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“My goodness, you scared me to death!”

Quickly stepping into the back courtyard, Ping Tong took several deep breaths in succession and fiercely patted her own chest.

Daohua laughed and said, “Sister Ping Tong, surely you’ve seen those officials before, haven’t you? Besides, they all seemed quite amiable, where was the fright?” Of course, except for those two advisors.

Master Lin, because of his relationship with Auntie Lin and her son, wore a false smile the whole time, and his insincere compliments when praising her were particularly irritating to her.

The other one, who seemed to be called Master Xiao, did not give her much attention throughout, but every time he looked over, it made her somewhat nervous, like being watched by a teacher in a way that felt all too familiar.

Ping Tong replied, “It’s true that I’ve seen them often, but that was in private. On such a formal occasion like today, it hardly ever happens. Madam rarely lets us come to the front courtyard, saying it would disturb Master’s work.”

“I wasn’t scared by the officials, but I was worried that if our dumpling soup wasn’t enough to go around, it would look terribly awkward!”

That would not only cause embarrassment for Master, but the other officials would also feel uncomfortable.

In that case, Madam’s effort to show filial piety by coming here would be completely wasted.

Perhaps afterwards, she would even be blamed by Master, and even Madam might end up implicated.

“So that’s what you’re worried about!” Daohua laughed carelessly, “Such a thing will not happen.” With the ladle in her hand, how would she allow such a scenario to arise? She had calculated it all when serving the soup.

Ping Tong still felt a lingering fear: “Madam, you have also seen the front courtyard; let’s not come here if it’s not necessary in the future.”

Daohua thought for a moment, nodding her head: “Indeed, there’s nothing worth seeing.”

Having said that, the two of them headed towards the main courtyard.

On their way, they ran into the three Yan Yishuang siblings who had just finished school.

“Big sister is so lucky, only knowing how to play every day, unlike us who have to struggle with studying and learning needlework.”

Seeing Daohua and Ping Tong coming from the direction of the front courtyard, Yan Yile spoke with a hint of sourness in her voice.

Daohua didn’t want to stoop to a child’s level, so she ignored them and walked straight past the three.

However, as she passed by Yan Yishuang, she heard her say, “Big sister, since you came from the countryside, you might not know that here in the county, dumpling soup is something that even the servants don’t eat.”

Daohua paused, then turned her head to look at the third sister who looked pitiful but spoke sharper than a knife.

Since arriving here, she had often wondered about a question.

Why, in the novels of her previous life, were the legitimate and illegitimate children always at each other’s throats, fighting and killing each other?

Now, she understood.

Apart from the fundamental conflicts of interest, it was an innate disgust and undue dislike for each other.

This hostile relationship appeared to be ingrained.

She could tolerate children like Yan Yile who expressed sour grapes, but she despised actions like Yan Yishuang’s, which trampled what you cared about and were proud of into the dirt.

Daohua looked at Yan Yishuang with a half-smile: “In Yan Family Village, from the Clan Leader to the clan members, everyone eats dumpling soup. Is third sister suggesting they are inferior to the servants in the county?”

At this, Yan Yishuang’s expression changed. Although young, she knew that it was not her place to comment on clan matters. Just as she was about to defend herself, Daohua didn’t give her the chance.

“I wonder where this sense of superiority comes from, third sister. When father was young, he couldn’t even afford a bowl of dumpling soup!” After finishing, she cast a dismissive glance at Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile, who stood by watching the excitement, and turned to leave.

Yan Yihuan saw Yan Yishuang’s eyes starting to redden and immediately tugged at Yan Yile.

The two sisters left in tacit agreement.

“Normally, big sister seems so kind, but just a few words made third sister cry!”

Upon returning to Chunhua Courtyard, Yan Yile couldn’t help but speak out.

“What are you talking about?”

Hearing this, the Sun Family’s Madam walked out from her room, and Yan Yile immediately recounted the incident.

After listening, the Sun Family’s Madam laughed and said, “Previously, your elder uncle only had Yishuang for company and inevitably spoiled her a bit, which has made her not know her place.”

“Daohua is the eldest daughter, and also the legitimate one, while she is merely born to a concubine; how dare she fantasize about outshining the legitimate daughter. Doesn’t she know her place!”

“Millet gruel, even the servants won’t eat it? She dared utter such words! Your eldest uncle, your father, your third uncle—who among them hasn’t drunk it? Even I, your mother, had my fill of it when I was young. Some people live comfortably for too long and forget their manners.”

Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile stared blankly at their mother, as they had originally assumed that she would take Yishuang’s side.

Mrs. Sun glared at her daughters with disappointment: “Listen to me, even though your eldest sister is from the countryside, she is not one to be provoked. If she and Yishuang get into a conflict again, I want you to stay as far away from it as possible.”

Yan Yile asked, “Mother, if Eldest Sister and Third Sister have a dispute, whom would Eldest Uncle side with?”

Mrs. Sun paused, “Hard to say. Your eldest uncle feels guilty towards Daohua, and he cherishes and pities Yishuang. If it really came to a head, your eldest uncle would definitely be in a headache.”

Yan Yihuan remarked, “It’s better in our family.”

Mrs. Sun smiled, “Isn’t it? In any family where there are children of concubines, there is bound to be conflict.”

At dusk, in Songhe Courtyard.

The Elder Mrs. Yan knew that Daohua had taken the initiative to bring food to the County Magistrate, and her smile crinkled her eyes. She held Daohua’s hand and said, “This is how it should be. Our Daohua has learned to care for her father.”

Daohua nestled against the old lady, her smile beaming, “Look at what Grandmother is saying, haven’t I always cared?”

The Elder Mrs. Yan replied, “Yes, yes, Daohua is always the sensible one.”

It was at this moment that Nanny Sun approached.

“Elder Mrs. Yan, Madam Lin and Third Miss have come over, saying they want to apologize to the Eldest Miss.”

The Elder Mrs. Yan blinked, puzzled as she turned to Daohua, “What happened?”

Daohua sneered inwardly; Madam Lin must be afraid that she would tattle, thus bringing Yishuang over for such a scene.

Unfortunately, whether it was Mrs. Li or the Elder Mrs. Yan, she had said nothing at all.

Were they admitting guilt without being pressured?

The Elder Mrs. Yan gave Daohua a glance before directing Nanny Sun to let the visitors in.

Soon, Madam Lin and Yan Yishuang entered.

Upon arrival, both knelt down.

Seeing this, Daohua had no choice but to stand up from the Elder Mrs. Yan’s couch and take her place standing to one side.

The face of the Elder Mrs. Yan was looking rather displeased, “What’s this about?”

Madam Lin looked up at Daohua, hesitating as if she had something to say but holding back.

The Elder Mrs. Yan, growing impatient, “I asked you to speak, what are you looking at Daohua for?” She harbored significant dislike for this concubine taken by her eldest son.

Firstly, her daughter-in-law had toiled thanklessly for years, managing the household meticulously; as a woman, she felt a natural affinity with her daughter-in-law.

Secondly, loving the house for the sake of the crow, her beloved Daohua and esteemed eldest grandson were both born of her daughter-in-law; thus, her heart naturally leaned towards her daughter-in-law’s side.

Feeling the Elder Mrs. Yan’s anger, Madam Lin became even more certain that Daohua had reported the noon incident, immediately speaking up, “Yishuang is still young and doesn’t understand the cuisine of the countryside at all. She offended the Eldest Miss inadvertently, and I brought her here to apologize.” The Elder Mrs. Yan turned to Daohua, “Daohua, what exactly happened?”

Seeing the old lady’s puzzled face, Madam Lin was taken aback.

She hasn’t told?

Daohua looked at Madam Lin, who was evading the important issue, and recounted the events as they had unfolded.

After listening, the Elder Mrs. Yan’s face turned stormy as she eyed Madam Lin, “Zhigao told me you were literate and virtuous, a paragon of good character. Look at the ‘good daughter’ you’ve raised, allowing the old woman a real eye-opener. How lofty and privileged does she think she is?”

At this moment, Yan Zhigao walked in with a smile.

Seeing his beloved concubine and daughter kneeling on the ground, his face showed a moment of surprise.

Looking up at his mother’s furious expression, he immediately inquired, “Mother, what’s the matter?”