Chapter 179: Ten Years on the East Bank, Ten Years on the West

 Chapter 179: Ten Years on the East Bank, Ten Years on the West

By the end of April, with swallows chirping, cuckoos singing, and the air filled with the scent of blossoms, nature was at its finest.

After wrapping up affairs on her estates and in her shops, Daohua was whisked away by Zhou Jingwan, eager to enjoy a countryside outing.

The two young girls, one who loved immersing herself in nature and the other who disliked socializing, set out without inviting anyone else. They spent a carefree day outdoors and only returned home in the evening.

"So, you still know to come back, huh?"

Daohua stepped into the main courtyard, just as the sun was setting. Madam Li glanced at her daughter with a disapproving look. "Do you even check the time? If you come back this late again, you can forget about going out next time."

Daohua quickly pleaded, "Mother, I just got carried away having fun today and lost track of time. I promise I’ll pay attention next time."

Madam Li looked at her daughter’s rosy cheeks and bright, spirited eyes. Considering how busy she had been for the past two months, she let it go without further reproach.

"Eh? The Dragon Boat Festival is still days away. Why are we already receiving gifts?"

Seeing the gift boxes on the table, Daohua curiously flipped through them. "Mother, who sent these? They seem pretty expensive."

Madam Li replied with an indifferent expression, "Zhu Jiaoyu from Linyi County used his connections to transfer to Xingzhou. These gifts are from his family."

Upon hearing this, Daohua’s cheerful demeanor immediately cooled. She placed the gift box back on the table. 

Noticing her daughter’s reaction, Madam Li knew the girl still held a grudge over the incident when Zhu Jiaoyu’s daughter had been slapped by her father. She said, "In the coming days, Madam Zhu will probably bring her daughter to visit. You’ll need to meet them."

Daohua showed no interest. "Do I have to? Zhu Xiaojie is close with Yi Shuang and the others. Let them meet her instead."

Madam Li frowned. "What nonsense are you spouting? You’re the eldest daughter of the Yan family. Hosting guests is your responsibility. How can you push it onto your younger sisters?"

"I know you dislike the Zhu family, and I don’t care much for them either. But Zhu Jiaoyu will be working under your father in the future. We must at least maintain appearances."

Seeing her daughter pouting and clearly unhappy, Madam Li chuckled. "It’s not like I’m asking you to befriend her. You’re only meeting them. Besides, your temper shows too easily—this is a chance to practice dealing with people like them."

Madam Li stood up, walked over to her daughter, and gently patted her head. "When you marry someday, you’ll meet all kinds of people. You can’t expect everyone to be someone you like. You can’t avoid them all, can you?"

Hearing her mother mention marriage again, Daohua felt annoyed and immediately relented. "Fine, Mother. I’ll meet them, okay?"

Madam Li smiled. "Just don’t forget your manners."

She didn’t have much goodwill toward the Zhu family, so she wouldn’t push her daughter too hard.

The day after the gifts arrived, Madam Zhu came to visit Yan Manor with her daughter Zhu Xiuyun in tow.

Unlike their visits to Yan Manor back in Linyi County, Madam Zhu was no longer as haughty as before. Her demeanor now carried a hint of unease. 

Who would have thought that Master Yan, a mere seventh-rank county magistrate, would silently rise three ranks to become the fifth-rank Prefect Magistrate of Xingzhou?

She could look down on the wife of a merchant-turned-county magistrate, but she dared not show disrespect to the wife of a Prefect Magistrate.

A Prefect Magistrate governs multiple counties, making the Yan family no longer the humble household she once belittled.

Especially with all the news she had heard about the Yan family over the past year.

The eldest, third, and fourth sons of the Yan family were now studying at Wangyue Academy and were frequently seen in the company of the young prince.

The young prince—royalty itself! What an honor.

Her husband had said that Master Yan was upright and highly capable. If not for certain individuals suppressing him, he would have risen even higher. Now, with his connections to the young prince, it was only a matter of time before he climbed further.

The Yan family was flourishing, while the Zhu family was in decline.

Her husband had worked tirelessly to secure his transfer to Xingzhou, hoping to rely on his past connection with Master Yan for support. 

Remembering her husband’s repeated instructions to befriend Madam Li, Madam Zhu felt unsure. After all, back in Linyi County, she had not treated Madam Li kindly.

Looking at her daughter, who kept her head lowered, Madam Zhu sighed inwardly.

Aligning herself with Lin Shi back then had been a mistake. No matter how favored a concubine might be, she was still just that—a concubine. In social interactions, only the wife held any standing.

Linyi County was small, and there were few prominent families, so etiquette and formalities were lax. But here in Xingzhou City, if she were to cozy up to another concubine, the other respectable ladies would surely distance themselves from her.

Treating a concubine as a close companion? That’s disgraceful!

Led by a maid, Madam Zhu, deep in thought, walked toward the main courtyard with her daughter in tow.

Along the way, Zhu Xiuyun behaved obediently but felt uneasy. After all, she was the one who had caused Daohua to be slapped by her father back then. 

In the main courtyard, Ping Xiao welcomed Madam Zhu and her daughter into the sitting room with a smile. "Madam Zhu, my apologies. Our madam was called away on short notice. Please wait here for a while."

Madam Zhu's smile stiffened momentarily, but she quickly recovered. "It’s our fault for arriving at an inconvenient time. Please let your madam attend to her matters. I don’t mind waiting."

Ping Xiao responded with a polite smile and excused herself. As soon as she stepped out, Ping Tong pulled her aside.

Ping Tong glared at Ping Xiao. "I told you to come up with a better excuse. The madam wants to keep her waiting but doesn’t want to overdo it."

Ping Xiao pouted. "Considering how Madam Zhu used to treat our madam, the fact that I’m smiling at her at all is already generous. Thinking of excuses? I don’t have the patience."

Ping Tong sighed but didn’t argue.

Back in Linyi County, Madam Zhu looked down on the madam for her merchant background. Seeing that Concubine Lin had a scholar father and brother and was favored by the master, she would always chat with Concubine Lin during her visits, completely ignoring the legitimate wife—a truly infuriating behavior.

Ping Xiao sneered, "Remember when Miss Zhu got injured at our house? The master immediately slapped Eldest Miss. How many times did the madam cry over that?"

"And later, during the matter of Master Qin's appointment, Madam Zhu and Concubine Lin conspired together." 

"Madam Zhu prides herself on her scholarly family, yet none of her actions align with proper decorum. If I were the madam, I wouldn’t meet her at all."

Ping Xiao was about to continue her complaints when she suddenly noticed someone entering the courtyard. She immediately put on a welcoming smile. "Ah, Concubine Lin, you’ve finally arrived. We’ve been waiting for you!"

Lin Shi was puzzled by the enthusiasm of the madam’s head maid but didn’t show it on her face. She replied with a smile, "I was called so suddenly and was delayed while changing clothes. May I ask what the madam needs me for?"

Ping Xiao glanced at the sitting room and grinned. "It’s a good thing. You have guests here to see you, so the madam asked you to come and greet them."

Lin Shi froze.

Guests? Who would come to see her? She was just a concubine—would the madam really be so kind as to let her entertain guests?

Yan Yishuang, who had been summoned along with her, asked, "Who is it?"

Ping Xiao smiled slyly. "Third Young Miss, it’s your good friend, Miss Zhu. She and Madam Zhu are here, and the madam thought you two get along well, so she specifically asked you to come greet them."

Seeing Lin Shi and her daughter stunned, Ping Xiao urged, "Concubine Lin, Third Young Miss, hurry and follow me. It wouldn’t do to keep the guests waiting."

In the sitting room, Madam Zhu and her daughter were already unhappy after being left to wait.

Hearing voices from the courtyard, they assumed Madam Li had arrived and quickly stood to greet her.

However, when they saw Lin Shi and Yan Yishuang enter, the smile on Madam Zhu’s face nearly faltered.

Having a concubine receive her? What did Madam Li take her for?

(End of Chapter)