Chapter 87: Chapter 74, Daohua Pavilion l
“Mother, I heard that you’re planning to buy a property for Daohua? That’s very kind, but Wenjie and Yihuan are also your grandchildren. You can’t favor one over the other!”
That evening, as the Yan Family stayed at an inn and had dinner, the Sun Family mother-in-law brought up the issue of buying the property with a beaming smile.
Instantly, all eyes turned to the old Madam Yan.
People from the first branch looked shocked, those from the second branch had gloomy expressions, and the third branch appeared indifferent.
Daohua frowned and set her utensils down. The matter of buying a property was something she had merely mentioned in the carriage with mother and grandmother and had made no decision about. How did this second aunt find out?
There were only the three of them in the carriage at the time; mother and grandmother would certainly not have spoken of it, so it must have been the carriage driver.
Daohua’s heart stirred. She hadn’t realized that within the small Yan Family, there were already factions forming.
The old Madam Yan glanced indifferently at the Sun Family mother-in-law. She had never liked this second daughter-in-law, who she married off to their family; not for any particular reason except for the fact that she, like her parents, was too cunning and calculating.
“What, must I report my every action to you beforehand?” The old Madam Yan’s voice was somewhat cold.
Seeing the old Madam Yan getting angry, Yan Zhiyuan quickly tugged at the Sun Family mother-in-law, signaling her to stop talking.
The Sun Family mother-in-law was also somewhat intimidated by the old Madam Yan, but she couldn’t accept it in her heart.
Since the Yan Family hadn’t yet divided their assets, the wealth of the home should rightfully include a share for the second branch. Why should Daohua receive a property when her three children got nothing?
“Mother, it’s not what your daughter-in-law meant. I was just asking casually to see if there’s anything we could help with.”
The old Madam Yan snorted coldly, “I know exactly what’s on your mind. After all these years, you haven’t changed a bit. However, since you’ve asked, I might as well clarify in front of everyone today, to prevent you from accusing me of favoritism behind my back.”
Having said this, the old Madam Yan turned to Yan Zhiqiang, “Youngest son, tell everyone how much money Daohua has earned over the years.”
Yan Zhiqiang nodded, then turned to Yan Zhigao and Madam Li: “Big brother, sister-in-law, it’s not an exaggeration to say that Daohua has a true talent for farming. The grains she plants always turn out better than those of others.” “Our family’s harvests have been higher than those of others over the years, precisely because we used the seeds Daohua cultivated. We make quite a sum of silver each day from the crops in the fields.”
The Sun Family mother-in-law muttered, “Those are still the produce of the family.”
The old Madam Yan glanced at her, “Youngest, continue.”
Yan Zhiqiang went on, “Daohua, that girl, somehow caught wind that medicinal herbs could bring in money. She collaborated with children from the clan and started planting honeysuckle, goji berries, isatis root, and dandelions on the barren hills behind the village.”
“At first, nobody thought it would come to anything, but to everyone’s surprise, these herbs not only thrived the following year but also fetched a good price. Once the Clan Leader found out, he quickly organized the people of the clan to plant the entire barren hill with these herbs, making them communal property of the clan.”
“The small patch that Daohua and the children had planted couldn’t rightfully be claimed by the clan, so it was awarded to them as their private property. Wentao, that boy, due to his strength, had planted a larger area, around twenty acres. Over the years, he and Daohua have saved quite a bit of silver just from selling the herbs from the barren hill, to the point where they are wealthier than I am as their father.”
The Yan Family listened in staggered surprise, while Yan Wentao offered a shy smile.
The Sun Family mother-in-law was somewhat incredulous, “Do those things really bring in that much money?”
Yan Zhiqiang corrected her, “Second sister-in-law, those are medicinal herbs, not cheap at all. Besides, Daohua is also skilled in horticulture. Two years ago, a merchant passed through our village and saw a pot of daffodils that Daohua had grown, buying it straightaway for fifty taels of silver.”
No one disbelieved this statement; they had all seen Daohua’s skill in cultivating potted plants with their own eyes. Indeed, if she planted one, it flourished.
The Sun Family mother-in-law moved her lips, wanting to say something. She did not doubt Yan Zhiqiang’s words, but she still believed that whatever was earned also belonged to the family’s wealth.
The old Madam Yan didn’t claim to fully understand her second daughter-in- law but had a good enough grasp. She snorted coldly, “The produce from the barren hills of the clan is mine, and even I have never asked Daohua or Wentao for a share. The family has not yet divided its assets, but that doesn’t mean that the children’s earnings also have to be put into the communal pot.”
“If Daohua wants to buy a property, she will use her own money. If you too want to buy one, no one is stopping you. Just pay with your own money, and that’s all.”
Yan Zhiyuan immediately smiled and said, “Exactly, exactly, what mother says is correct, the Sun Family has no filter when they speak, don’t stoop to her level.”
Old Madam Yan glanced at her second son and snorted coldly, “It’s better to lay it all out. Otherwise, who knows what sort of stories you might concoct about me behind my back.”
Yan Zhiyuan chuckled apologetically, “How would your sons dare to do such a thing, you’re overthinking it.”
Old Madam Yan said, “Since we’ve reached this point, let me add something. In the future, if the younger generation, like Wentao, show capability, their elders should meddle less with the silver they earn.” Having said this, she glanced at Yan Zhigao and Madam Li.
Yan Zhigao and Madam Li exchanged a glance and hurriedly nodded in agreement.
Clearly, the old lady was giving them a hint, and the couple hadn’t expected that their daughter could also be a little money-making expert.
Not only did she earn money for herself, but she also lent a hand to the people in the clan.
Daohua was very quiet this time, watching with a faint smile as Old Madam Yan spoke up for her and fought for her interests. Once the old lady finished speaking, Daohua immediately sneakily tucked a chicken leg into her grandmother’s bowl with a sweet smile, “Grandmother, eat up, or the food will get cold.”
Looking at her granddaughter’s obsequious manner, Old Madam Yan’s mood improved somewhat, and she snorted, picking up the chicken leg and started to eat with a cold demeanor.
While others might lose their appetite after sitting in a carriage for too long, that was never an issue with the old lady.
Daohua also loved eating meat, so the grandmother and granddaughter ate greasily and satisfactorily in front of a group of people who could only drink porridge and eat vegetables.
Yan Wenkai sighed, “Grandmother has such a good set of teeth!”
After several days of travel, by late February, the Yan Family arrived in Xingzhou City.
The Prefectural Governor’s Office was larger than the County Governor’s Office, and accordingly, the back courtyard was much larger. It’s not even necessary to speak of the difference, simply the number of courtyards exceeded those of the County Governor’s Office’s back courtyard.
Madam Li, based on the distribution of the back courtyard in the County Governor’s Office, allocated courtyards to each household, telling everyone to settle in first before dealing with other matters.
“Mother, can I live in a separate courtyard by myself?”
After touring the back courtyard of the Prefectural Governor’s Office, Daohua immediately claimed her rights.
She no longer wanted to share a courtyard with others; it was too inconvenient.
Madam Li pretended to be displeased, “What, you dislike living with your mother that much?”
Daohua quickly acted coquettishly, “No, not at all. Even if your daughter lives in a different courtyard, she would come to see mother every day, so please let me live on my own!”
“You…”
Madam Li thoroughly enjoyed her daughter’s affection, never ceasing to smile, “Have you taken a liking to any particular courtyard?”
Even if her daughter hadn’t mentioned it, she would have arranged for her to live in a separate courtyard. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to live with her daughter; it was simply that her daughter was now nine years old. Having her own courtyard would be good for learning how to manage the servants. Daohua’s eyes lit up and she immediately chose a courtyard with a wide view. Madam Li followed Daohua to see the courtyard. It wasn’t far from the main compound and was close to Old Madam Yan’s courtyard, so she nodded in agreement, “Do you want to name the courtyard?”
Daohua thought hard, tilting her head. She was terrible at naming and couldn’t think of a good idea for quite a while, “Mother, you help me name it.”
Madam Li smiled and tapped Daohua’s forehead, “You lazy girl.” She pondered for a moment, “How about ‘Daohua Pavilion’?”
Daohua eagerly nodded, “That’s a good name; you can tell it’s my place just by hearing it!”