Chapter 524: Chapter 483, The Love for a Daughter_1
Yan Zhigao, serving as an official away from home, had not been back to his old home for quite some years, yet the connection with the clan had never been severed; whenever people from the old home came to pay the rent each year, Madam Li would prepare new year gifts to give to some of the clan elders.
Upon learning that Yan Yunxi and her siblings were set to return, Madam Li started to get busy.
Main Courtyard.
Watching Madam Li just finish dealing with the family’s internal affairs and immediately throwing herself into preparing new year gifts, Yang Xiujun, who was brought over by Daohua, sighed, “Auntie Mother is really busy.”
Next to her, Daohua, looking at the gift list for the Yan clan people, smiled and added, “Once my big brother marries a sister-in-law, my mother can relax a bit.”
Hearing this, Madam Li said with an amused tone, “You girl, seem to be more anxious than I am.”
Daohua laughed and replied, “Isn’t this because I feel sorry for my mother? With a sister-in-law, mother wouldn’t need to work so hard.” She paused, furrowed her brows and said, “Mother, the Han Family has been staying with us for quite some time now, haven’t they let slip any hints?”
Madam Li’s smile faded a bit, “They are probably waiting for a reply from Beijing.”
Daohua, “I heard my second uncle say that the second master of the Han Family seemed to be acting quite deliberate?”
Madam Li, “…The girl’s side, after all, needs to have some reserve.”
Daohua pursed her lips, “I think, that Han second master doesn’t seem to hold our family in high regard? If they really had the intention, after so many days, there should have been some word.”
Madam Li laughed, “The Han family is still an Earl’s family, after all; their actions and demeanor have some pride, which is understandable. It also serves to highlight the preciousness of their daughter.”
Daohua shrugged her shoulders, not speaking further.
Yang Xiujun, having transcribed the gift list, handed it to Madam Li, “Auntie Mother, can you see if this will do?”
Madam Li took the list and praised her at once, “Xiujun, your calligraphy is really beautiful.”
Yang Xiujun blushed modestly, “Compared to Sister Yiyi, my writing is far inferior.”
Madam Li shook her head, “Your writing is neat and elegant, Yiyi’s is fresh and ethereal; they’re different.”
Yang Xiujun smiled, “Auntie Mother, is there anything else I can help with?”
Before Madam Li could reply, Daohua spoke first, “If Cousin Xiujun has nothing else to do, would you mind helping me bag up those herbs?”
Madam Li mock-scolded, “You really know how to command your cousin to work for you!”
Yang Xiujun laughed, “It’s nothing, I’m idle anyway.” With that, she sat opposite Daohua, looking at several baskets of prepared herbs on the table, “Cousin, do these herbs all need to be packed up?”
Daohua nodded, “These are all freshly harvested new herbs, whether they’re used for making soups or cooking porridge, they’re nourishing. They’d be perfect as gifts for the clan members.”
Yang Xiujun glanced at the herbs, recognizing only astragalus, angelica, and prepared rehmannia; she didn’t know the rest. Their quality was high, and they would cost a fair bit of silver if bought at the pharmacy.
The uncle’s family is indeed generous.
She had briefly glanced earlier and saw that Madam Li had also prepared dates, walnuts, and sesame sticks; those gifts were significant for the peasant families.
Once she had confirmed how much to pack in each bag, Yang Xiujun got to work, occasionally looking up at Daohua while packing.
Daohua, was reviewing the gift list for the clan’s third uncle and Butcher Uncle, and noticing Yang Xiujun’s gaze, smiled and asked, “Cousin Xiujun, do you have something to say to me?”
Yang Xiujun quickly shook her head, but her eyes briefly swept over Daohua’s right hand.
Daohua smiled, “If you have something on your mind, just say it; don’t keep it bottled up.”
Yang Xiujun nodded, “It’s really nothing.”
A few days ago, Sister Yiyi and Miss Dong still hadn’t said where they went, even Grandmother and Mother were kept in the dark. She was curious about the injury on Sister Yiyi’s hand, but she feared that Sister Yiyi might misunderstand and think she believed the rumors that had been circulating, so it was better not to ask anything.
Seeing this, Daohua didn’t ask further, and continued to look at the list of gifts, pondering whether to add or remove items.
Her great-uncle had taught her to read and write when she was a child, and she always remembered this kindness. To think, back in their rural old home, girls weren’t allowed education, and the fact that he took the time to teach her was something for which she was very grateful.
“Mother, Great-uncle is getting on in years. Let’s prepare some more easily digestible food for their family’s gift. He’s used to being frugal and doesn’t usually splurge on food,” she said.
Madam Li laughed and replied, “As you wish, the gift for Great-uncle’s family is yours to decide.”
Daohua added, “Also, Uncle Butcher’s family, he gave me seven hunting dogs. That’s no small gift. He goes hunting all year round and is bound to get some bumps and bruises. I’ll give him some of the medicinal wine and ointment I’ve prepared.”
Madam Li inquired, “Have all seven puppies survived?”
Daohua: “Of course, I had Bi Shi take such good care of them; they must survive.”
Yang Xiujun joined in with a smile, “I’ve seen those seven little dogs; they’re adorable.”
Madam Li: “Those are hunting dogs; they won’t be cute when they grow up.” She looked at Daohua with concern, “Are you sure you want to keep all seven? They’re harmless now because they’re small, but once they grow up, will you be able to control them? Maybe consider giving some away?”
Daohua immediately shook her head: “Not at all, I want to train them to become guard dogs. They’ll not only protect our house but also help in tracking and finding people, which is so beneficial.”
Madam Li looked somewhat helpless: “Are you sure you can train hunting dogs?”
Daohua paused: “…. Yes, I’ve started looking up books on the subject, and I’ve asked the head of the estate to find a dog training expert for me.”
With that, Madam Li gave up on objecting. If her daughter wanted to raise them, then let her.
Yang Xiujun watched silently from the side, her heart filled with envy at how much Madam Li doted on Daohua.
Although her mother also loved her, she wasn’t like Aunt Li… unable to be the decision-maker at home, the things she could do for her were very limited.
Just then, Yan Siyu walked in with a smile, “Is Sister-in-law busy?”
Madam Li stood up and pulled Yan Siyu to sit down, smiling, “The children from the clan will be going back these days. Thinking that the New Year is not far off, I decided to have them take the clan’s New Year gifts back with them. That’s what I’m preparing now.”
“These past days have been so hectic I’ve been dizzy with it all. Now even Xiujun has been dragged here to help out.”
Yan Siyu quickly replied, “It’s good fortune for her. Sister-in-law, if there’s anything you need her to do, just ask her to do it.” She said this with a hint of redness forming around her eyes.
“I am not much of a use myself, unable to teach her how to manage household affairs. If Sister-in-law could give her some guidance, it would benefit her for a lifetime, and I would be forever grateful.”
Madam Li hastily said, “What are you talking about? Isn’t Xiujun my niece? Truth be told, I’m the one benefiting. The end of the year is approaching, and the exchange of New Year gifts among families always keeps me so busy I can hardly tell my east from my west. This time, I had to pull Xiujun in to help lighten my load.”
Daohua chimed in with a laugh, “That’s great, with Cousin Xiujun here, I’ll have time to play.” Standing up, she bowed to Yang Xiujun, “I’ll be counting on Cousin this year.”
Yang Xiujun quickly stood up, “Cousin, please don’t say that.”
Madam Li gave Daohua a playful glare, then hugged Yang Xiujun, making a point to Yan Siyu, “This one of mine can’t compare to Xiujun’s cleverness; she’s always looking to laze about.”
Yan Siyu laughed, “I think Yiyi is doing quite well, to be so helpful at such a young age, what good fortune Sister-in-law has.”
Seeing her daughter praised, pride shone through Madam Li’s eyes, “Our family’s children are all fine in their own ways.”
Yang Xiujun glanced at her mother, who had made a special trip over, feeling a touch of emotion and a tinge of sorrow. In order for Aunt Li to offer more guidance in household management, her mother had intentionally exposed her challenges in her in-law’s home in front of her sister-in-law, which must have also been rather embarrassing for her.
Her mother’s love for her daughter was no less strong than that of Aunt Li.