Chapter 271: A Deficiency in Virtue

 Chapter 271: A Deficiency in Virtue

As Yan Yishuang covered her face and ran out of the classroom crying, Daohua calmly sat down, then raised her eyes to look at Yan Yile, who was making suggestive faces at Yan Yihuan.

"Fourth sister, do you find my two cousins amusing?"

Yan Yile, aware that Daohua would definitely say something, was prepared. She straightened her neck and stubbornly replied, "Big sister, don't wrong me! I was laughing, but it was because I remembered something happy, it had nothing to do with third sister or the others."

Daohua looked at her indifferently. "You can say whatever you want, but fourth sister, as the eldest, I have something to say. Today, you could laugh at the Li sisters, but in the future, others can laugh at you as well. Think carefully about that."

Yan Yile snorted dismissively, not taking her words seriously.

Then, Daohua looked at Yan Yihuan.

When Yan Yihuan saw Daohua looking at her, she immediately straightened up, thinking Daohua would lecture her, but instead, Daohua stood up and left.

Yan Yihuan froze, surprised.

Meanwhile, Yan Yile, feeling envious, said, "Second sister, mother is right. Sometimes it's better to say less. Look at today—since you said nothing and did nothing, even if big sister wanted to find fault with you, she couldn't."

Yan Yihuan's expression dimmed, and she silently sat back down. Why had big sister scolded the other two but not her?

Compared to the dissatisfaction of the third and fourth sisters, she would have preferred if big sister had lectured her a little.

At that moment, Daohua returned, bringing Li Zixuan and Li Zixin with her.

Seeing where Yan Yishuang had been sitting, Li Zixuan looked worried and seemed like she wanted to say something to Daohua, but Li Zixuan stopped her.

In her opinion, that illegitimate daughter from her aunt's family deserved a good scolding. The official young lady from the Yan family was more arrogant than even Yan Yishuang, looking down on others with an air of superiority. It was extremely annoying!

Daohua pretended not to notice the Li sisters' concern and silently took out her zither, carefully wiping it.

This afternoon was her practice time.

Teacher Shen always appeared at the right moment. As soon as the issues with the girls were resolved, he showed up. "Ladies, shall we begin our lesson?" She glanced at the girls and then lowered her gaze without speaking further.

Once the teacher arrived, whether in knowledge or skills, she would dedicate herself to teaching them wholeheartedly.

However, when it came to personal matters, she preferred to stay out of it.

There were too many complicated relationships among high-status families. One wrong step and it was easy to get entangled in it. Why bother making things difficult for herself?

Teacher Shen glanced at Daohua. Only this girl was truly respected by her aand the Guo family, and he often brought small gifts of food for her. While not expensive, the thoughtfulness was rare, which was why she had occasionally corrected her when she made a mistake.

Daohua had punished Yan Yishuang, and the Li sisters were worried. Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile were also paying close attention.

Yan Yishuang had cried and run to the front courtyard, and they had heard about it as soon as they finished their lessons. Now, everyone was anxiously waiting for the outcome.

Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile walked toward the second courtyard. On the way, Yan Yile asked, "Second sister, who do you think our uncle will support this time?"

Yan Yihuan wasn't in the mood to talk, as she was still thinking about big sister's attitude toward her. Was big sister angry that she hadn't stopped Yan Yishuang and the Li sisters from arguing?

Seeing her sister thinking hard, Yan Yihuan finally spoke. "It definitely won't be third sister's side."

"Why not?" Yan Yile asked, puzzled.

Yan Yihuan patiently explained, "First, this matter is fundamentally third sister's fault; second, the Li sisters are guests, and to save face for the guests, our uncle will likely punish third sister; third, our uncle and aunt have already stated in front of the whole family that big sister can discipline us. What big sister said today was well-reasoned, even if our uncle might favor third sister in his heart, he won't embarrass himself by going against big sister."

"Wow, the sun must be rising in the west today."

Just as she finished speaking, Sun Shi appeared with Yan Wenjie.

"Mother!"

Yan Yile immediately ran to hug Sun Shi.

Yan Wenjie looked at Yan Yihuan and smiled. "I never expected second sister to say so much today. It's really rare!"

Sun Shi gave her son a mock glare. "Stop teasing your sister."

Yan Wenjie immediately defended himself. "I'm not teasing her, I'm happy. In the past, second sister always seemed like she didn't care about anything, but today she explained things clearly to fourth sister. This is what an elder sister should do."

Hearing this, Yan Yihuan looked up sharply at Yan Wenjie, feeling as if she had been struck by lightning.

"Didn't care about anything!"

It turned out that her brother and parents thought of her in this way!

So, today, did big sister also view her like this?

Sun Shi smiled at her eldest daughter with satisfaction. "I'm so glad you're comforting fourth girl this way, my dear."

Yan Yihuan forced a stiff smile, tugging at the corner of her lips.

Sun Shi took her eldest daughter's hand and her youngest daughter's, then said to Yan Wenjie, "Let's go home now."

---

Daohua Pavilion

The Li sisters fidgeted nervously. Seeing Daohua sitting calmly, sipping tea, they had no choice but to approach her with a question. "Cousin, aren't you worried that Uncle will blame you?"

Daohua smiled and confidently responded, "Don't worry. My father may have biases, but when it comes to right and wrong, he is very principled."

Without Concubine Lin's manipulation, her father would find out the truth of what happened in the classroom.

Once he understood the situation, the right and wrong would naturally be clear.

Li Zixuan's worry didn't fade. "But from what I know, Uncle seems to be very fond of Yan Yishuang and her twin brother, Yan Wenbin." If it weren't for that, they wouldn't have tolerated Yan Yishuang's behavior.

Daohua casually played with her teacup and replied with a light smile, "That was in the past. Have you seen my father show any particular closeness or favor towards Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin during your stay here?"

Li Zixuan and Li Zixin exchanged glances and both shook their heads.

Li Zixin leaned closer to Daohua, her curiosity piqued. "Cousin, why is that? I remember when I was little and visited your home, you were still in the old family house, and Uncle really liked them. Whenever he came to see my parents, he always brought them along."

Daohua chuckled softly and explained, "That was all before. It happened because my three big brothers were trapped at Xingyun prefecture, and Concubine Lin had brought it upon herself."

Then, Daohua began to recount the incident where Concubine Lin, along with her maternal relatives, had cursed Yan Wenxiu and the others to die at Xingyun Mansion.

"At that time, both Yan Wenbin and Yan Yishuang were present."

"My mother has always treated them well, never depriving them of anything, and never suppressing them."

"As for my eldest brother, he did more for Yan Wenbin—he not only helped him with his studies but also introduced him to classmates, helping him expand his connections and knowledge. He was also very kind to Yan Yishuang. Whenever he brought me a gift, she was never left out."

"But what did they do? They heard their aunt and grandmother curse my eldest brother and the others with such venomous words, yet neither of them spoke up to stop it. Their own mother was also plotting to become the head of the Yan family, but no one said a word."

"With such ungrateful children, what do you think my father will feel when he finds out?"

"My father had high hopes for them before. Now, he will be deeply disappointed."

So when they returned home and saw her father no longer showing as much affection for Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin, she wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

Who could like ungrateful people?

Her father, aside from being disappointed, must also feel somewhat cold-hearted.

Given his upbringing, this could even be considered a deficiency in virtue!

The Li sisters were taken aback. "So that’s what happened. No wonder Uncle had that Lin woman locked up."

(End of Chapter)