yihuan to manage the sewing room?”
Daohua nodded, “They are just managing people and tasks; I still hold onto the account books.”
Madam Li hummed, “You sure know how to find time to relax.”
Daohua smiled and sat beside Madam Li, “Mother, this is called using everyone’s talents. With so many things to do in our house every day, if we were to handle everything personally, we would be exhausted to death. Since I’m keeping an eye on the important matters, I trust they won’t cause any major trouble.”
Madam Li replied, “As long as you are aware of what you’re doing, that’s fine. But don’t underestimate others, you know, even an ant can kill an elephant.”
Daohua nodded with a smile, “I understand.”
That noon, as the Yan Family was dining in Songhe Courtyard, their meal was interrupted by the butler from the Sun Family.
Madam Li put down her chopsticks and inquired, “Has my aunt’s boat arrived?”
The Sun butler nodded, “Madam, the Yang Family’s boat has indeed arrived, but accompanying the Yangs are guests from the Earl Zhaode’s Residence of the Han Family.”
Upon hearing this, everyone at the table fell silent.
The Yan Family matriarch and the members of the first branch were aware of the Han Family, but those from the second and third branches knew nothing, and upon learning that visitors from the Earl Residence had arrived, were stunned.
At the table, Daohua quickly glanced at her eldest brother, and when he looked her way, she smiled and winked at him.
Feeling somewhat uneasy about his sister’s teasing, Yan Wenxiu shifted his gaze away and didn’t look at her again.
Madam Li, however, started worrying, “The Han Family has come as well? Why didn’t they notify us in advance?” The Han Family could potentially become her eldest son’s in-laws, so they couldn’t be neglected.
Yan Zhigao suddenly looked up and smacked his forehead, “Look at my memory. I received a letter from the Han Family a few days ago, but I was so busy with work at the Governor’s Office that I forgot to mention it.”
Madam Li stood up briskly, “We have nothing prepared yet, I need to hurry and arrange their accommodations.”
Daohua quickly grasped Madam Li’s hand, “Mother, just in case, I had our family’s guest quarters thoroughly cleaned up while preparing the aunt’s courtyard. Even if several more families arrive, there will be places for them to stay.”
Madam Li immediately felt less anxious, “What about the attendants?”
Daohua replied composedly, “I had asked Lady Fang to pull together a team from various places beforehand, specifically to deal with unexpected situations. We can allocate people from that group.”
Madam Li nodded her head then said, “The Han Family is an Earl Family, so the items used cannot be too careless.”
Daohua still remained calm, “Of course, when entertaining guests, we cannot lose face for the Yan Family. I arranged everything according to the standards of the guest quarters where Xiao Yeyang stayed. The Han Family, no matter how noble, cannot be more esteemed than Xiao Yeyang, can they?”
Madam Li thought for a moment, saw that there was nothing more to ask, then sat down again and looked at Daohua with satisfaction. She truly was fortunate to have a daughter who could help her with her worries.
The members of the Yan Family also looked at Daohua.
Madam Sun smiled and said, “Our Daohua is indeed a good hand at managing the household, arranging everything in advance quite perfectly.”
Yan Yihuan smiled and took over the conversation, “No wonder elder sister had the needlework room rush to make a batch of new quilt covers and bed sheets. At that time, I was wondering why, but now I know it was for setting up the guest quarters.”
Madam Sun spoke to Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile, “In the future, you must learn well from your elder sister.” Looking toward Daohua, she added, “Daohua, as the elder sister, you must teach your younger sisters more.”
Without waiting for Daohua to respond, Madam Li changed the subject, “Second sister-in-law, don’t praise this girl too much, she doesn’t understand much.” Speaking of which, she brought the topic back to the younger aunt who would soon return home.
Her daughter was already tired enough learning to manage the household; she hardly had time to instruct others.
Moreover, it was a thankless job. If she taught well, she’d receive a few words of praise, but if she failed to teach well, she would be accused of not doing her best.
Yan Zhigao and Yan Zhiyuan did not interject about the matters of the back courtyard, but they both knew about Daohua letting Yihuan, Yile, and Yishuang manage the needlework room, and both were satisfied with this.
Yan Zhigao glanced at his eldest daughter, feeling comforted in his heart. Although his eldest daughter had a strong personality, she was also magnanimous and knew how to help her younger sisters, truly demonstrating the demeanor of an eldest sister.
Then, everyone hastily finished their meals and returned to their rooms to tidy up and change clothes, preparing to welcome Yan Siyu and the Han Family members, including Yan Zhigao who also waited at home and did not go to the Governor’s Office.
…
Inside the carriage sent by the Yan Family to pick them up, Yang Xiujun was gripping her mother’s hand, feeling both excited and nervous.
Yan Siyu adjusted her daughter’s hair bun and smiled, “Don’t be nervous; your grandmother, uncles, and aunts are all very kind people.”
Yang Xiujun nodded and said, “Daughter understands.” After a pause, she asked hesitantly, “Mother, why has the Second Master Han brought the Han Family’s eldest son for grandmother’s birthday celebration?”
Yan Siyu pondered for a moment, “Your eldest uncle is probably thinking of arranging a marriage with the Han Family.”
Yang Xiujun was taken aback, “Is it Cousin Wenxiu?”
Yan Siyu hummed in agreement, “Your cousin passed the imperial examination before the age of twenty, and now with your uncle’s favor in court, his future is limitless.” She sighed, “If only you had been born two or three years earlier.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiujun blushed and said in a low voice, chiding, “Mother, what are you talking about?”
Yan Siyu chuckled, “Alright, Mother won’t say anymore.” It was just her own wishful thinking after all; with her brother’s current position, he might not look favorably upon the Yang Family.
It wasn’t long before the carriage came to a stop.
As Yan Siyu stepped out of the carriage with Yang Xiujun, she saw her three brothers and their wives standing in front of the main gate, personally welcoming them. She was immediately moved to tears and hurried over.
Madam Li, along with Madam Sun and Madam Wu, hurried forward to meet them.