Chapter 137: Reprimand

 Chapter 137: Reprimand  

Due to Xiao Yeyang's sudden departure, the atmosphere at Old Master Zhou's birthday banquet became rather awkward. 

When Yan Zhigao learned that his eldest daughter had offended the Young Prince, he personally apologized to Old Master Zhou and Master Zhou, then quickly left the Zhou residence without even eating.

Smack! 

In Old Madam Yan's courtyard, Yan Zhigao slammed his hand on the table angrily, glaring at Daohua. "You ungrateful daughter, don’t you dare keep quiet! Explain to me how exactly you offended the Young Prince?"

As everyone around her looked at her with scornful eyes, Daohua felt a deep sense of frustration and helplessness.

Xiao Yeyang’s sudden anger and the mocking remarks of the guests had already filled her with anger, but none of that could compare to the cold reproach from her father, who showed no warmth.

Old Madam Yan glared at her eldest son and scolded him, "Can’t you speak properly? Why are you shouting? Don’t you fear scaring the child?"

With that, she stood up, pulled Daohua to sit beside her, and hugged her gently. "Don’t be afraid, it’s alright. If the Young Prince is offended, then so be it. We just won’t associate with him in the future."

Hearing this, Daohua couldn't hold back any longer, and silent tears began to fall.

After Xiao Yeyang left, all she could hear around her were cruel words, and no one offered her any comfort. His furious expression had frightened her, but no one seemed to care. All she received were reproaches and malicious gossip.

Seeing Daohua cry, Old Madam Yan’s heart softened. She quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, speaking gently as she did. "Everyone is forbidden from mentioning today’s incident again. Everyone, out, now!"

"Mother!"

Yan Zhigao looked helplessly at Old Madam Yan. "Mother, spoiling Daohua like this isn’t helping her."

"Exactly!" Yan Zhiyuan interjected. "Mother, Daohua offended the Young Prince today, and that’s bringing trouble to our entire family. She needs to be punished—give her a few slaps, or she won’t learn her lesson."

At his words, the room fell into a heavy silence. 

Madam Li twisted her handkerchief, staring intently at Yan Zhiyuan.

Meanwhile, Daohua, with tears still in her eyes, looked in shock at her so-called 'good second uncle'.

Bringing trouble to the entire Yan family? Her second uncle was really making it sound like a huge scandal!

And now, they wanted to slap her? Was she being treated like a criminal?

Yan Zhiyuan, noticing Daohua’s teary-eyed gaze, felt slightly uncomfortable but continued, "You see, Daohua offended the Young Prince, and it caused embarrassment for the Zhou family. We can’t leave this unresolved."

"Not to mention, what about Wenxiu, Wentao, and Wenkai? How will they manage in the academy? And what about Eldest Brother in the official world? Will he be suppressed?"

Smack!

Before Yan Zhiyuan could finish, Old Madam Yan threw a teacup at him.

"Mother, what are you doing?" 

Yan Zhiyuan dodged quickly, avoiding the cup, but the splashing tea stained his robe. He had specially worn a light blue robe for Old Master Zhou’s birthday banquet, but now it was ruined.

Old Madam Yan pointed at him sharply. "Your eldest brother earned his official position through years of hard study. Wenxiu and the others are at the academy because of their diligence. Yan Zhiyuan, I’m warning you, don’t start trouble now."

"Mother, I didn’t—" 

Old Madam Yan interrupted him. "Don’t think I don’t know what’s in your mind. I’ve already explained why Wenjie and Wenbin couldn’t attend the academy. You, as the elder, are so petty! Since then, you’ve been making remarks about Daohua. Do you think others don’t know your intentions?"

At these words, everyone in the room turned their gaze toward Yan Zhiyuan.

Madam Li’s anger boiled over. Had Old Madam Yan not spoken up, she would have overlooked it, assuming that Yan Zhiyuan just wanted to assert his authority in front of his niece. But now, it was clear that he had other, deeper intentions.

Yan Zhiyuan felt awkward under the scrutiny and indignantly replied, "Mother, what nonsense are you talking about? Am I that kind of person?"

Old Madam Yan shot him a piercing look. "Don’t you know yourself?"

She then turned to Wenxiu, Wentao, and Wenkai. "You three should know how you entered the academy. You have no right to criticize Daohua."

Wenkai immediately spoke up, "Grandmother, I didn’t mean to criticize Big Sister."

"Neither did I," Wentao quickly added.

As everyone looked at him, Yan Wenxiu paused for a moment before speaking. "I’m not blaming my sister, but as her elder brother, I still feel the need to speak with her."

Daohua raised her eyes and retorted sarcastically, "Are you going to tell me I have no manners?"

Seeing Daohua like this, Yan Wenxiu furrowed his brows. "I know you're naturally kind-hearted, but the Young Prince is still the Young Prince. You can't treat him like an ordinary friend."

"If an ordinary friend were offended, we’d just stop associating with them. But with the Young Prince, his power could easily destroy everything the Yan family has worked for."

Daohua sneered, standing up. "I’ve always treated Xiao Yeyang this way since we first met. If you think it’s wrong, why didn’t you say anything when Xiao Yeyang first visited our home? Why didn’t you say anything when we were at Xiangxia Mountain?"

Yan Wenxiu tightened his brows, not sure how to respond when Yan Zhigao spoke up, "Wenxiu is right, you’ve been too reckless."

"Xiao Yeyang is the Young Prince, how could you just address him so casually? I’ve been meaning to warn you about this for a long time!"

Daohua turned to her "father" with a mocking smile, "Then why didn’t you say anything earlier? When I was getting along with Xiao Yeyang and it benefited you all, you didn’t mind. But now that I’ve offended him and hurt your interests, you’re all ready to blame me?"

At these words, Yan Zhigao’s face flushed with anger. "How dare you speak like that to me?"

Madam Li quickly stepped forward, pulling Daohua behind her. "Husband, if you want to discipline your daughter, please do so calmly. There’s no need to speak so harshly."

Yan Zhigao was about to speak, but Madam Li added, "A kind mother spoils her children. If you hadn’t neglected to discipline her, this girl wouldn’t be so unruly. You’re even worse than Lin Shi, who raised Yishuang to be so well-behaved."

Hearing this, Madam Li’s face went pale in an instant.

Daohua’s anger flared. She stepped forward, her voice cold, "Father, are you serious? The whole Yan family, isn’t it my mother who manages everything for you? And what about your favorite concubine? What has she done for this family, other than flattering you and making you happy? Father, you should have some conscience!"

"How dare you!" Yan Zhigao was enraged and raised his hand to strike Daohua.

"Master!" Madam Li rushed forward and grabbed his hand tightly.

Seeing her "father" about to strike again, Daohua’s eyes turned red with fury. She stepped forward, lifted her head, and coldly laughed, "Father, go ahead and hit me. All you can do is vent your anger on your children."

"You—" Yan Zhigao was so enraged, he couldn’t do anything, as his hand was tightly held.

"Are you all trying to force me to die, since my life’s too comfortable?" Old Madam Yan slammed the table, her breath quickening in fury.

Seeing Old Madam Yan’s anger, everyone fell silent.

Yan Zhigao and Madam Li quickly knelt, and the others followed suit.

"Get out, all of you!" Old Madam Yan took a deep breath and waved her hand, exhausted.

Yan Zhigao wanted to say something, but Old Madam Yan ignored him. "I don’t want to see any of you. Leave!"

Only then did everyone reluctantly leave.

When the room was empty, Daohua stood up from the floor and sat next to Old Madam Yan, leaning against her. "Grandmother, I want to go back to the old house. I don’t want to stay here anymore."

Old Madam Yan was about to reprimand her but sighed when she saw her granddaughter’s red eyes. "You girl, I don’t know who you take after. Why can’t you just speak nicely?"

Daohua sniffled. "I’m not wrong, so why should I humble myself? If I give in once, next time they’ll just use any excuse to pressure me again. Should I bow my head every time? What’s the point of living like this, always holding back?"

"You!" Old Madam Yan tapped Daohua’s head. "Where did you learn all these rebellious thoughts? You’re a junior, how can you go against your elders?"

Daohua fell silent. "They are elders, but don’t they make mistakes too? Can’t we speak out when they’re wrong? Respecting elders is important, but elders should act like elders too."

Old Madam Yan was momentarily speechless and shook her head. "Fine, I can’t argue with you. But you need to understand, when you get married, you’ll have to rely on your maternal family for support."

"Even if you’re upset with your father and brothers, just keep it in your heart. Why make things difficult by confronting them openly? Why bring trouble to yourself?"

Daohua pouted. "Mountains collapse, people run—this time, I’ve seen the truth. I can only rely on myself."

At these words, Old Madam Yan couldn’t hold back. She slapped Daohua’s head hard. "Rely on yourself? How can you? Even if you make money, do you think that’s enough to stand firm in this world?"

"Girl, it’s because your grandfather died early that I endured so much criticism. The world is harsh on women. Even if you shut yourself away, you’ll still attract trouble!"

"Why are businessmen, despite their wealth, still living in hardship? It’s because they have no support. Do you think you’re better than them?"

Daohua’s face fell. "I just want to live the life I want. Why is it so hard?"

Old Madam Yan sighed. "Life is never easy." After a pause, she continued, "Your father, as flawed as he is, at least has provided a stable home for you. Under his protection, no one dares to bully you. In the future, be polite when speaking to him."

"He’s an official and is used to hearing flattery. If you go against him like this, you’re clearly pushing him toward the Xihuang Courtyard."

Daohua pursed her lips but said nothing.

She knew, from Old Madam Yan’s position, that her words were full of love and concern for her.

"Grandmother, tonight I want to sleep with you."

Old Madam Yan replied grumpily, "You girl, you’re just like when you were little. Every time something goes wrong, you crawl into my bed."

(End of Chapter)