Chapter 51: Chapter 44, Annual Ritual l
The refugee issue was successfully resolved, and the students and masters at the county school received countless thanks.
Because of this experience, some changes occurred at the county school.
For instance, some students who usually lacked interest in studying unexpectedly took the initiative to pick up their books.
When asked why, some said they needed to study hard so that in the future they could become officials who would benefit the people and prevent the emergence of refugees under their governance;
Others said the refugees lived in such misery that they needed to study more, or else if their family fortunes were squandered, they too would have to become refugees.
No matter the reason, such changes were a delight to the encouraging Zhu Chengyu.
Since the donation initiative had been launched by Yan Wenxiu, in the days that followed, Zhu Chengyu always showed him particularly warm and pleasant expressions whenever they met.
One day, while strolling into the County Governor’s Office, Zhu Chengyu took the opportunity to praise Yan Wenxiu to anyone he encountered.
The staff at the County Governor’s Office were also aware of this matter and joined in the praise.
All of them were shrewd individuals working there, and they naturally wouldn’t miss such a good opportunity to flatter the Lord County Magistrate.
When these words reached the ears of the County Magistrate Yan, they indeed made him feel exceptionally honored.
Master Xiao glanced at the continuously smiling County Magistrate Yan and shook his head with a smile.
Since he had assisted Yan Wenxiu, he knew more than others.
For example, the idea of having the students donate was proposed by the eldest daughter of the Yan Family.
In his eyes, it was the eldest daughter of the Yan Family who deserved the most praise for the donation initiative.
You see, even he had not come up with a way to persuade the wealthy local gentry to part with their wealth to aid the refugees before this.
Although the Yan Family’s eldest daughter had merely made a suggestion and had not participated further, if credits were to be awarded, she should be the first to be acknowledged.
Had Yan Zhigao forgotten about Daohua?
Of course not!
Because of this incident, he discovered that his eldest daughter was indeed as intelligent and clear-minded as Madam Yan, the old lady, had said, and in the subsequent interactions, he showed a few more bits of tolerance towards her.
At the same time, the Yan Family noticed that after the experience of donation, Yan Wenxiu also underwent some changes. He became more steady and a bit more confident in his actions than before.
Songhe Courtyard.
Madam Yan, the old lady, was chatting about family matters with her three daughters-in-law.
Madam Yan, the old lady: “The donation this time was the right thing to do. Just look at Wenxiu. He has become much more cheerful after a few days out and about compared to how gloomy he was before, always shut in his room studying. It made me feel anxious for him.”
A boy in his teens should be lively and energetic, and every time she saw her eldest grandson holding his books, sitting inside the room, her heart ached.
Madam Li sighed, “Wenxiu puts too much pressure on himself.”
Madam Sun laughed, “Wenxiu is the eldest grandson of the Yan Family, bearing the heavy responsibilities of the family, and since your elder brother values him highly, it’s no wonder the pressure is great. Unlike my son Wenjie, who is either causing trouble or being noisy all day long.”
Madam Yan, the old lady: “Reading a lot is good, but one must not just stick to books. What was it that Daohua said…?”
Madam Wu smiled as she filled in, “One must balance work and rest.”
Madam Yan, the old lady: “Yes, exactly, balance work and rest, read for a while, then play for a while. Only that way can one double their efficiency.”
Madam Li smiled, “Could it be that Daohua deliberately said that because she wanted to play?”
Madam Yan, the old lady looked disapprovingly at Madam Li, “Nonsense,
Daohua has never given me cause to worry when it comes to studying. She said that only through reading can one learn and understand reason. With plenty of knowledge in one’s head, there is nothing to fear wherever one goes.”
“When she was younger, I hadn’t even thought about it, yet she already knew she had to arrange her own studies. She also found her own master.”
“You all know about her Great-Uncle, such a stodgy old man, but in front of Daohua, he is very fond of her. There’s just one flaw; he always complains that Daohua isn’t a boy.”
Madam Wu laughed, “Isn’t that just because the Great-Uncle values Daohua highly?”
Madam Yan, the old lady: “Valued indeed, but he is too focused on preferring boys over girls. What’s wrong with Daohua being a girl? Can’t a girl be formidable?”
Upon hearing this, Madam Li’s expression stalled for a moment, and she sighed inwardly.
Worldly constraints on women are too numerous; compared to girls, boys certainly have much more freedom.
“Grandmother, I’m back!”
Just then, Daohua’s voice came into the room.
Old Madam Yan immediately smiled, “This girl, still so wild!” Though her tone was reproachful, her face could hardly hide her fondness.
“Oh, everyone is here!”
Upon entering the room and seeing all the people, Daohua looked somewhat surprised.
Madam Li stepped forward to take Daohua’s cloak: “Why did you finish class so early today?”
Daohua took Madam Li’s arm smoothly: “Master Qin said that it’s getting close to the end of the year, and he told us to just review the previous lessons, so we didn’t need to stay in the classroom the whole time.”
Old Madam Yan nodded, “That’s good, the weather is getting colder, and the classroom is icy cold; I’m always afraid you might catch a chill. It’s just the same reading books at home.”
That evening, after dinner, Daohua helped Madam Li return to the main courtyard.
Once they got back, Ping Tong handed a letter to Madam Li.
Daohua: “Whose letter is it?”
Madam Li smiled, “It must be from your eldest uncle. It’s almost New Year’s, time flies, and your maternal family’s New Year’s gifts should be arriving soon.”
Daohua’s eyes twinkled: “Eldest uncle? Is it the uncle who sends me hair ornaments every year?”
Back when she was still in the Yan Family village, she would receive a box of hair ornaments every year, making the girls in the clan green with envy.
Madam Li nodded with a smile, “That’s the one.”
Daohua became interested: “Let’s see what the letter says?”
Madam Li: “It’s nothing but the usual well-wishing and greetings.”
Despite saying this, Madam Li quickly opened the letter, and mother and daughter began reading it together, heads close.
“Mother, uncle cares a lot about you.”
“Nonsense, he’s my brother; of course, he cares.”
“Mother, uncle sent me things again!”
“The brocades from the capital are mostly from Jiangnan, they are of very good quality and nearly impossible to buy in our county. When the New Year’s gifts arrive, Mother will use the fabric your uncle sent to make you several nice dresses.”
“Yes, and Mother should have some made too, and Grandmother.”
“What, have you forgotten your father?”
The letter from her eldest uncle didn’t say much else, just the common pleasantries, but between the lines, Daohua could feel the concern a brother has for his sister.
On the third day after receiving the letter, the New Year’s gifts from the Li Family indeed arrived, a whole two carts full.
Unfortunately, on that day, Madam Li took Daohua out to buy New Year’s goods and were not at home.
Although Madam Li wasn’t there, it happened that Yan Zhigao was on leave.
Seeing the generous New Year’s gifts from the Li Family, Yan Zhigao was satisfied.
Even though Madam’s family were merchants, over the years they had not spared financial help for them, and naturally, to a certain extent, they had also enjoyed the protection of him as the County Magistrate.
The two families could be considered to have what each other needed.
Among the New Year’s gifts, fabrics made up a big portion and were placed on top; Yan Zhigao thought that each household would be making new clothes for the New Year and that Madam would distribute the materials to each household upon returning, so he decided to divide most of the fabrics right away.
Among them, the best brocades: two rolls were given to the second branch of the family, one was given to the third branch, and the rest were sent to Songhe Courtyard.
When Madam Li returned and found that the brocade her brother had sent for their eldest daughter and Old Madam to make clothes was gone, her face turned dark on the spot..