Chapter 86: Chapter 73, Little Rich Lady_i
Madam Li dismissed Master Qin, and the news spread throughout the Yan Family’s backyard in no time.
Daohua had just finished inventorying the items in the storeroom when Wang Manman came over to tell her about it.
Who knows if Aunty Lin will be able to plead for mercy this time?” Daohua’s lips curved slightly. Last time, Madam Li wanted to dismiss Master Qin, but it was stopped by Aunty Lin’s whispering in father’s ear, who secretly suppressed the matter.
This time, her mother was shrewd, spreading the news first. When the head of the household, Madam Li, dismisses someone, father won’t go against her openly if he has any respect for the rules.
As expected, by evening, Aunty Lin directly intercepted Yan Zhigao at the back courtyard gate.
Before Aunty Lin could speak, Yan Zhigao waved his hand to stop her, “There’s no need for you to say anything. Since Madam has made her decision, you just need to follow it. If you are truly concerned about Master Qin, simply reward her with some extra goods.”
Upon hearing this, Aunty Lin stood frozen in place, luckily Master Lin was there with her and pulled at her sleeve, bringing her back to her senses.
Yan Zhigao glanced at the Lin siblings and smiled, “Have a good talk between yourselves.” With that, he turned and headed towards the main courtyard.
“Has the master… has he grown tired of me?” Aunty Lin tearfully watched Yan Zhigao’s receding figure.
Seeing her like this, Master Lin was both annoyed and anxious, “Sister, you’ve really overstepped your bounds this time!”
Aunty Lin wiped away her tears, her face showing hurt and anger, “How did I overstep my bounds?”
Master Lin sighed, “Sister, what did you intend by coming to see the master just now? To plead for Master Qin? But Master Qin has already been dismissed by Madam. Speaking to the master now is like asking him to fight Madam in the arena. Aren’t you clearly making things difficult for him?”
I… Aunty Lin paused, “I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
Master Lin knew his sister well and understood that she was still upset about the master not visiting her first thing upon his return, and was also keen on outdoing Madam. But times have changed!
“Sister, heed my advice and don’t get involved with Master Qin’s matter anymore.”
Aunty Lin looked at Master Lin dissatisfiedly, “How can you talk like this?
Don’t forget, she is our cousin and it was because she helped me that she got revenge from Madam. Wouldn’t it be wrong for me not to help?”
Master Lin frowned, “What cousin? She’s merely a distant relative! Sister, just pack your bags and stop worrying about this.”
Aunty Lin looked distressed, “But over the years, Master Qin has taught Yiyi and the others with such dedication, shouldn’t the master take that into account even if he doesn’t care for the teacher herself…”
Master Lin cut her off directly, “But Master Qin offended the Yan Family’s eldest daughter; just because of that, neither the master nor Madam will use her services again.”
Aunty Lin’s face turned angry, “So does that mean we have to look at Yan Yiyi’s face for a tutor in the future?”
Master Lin’s eyes flickered, “I hate to say it, but that’s true.”
“You…”
Master Lin said, “Sister, I’m not trying to argue with you.” After looking around to make sure they were alone, he continued in a lower voice, “Sister, the master’s promotion this time is related to the eldest daughter. Right now, no matter how right you are, if she is unwilling, Master Qin will be leaving with us.”
Aunty Lin was stunned, “How could this be?”
Master Lin said, “I’m not clear on the specifics, but in the future, try to keep your distance from the Yan Family’s eldest daughter and don’t offend her.”
“Heh~”
Aunty Lin scoffed, “Are we supposed to fear a young girl?”
Master Lin’s expression shifted slightly, “It’s not about fear, but avoidance. We must wait for this to blow over before we can make new plans.”
After a few days of packing, the Yan Family finally finished preparing their belongings for the journey. Meanwhile, Yan Zhigao also completed the handover with the new County Magistrate.
In mid-February, Yan Zhigao hurriedly took his entire family to Xingzhou City for his new post.
On this journey, the Yan family truly witnessed Grandmother’s robust health.
While her sons and daughters-in-law appeared listless from sitting in the carriage for long periods, the old lady still brimmed with vitality, discussing the scenery along the way with Daohua in high spirits.
Mother, did you really sell the manor you took us to see last time?” Daohua prepared a bowl of oil tea for Madam Lin, whose face was somewhat pale.
Having experienced the trip to the prefectural city before, Daohua knew that her family members weren’t very robust. Considering the bumpy journey ahead and knowing that merely drinking tea or rice soup wasn’t very nutritious, she thought of making the oil tea she had tasted in a past life.
Oil tea could invigorate, aid in digestion, and was easy to prepare – perfect for the journey.
Thankfully, she had a variety of grains planted in her space, otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to make this oil tea.
Madam Lin accepted the bowl of oil tea from her daughter’s hands and smiled, Of course, it had to be sold. Otherwise, who would stay to manage it? When we bought it, we thought your father would remain in Linyi County. Now that we re going to Xingzhou, it’s just as well to buy a new one there.”
Daohua nodded, then her eyes suddenly shifted as she asked, “Mother, how much money does a small manor cost approximately?”
Madam Lin looked at Daohua in surprise, “What do you want to know this for?”
But Grandmother Yan understood Daohua. Once she heard the question, she tapped Daohua’s head, “What, are you thinking of saving up for your own dowry?”
Daohua shook her head repeatedly, “Not at all. I just want a small manor where
I can grow the things I like to eat.” It wasn’t easy to take things out of her space. Back at her old home, it was alright, as she managed the family’s private plots and had a cover for it.
But now, she was surrounded by people everywhere, and there was no origin for the things in her space. One or two times might not be noticeable, but any more than that and people would inevitably discover something odd.
Madam Lin: “The smallest manor would cost at least a thousand silver. Once
I’ve purchased a manor, I will set aside a plot for you, and you can grow things there.”
“No!”
Daohua shook her head in refusal, “If we do that, how can we distinguish what’s mine from what belongs to the family?”
As soon as these words were uttered, Grandmother Yan immediately flicked Daohua’s forehead, “What do you mean ‘yours’ and ‘ours’? Are you trying to set boundaries with the family?”
Daohua, rubbing her forehead and sulking, said, “Grandmother, I didn’t mean it like that. I just want a manor of my own. When I have nothing to do, I can go there to relax and do some farming. If it’s a family manor, can I manage it as I please?”
Grandmother Yan gave Daohua a sidelong glance, contemplated for a moment, then nodded, “You do have a point.”
With many children in the house, fighting over food one day and clothing the next was a common occurrence.
She knew her own granddaughter well: very opinionated. If Daohua had to mix with the other grandchildren, she would likely be driven to frustration every day.
Grandmother Yan looked towards Madam Lin, “Eldest daughter-in-law, in this case, when you look at manors later, also look for smaller ones and buy one for Daohua.”
Madam Lin was truly stunned. She knew the old lady doted on her daughter, but she had not anticipated such indulgence.
The Yan Family held an official position but wasn’t truly wealthy. A thousand silver was a significant expense, yet the old lady agreed without hesitation at her daughter’s request.
Frankly, she, as a mother, couldn’t be so decisive.
Madam Lin said, “Mother, there’s no need to spoil Daohua so much. She’s just a child; what does she need a manor for? Besides, if we buy it for her, what will Yiyi and the others think?”
Grandmother Yan replied, “I’ll handle them. The money for buying Daohua’s manor won’t come from the family. During the years back home, your daughter earned some money, enough to buy a small manor. If Yiyi and the others make a fuss, let them use their own money to buy one.”
Having said that, the old lady affectionately tousled Daohua’s hair, “Our Daohua may appear young, but she’s actually a little rich girl..”