Chapter 180: Rejection

 Chapter 180: Rejection 

"What did you say? Did Mother send Concubine Lin to welcome Madam Zhu?"

In the Daohua Xuan, Daohua, surprised, stopped fiddling with her hair and turned toward Wang Man'er, who had brought the news.

After a brief moment of astonishment, she couldn't help but laugh.

"So Mother also enjoys playing tricks!" 

Daohua’s mood instantly brightened.

Madam Zhu had been so close with Concubine Lin back in Linyi County, so it was only fitting that this concubine should greet her.

Having the concubine receive the main wife—what a slap in the face!

And the best part? Madam Zhu couldn’t even complain afterward.

Wang Man'er was also pleased and smiled. "The madam must be doing this to vent for the young miss! Honestly, Madam Zhu and her daughter are so thick-skinned. They caused the young miss to be slapped by the master, yet they still had the nerve to visit. If it were me, I’d be too ashamed to face anyone."

Daohua nodded, then pointed to the jewelry box as she recalled the time Zhu Xiuyun had mocked her for being poor in class. "Today, wear the pearl hairpin and headpiece."

Wang Man'er immediately smiled and carefully retrieved the pieces. "With this, the young miss will definitely outshine Miss Zhu."

Daohua smiled faintly but said nothing.

In any era, people are judged by their appearance first. She dressed more formally today to better match her status as the daughter of the Prefect Magistrate, ensuring she wouldn’t be looked down upon by the so-called prestigious Madam Zhu. 

Madam Li seemed to have the same thought and had dressed more lavishly than usual as well.

Main Courtyard 

After Concubine Lin entered the sitting room and saw only Madam Zhu and her daughter, she was momentarily taken aback but soon understood Madam Li’s intentions.

In the past, the two could discuss poetry and literature, but now, this meeting was only filled with awkward silence, with only fragmented conversations.

While the adults fidgeted, the children were unaffected.

Zhu Xiuyun, seeing Yan Yishuang, her good friend, was very happy, and the two girls chattered away, holding hands.

After finishing her household chores, Madam Li leisurely entered the sitting room.

Seeing Concubine Lin and Madam Zhu both looking uncomfortable and struggling for conversation, Madam Li smiled. "Ah, I’m terribly sorry to have kept Madam Zhu waiting."

At the sight of Madam Li, everyone in the room quickly stood.

Madam Zhu immediately put on a smile. "We’ve disturbed you, Madam."

Madam Li waved her hand. "No, no, I’m the one who didn’t entertain you well." Then, turning to Concubine Lin, she asked, "Since I couldn’t come in time, did you properly attend to Madam Zhu?"

Concubine Lin, with a stiff expression, nodded reluctantly.

Seeing this, Madam Li smiled with satisfaction before turning to Madam Zhu. "You and Miss Zhu were already good friends in Linyi County. It’s been over a year since you last met; I’m sure you have much to talk about?"

As Daohua approached the door, she overheard her mother’s teasing remark, which made her smile to herself.

When she saw the awkward look on Madam Zhu’s face, Madam Li finally diverted her attention and looked toward the door. Seeing her daughter standing there with a smile, she said, "You, girl, why are you standing there laughing? Come in and greet the guests."

Both Madam Zhu and Zhu Xiuyun turned at the same time. Upon seeing Daohua walk in smiling, both their eyes showed a hint of surprise.

"Greetings, Madam Zhu!"

"Greetings, Miss Zhu!"

Daohua entered the room and formally greeted both of them.

Madam Zhu studied the eldest daughter of the Yan family in front of her. She had always known that Daohua was beautiful, but at that moment, she noticed that her movements carried a dignified air that made her seem noble and otherworldly.

"Miss, you are becoming more and more beautiful."

Madam Li smiled and pulled Daohua closer. "Stop praising this girl. She grew up in the countryside, not like Miss Zhu."

Madam Zhu’s smile faltered slightly, her lips forcing a thin smile.

She had once casually called Daohua the wild girl from the countryside, but she hadn’t expected that Madam Li would still remember it.

"Weren’t you just saying that you wanted to see your ‘big sister’ from the Yan family when we were at home? Now that she’s here, why didn’t you greet her?" Madam Zhu glanced at Zhu Xiuyun, signaling her to speak.

"Big sister Daohua!"

Zhu Xiuyun noticed that the clothes and accessories of Daohua were more beautiful and valuable than hers. Her eyes drooped slightly, and she felt a little embarrassed.

Daohua stood up and returned the greeting, "Miss Zhu."

When Madam Zhu heard Daohua’s address, her mood darkened, but she quickly regained her composure and started chatting with Madam Li.

Concubine Lin sat below, watching Madam Zhu's words, which revealed both flattery and attempts to ingratiate herself. She felt very conflicted.

How proud Madam Zhu had always been, yet now she was bowing low.

It was at this moment that Concubine Lin truly realized that the Yan family was no longer the same as before.

"Madam Li, we are truly grateful for your past kindness. My daughter, Xiuyun, was able to study with your daughters in your private school. Now that we have just arrived in Xingzhou, there are still many things to sort out, so I must shamelessly ask you to take her in again."

Upon hearing Madam Zhu’s words, Madam Li’s smile faded slightly. "I should be helping you, but my daughters are playful and mischievous. If anything happens to Miss Zhu in my house, it will be hard to explain."

"How about this," she continued, "I know a few female tutors. I can introduce them to you, how does that sound?"

Madam Zhu’s expression stiffened. She hadn’t expected Madam Li to refuse so decisively.

After all, her husband was going to work alongside Master Yan. Even if not for the sake of the monk, at least for the Buddha!

Yan Yishuang and Zhu Xiuyun got along well. As soon as she heard that Madam Li wouldn’t let Xiuyun study at the Yan house, she immediately said, "Mother, just let Xiuyun study with us. She’s the only girl in her family, and she’ll be so bored studying alone if she’s the only one in the class."

Madam Li's face darkened, and she glanced at Yan Yishuang coldly. "Do you think a classroom is for playing and joking around?" Then she looked at Concubine Lin.

"Yishuang has always been taught by you, and she’s gone against me more than once. I don’t want to argue with her. Since she and Miss Zhu are such good friends, I can’t bear to separate them. How about this—let the Zhu family find a tutor for her, and she can follow along with them to study, so she won’t get bored."

"Madam!" Concubine Lin was shocked and immediately stood up.

How could a Yan family girl go to the Zhu family to study?

Moreover, the family’s tutor, Master Shen, had excellent knowledge, manners, and etiquette, and was well-known throughout Xingzhou. There was no way any other tutor could compare.

Madam Li ignored her and smiled at Madam Zhu. "Please excuse me, Madam. It’s my poor background that I can't manage the concubines and daughters in my house properly."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhu knew there was nothing more to say. She awkwardly picked up her tea cup to cover up her embarrassment.

In the evening, Yan Zhigao was intercepted by Yan Yishuang in the Shuangxin Courtyard.

"Father, Mother won’t let Xiuyun study at our house. She said that Xiuyun’s family should find their own tutor and let me go with them. You must speak up for me!"

Perhaps due to being slapped in the face multiple times, Yan Zhigao didn’t immediately go to scold the main courtyard like usual. Instead, he picked up the tea on the table and took a sip.

It was bitter!

The tea in each of the family’s rooms was the same, and Madam Li didn’t treat anyone poorly.

However, the tea in the main and matriarch’s courtyards always tasted better than elsewhere. The reason? That tea was prepared by the eldest daughter.

Yan Zhigao gently sipped the tea, then set the cup down and looked at Concubine Lin. "Speak, what’s really going on?"

Concubine Lin quickly recounted the events of receiving Madam Zhu in the main courtyard.

Though she downplayed the details, Yan Zhigao was able to piece together the situation.

He fell silent for a moment, then looked at Yan Yishuang. "You defied your legitimate mother in front of everyone. You are to write one hundred copies of large characters as punishment."

Hearing this, Yan Yishuang froze, and so did Concubine Lin.

(End of chapter)