Chapter 181: Turning the Tables and Singing a Different Tune
In the main courtyard, Daohua watched as Madam Li leisurely tended to the flowers, then glanced at the darkening sky. "Mother, Father has gone to the Shuangxin Courtyard."
Madam Li didn’t look back, continuing to trim the potted plants. She replied faintly, "It’s perfectly normal for your father to stay the night at the Shuangxin Courtyard. What’s there to make a fuss about?"
Daohua was speechless. She didn’t believe that Madam Li didn’t understand her implication. "Mother, you turned down Madam Zhu today. Concubine Lin and Third Sister will definitely tell Father."
Madam Li remained unfazed. "Let them say what they like. It’s not like it’s some shameful matter."
Daohua tilted her head, wondering if Madam Li truly didn’t get her meaning or was just pretending not to.
"Mother, what if Father is persuaded by the people in the Shuangxin Courtyard and agrees to let Zhu Xiuyun study at our house?"
At this, Madam Li finally put down her pruning shears, turned, and looked at Daohua. "I wondered why you’ve been lingering in my room all day. So, this is what’s on your mind?"
Daohua, no longer hiding her thoughts, spoke plainly. "Mother, I don’t want Zhu Xiuyun to come study here. I like the current atmosphere in the classroom. All three of my sisters are well-behaved. If another person joins, who knows what trouble might arise."
Madam Li smiled and walked over to sit beside Daohua. "Didn’t I already refuse today?"
Daohua glanced at Madam Li. "You refused, but what if we still have a father who, every time he’s with his beloved concubine, loses his clarity? What if he agrees?"
Madam Li lightly tapped Daohua on the forehead. "Is that how you speak about your father?"
Daohua looked up. "If Father were upright and handled things properly, I’d have no objections. But he’s not. He’s helped the people in Shuangxin Courtyard more than once. Honestly, I have no trust in him."
At these words, Madam Li grew quiet for a moment, then spoke. "Don’t worry. No matter how much the people in the Shuangxin Courtyard try to stir things up, your father won’t agree."
Daohua, surprised, looked at her mother, whose expression radiated confidence. "Why?"
Madam Li, exasperated, replied, "What happened to the cleverness you usually show? You don’t even need to think about it. You know your father won’t agree."
Daohua blinked, then thought for a moment and immediately said, "Because Father has turned the tables and now calls the shots?"
Madam Li paused for several seconds, then tapped Daohua’s head again, looking at her in disbelief. It seemed she finally understood what her daughter meant.
She wasn’t wrong—since her husband had been promoted, he no longer needed to care about Zhu Jiaoyu.
"You think your father is like you, just acting on impulse for immediate satisfaction?" Madam Li sighed.
Daohua rubbed her head, puzzled. "Isn’t that the case?"
Madam Li shook her head. She knew her daughter was still young, so she patiently explained, "Official matters are complicated, and personal relationships are even more tangled. Your father can’t just do whatever he wants."
"Even if he’s unhappy with someone, he won’t show it openly."
"Zhu Jiaoyu may have fallen from prominence, but his family’s connections in Zhongzhou Province are still stronger than ours."
"You see, he was transferred to Xingzhou as easily as if it were nothing."
"For families like that, even if we dislike them, we still have to keep up appearances. One, to avoid them making trouble behind our backs; two, what if their fortunes rise again in the future?"
Daohua, still confused, asked, "Then why did you refuse Madam Zhu?"
Madam Li smiled and patted Daohua’s head. "Ever since the young prince visited our family a few times, we’ve become the most coveted family in Xingzhou."
"If today we agree to let Zhu Xiuyun come to study, tomorrow, you’ll see—young ladies from the families of the county chief, the assistant Prefect Magistrate, all will want to come."
"You said, would your father agree?"
Daohua immediately stood up and patted her head. "Right, how could I have not thought of that? I've been worrying for nothing all day."
Madam Li smiled. "You're still young. These things take time to learn. The more you experience, the clearer you'll see."
At that moment, Pingxiao entered, covering her mouth and smiling broadly.
Daohua said, "Pingxiao, are you this happy because you found money?"
Pingxiao grinned. "I'm happier than finding money. Madam, Miss, I just heard from Steward Sun that the master punished the third young miss and also spoke about Concubine Lin."
Daohua looked surprised. "The sun must have risen from the west today? Is Father sick?"
Madam Li glared at her. "Speak properly!"
Daohua immediately fell silent.
Madam Li smiled lightly. "In front of Madam Zhu, an outsider, Yishuang openly contradicted me. If the master hadn't punished her, it would have been hard to explain."
"Concubine Lin dared to interfere in family matters. It's a light punishment to say a few words to her."
Upon hearing this, Daohua seemed to think deeply.
Was Father trying to pacify Mother?
That made sense. After being promoted to the Prefect Magistrate, the family became busier, and Madam Li was needed more. As long as Father wasn’t completely foolish, he would know that the person helping him hold up the Yan family was Madam Li, not Concubine Lin, who only knew how to take.
At the Zhu residence.
When Master Zhu saw Madam Zhu and Zhu Xiuyun return, he immediately asked, "How was it? Did you have a good talk with Madam Li today?"
Thinking of the cold reception at the Yan residence, Madam Zhu's face darkened, and she snorted. "After gaining a little influence, she’s gotten arrogant. She’s only a Prefect Magistrate's wife, but she already looks down on people."
Upon hearing this, Master Zhu felt a sinking feeling in his heart. He knew his wife’s temper well. Back in Linyi County, she never gave Madam Li a good face.
At that time, Master Yan was only a county magistrate, and Zhu didn’t think much of it. But now things were different, and considering the recent news from his family, Master Zhu was getting anxious.
"You gave Madam Li a hard time?"
Madam Zhu flared up. "What do you mean, I gave her a hard time? She gave me a hard time! When I went today, not only did she not come to see me promptly, but she also had that Concubine Lin receive me. What does that mean?"
Master Zhu was silent for a moment. "I told you before not to get too close to that concubine, but you didn’t listen. Now, with Madam Li acting this way, you can only swallow your anger."
Madam Zhu fell silent.
This was indeed her own fault.
It was one thing for the legitimate wife to get along with a concubine, but it would only invite ridicule from others.
Master Zhu turned to Zhu Xiuyun. "What about Xiuyun going to Yan’s house to study?"
At the mention of this, Madam Zhu became furious again. "They refused outright, and without hesitation. Not a shred of politeness was shown."
"How could Li be so heartless?"
Master Zhu sighed, looking disappointed. "It’s my fault. I didn’t manage things well with you and Xiuyun, so our family’s relationship with the Yan family isn’t close."
Zhu Xiuyun stepped forward and tugged at Master Zhu’s sleeve. "Father, go talk to Master Yan and let me study at the Yan house. I don’t want to stay home and study alone."
Master Zhu smiled wryly. "Since Madam Li hasn’t agreed, Master Yan will certainly not agree either."
Madam Zhu looked at him. "Is there really no room for negotiation?"
She had heard that the Yan family’s teacher, Madam Shen, was the most respected female teacher in Xingzhou. If her daughter could be taught by her, her future reputation would improve.
Master Zhu glanced at Madam Zhu. "Do you know how many families in Xingzhou are keeping an eye on the Yan family? Not to mention other families, just take the Zhou family, the first family in Xingzhou."
"The legitimate young miss of the Zhou family visits Yan's house regularly. Besides their friendship, don't you think there’s some encouragement from the adults?"
Madam Zhu froze. "Has the Yan family become that influential?"
Master Zhu handed her a letter. "You can take a look for yourself."
Madam Zhu quickly scanned the letter and exclaimed in surprise, "They are buying one or two stones of winter wheat! Is this for real?"
Master Zhu nodded. "The wheat is right there in the field. It’s not fake. Now, everyone in Zhongzhou knows about it."
He sighed, "Master Yan’s achievements in the past three years are stable."
(End of chapter)
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