Chapter 198: Chapter 180, Rejection_1

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“What did you say, mother asked Auntie Lin to welcome Madam Zhu?”

At Daohua Pavilion, Daohua sat in front of the dressing table, slowly doing her makeup. When she heard the news from Wang Manman, her face showed complete surprise.

After her surprise, she burst out laughing.

“It turns out that mother can also tease people!”

Daohua’s mood instantly improved.

Isn’t Madam Zhu good friends with Auntie Lin in Linyi County? Then let this concubine entertain her.

The legitimate wife being received by a concubine is a blatant slap in the face!

And afterward, Madam Zhu couldn’t have any complaints.

Wang Manman also wore a happy expression, laughing as she said, “Madam is taking out some anger for the young lady! In my opinion, Madam Zhu and her daughter have such thick skins. It caused the young lady to get beaten by the master, and yet they still have the nerve to visit. If it were me, I would be too ashamed to show my face.”

Seeing the new maid finish arranging her hair, Daohua would have normally just casually adorned it with a silk flower, but remembering the time in class when Zhu Xiuyun covertly mocked her for being plain, she pointed at the jewelry box and said, “Wear the set with the pearls today.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Manman immediately went forward with a grin, carefully taking out the headdress, “The young lady will certainly surpass Miss Zhu while wearing this jewelry.”

Daohua smiled and said nothing.

No matter the era, people first respect the clothes and then the person. Dressing formally fits her identity as the Prefectural Governor’s daughter better, so as not to be looked down upon by Madam Zhu who claims to be from an aristocratic family.

Madam Li shared the same thought, as her attire for the day was more elegant than usual.

The main courtyard.

After Auntie Lin entered the hall, she paused upon seeing only Madam Zhu and her daughter, but soon understood Madam Li’s intentions.

If before the two could chat about poetry and the like, this meeting only left them with awkwardness, speaking only in fragmented sentences.

The adults’ discomfort didn’t affect the children.

Seeing Yan Yishuang, whom she played well with, Zhu Xiuyun was extremely happy. The two young girls chatted nonstop, hand in hand.

After handling the day’s affairs, Madam Li made her unhurried way to the hall.

Observing Auntie Lin and Madam Zhu making forced conversation, looking uncomfortable, Madam Li smiled, “Oh, I’m truly sorry for making Madam Zhu wait, as I was dealing with some matters.”

When Madam Li entered, everyone in the hall fell silent, then quickly stood up.

Madam Zhu immediately put on a smile, “It’s we who are troubling you.”

Madam Li waved her hand, “Please don’t say that, Madam, it’s my hospitality that has been lacking.” Saying this, she turned to Auntie Lin, “I wasn’t able to come in time, were you able to entertain Madam Zhu properly?”

Auntie Lin’s face stiffened slightly, and she reluctantly nodded her head.

Seeing this, Madam Li showed satisfaction, then turned to Madam Zhu with a smile, “Previously in Linyi County, you two were good friends. It’s been almost a year since you’ve seen each other, surely you have endless topics to discuss, don’t you?”

Daohua arrived at the entrance just in time to hear her mother’s mocking words, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

Seeing Madam Zhu struggle to keep her composure, Madam Li slowly averted her gaze, then saw her daughter standing at the entrance, snickering, “You girl, come in and greet the guests.”

Madam Zhu and Zhu Xiuyun both turned their heads at the same time, and as they saw Daohua, who walked in smiling, a touch of awe passed through their eyes.

“Madam Zhu, I hope you’re well!”

“Miss Zhu, I hope you’re well!”

After entering the room, Daohua gave a meticulous greeting to both of them.

Madam Zhu sized up the Yan Family’s eldest young lady. She had always known this young lady to be beautiful, but back then she merely found her appearance appealing. Now however, with every move she made, there was an added air of nobility that made one forget the mundane world.

“The eldest young lady is becoming more and more beautiful.”

Madam Li dragged Daohua to her side with a smile, chuckling, “Don’t keep praising this girl; she grew up in the countryside, incomparable to Miss Zhu.”

Madam Zhu’s face stiffened, as she forced a smile on her lips.

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At first, she seemed to have casually mentioned that the eldest daughter of the Yan Family was a wild girl from the countryside; she hadn’t expected that Madam Li still remembered it.

“Weren’t you fussing to meet your elder sister from the Yan Family when you were at home? Now that she is right in front of you, how come you have forgotten to call her?” Madam Zhu glanced at Zhu Xiuyun, signaling her to speak.

“Elder Sister Yan!”

Zhu Xiuyun noticed that, whether it was the fabric of Daohua’s clothing or her jewelry, all were nicer and more expensive than hers. She lowered her eyes, feeling somewhat ashamed.

Daohua stood up and returned the gesture: “Miss Zhu.”

When Madam Zhu heard Daohua’s address, her mood sank, and she quickly cheered up to exchange pleasantries with Madam Li.

Aunt Lin, sitting below, watched with complex feelings as Madam Zhu’s words revealed flattery and ingratiating behavior.

How proud a person Madam Zhu was, and yet now she was acting so humbly.

It was also at this moment that she truly sensed that the Yan Family had really changed from before.

“Madam Li, we were previously indebted to you for taking care of us; my daughter Xiuyun was able to study with the young ladies at your private school. Now that we have just arrived in Xingzhou City not long ago and there are still many things we haven’t settled, I would like to ask you if you could have the nerve to take this girl in again.”

Upon hearing Madam Zhu’s words, Madam Li’s smile faded slightly, “By rights, I should help with this matter, but the girls in my family, they are all playful and rowdy. If something happened to Miss Zhu in my care, I wouldn’t be able to explain it.”

“How about this, I know a few female scholars. I can introduce them to you, what do you say?”

Madam Zhu’s face stiffened; she hadn’t expected Madam Li to refuse so directly.

She knew her own husband was supposed to work under Prefectural Governor Yan. You have to show some consideration for his boss, if not for the monk himself!

Yan Yishuang, who played well with Zhu Xiuyun, immediately said upon hearing that Madam Li would not allow Zhu Xiuyun to study in the Yan Family, “Mother, please let Xiuyun study with us. She’s the only girl in her family, and it would be so boring for her to take lessons alone even with a teacher.”

Madam Li’s expression turned cold as she glanced at Yan Yishuang indifferently, “Do you think studying is for frolicking and playing around?” Looking towards Aunt Lin, she continued.

“Yishuang has always been under your care, and it’s not the first or second time she’s spoken against me, her legitimate mother. I’ve been too lazy to argue with her. Since she and Miss Zhu are such good friends, I don’t have the heart to separate them. Perhaps, once the Zhu Family has found a good tutor, she could follow along to study there, to avoid feeling bored.”

“Madam!”

Aunt Lin was shocked and stood up abruptly.

What does it mean for the young lady of the Yan Family to study at the Zhu Family?

Moreover, the tutor Sir Shen at home is second to none in learning, manners, and etiquette; he is well-known throughout Xingzhou City and beyond comparison with other tutors.

Ignoring her, Madam Li continued with a smile towards Madam Zhu, “I’ve made you laugh, Madam. It’s due to my lowly origins; I am unable to manage the concubines and illegitimate daughters in my household properly.”

At these words, Madam Zhu knew she could no longer say anything and, trying to hide her embarrassment, picked up the teacup with a forced smile.

Evening.

Yan Zhigao was intercepted by Yan Yishuang in Shuangxin Courtyard.

“Father, mother won’t let Xiuyun study at our house, and she even said once Xiuyun’s family has found a tutor, to send me over there as well. You must decide for me!”

Perhaps being faced with contradiction so many times had taken its toll, Yan Zhigao didn’t immediately go to the main courtyard to inquire as he used to, but instead picked up the tea from the table and tasted it.

Bitter!

The tea for all the rooms in the house was bought uniformly, and the Madam did not slight anyone.

Yet, the tea in the main courtyard and the old Madam’s quarters tasted better than anywhere else for no other reason than that it was prepared by the eldest daughter.

After taking a light sip, Yan Zhigao put down the teacup and turned to Aunt Lin, “Tell me, what exactly happened?”

Aunt Lin immediately recounted the visit of Madam Zhu to the main courtyard today.

Although she downplayed some of the more severe aspects, Yan Zhigao still deduced the ins and outs of the situation.

Yan Zhigao remained silent for a while, then turned to Yan Yishuang, “For speaking against your stepmother in public, you are punished to write one hundred characters large.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Yihuan was taken aback, and so was Aunt Lin.